I do like books about older lone women, although it’s a shame we always have to be so odd… Still, I suppose there would be no story arc if the woman was well adjusted and happy in her own company. Lonely and missing her far-away grandchild, and seeing his lookalike in a London park, 79 year old Missy reads a notice about a forthcoming event to stun the park’s fish in order to move them. With nothing else to do, and hopeful of seeing the child again (although aware that this could be slightly creepy) she goes along. At the event she meets posh Sylvie who, in a somewhat unlikely fashion, is distributing croissants. She turns out to be a friend of somewhat less posh Angie and her son Otis- the child Missy hoped to meet. In short order Missy acquires an eclectic collection of friends and - a dog. Interspersed with chapters about the local community we learn of Missy’ s history, her husband, Leo, the house she lives in and a little of what made her the lonely woman she is. It’s all very lovely and portrays positive effect of living in a close, friendly community. A little on the idealistic side, with some characters too good to be true, it’s a feel-good cosy read which nevertheless has some sharp insights into family relationships and their darker side. Some aspects of Missy’s character were hard to like - possible as I recognised them! The point was certainly emphasised that it takes effort on both sides to make a friendship. The author produces a revelation late in the story which, if you’re like me, will send you back through the book to see if you should have guessed! I enjoyed it very much.