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Bertie's Theory of Ice Cream

44 Scotland Street, Book 18

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Bertie's Theory of Ice Cream

By: Alexander McCall Smith
Narrated by: David Rintoul
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About this listen

'It's like ice cream, Mr Flynn,' Bertie continued. 'When you have ice cream, you need to eat it straight away, otherwise it melts. If there are people who haven't got any, you should share it, if you can.'

When despair for the world grows, Bertie's theory of ice cream reminds us that it's the simple pleasures in life that we should hold onto. And everyone's favourite seven-year-old has a lot to put up with: at home, Irene is planning lessons on Irish Culture for Bertie; at school, he is forced to join Olive and Pansy's book group, and during a day out with his best friend Ranald Braveheart Macpherson, the boys find themselves unexpectedly invited to a wedding.

Meanwhile, Bruce's latest property venture goes horribly wrong after trying to move a flat's front door to give it a more prestigious address. At Nine Mile Burn, Matthew and the triplets try to adopt an unwillingly-vegan dog. And Sister Maria-Fiori dei Fiore Montagna discovers the missing part of the Stone of Scone in Drummond Place Gardens.

©2025 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2025 Bolinda Publishing Family Life Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction
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The story of inhabitants of 44 Scotland St goes on. Outrageous Irene Pollock can’t stop being herself but luckily keeps her distance pursuing her fulfilment which allows her son Bertie to continue his normal happy routine & friendship with Ranald whilst fending off Olive (mini me of Irene) & her troops. Bertie’s grandma Nicola has a flicker of new love interest whilst Matthew & Elspeth’s triplets get unexpected wonderful surprise in their young lives. Their parents may lose unlikely friendship of their new neighbours as a result but it would be the same vegan warrior neighbours to blame. As for narcissistic Bruce his get rich quick scheme dubious on both ethical and intellectual level is yet to come to fruition. Sister Maria may be up to something but it’s hard to keep the public out of her secret as it’s carried out in public gardens. Accidental unburdening herself of said secret may be just a blessing in disguise. And it all ends as per usual with a heartfelt poem full of love for Scotland delivered by the very local Angus Lordie.

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