GUNPOWDER, TREACHERY AND SEX by JD Revitt (2nd place, Oct21)

If you stroll along the sea front, saltwater wind stinging, hair whipping sticky tendrils across your lips, head straight up the hill, down the first set of steep steps, then turn right slightly, and you will come to an innocuous-looking old door. Bold, yellow, misspelt rude words violate the sun bleached, once-Downing-Street-black painted proud exterior, … Continue reading GUNPOWDER, TREACHERY AND SEX by JD Revitt (2nd place, Oct21)

SEEING HIMSELF OUT by Peter Hankins (3rd place, Oct21)

It didn’t seem odd at first that there should be someone in David’s bedroom. There was a faint shuffling noise, which must have been the thing that roused him, but he had not completely woken up yet and he was still slightly confused. With the curtains drawn the light was dim, but David could see … Continue reading SEEING HIMSELF OUT by Peter Hankins (3rd place, Oct21)

WASHING DAY by Richard Hooton (1st place, Flash Aug21)

Andy glared at the damp sock in his hand as if it was the root of all problems. His other grey socks, along with his white vests and shirts, pleated trousers and frayed Y-fronts, covered every available space on the radiators of the silent semi-detached. This one was missing its other half and the very … Continue reading WASHING DAY by Richard Hooton (1st place, Flash Aug21)

THE BRIANS by Hilary Coyne (2nd place, Flash Aug21)

The Brians came back last night. I didn’t notice until my son said, “Mummy, there’s a Brian in a box at the end of my bed. I don’t like him. Can you throw him away?” I wished I could. But we can’t. We wronged them somehow, long ago. No-one remembers exactly how; we just know … Continue reading THE BRIANS by Hilary Coyne (2nd place, Flash Aug21)

WHO AM I? by Denny Jace (1st place, Jul21)

My name is Lauren. I’m from Birmingham. I’m married. I have a daughter. I wave my husband Ed off, as he leaves to catch the 8.47 train to work. Please look back, one more time. The final snapshot to be filed away in my brain. Safe. In the days to come I’ll conjure it up. … Continue reading WHO AM I? by Denny Jace (1st place, Jul21)

PIPE DREAM by Will Griffin (2nd place, Jul21)

George Sprung turned his key carefully in the lock. He stepped into the house as if he expected a booby trap, closed the door softly, put his briefcase on the bottom stair, hung up his coat and removed his shoes without a sound. He met his own gaze in the hallway mirror. And there he … Continue reading PIPE DREAM by Will Griffin (2nd place, Jul21)

THE TRAIN TO BRIGHTON by Caroline Ross Tajasque (3rd place, Jul21)

Salim was supposed to go on the tube. But he doesn't do the tube, not since he had a panic attack at Mile End station. The buses were all packed, 8.15 in the morning, you couldn't get a seat and some of them didn't even stop. That was when he'd started to feel it coming … Continue reading THE TRAIN TO BRIGHTON by Caroline Ross Tajasque (3rd place, Jul21)

SOAKING THE JARS by Bernadette Stott (1st place, Flash May21)

Jem liked those posh yogurts. The ones that came in real glass jars with proper twisty lids. Every jar kept, label picked off, soaked in warm suddy water. Some jars she kept for salad dressing or pickling tiny onions, some she’d put little posies of flowers in, maybe a bud rose and some ivy, or … Continue reading SOAKING THE JARS by Bernadette Stott (1st place, Flash May21)