The Girl on the 88 Bus by Freya Sampson

Book Summary

When Libby Nicholls arrives in London, broken-hearted and with her life in tatters, the first person she meets on the bus is elderly pensioner Frank. He tells her about the time in 1962 he met a girl on the number 88 bus with beautiful red hair just like her own. They made plans for a date, but Frank lost the ticket with her number written on it. For the past sixty years, he's ridden the same bus trying to find her.

Libby is inspired by the story and, with the help of an unlikely companion, she makes it her mission to continue Frank's search. As she begins to open her guarded heart to strangers and new connections, Libby's tightly controlled world expands. But with Frank's dementia progressing quickly, their chance of finding the girl on the 88 bus is slipping away . . .

More than anything, Libby wants Frank to see his lost love one more time. But their quest also shows Libby just how important it is to embrace her own chance for happiness - before it's too late.

First of all, how adorable is Frank? He's just such a sweet and generous character, no wonder he has so many people who want to support him in his search. Over the years he's made so many friends on the bus journeys and I loved meeting them throughout the book. Libby in particular is fascinated by the search and hearing Frank talk about this mystery girl intrigues her as there are parallels in their lives.

For Frank, Libby, Dylan and many others, it seems like their whole lives are mapped out on the 88 bus route. Home, work, leisure, random meetings with strangers. Now all their time is taken up with this hunt, especially as time is running out. I was drawn into the search too, with my hopes raised and dashed down repeatedly!

To make a Magic Bus Cocktail, shake up the following with lots of ice and strain into your glass of choice - 40ml tequila, 25ml coitreau, 25ml cranberry juice and 25ml orange juice.