If you're enjoying send me to sleep, make sure that you've followed the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and any other podcast player you use.

Also, if you have a moment, please wait and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. All of this really helps the show reach new listeners, and you never know, your review may convince someone to listen and lead them to a good night's rest,

which I hope you all agree is worth sharing. Thanks so much for your listenership and support.

Hey, it's Andrew here. Now's your chance to reply to questions and calls for feedback from myself and all your favourite podcasters on Spotify.

Every new episode could have a Q&A or poll with a topic for you to weigh in on, so let your voice be heard.

I personally love reading through your comments and reviews for episode, and your feedback is always so useful in making improvements to the show.

View our latest episodes to respond to our Q&As and polls today. Thanks everyone.

Good evening.

In this episode, I'll be reading the crystal egg from Tales of Space and Time by HG Wells.

So let your eyes fall heavy and your breath soften as we settle in for a peaceful night's sleep.

There was, until the year ago, a little and very grimy looking shop near seven dials, over which, in weather-worn yellow lettering,

the name of sea cave, naturalist and dealer in antiques was inscribed.

The contents of its window were curiously variegated. They comprised some elephant tusks and an imperfect set of chessmen,

beets and weapons, a box of eyes, two skulls of tigers and one human, several moth eaten stuffed monkeys, one holding a lamp,

and an old-fashioned cabinet, a fly-blown ostrich egg or so, some fishing tackle, and an extraordinarily dirty empty glass fish tank.

There was also, at the moment, the story begins, a mass of crystal, worked into the shape of an egg and brilliantly polished.

And at that, two people who stood outside the window were looking, one of them a tall, thin clergyman, the other a black bearded young man of dusky complexion and unobtrusive costume.

The dusky young man spoke with eager gesticulation and seemed anxious for his companion to purchase the article.

While they were there, Mr. Cave came into his shop, his beard still wagging with the bread and butter of his tea.

When he saw these men and the object of their regard, his countenance fell. He glanced guiltily over his shoulder and softly shut the door.

He was a little old man with pale face and peculiar watery blue eyes. His hair was a dirty grey and he wore a shabby blue frock coat, an ancient silk hat and carpet slippers very much down at heel.

He remained watching the two men as they talked. The clergyman went deep into his trows of pocket, examined a handful of money and showed his teeth in an agreeable smile.

...