IAIN KELLY

ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE

‘Don’t mind that,’ she said, guiding him through the hallway and round the shattered remains of a mirror.

‘Just through there,’ she pointed him through a glass door whose splintered panes were held together by sticking tape.

‘Take a seat,’ she smiled at him. He looked at the living room strewn with broken chairs, a table with only three legs, a cracked television on the wall.

He settled in an armchair with only one arm.

The dear old lady balanced on a rickety dining chair. ‘Now dear, you said you wanted to talk to me about something called Home and Contents Insurance?’

‘Erm…’ he gulped.


dales-broken-door
Copyright Dale Rogerson

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.


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148 responses to “ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar

    Think of how high the premiums can be!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      More than it’s probably worth her time taking out!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Carol J Forrester Avatar

    Very amusing. Poor insurance salesman. He might have bitten off more than he can chew.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Just think of all the paperwork 🙂

      Like

  3. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    A house of horrors, I hope he gets out alive.🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Michael

      Like

  4. Varad Avatar

    Yikes! Don’t think he walked into a win. Amusing tale, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Varad

      Like

  5. Sandra Avatar

    I think any no-claims bonus might be an irrelevance here. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Not worth even including in the contract… 🙂

      Like

  6. Anita Avatar

    Insurance agent sure will have second thoughts!
    Home insurance is much needed.
    Clever take on the prompt 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Anita 🙂

      Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Di, hope you are well 🙂

      Like

      1. pensitivity101 Avatar

        Indeed yes, thank you for asking. Missed you this past week. Everything OK?

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        Settling down now, a bit of a traumatic start to the new year – my 4 year old son ended up in hospital and has type-1 diabetes, so a bit of a lifestyle change for us all to get used to. Getting there though. Thank you for asking 🙂

        Like

      3. pensitivity101 Avatar

        Oh wow. Poor lad. I was diagnosed as type 2 in 2011, but it’s all controlled by diet. I expect he’s very confused and doesn’t understand why he can’t have the things he’s used to, bless him.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Iain Kelly Avatar

        He’s handling it a lot better than his parents! Although I don’t think he appreciates it is for the rest of his life yet. Hopefully we all get used to it and it settles down to just be our way of life.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. pensitivity101 Avatar

        I find it amazing how quickly kids can adapt once they accept the status quo.

        Liked by 1 person

      6. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar

        Followed this thread. So sorry to hear about your son but I think you’re quite right. You all will adjust and “things” will become routine. This I know from experience (something totally odd I’ve worked with for 40 years. Now it’s just the way of things.) Will keep you and your family in my thoughts.

        Liked by 1 person

      7. Iain Kelly Avatar

        Thank you for your kind thoughts and support Alicia

        Like

  7. robertawrites235681907 Avatar

    Simply hilarious, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Roberta 🙂

      Like

  8. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    I suspect the premiums will be monstrous. This did make me laugh. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Rochelle

      Like

  9. Susan A Eames Avatar

    Loved the way you led me through the story and whomped me with that laugh out loud ending.

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Susan.

      Like

  10. ceayr Avatar

    Smashing fun, old chap!

    Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, squire!

      Like

  11. Violet Lentz Avatar

    Excellent take

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Violet

      Like

  12. joyroses13 Avatar

    A great laugh to start out the day! I am thinking he may decide to change jobs. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, always good to spread a laugh 🙂

      Like

      1. joyroses13 Avatar

        Indeed it is! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  13. deborahsdeliberations Avatar
    deborahsdeliberations

    Wonderful take on the prompt, Iain. And welcome back. I missed your stories 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Deborah, a few family health issues but hopefully I will be around more 🙂

      Like

  14. notestowomen Avatar

    I enjoyed your story very much. The insurance man is in a real pickle now.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

      Like

  15. J Hardy Carroll Avatar

    Clumsy son or a monkey for a pet, perhaps?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Angry monkey?

      Like

  16. Frankie Perussault Avatar
    Frankie Perussault

    Poor dear old lady! but I did laugh. Very well done. Love the way you take your reader for a ride!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Frankie 🙂

      Like

  17. Dale Avatar

    What a hoot, Iain! Poor bugger had no idea what he had walked into…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Dale, I look forward to finding out what really happened to the door…!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale Avatar

        Do let me put you out of your misery: My son’s 19th birthday, I’m at the movies, he has some friends over. They start wrestling beside the door and one gets pushed into it. I get a text that says: Mom. Um. Something is Broken. I come home to this, ah, “repair”. It will cost an arm and a leg to fix and I’ve removed the door. My house is for sale and I am in the process of shopping for another door that is similar-ish because fixing this one is not gonna happen.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        A typical tale, at least no one was seriously hurt. When I was younger a similar thing happened at a friend’s house and someone ended up in hospital with a sliced up hand!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Dale Avatar

        Eesh… I was plenty pissed, I assure you. This door has 15 individual panes. They would have to take the door apart, insert new ones and put back together. Ain’t gonna happen.

