grinningdog

Having just finished something with 40,000 words (nowhere near your word count I believe) I am amazed how many friends say they "probably have a book in them". Personally I'm in awe.

Just out of interest... I was just sitting in a cafe next to a group of 16 year olds chatting. Three girls three boys. One of the boys was openly gay and was quizzed about who he fancied by both the girls and boys. Nobody cared any more than if he'd been straight. It struck me how much the world had changed for the better since I was sixteen. I hope all young gay people have such cool friends. PS. The gay boy was totally oblivious to some very obvious signs from one of his 'straight' mates 🤪

Only one way to find out! I've always though Noah was redeemable (and possibly shaggable)

Always happy to help, although it's been a while. I still have family in the area but I wouldn't go back. Croydon itself is a paradox. It has more green space than any other London borough but it has descended into a shithole. It's certainly multi-cultural though, so if you want to buy some really obscure Indian foodstuff - there'll be a shop. There's often trouble, even during the day and I know even young adult family members are forbidden from going shopping there.

You probably wouldn't want to. Anywhere south (Purley, you mentioned) is pretty nice - in fact one of Status Quo has lived there for years and a couple of other UK celebs - but anywhere north is a minefield. Great rail connections into London though, even if the walk home was a bit perilous in the early hours. At least in my day you wouldn't get stabbed for your phone.

OK, just back from a long Spanish lunch - after lunch is called sobremesa where you just sit and chat over the table and they just bring more wine - and it suddenly occurred to me that I am reading two stories of yours. I'm not sure how I reconcile a detailed description of American Football and a story with descriptions of the Purley Way and the Whitgift Centre south of London. I'm befuddled and that's only partly the wine. Great writing.

As a European I have absolutely no idea how your poor-relation to rugby works but I was riveted all the way through. 😜

Who doesn't love a bit of romance?

When I went to school we just had glass windows.

A week? A WEEK? I don't think I can cope with the schedule 😄

> BTW, is everyone handling the Spanish stuff okay? I'd love a bit of Colombian slang. My builder is Colombian (illegally here) and it would be fun to surprise him.

I tried that but I gave up because it was taking too long.

It's not so scary TBH, although I haven't lived in London for a long time. As a stand-up comedian said recently, they won't notice if you get mugged or murdered but the second you drive into a bus lane...

London Road? Purley Way? Tescos? Well that was like a walk down memory lane. Although in fairness Tesco is in the middle of Purley, on the site of the old waterworks. I vaguely remember they did find some relics there. We lived up the road and some human remains were found on the grass verge outside our house. Lots of police activity (including some poor bloke who stood outside all night!) before it was discovered to be the site of a Bronze Age battle.

Personally I'm on Team Redemption for Noah.