An 800 word story — Katy put her name down for the allotments the day her parents said they were selling the family home. The small patch of ground wouldn’t be as good as the huge garden back home, with its ancient apple trees and kitchen garden, but it would be better than nothing. …

A 700 word story — The first time I saw Amy she was being carried. Nothing odd about that; we were both babies. It feels like I’ve always known Amy and everything about her. No, it’s more than that. Destiny or something. …

A 1000-word short story — Hayley clicked the remote to start the nature DVD again. Usually, the gentle sound of wood pigeons cooing comforted her. Today it was making her cry, but crying was all she felt capable of. Silly really; there was nothing for her to be sad about now. Pigeon had been her…

A 1,900 word story — Richard left his car in the convenient off road parking space and looked over at Peace Cottage. The place had definite kerb appeal. It sat well in the rural surroundings but wasn’t too prettily twee. Solidly constructed from bricks and slate, no thatched roof or whitewash to cause maintenance problems…

A 2,000 word story — Alex studied his reflection in the mirror; pretty good. His suit was perfect, his shave close, shoes and hair both gleaming. He tugged gently on his sleeves to ensure they were exactly level. His mum had sometimes teased him for preening. “Like a bird, Mum? No, I’m more of a…

A 1200 word story — “The lad on holiday, is he?” Malcolm, the warden, asked me. We looked at the weeds on Ian’s normally immaculate allotment. I shrugged. “He didn’t say anything about watering and I usually do it for him when he’s away.” “Not like him to let weeds grow and there’s beans need…

A 1,200 Word Short Story — I loved the beach early in the morning. I had the place to myself except for the turnstones at the water’s edge, gulls wheeling overhead and occasional joggers. They ignored me, which was exactly what I wanted them to do. …

A 1000 Word Short Story — Number 27 Hawthorn Crescent is, I suppose, not much of a house, but there’s no chain and the asking price is surprisingly low. A glance at the glossy sheet of paper supplied by the estate agency makes the property sound enticing. It lists reception rooms, a modern kitchen and bathroom…

A 600-word short story — Her head tilted to one side, she scurries down the narrow street towards me, shouting angrily at no one. “Leave me alone.” She looks back over her shoulder but there is nothing to see. Her miss-buttoned jacket does little to protect her from the damp, penetrating cold. The scarf that…