Short Works Episodes Episode guide
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The Phone Box by Javaad Alipoor
When should you run away and when should you hide in a phone box?
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His Mother
A story about the people missing from our lives. By Wendy Erskine.
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Kind by James Meek
His Lordship, who's known as Gerry, is broke and lacking ideas.
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Deep Space Death Cruise
A comic monologue about a doomed space cruise. By Harry Venning, and read by Jeff Rawle.
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Two People Shorten the Road by Rosemary Jenkinson
A Belfast taxi driver finds her life thrown into chaos when her passenger falls ill.
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Edinburgh by Kieran Hurley
What is Edinburgh Festival to the 22-year-old who grew up there?
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The Strandline by Lucy Wood
Alex Tregear reads a story by Lucy Wood, acclaimed author of Diving Belles.
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Beans
By Jan Carson. A magical story about family, poverty and a bottomless can of baked beans.
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As I Walked Out One Morning in May
Death meets the Lady in this short story by Paul Evans, inspired by a 19th-century ballad.
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Unfinished by Robert Shearman
A man dies but, at the Pearly Gates, he's sent back to earth.
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The Good Son by Louise O'Neill
A weekend away at a meditation retreat offers Billy a respite from caring for his father.
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The Gleaning by Alison MacLeod
In Alison MacLeod's specially commissioned story past and present are intimately linked.
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A Long Silence by Remi Graves
Silence takes on a new shape for Ethel in a house that is too big for her. By Remi Graves.
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My Boy Jack
On a disastrous date, a man is haunted by the voice of his dead father. By Donal Ryan.
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A Figure of Speech by Will Self
A man who is obsessed with digital maps is suddenly contacted from... where?
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Lay Not Thy Hand Upon the Head by Ned Beauman
Anteaters and an algorithm as a father and son share a culling job.
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The Authorities: A Modern Elegy by Jenn Ashworth
There's a body on a beach and the investigators are using their imagination.
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In the Clock Tower by Nat Segnit
Five new tales to accompany this week's shortlist for the 成人快手 National Short Story Award
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Give Me a Buzz by Emma Healey
Art history and the art of telephoning mingle in a story about a mother and daughter.
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Long Distance by David Szalay
A long distance lorry driver parks up overnight - but it's not the same old story.
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Synsepalum by Irenosen Okojie
A mysterious tailor makes fantastic frocks for his clients. Read by Nikki Amuka-Bird
