Canuk

I have had the pleasure (and pain) of working for politicians in both Australian territories and the Commonwealth. I'd say in the territories, given the right circumstances, yes, prostitution law reform is possible. In the Commonwealth (apart from it being a state issue) not a hope in hell.

Your point re prostitution is well made. However the problem isn't the transaction but the "deregulation/decriminalisation" of selling your services. No other area of employment is "deregulated" for the very fact that employers/the self employed need "guidance" to protect themselves and their customers/clients. So a solution to prostitution is to regulate it like any other personal service; hairdressing for example. It's the pimps and their ilk that need to be excluded so that honest men and women who like the industry are free to pursue it without fear. Rant over!

Mr Rigby Taylor, I have to disagree with parts of your self assessment (after all given our extensive communication over days if not weeks in one area of new technology, I feel I have insights into your character that you have so far missed😘) It's the very quality where " ( I )just take a deep breath, dive in and simply do what seems the best thing to do at that moment." that demonstrates a level of self confidence. What you describe yourself as not having I would call arrogance; those people who before even buy the hammer or nail know exactly how the project will go, what it will look like and when it will be finished. Self confidence is diving in, not knowing the path or result but intrinsically knowing that you can work this out and you'll survive with added experience at the very least, and at best have a triumph on your hands. I sincerely hope you feel yourself corrected! If not, then bugger it, and keep writing!

Your description of your self confidance is a lesson in how to get by. You definitely seemed to make your own luck!

You write well: that amazing feeling when you first make contact with that person you have been crushing on for ever and it doesn't crash and burn! A feeling way beyond bliss and one you have captured well here!

There is something to be said to have had such experiences at that age. It makes looking back from a much greater age pleasureable and with a sense of amazement that at some stage you were both niaeve, lucky and brave without realising it! Thanks

So the various protocol heavies in Montenegro and Makarovia will be spinning! Sometimes spontaneity is not as productive as a bit of planning, but somehow knowing these two they'll manage it!

Bloody courageous! More than me in 1980 Italy, in any case!

Mr Rigby Taylor, I thinks you's being just a tad disingenuous! A bright young thing, fit, handsome, hung and tanned from the colonies must have been like Eros descending from his post in Piccadilly to those poor misbegotten Brits! Love the tale... Sincerely hope the fires keep their distance (either that or enough hunky firemen are available to carry you off!) I'm in eastern suburbs of Sydney at present and the smoke here is pretty bloody awful!

Great pen pictures of adolescent life! A mix of naivety and innocence and the hormonal desires of young men. Thanks for the read!

You write confusion so well. April is in the most peculiar space and almost as he gets a grip Jett tosses in another curve...and then there's Zane.... I am amazed April some how keeps his sanity!

Very entertaining, written with skill. It's quite an art to turn childhood into an entertaining tale! Thanks again... it's also great your stories come along at the points in my my life that are at their most chaotic. Helps me immensely, write on!

So well written; the entire chapter built up how Simon's life has moved forward and the opportunities to find out who he really is...lots of roses, and hope and happiness....and then Dad. Ultimate buzz kill. And worse, for character Simon, the the crash to reality of that text. There will be tears before bedtime in this story...i can see it now!

Grainger and Daventry; amazing partnership, each with enviable skills, but their roles forcing them to be less communicative than particularly Grainer would like. Great characters well written. Thanks.

All great, except why does the last line feel like more than competitive banter? Looking forward to what's next!

30 texts in a week just be considered abusive... but even with my limited knowledge of tech, sending texts either from a particular sender or with certain key words to a seperate folder, jjst for his own mental health... but I suppose its a story and if Dad texts and behaviour are a plot driver it may be complex to divert them! Interesting story, thanks.

Great wedding! Hope the reception or whatever they call the after party in Makarovia is fun! Thanks

Congratulations on a tale well told. You comments at the end are interesting; something are just not right for a character and it is impossible to force them in a direction. Says something about how our brains work! Look forward to whatever you decide to produce next. Thanks.

Awesome story! Melanine? 🤣 The boys "costumes" seemed spectacularly brief...to the point of non-existance! Welcome back! Looking forward to more!😙

While Liam got a good outcome for his compensation claim, it is unfortunate that Liams future after such an accident is dependent on how wealthy/well covered the person at fault is. Obviously you are writing a story, not some sort of political or social commentary, so this is an observation rather than specific comment. Love that after al the progress through the chapter, where things roll out with comparatively few hiccups (hiccoughs), you do drop a significant clanger in the penultimate sentence! Thanks

"My parents are so straight they voted Brexit,” ! What an absolutely smashing line!😂😂😂 the friends seem to be all the right things. Hopefully their enough to help him cope with the religious nutters!

Like so much at the top of the tree (any tree): the talent that got you there is only half the battle. It's your headspace and how you live in it that enable you to cope and to thrive. Very hard battle. Great story. Thanks

That's one hell of a great sentence, both in its construction and meaning! Right on!

Amazing scenes, really well written. But that foot thing...really hard to read...I positively hate anyone touching my feet! It makes my toes curl even typing this. You did make my partner laugh as he watched me read it...he guessed the subject matter based on my reaction! Must be well written! Thanks...just No more toes....please😚

16oz (450grams for the rest of the world)...really? I cannot even imagine eating a steak that size... my boy and I work on 300gms...for two! Great wedding. Glad it went off as planned. Very memorable day for all.