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BBC National Short Story Award

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Stories shortlisted for the National Short Story Award

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BBC National Short Story Award: BBC National Short Story Award 2010

BBC National Short Story Award: BBC National Short Story Award 2010: Episode 1: Tea at the Midland

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BBC National Short Story Award 2010

Episode 1

Episode 1: Tea at the Midland

Tea at the Midland

BBC Radio 4 - BBC National Short Story Award, BBC National Short Story Award 2010, Tea at the Midland

By David Constantine. A couple's romantic outing turns fraught over a piece of artwork.

By David Constantine. A couple's romantic outing turns fraught over a piece of artwork. Sian Thomas reads 2010's winner. Plus Colm Tóibín's selection.

The first of the shortlisted stories in contention for this major award is Tea at the Midland by David Constantine. What begins as a romantic outing for a couple turns into an afternoon fraught with tension as a piece of artwork exposes fundamental differences in their outlooks on life. The reader is Sian Thomas. It is followed by the award-winning Irish novelist and short story writer, Colm Tóibín, on a very personal selection of extracts from his favourite short stories. 

Produced by Gemma Jenkins and Emma Harding.

A link to a free podcast of the story will be available for download for two weeks after broadcast from the BBC Radio 4 website, where you can also watch previews of the other shortlisted stories and join the debate about this year's shortlist.

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Readings of the five shortlisted stories for the annual prize

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Episode 1: Tea at the Midland

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