Have you noticed how much can happen in fifteen minutes? You can sit with a child and complete a thirty-six piece jigsaw puzzle. You can clean a bathroom. Wash the car. The dog. Yourself, including the tri-weekly hair shampoo. Or, have a conversation that will change your life. — from Fifteen Minutes by Rebecca Raisin

Robbie invested three weeks in pub dinners and movies before finally parking his Mini outside Olga’s flat and walking her to the door. It had taken longer than expected but there was an intensity about her that intrigued him. And sometimes she had seemed keen and then at other times there was a wall between them. But tonight he felt would be different. Wordlessly she took his hand and led him inside. As he unbuttoned Olga’s blouse, Robbie thought: “Better go easy, I’m probably the first.”

— from Just a Notch by John Poole

Here are twenty-one unique, contemporary and entertaining short stories, chosen from some of the best entries in the Stringybark Short Story Awards and  other clever tales that sail across the desk at Stringybark Stories.  Selected by David Vernon, this anthology is the fourth book in the Stringybark Editor's Choice series.  Other books in the collection include: The Bridge, Between the Sheets and Yellow Pearl.

Purchase E-book ($1.99 USD)