by Dominique Hackston
SECOND PLACE in September 2025 Competition.
Sandy, Heidi and Tina spent the sweltering summer before senior school wearing out the brown, parched lawn of No. 24. Never Heidi’s because her neighbours complained, or Tina’s because her mum was too strict. It was always Sandy’s. She had a cassette player, and her mum used Tupperware to ensure a continuous supply of ice-lollies.
They tanned all summer long while singing and twirling. The first dance the trio learned was Save All Your Kisses For Me, copied from the Eurovision Song Contest. The next was their favourite, Jungle Rock, until The Wurzels hit No. 1 with Combine Harvester.
Music blasted from the windowsill, where Sandy operated her tape player. She claimed her father set this rule, but really, it was an excuse to stand in the shade and pick the songs she liked.
The girls took turns choreographing and performing solos; other songs were group efforts, and all dances ended with sweaty fringes, big grins and a bow. It was a noisy, hot, but harmonious summer until the last day, when Abba’s Dancing Queen got to No.1.
That day, like every day, the sun shone. It was a smite cooler. Tina arrived late, after completing chores and extra homework for her mother.
‘I need Wurzels,’ she pouted. ‘And an ice-lolly.’
‘After you’ve watched us boogie to our new favourite song, Dancing Queen.’ Sandy grinned. ‘Its’s about me.’
‘And me,’ Heidi added.
The two dancers high-fived.
Tina glowered, charged, and screamed. ‘We agreed Wurzels is our favourite.’ And she shoved Sandy – hard.
Tina was ordered home without an ice-lolly. Mum wrapped an ice-laden towel around Sandy’s wrist. Then, licking a lemon icicle, Heidi waved goodbye.
As the heatwave ended, the freeze between Tina and Sandy began. It didn’t thaw, not even after the cast came off.
Judge’s comments: AN ATMOSPHERIC STORY WITH GREAT WORLD BUILDING AND AN ASSURED SENSE OF TIME PASSING. CHARACTERS WERE DRAWN IN A SUBTLE WAY
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