Stephanie Cole reads a new short story by Penelope Lively.
Eighty-six-year-old Pauline requires a little help with daily tasks. Her teenaged care assistant, Cally, is employed to take her shopping. Their easy routine stutters when, out of the blue, Pauline reveals a secret about her past.
This is the first in a new series of stories in which writers consider the theme of age and ageing. The series title, Above Ground, is inspired by a quote from Carol Shields novel The Stone Diaries: "Here's to another year and let's hope it's above ground."
Read by Stephanie Cole Written by Penelope Lively Produced by Kirsteen Cameron.
First broadcast: 26 Apr 2015 (b05rl4fy) http://vk.com/wall-84750475_110