The chairs and table sat in the centre of the garden, with uplighters in either corner. Around the four flawlessly straight sides a selection of rare flowers and plants, all in symmetry.

The gardener snipped the last piece of grass with his lawn clippers. A smile spread across his face. He had taken the patch of poor quality soil and created perfect harmony.

He could hear the children playing nearby. The sound of a ball being kicked. He raised an eyebrow in disapproval at the thought of the lawn being trampled.

There was a louder kick. Looking up into the sun he watched in horror as the ball dropped over the wall. It cannoned off an uplighter, knocking it over, ricocheted into a plant pot that smashed, rolled across the rare and fragile Jamesia Americana, before settling on top of a miniature Chusan Palm.

After a moment the doorbell rang. He stormed to the door and flung it open, to be greeted by a small boy.

‘Please, sir. Can I have my ball back?’

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. Thanks as always to the challenge host Priceless Joy. For more information visit HERE.

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