The Empty Chair | Alice and Claude Askew | A Bitesized Audiobook

A young couple take their honeymoon in the Lake District, where the bride suggests her husband has “a day off duty" walking the fells. When he loses his way, he seeks aid at a remote and desolate looking house... but could Fate have brought him here?
Narrated/performed by Simon Stanhope, aka Bitesized Audio. If you enjoy this content and would like to help me keep creating, there are a few ways you can support me (and get access to exclusive content):
* Occasional/one-off support via Buy Me a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/bitesize...
* Monthly support on Patreon: / bitesizedaudio
* Visit my Bandcamp page to hear more of my performances of classic stories, and you can purchase and download high quality audio files to listen offline: bitesizedaudio.bandcamp.com/
* Become a Bitesized Audio Classics member on KZbin, from $1 / £1 / €1 per month:
/ bitesizedaudioclassics
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:20 The Empty Chair
00:42:23 Credits, thanks and further listening
Claude Askew (1865-1917) and Alice Askew (née Leake, 1874-1917) were a husband and wife writing team, who achieved tremendous popular success together in the Edwardian era, collaborating on numerous novels and short stories which appeared frequently in the periodicals of the day.
They were both born in London. Claude was educated at Eton, while the details of Alice's education are obscure. Alice apparently stated that she began writing "for her own amusement" before marrying Claude, although only one story is known to be credited to her under her own name (Alice Jane de Courcy Leake): 'A Modern-Day Saint', which was printed in 'Belgravia' magazine in 1894. Claude and Alice married in July 1900 and initially lived in the Marylebone area of London, where their son and older daughter were born. They later moved out to Godalming in Surrey, and eventually Haywards Heath in Sussex.
It appears that they began their writing partnership soon after their marriage; short stories were printed under their joint names from 1903 onwards, and their first novel, 'The Shulamite', was published in 1904. According to a profile of the couple from the 'Review of Reviews' in 1912: "About a year after they had been married it occurred to them that it would be pleasant to work together, since their tastes were so strikingly similar. They began with short stories, in which they have been as successful as they have been prolific, and contributed practically a new story every week to Household Words."
Interestingly, given the plot of 'The Empty Chair', it's said that both Claude and Alice often found their ideas for stories as a result of dreams. Typically, if Claude dreamed up a plot, he would write the first half of the story, while Alice finished it and improved it; and the reverse would be the case when Alice dreamed up her plots.
The Askews were well-known celebrities of the day by the time of the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. Although they were both in their forties by this point, they volunteered to help the war effort. After some time in Belgium assisting an ambulance station in late 1914/early 1915, they returned to Britain and published at least two novels, 'The Tocsin' (1915) and 'Nurse!' (1916), drawing upon their wartime experiences. Later in the war they took up the cause of aid for Serbia, raising funds in London as well as travelling to the eastern Mediterranean to write about and document experiences in the region. Alice spent some time working with the Serbian Red Cross, while Claude was appointed an honorary Major in the Serbian army in recognition of his support.
As they worked together and achieved success together, so Alice and Claude Askew died together, casualties of war when the ship they were travelling on was struck by a torpedo fired by a German U-boat in the Adriatic. They were sailing on the Città di Bari, en route to Corfu, when the ship sank at about 4.30am on 6 October 1917. Claude's body was never recovered, but Alice's body was washed up on the tiny Croatian island of Zvirinovik some weeks later, identified by letters and telegrams found in her clothing. As a result she was buried in Karbuni and a stone cross and memorial was erected in her memory there.
Alice and Claude were survived by their three children, the youngest of whom was aged just one, having been born in London in July 1916.
'The Empty Chair' first appeared in The Pall Mall Magazine in September 1910.
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2023

[@BitesizedAudio]

A young couple take their honeymoon in the Lake District, where the bride suggests her husband has “a day off duty" walking the fells. When he loses his way, he seeks aid at a remote and desolate looking house... but could Fate have brought him here? The story begins at 00:01:20. More information about the authors can be found in the video description. Narrated/performed by Simon Stanhope, aka Bitesized Audio. If you enjoy this content and would like to help me keep creating, there are a few ways you can support me (and get access to exclusive content): * Occasional/one-off support via Buy Me a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/bitesizedaudio * Monthly support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bitesizedaudio * Visit my Bandcamp page to hear more of my performances of classic stories, and you can purchase and download high quality audio files to listen offline: bitesizedaudio.bandcamp.com/ * Become a Bitesized Audio Classics member on KZbin, from $1 / £1 / €1 per month: kzbin.infojoin

[@waningmooncancer9628]

Thank you, Simon ❣️❣️❣️❣️Excellent tale, first making me laugh, then I'm smiling sadly at the just of the story 🤷‍♀️. It was waaaay too sweet, I'm so grateful. GOD bless you and your family. Happy Mother's Day to your mom and mrs, if appropriate.

