PERHAPS ON A SUMMER’S DAY by Laura Besley (2nd place, Flash, Nov24)

Perhaps on a Summer's Day there is a young woman whose bottom lip wobbles, whose eyes bristle with tears. Perhaps her name is Sadie. Perhaps Sadie has just lost her job and doesn’t know how she’ll pay her rent next month. But perhaps Sadie’s tears are happy tears and she’s biting her lip to stop … Continue reading PERHAPS ON A SUMMER’S DAY by Laura Besley (2nd place, Flash, Nov24)

STRANGLING ANGEL by Alison Wassell (1st place, Flash, Aug24)

Logbook 1894 26th January Punished several children who arrived late. Attendance poor, weather bad. Miss Harriet Caldwell appointed by the Board as Assistant Mistress. When, on first meeting, Harriet Caldwell calls her by her first name, Agnes realises she will be more of a burden than an asset. She lacks gravitas, smiles too much, and … Continue reading STRANGLING ANGEL by Alison Wassell (1st place, Flash, Aug24)

MR FARNSWORTH by James Hancock (2nd place, Flash, Aug24)

The pig sucked in a mouthful of pipe smoke and blew it overhead. It clung to the ceiling like a cloud of rolling white music notes, twisting and changing shape as Ophelia watched from the comfort of the leather sofa. “Interesting.” The pig, Mr Farnsworth, gazed at his folded trotters as he contemplated things. Ophelia … Continue reading MR FARNSWORTH by James Hancock (2nd place, Flash, Aug24)

MAniFeStO by Oliver Juggins (1st place, Flash, May24)

I was born of the Inner Voice. The voice that sometimes tells you, contrary to all evidence, that everything will be okay. The voice that provides comfort in the dark; company in the lonely abyss of modern life. But it has a darker side. Sometimes that voice is harmful. It’s violent. It shocks us as … Continue reading MAniFeStO by Oliver Juggins (1st place, Flash, May24)

THE BENCH by Anita Goodfellow (2nd place, Flash, May24)

You place me in the shade of a chestnut tree where I’ll be protected from the fierce sun and the worst of the rain. Running your hands over my smooth back you breathe in the earthy smell of oak. I’m your favourite wedding present. I look out over a manicured lawn. Daisies ring my legs … Continue reading THE BENCH by Anita Goodfellow (2nd place, Flash, May24)

OBSERVATION by E J Taylor (1st place, Apr24)

A pigeon nestles, invisible, on a steel branch behind three security cameras, each angled towards the road. A whirring too slight to disturb the bird emits from the cameras when their data transfers to digital vaults thousands of miles away. While the pigeon slowly preens itself, the cameras, awaiting the afternoon northbound traffic, observe. At … Continue reading OBSERVATION by E J Taylor (1st place, Apr24)

A YEARNING FOR BANANAS by Taria Karillion (2nd place, Apr24)

"NOT LIKE THAT, Y’EEJIT!” The bellowing was only half audible in the whistling wind. “Michael! … MICHAEL! … For the love of God will you STOP before you do yourself a mischief!" I jerked back the blowlamp with a curse that my Ma, God rest her, would've clipped my ear for. My workmate pushed up … Continue reading A YEARNING FOR BANANAS by Taria Karillion (2nd place, Apr24)

LATE SHIFT AT THE MUSEUM OF SMELLS by Chris Cottom (1st place, Flash, Feb24)

I’m working afternoons on our enquiries desk. ‘Old leather walking boots?’ asks a raincoated lady who reminds me of Gran. ‘Freshly buffed with beeswax dubbin?’ I’m gagging for a cup of tea. ‘Sorry, madam. The museum’s banned bee-based treatments.’ Across our cavernous hall, kids are staggering out of our ‘Monarch Immersion Experience’ clutching their heads. … Continue reading LATE SHIFT AT THE MUSEUM OF SMELLS by Chris Cottom (1st place, Flash, Feb24)