“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)

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)