THIS IS HOW IT WILL BE by David Hartley (2nd place, Apr22)

A few hours after his birth, the child was shown his whole life in a picture book. The title was This is How it Will Be, and the author was CN Strathroy. It took a short while for the boy to realise that his own name was not CN Strathroy and when he eventually went … Continue reading THIS IS HOW IT WILL BE by David Hartley (2nd place, Apr22)

LINDISFARNE, 793 by Alex Hawksworth-Brookes (3rd place, Apr22)

It was the dawn of an age of wolves and ravens. It was the eighth day of June, in the year of our Lord 793. The bells tolled out across the sacred island of Lindisfarne. Today, they sounded different. The usual coordinated and tuneful chiming, echoing off sea and shore to God’s delight, was replaced … Continue reading LINDISFARNE, 793 by Alex Hawksworth-Brookes (3rd place, Apr22)

INSERT VAGUE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE HERE by Keith Henderson (1st place, Prompt Mar22)

It’s a pencil keeping him from sleep tonight. Not an actual pencil, obviously, a metaphorical one. Or should that be a metaphysical one? One or the other, anyway. There are the usual thoughts keeping him awake as well, of course. Has he saved enough to retire? Is that lump on the side of his foot … Continue reading INSERT VAGUE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE HERE by Keith Henderson (1st place, Prompt Mar22)

PAWN TAKES KING by Jonathan McLaughlin (2nd place, Prompt Mar22)

As I sat in my office, stumped over a crossword puzzle asking me for a six letter word for a legendary Greek king, my leg couldn’t stop shaking. My eyes wandered aimlessly over the six blank spaces, unable to focus, lost in my overwhelming urge – no, obligation - to finally visit my old friend, … Continue reading PAWN TAKES KING by Jonathan McLaughlin (2nd place, Prompt Mar22)

EMILY AND THE GIRLS by Alison Wassell (3rd place, Prompt Mar22)

Emily’s colleagues, not one of them under forty, refer to themselves as the girls, as in "girls’ night out", "all girls together" and "girl talk". Girl talk, as far as Emily can see, consists mainly of discussions about men; husbands, both errant and loyal, ex-husbands, potential husbands, men who are sadly not husband material. None … Continue reading EMILY AND THE GIRLS by Alison Wassell (3rd place, Prompt Mar22)

LONELINESS IS BEIGE AND TASTES OF MUSHROOMS by Emma J Myatt (1st place, Flash Feb22)

It’s a yellow Friday and I’m about to finish when I see a man in the closest aisle, prodding different packets of biscuits. His mask is the right colour and his boots have elements of December in them. He picks Bourbons and comes straight to my till. I slap on my customer grin. ‘Your smile … Continue reading LONELINESS IS BEIGE AND TASTES OF MUSHROOMS by Emma J Myatt (1st place, Flash Feb22)

TIM’ROUS BEASTIE by Charlotte Mitchell (2nd place, Flash Feb22)

Maisie Gibbins went to make banana bread and discovered that a mouse had shit in her flour. “The wee fucking bastard, it never has! Jesus, can’t I have anything to myself?” She looked at it mournfully. She was hungry and craving something sweet, but there was nothing in the house save the ingredients for banana … Continue reading TIM’ROUS BEASTIE by Charlotte Mitchell (2nd place, Flash Feb22)

ANGELA BARR TAKES EARLY RETIREMENT by Abigail Williams (1st place, Jan22)

There had been drinks at Angela Barr's retirement party. Half mugs of warm Prosecco and a shop-bought cake. 'Early retirement' was what they said, but she knew the truth. Her face didn't fit any more: liver spots apparently were not part of their brand identity. 'They're not part of mine,' she had wanted to say. … Continue reading ANGELA BARR TAKES EARLY RETIREMENT by Abigail Williams (1st place, Jan22)