[@mariameere5807]

I forgot to get you a coffee this month but I swear I will on the 29 th! I promise you and I had started to before…I was distracted by my phone ringing. Forgive me. This is my favourite type of story EVER! I love stories about clairvoyance and such!! Thank you so much Earth Angel 🙏♥️🙏

[@lizpride9960]

What a very lovely story Simon! Thank you. All the sweeter to me because I used to live near Keswick. Beautifully read.

[@maudeswanson6392]

Love IT Love IT

[@maudeswanson6392]

AND LIKE IT

[@jamc9459]

My friend Simon, I'm on a fixed income at 65.......I try to help my local friends on Maui, so dont have extra to send you, albeit it's well deserved. I love your channel. I love listening to you. Thank you my friend. Your channel is a blessing. GOD bless you. Aloha from Kapakalua, Maui.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks so much, best wishes to you. Listening, sharing and commenting all helps the channel to grow and helps to support me!

[@jojohnston4113]

A captivating, sweet story. Glad to be introduced to its authors, as well. What an amazing life they shared!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Yes indeed... I hoping to dig out some more of their stories in the future

[@karenkrohn8003]

What a sweet story! And so sensitively narrated, as always. Thank you for introducing another perfect gem into our lives, Simon.

[@jared1870]

Yes! Simon strikes again. Thank you.

[@stewartlancaster6155]

fantastic, a story set where I live ! The Lake DIstrict. Thanks for another quality offering Simon. tip if lost on fells to orientate yourself, point the hour hand of your watch, at the sun, halfway between that and the figure 12 on watch face is due South, from that you can derive north, east and west. Does not work at night !

[@BitesizedAudio]

That's an extremely useful tip, thank you! I shall make sure to remember it. I've not been to the Lakes for some years, I must revisit soon: such a beautiful part of the world

[@lesleykaygosson315]

Such a beautiful and splendid story. Kind of sad at times but has the quintessential happily ever after. I really enjoy your voice, so comforting. Thank You For Sharing This With Us. ❤

[@susangordon1153]

What a lovely gift on Mother's Day. My gratitude and sincere thanks Simon. I always find your voice so soothing and the stories very entertaining. You are blessed and your listeners, in turn, are as well. ❤

[@debbieanderson9270]

I won't deny, I was near to tears at the end. What a touching story! Thank you Simon😅

[@davidwhite7294]

Me too.

[@Frenchblue8]

It's American Mother's Day, so thank you thank you thank you!! The last moments of the day for this mother, will be spent in her favorite of ways~drifting off to a new-old 'bedtime' story, from the amazing Simon!! A brilliant Mother's Day gift, and so appreciated!🩵

[@inisipisTV]

Happy Mother's day to all you Mothers around the world.

[@SEARSJAMES]

@@inisipisTV AMEN TO THAT!

[@Charles-oo8bq]

In Germany as well

[@BitesizedAudio]

Happy Mother's Day

[@Frenchblue8]

@@BitesizedAudio Thank you, Simon,💌 and Happy Mother's Day to all mothers everywhere, whenever your special day falls, wherever you are! 🩷

[@chimera8421]

Great. Saving this for bedtime x

[@Frenchblue8]

I always do although it's difficult sometimes, to actually wait that long, especially if I find that I have some peace and quiet during the day he uploads!

[@synesthete23]

A bittersweet story. It may seem simplistic at first, but the ‘chair’ and the father’s transformation shows the slow healing process of our emotional wounds. May we all find the same opportunity to heal while we have time 🙂

[@BitesizedAudio]

Quite so, thanks @synesthete23

[@mjrchapin]

What a wonderful story! I was thinking that perhaps the plot would involve the old man having seen the young woman, which made him think she was still young, but this was much much better! A very sensitive and nuanced reading, as usual!

[@scottiwilkinson]

I can’t get enough of these!!!

[@user-mp1bh1oh7i]

Delightful , another jewel and feather to Mr Stanhopes cap !

[@Paxtonparsnip]

Wonderful description of getting lost on the fells in the mist! Happened to me several times! The authors have it spot on! Overall a thoroughly satisfying story - cleverly selected and beautifully written as always! Thanks!

