Below are the entries in the Primrose Hill Lockdown Short Story Competition that we ran in June and July 2020.
There is also a piece about the short stories by one of the judges here.
The Stories…
- Lucky Me – by Catriona Brokenshire
Winning entry in the 23 years or older category. It’s my birthday today. I can’t remember how old I am, and there is no-one here… Read more: Lucky Me – by Catriona Brokenshire - A Volatile World – by Anna TriesmanWinning entry in the 11 to 18 years category. My parents always said the world was a volatile, unpredictable place, but until today I never… Read more: A Volatile World – by Anna Triesman
- Untitled – Zahir AliWinning entry in the 6 to 10 years category. It was early in the morning on a school day, when suddenly my mum turned on… Read more: Untitled – Zahir Ali
- My Doorstep Bubble – Anonymous
As C-19 mumblings gathered momentum – and credence, so did thecollective voice of the nation’s stomachs. In our millions we flooded& stripped the food (e-)aisles… Read more: My Doorstep Bubble – Anonymous - The Mushroom Picker – by Judy RichHer old faded skirt bunched over expanding hips and swayed lightly in the breeze as she put one booted foot in front of the other… Read more: The Mushroom Picker – by Judy Rich
- Lockdown Horror – by Alexander Bunting (aged 9)It all started when I was on the phone to my friend Isaac one evening at about 6 o’clock. We were talking about how boring… Read more: Lockdown Horror – by Alexander Bunting (aged 9)
- Morning on the Canal – by Ana BarreauAlice leans her shoulder into the door up to the deck, careful not to spill her steaming mug of tea as she stoops out of… Read more: Morning on the Canal – by Ana Barreau
- What Could be More Deadly – by Clare RouthRosie had not gone any further than as far as the Portuguese Deli, at the furthest end of the street, for many years. In the… Read more: What Could be More Deadly – by Clare Routh
- Covid-19 the Unexpected Effect it is Having on Me – by Ali SmithWho am I? Having for the first time I can remember, so much freedom, not setting an alarm, taking a step off the treadmill, from… Read more: Covid-19 the Unexpected Effect it is Having on Me – by Ali Smith
- Surviving Covid-19: Jigsaws, TV, Sewing and Gardening – by Alice GrayYou can’t live all day, every day, in fear – you have to occupy your mind with something else or you’d go mad. When lockdown… Read more: Surviving Covid-19: Jigsaws, TV, Sewing and Gardening – by Alice Gray
- Lockdown Story – AnonymousIt was your birthday today, Mum. Fifty-nine I think. And thanks to this rather nasty virus that’s reeking total havoc on the entire world, which… Read more: Lockdown Story – Anonymous
- Lockdown – by Janet BreretonLockdown, What does it even mean? It conjures up scenes in San Francisco when a hurricane is due. The locals apparently have these little cellar… Read more: Lockdown – by Janet Brereton
- Omega Woman – by Clare HannanI am Robert Neville, the only human left on earth travelling around a deserted city, the setting sun casting its golden light across the still… Read more: Omega Woman – by Clare Hannan
- Living in Lockdown – by Melody Flumendorf“I’m stuck!” I could not believe it. Looking across the rather muddy shore I could make out my 10 year old, one foot firmly set… Read more: Living in Lockdown – by Melody Flumendorf
- Quarantining in London – AnonymousLondon, to me, has always been a lifelong dream. One that has driven my internal compass; the “why” in my life. I grew up in… Read more: Quarantining in London – Anonymous
- Toxic – by Marie MaurerCan you catch it from a stare? There’s a challenge in her eyes: you turn away (of course you do). You can’t see it but… Read more: Toxic – by Marie Maurer
- Lockdown Learning – AnonymousI’ve never considered myself smart. Not academically smart at least. No degrees or letters after my name to brag about. Smart in the school of… Read more: Lockdown Learning – Anonymous
- The Story of an Isolated Man – by Alastair SharpI am in isolation and I think I’m so contentAs I am old and vulnerable up to the North I’m sentBy loving and well meaning… Read more: The Story of an Isolated Man – by Alastair Sharp
- My Lockdown Story – by Alika PoltavskyWhenever there is a big or significant change, it is always difficult foreveryone to adjust and get used to the new normal in life. For… Read more: My Lockdown Story – by Alika Poltavsky
