'It does make you wonder how that started, doesn't it,' Kathy said into the silence of the room.

'I bet it's the firebug,' Tammi said Win frowned at them over Emmie's white head.

'Don't worry, Win.' Emmie covered Win's hand with hers. 'I know it could be the work of that rotten scoundrel again, I'm no fool. I know what these old eyes and this old head is telling me.'

Ellie arrived, hurrying through the back door. 'What's going on? Why is everybody up?' she asked worriedly.

She had fully expected everyone to be in bed at this hour. Instead, she had driven over the hill approaching Kia-Ora to find the house ablaze with lights and was instantly worried for her mother.

Win told her what had taken place and she drew the same conclusion the rest of them had.

They were discussing the fire when Digger came in followed by Karl, who had just arrived home himself.

Digger gave Karl a run-down on what had happened up the hill at Harry's.

'Well, what have you discovered? Was it deliberate?' Emmie asked.

'Well it looks like it but we can't sift through the ashes till mornin'; it's too dark up there. Frank Smith's goin' back up there with the cops. One thing's for sure, fires don't light themselves!'

They looked at each other across the table. Nothing further needed to be said.

Everyone knew it was almost certainly the work of the firebug!

'Let the flames begin.'

Hayley Williams.

The early morning air was crisp and clear. The sun was just rising as Eileen dismounted and walked Lightning closer to the pile of ashes.

She stood, holding the reins in her hand. Lightning snorted and tossed his head.

'That's right fella, it isn't fair, is it?' She stroked his nose. 'Now there's nothing... b.l.o.o.d.y nothing! Harry's things are gone forever.' She choked back a sob. Her gaze took in the pile of ashes spread on the ground.

'You'll get yours, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d... You'll get yours!' she shouted into the emptiness around her.

She turned, mounted Lightning and rode him slowly home.

'Well Simmo, what'd'ya reckon? Are we in for it again?' Detective Bennett asked his partner.

Frank Smith came up to them. 'There wasn't any smell of fuel last night. The blokes won't leave here till we find what set this off.'

'Hey!' shouted one of the firemen. 'Look here!' He pointed to a pile of rubble. Smith and the two detectives walked over to him.

'What'd you find?' Bennett asked.

's.h.i.t!' Swore Simpson and slowly shook his head.

'Well I'd say we're gonna have ta face it, he we go again!' Frank Smith stated grimly.

The reason for the fire had been unearthed... mosquito coils, the delayed action method used to light the fires that had brought so much destruction to the valley in the past.

Masterminded by the Lavington Firebug!

HAS THE PHOENIX RISEN FROM THE ASHES?.

Are the valley people doomed to be stricken by fire again...?

CHAPTER FOUR.

Kathy wound the rollers into the hair of a woman who had not stopped talking about the fire the night before from the moment she had sat down.

'Yes, I know Mrs Vandenberg, it was terrible,' Kathy answered.

'It has to be that firebug again... just has to be. He'll start on our houses next, you wait and see. Oh, to think he's back again, those poor people in the valley. After what they have been through, someone has to know who he is...'

She droned on and on. Kathy wound another roller, one after another, feeling very tempted to pull the annoying woman's hair. Her glance caught the headlines of the newspaper the woman had been reading SUSPICIOUS FIRE AT LAVINGTON!.

IS IT THE WORK OF THE FIREBUG AGAIN?.

After a twelve month reprieve, the residents of Hamilton valley were woken once again by the wail of sirens as the fire brigade raced to another suspicious fire.

Detectives have yet to confirm what caused the fire but at the time of this report going to print, it looks like it was deliberately lit.

The creak of the salon door interrupted her thoughts of pulling Mrs Vandenberg's hair and last night's dreadful events.

The handsome face of Eddie beamed at her. A smile quickly replaced her frown.

'Excuse me, Mrs Vandenberg; I'll just be a moment.' Kathy smiled at the woman and walked to the door.

Eddie reached out and took her hand, drawing her to him. He kissed her lightly on the lips. Kathy glanced quickly over her shoulder at Mrs Vandenberg who looked away with a scowl. Eddie chuckled and saluted to the woman.

'Eddie! You b.u.g.g.e.r, don't, she might tell the boss!' Kathy whispered. 'Anyway, what're you doing here? You've only been gone a week.'

'Missed you, sweetheart. I was so bored with the blokes in Wagga. They only want to chase skirt and drink, and I only want what's in this skirt!' He tugged at Kathy's floral dress, laughing softly.

'Well, that's nice to know, but now I have to get back to work. What say you pick me up at five thirty?'

'Sure babe, see you then!' As he turned to leave, Kathy spoke.

'Oh, Eddie, did you hear about the fire last night? Old Harry's hut burned to the ground.'

