Playing with Fire

There is a heatwave in Pearl Bay. It's unbelievably hot. The fireworks intended for the centenary celebrations go up with a big bang, blowing the church hall they were stored in to smithereens. It's a spectacular if untimely display for the locals.

Felix, the expert employed by Bob to prepare the fireworks for the celebrations, is suspected of arson and charged. His evidence in court shows that he may fit the profile of a pyromaniac and that he gains sexual gratification from lighting fires but none of this puts Miranda off. From the moment she sees Felix twirling fire on the beach, she wants him. Felix proceeds to teach her the art of playing with fire - literally and metaphorically.

The prolonged heatwave is causing some strange behaviour among the residents of Pearl Bay. All the men in town find themselves inexplicably - and intensely - attracted to Laura. Even Angus sees her in a different light. Is it the heat? Or is it Laura's own feelings of heat and desire?

Laura accepts a dinner invitation from Max. Although Laura thinks fondue is a strange choice for such a hot night, the conversation goes fairly smoothly until Max bluntly suggests he and Laura go to bed. Laura isn't sure whether he's joking or not and the conversation gets very heated. As she goes to leave, her skirt catches fire and Max knocks her to the floor and lies on her to smother any flames. Laura realises that she's enjoying the close physical contact she was craving. Max also enjoys the contact and the two stay entwined long after the threat of fire has passed.

Kevin is feeling the heat too, but it's mostly because of Phrani's latest culinary feat. For the first time he experiences true "fire in the belly" and proposes to her. He is hurt and surprised when she tells him she wants him, but not in marriage. Kevin struggles to understand her - enlisting the help of Max and Angus who offer their wisdom on women. When his research fails to give him the answers, Kevin goes with his instinct and touches on a painful truth at the heart of Phrani's reservations about relationships. This revelation leaves Kevin and Phrani free to embark on a long, slow, erotic journey.

Heather invites Meredith and Harold to dinner. The awkward evening goes from bad to worse when Bob has a go at Harold about the irresponsible encounter that brought Heather into the world. Harold's response touches Heather and even silences Bob.

The discovery of a rocket Rupert and Trevor have built dramatically changes the outcome of Felix's court case. After Felix leaves town, Laura worries that Miranda might have been hurt. But Miranda's okay - she learned how to play with fire and not get burnt.