William and his father had returned from sea early. They had noticed the wind turning, and had returned with their meager catch, before it got too difficult to enter the harbour safely. Father was trying to sell the at the quay, and he had told Will to go help his sisters on the beach. He was on his way when he spotted his friend Donnie, and ran over. "Hand over your delivery, or I will shoot ye!" he said, forming a gun shape with his fingers.