Padstow,homeofTheMermaidandBowInnwithBlencathra,theall-pervadinglandladyandhercowardlypartner,Cap'nBligh.
MacdonaldTamryn,afatherless,soontobeeighteen-yearold,dreamsofbecomingasuccessfulentrepreneur.WillanIrishstrangerputaspannerintheworks?
LiltheTart,Lenny,TheBirdseyes,ahalffacedAlsatianandtheremainderofthecrew,aharboursidemishmashofeccentricity,allplaytheirpartinMaccy'sdream.
'IfOneArmedFrankstillpossessedtwoarms,hewouldn'thaveanicknameatall,he'djustbeplainoldFranktheFirestarter'
'Blencathrahuddlesonasalt-encrustedblanket.Aseaweedcoveredbonewedgedfirmlyinherslatheringjaws.'Thedogissleepingbesideher'
'Thebleddydoggot'isnosecaughtinaspeed-boatpropeller,'ewasswimmingtoobleddyfast'
'Ipromisenevertoeatsandwicheswithmeatinagain,especiallyifthemeatisstillalive.'