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 people … Continue 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 plopped … Continue 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 still … Continue 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, … Continue reading SHE CAME HOME by Matt Biggs (2nd place, Jul22)

The epidural is wearing off, and it feels like a hot rusty blade is carving through my stomach. None of this was supposed to happen. My son is hours old, looking at me with tiny dark eyes like marbles. His creased skin and patchy hair tell the story of his scrunched-up journey into the world. … Continue reading CHANGING FACES by Tracey-Anne Plater (3rd place, Jul22)

“I don’t know where to start.”  Felicity’s fingers found Michael’s hands across the table. “Me neither,” said Michael. “I’ve been thinking in fragments most of my life. You know, short sentences, questions that can’t be answered.” Michael nodded, but Felicity knew he didn’t understand. She had meant to behave, but there had been so many … Continue reading SOME OPENING SENTENCES by Rachel Robbins (1st place, Apr22)

A few hours after his birth, the child was shown his whole life in a picture book. The title was This is How it Will Be, and the author was CN Strathroy. It took a short while for the boy to realise that his own name was not CN Strathroy and when he eventually went … Continue reading THIS IS HOW IT WILL BE by David Hartley (2nd place, Apr22)

It was the dawn of an age of wolves and ravens. It was the eighth day of June, in the year of our Lord 793. The bells tolled out across the sacred island of Lindisfarne. Today, they sounded different. The usual coordinated and tuneful chiming, echoing off sea and shore to God’s delight, was replaced … Continue reading LINDISFARNE, 793 by Alex Hawksworth-Brookes (3rd place, Apr22)