On the night of the bonfire celebration, Niamh resolves to inform Ambrose that their marriage has come to an end. The following day, she leaves Kieran with Siobhan and spends a day at the lake with Sean, where he professes his love for her. Meanwhile, Ambrose, lost in thought about his failing marriage, takes a walk and spots two individuals struggling on the rocky shore. He calls out, assuring them he will find a way to help them escape the rising tide. In another part of town, a Frenchman named D'Argan arrives to challenge the village's leader to a balloon race. Donal and Liam seek out Brian, their best bet for a contender. Initially disinterested, Brian perks up when he learns the race is a revival of a 200-year-old competition with a £40,000 prize. However, D'Argan seems unaware of the significant