Saturday 1 February 2014

Flash Fiction 2014 Longlist, Amar Agarwala

Flowers For Amelia Sandhurst

He stood near the cemetery gates, having forgotten to bring flowers for his wife. When to his surprise, a little girl appeared from nowhere and thrust two bunches of white orchids into his hands.

“I only need one. And how much should I pay you?”
“Nothing… but please take both? One is for Amelia Sandhurst; her grave is behind the mulberry bush at the far end,” then she walked away into the gathering dusk.

Later he found her grave and placed the bunch of orchids upon them.
“A little girl bought me some orchids but never took money,” he told the old grave-keeper on his way out.
“She always helps.”
“Do you know her?”
“Yes, I do…”
“Who is she?”
“It’s her birthday today and she never forgets to bring flowers for herself and for anyone who needs them. The little girl you met was - Amelia Sandhurst!”

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