A total of 45 entries were received. 43 from the UK and one each from France and Spain. This compares with 54 and 55 entries in the previous two comps.  Perhaps the theme did not appeal.  Many entrants struggled to round off their stories, invariably opting for an ending for their characters in shop doorways.

  The following ten stories, in no particular order, make the Shortlist(No Longlist due to low number of entries) and go forward for further judging.

  An Unfit Bride by Sally Jenkins, West Midlands.

  This was a quirky updated version of Cinderella and was told with humour and verve.  Pity the poor servant girl had no say in the outcome although she lived happy ever after.

 Cold Comforts by Kay Ellis, Lancashire.

  My own father rode the rails in 1930s depression-hit America so this tale of a train hobo struck a chord.  Very well told and a moving account of sharing a poor man's soup.

 Rich Pickings by S. Bee, West Yorkshire.

  There was a lot, perhaps too much, fitted into this imaginative story of a loan shark who got his just desserts.

 The Winner Takes It All by Chris Hunter, Dorset.

  A wannabee property entrepreneur learns her trade from her father and then shares the knowledge with her ambitious son.

  One Night With You by Susan Jones, Warks

  A wife's gambling and excessive spending leads bailiffs to her door but her hubby sees a positive in this.

 When Diamonds Aren't Enough by Jane Pratt, Hartlepool.

  A married drag queen longs to be a proper thespian and his wife is his greatest fan.  Nicely told with a rather improbable ending.

 Becoming Streetwise by Yvonne Carter, Birmingham

  Graham squats in a shop doorway begging for change and gets advice from an old hand.

.Going Backwards Going Forwards by Margaret Miller, Birmingham.

  This tale of a rich little girl and her less fortunate best pal flowed well.

 The Ballad of Dyspeptic Willie Madison by Phil Sawyer, Birmingham.

  Humour is always a plus and this fits the bill.  Willie makes it as a bluesman only to have it all go flop.

  A Fairy Tale by Patricia Maw, Devon.

  An updated fantasy about a princess whose kingdom is suffering economic meltdown.  Some well turned phrases when she talks with the animals in the forest.

                                                    FINAL RESULT

  Three runners-up win a book of short stories: Patricia Maw; S. Bee; Sally Jenkins.

  Third prize of ten pounds goes to Kay Ellis.  Second prize of fifteen pounds goes to Mrs. Chris Hunter.

  First prize of fifty pounds goes to Margaret Miller and her story is on another page.