The dockyard workers are brought to his vessel in a boat driven by Leading Wren Jean Porter.

After both are demobilised they meet again and Donald discovers that the girl he knew as a boatwoman comes from a well-off family whose social environment is very different from his own.

They go their separate ways, he to work in an insurance office and she (for something to do, rather than for the money) to learn to be a shorthand typist.

Eventually they meet again on the Hamble and set up a partnership – Wolfe and Porter – to work on boats.

... Gumboots and dirty clothes, and Primus stoves, and rough food, and salt water.