The balloon, much like herself, was sagged and deflated. The flowers had started to curl up and wilt. A lovely gesture when she had started feeling low, their garish, fading colours mocked her now.

She looks at the letter once more, just to be sure. She had known it, even when she had smiled at her visitors and told them she would be fine. Now she could stop pretending.

She picks up her phone and dials. The bright, breezy answer from her daughter.

‘Hi darling. I’ve had some news.’

The deadening silence as the balloon fades and a petal floats to the ground.

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 more stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

I was delighted to receive the author copies of my new novel ‘The Barra Boy’ from my publisher this week. Here’s a video of the big reveal, assisted by my daughter! If any of my Friday Fictioneer colleagues, or anyone else, are interested in receiving a copy, all the details can be found HERE.