        Liked by 1 person

  18. Rowena Avatar

    Love it, Iain. You’ve really developed her character well and if you look over some of the recent posts I’ve written about my trip to Byron Bay, that region is full of characters like this.
    Hope you’ve had a great week.
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Rowena, will give those stories a look 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  19. neeltheauthor- author of WHEN LIFE THROWS THOSE CURVE BALLS Avatar

    Hope the poor insurance guy is himself insured. Nice story, Kelly.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  20. scr4pl80 Avatar

    Very funny Iain! Lots of ways this one can turn out. Been missing you the last couple of weeks. Hope everything is okay.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Janet, nice to be missed. Dealing with some health issues in the family, but hoping to be back on a more regular basis. Thank you for asking 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. scr4pl80 Avatar

        Hope nothing too serious. Just wanted you to know you are missed 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        Thank you Janet, it means a lot 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  21. granonine Avatar

    Ha! Good one, Iain, very funny.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Linda 🙂

      Like

  22. StuHN Avatar

    Those crafty wily old ladies. Made me chuckle, this one did.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Stu 🙂

      Like

  23. Liz Young Avatar

    This made me laugh, though perhaps it shouldn’t!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Liz – it’s best to laugh!

      Like

  24. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

    I think the furnishing have more sentimental value than monetary. You paint a vivid scene. Made me laugh. Missed your stories. So very sorry to hear of your son’s health issue. Sending you and your family well wishes.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Brenda, he’s doing well, hopefully it will all settle down a bit now as we get used to dealing with it. Thank you for your kind wishes.

      Liked by 1 person

  25. jennifermacaire Avatar

    Nice take on the photo prompt!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Jennifer

      Like

  26. jwdwrites Avatar

    Ha ha, didn’t know where this was going until the end. Well done. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

  27. patrickprinsloo Avatar

    Lovely. He isn’t going to hit his target is he?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Not in this house for sure!

      Like

  28. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar

    Very good, a return to form after missing last week!! Made me chuckle and at number 1!! Good work fella.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you – hoping my attendance record will improve for the rest of the year!

      Like

  29. magickmermaid Avatar

    Love the surprise ending! He definitely has his work cut out for him 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  30. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar

    Ha! I enjoyed how things got progressively worse and she seems to take it all in stride. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Alicia

      Like

  31. anuragbakhshi Avatar

    Ha ha ha, poor guy, but since he’s an insurance agent, I’m sure he will find a way to exploit this too 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      They always end up coming out on top.

      Liked by 1 person

  32. Sascha Darlington Avatar

    Ha! Good fun! Well written!

    Happy New Year, Iain! Best wishes for your son!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Sascha Darlington Avatar

      ermmmmm…sorry…I may have used up a year’s worth of exclamation points.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you for the good wishes Sascha 🙂

      Like

  33. ForgivingConnects Avatar

    Ha ha ha! Iain, this is really funny. I love the imagery you use.

    I also happened to see your comment about your son. So sorry. Blessings to you and him.
    Debbie

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Debbie, he is coping well.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. ForgivingConnects Avatar

        Glad to hear that, Iain.

        Liked by 1 person

  34. Abhijit Ray Avatar
    Abhijit Ray

    Nothing much to insure, is there? You described the scene so well!

    Liked by 1 person

  35. Piyali Avatar

    Wicked! I like the old lady 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  36. draliman Avatar

    Haha, I think she’d be what they call a “bad risk” 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  37. gahlearner Avatar
    gahlearner

    That gave me a good laugh, great read.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

  38. Jelli Avatar
    Jelli

    Good one! I can just see his expression.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Jelli

      Liked by 1 person

  39. 4963andypop Avatar

    Not much worth insuring. But considering all the repairs she has put off, I’m thinking the old lady has quite a nest egg, stashed somewhere under that rickety three-legged bed!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Oh yeah, you know she has some savings hidden somewhere! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  40. Rachel Bjerke Avatar

    Oh dear, maybe he should just turn around and run straight out the door!

    Nice take on the prompt, I really enjoyed it 🙂

    -Rachel

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Rachel 🙂

      Like

  41. plaridel Avatar

    he went to the wrong house. i don’t think there’s anything worth insuring. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Nothing of value has been left unharmed!

      Liked by 1 person

  42. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Hahaha aha brilliant. I got a good laugh out of this.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Laurie, a pleasure to give you a laugh 🙂

      Like

  43. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar

    Ha ha! Hilarious! Something tells me this woman’s stuff isn’t .. um … insurable .. 😉 Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It’s certainly not worth much 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar

        Kindling? 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  44. Dawn M. Miller Avatar

    LOL…cute story!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Dawn

      Liked by 1 person

  45. Russell Avatar

    No pre-existing conditions right???

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Any accidents in the last 3 years to report??

      Liked by 1 person

  46. Kislaya Avatar

    The insurance salesman, rather than taking seat, should have left the scene!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      A quick exit!

      Like

  47. michaelwynnauthor Avatar

    Sounds as though she needs it but not sure how high the premiums would need to be to make it viable

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Best to stick to a good supply of duct tape perhaps.

      Like

  48. lisarey1990 Avatar

    Very easy to relate to. Fun read.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  49. Kalpana Solsi Avatar
    Kalpana Solsi

    With so much damage , hop no one is hurt.
    The poor salesman will have seconds or third thoughts.

    https://ideasolsi65.blogspot.com/2019/01/door.html

    Liked by 1 person

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