Chapter 5 Summary

Ten year old, but 'well-prepared,' Christine Gipping comes to help out at the bookshop after school and all day Saturday for no less than 'twelve and six' a week. A letter arrives from a Mr Gill, an artist, using Violet Gamart as a reference and asking to display his paintings in the Old House bookshop. With little space to spare, Florence consigns the letter to a drawer to join others from artists and authors asking the same thing.

A fish and chip shop has opened in town and further threatens the livelihood of the fishmonger who still has not been able to sell his shop. The summer holidays arrive and on Thursday Florence closes early and goes to the beach for a swim. She notices that she now recognizes many of the beachgoers as occasional customers.

Mr. Raven bought a new van...