The Toast Maker – Episode 9: The Spare Room

The Toast Maker — Episode 9 By Eliza Hartley Tonight's reading is free. Over 500 more — and every new one first — are on Sleepbound Premium. Free for 7 days, cancel any time.→ Supercast: sleepboundstudios.supercast.com→ Patreon: patreon.com/c/SleepBound Welcome back to Sleepbound Nights, and to the quiet, comforting world of Little Darlow. Last episode, Tom's long-neglected roof finally forced his hand — and in a tender, understated moment, Iris offered him her spare room. A practical arrangement. Sensible. The kind of thing adults do without making a fuss. Except, of course, the fuss was already happening. Tonight's episode opens on a Sunday morning, Iris hovering in the spare room doorway with her coffee going cold, second-guessing every towel count and lamp position. The ordinary rituals of toast, marmalade and Moss keep her tethered while her nerves quietly spiral. A lunchtime visit from Mr. Pritchard — warm, unhurried, gently honest — helps her see her anxiety for what it is: not a warning, just the ordinary feeling of letting someone in. And then Tom arrives. Damp, self-conscious, carrying a duffel bag, a toolbox, and his mother's recipes. "Note: H. leaves towels on the bathroom floor. Not worth fighting about. Just pick them up." Thank you for being here tonight. This story only exists because of your support, and I'm so grateful for every one of you. Settle in, get comfortable, and let Little Darlow take care of the rest. More from Sleepbound Nights YouTube: @sleepboundnights Patreon: patreon.com/cw/SleepBound Website: headphonesaudiobooks.com/nights Includes mentions of: Mention of Loss, Illness, Animals, Food, Beverages, Weather.