As the others were ushered to their reserved banquette, Johnny held out his hand. ‘Come on, Grace, let’s do it!’ he said, and pulled her onto the dance floor.

The rest of the evening hurtled past like an out-of-control meteor, as she later described it to Melanie. Mr AJ was like a magician, controlling them all as he punched buttons and switches, and lighting effects, more like fireworks, exploded and zoomed around the room, punctuating the throbbing music. At one time, Johnny clasped Grace to his damp silk shirt, his sinewy body pressed against her, before spinning them apart. For a moment Grace thought about letting her inhibitions go and flirting right back at him . . . No. What was she thinking? This was the biggest project of her life. She had to keep a cool head. Nevertheless, as she moved to the throb of the music, she felt the years slipping away, as though she were peeling Lawrence away from her life and she was a free spirit again.

‘Just how out of control were you?’ asked Melanie on FaceTime the next morning as Grace drank her breakfast coffee before getting ready to fly home.

‘I wasn’t, really, it was just so nice to let my hair down properly. Wait till you see what the club was like – I’ll send you and Mum some pics,’ Grace replied.

‘Great. I’m glad this is all working out so well for you. It’s come at just the right time, hasn’t it? Bali could be really good fun.’

‘It’s also going to be hard work. I have to get all the paperwork in order. Thankfully MGI are sorting out my KITAS, the work permit that’s good for six months. They’ll help me find accommodation too. I don’t want to live in a hotel no matter how plush. And I need to find a school for Daisy.’

‘And they’ll pay for it all, I hope,’ said Melanie. ‘What does your lawyer have to say?’

‘Last time we met he said to take it a step at a time. Well, it’s time for the next step! So I’ll see him when I get back. I’d forgotten what it’s like to be free, have a bit of fun, to have a challenge – in a good way – with my job.’

‘Well, don’t let Lawrence know any of this! He’ll deliberately throw a spanner in the works, knowing him. Frankly I think he’ll be jealous that you’re so stunning at what you do.’