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)

THE UNIVERSAL SOUP by Richard Hooton (2nd place, Flash, Feb24)

Our anniversary meal was plodding along same as the previous thirteen when I noticed there was a universe in my soup. Eddying in the centre, a vast blackness teeming with galaxy clusters that reflected and refracted like diamonds. I tore my eyes away; the restaurant’s walls, plates and tablecloths as clinically white as a hospital … Continue reading THE UNIVERSAL SOUP by Richard Hooton (2nd place, Flash, Feb24)

MY HANDS by Dominik Slusarczyk (1st place, Jan24)

[EDITOR'S NOTE: this story deals with themes that some people may find upsetting] I We came last. The other teams laughed at us. Most of them did it behind our backs but a few of them were brave enough to laugh in our faces. You have to be brave to laugh at Jimmy: he might … Continue reading MY HANDS by Dominik Slusarczyk (1st place, Jan24)

THE PHOTOGRAPH by Jill Forrest (2nd place, Jan24)

There are four people in the Bennet family photograph, but there are five stories to tell. SHIRLEY’S STORY: This picture was taken on the day the beautiful lady came. I saw her come round the side of the house. She was waving and saying, ‘Cooee’. No-one else noticed her at first - they were all … Continue reading THE PHOTOGRAPH by Jill Forrest (2nd place, Jan24)