The Van Roon

In a narrow backstreet north of the Strand, a modest shop bears the faded gilt sign of S. Gedge Antiques. Tucked between Charing Cross and the National Gallery, its windows hint at hidden treasures—rare prints, forgotten miniatures, and the occasional masterpiece. The proprietor, a gaunt gentleman whose attire seems stitched from another century, moves through the shop with the deliberate grace of a curator. Beneath the dust and brass, the shop whispers of stories older than the building itself.

On a September morning the shop’s routine is unsettled: his sole assistant William is away on holiday, and a quarrel with his charwoman over a modest raise adds tension. Into this lull arrives a heavy case from Ipswich, its contents unknown but promising the kind of find that excites a dealer. Despite his age‑worn demeanor, S. Gedge feels the pull of curiosity and the promise of profit, recalling a tip about a country‑house sale where bargains might be hidden. As he begins to unpack the mystery, listeners are invited to wander the lane and share in anticipation of what may emerge.