- Life in Lockdown – by Emily DownieLockdown has been a bizarre period for everyone. Being separated from loved ones so suddenly, without the knowledge of when we will reunite. I can… Read more: Life in Lockdown – by Emily Downie
- Love in the Time of Lockdown – by Nadia CrandallRosie noticed it on that Sunday evening, a couple of weeks into the Great Lockdown. Where was Alice in Chains? Where was Terrorizer? Seb over… Read more: Love in the Time of Lockdown – by Nadia Crandall
- Murder in a Mask – by Poppy GrayThere were five people living in the house. Polly was on the top floor, self-isolating. She had inherited £100,000 the week before and had been… Read more: Murder in a Mask – by Poppy Gray
- The Walk – by Albina KovalyovaThe early hours are soaked in stillness. We greet each other warmly and set off. The mood is pensive. Our footsteps – heavy as we… Read more: The Walk – by Albina Kovalyova
- Living in Lockdown – by Carolina ParodiI consider myself one of the lucky ones. I have a job that I haven’t been furloughed from, I live in a flat with a… Read more: Living in Lockdown – by Carolina Parodi
- Kali & Covid: Invoking the Goddess – by Rebecca BuyersOn a cold December day on the cusp of 2020, my fiancé and I entered a warm yoga studio to look inward and forward. We… Read more: Kali & Covid: Invoking the Goddess – by Rebecca Buyers
- The Silver Retriever – by Edith Tucker“Ella!” Mum shouted from the kitchen. “Yeah?” I replied.“I need you to sort through your stuff.”“Oh ok,” Recently schools had closed and I had to… Read more: The Silver Retriever – by Edith Tucker
- lt’s Almost Like Nothing has Changed – by Hanna CloughIf I sit in the park and close my eyes, it’s almost like nothing has changed. Sunlight kisses my eyelashes, my nose, the curve of… Read more: lt’s Almost Like Nothing has Changed – by Hanna Clough
- The Photographer – by Carolyn WallaceI’ve searched for three weeks but haven’t caught a glimpse of them yet, though not entirely sure what I am looking for as it could… Read more: The Photographer – by Carolyn Wallace
- Wedding – by Marion BaraitserAged three, Vee first encountered lockdown when she crawled into an abandoned lengthy concrete pipe and emerged out of the other end, smiling. After thirty-two… Read more: Wedding – by Marion Baraitser
- Living in Lockdown – by Nikki HaydonAfter forty-five obsessively structured years in secondary education I approached retirement three years ago with trepidation. Determined to keep active, I became a Beanstalk reading… Read more: Living in Lockdown – by Nikki Haydon
- Living in Lockdown – by Miaia DaviesLockdown. That word which has honestly just been the bane of my life – of most of our lives – for the last few months.… Read more: Living in Lockdown – by Miaia Davies
- Confirming Humanity? – by Doro MardenA photo slipped out of the envelope, a pattern of triple pointed leaves, copper, yellow and bronze against a blue sky. She knew immediately where… Read more: Confirming Humanity? – by Doro Marden
- Night in the Shopping Mall – by Lev ChapovskiyWhat if I told you about a time in our history when all of us were isolated? Yes, completely isolated from the outside world. You… Read more: Night in the Shopping Mall – by Lev Chapovskiy
- Untitled – by Abtin TaftiOnce upon a time there was a world with lots to do and lots of places to go and ohh…yes lots of people to see,… Read more: Untitled – by Abtin Tafti
- Adventure Awaits – by Grace WessonChapter 1: “It Wasn’t Me!” “I’m so bored,” said Carrie to Kye. It was one of those rainy days when everyone and everything felt gloomy.… Read more: Adventure Awaits – by Grace Wesson
- Coronavirus Times – by Susan SciamaSpring PandemicTrapped in this global lockdownI rememberhow poems could fermentmost freelyfrom the shock and joyof being somewhere new.Senses excited in a foreign lightIndia, Morocco, Spain… Read more: Coronavirus Times – by Susan Sciama
- The Coronavirus Hero – by Logan MargaraveEveryone was on lockdown because of the coronavirus and we had just moved into Grandmas and Grandad new house. I decided to explore the new… Read more: The Coronavirus Hero – by Logan Margarave
