The Last Bookshop in London: A Novel of World War II

German air raids begin in coastal cities, but not yet in London. Grace continues to receive letters from George and Viv assuring her of their safety. Mrs. Weatherford has become a shell of the woman she once was: She stops attending WVS meetings or cleaning the house. Meanwhile, tea and margarine are added to the list of rationed goods. Grace removes the children’s books display from Primrose Hill Books because the children have once again been evacuated out of London.

On a bright summer day, Grace tries to enjoy some time in the park. The peace is interrupted by the alarm of an air raid. In the distance, she sees planes dropping bombs over the East End. Rather than take shelter in a nearby public bomb shelter, she rushes home to Mrs. Weatherford. Mrs. Weatherford refuses to go into their makeshift bomb shelter and only stares at the sky. They see German planes, but none drop bombs. The air raid alarm goes off again, and Grace forces Mrs. Weatherford into their bomb shelter. They hear thumps outside, and Mrs. Weatherford wonders aloud if these are the last sounds Colin heard before he died.