One of five stories originally commissioned to celebrate the 2016 BBC National Short Story Awards. In Give Me A Buzz by Emma Healey, art history and the art of telephoning connect. Show more

A son speaks to his father across the airwaves, and across the years. Written and read by Caleb Klaces. Show more

The playful, poignant tale of a middle-aged gentleman who has forgotten his middle name and much else. Read by Michael Maloney. Show more

A woman grapples with motherhood and apocalyptic weather. Read by Helen McAlpine. Show more

Wandering the streets of London in search of a Christmas present for his teenage son, a middle-aged father struggles to make sense of his life and family. Show more

After learning that the starlings that gathered above the Albert Bridge in Belfast may have been displaced due to light pollution, Daphne is inspired to conserve nature elsewhere. Show more

By Elaine Chiew. Wu Lien Teh would one day bring the Manchurian Plague of 1910-11 under control. But in 1896 he was a young student, newly arrived in London. Show more

A new story from the award-winning Katherine Rundell. A pair of spectacles made by a centaur have an extraordinary and magical effect on the human wearer. Read by the author. Show more

By Elaine Chiew. Willow, a primary school teacher, likes her colleague Geoff. And Geoff likes her. But they are no good at reading each other’s signals. Show more

An exciting announcement forces a woman to mull on love, choice and the delicate bonds of family.
Ann Louise Ross reads a story from Karen Campbell. Show more

An original short story by Carys Shannon. Gwen is 82. Life should be quieter these days… but the Pwca has started visiting again. Read by Sharon Morgan Show more

Five commissioned short stories to celebrate the BBC National Short Story Award. In Synsepalum by Irenosen Okojie, a mysterious tailor makes fantastic frocks for his clients. Show more

'The barrier between this world and the next is thin in La Scala.' Louise Welsh's short story is read by Elysia Welch. Show more

In 1958 there were only 13 cars in the parish of Faha in County Clare, Ireland. One day, two of them crashed headlong. It was called an accident. It was not. By Niall Williams. Show more

Nicola Ferguson reads a new piece from Scottish writer Helen McClory. In spring, a traveller finds the ebb and flow of the natural world carries on without human interference. Show more

By Hannah Vincent. Stew believes that the world is his oyster. He has large appetites for food and women. And his wife is planning a very unusual dinner for him. Show more

By Rhiannon Tise. A woman returns to Glasgow after 30 years and meets her old university boyfriend. Show more

Can an AI dating coach mend a woman's broken heart? Rose Robinson reads a new short story for Radio 4 by the award-winning writer, Naomi Wood. Show more

A stowaway threatens the tranquillity of a family seaside outing in the Gower. An original short story by Jane Fraser, read by Hannah Daniel Show more

Amira Ghazalla reads a new short piece from Leila Aboulela, as a woman remembers a childhood gift from her beloved grandmother. Show more