Venice is Nice This Time of Year – Written by Stella Turner

Even after his death he managed to cause trouble. I could see him sitting in the empty chair in the corner smiling his devilish grin and enjoying the disquiet I felt. Why did he keep appearing, why didn’t he seek his eternal rest somewhere nice, this time of year Venice is nice. I remember sitting [...]

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The Book – Written by Francis J Butler

Reginald had been given the book as a birthday present. He had wanted a motorbike. Father declared it the greatest gift one could receive on becoming a Man. Reginald smiled politely. He listened as Father recounted how he too had been given a book by his Father. And likewise his Father by his. And so [...]

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Look to the Stars – Written by Dom Conlon

Lucy looked down at the headstone and wished she could have sent flowers. “Henry Smith, 62. He made us all look up.” She smiled. “Husband to Katy, Father to Lucy and Aaron.” She could have cried. Lucy had spent her life listening to stories of far off nebulae and second moons. She’d been a rebellious [...]

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Bit of Skirt – Written by Laura Maley

The hall walls are stained with nicotine long after the smoking ban; the low ceiling darkens the room and the narrow windows barely help. By day brownies, cubs, zumba, tea dances, toddler groups and the occasional blood drive take turns inhabiting the space. Weekends and evenings the building buzzes with birthday parties, weddings, christenings and [...]

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Woodworm – Written by Lynsey May

It was meant to be a fresh start, but they destroyed the four-poster the first time they took to it. They’d stopped to laugh guiltily, then carried on. Marianne assumed it was fixable. ​The bed remains but supported by brinks instead of legs. An early game of catch destroyed the mantelpiece and a stray foot [...]

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The Bird Catcher – Written by Fat Roland

Alexander said guard the church. I guard the church. Next to the church stands a thicket of wintery trees, petrified, trunks silvered with what looks like ash from the war. The church is half built. Until Alexander told me to guard the church, kids with spindly legs climbed the stonework in dirty school shoes, bed [...]

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Kirsty and Shane – Written by Sal Page

Cigarettes, oases of time by the box-crush machine. Killing quiet evenings playing staff-room-fashion-show. Driving round after the late shift, singing Fairytale of New York like Kirsty and Shane. Enjoying swearing at each other. Turning twenty, hoping all our dreams come true. New decade: you move to an office. We fall out. Fight. Use every insult [...]

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Pumpkins and Princes – Written by Laura Maley

My carriage awaits. A gleaming pumpkin glides into view at the top of my street. I gasp, grin broadly and clasp my hands together. Smoothly passing parked cars and the taxi beeping its horn outside number 38 it comes to a stop outside my door. As soon as my feet touch the doorstep I am [...]

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