‘Try it now,’ called Archie from the kitchen.

Agnes turned the outdoor tap. A solitary drip appeared.

‘Any better?’

‘Still not working. Can we call a plumber now?’

‘No need for that, I can fix it. Just be patient.’

Archie came out and handed her a small hammer. ”Try tapping it, see if we can find the block.’ He crouched, peering into the spout.

Agnes gave the pipe a little tap.

‘I think I can hear something, give it another go.’

Agnes tapped harder.

Archie flew backwards as a torrent of water exploded from the tap.

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.

This is the 51st short story to feature Agnes and Archie. You can find them all HERE.

All We Cannot Leave Behind is now officially published and is available to order in paperback and ebook from all good booksellers! A couple of early reviews have been very kind.

The State Trilogy and The Barra Boy also available now.

57 responses to “BLOCKED PIPE”

  1. MrBinks Avatar
    MrBinks

    There’s a simple truth running through this one. Nicely done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      We’ve all been there. Thanks!

      Like

  2. neilmacdon Avatar

    It had to happen! She knew it. I knew it. Only he didn’t know it

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      We can all laugh at his misfortune, because he deserved it really. Thanks Neil

      Like

  3. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    So goes the life of a do-it-yourselfer. I saw it coming and it made me laugh when it did. Good one.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I’m glad it didn’t disappoint when the inevitable happened!

      Like

  4. The Sicilian Storyteller Avatar

    Fun, Iain! I can see this happening on a sitcom.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Dale Avatar

    I could see this one coming a mile a minute… That said, I think it’s safe to say a plumber will be called now? 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I’m sure Archie will have a go at stopping it himself first!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale Avatar

        Of course. Maybe you should have called him Dagwood! 😉

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Problem solved.

      Like

  6. Liz H-H Avatar

    “NOW we call the plumber…Agnes, stop laughing!”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Something like that, with perhaps a swear word added 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  7. granonine Avatar

    The anticipation of this outcome was delightful! The only thing I wish you’d had enough words for was Archie’s spluttering complaint 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      The word limit prevented us from hearing his anger 😉

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  8. scr4pl80 (Scrap Lady) Avatar

    Yep! Predictable, especially from Agnes and Archie, but still funny. Thanks Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Janet 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  9. msjadeli Avatar

    Let’s face it, when you reach for the hammer you may as well concede defeat lol.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      His problem is he never will concede! Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      1. msjadeli Avatar

        You’re welcome.

        Liked by 1 person

  10. Michael Humphris Avatar
    Michael Humphris

    That’s one way to wash one’s face, towel please.🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Margaret Avatar

    Haha. If it doesn’t work, bash it with a hammer. I like that approach. Poor Archie.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Similar to my own DIY mantra!

      Liked by 1 person

  12. plaridel Avatar

    i’d been there and done that. just trying to save a buck doesn’t help sometimes. :) 

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Usually it ends up costing more!

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Bernadette Braganza Avatar

    At least now the water’s flowing 🤷🏻‍♀️

    Liked by 1 person

  14. CGraith Avatar
    CGraith

    A great take on the photo prompt! These two seem like they’re in ‘sink’ with each other.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      🙂 very good !

      Like

  15. Liz Young Avatar

    Well told, even though I saw it coming!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Be a shame to disappoint without the inevitable ending 🙂

      Like

  16. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Hahahahaha love it. I absolutely can see this. Well done. You gave me a good laugh.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      🙂 Glad it gave you a laugh

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Russell Gayer Avatar

    At least it wasn’t his internal plumbing. That would’ve been a bigger mess–and stinky too.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  18. Michael B. Fishman Avatar

    I loved the payoff on this one! I also got a smile from those famous words: “I can fix it.” With no training whatsoever on the stuff inside of a toolbox that’s at least one problem I don’t have!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I’m very much a ‘get a professional in’ type of person too!

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Dawn M. Miller Avatar

    By golly, I think they got it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      The water if flowing at least! Thanks Dawn

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Heather Musk Avatar

    I’m sure Agnes took no pleasure at all in hitting it harder with the hammer 😉 Great piece.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Oh no, not at all 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

    What a hilarious scene, Iain. Some of us are hard headed for sure. Shoulda’ called the plumber. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Brenda 🙂

      Like

  22. GHLearner Avatar

    I was worried about his eye-sight–of course I saw it coming too–but he was lucky and only got wet. Fun story, Iain. And congrats on the book!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much 🙂

      Like

  23. athling2001 Avatar

    Well done. Always the do-it-yourselfers out there.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      God loves a trier!

      Like

  24. Sandra Avatar

    If I had a fiver for every household job that started off as “how hard can this be?” and ended up with “maybe we’d better get someone in” – I’d be sunning myself on an beach in some exotic location. Very apt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yep, never learn it’s better to just jump to the getting someone in. Thanks Sandra.

      Like

  25. Nobbinmaug Avatar

    With the way the prices of everything are increasing, that’s going to be all of us. I’m learning how to fix everything as it comes up. It never goes smoothly.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yep DIY is the only affordable option sometimes.

      Liked by 1 person

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