Sophia has everything she thought she wanted – so she should be happy, right? From bestselling author Amanda Prowse comes a heart-warming short story about new friends and missed connections.

Sophia Perkins gives up her job as a teacher to realise a life-long dream of owning a second-hand bookshop. Free from the wearying monotony of marking until the early hours and swallowing the disappointment of trying to educate disinterested young minds, she embraces her new life.

Still in the throes of grief, having recently lost both of her parents, Sophia is delighted by the daily visits of Mr Portobello, the shop's former occupant, and their unexpected friendship blooms into something beautiful. In the process of learning about the eccentric eighty-year-old, Sophia learns as much – if not more – about herself. Mr Portobello makes her question her life, her choices and even how she grieves for those she has lost.

This new story with a warm vintage feel brings to mind the age-old saying: Be careful what you wish for...