A total of 54 entries were received. The following 16 entries, in no particular order, have been longlisted.

 

  Tangled Lives by Sally Jenkins

  Shrinking Violet by Andrew Campbell-Kearsey

  A False Headline by Helen Lowry

  Displaced by Susan Tapping

  Never The Bride by Graham Hawes

  Released by Michael John O'Hanlon

  Norah's Ark by Linda Lewis

  Second Class Male by Peter Flint

  Missing Person by June Sharp

  Island Heat by Jean Kelly

  JAB by Carole Llewellyn

  Dying Embers by Jasmina Svenne

  Brilliant Disguise by Rebecca Muddiman

  The Secret Of Being English by K. S. Dearsley

  Mid Life Crisis by Dave Clark

  Final Curtain by Jane Pratt

 

A shortlist of six will be chosed from the above shortly.  The overall standard of entries was good with some very descriptive writing offered by the Spanish ex-pats.  Indeed, one of them sent three entries all of which were strong contenders.  Many entrants introduced too many characters too early. One of those longlisted had two unrelated characters in two different settings but this worked because it was obvious that their paths would cross eventually.  I was seeking a story that would make me want to know what was going to happen next so flowing writing was not enough.  There had to be a hook to entice me to wonder what was going to enfold.  Nevertheless, I commend all entrants and I enjoyed reading every one.

   The following six entries, in no particular order, have been shortlisted and go forward for final judging.

 TANGLED LIVES by Sally Jenkins.  This was almost a complete story in itself and was entertainly told.  Middle-aged Judith's attendance at the office party leads to the inevitable.  Too much to drink and her boss starts groping her under the dinner table.  Will she fob off her hubby who is due to collect her and respond to the boss's attention? 

 .... NEVER THE BRIDE by Graham Hawes.  Bridesmaid Julia jumps to catch the bouquet and tumbles back into the lap of a desirabale male.  This leads to banter and further catastrophe and lots of humuous writing.

  MISSING PERSON by June Sharp.  Ashley's boy friend appears to have done a runner as when she wakes up one morning both he and his clothes have gone.  All day she waits for him to ring but never thinks of calling him.  Then her mobile goes....

  ISLAND HEAT by Jean Kelly.  A seventeen year old girl is sold by her Irish father to be the bride of an old man in far off Argentina.  But her voyage is interrupted by a stopover in Jamaica.  This is 1898 and an enchanting era.  Although not a fan of historical fiction I would love to know what happens next.

  MID LIFE CRISIS by Dave Clark.  Danny and his drunken mates decide in the middle of the night that the giraffes at London Zoo need scarves to keep their necks warm.  Well told.

  FINAL CURTAIN by Jane Pratt.  Thirteen year old Barry falls, literally, for a girl two years older.  Pity the story then jumped 42 years as I really enjoyed it up to that.  May be best to leave it as a teenage story.