Announced as runner-up, Claire-Louise Bennett's story the rhythms of the everyday lead a young woman to solace and sanctuary. Read by Vanessa Kirby.

Claire-Louise Bennett was born in Wiltshire but now lives in Galway. Her first book, Pond was published in 2015 and has been translated into Spanish, Dutch and Norwegian. It was recently shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize. Claire-Louise's stories and essays have appeared in The White Review, Guernica, The Irish Times, gorse, and Paper Visual Art Journal, among others. This year she has produced art writing for Temple Bar Gallery & Studios, Nottingham Contemporary, the Tate, and 126 Artist-Led Gallery.

The five shortlisted stories for the BBC National Short Story Award 2016 comprised a mix of established and new writers of this most inventive and imaginative of genres. Human connection, the desire for it, and what happens when it falls away are at the heart of this year's shortlist, which takes us across the globe and the generations, shining a light on the intimate inner lives of each story's protagonist.

The winner and the runner up were announced on Tuesday 4th October 2016

Abridged by Sally Marmion
Produced by Elizabeth Allard. Show less