A total of 55 entries were received. 14 entries submitted by the following, in no particular order, have been longlisted and go forward for further judging.

 THE STICKY CATERPILLAR by Saroj Nelson was about two lads who think they are cheating on each other with the same girl. Amusing chewing gum episode. Dialogue was mainly in the last quarter and perhaps some earlier on would have improved the story. Had to re-read the start to understand who was wearing whose Caterpillars.

 FLESH WOUND was one of three entries from Andrew Campbell-Kearsey. Tom goes to meet his biological mother for the first time. Maybe this surprise could have been delayed especially if it was not revealed that he had Diane in his life. Andrew writes quirky tales and is never predictable. 

 OUTSIDERS by M.E.Cornwell was 436 words. Another 64 could have extended this intriguing tale about a boy who is physically different from others in his remote jungle village. The Albino has to hide from outsiders who want to hand him over to witch doctors. The ending could have been tidied up better or had some more drama added which the extra wordage would have allowed.

 GREEN GUNGE was submitted by Irene Hogg. A bit off the wall but very amusing. Buying a jar of potion from a hippy caller turns Edith's life around. Simply rubbing itt on makes her young again. Inevitably, there is a price to pay as the effect gradually wears off.

 PINK DAISIES AND BERMUDA SHORTS by Tracy Fells. Tracy is a previous winner and does not dissappoint with this swimming pool tale. A man intrudes on the ladies group morning swim. Another 163 words left unused which could have prolonged the surprise ending.

 A MATCHING PAIR came from K.S.Dearsley. Two businessmen turn up for a meet with odd socks. One green, one blue. Both of them. So why are they wearing the same odds? Naturally, there is a woman involved. Another story with another 100 words unused.

 BOILING POINT by Alice Parrant. A cup of tea figures strongly in this appropriately titled office tale. June is indignant when her colleague expects her to put the kettle on for him. And when callers assume she is his PA she gets really infuriated. No happy ending here. Well told.

 THE GIRL IN THE PINK DRESS by Rebecca Holmes(pen name). A little girl sees a pink dress in a shop window and wants it but mum says no. She later sees another girl wearing the dress and slaps her. A good writer who used her 490 words to develop and expand her story.

 THE APPLE PIE by Joan Reed. Grace bakes an apple pie for her hubby as usual but he is getting fed up of them. His table manners leave a lot to be desired and he scoffs all that is put in front of him. Until.......

 Two stories from Graham Hawes make the longlist. SOME YOU WIN..... tells of a rescue attempt on a snowy mountain top. Nice taut writing and gripping. 136 words left unused which could have been used to set the scene leading up to the rescue. SACRIFICE is a sad and compelling story and I felt so sorry for the 23 year old who is being sacrificied so that rain will come to ease the drought in her country. 

 UNKNOWN by Helen Lowry was about a lady who goes online to check her entitlement to her father's inheritance. Her twin half-sisters spot her in the internet cafe. She does not get on with them and discovers that equal shares in the will are not to be.

 THE UPPER CRUST by Kate Murray. A 12 year old boy is almost a slave as he works in a busy kitchen. He has been there for four years and has an exacting roster. This was well written although I felt the subject matter let the writing down a bit.

 MAKE MY DAY by Susan Jones. Soppy? Twee? Maybe, but it flows. Almost all dialogue between a couple who argue about her sister's forthcoming wedding. "Give me one reason why you don't want to go?" is the opening line. Susan used her 500 words to good effect.

 A shortlist of six will be chosen from the above 14 entries. Some of the better writers did not use all of the 500 words allowed. This is a bit of a mystery to me as I like their writing style and want to keep reading. Others submitted good writing with a weak plot and a few had a great idea but went astray by being more complicated than they needed to be. Thanks to everyone for your entries  I like A5 size size envelopes and second class postage. Do not like wasteful first class postage and A4 size envelopes with extra postage to pay as  I have to email entrants and tell them I had to go to the sorting office and pay £1.12 or more.