[@maxgc6413]

Let me start by saying congrats on 50K; well deserved, Simon! Another classy tale for listening :)

[@maxgc6413]

I thought you swore at one point 🫢. When you said, Sanctimonious young prig. Sounds similar to Pr** perhaps the first iteration of said insult? Either way, I went bug eyed for a moment, as you are always so proper with your delivery.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Ah yes, I see... I have to be extra careful with my enunciation sometimes....

[@franbenson5805]

I thought the very same...it did sound like a rose thorn would give you if you accidentally touched one reaching for a bloom😂😂😊

[@uncomposedpiano5422]

@@maxgc6413 I'm not a native English speaker and, by the way Simon said it, I actually thought that "prig" was "that swearing word I had heard sometimes"... only after reading this I realized it's a different word

[@jeri926]

Simon, thank you for doing that story. It was delightful. We listen to you while we are doing work at home. A beautiful mother's day gift for us.

[@stephaniealeman8522]

Fresh and fragrant as a budding flower tipped with dew…🙏🏽

[@blixten2928]

Such a sweet story, so beautifully told. Thank you a thousand times!

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're most welcome, so glad to know you enjoyed it

[@BeautifulEarthJa]

How did you know I was gonna take a nap! And perfect put-me-to-bed length too 👌

[@shannondore]

This was lovely and touching. Thank you Simon.😊

[@julielevinge266]

What a wonderful story, thank you so much.✊♥️

[@morgancaughlin5298]

Very enjoyable performance!

[@davidwhite7294]

What a lovely story, surely one of the happiest ghost stories and oh how l enjoyed guessing that he would ask for the chair to be removed and quickly saying it just before you…..extremely childish but enormously satisfying…..🤝👍

[@BitesizedAudio]

Wonderful, thanks David!

[@ryangooseling]

That was a very touching story❤

[@cantonhag]

A gift of voice shared makes life easier for so many. What a blessing you provide, Mr Simon. Thanks for the positive.❤😊

[@uncomposedpiano5422]

I was expecting horror, sadness, tragedy... I need more of these stories, this one has made me feel so much compassion for the characters and I was happy for them at the end. Thank you for making these wonderful narrations.

[@mariamcgee4462]

I very much enjoyed that tale, thank you Simon.

[@blixten2928]

What joy, thank you so much!!

[@SpuktasticAudio]

A dream come true - in more ways than one. ❤

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to oblige you Bob!

[@beverlyadams7205]

Thank you so much, Simon! I love the story! The ending was amazing. A super Mother’s Day gift for me!❤

[@irenabevans3411]

A trace of Oliver Twist in the tale, superb story wonderfully read as ever Simon ❤

[@tammyhanlon3057]

Wow!!! Thanks Simon. Can't listen right now, be back at bedtime.

[@LadyBronwynn1400]

Thank you, Simon! I have my downtime every night to unwind. I can't wait to fill it with your story. Makes for a great end to a beautiful Mother's Day.

[@christabedwin]

Hurray!! A new one for Canadian Mother’s Day. ❤thank you Simon.

[@ssg8051]

A most excellent tale and perfectly told. Cheers, Ardith

[@TedaR]

Thank you once again dear Simon! VWD sir! 👏👏👏👍👍👍💜

[@ursamajor7468]

What a sadly beautiful story. You did it justice, Simon, that is for certain. Congratulations on your well deserved 50,000 subscribers

[@annettehough2792]

Congratulations on 50K 🎊

[@katyvdb5993]

A tender and moving story - sad, in spite of the upward lift at the end. And oh dear! As one who lived in Cumbria for 20 years, the bare idea of going fell-walking in an unfamiliar part of the Lake District, all by oneself, inadequately prepared, caused the hair to rise on my scalp! Don't do it, chaps!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Noted, thank you Katy!

[@Huckebein2]

My partner is from the Lake District. We intend to spend Christmas there. It will be lovely to listen once again to your telling of this story in those environments.

[@lyndaa7560]

Superb narration of a very moving story. The background of the Askew’s was fascinating, they lived, loved, wrote & died together which was the right way & end of life for them. Many thanks Simon xxx

[@barbaraseaton1593]

Simon I have just found your channel and am looking forward to listening to evocative voice.

[@pauliewogmastercertifiedli535]

Barbara you'll be glad you did 🎉

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Barbara, welcome to the channel!

[@lisamariehennessey4532]

😭😭😭😭 that was so beautiful 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@juliehobbs7938]

Thank you again Simon. I suffer insomnia and your voice is relaxing and often helps me to sleep. I mean that in the best way. I often have to on the following night find the last place I remember in the story.. You are the best narrator I have heard. Thank you for your talent and efforts.

