This is a companion to another short piece – you can read part one here: THE NEW NORMAL
The sky had cleared since the morning. Albert wrapped up in a jacket and found a spot in the sunshine on their small balcony.
‘Just popping out in the boat to see mother,’ Elaine called from the house. ‘Lunch is in the kitchen for you.’
He heard the window close and the clatter of oars as she got into the rowing boat. As she rowed off the sound of water lapping against the house was all that broke the silence.
Finished with the weekly newspaper, Albert rose from his chair and picked up the small secateurs from the bucket.
Since the water had come, having a garden was the thing he missed the most. The few potted flowers that lined the balcony were a poor substitute. The yellow and red and orange colours broke the monotonous brown-blue water-filled landscape.
Next week was the annual village Flower Festival. He was convinced his Yellow Sar Dahlia would take first prize this year. After all, no one had seen one since the floods had claimed the land permanently.
This is a companion piece to another story – read Part One here: THE NEW NORMAL
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.
Awesome carryforward. A silver lining:)
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A small one, but something for him to cling on to. Thank you 🙂
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Great job!! He found a way to still have some beauty around!
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Thank you 🙂
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Great story Iain! No continuation stories in the challenge unless they can stand alone. I feel this story can stand alone.
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Thanks PJ, I made sure it made sense on it’s own, but the prompt fitted in with the other story that I wrote only a couple of days ago, so I couldn’t resist.
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LOL!
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Permanently? Yikes. I think the good residents of Florida and the other places devastated by Irma will eventually get their homes back.
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This time for sure, but if the global sea levels keep rising, at some point the low lying areas on the coast, the Keys and the Caribbean islands are going to have to adapt or move.
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Lovely and gentle like the water.
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Thank you. It’s nice to write something simple and everyday once in a while, even if it is set in the future after climate change!
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I admire the smoothness in your writing .
Wonderful story .
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Great response Iain and so very topical.
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Thanks Michael
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I read both of them and this one definitely is a stand alone story and terrifically written. Well done, Kelly.
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Thanks Neel
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A timely tale indeed, and somewhat different from your normal style I feel. Nice one Iain.
My story is called Potty Pete!
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Thanks Keith, yes, something a bit gentler than normal. glad you liked it.
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Sad sad story. And this being the new normal?! Oh dear God!
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It seems inevitable for some that this will happen in the future.
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fab as ever mate!
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Thanks Michael
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Such a depressing tale, although it’s good to know he has green fingers. The view sounds bleak indeed.
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Great tie-in to part one as well as a very(unfortunately)relevant topic.
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Thank you
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Great story. Would love to know the whole of the back story.
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Thank you
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