When six year old Mary's father dies unexpectedly, her mother struggles to feed her five children and has no choice but to leave Mary and her sisters in a Dublin orphanage while she trains as a nurse. When, a long time later, she finally goes home, Mary vows never to think about that place again. But the years of cruelty and neglect have left deep emotional scars, and Mary realises she must face her trauma in order to be able to move on with her life.Lace is the standalone...

Cardiff in 1878 is grimy, crowded and grey, and Ellen dreams of escaping her dreary life as a domestic for the sea. But when she falls in love with Samuel she is able to fulfil her destiny by running away with him. Life at sea is brutal and dangerous, and when circumstances bring her home the hardships of working class life and racism begin to poison their lives.

The definitive showcase of the year's finest British short stories'Bravo to Salt's beacon of delight and intrigue – its annual collection of the UK's best short stories, from established and emerging voices.' —Duncan MinshullNow relaunched for a new era, Best British Short Stories returns with a bold new look and a renewed commitment to celebrating the art of the short story. As we enter our fifteenth volume, this much-loved annual collecti...