Sometimes, Death only whispers from the other side, promising escape and peace, and the soul comes dashing. Often, Death slouches down slightly in the armchair, with a bacon sandwich in one hand and feet up on the stool, grabbing with the other hand, to whip life away too abruptly for it to resist. But this … Continue reading THE NIGHT DEATH ALMOST GAVE UP by Margaret Davis (2nd place, Flash, Feb25)

Suzie’s a snowflake in our nursery school Christmas Gala, petticoat-frothy, with her hair pinned tight. I bash my cymbal when Miss nods from the piano, although I’d wanted to be the King of the Mice. She’s fourteen and back from ballet school for the summer. At the youth club dance, sweaty after Reet Petite, we … Continue reading PAS DE DEUX by Chris Cottom (1st 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)

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)

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)

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)

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)