The Doctor Was a Sailor — Claire Vernon

Sally Hampton is nurse-companion to Mrs Louella Dunn, and with Mrs Dunn's parents and children sails for Tahiti. Mrs Ester is overpossessive of her daughter Louella, and torn between loyalty to her mother and love for her husband, Louella is in danger of becoming seriously ill. Dr Bob Chart, the ship's medical officer, whom Sally finds very attractive, has a desire to sail around the world. Arrived in Tahiti, Sally meets the schoolmaster Paddy Masters, and the circumstance opens Bob's eyes to his real feelings. This novel has charm and warmth and the reader's sympathy is at once enlisted on behalf of a delightful heroine.