1. Prologue 1946 Introduction to the Penrose family – Michael, Ida, Hart (Hartley) and Alice. Story is told from Hartley’s point of view. Michael is a pearling master. Sets up the tension between Michael and Ida.
2. Trade Winds Introduction to the Sennosuke family – Zeke (Imazaki), Sadako and Mitsy (Mitsu). Zeke is a diver on one of Michael’s boats. Friendship between Hart, Alice and Mitsy is established.
3. Fine and Flashing Introduction to the Penrose’s servants Saltwater Jack and Bernadette, and Bernadette’s brother, Derby. Comment on lives of Aborigines. Conflict between Ida Penrose and Derby.
4. Quest for Paradise Introduction to Jamie Kilian and his father, the local magistrate. Mr Kilian has strong views about the Japanese and the ‘real Australians’. Jamie and Hart become friends.
5. The Phoney War Ida leaves for England. The war in Europe begins. Mitsy begins to act differently. Thoughts of Japan joining the war and the implications for the friendship.
6. Storm Warning Ida is killed during the Battle of Britain. Hart’s leg is badly injured on board his father’s boat when it is caught in a cyclone.
7. Chambers of the Deep Mitsy nurses Hart back to health. Zeke is still missing at sea.
8. Coastwatch Mitsy quits nursing to comfort her mother in their time of grief. Hart loses himself in books.
9. Nerve Ghosts Alice looks after Hart and drags him out of his misery. Michael sells his boats. Jamie leaves for Canada to train as for the Air Force.
10. Burn Across the Sky Alice falls in love with Carl Venning, a wealthy pastoralist and Derby’s boss. Alice and Hart go flying in Carl’s plane and he takes them to his property, Harthog Downs. Hart senses a change in Derby.
11. The Desired Earth An insight into the treatment of Aborigines on cattle stations. Conflict between Alice and Carl over his views on the Japanese and the role of women. Alice leaves Carl.
12. Hard Liberty The Japanese Festival of the Lanterns is celebrated to put Zeke’s soul to rest. Alice joins the Army as a nurse. The friendship with Mitsy is partly restored.
13. Come to Grief Derby is arrested for rape and murder. Hart and Michael attend the trial and realise that Derby’s confession has been coerced.
14. Hugging the Ground Derby is found innocent and decides to return to his tribal people.
15. Love and its Discontents Hart is jealous of healthy Jamie and his friendship with Mitsy. He is aimless.
16. Dim the Moon Japan enters the war. Some Japanese in Broome are interned. Tension between Hart and Jamie. Mitsy and Sadako move into the Penrose house.
17. Angles and Hollows Mitsy and Hart become lovers. They visit the internees.
18. Rule of Darkness Tension is felt as the threat from Japan worsens. Hart and Mitsy’s relationship alters. Mitsy begins seeing Jamie.
19. Soundings and Sightings Alice is reported as missing in Malaya. Michael has a stroke. The relationship between Hart and Mitsy deteriorates.
20. The Divine Wind Jamie is about to take Sadako and Mitsy to be interned. Japanese planes attack the harbour at Broome. Hart rescues Jamie.
21. Sunshine and Shadow 1946 Hart reflects on the remaining war years. Alice is found alive. Jamie’s plane is shot down. Mitsy keeps in touch with Hart. He reflects on what the future may hold.
2. Trade Winds Introduction to the Sennosuke family – Zeke (Imazaki), Sadako and Mitsy (Mitsu). Zeke is a diver on one of Michael’s boats. Friendship between Hart, Alice and Mitsy is established.
3. Fine and Flashing Introduction to the Penrose’s servants Saltwater Jack and Bernadette, and Bernadette’s brother, Derby. Comment on lives of Aborigines. Conflict between Ida Penrose and Derby.
4. Quest for Paradise Introduction to Jamie Kilian and his father, the local magistrate. Mr Kilian has strong views about the Japanese and the ‘real Australians’. Jamie and Hart become friends.
5. The Phoney War Ida leaves for England. The war in Europe begins. Mitsy begins to act differently. Thoughts of Japan joining the war and the implications for the friendship.
6. Storm Warning Ida is killed during the Battle of Britain. Hart’s leg is badly injured on board his father’s boat when it is caught in a cyclone.
7. Chambers of the Deep Mitsy nurses Hart back to health. Zeke is still missing at sea.
8. Coastwatch Mitsy quits nursing to comfort her mother in their time of grief. Hart loses himself in books.
9. Nerve Ghosts Alice looks after Hart and drags him out of his misery. Michael sells his boats. Jamie leaves for Canada to train as for the Air Force.
10. Burn Across the Sky Alice falls in love with Carl Venning, a wealthy pastoralist and Derby’s boss. Alice and Hart go flying in Carl’s plane and he takes them to his property, Harthog Downs. Hart senses a change in Derby.
11. The Desired Earth An insight into the treatment of Aborigines on cattle stations. Conflict between Alice and Carl over his views on the Japanese and the role of women. Alice leaves Carl.
12. Hard Liberty The Japanese Festival of the Lanterns is celebrated to put Zeke’s soul to rest. Alice joins the Army as a nurse. The friendship with Mitsy is partly restored.
13. Come to Grief Derby is arrested for rape and murder. Hart and Michael attend the trial and realise that Derby’s confession has been coerced.
14. Hugging the Ground Derby is found innocent and decides to return to his tribal people.
15. Love and its Discontents Hart is jealous of healthy Jamie and his friendship with Mitsy. He is aimless.
16. Dim the Moon Japan enters the war. Some Japanese in Broome are interned. Tension between Hart and Jamie. Mitsy and Sadako move into the Penrose house.
17. Angles and Hollows Mitsy and Hart become lovers. They visit the internees.
18. Rule of Darkness Tension is felt as the threat from Japan worsens. Hart and Mitsy’s relationship alters. Mitsy begins seeing Jamie.
19. Soundings and Sightings Alice is reported as missing in Malaya. Michael has a stroke. The relationship between Hart and Mitsy deteriorates.
20. The Divine Wind Jamie is about to take Sadako and Mitsy to be interned. Japanese planes attack the harbour at Broome. Hart rescues Jamie.
21. Sunshine and Shadow 1946 Hart reflects on the remaining war years. Alice is found alive. Jamie’s plane is shot down. Mitsy keeps in touch with Hart. He reflects on what the future may hold.