IAIN KELLY

IN FULL BLOOM

Archie slowly creaked his way up the ladder with the garden shears and began pruning back the large, pink rhododendron bushes.

‘Morning, Mr. Williams.’ It was Rose, the teenage daughter from next door.

‘Morning, Rose,’ Archie called after her. He’d known her since she was a cheeky five year old tomboy. Now he looked at her as she walked away, seventeen or eighteen, a young woman, graceful and lithe. She wore a pink t-shirt emphasising attractive curves that had appeared since last summer. Her young, smooth skin glowed in the sunshine. Strong, toned legs stretched out from denim shorts. She disappeared round the corner. A Rose blossoming, he thought.

There was a sharp rap on the window.

‘Pruning those bushes telepathically are you?’ Agnes called. ‘Tea’s ready.’

Archie smiled. His hardy perennial was always in full bloom.


photo-20161016082435199
© The Storyteller’s Abode

Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story, in around 150 words based on the weekly photo prompt. For more information visit HERE.

To read other stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

42 responses to “IN FULL BLOOM”

  1. Plainsarah Avatar

    I love the humor in this.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sarah 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  2. TanGental Avatar

    ‘His hardy perrenial was in full bloom’ what a perfect triple entendre! I shall steal that one…

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I have no idea what you’re referring too… 😉

      Liked by 3 people

      1. TanGental Avatar

        I expect you’ve imbibed too much hybrid tea!!

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Joyfrida Avatar

    hehehehe nice story Iain, very subtle humor. I shall go sit in a corner with my age-mates and discuss this further 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      😉 thanks Joy, glad you got a chuckle from it.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Lynn Love Avatar

    Great story Iain. The humour is great and although only shown briefly, you sum up the couple’s relationship really well – we’re very clear on how they get on. A nice snapshot of married life 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Lynn, hope it gave you a chuckle 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Lynn Love Avatar

        Yes it did and thanks for that 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  5. vibesofacalcuttan Avatar

    Haha 😛 quite funny story, loved this little dose of everyday humour. You write it beautifully.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Glad to give you a small smile, many thanks 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  6. D. Wallace Peach Avatar

    Ha ha. He was caught in the act of appreciating the scenery 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Very much so 😉

      Like

  7. James Avatar

    Just an old man’s fantasies. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Memories and an appreciation of beauty in all its forms.

      Like

  8. Priceless Joy Avatar

    Hahahaha! Loved the ending and the humor of it! Might be an old man but still a young man at heart! LOL! Great humourus story Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Joy, happy to give you a laugh and a smile 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Dahlia Avatar

    Men will be men 😀 Enjoyed the read very much!

    Like

  10. jademwong Avatar

    HA! That last line, Iain. I was not expecting it but I love how you sneaked it in there 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      There are several ways to interpret the last line…I leave it to the reader 🙂 Thanks Jade

      Liked by 1 person

  11. shehannemoore Avatar

    Lol! Quietly brilliant.

    Like

  12. creatingahome Avatar

    Absolutely loved this.
    A wonderful couple!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Awww, many thanks 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  13. rosemawrites Avatar

    i agree with Lynn! 🙂 this is such a nice snippet about one married couple. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. rosemawrites Avatar

        you’re welcome! ❤

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Madeeha Avatar

    Lot has been discussed about the last line and humor and one thing which I very much like to add here is your powerful narrative. The character sketch and the descriptive quality in your story are two things which made me feel as if I was part of this story.
    Very well written 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Madeeha, much appreciated and glad you enjoyed it 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Sonny Price Avatar

    Hehe, love the humor in this story, great writing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sonny, much appreciated, glad you enjoyed.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  16. luckyjc007 Avatar

    Great humor. He watched the plants and the neighbor blossem! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. luckyjc007 Avatar

      whoops! Blossom …should be

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Iain Kelly Avatar
  17. Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha Avatar

    How clever!. I enjoyed the humour and the hidden part of the story.

    Like

  18. sailajaP14 Avatar

    Lol! This is so clever! 😁

    Liked by 1 person

  19. patrickprinsloo Avatar

    What hardy perennial do you mean?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Haha, well, there could be a couple of answers to that question.

      Like

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