Archie stared at the gift, torn wrapping paper all round. It looked like several bicycles had crashed into each other, a mangled frame with wheels of various sizes attached to it.
‘Wow, that’s… interesting.’
‘Do you like it?’ Agnes smiled at him.
‘What is it?’
Agnes frowned. ‘A puncture repair station. You’re too old to cycle, I thought you’d like to help others if they get into bother. It’s got various sizes.’
‘I don’t know what to say.’ Since Archie had stopped cycling Agnes had wanted him to find another pastime.
‘You’re welcome would be nice.’ Agnes missed having the weekends to herself.

Happy Holidays to all the Friday Fictioneers and those that visit my blog. As always I am eternally grateful for everyone who takes the time to read my offerings. I hope you all have a wonderful break and a Happy New Year.
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.
Other stories featuring Agnes and Archie: THE AGNES AND ARCHIE STORIES.
I enjoy your posts – the humour always tucked away there amongst the prose. Clever!
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Thank you so much Viola 🙂
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Dear Iain,
I feel for Agnes. Every wife needs her husband to have a pastime. Well, this wife does. 😉 Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I think it’s always good for a relationship to give each other space. Thanks Rochelle.
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I totally get it. Yes, indeed.
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🙂 Thank you.
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That was an inventive interpretation of the image
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Thank you Neil.
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Haha – love the last line! I wonder if Archie will really take up “puncture repair” as a new hobby.
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Thank you – I think he may not get a choice in the matter 🙂
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That was really wonderful, Iain.
Really liked your interpretation of the prompt.
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Thank you so much Moon
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He’s trying to be practical, but I think this is a lost cause.
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It doesn’t seem like he’s going to go for it.
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The image of bicycles crashed into each other is a lovely description of the photo prompt and metaphor for their lives, I feel.
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Thanks Kelvin.
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Archie seems to be underfoot this time around.
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They do take it in turns. I try to be even handed!
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Neat take on the prompt. Agnes seems to pushing Archie towards life in the garage! (Anywhere other than under the same roof, I guess)
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I think Archie will be content there!
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Since I work from home and my husband is retired, I can totally relate! That sculpture looks like it could actually be used for such a device. Another great Archie and Agnes.
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Thank you so much Janet 🙂
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I hope he takes to it. For the sake of their relationship.
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He’ll give it a go – whether he likes it or not.
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I would love to have my punctures repaired… where can I find Archie?
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Could be a gap in the market 🙂
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Quick Iain, patent it and go on Dragon’s Den!
Click to read my FriFic!
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Think they’ll invest?! 🙂
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I had a boss once who said he was happily married… three days a week. Sometimes you need that time alone to keep a marriage solid.
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Absolutely, thanks Susan
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Sometimes, like Archie, we all search for suitable words to express our appreciation for something we never wanted and have no use for. 🙂 Good take on the prompt.
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Thank you Christine
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Haha, obviously it’s a puncture repair station 🙂 Hopefully he’ll get really into it so she can get some space.
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Thank you 🙂
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Apparently, retirement can be a difficult adjustment. You portrayed this well!
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For some it certainly can be. Thanks Clare.
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Awww!! That is such a beautiful story..kindness is in the air. Happy Holidays
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Thank you Trina, and to you.
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Ooh, cruel. I think they should part company those two.
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I think they grudgingly still love each other – they are just far too used to each other!
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There are a lot of couples like that. It’s a pattern. Sad though.
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It’s so much fun to read all the different interpretations of Ted’s photo prompt! I enjoyed the creativity of yours, but that last line was a hoot! (Maybe because I’ve been there.) 🙂 Happy New Year!
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Thank you Jan! Happy New Year 🙂
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I have a feeling my wife has reached exactly that stage now 🙂
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Haha, I hope not!
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I do hope he finds some joy in his puncture repair set but I get the feeling he won’t. Ha. Happy holidays Iain.
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Thank you, Happy Holidays to you also 🙂
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Looks like she’ll have to keep searching for ways to get him out of the house – a nice garden shed might do it. All men need a shed. Nicely done Iain
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Thanks Lynn.
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My pleasure
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Ha ha – nice one! Hope Agnes’s plan works. 🙂
I’m going to resume writing stories with FF in the New Year.
Happy Christmas!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thanks Susan 🙂
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Happy New Year! And this is really good. I can’t wait for next week. A week home with the Hubs and I’m ready to crack heads- uh, eggs.
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Ha, thanks – I hope you both survived the New Year 🙂
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I wonder if something similar would get my OH out fromunder my feet?
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Worth a try Liz 🙂
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Hahaha my mom is the same… need to give dad something to do 😄
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It seems to be a common theme from the comments! Thanks Laurie
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Oh, Iain, this hit home. Today my husband said, “It seems to bother you when I breathe.” Ouch. Perhaps I’ve let the stress of the holidays bring pressure into our home.
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Everyone needs their own space – especially round the holidays!
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I so understand her situation! We can love them all to pieces but it is so nice to have “me” time… 🙂
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Absolutely, thanks Dale.
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I get Agnes. I so love having my mornings (two per week) when my husband plays golf. Mind you I know he looks forward to his two evenings at home alone when I go dancing. Good story that rang true.
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Sounds like the perfect arrangement!
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hopefully, it’s not too much for him to handle to keep the peace. 🙂
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He can always take it out and then just head to the pub for a couple of hours instead 🙂
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Great take Iain. It’s all so innocent until you understand her more serious underlying motive
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Thanks Michael
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I love the ending, very humorous and truthful. =)
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Thank you Brenda
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it does look like a repair station – brilliant –
and so is the way you had this agnes help archie find his next hobbie – so the relationship can breathe
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Thank you so much.
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Another fun prompt from you Kelly. Greatly enjoyed this and HAPPY NEW YEAR.
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Thanks Neel – Happy New Year to you also.
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Lol, I like the “real” reason behind her gift. Nice endgame there.
Mine: https://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2017/12/27/friday-fictioneers-lifes-cycle/
Scott
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Thank you Scott
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Welcome
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Oh this made me LOL.
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Thanks Dawn, always happy to provide a chuckle 🙂
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Oh, Agnes I feel you. My husband has been retired two years. I could use a few days to myself.
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Ha, thanks Susie – I hope you have survived the holidays 🙂
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A novel take.
Happy 2018.
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Thank you – Happy New Year 🙂
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Ah, she finally found a way to keep him busy and give her some peace. Humorous and good writing, Iain. 😀 — Suzanne
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Thanks Suzanne
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I feel for Agnes I really do! Nicely done Iain 🙂
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Thank you 🙂
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I missed that prompt, but that structure was quite clever.
That balance between intimacy and solitude is a challenging one, where it’s hard to find the mark or to be in the same head space at the same time as a couple. My cousin recently invited me up to her place at Blackheath for a week. It’s in the Blue Mountains, which are just beautiful. However, it could’ve been anywhere. Didn’t matter. I needed a break from the lot of them here. As it turned out, my cousin and I clicked so well that we ended up in our own zone and talked and shared so much that I barely had a chance to let my family know I’d arrived safely. However, we could appreciate each other as individuals, not through the lens of being Mum. She’s 83 and I’m in my late 40s and yet there was no distance between us. She is actually what I call my “family history cousin” and while we’re not that closely related, we are two peas in a pod and have so much in common. It has always amazed me like when you find twins who were separated at birth and find out they have so much in common.
Anyway, human relationships are so intriguing.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Thanks Rowena, sounds like you would know what presents to get each other 😉
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