Iain Kelly

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.

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.