Mr Portobello's Morning Paper by Amanda Prowse

When Sophia Perkins' parents die, she feels adrift. Her teaching job in a local school has become monotonous, and she longs for escape. Her fiancé had died years before and she felt very alone. When one of her pupils tells her that he hasn't read her set book, only watched part of the film, she feels this is the last straw and resigns. Her parents have left her boxes and boxes of books so she decides to open a second hand bookshop.

The bookshop is ticking over, and every day at 10am she receives a visit from the previous inhabitant of the store, Mr Portobello, who is almost twice her age. They chat, become friends, and he gives her advice.

However sometimes things are not always what they seem, and sometimes the most important things are right under your nose.

I absolutely loved this short story, and devoured it in one sitting. It's a quick read which packs a punch and the characters stay with you a long while. Working in a school there were many truths, eloquently captured.  I absolutely loved it.