The Ten-pound Ticket

by Amanda Prowse

Australia, 1962: Susie has just arrived on the boat from England. She is clutching a newborn baby, but she has no wedding ring on her left hand.

The land is dusty and hot, and the work is hard and tiring. All Susie wants is to go home. But with no money, and no hope, how can she turn her life around?

Genres: Short Stories

131 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2014

About the author

Welcome to my Goodrerads page. If you love relatable, emotionally driven, character lead fiction that shines a light on family life and the trials and tribulations that affect us all, then you’re in the right place!

My name is Amanda Prowse, now nearly sixty, I started writing in my mid-forties. I divide my time between London where I live by the river and our farm in the West Country.

I’m passionate about the representation of women. My characters range in age from six to ninety-six and come from all walks of life.

The women in my stories face adversity head on, they grab opportunity by the handful and run towards the horizon, often doing so with a large dollop of humour.

My stories sometimes punch you in the gut with their realism but also leave you with a glimmer of hope – and the feeling that you are not alone. Tales that will make you ugly cry and laugh out loud – sometimes on the same page!

I’ve sold millions of books, translated into dozens of languages all around the world. Described by the Daily Mail as ‘The queen of family drama’ my novels have won awards, including the coveted Sainsbury's eBook of the year Award and I’ve had two books selected as World Book Night titles; 'Perfect Daughter' in 2016 and 'The Boy Between' (co-written with my son Josiah Hartley) in 2022.

I’m a huge supporter of libraries and am a proud ambassador for The Reading Agency. My ambition is to create stories that keep people from turning the bedside lamp off at night, great characters that ensure you take every step with them and tales that fill your head so you can't possibly read another book until the memory fades...

I’m a passionate advocate of ageing naturally and gratefully, and see every wrinkle, every line, every blemish on my face as a badge of honour – remembering always what a gift ageing is. This part of my wider belief that when women support women, magical things can happen.

When the time comes – this is what I’d like written on my headstone:

‘Wrote great stories, made a cracking roast potato…’ – what more could I ask for?
Praise for Amanda Prowse:

‘Amanda Prowse is “The Queen of Family Drama”’ – Daily Mail

'You'll fall in love with this...' – Cosmopolitan

'Powerful and emotional drama that packs a real punch' – Heat

‘Heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure’ – The Lady

'Deeply moving and emotional’ – Red

‘Amanda Prowse handles her explosive subjects with delicate skill’ – Daily Mail

‘Captivating, heartbreaking and superbly written’ – Closer

‘Amanda Prowse is the new Amanda Prowse’ – Mr Prowse

‘Uplifting and positive but you will still need a box of tissues’ – Hello!

List of Amanda Prowse works in order (oldest at top, newest at the bottom)

NOVELS

Poppy Day
What Have I Done
Clover’s Child
A Little Love
Will You Remember Me?
Christmas for One
A Mother’s Story
Perfect Daughter
The Second Chance Café (was 'The Christmas Café')
Three and a Half Heartbeats
Another Love
My Husband’s Wife
I Won’t be Home for Christmas
The Food of Love
The Idea of You
The Art of Hiding
Anna
Theo
Kitty (was ‘How to Fall in Love Again; Kitty’s Story’)
The Coordinates of Loss
The Girl in the Corner
The Things I Know
The Light in the Hallway
The Day She Came Back.
An Ordinary Life
Waiting to Begin
To Love and Be Loved
Picking Up the Pieces
All Good Things
Swimming to Lundy
This One Life
Ever After
Life as Planned
The Way Home (publishing August 2026)
Holding On Tight (publishing January 2027)

MEMOIRS

The Boy Between
Women Like Us

NOVELLAS

The Game
Something Quite Beautiful
A Christmas Wish
The Ten Pound Ticket
Imogen's Baby
Miss Potterton's Birthday Tea
Mr Portobello's Morning Paper
I Wish…
A Whole Heap of Wishes
A Wish for Forgiveness
Fifteen Minutes

COMPILATION OF FIRST SEVEN NOVELLAS
Something Quite Beautiful

Notes on Books.