[@camillemarchese7086]

Perfect gift at the end of moms day. I appreciate your talent and hard work. No one does it like you. Happy Moms day to all the Mamas… Namaste

[@meghan3713]

Greetings from Egypt ! Great story as usual!! 🙂

[@janetathanasopoulou2002]

A touching story beautifully read, as always, by Simon. I do so enjoy these wonderful readings from another era and being transported back in time. Thank you.

[@michellebastiani6470]

What a beautiful story ❤ Thank you very much Simon ✌️🫶

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're very welcome Michelle, so glad to know you enjoyed it

[@mariameere5807]

So glad to see this Simon and I almost missed it… I was just about to give up scrolling through the notifications I have missed when I saw this! Thank you so much I really appreciate you! Blessings to you! 💫💜💫

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Maria. Thanks for not giving up!

[@rneustel388]

This nearly brought me to tears. Thank you for your beautiful reading of this story that blends joy and sorrow so sweetly.

[@wendygillard2133]

Hi Simon, thank you very much for providing myself & many other people with hours of enjoyment through these stories.

[@hathorearthfyre]

Oh dear, I'm in tears. Such a beautiful, poignant story. Thank you!

[@adriennedunne1748]

What a wonderful story Simon. I loved the ending. It was lovely. He found someone real to love again and could leave the past behind. Thanks so much. I really enjoyed that one.

[@sugarfalls1]

That's a very touching story. And I was reading the bio of the couple and I found their collaboration of writing to be really interesting! The most tragic thing about them is the way they died. So, so sad. That's the only thing I wish I hadn't read about them. Damn those U-boats! Ugh, Well thank you for a very nice reading of this story. It was a real pleasure!! Just love your channel!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks @sugarfalls1, much appreciated

[@joycebowen8958]

What a wonderful story!❤️

[@shirleynarsi]

Wonderfully narrated. A poignant tale of love bitterness and reconciliation with a touch of spine chilling twist. You nailed this.

[@carolallain6130]

Beautiful story and wonderfully narrated! Thank you Simon❤

[@michaeldonahoo461]

What a beautiful story! Very uplifting, entertaining, and enjoyable.

[@annetteeggett]

Superb ❤

[@hannahreynolds7611]

Lovely story, and beautifully read, Simon. Thank you, as always, for your work in finding and sharing these stories with us. I do worry about the huge number of Victorian/Edwardian honeymooning women whose husbands have ghostly experiences the first time they go off for a walk on their own.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Yes indeed, perhaps they should form a support network!

[@hannahreynolds7611]

@@BitesizedAudio 😆

[@debbiewilliams9113]

What a charming, bittersweet story, (like the lives of the authors) and a pleasure to listen to.

[@krishnasen397]

A rather unusual but very interesting ghost story with a satisfactorily ending. Not familiar with the husband/ wife writer duo. Felt sad to read about their unfortunate deaths. Thanks so much Simon Stanhope Sir for selecting/ sharing the story, for the valuable information about the writers and above all for your marvelous narration/ performance. God bless

[@user-jd4hm1fo6g]

What a beautiful story. Thank you Simon

[@margaretgoodheart4167]

Always enjoy your stories and the reading of them. I, perhaps, was impressed by the bio of this remarkable couple even more than by the story. Thank you, Simon.🎉

[@kayi9236]

Wonderful as always Simon, thank you for this poignant tale, brought to us by your excellent performance!

[@user-iw8mg4sg4l]

Thank you kindly for narrating these wonderful productions of literature that can be doubtlessly called masterpieces

[@jimmillward3505]

Brilliant Simon. I really enjoyed the story. especially as I grew up in the lake district, and even once got lost in the mist for a little while on top of Helvellyn, the mist cleared eventually but for a few minutes it was very unnerving.

[@CrowSkeleton]

Aw, I was hoping mother and daughter would be hinted to have been re-united, but at least the lady gained an extra parent to shame the sanctimonious cousin-in-law with. Thank you for reading this, as always.

[@taliabee8661]

Aw, that was weirdly sweet…thank you 😀♥️

[@user-uu9gx4ig1s]

I'm dyslexic and I love the way you describe everybody in the story.

