麻豆社

The first in this year's 麻豆社 National Short Story Award with Cambridge University. In this story about love and lust, and the kindness of strangers, a woman makes a heart-breaking decision on a flight back to London.

Now in its sixteenth year, the 麻豆社 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 Friday 10th September, the five stories in contention for the 2021 award will be broadcast each weekday afternoon on Radio 4 at half past three from Monday, 20th 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 19th October. All the stories will be available on 麻豆社 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 Laura Pyper

Abridged and produced by Justine Willett