Category Archives: Short Stories

[EDITOR’S NOTE: this story deals with themes that some people may find upsetting] I  We came last. The other teams laughed at us. Most of them did it behind our backs but a few of them were brave enough to laugh in our faces. You have to be brave to laugh at Jimmy: he mightContinueContinue reading “MY HANDS by Dominik Slusarczyk (1st place, Jan24)”

There are four people in the Bennet family photograph, but there are five stories to tell. SHIRLEY’S STORY: This picture was taken on the day the beautiful lady came. I saw her come round the side of the house. She was waving and saying, ‘Cooee’. No-one else noticed her at first – they were allContinueContinue reading “THE PHOTOGRAPH by Jill Forrest (2nd place, Jan24)”

“That’s £6.50, please,” I said, flashing the customer my mouth-only smile; it never reached my eyes here. The fluorescent lights glared and buzzed annoyingly. I was tired, on the verge of a headache. “Are you fucking kidding, it’s a sandwich love!” he snorted. Obviously I’d heard that before, and obviously the price was ridiculous. IContinueContinue reading “YEAR OF THE TIGER by Lianne Warr (1st place, Oct22)”

Ellen slumped in the passenger seat of their motorhome, bare feet up on the dashboard. Marcus glanced across. ‘I’ve told you before not to do that. If we have an accident your legs will be crushed into your chest.’ ‘How are we going to have an accident this time of night? We’re the only peopleContinueContinue reading “NOT AFTER MIDNIGHT by Karen Storey (2nd place, Oct22)”

On that unexpectedly hot, hazy afternoon, I sat in the shade, propped against the trunk of the tree, book balanced on my knees. Daffodils lolled drunkenly, jaded, their time over. Clumps of fearless fresh cool grass poked up out of the monotonous brown soil, speckled with daisies nodding conversationally. A large, delicate, pink-veined petal ploppedContinueContinue reading “THE MAGNOLIA TREE by J D Revitt (3rd place, Oct22)”

The mill stream has always been the artery of the village. In the old days it powered four mills as it splashed and gurgled its way under the slum dwellings down to the river.  But nowadays the cottages are smart second homes and holiday lets. Mill Cottage has a little courtyard where the stream stillContinueContinue reading “THE MILL STREAM’S STORY by Gwenda Major (1st place, Jul22)”

I’m sure my wife wants to kill me. Something isn’t quite right with her. Sometimes I catch her staring at me and when she sees I’ve noticed, she doesn’t smile or acknowledge me like a normal person. Instead, she licks her lips and just keeps on staring, like I’m a juicy piece of steak. Once,ContinueContinue reading “SHE CAME HOME by Matt Biggs (2nd place, Jul22)”