In honour of ESPAN’s Page One contest (which I am ineligible to enter because of my position at ESPAN) I thought I’d share with you the first five lines that finaled in Jennifer Haymore’s contest, along with the next few paragraphs. The purpose of the Page One contest is to see if you can catch an editor and/or agent’s eye in just one page (max 250 words).

The rain fell down in a torrent—a staccato drip and splash were indicative of the overflowing gutter right above the window. Kaity watched as the water made a hole in the dirt of the window box and splashed mud up on the glass. She gripped her coffee mug tighter, trying to make its warmth penetrate her cold fingers. She was always cold these days. And always watching out the window–looking for someone who would never come.

“Mommy? Please don’t cry anymore.” Small arms wound around one of her legs, holding tight.

Kaity hadn’t even realised she was crying. She swiped at her eyes with one hand and looked down at the small figure attached to her. Putting her mug on the counter, she bent down to pick up the the little girl. “Hey Princess. You’re supposed to be in bed.”

“The rain scared me. I don’t like it.” Charli’s lips trembled as she spoke. She ducked her head into the crook of Kaity’s neck.

Kaity snuggled Charli closer in her arms, and climbed the stairs to her daughter’s bedroom. “Mommy will stay with you until you go to sleep, ok?”