March Confidential winner

Thanks to everybody for the excellent wide-ranging batch of stories. Reading them all in one go instead of the usual when they’re published way is rewarding indeed. A word of commiseration to granviller for missing out at the last moment.

Bearsy notwithstanding, it was funny reading the interpolations (hark at me) of the word snake into your scripts. In hindsight I wished I’d made it giraffes. Some other time, perhaps and furthermore maybe they’ll make a film called Giraffes on a Plane. Right, down to business.

OZ- MORES, O MORES IV

My wolf cousin gets full marks for his Dallas-type melodrama that has now straddled over four competitions (including the last three) and met the criteria every time. Sparse though this episode is it still has a swooping, 2,000 word cinematic feel. I can imagine the long lingering camera shots and sultry, smouldering pouts of the protagonists.

THE SECRET

OMG’s conspiracy story of magical imagination that could be true. I believed every word and wish I’d written this.

ARAMINTA- TO ANNA

Araminta knows I’m fond of scary tales and her gothic horror story of family cruelty held me spellbound from the word go. There was a chilling, sinister undertone throughout the passage. Kudos for writing it from a male perspective, that “reverse” sort of writing always impresses me.

JANUS- MAISIE’S GAME

Overheard in a coffee shop overflowing with budding poets the other day “Kipling is a poor man’s Janus.” J, you are a Moet in the poet community. The Diana Dors verse is my favourite stanza in a wicked romp from the days when things were so much more …innocent.

BEARSY- BE SURE YOUR SINS WILL FIND YOU OUT

An amusing piece that has many levels. A cantankerous uncle, a Ferrari, ruminations on the perils of drinking and an Embran legal eagle mowed down by a smoking gun. This should (WG) grace the pages of the Wisden Almanac. More cricket blogs please, Bearsy.

JOHN MACKIE- THE SECRET CONTRACT

For three years I have ritually suffered, in every verbal joust, one thousand and one cuts by the rapier wit of my castle-dwelling cousin. Now its payback time, I have Cart Blank to slice and dice his “effort”. Drat! As expected his tale is outstandingly brilliantly written. His feelings for the Dark Lord of Sedgefield are well known. However, instead of using invective, we are treated to subtle under-played humour that effectively puts Blair to the sword. John, you’ll always be my hero.

OK here goes. This was really tough with everybody in with a fair shout. What swung it was the famous last words in his memorable tale. Cancel the taxi, hang your coat back up. The winner is …OMG. Congratulations.