This was so much harder than last time.

I decided to stick with the classic first second third, even though I really badly wanted to give a fourth and fifth too.

The variety of tone made the task a particularly enjoyable experience this time around. This blog has it all - humour, lightheartedness, a profound dark side as well as a healthy dose of the wonderfully bizarre.

They all have one thing in common though - all are representative of the vast diversity of character and talent that we have here on BCUK. All of you should be very proud of your achievements. I know I am deeply honoured to be the judge (and not only because it gives me a perfect excuse not to take part and make myself look silly!)

And so to the main order of business.

In third place:
Chester Races by BeattyB
The first to use the phrase in a very original way, I enjoyed this story very much. Coupled with some wonderful lines - "A cohort of centurions in full battle gear stride through the walled gates in front of us, only their fags and pints of lager giving away 2,000 years of evolution" and you've got a highly enjoyable tale.

Second:
Dark Water by MarikaSunSeeker
Youthful exuberance, the fickleness of life and the power of friendship are all protrayed using an impressive matter-of-fact style that still manages to evoke emotion in the reader. A superb short story.

And in FIRST:
Square One by moltsplace
This one went straight onto the shortlist as soon as I read it. It just struck a chord with me in a way that none of the others did. It perfectly captures the human spirit - that regardless of what adversity comes our way, we are strong and we will survive. The character is an old hand - he's been in this position before and is self-aware enough to know how to get through it. We are not under any illusions about the unpleasantness of his situation, but similiarly it is made clear to us that he will survive and will eventually flourish again.
Loved it.

Well done, moltsplace!