Part visceral prose-poem, part picaresque murder mystery, this is a disquieting, resonant reflection on guilt and contemporary society.

Now in its seventeenth year, the BBC National Short Story Award with Cambridge University is one of the most prestigious for a single short story. Following the announcement of the shortlist on Radio 4's Front Row, on Thursday 15th September, the five stories in contention for the 2022 award will be broadcast each weekday afternoon on Radio 4 at half past three from Monday, 19th September. Each of the shortlisted writers will be interviewed the evening preceding the broadcast of their story on Front Row, and the winner will be announced live on the programme Tuesday 4th October. All the stories will be available on BBC Sounds after broadcast, and there will be a special edition of the Short Story podcast for each to download.

For links and the most up to date information go to bbc.co.uk/nssa

Read by Nicholas Pinnock
Abridged by Rowan Routh
Producer: Ciaran Bermingham Show less