IAIN KELLY

I’LL CRY IF I WANT TO…

He sat at the playground, alone. No one had turned up. He’d invited everyone. Now he sat listening to the rain splatter against the plastic roof. He never got a birthday party. His mum had told him – it was too expensive.

‘But Georgia invited the whole class to Air Thrill!’ he protested.

‘Lucky her, I guess her parents could afford that. We can’t.’

He kicked his feet in the puddle, stuck his hands in his pockets and walked home, hunched against the deluge.

His mum saw him coming through the window. ‘Right everyone, here he comes. Get into you hiding places and remember to keep quiet!’

Copyright Roger Bultot

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). As I’m stuck in work on my birthday today, the story headed down that theme!

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

‘The Barra Boy’ is available now. You can find all the information for getting a copy HERE.

Last Saturday was Bookshop Day in the UK and I was thrilled to be at an author event at a local shop to celebrate, and delighted to see so many people turn up to see me chat about ‘The Barra Boy’ and sign copies. You can read more about it HERE.

60 responses to “I’LL CRY IF I WANT TO…”

  1. Tannille Avatar

    I am so glad this story had a happy ending. No one turning up to a party is heartbreaking.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Me too. Thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    It looks like he’s going to have a happy birthday after all. 😀 Nice.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Rochelle 🙂

      Like

  3. Anita Avatar

    Surprise party at home!
    Loving mom 🙂
    Happy ending with celebration!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Anita

      Like

  4. Sadje Avatar

    Aww, lovely story Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sadje 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje Avatar

        You’re welcome

        Liked by 1 person

  5. granonine Avatar

    Phew! Saved by the crafty Mum :). So glad he got his party.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Linda 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  6. trentpmcd Avatar

    Ah, what a nice ending!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. trentpmcd Avatar

      Hmm, maybe “Awww”, not “Ah”, but you get the idea 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Iain Kelly Avatar

        I get it! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Liz H Avatar

    Awww! I like a good happily ever after, now and again!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yes, sometimes it’s just nice to be nice 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  8. magickmermaid Avatar

    I love the happy ending!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you! 🙂

      Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      The occasional happy ending is nice to throw in!

      Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Janet 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  9. pensitivity101 Avatar

    Aw, lovely Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Tessa Avatar

    What a great surprise!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Tessa

      Like

  11. msjadeli Avatar

    Awwwww happy mom found a way. Congrats on the turnout for your book signing event!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you! A lot more people than I was expecting!!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. msjadeli Avatar

        You are most welcome and word is getting out about your work. Very happy for you.

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Liz Young Avatar

    Glad he got his party in the end, though I wouldn’t have left him crying in the playground first.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I don’t think anyone knew he was crying in the playground, or I hope not at least! Thanks Liz

      Like

  13. Bill Avatar

    Well there you go. Mum saves the day. Wonderful ending. Well done, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Bill, I must be getting soft…

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Bill Avatar

        It is a pleasant outcome. However, had she just agreed to the party she might have saved some grief for the lad. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  14. CGraith Avatar

    Congrats on the book! Love your little story. The idea of inviting everyone to the playground and no one showing up because for sure there would be no cake, no games, no prizes! Mum’s answer to his plea, so real, the ending double sweet.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much 🙂

      Like

  15. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar

    Oh, boy! A happy ending. I bet he will be over-the-top happy! Great mom.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Alicia

      Like

  16. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

    A very sweet story! Sorry you were stuck at work, but hope you were able to enjoy a bit of birthday celebrations. Happy belated, Iain, and congratulations on the book-signing event. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Brenda 🙂

      Like

  17. plaridel Avatar

    what an unexpected twist. i love a happy ending. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  18. joyroses13 Avatar

    Oooh so glad you had that twist, I was feeling sad for the little boy!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you – I couldn’t leave him like that!

      Like

  19. authorfleurl Avatar

    Awww a surprise party! They are the best. I love the happy ending.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. subroto Avatar

    Nicely done! That will be a wonderful surprise for the boy.

    I have a friend and while growing up we never went to his birthday party for a few years despite being invited. Then his mother asked us why and we found out that his birthday was really on the 1st of April.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Haha, poor friend!

      Like

  21. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Oh thank God for the happy ending… I was so worried for him. It’s terrible when no one comes to your party

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Laurie 🙂

      Like

  22. starsinclayjars Avatar

    Aw I love this! The birthday party is always such a tricky one – I know the Air Thrill requests well! But a DIY house full is much better anyway, in my opinion… lucky lad! 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ah yes, AirThrill – what a joy! Thank you 😉

      Like

  23. creatingahome Avatar

    Aww this is lovely.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Nobbinmaug Avatar

    He’ll go home to a nice surprise. Harsh way to go about it though.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I’m sure the parent doesn’t know he was alone at the play park though.

      Liked by 1 person

  25. britcanwrites Avatar

    Aw, lovely surprise coming for him. Nice piece.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

  26. Andrea Robinson-Decorating Pumpkins Differently Avatar
    Andrea Robinson-Decorating Pumpkins Differently

    SO love this!

    Like

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