There had been drinks at Angela Barr's retirement party. Half mugs of warm Prosecco and a shop-bought cake. 'Early retirement' was what they said, but she knew the truth. Her face didn't fit any more: liver spots apparently were not part of their brand identity. 'They're not part of mine,' she had wanted to say. … Continue reading ANGELA BARR TAKES EARLY RETIREMENT by Abigail Williams (1st place, Jan22)

Paris. The city of love. Eiffel Towers everywhere, couples kissing for selfies, visitors buying fridge magnets from street sellers. It will help. Tourists crowd the ramp to the Seine, waiting for the rope to be lifted. Four people beat us to the front even though we arrived first. They don’t suffer from Britishness. ‘I told … Continue reading WHEN THE TOUR GUIDE STILL SMILES by Hannah Retallick (2nd place, Jan22)

Dear Sirs, I am a hard-working, law-abiding troll and am writing to seek your legal advice regarding a recent workplace injury of a distressingly violent nature and hope that your expertise will help me to claim for considerable lost earnings after an unprovoked attack by a physically abusive customer. I am employed as a toll … Continue reading THE TRUTH ABOUT THE TOLL BRIDGE by Taria Karillion (3rd place, Jan22)

They found a dried rat while clearing out their parents’ house. It was under the sink in the utility room. “Do you think it died of old age?” the younger one wondered aloud. “Thank God that tap hasn’t been used in a while or it might have been damp and gone mouldy,” said the older … Continue reading A DRIED RAT by Flo Ashbee (1st place, Oct21)

If you stroll along the sea front, saltwater wind stinging, hair whipping sticky tendrils across your lips, head straight up the hill, down the first set of steep steps, then turn right slightly, and you will come to an innocuous-looking old door. Bold, yellow, misspelt rude words violate the sun bleached, once-Downing-Street-black painted proud exterior, … Continue reading GUNPOWDER, TREACHERY AND SEX by JD Revitt (2nd place, Oct21)

It didn’t seem odd at first that there should be someone in David’s bedroom. There was a faint shuffling noise, which must have been the thing that roused him, but he had not completely woken up yet and he was still slightly confused. With the curtains drawn the light was dim, but David could see … Continue reading SEEING HIMSELF OUT by Peter Hankins (3rd place, Oct21)

My name is Lauren. I’m from Birmingham.  I’m married.  I have a daughter. I wave my husband Ed off, as he leaves to catch the 8.47 train to work. Please look back, one more time. The final snapshot to be filed away in my brain. Safe. In the days to come I’ll conjure it up. … Continue reading WHO AM I? by Denny Jace (1st place, Jul21)

George Sprung turned his key carefully in the lock. He stepped into the house as if he expected a booby trap, closed the door softly, put his briefcase on the bottom stair, hung up his coat and removed his shoes without a sound. He met his own gaze in the hallway mirror. And there he … Continue reading PIPE DREAM by Will Griffin (2nd place, Jul21)