Always Andy
FIRST PLACE WRITING FOR CHILDREN
by Catrin Mascall
Catrin Mascall is a former Creative Writing and English A level teacher, with a BA and an MA in Creative Writing from St Mary’s University and the University of Portsmouth, respectively. She made a new year’s resolution at the start of 2021 to enter a writing competition every month, and this is her second win, after also placing third in the Win Your Way to Swanwick adult fiction competition last year. She loves to read and write dystopian fiction, and is currently working on her debut novel about the lighter side of the zombie apocalypse.
Andy bounced into the classroom in a rainbow patterned jumper, beaming from ear to ear, excitedly dissecting the plot of the latest Dr Who episode with an equally enthused friend whose bright green hair fell over his eyes. Clocking Lauren behind her desk, Andy scurried across with a quick
‘We WILL revisit this conversation!’ thrown over his shoulder. Lauren smiled, unaccustomed to this level of energy from a teenager at nine in the morning. ‘Hi! I’m Andy,’ he said, bobbing up and down on the balls of his feet.