[@tashuys]

Looking forward to hearing more from this duo. Thank you for this story, Simon, it's beautiful

[@goodintentions1302]

Thank You for the interesting story & your excellent narration. I was lost in the Himalayas one afternoon, feeling frightened from a young father shawl salesman who proposed meeting me in my room so he "could make me feel wonderful." Rather than stay at the village close to the edge of the trekking, I fled with the intention of getting to Pokhara. Without good communication, not understanding their language & still thinking they understood me, I ended up miles from any village with tea houses available. I was carrying a full backpack & another pack on my front. I'd been separated from my companion because of neuropathy pain in my feet that went up to mid-hip. I stayed behind & rested in a wonderful place but decided to trek on towards Pokhara once I was feeling better rather than take the bus back. Fortunately for me a young man on a motorcycle asked if I was okay. I expect he realized how out of place this old lady was. I paid him what he requested & asked him to go slower than his normal since I was holding onto my trekking pole, one that, try as I might, I couldn't collapse. The road was steep & bumpy with turns so severe that vehicles of all descriptions tooted their horns before going through the turn to avoid collisions. He took me to the store where we'd originally had the taxi from Pokhara drop us off to start our trek. Everyone there was very kind to me & helped me get a taxi back to Pokhara. Only I didn't know the address of our hotel! My phone was dead & I didn't know a place to charge it. That left me walking what seemed like miles till I found familiar places. Whew! I made it before things shut down for the night. ... It was only as I was finishing writing this that I remembered I was also lost in the desert at Black Rock City during Burning Man 2016!! It was in the last days of the gathering & many street signs & points of interest that I used for navigation were gone. Hot during the day & not quite freezing that night,, I thought I'd freeze to death even though I'd brought warm clothes also. I was riding a bike, which is common, & my headlamp was dying. I know I sound like I'm a world traveler, although these are the two big adventures in my life. That & having all my clothes soaking wet @ Kibo Hut on Mt Kilimanjaro where I literally prayed to die because I didn't think I would make it out of there. It was below freezing, all my clothes were wet from the rain we'd had for 3 days. Rain that turned to sleet, then snow. I was exhausted & only made the last distance to Kibo Hut by imagining that there were straps attached to my ankles pulling my feet forward. At least in the Himalayas I was appropriately dressed, & comfortable temperature wise.

[@hermione9445]

What an excellent story ..Quite touching ..and of course your narration is perfect as always .Many thanks . 💕

[@williamhagen2792]

Having listened to many of your stories, so many I have trouble finding a new one.

[@januzzell8631]

Oh bless - and the quaver you gave that last line brought tears to my eyes - thank you - charming

[@elleeo1495]

Thank you, Simon, for this sweet story!

[@pauliewogmastercertifiedli535]

Thanks again, Simon!

[@nickybaker1338]

What a bitter sweet story. As always I could picture every character, due entirely to your wonderful narration, your skill at playing a full cast. Superb. Thank you Simon 😊

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks so much Nicky - I see you've been listening to some of my back catalogue recently, like this one. So glad to know you enjoyed them. More to come!

[@markmiller7761]

That was awfully good Simon. Thank you.

[@jeffashley5512]

Great Story Simon. Nothing like a happy ending with so many stories full of sadness and remorse. A superb narration as you always give us. Blessed Be from Tennessee. )O(

[@michaelbilton5884]

We love to listen to you reading all of the stories, but this was a special one. Thank you so much , how sad they died so tragically.

[@larauch13]

A wonderful story with a very happy ending. I love it.

[@jamieorourke767]

Dear Simon,I just listened to you reading chapters of. The trumpet major,your chapters saved the book for me

[@bobnewmanknott3433]

As always another gem Thank you so much RNK

[@mijiyoon5575]

Oh, very good⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thank You *Simon*

[@rozdoyle8872]

Wow , Thank you so much , what a wonderful story so beautifully narrated.

[@northernlights8126]

What a lovely story.Thank you Simon.

[@susanotway7875]

A very charming story. Thank you Simon.

[@grahamwilloughby7091]

What a great story - and so well read. I was ironing whilst listening to this and both the ironing and the story finished at the same time! Perfect!

[@mrs.cracker4622]

Lovely choice for Mother's Day in the States. Many thanks!

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're welcome Mrs. C. It wasn't deliberate as I hadn't actually realised it was Mother's Day in the US (we had ours in the UK back in March), but yes it is quite an appropriate story!

[@simoneclift3155]

Fantastic! Holiday complete. Thank you again Mr Stanhope.x

[@kathleenellenford4816]

Thank you Simon… muchly much

[@tammyhanlon3057]

Having another listen, thanks again.

[@dahlrussell]

Oh! How beautiful. So touching. Thank you.❤

[@Aiko2-26-9]

I really enjoyed this story. A touch of the creepy but with a satisfying ending.

[@LadyEng]

Lovely! Thank you, Simon. ❤

[@jackalina91]

This was an unexpectedly sadly beautiful story. Thank you so much Simon. I enjoyed it immensely. ♥️♥️😎🇦🇺✌️

[@stevecausey545]

What a wonderful story! Thank you so much.