'Angelique Devises a Cunning Plan to Deal with Andy's Snoring' by Michelle Dickins

When he’s in full flight she walks into the night. 

'The Day Lord Gordo Caught a Bird and Slaughtered It' by Finnian Burnett

First date ruined by eviscerated remains of Gordo’s first kill. 

'For a second, running through the middle of our neighbourhood' by Katie Kibbler

 I mis-felt where I was, brain split, here and lost.

'A Caution to Those Wanting to Advance Beyond Their Status' by August van Stralen

 Each step closer is one step further from your truth.

'The Stubborn Yet Simple Secret to Fifty-Two Years of Marriage' by Katie Isham

 Neither of us could ever back out of a dare. 

'On Behalf of the Faculty and Staff of Entwhistle Primary' By Tarik Bacchus

 Allison’s herpetological passion is laudable. Please confine it to weekends.

'I brew potions to try and make you love me' by Maria Thomas

 

It’s viscous, smells of aniseed. I pour in coffee, wait.

'Still thinking about that night at Carrie’s friend’s lake house' by Laurie Marshall

and her disappearing face as he closed the bedroom door.

'Story of Amelia’s face and hands; told in two acts' by Rachel Canwell

Wears her mourning mask, whilst pocketed fingers pull off rings. 

'I Don’t Think the Answer I Give Would Satisfy You' by Allison Renner

I wonder why you never ask me how I’m doing.

'Why You Should Dump Your Boyfriend Now Reason Number Ten' by Valerie Griffin

It was a stupid, drunken kiss and didn’t mean anything.

'The Knock Comes in the Early Hours of the Morning' by Amy Wilson

 

Soldiers outside, as expected. She makes the child hide upstairs.

'The Day the World Ended Susan Was in Her Kitchen' by Kelli Short Borges

 Cake baked. Firefighters rushed poolside. No cake for little hands.

'A day out for Dave Daisy Duncan Dorothy and Delilah' by Adrian Price

  The family trip to the seaside commences summer every year.

'Stepping into the Wild, Armed Only with a Plastic Fork' by R J Kinnarney

‘Mummy, be careful! Take a bigger weapon for the rocket.’

'The Role the Humble Daisy Plays in Predicting the Future' by Lena MacDonald

“He loves me, he loves me not. He loves me...”

'One text plus two excuses minus all trust equals gas-lighting' by Maggie Seren

 

A mathematician will only take so much shit from anyone. 

'How the Octopus Lost his Freedom in a Moment’s Distraction' by Julia Smith

 Please God no! Pierced, whoosh, into a bucket squirming, squp

'The day Ellie’s birthday cake ended up in the canal' by Joyce Bingham

 

We laughed. Ellie mourned the loss of her Gran’s plate.

'When You Know She Knows That You Know She Knows' by Valerie Griffin

We stared at each other, one accusatory, the other defiantly.