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.
42 responses to “IN FULL BLOOM”
I love the humor in this.
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Thanks Sarah 🙂
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‘His hardy perrenial was in full bloom’ what a perfect triple entendre! I shall steal that one…
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I have no idea what you’re referring too… 😉
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I expect you’ve imbibed too much hybrid tea!!
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hehehehe nice story Iain, very subtle humor. I shall go sit in a corner with my age-mates and discuss this further 😀
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😉 thanks Joy, glad you got a chuckle from it.
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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 🙂
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Thanks Lynn, hope it gave you a chuckle 🙂
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Yes it did and thanks for that 🙂
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Haha 😛 quite funny story, loved this little dose of everyday humour. You write it beautifully.
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Glad to give you a small smile, many thanks 🙂
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Ha ha. He was caught in the act of appreciating the scenery 🙂
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Very much so 😉
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Just an old man’s fantasies. 😉
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😉
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Memories and an appreciation of beauty in all its forms.
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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!
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Thanks Joy, happy to give you a laugh and a smile 🙂
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Men will be men 😀 Enjoyed the read very much!
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HA! That last line, Iain. I was not expecting it but I love how you sneaked it in there 😉
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There are several ways to interpret the last line…I leave it to the reader 🙂 Thanks Jade
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Lol! Quietly brilliant.
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Absolutely loved this.
A wonderful couple!
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Awww, many thanks 🙂
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i agree with Lynn! 🙂 this is such a nice snippet about one married couple. 🙂
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Thank you 🙂
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you’re welcome! ❤
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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 🙂
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Thank you Madeeha, much appreciated and glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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Hehe, love the humor in this story, great writing!
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Thanks Sonny, much appreciated, glad you enjoyed.
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Loved it!
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Thanks 🙂
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Great humor. He watched the plants and the neighbor blossem! 🙂
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whoops! Blossom …should be
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Thanks 🙂
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How clever!. I enjoyed the humour and the hidden part of the story.
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Lol! This is so clever! 😁
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🙂
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What hardy perennial do you mean?
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Haha, well, there could be a couple of answers to that question.
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