Robert Hugill - Stories

It was meant to be a break, a few peaceful weeks in Ireland and a chance to reconnect with his brother. But things don’t go according to plan. Businessman Russ can cope, just about, with his football-mad nephews, but add in a punishing encounter with a group of yobs, and the results are not quite what anyone expected. Though his brother has difficulty accepting Russ’ rather different personal life, ultimately the two bond over shared memories, Josephine Baker and bad poetry.

Welcome to Philpott Towers! Ten years apart in age, living very different lives, the Phillpott brothers are not close, but their father’s death sees the two returning to share their grandiose family home. Gray Philpott is a successful poet but rather less successful human being, now living with Vince, his solicitor elder brother in their father’s shadow—what could go wrong?

Close proximity forces both brothers to reassess their lives, and the Summer wreaks remarkable changes as the two settle into a new relationship, with both their lives and their emotional lives going in new directions.

Brothers-in-law or what? A simple weekend away releases a welter of surprising feelings and ideas for Gavin and Jason, whilst Gavin’s son Matthew, happily ensconced with his girlfriend, suddenly finds himself dealing with interest from his friend Rory. Rory, in danger of being overwhelmed by discovering he’s gay and being rejected by his parents, finds a new home with Gavin and his family, and a sort of peace in the arms of a burly Czech builder.

The boys are back! We return to Parborough to catch up with Brian & Gordon after an eventful year, what with new jobs, new relationships and new friends. Brian, his soon-to-be husband, Gordon and son, Toby are discovering life as a family, along with working out just what their relationship is with the rich and sexy Russ Kahn.

But life isn't all roses and Toby's relationship with his friend Noah is called into question whilst his Mother's boyfriend remains a worrying threat.

Ludo has a nice life. A lovely wife and son, an attractive modern house, and a good job, idyllic really. But his wife is restless and spends too much time at work; Ludo finds himself getting too close to Arthur, the father of one of his son’s friends. Then his wife’s job takes a sinister turn, casting everything else into the shade.

Ralph has a successful web-design firm, lovely twin daughters and an ex-wife with whom he is on reasonable terms, though his parents persist in regarding him as a disappointment, disliking his choice of career and general lack of ambition. But, in the wake of his divorce, he experiences a return of feelings and ideas that he hasn’t had since his teenage years when an affair with another boy at school left an indelible mark. And now, he has to decide, does he want to be that person who hides, lashes out at any suggestion he might be gay, or does he want to break free.

Former policeman Dan and art critic Vaughan’s relationship has an unfortunate start, but second time around they find that life has something different in store for them. Amidst interfering family members and lively friends, their relationship develops. But then Dan’s employer, Francis Heyward starts to take an interest. Heyward is seemingly stupendously rich, a giver of notorious parties and the possessor of an enviable art collection. There’s a question of whether a line should be crossed, and whether Heyward can even be trusted at all.

Newly coming to terms with being gay, following an abusive childhood and a failed relationship with a girlfriend, electrician Keith meets Thomas, who runs a local arts charity. Despite coming from vastly differing backgrounds, the two discover much in common, not least the need to come to terms with complex relationships to their fathers. But they also learn to enjoy exploring life together.

Owain returns to live in his home town, 20 years after leaving when he was disowned his parents for being gay. He needs to rebuild his life following illness and come to terms with his messy family history. There is much to learn and discover, along the way he meets Colin, a builder who has his own family issues. The two explore how to make a life the way that they want, irrespective of the weight of their family experiences.

The story takes place in Cheshire, UK. The main setting, Netherwich, is my invention based on elements of Crewe and Nantwich. The language uses some regional idiom.

About to return home after five years working in the Middle East, former soldier Brian has an unreliable ex-girlfriend, a teenage son and a dead-end job to look forward to. Can he take courage, leap into the unknown and accept that his mate Gordon is far more than a friend with benefits.