All books are standalone stories, but some do share characters who pop up for cameo appeara

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that while I enjoyed the book a great deal, that was probably half of the problem when it came to rating it.
It ended far to abruptly for me. I know it’s called a short story for this exact reason, but I’d bought into the characters. The story was just getting somewhere, did Susie get home or was it another cruel trick or turn of fate.
Did she get home and face her parents or manage on her own with her son?
Did she ever find Abigail?

Now I will never know. Perhaps one day there may be a part two of Susies story through the eyes of another character perhaps? Wouldn’t that be something!

[Tracie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this author!

[Em Yarnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story. The characters are full of depth and I found myself completely drawn in by the roller-coaster of emotions as the story progressed. The description of the surroundings filled my imagination in technicolour and the incredible story of love and determination, survival and hope is thoroughly gripping.
As a short story it's perfect, but once you pick it up it's very hard to put it down. I finished it in two sittings and found myself wanting to know more. Amanda's ability to draw you in and fall in love with the characters makes this another amazing book in the No Greater Love series. I'm off to download some more!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story follows Susie, a minor character, from Clover’s Child. It is a story that teaches that you don’t allows know who your friends are. The ending was surprising. I wish it would be a longer story.

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t normally read short story’s but this had been sat on my kindle for ages so thought I would read it. Not a bad storyline and I think could have been made into a longer read. Still not changed my mind on short reads though.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good, but it’s also what I dislike about short stories. Just when I was fully engaged in the story and characters, it ended abruptly. Disappointing in that it felt unfinished and I wanted more.

[Lucy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started off good then it went flat. Characters were boring and dull. Predictable plot line for the era. In simple terms, it wasn't short enough for me.

[Claire Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love your books

[Helen Fisher]

I found this book predictable and too simplistic .

[Gail Wylde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved everything I have read by this author and I really enjoyed this book, although I wish it wasn’t quite so short.

[Sarah Marles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't like short stories, but felt compelled to read this as it followed on from a previous book I've read.
I'd like to know more about this character though!

[Linda Tilling · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Australia, 1962: Susie has just arrived on the boat from England. She is clutching a newborn baby, but she has no wedding ring on her left hand.

The land is dusty and hot, and the work is hard and tiring. All Susie wants is to go home. But with no money, and no hope, how can she turn her life around?"

A start reminder that having an illegitimate baby in the 1960's received a completely different reaction to that in the 21st Century. The mothers were shunned, the children called nasty names and life was doubly difficult when it came to finding a home or a job with no husband. The thought of a new fresh start in Australia would have been appealing to Susie and I understand her choices.

However, the book delves into a very primitive and uncomfortable existence for her and Susie has to learn to survive, keep her child alive and somehow find a way to escape this self enforced miserable existence. It was not a book to enjoy as it made for difficult reading at times, but is well written.

[Annmarie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A shocking depiction of forced emigration, slavery and abuse. Susie is a single mother who when rejected by her family and society, boards, what she believes to be, a boat of hope to Australia. Then her nightmare begins.
The character of Susie, like all the main characters in the No Greater Love series, is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Mrs Prowse has a knack for making roses bloom in savage gardens - loved it!

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read!

Loves the gutsiness of Susie. Standing up for herself and baby boy. Good for you girl! What a good short story in this No Greater Love series. Can't wait to read the rest.

[Gordon Collins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not to the authors normal standard. Bland and left me feeling disappointed, even the 'twist' at the end left me with a feeling of "so what"?

I think 2.5 is probably more accurate.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5

[Ian Sear · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ridiculous plot. Awful unlikeable characters doing completely stupid unrealistic things. Silly twist that was laughable.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book in the main, however the end disappointed me. It had a sudden twist, which was sort of like, oh I only have a page left to write on I had best finish writing quick.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite like Amanda Prowse but I had not realised it was a short story. I wanted to know more and was disappointed when it ended.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story, I do enjoy Amanda Prowse's writing so it was a sure thing I would like it. Short review as its a short book :)

[lisa gillingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart strings pulled

I have just re-read this and again couldn't put it down, I love this story and have recommended it to a friend.