Canuk

Amazing bloody writing. Thanks.

What a train wreck. An incident from which every perspective is right, even when they are contradictory. This is why prescriptive, black/white laws fail. Hopefully Will (with Mr Arbour's able assistance) can steer a way through this minefield laced with icebergs...

Corbin is going to need serious help, and I feel the only way that's going to happen is if Gerry speaks to Corbins mum. You really have created one hell of a tortured character. I am sure Corbin will be told that he has to resolved these issues one step at a time however when the "issues" go to the core of who he is, it's going to be a long road. Great read, thanks.

I am not sure I have ever come across anyone who has completely opposite musical tastes to me..... Sting and the Police are about the only point even close to overlap!!! looks like JJ has fallen on his feet.... look forward to what comes next (apart from JJ and Shaun, of course!)

I am not sure I have every used the "angry" emoticon before, but Corbins father needs to be taken aside and sorted out. He is despicable lowlife and while I get Corbins mum trying to calm things, all she's actually doing is facilitating. I sincerely hope there's a bit more of a glimmer of hope, and soon!

Sounds like an amazing find! Attaching in to modern "necessities" like water, sewer and electricity will need to be done carefully if he wants not to destroy some of the charm. A great project!

JJ's analysis of the electric cars was so teenager-meets-mr-practical! I am confused by his "Ionic's 100 mile range" - I understood the range is just under 400km - so not world breaking, but if my conversion is right that something like 230-ish miles, and if it is going to be a commuter vehicle then that ample.... I am always amazed at people who want 700/800/1000 km range in their electric car because "once two years ago we visited Aunty Marge who lives west of whoop whoop..." even in car centric cities people don't drive that far on a daily basis.... Great read - looking forward to how far our wunder-kid goes!

Corbin takes naieve to new levels!

Hmm so Corbin doesn't get the vibe... OH! Well, he will soon, I think. Enjoyed the chapter even more because that no hoper of a father was absent. Enjoying the read, thanks.

There's buying a house "sight unseen" and then there's Marco's way of doing it. Bloody stupid way; he literally has no idea.

Toad-in-the-hole is a recipe that a includes sausages in pastry-not individually as a sausage roll, but like whole sausages in a bed of fluffy pastry....

Jerry Winters.... I think this man could be good for Corbin...

"Trouble"? Our hero never gets into trouble! Just occasionally he finds himself in interesting situations, usually involving some one else's hard cock.... other than that he's a magnet for other men's issue(s)🤩

Ah! Troy: is Diamond going to be the horse that breeches your defences? Or is Corbin going to be your white-armed Helen? Not sure this small town is going to be as dull as Corbin expects.....

Corbin's "contribution" is to be not what his father wants. Not exactly something that's in his control unless he loses his self and becomes all that his Dad wants or expects. That path is the road to complete mental breakdown. Corbins father is an appalling piece of work; utterly selfish. He likes Zoe because she is his idea of a daughter.

Grainger and the Tsar do seem to have formed a somewhat unique bond. Grainger experience outside Russia seems to have been lacking in any/every other of the Tsars advisers. A pattern which continues in Russian History to their detriment. The Chartley/Batu situation is going to require care handling..... the depth of India would seem to be a logical place. Looking forward to another Nelson/Grainger exchange! Thanks for another intriguing instalment.

Having your apartment picked out by your mother to keep her happy seems a longway to go.... just hope it works for him.

Hmmmm, I feel old just getting out if bed each morning..... I like to feel the brain still works, but then I read this...! I so love working with people younger and brighter than me, it is truly energising. I have done it at the World Bank, in politics and other areas, but having read some of the above paragraphs, then re read the paragraphs, understanding each individual word but then puttingit all together and I fully understand the Luddites of the 18th century. Awe-inspiring, magnificent, hopeful even, but it certainly makes me feel every one of my decades. This is not a bad thing! The people who consider this bad are the worst sort of conservatives who consider they had it best and any change is therefore wrong/bad/unwarranted. This sort of writing / thinking gives me hope and that's the the thing I hold most precious.

So Romans off the rails, Jack is loosing control, Joey may be seeking help and Sandra is play catch-up mummy. I think his Dad had the right idea: stay in bed! I commented on this with 🤞 icon as this family needs luck by the truck full if all their half arsed plans are going to succeed!

Yes, he deserves a true love, but this bloke ain't it. We haven't really met him, but it just doesn't feel right. Will's "troo lurve" will be out of left field and definitely not some one who Will feels could have either an ulterior motive, or is glassy-eyed about Will's money, family etc. Anyway, that's my thought du jour!

Just putting that last line aside for a moment, Dean's uncle....there is a circle of hell for failed animals like him. I am hugely anti capital punishment but characters like James severely test that resolve. As for the last line...the NHS, as muchas he may hate it I am hoping this is the start of proper counselling..... Emotional chapter. Good writing, thanks.

hmmm... the received wisdom is that communication helps. In this case THEY ALL NEED TO STOP BLOODY TALKING!!! well, either that or all get in bed together and decide they can foursome or whatever that cat fight would look like! They do live exhausting lives! Just when I thought Roman could be my husband after next... (No one gets between me and Jake Gyllenhaal, well, no one except my man of the last 21 plus years, but he knows he's on a warning...), anyway, Roman... sigh... just no..... play with Olly, leave Jack to be Joey's path to sanity. Mr Matthews... if you are going to throw us curve balls like that, you need to give us warning.... friendships are at stake! But keep on, mate, the excitement is doing me good!

One advantage of the POV "system", is it becomes blatantly obvious how much everyone is pussyfooting around Joey. The apparent glimmer of Jack talking to Sandra, is probably just going to be another pin in the grenade that is Joey. There will be tears before bedtime..... Great bunch of characters. Thanks.

Joey must be a bloody difficult character to write; his ability to self destruct, but keeping a bloody smidgen of likableness.... If he doesnt get help, he'll need the tough love Roman (🤩) is suggesting. Joey's family and friends tolerance for the pain that Joey inflicts is extraordinary.

Agree, but I think with the alcohol as well; he's shown as drinking it as medication rather than as a social lubricant. He's a mess....