Canuk

What a sad bloody lesson in calling out domestic abuse the first time. Jack is going to need counselling for quite some time as he'll be feeling guilty that he "didn't do something". Roman seems a good bloke. Great writing. Thanks

Dean's uncle needs his karma to strike asap, for Dean's mental stability if nothing else. There's no level of hell deep enough for rapist paedophiles. Great story. I do like Stanton; he seems an all round great guy. Where was he when I was 17....😜🥰🤣

The amazing difference between this (fictional) group and my reality sometime last century is not what they were doing or thinking about but that they TALK about it. Yes, none quite understand, but to Imagine these conversations could have been hinted at back then..... Hopefully this is where fiction is reflecting a new reality. Enjoying the saga. Thanks.

I suspect if we have come up with Chartley scenarios, Mark will have thought of them as well, dismissed them all and come up with a pearler of a twist that has us all marvelling....yet another reason why he is the writer and we merely readers....😉😍

The conversation between Stef and Will (with input from Grand) was interesting, tho' I did wonder why...why would Steff be intrigued enough by Will's "type" to want to discuss it with him in such detail. It was interesting and it did illuminate something about Will's character, I just can't work out why Stef felt he needed to know... On another note, I do like Tom. Classic fish out of water, but humble enough to go with the flow; very endearing! And while I cannot pinpoint a date, sometime recently, my relationship with Mr Arbour's creations, Grand and George Grainger, is longer than all but one of my partners.... it is getting to the point that I'll have to declare them on my Census form... Congratulations on excellent match-making!

The only bow Mark has ever tied has been to hide the Gordian knot!

I would imagine that the new Tsar must be not a little irritated at discovering he had unknowingly imprisoned an English nobleman. He must be wondering why he wasn't told Lord Charley was imprisoned. And he probably is going to make several men's live just a tad uncomfortable if nothing else to make blatantly clear that as an absolute monarch the only people who keep secrets from him are the dead. Meanwhile not being an absolute monarch, I'd just like to know how Charley managed to get from where he was supposed to be, to where he was found, all with a devote mute Mongolian. There just has to be a story there.....

But does it come in other colours? (Sorry, in joke, only Australians of a certain age will get....) JJ's obviously doing great things.... but he's right;his biggest enemy is going to be espionage....

I've been on the other side; interviewing and hiring the JJs. The brilliant, direct, exceedingly bright staff who see issues, problems and solution in completely different lights. They are brilliant to work with, but they do make mistakes, usually at the human level, but if they can be directed and some of their more abrasive comments tamed, they are a huge asset. It requires very capable management!

I just hope the pay, hours and conditions improve....

Henry's family has taken JJ's organising their lives pretty well. Shows a level of understanding and flexibility that is rare. His last comment about not having the faintest about preparing for a snowstorm are a neat balance for what went before! Thanks.

A further delightful instalment. The Titian's were marvellous. I am confused by the admonition at the start of the chapter; if a reader refuses to read a chapter on the basis of a potential Cliff, they are very poor readers and, I'd suggest completely miss the point of why we read this exciting tale. The opportunity to stretch the mind with options and what ifs that a cliff represents is one of the best parts (one of... after the banter, the plot, the sex, the handsome men and the political intrigue). A "reader" who denigrates your any cliffhanger must be relegated to a very second class reader indeed... I look forward to the meaning of the Leicester's eagle and Chartley's bell, and the French letters....so to speak. Thank you... from one of your first class readers!

The mere mention of differential calculus sends shivers.... and not pleasant ones....

Well I thought that was amazing! The battle between the characters initial thoughts, reality and then his sexual needs overriding his prejudice /niavete was well done. The journey began with the DVD and progressed from there. I can see there is no follow up. It would be a distortion for him to be gay, only loving drag queens.... nah. The story as is is perfect. Thank you.

You do write very emotional drama without much expressed emotion... amazing stuff. Its great to read stories about people who you actually know enough about to really care for. Thanks.

Looks like " outed by panic attack"... not the bog standard way but, hey...

He need not have worried re DNA, race is a social construct, so DNA may say lots about him but it wouldn't have confirmed his race. That said his cleverness and ingenuity in getting those documents together was astounding. Certainly helps him get a future. The love and kindness of strangers as amazing and life preserving as it has been,doesn't give him the future being himself does. Good read. Thanks!

15years later as "the west" withdraws from Afghanistan, the questions these boys are asking are very real. And I don't think they have been answered yet.....

Connie seems to be one of those blokes that really got through to Will. It will be interesting to see if holiday romance turns into a relationship. Speaking as someone who has done a transpacific relationship (without the private jet), its not easy.... but then Will does seem to have out-of-the-box ways of dealing with such issues.... The prank with the pilot was just plain juvenile. Great read, hope your summer proves productive Mr Arbour!

Women like Steve's Mam and Papi's wife are the sort that hold entire families together. Great story...interested to see how our hero grows up.... Thanks

The brutality of parental expectations...

This child's life is the most appalling combination of abuse, illegality and luck! Looking forward to how this mix plans out! Thanks

All commentators seem to be thrilled at Grainger's astute reading of the room, his intelligent discussion of the battle, his knowledge of the ships, his discussion and analysis of the political changes and the effect on the dockyards.......i was hung up on thinking about running my hands through his blond hair....

Good god what a story... it was such a "good" story until "Joey joined the marine.." at that moment I felt the earth drop out.... So well written...marvelous. congrats.

No matter how much I disapprove of their parenting style (no, my children did not interupt me while I was talking...and yes I may have taken that too far when my youngest waited patiently for his mother to stop talking to tell her he had a broken arm...), however the love and care that shines through and the totality of the story make up for all that! Great story, thanks A