'Yeah I did, doesn't sound good, not good at all. See you later.' Eddie sauntered off. Kathy turned to Mrs Vandenberg and smiled. The woman was watching Eddie.

'He's a handsome young man,' she said quietly.

'Yes, he is,' Kathy answered thoughtfully.

Kathy and Eddie had been dating now for almost eighteen months. During that time, Eddie made frequent trips to Wagga, another Riverina town approximately one and a half hours from Lavington. He explained to Kathy that he had quite a few mates up there and they went shooting and spotlighting and enjoyed the occasional fishing trip. Kathy didn't think much about it, as she wasn't inclined to partic.i.p.ate in any of those activities and her job in the salon called for her to work Sat.u.r.day mornings, so her weekends were not free to go away unless she was on holidays.

'Ya know, Dig, I really thought after all this time he'd stopped. p.i.s.sed off or dropped dead at least I was hopin' he had!' Karl's voice held a tone of despair.

'Yeah mate, I know the feelin. I was startin' ta think it must 'ave been the friggin' priest.' Digger looked up toward the hills.

Karl removed his hat and wiped his forehead with a handkerchief, a frown creasing his weathered face. The worried look in his eyes didn't go unnoticed by Sam, who had just arrived.

'Don't have'ta tell me, mate: it's the b.l.o.o.d.y fire last night that's causin' that scowl on ya face, eh?'

'We're in for it again, aren't we?' Digger knew the answer already.

Sam rolled a cigarette from a tin of Havelock tobacco, the cigarette paper sticking to his bottom lip as he prepared the filling in the palm of his hand.

'Yeah, looks that way. I've just come from up at the Willis'. Nat reckons if he lays eyes on him, he'll shoot first and ask questions later. Says if he'd had his gun the night we chased him along the creek, he'da done it then!'

Karl tipped his hat back on his head, a familiar gesture he had when he was concerned or thinking about something.

The men continued to discuss the previous night's events. They didn't realise what a familiar scene they portrayed. You would swear this was a re-enactment of 1965!

CHAPTER FIVE.

'Mick McGrath, you're the third person I've seen today, and I might add, the only suitable applicant.' Mary studied the face of the man applying for the position of farmhand on her Jindera property.

Mick scratched at his bushy beard and smiled at her. He gazed around the property and spoke confidently to her.

'Well, I can't see a problem, ma'am. I've run properties three to four times this size.' Mick's memory flashed back to his teenage years on his mother's property where he was forced to work extremely hard, practically running the place single-handedly.

'You seem to be just the fellow I'm looking for, Mick. Come and I'll show you the bungalow that you can have as your living quarters if you like.'

Together they walked to the modest but comfortable bungalow. Mary had made matching curtains and cushions and furnished the little place with her old furniture from the lovely home she had renovated last year.

'I would like you to start in two days if that's suitable?'

'Sure is, and I would like to take up the offer of the bungalow, Mrs Winters.'

'Wonderful, you can move in whenever you like, Mick. Just let me know and I'll make sure I'm here to give you the keys.'

'Would tomorrow afternoon be okay with you? Then I can start bright an' early next morning. I haven't got much to move in, ma'am!' He looked sheepish.

Mary smiled and held the key out to him.

'Here, take the key now. Just be ready to start in a couple of days at 7am. When you arrive tomorrow, I'll have a list of jobs ready that you can get started on.'

Mary walked off toward the house. Mick's eyes followed her and swept over her slim figure with admiration. He c.o.c.ked an eyebrow as he congratulated himself on his achievement. Pleased with himself, he headed off in his old car.

'Morning, Beth. How's things?' Francis smiled.

'It's a wonderful morning, Francis. I've just received word: I start work next Monday. Isn't that great?'

'That's fantastic. We have to celebrate. Let's go out to dinner tonight... No, on second thought, would you come to Kia-Ora for dinner?'

Beth looked at Francis, her face beaming. She felt extremely fortunate to have met such a nice person. If it wasn't for him, she would probably still be searching for employment. Their dinner the other night had been very pleasant. They laughed and chatted easily. She felt comfortable with him.

'I would love to. Are you sure it'll be alright with your mother?'

'Not a problem, Beth. We have extra people more often than not for meals. They would love to meet you.'

'Okay then. I'll come back and meet you, if you like.'

'No, I'll pick you up at the boarding house at 5.45. Save you walking all the way back.'

Francis was excited she had accepted his invitation. He phoned Kia-Ora and got Win. He asked her to let Hazel know that there would be another person for dinner.

Win was in the kitchen with Hazel when Ellie came in.

'What're you two up to?' she asked.

'Planning dinner. Your son just phoned. He's bringing a young woman to meet us tonight. Apparently she starts work at Mates next Monday. He wants to make it special for her.' Win winked at Hazel.