Carl Accolla

The Jim Trott/Vicki Pollard comparison has absolutely finished me. Harry would be appalled by it, naturally, while continuing to speak in exactly that fashion whenever a handsome man asks him a direct question. I really enjoyed reading this because you have put your finger on the central problem with Lewis here: whatever is happening in his marriage, he is the one repeatedly creating intimacy with Harry and then retreating from it. Harry is not responsible for untangling Lewis’s sexuality, marriage or courage for him. “Shit or get off the pot” may not be elegant, but neither is straightening someone’s collar while waiting for your wife to collect you. Your point about Catherine is interesting too. Her knowing Harry’s name clearly changes the temperature of the scene, but I’ll stay carefully quiet on what she does or does not understand. I also like your distinction between attraction and suitability. Harry may want Lewis, but that does not automatically mean Lewis is capable of offering the kind of relationship Harry actually needs. James feels safer because his affection is open and easy, though whether Harry is reading him correctly is another question altogether. Harry does have a remarkable talent for misunderstanding men in both hopeful and catastrophic directions. No actual spoilers, but I will say this: several people in this chapter are making assumptions based on incomplete information, and those assumptions are going to matter. Can't wait for your reaction to some upcoming chapters, especially C9 and C21 😉

@Summerabbacat @sandeman @Karenloves2shop I love that Lewis has divided the room this much. One side wants him to sort himself out, the other wants Harry to run, and James is just standing there looking suspiciously available.

Same. For a second I thought it was one of the VBS kids. I think Beth is a star.

That bothered me too. His mother controls the story, the pills and even the appointments. Caleb barely gets a voice in any of it.

Harry would hate that job—or at least pretend to. Photocopy boy, with an excuse to see Lewis all day? He’d be causing paper jams on purpose and denying every single one. As for James and Spencer… I’m saying nothing.

Are you another Harry? 😂

James is so tempting. I want him so bad… Oh wait. I’m the author. 😈

Hopefully Harry gets there. I’ve just edited a future chapter and spent twenty minutes blinking back tears at the screen—and I’m the one who wrote it.

Well, that was one dramatic road trip. Enjoyed it.

This feels like the point where patience stops being kindness and starts becoming self-punishment. Neil’s fear is understandable, but Alex cannot keep paying the price for it.

I’m really enjoying how naturally this is developing. Great writing.

“Just a mate,” says Alex, while Neil quietly moves into every corner of his life. Hmm.

A free flat with strings attached, and a “straight” hunk who keeps emailing. I know which development interests me more.

A composer, a biker, and one spare helmet. What could possibly go wrong? 😏

They’re both as bad as each other. Harry just has the better excuses at the moment 😉

“I’m not sure about James” is exactly the sort of sentence that makes an author rub his hands together. Keep that thought… 👀

Someone in antlers was waving a prosecco glass in the middle of the office. Harry checked his watch to see whether the lift had taken eight hours or he’d fallen into a festive time warp. Barely nine, apparently, and the pre-party performance had already started. The heat hit him as he stepped out—already uncomfortable. Laughter cracked across the second floor. Everything had started closing in by late December—the trip to Nottingham, the Christmas party, too many things piling up at once. F

I got Twin Peaks too and Caleb’s name feels far too conveniently left behind. I’m suspicious already.

A month in and Owen finally learns Ryder’s surname. At least Taco Bell was less complicated.

My favouite thing I learnt in the two years was Lekker belangrijk. Used it a lot. 😂

Harry probably thinks forgiveness is what he needs but doesn’t deserve. Whether Lewis is really the relationship he should be worrying about is another matter.

Can you imagine Harry trying to book the meeting room? He’d overthink it, change his mind twice, and call Emma before doing anything.

Just crack on reading 🫡

Owen badly needs tomorrow. Margot finally opened a door instead of building another wall.

Blake isn’t exactly wasting time, is he? And I still don’t know whether Courtney is Courtney, Trish, or both.