By Colin Barrett. Lorna keeps an eye on boozy Bo, a very boozy father and a mother in denial. Fourth commissioned short story to celebrate the BBC National Short Story Award 2017. Show more

A man walks into a bar in evening dress, hands waving in the air. But it is all too much for the bartender. By last year's winner, KJ Orr. Show more

Five commissioned short stories to celebrate the BBC National Short Story Award. In Bearded by Ross Raisin, someone spends too much time with the hair-dryers. Show more

By Tea Obreht. Mrs Mary Winters determines to get to the bottom of the mystery concerning Colonel McCabe. Does he lie at Elk Point after all? Read by Sara Kestelman. Show more

Short stories to celebrate the BBC National Short Story Award 2017. In Memento Mori, by Stephanie Victoire, there is an encounter with something, well, unexplained... Show more