Break From Reality. Daily.
This story is by Johanne Winwood and was part of our 2019 Summer Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here. I stared at the scuff mark on my shoe, the twisted pattern on my hastily pulled up sock, the scab on my knee from falling during netball. ‘Helen! Are you listening?’…
This story is by Johanne Winwood and was part of our 2018 Summer Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here. I faked a confident walk as I approached the terminal, mouth dry, palms sweating, stomach churning. Big moments like this were outside my experience. Sweeping my hand across the ‘Open’ panel,…
I have a dreadful cramp in my left leg but if I stretch out I will disturb the others. This space is too small for three adults, especially blokes with their long legs, but we have no choice. The warning has been given and we need to wait, huddled below our stairs until the danger has passed. It will start in two minutes and then perhaps the pain will be over.
Growing up in the 1970s I read the Government pamphlets and knew ‘Protect and Survive’ by heart: take off a door, paint it white, make a shelter. We laughed at the absurdity of it while hoping that we would never need to put it into action. Yet here I am, sixty years old, curled up in the under stairs cupboard with my son and husband, trying to protect them and praying that we all survive.
This story is by Johanne Winwood and was part of our 2017 Winter Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here. I have a dreadful cramp in my left leg but if I stretch out I will disturb the others. This space is too small for three adults, especially blokes with their…
This story is by Johanne Winwood and was part of our 2017 Fall Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here. Cora skipped through the crunchy autumn leaves tossing her auburn hair across her shoulders. The sweet soft rain dampened her cheeks and her heart felt full. She pulled her rust coloured…
This story is by Johanne Winwood and was part of our 2017 Spring Writing Contest. You can find all the Spring Writing Contest stories here. Bethany stood up, cricked her back and thrust the spade into the soft earth. Had it really only been a week since that name had stared up at her from…
