It's a whole new kind of life for Patsy Callaghan when her father realises that her mother, Maeve, is neglecting her and stops going to sea. John Callaghan buys a horse and cart and sets up as a carrier at Liverpool Docks. Patsy likes nothing better than going out in the cart with him and Billy Grant, the boy who helps him. When John Callaghan is killed in an accident and Maeve returns to her drinking binges, Billy, who is in love with Patsy, helps her to keep the business going. But Patsy is madly in love with Bruno Alvarez, a fairground showman and believes that he is going to marry her. She brings him home on her 16th birthday to meet Maeve. He stays the night and next morning Patsy finds them in bed together. Heartbroken, she takes refuge in the stables. Billy finds her and comforts her and they end up making love. When Maeve finds out that Patsy is eight month's pregnant, she throws her out. Patsy hides out in the stables and Billy looks after her when the baby, Liam, is born there. She is still in hiding when Billy meets with an accident and is left crippled. Unable to find Bruno and tell him about the baby she stays with Billy's family. When Liam is old enough to be left with them, Patsy trains as a nurse. Liam develops TB so Patsy makes a final attempt to find Bruno only to discover that he and her mother went off together. Liam dies and once more Patsy's world collapses. Billy is there to comfort her and she realises how much she loves him and that their future is together...