Book review: The Road to Urbino, By Roma Tearne

These "Asham award-winning stories" by women are themed around travel.

Get money off this title at the Independent book shop

Tales by Virago authors - Anglea Carter (an extract from The Magic Toyshop) and Helen Dunmore ("Duty Free", in which a woman at an airport collides with soldiers destined for Afghanistan) - are mixed in with prize-winners.

A tender inner journey is made in Kate Marsh's "School Run" which reflects on the trajectory of married life, while in Tessa Green's "Departure Time" a gut wrenching train ride is being made back home.