Debbie Atherton keeps a diary and writes to it as if it were a pen pal, telling of her frustrations at school, of her older cousin Val and her exciting life, and of her home life. When she gets glandular fever she is sent to Christchurch to recuperate, accompanied by Val. Debbie meets Bronwyn and the two are instant friends. Coincidentally Val and Debbie return to Wellington on the Wahine at the same time as Bronwyn and her grandmother. During the night of the storm, as the Wahine lolls in the entrance to Wellington harbour, Val and Debbie become separated and Bronwyn is fully occupied looking after her grandmother. Each experiences the tragic night of the sinking of the Wahine in different ways and not all of the group survive. Afterwards Debbie finds comfort in talking to Bronwyn about her experiences - the feelings of guilt at their survival, and the horror of watching others struggle to survive.