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)

COLOURING ROSES by Anita Goodfellow (3rd place, Flash Aug22)

Another letter from school. I handed it over to Mum and looked at the stains on the kitchen floor. When she had finished reading she said I had to control my anger. ‘Where are your listening ears?’ I’m ten not five. I didn’t say this I just mumbled ‘sorry,’ before hurrying to my bedroom. Then … Continue reading COLOURING ROSES by Anita Goodfellow (3rd place, Flash Aug22)

THE MILL STREAM’S STORY by Gwenda Major (1st place, Jul22)

The mill stream has always been the artery of the village. In the old days it powered four mills as it splashed and gurgled its way under the slum dwellings down to the river. But nowadays the cottages are smart second homes and holiday lets. Mill Cottage has a little courtyard where the stream still … Continue reading THE MILL STREAM’S STORY by Gwenda Major (1st place, Jul22)

SHE CAME HOME by Matt Biggs (2nd place, Jul22)

I’m sure my wife wants to kill me. Something isn’t quite right with her. Sometimes I catch her staring at me and when she sees I’ve noticed, she doesn’t smile or acknowledge me like a normal person. Instead, she licks her lips and just keeps on staring, like I’m a juicy piece of steak. Once, … Continue reading SHE CAME HOME by Matt Biggs (2nd place, Jul22)