Canuk

JJ is just one of those characters in literature that is eminently slappable regardless of the situation!

Which leads me to the thought that this explains the US war of independence; the Puritan US didn't like sex.... Of course, things change; now you have Stormy Daniels as national hero..... And they call us Australians "a weird mob".....😳😁

Just an observation, but reading this as history could give the impression that the entire British Empire ran on sex.....

I just can't wait to see how we end up with JJ making this all about him!

Life happens. I am sure your devoted fans will cope ..... Thanks.

I can imagine roles for most CAP characters in a musical.... except JJ; never seen a work where "scene stealer" is a character....

No detrimental, derogatory comments about JJ this chapter.... The travails of the Jack/ Claire relationship are superbly crafted; I suspect this mess of love/loss/angst/desire and self-awareness (or its lack thereof) is common as long term relationships evolve. On the other end of the relationship spectrum; as rosy as Will/Travis' relationship seems to be, something tells me (mainly in the little asides Mr Arbour tosses Will's way) that we are to expect storms.... Nope..... can't do it; isn't JJ just...... infantile! Ugh!

Mr Arbour, in a comment on the "other" story, I mentioned that you write "douchebag" characters better than any one ever. May I add that you also write the most dreamy, handsome, exciting, physically and emotionally desireable characters as well? Grainger is multi talented, multi lingual and multi coital; he converses in every way with every level of society. He makes my fantasies very mundane, but also inspires me to give my husband a surprise from time to time, which he occasionally enjoys. I promise, if you keep writing, I'll keep reading! 😍👍😉 Thank you.

"Rudderless pomeranian lion": @methodwriter85 find that image! I am sure it will be JJ to his pinky! "A few microseconds"? One....at a stretch.....

Mark Arbour! You certainly can write "douchebag" better, far far better than anyone ever! These two, JJ and Jack, need a solid slapping! In Jack's case the soundness of said slapping can be based on his making Brad appear on the higher moral and ethical ground! If an exponential number of chapters ago anyone had suggest that Brad would lecture Jack on morality, ethics, sexual promiscuity and faithfulness they would have been rightly accused of a splif too many of the wacky backy! Kris is still the hunky saint...😍 Thank you; you certainly made the end of my work week Thursday drink much more lively!

"Surprisingly" ; there's understatement for you! No, Mr Arbour has JJ just being "extreme JJ". It is absolutely pointless looking at JJ from JJ's perspective; he's a self centred narcissist (as opposed to a normal narcissist), so everything from his perspective looks right. From both sainted viking Kris' perspective and from JJs caring family who have had some (lots) of experience with JJs sometimes self harming idiosyncrasies, behaviours, contacts etc, naturally they check on him. Now JJ does not have a normal family (a normal family would not have kept us entertained for a decade plus), but still in their own way they care. JJs reaction to their interest? He behaves like JJ..... So back to my reaction to your initial word; "gobsmacked" may be more appropriate. JJ, I feel has one admirer (apart from the sainted viking) and I can excuse Mr Arbour for a slight tendre for him, as every parent seems to love their creation despite that creations undeniable failings.

Only if Mr Arbour has spoken to him (or her), and yet, somehow, even if they are in regular communication, I get the feeling that, on a "need to know" basis, there are things like this that would be out of bounds.

Squiring a Princess is definitely better than being a social outcast, but still a v high price! In normal circumstances I am certain that it would put a dent in Grainger....Brentwood's amorous encounters, however with Mr Arbour undeniable talents, I am fairly sure our lovers will not be apart for long! Brentwood....yes an amazing honour, but still he'll always be Grainger in my...dreams 😍

Hmmm.... Mr Arbour, have to give you a few points in the blatantly obvious "humanise JJ" campaign, but you are going to have to do better than just parade dreamboat sex-on-legs Kris out to impress me every time! Perhaps I should rephrase.... keep the Norse God parading (it helps my imagination expand), and gradually I may come around on JJ. Deal? Paris...sigh...any day any time. Thanks for an excellent Sunday breakfast read 😍👍✨️

Amazing chapter; Olympics, Thorpe, Travis, Steph/Grand/business, great energy and drama and then the Drama Queen Personified. Has Mr Arbour created a more annoying self absorbed narcissistic ponce of a character? Particularly one supported by an orgasm inducing angel like Kris? I just wonder if the aim is to see who JJ's last surviving supporter will be? Not a surprise to say, it won't be me!

Nope.... you can try and make JJ all rational, sensible and calm, but I know what's underneath; the worm will turn and the real JJ will emerge..... leopards and spots.....I know, and I am (hardly ever) wrong! Great sunday breakfast read. Thank you!

Having complete mastery and total power is so erotic..... 😉

Why on earth would you kill someone when it's within your power to make him suffer .... for eternity?😉😜😇

Re JJ "I think someone killed him and put a clone in to replace him.” 1. I neither confirm nor deny 2. I have an alibi. On another note; my Australian half apologises sincerely for our heros running into then PM Howard. I am grateful his truly appalling wife wasn't there.

Perhaps this statement was just a little hasty.... 2 years 2 months later and perhaps Calvert ( or me) has matured.....😳

Bliss in all its forms! Sexual, familial, domestic and whatever the descriptor for the feeling of being on your own quarterdeck saling well, in great company. Very satisfactory. Almost enough to distract from the cunning plan to rehabilitate JJ in the Other Place. Almost..... I think we need to send you on more cruises Mr Arbour.....😍😉 Many thanks.

Ah! Mr Arbour.... so transparent! The (attempted) rehabilitation of JJ complete with Aussie distraction! JJ now has the smallest amount of self knowledge AND if I was being generous I could call a tiny spot of empathy and we are all expected to fall in love with this transformed empress of drama? Not so fast! JJ still has a lot of atoning to do and it's going to take more that Kris' ample endowment to keep JJ face down and playing nicey nicey. Tossing in Thorpedo and Hackett ( I always preferred Hackett; more sane and straight-my then standard for potential b/fs) was perfect cherry (so to speak) to distract us from mulling over the JJ con job you are trying to pull over our eyes. Not all of us will take the bait of fantasising over what a pair of size 17s may mean. Good one Mr Arbour!

Not a sentence I had ever conceived of.....

It makes my heart positively leap for joy when a comment makes me realise that there is niaevité still in this cold hard world. 💕😇

JJ, JJ, oh! JJ, just when there's a glimmer.... "thinking that her opinion mattered, then remembered she was the maid" 《Sigh》 Finishing up with the thought of Steph about to cope with the clusterfuck that was the Athens Olympics did bring a smile to my face! Awesome writing!