Summary

That night, Grace sees a faint red glow on the horizon. The townspeople were now being encouraged to evacuate, but reports of fires came from all sides, making it difficult to know where to flee. The next day, Grace discusses packing with Rosie, who is terrified because she has no home insurance. Their husbands had both gone to work on a firebreak to protect the town, but by late evening neither had returned. They decide that if the fire threatens their houses, they will escape together to the beach and hunker down in the water until it passed. Grace goes home to sleep, and is awoken by Claire’s screams. As she throws them into the carriage to go to the beach, she hears an exploding fuel tank nearby. Rosie is already there dragging her children in a canoe. Watching their houses go...