Two days until the 'the audience decides' final of the short story competition run by Wimbledon Bookfest. A couple of big tents full of books on Wimbledon Common doesn't sound like much of a do, but having dropped in last year, I know it's a cracking celebration of beautiful books and terrific reading.

The short stories in the competition had to be really short, 250 words or less, a real challenge. The 12 finalists chosen by the judges will read their stories to the audience in one of those tents on Friday evening, and the audience will vote for their favourite. Does that give local writers an advantage? Hopefully not. Good luck to everybody for their reading.

The theme of the competition is 'anniversary'. My story, 'Gooseberry Fool' (249 words), tells of a quiet, annual, summer lunch for two. But, oh ho, how did it come about?

'New potatoes, Jersey Royals, steamed in their pale skins. Runner beans wet with ...'

More soon.