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Little does 12 year-old Mortimer realise that a book from his father’s library sets out his own future.

Joss Ackland reads the first of five tales to chill the blood.

Written by Alfred Noyes, ‘The Midnight Express’ is a short story, barely six pages in length.

Set in the early 1900s, it spans 38 years of the life of Mortimer, who is trying to escape himself, but finds he can’t.

Abridged and produced by Richard Dunn.

First broadcast on Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4 in December 1986.