Good evening. Thank you so much for being here. The sleepy bookshelf wouldn't be possible without your support. Help us keep the show going and enjoy all of our episodes ad free by joining our premium feed. You'll also get exclusive bonus content. There's a link in the show notes if you'd like to learn more.

Good evening and welcome to the sleepy bookshelf,

where we put down our worries from the day and pick up a good book.

I'm your host and Isabeth, and it is so wonderful to be with you tonight.

This evening we are returning to a tale of two cities.

But before we do that, let's take a moment to relax and settle in.

Give yourself a nice big stretch and get comfortable where you are.

Feel the tension release from your muscles and clear your mind by inhaling deeply into your belly.

Allow your mind to be free of any worries or concerns before exhaling fully, feeling completely at peace.

Once more now, inhale and exhale.

Follow the sound of my voice and try to refocus your mind on the story if you feel any thoughts drifting back in.

Sydney Carton was one of the first to visit the newlyweds on their return to London. He sincerely asked Charles if they could be friends,

and if he would permit him to drop in every now and then, unannounced, as a dear friend

might.

Charles accepted, and Sidney didn't overstep, but would visit the family a few times

a year, and just sit amongst them quietly.

When the couple had their first child, a little girl named after her mother,

Sidney was a personal favourite with her.

They also had a son who sadly died when he was still a little boy.

All the time, Lucy felt a strange sense of foreboding, like an echo over the house.

Then finally, on a hot night in mid-July, 1789, Mr Lorry came to them, exhausted from a frantic day of work.

He spoke of clients in Paris, not being able to push their property onto

...