IAIN KELLY

FERTILISATION

The flowers have come up well this year. White and red, her favourite colours.

She arrives. I hope to impress. She glances at them, nods a little, makes a note on her clipboard.

It’s over in less than ten minutes and she’s gone. All that work.

A week later. The results are emailed to the members of the Horticultural Society. I’m not even in the top three.

Rage subsides to anger, turns to determination. Time to start again.

I invite her round to discuss what more I can do.

Like I did last year, with the previous head judge. Just before they mysteriously disappeared.

Copyright Na’ama Yehuda

Written for Friday Fictioneers 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.

57 responses to “FERTILISATION”

  1. Frank Hubeny Avatar

    I like those mysterious disappearances at the end.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Frank

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Liz H Avatar

    Oh what fresh (bloody) hell is this? Dorothy Parkef and I need to know! 😂😂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Liz H Avatar

      **Parker**

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Some take their gardening seriously 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  3. neilmacdon Avatar

    To lose one judge may be thought a misfortune. To lose two will seem like carelessness

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      There could be a definite pattern emerging… Thanks Neil

      Like

  4. trentpmcd Avatar

    Mysteriously? Hmmm…. The problem is, the judges don’t think alike, so if you pick their brains literally after doing it figuratively, you may be doing it for nought since the new judge may have entirely different criteria.
    Perhaps the top three would make better fertilizer.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Interesting perspective – I will relay your plans! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      1. trentpmcd Avatar

        lol, I said nothing…

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Fandango Avatar

    I hope next year’s judge takes note of the unexplained disappearance of the two previous judges.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Let’s hope so…! Thanks Di

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  6. Sadje Avatar

    Something sinister is going on

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      You have to watch those quiet gardeners! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje Avatar

        Yes, that should be the way

        Liked by 1 person

  7. msjadeli Avatar

    Enough judges and I’m sure they will win a prize, one way or another. Good story and wasn’t expecting your twist at all.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. msjadeli Avatar

        You’re welcome 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  8. plaridel Avatar

    i won’t be surprised if the missing had become fertilizers for next year’s event.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Got to get that soil just right! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  9. pennygadd51 Avatar

    You have to admire a gardener with that sort of dedication; it shows real commitment to the soil…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Penny – I may not come round to check out your flowerbeds in the future! 🙂

      Like

  10. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    Now there’s a person who raises the bar on “sore loser.” Love that subtle title. Says so much. 😉

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Rochelle 😉

      Like

  11. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    I was cross when my carrots didn’t win a prize, perhaps I should have done the same!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It’s an extreme solution, but I’m sure your carrots deserved a prize!

      Liked by 1 person

  12. magickmermaid Avatar

    Such dedication! 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      If your going to do something, do it right! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  13. GHLearner Avatar

    I see a beautiful prison garden to care for in his future. There’s dedication to a hobby and then there’s fanaticism. I love the end, great fun.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      True, plenty of time to garden behind bars! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Bill Avatar

    One must be cautions when one judges the work of others. Even garden clubs have their problems. Well done, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Bill – someone will always be upset with the result, and bitterness ensues!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Bill Avatar

        So it does. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  15. draliman Avatar

    Maybe this judge will be better at fertilising his flowers than the last one and he will win next time!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Another way to blame the judges if he doesn’t succeed!

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Eugenia Parrish Author Avatar

    Perfect bottom line — I’m still grinning.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Eugenia 🙂

      Like

  17. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar

    Oh my, I guess the prize is very important.
    Rancor came out to play with the judges.
    Two lost … who’s next? lol
    Isadora 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It’s certainly important to him! Thanks Isadora 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Nobbinmaug Avatar

    Maybe he will have found the right fertilizer this year.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Let’s hope so 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Tannille Avatar

    I hate it when they just “disappear”.😀
    Maybe he has a winning shot now.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    O dear, you have put me off being judge, 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It’s a dangerous job! 😉

      Like

  21. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Hmmmmm that ending! I wonder if that’s a secret additive to the fertiliser to get those flowers so lovely!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      There has to be that special ingredient!

      Like

  22. Margaret Avatar

    Now that’s a gardener who takes his work seriously. Great story. I love the twist.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Margaret 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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

    Ah! the twist! Never knew you had an evil bone!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Glad to surprise you!

      Like

  24. Sascha Darlington Avatar

    I have this awful urge to go: mwuhahahaha, but maybe that’s just me today. 😉 Excellent story. Maybe once he gets done there will be like-minded judges around!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Perhaps he should take over as judge for next year 😉

      Like

  25. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar

    Mysterious disappearances, eh? Perhaps the flowers have developed an appetite for … um … unappreciative judges? 😉
    Well done, Iain! Sorry to be late to the reading party, but am very glad I did manage to read this after all! Loved this!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much for your kind comment 🙂 Much appreciated

      Liked by 1 person

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