“Dad, what would happen to me if you died?”

Quinn continues the steady motion of the stone against the axe head, round and round and round. His little girl is mesmerised, watching the easy circular motion of his brown and weathered hand, listening to the raspy sound. He stops, spits on the stone and applies it to the axe head once again. The edge is shiny silver and he flicks it like a guitar string with his thumb, testing. “I’m not goin’ to die, kiddo.”

— From “Down the Green Road” by Gabrielle Gardner

“Come in if you’re good-looking,” said a husky voice.

“I’m coming in anyway,” I said, opening the door to room 34. Rosa was sitting in an armchair with a pile of knitting on her lap. Her voluptuousness had withered into scrawniness, but her lined face was still beautiful, with its high cheekbones and brown almond eyes.

She looked me up and down. “Hmm, you’re passable. A woman my age can’t be fussy, more’s the pity.”

— From “Badge of Courage” by Robin Storey

The modus operandi was simple: pick your mark, contact, flatter, forget nothing, dance well, make them laugh. Eric had been doing it for years and a quiet word with the Maître D’ ensured that he was at Madge’s table again this evening. Looking his best in jacket and tie he positively oozed pheromones as he slid into the chair beside her.

— From “Birds of a Feather” by Graham D’Elboux

Thirty-two clever and engaging short stories feature in this latest anthology from Stringybark Stories. Selected from over 240 entries these winning and highly commended tales are wickedly clever, thought-provoking and a rollicking read. From priestly abuse to mysterious creatures in the Yarra River, this collection is sure to challenge and entertain.