- Untitled – by Rahim AliThis is a story about 5 kids who are trying to save the world, there names are Kiddy briant, Sam eggshels, James, Robert and Criptson.… Read more: Untitled – by Rahim Ali
- We Will be Working at Home – by Leanna Ly“We will be working at home from now on, called online school. We will post all your assignments on google classroom. Any questions?” Jemma said.“Are… Read more: We Will be Working at Home – by Leanna Ly
- Untitled – by Fahd El-AlamiThere is a very large corgi that lives in Tokyo tower. He is around 100 ft tall and his name is congress. He is around… Read more: Untitled – by Fahd El-Alami
- Andrew and the Television – AnonymousAndrew woke up on a Saturday morning thinking about getting to watch TV before his smelly brother,Peter.Andrew liked to watch scary cartoons and Peter liked… Read more: Andrew and the Television – Anonymous
- Lockdown – AnonymousAt the beginning of lockdown I thought it was going to be so easy. I thought I would just get to relax all day. But… Read more: Lockdown – Anonymous
- Lockdown Homeschooling – AnonymousDo you know the many hilarious memes of singles in lock down who are getting so bored they bake their own sourdough from scratch, invent… Read more: Lockdown Homeschooling – Anonymous
- Lockdown – by Valerie, age 5The lockdown is annoying.I would like to go on the playground again.I miss my friends.I don’t like home-schooling and would like to go back to… Read more: Lockdown – by Valerie, age 5
- The Ceiling Fan and Mosquito Swarm – AnonymousStatic from the television, like an intoxicated mass of mosquitoes rocks me to sleep, my eyelids barely open, like eggy half-moons, staring at the ceaseless… Read more: The Ceiling Fan and Mosquito Swarm – Anonymous
- Ava’s Story – by Rachel OsbornEveryday is normal right? Everyday you wake up dreading to go to school for a whole week. My life is everything but normal! It all… Read more: Ava’s Story – by Rachel Osborn
- The Forrest Gump of Primrose Hill – by Garry ManciniThe adjustment to life in Lockdown took longer than anticipated. It seemed like the whole nation was becoming addicted to carbs, 7.00pm cocktail hours and… Read more: The Forrest Gump of Primrose Hill – by Garry Mancini
- It was the Parrot’s Fault – by Kevin BucknallIf I am going to be honest, it was the parrot’s fault. I admit that maybe I am a bit to blame, and certainly I… Read more: It was the Parrot’s Fault – by Kevin Bucknall
- Stuck in London: When something bad, becomes something good somehow – by Adrielly CalilA pandemic is bad, very bad. But somehow, for some people, it may have brought some good things. Some people started studying, others started playing… Read more: Stuck in London: When something bad, becomes something good somehow – by Adrielly Calil
- A Covid-19 Chronicle – by Judith PearsonWho’d believe it? I just read this witticism on the internet:“Jewish Irony: Passover cancelled because of a plague.”Made me laugh and wondered if I should… Read more: A Covid-19 Chronicle – by Judith Pearson
- Block 5 – by Jamie MaddisonIf you’ve come by this account, then one of only two things could’ve happened to me. Either I’m there, standing right besides you – most… Read more: Block 5 – by Jamie Maddison
- Living in Lockdown 2020 by Mrs Freda Brown, Primrose Hill, NW1 – by Maureen BettsWell this new way of life for the residents of Primrose Hill has not really affected me because I live in my family fox hole… Read more: Living in Lockdown 2020 by Mrs Freda Brown, Primrose Hill, NW1 – by Maureen Betts
- One Touch of Nature – by Eleanor SturdyI arrived in Primrose Hill a long time ago and thought there was nothing I hadn’t seen.But what on earth has been going on this… Read more: One Touch of Nature – by Eleanor Sturdy
- The Coronavirus Outbreak – by Sam SturdyOnce in a small market in China, a 20-year-old man was selling fish. The man was called Jim and he had not been doing very… Read more: The Coronavirus Outbreak – by Sam Sturdy
- Lockdown – by Amber Young aged 10Coronavirus has been difficult for so many people. I have had some ‘wobbly’ days but mostly, I am GRATEFUL for: G – Greatest Grandparents. R… Read more: Lockdown – by Amber Young aged 10
- The New Normal – by Brought Me HereThey keep calling it “the new normal”, but what does that mean?We’ve seen acts of incredible selflessness, but at the same time we’ve seen others… Read more: The New Normal – by Brought Me Here