YEAR OF THE TIGER by Lianne Warr (1st place, Oct22)

“That’s £6.50, please,” I said, flashing the customer my mouth-only smile; it never reached my eyes here. The fluorescent lights glared and buzzed annoyingly. I was tired, on the verge of a headache. “Are you fucking kidding, it’s a sandwich love!” he snorted. Obviously I’d heard that before, and obviously the price was ridiculous. I … Continue reading YEAR OF THE TIGER by Lianne Warr (1st place, Oct22)

NOT AFTER MIDNIGHT by Karen Storey (2nd place, Oct22)

Ellen slumped in the passenger seat of their motorhome, bare feet up on the dashboard. Marcus glanced across. ‘I’ve told you before not to do that. If we have an accident your legs will be crushed into your chest.’ ‘How are we going to have an accident this time of night? We’re the only people … Continue reading NOT AFTER MIDNIGHT by Karen Storey (2nd place, Oct22)

THE MAGNOLIA TREE by J D Revitt (3rd place, Oct22)

On that unexpectedly hot, hazy afternoon, I sat in the shade, propped against the trunk of the tree, book balanced on my knees. Daffodils lolled drunkenly, jaded, their time over. Clumps of fearless fresh cool grass poked up out of the monotonous brown soil, speckled with daisies nodding conversationally. A large, delicate, pink-veined petal plopped … Continue reading THE MAGNOLIA TREE by J D Revitt (3rd place, Oct22)

DOING IT OURSELVES by James Raymond (1st Place, Prompt Sep22)

‘You’ll break it!’ ‘I won’t!’ ‘You will!’ ‘I…’ ‘Well, now you’ve done it.’ ‘Er… no, it’s alright, see. It was meant to click like that. Now the leg’s fastened in place.’ ‘Still don’t understand why you wouldn’t read the instructions.’ ‘I’m a kinesthetic learner. I learn by doing. Now, can you hand me the other … Continue reading DOING IT OURSELVES by James Raymond (1st Place, Prompt Sep22)

SOMETHING TO TELL YOU by Charlotte Phillips (2nd place, Prompt Sep22)

“Mabel Baxter speaking.” “You’re not supposed to answer the phone like that, Mabel. They could steal your identity, or clone your -” “Don’t be ridiculous, Ian. Nice to hear from you, dear. How’s it all going out there? You haven’t got an accent yet, I’m happy to say.” “Ha, no. Um, yeah, fine, and you? … Continue reading SOMETHING TO TELL YOU by Charlotte Phillips (2nd place, Prompt Sep22)

LATE LUNCH by Mandy Wheeler (3rd place, Prompt Sep22)

‘Excuse me madam, the gentleman you’re waiting for is in reception.’ ‘Is he a tall man? Walks with a limp, carries a silver topped cane?’ ‘He’s not. But he says he was due to meet a young lady for lunch an hour ago.’ ‘It’s been an hour, has it? After thirty years, what’s another hour?’ … Continue reading LATE LUNCH by Mandy Wheeler (3rd place, Prompt Sep22)

THE BIRDS AND THE BEES by James Harvey (1st place, Flash, Aug22)

Snow everywhere. Smooth, crisp snow covers the garden like freshly laundered Egyptian cotton on a huge bed, and I watch from the window – this window where I have sat for so long now, watching, just watching – as the harsh wind whips up the soft surface flakes and whirls them around with blizzard-like ferocity. … Continue reading THE BIRDS AND THE BEES by James Harvey (1st place, Flash, Aug22)

PARASITE by Sarah Byard (2nd place, Flash Aug22)

It is five years, two months and one day ago, and I am meeting her for the first time. We are talking and she is getting closer, closer, closer… We are in her bedroom. I am watching her unravel beneath me and trying to hold her in one piece, but she is shattered glass. She … Continue reading PARASITE by Sarah Byard (2nd place, Flash Aug22)