Winners Overall Winner – Familial Disturbances by Mason BinkleySecond Place – The Naming of Bones by Jan KaneenThird Place – The Way our Voices Carry by Madeline Anthes Highly Commended 1 – Mother Jellyfish by Jeanette Sheppard2 – What Remains by Eric Andrew Newman3 – Animal Behaviour by Amanda McLeod Stephanie’s comments on the winning …
At the pool, Mike told his daughter Katy, who was eight, to come into the men’s changing rooms with him and Joe, so they could all have a quick wee before going into the water. But a young attendant caught up with him and told him Katy would have to wait outside. ‘Why?!’ ‘Think about …
An email chimed into my inbox – an invitation to a charity garden party in aid of abandoned dogs. ‘Teas, cakes, mystery guest and raffle. RSVP,’ the email read. The invitation came from an old friend, Neil, who I’d known since before I was married. We met once or twice a year for an after-work …
‘Hey, Suzy. Do you know how long we’ve been going out?’ Al was lying on his front, his knees bent and brush-denim flares flapping away. His bare heels banged against each back pocket in time to the music; the smiley-face patch on his left, then the USA flag two-finger peace-sign on the right. ‘That depends …
Dear Santa I’ve been a good girl all year (well, mostly – apart from the hamster-related incident). I’d like a new Barbie (my big brother did experiments on the last one and now it’s scary), the new iPhone, an Owleez and a L.O.L Surprise Fashion Factory (my big brother hates L.O.L, so that one is …
On the morning of Billi’s funeral, I woke very early. I still didn’t know if I should go, I barely knew her. But mum said it was a local tragedy and we should all show our support. Trying to imagine what it would be like, I kept thinking back to my dad’s death. This wouldn’t …
At the dinner table, his mother’s flesh spreads like warm, pale jelly over her chair. His father sits at the head of the table; he is simmering and sour. Tom covers his ears to drown out the fat, wet noises erupting from the mouths of his parents as they eat. He looks at the grey …
Granny dropped dead in our kitchen when I was thirteen and Mother buried her in the back garden. In the sunny spot where they both liked to sit, Mother always with her back firmly turned to the dank corner where nothing ever grew. The house was sold a few years later as Mother said we …
The purple tulips you bought have opened wide, like mouths shouting. The yellow stamens are angry tonsils. You’re upstairs on the computer compiling a soundtrack for the party on Saturday night. Laura’s coming. I want to tell you that I don’t want Laura to come, but you’d say I was being childish. I’m sick of …
The bin bag full of helium balloons floats above Morag like a black cloud. She trudges through the village, past the sign that says THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, towards the swing park, where she settles on a bench, attaches the strings of the balloons to the armrest and watches the empty swings creak …
It’s a surprise to see you at the school gate. I’m with Pete, the kids milling around, getting underfoot with PE kits and scooters. I didn’t know you’d moved back. Greasy hair in a bun, baggy eyed, frozen hands pushing the buggy, this isn’t how I wanted you to see me. Every time I hear …
Last weekend, 19th January, I had the pleasure of joining Gaynor Jones for the launch of her debut flash fiction collection, Business As Usual. Gaynor has been a regular contributor to Ellipsis, since she submitted Living With It during the call for submissions that opened this website, in 2017. Over the next twelve months, she’s …