Short Story Winner 2015

The Litfest-Ourtown Short Story Prize

Rosemarie Teece is from Lostock Green and was featured only recently here as Northwich's first celebrant. She spent a career in public relations and now officiates at weddings and funerals, while indulging her hobby of singing in a rock choir. And writing, of course. "I have been writing 'stories' for very many years but getting paid to write is one thing....  getting a prize and praise for doing it is a different matter entirely. I am really thrilled!" she said.

It took the judges two weeks to make' up their minds. Susi Osborne and Viv Roberts read and re-read the stories and eventually 17 authors were invited to read out their work at the presentation evening. The list of highly commended included Paul Watson, whose brief and witty tale was carried on our pages last week. "Genius in a few words," said the judges. Also, Lauren Clifford, the inventive mind behind Lostock and Two Smoking Barrels and Diane Mansell for the emotion she put into In Sickness and in Health. Joint runner-up were Tom Kilcourse of Cuddington (A Love Shared) and Howard Bentham, of Antobus, whose daintily titled Daphne's Surprise masked a wickedly funny story. But eventually Susi and Viv settled on Gone by Rosemarie Teece, an age-old subject with a brilliant new twist using barely half the 1,000 words available to her.


Gone by Rosemarie Teece 

With a sharp intake of breath, he turned to her in disbelief.....

"Where in the world did you find this book?" he said. "Just handling it has made by day! This should be in the Smithsonian."

"My husband's the collector," said Angela in a quiet voice, tinged with sadness. "This has always been a prized possession. His uncle was a renowned expert in books and manuscripts. He introduced my husband to the beauty of such treasures and encouraged and mentored him as he grew his collection. This was bought with an inheritance from uncle and we know he would have approved of his money being spent on it."

As her voice trembled, she paused. The dealer looked away to allow her time to compose herself. He was more than grateful for the opportunity to give his undivided attention to the rare tome on his desk.

Eventually Angela said quietly, "But my husband has gone now." She took a deep breath. "It holds no sentimental value for me and I really think it should go to someone who will appreciate it."

"Well,- said the dealer, "I_have clients who will pay handsomely for this and, believe me, it will be very much appreciated. I would consider it a privilege to take care of this for you. Let me make some calls so I can advise on whether to organise a private sale or put it up for auction."

As Angela left the dealer's office, her smile resumed. It would be appropriate to describe it as a self-satisfied smile. Geoffrey had indeed 'gone'. He'd gone on one adulterous trip too many with his 'assistant'.

It had taken Angela some time to realise that she had married a philanderer and she could write her own book full of the excuses and lies and apologies she had heard over the years.

She had finally come to the decision that she deserved better. Her next appointment was to instruct her solicitor to start divorce proceedings.

So when Geoffrey returned he would find that she had made herself the protagonist in this last chapter of their marriage and that she also had gone.

She tried to imagine the look on his face when he discovered that a possession that Angela suspected he prized more than her had gone too. She felt no remorse. Hadn't Geoffrey said fifteen years ago " ALL my worldly goods"?


Taken from Our Town Magazine