IAIN KELLY

THE FLYING SCOTSMAN

Archie mounted his bicycle as the whistle from the steam train blew.

‘Go!’ shouted Malcolm, giving Archie a push.

The bet was simple.

Archie had made it one night in the pub. He could leave the station at the same time as the train and arrive at the next stop first. Most of the money was placed against him.

Pub regulars turned out to watch the big event. Archie thrust his feet on the pedals.

He failed to see the pothole. He crashed into it, sending him spinning through the air. The bystanders cheered.

Malcolm picked him up. ‘Better luck next time, Archie.’


jellico3
© Jellico’s Stationhouse

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

This month I am taking part in the A to Z Challenge 2017 – a post each day based on the letters of the alphabet and a theme. You can visit my A TO Z CHALLENGE 2017 page here to read the story.

As this challenge will take up a lot of my blogging time I may not get round to commenting on everyone’s posts, but I hope to find time to read all your stories as usual, and still be able to participate in Friday Fictioneers each week.

58 responses to “THE FLYING SCOTSMAN”

  1. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    Shame on the crowd for cheering at Archie’s misfortune. 😉 Love the title and the story. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Rochelle 🙂

      Like

  2. kittysverses Avatar

    A nice take on the prompt. A good read.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Kitty

      Liked by 1 person

      1. kittysverses Avatar

        Welcome Iain!

        Like

  3. Chris C. Avatar

    Better luck next time for him indeed! Pity about the pothole. Dangerous things, those are. Still, it was an amusing story!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Chris, glad you liked it.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. beautyswot Avatar
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He’ll be back, he’s a tryer 🙂

      Like

  5. magarisa Avatar

    Would’ve liked to see him spinning through the air! 😁

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      A sight to behold! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Magaly Guerrero Avatar

    Ouch. I think that I was as surprised as poor Archie. I was not expecting that.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Fortunately only his pride was damaged 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Jane Dougherty Avatar

    The Flying Scotsman I was expecting 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Jane 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Lynn Love Avatar

    Scarily close to the kind of bet that is made in pubs! Funny how a couple of jars can make the preposterous feel possible. Nicely told, Ian

    Liked by 1 person

  9. paulmclem Avatar
    paulmclem

    I believe that’s what they call falling at the first hurdle…lol.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  10. jellico84 Avatar
    jellico84

    Flying Scotsman, indeed. That was a funny one! giggles. I can just see him, kilt and all, flying through the air. (blushes at the kilt). Loved it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ha I like it was a kilt he was wearing when you pictured it! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  11. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    Now who dug the pot hole ? My money was on the Flying Scotsman. Fun story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Michael 🙂

      Like

  12. Sascha Darlington Avatar

    I could pretty much believe this happening. Very well done! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sascha 🙂

      Like

  13. Christine Goodnough Avatar

    Bystanders are always so encouraging — always enjoy a bit of blood and a few broken bones. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

  14. shehannemoore Avatar

    Of course I love the title. But the story is purty damn good too.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Life Lessons of a Dog Lover Avatar
    Life Lessons of a Dog Lover

    I always like to cheer for the underdog, so I was heartbroken when he crashed.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He’ll be back 🙂

      Like

  16. goroyboy Avatar

    Drew quite the crowd. I felt excited as if the event unfolded

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  17. lingeringvisions by Dawn Avatar

    Wow, that A-Z challenge you have set for yourself is really something. Hope you make it back here again next week..love your 100 words.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Dawn, hoping I can make time for both, wouldn’t want to miss Friday Fictioneers!

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Sandra Avatar

    As a steam loco afficionado (having just spent the weekend at a Bulleid gala) my money was always on the loco. Archie’s game though, I’ll give him that. Great take.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sandra, unfortunately for Archie, there’s no stopping progress.

      Like

  19. draliman Avatar

    Ouch. I don’t suppose he flew through the air all the way to the next station?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Not so lucky, barely made it off the start line. He’ll dust himself down for another attempt I’m sure.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. justjoyfulness Avatar

    Oh dear! And I was thinking he was going to beat the train 😦

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Not this time…

      Like

  21. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Oh bugger!! 😂 bet that hurt… his wallet and his pride!

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Oh bugger! 😅 i bet that hurt… both his wallet and his pride!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      🙂 I think he’ll go double or quits.

      Liked by 1 person

  23. anintrovertedblogger Avatar

    I was hoping Archie would make it! Better luck next time!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He’ll keep trying until he does it! Thanks for reading 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  24. csheldonblog Avatar

    did you see the video recently on facebook i think, of someone getting off the tube and racing the tube to the next stop? As I started to read this piece it was the first thing that came to my mind… well before the pot hole!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I did see that one. Archie is not so athletically-minded I’m afraid!

      Liked by 1 person

  25. LucciaGray Avatar

    Great story in 200 words only!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you:-)

      Liked by 1 person

  26. jazzfeathers Avatar

    Nice little story 🙂

    Sorry I disappeared. I had a problem with my laptop for a few days. Of course, it had to happen during the challenge…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      No worries – so many blogs to read, I am just catching up on yours too. Hope you can pick up my story where you left off, and look forward to more next week 🙂

      Like

  27. plaridel Avatar

    hopefully, he doesn’t give up and treats it as just a bump in the road.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Haha, love it 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  28. gahlearner Avatar
    gahlearner

    Ouch, that poor guy. It’s a hoot as long as he isn’t hurt too much. What a fun story. I bet he’ll show them next time.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He’ll get a bit further at least. Thank is for reading 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  29. Sarah Potter Writes Avatar

    That’s funny, although it wouldn’t have been if he’d landed on his head and brain-damaged himself . He’s probably wiser forgetting about a second attempt at the challenge, as he may not survive it D:

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I’m afraid he doesn’t know when to quit! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  30. Michael Wynn Avatar

    Potholes are a modern curse

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      They certainly are for cyclists, drivers and pedestrians.

      Like

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