As S studies the physical features of the woman he believes is Sola, he begins to doubt himself. Her braid is gone, her hair is curly and her face is older. It is “as if she has aged five years in a matter of weeks.” In addition, the woman is a factory worker.
At that moment, the woman glances at S with a peculiar expression that makes S believe that she knows something about him. His hesitations melt away and he is certain that this woman is Sola.

Jen and Eric’s comments
Eric makes an observation: “Time passing at different rates (ship vs. land).” As the novel progresses, readers will begin to notice that time is passing at different rates on land versus on the ship that S. travels on. If the woman on the Wharf is the same woman in the bar at the Old Quarter, then time on land has passed much more quickly than the time that S. perceives on the ship.

Jen is convinced that the mysterious woman’s glance at S. suggests a romance between the two.

“There’s mad crushing going on here. You know that feeling don’t you?
Of course I do. It’s just that it’s never worked out well.
News flash: It’ll never work out well if you refuse to be seen anywhere.”

Jen seems to be suggesting that there is potential for their current relationship could evolve into something romantic. Later, Eric tells her, “I need to be here. That hasn’t changed. Maybe the reasons have.”

Although readers will not be sure of the context of his words, it is reasonable to assume that their relationship did eventually result into something more.