The Bookshop on the Corner

Nina arrives at the Clark family’s neglected home to return their forgotten books. Ben lets her inside, where she’s shocked by the squalor. A defensive Ainslee confronts Nina, demanding she keep their situation a secret.

Nina discovers the children’s mother, Mrs. Clark, is confined to bed with multiple sclerosis. Ainslee confesses her fear that social services will discover their living conditions and separate the family. Resolved to help, Nina retrieves cleaning supplies from her barn and confronts Lennox about ignoring those in the community who need help.

Returning to the house, Nina, Ainslee, and Ben clean the house from top to bottom. They uncover unopened government letters threatening to cut off the family’s benefits. Seeing the urgency, Nina contacts emergency social workers, who arrive to provide support.

As summer progresses, the Clark family’s situation improves with the help of social services. Nina feels more at home in Kirrinfief but still considers an offer to relocate her business to Orkney. Ainslee returns to her job on the book bus and studies for her exams.

Ben attends a summer camp and develops a passion for reading. Nina begins lending books to him from her personal collection to foster his new passion. The success of her mobile bookshop and helping the Clark family has given her a sense of purpose.