Evening Surgery (Storycuts)

Mavis is the receptionist at a doctor's surgery and an incorrigible busy-body. When she unwittingly discovers an illicit affair, an appointment is made with calamity. What follows is a bitter-sweet and beautifully observed account of thwarted love.

Part of the Storycuts series, this story was previously published in the collectionThe Atmospheric Railway.

Shena Mackay was born in Edinburgh. She is the author of four previous collections of stories -Babies in Rhinestones,Dreams of Dead Women's Handbags,The Laughing AcademyandThe World's Smallest Unicorn. Her novels includeDunedin,The Orchard on Fire(which was shortlisted for the 1996 Booker Prize),The Artist's WidowandHeligoland(which was shortlisted for the 2003 Orange Prize).

A receptionist at a doctor's surgery discovers an illicit affair.