Canuk

Mark Arbour.....at a guess??? 😍👍😘

Oh! Come on! I had a whole "rehabilitation of Curtis Buck" scenario all worked out, and bloody typically it's all ripped out from under us by our lord and master, Mr Arbour. It's enough to make one believe in God almighty! Now we have the "who shot JR" ( for those under 40, google it) scenario....

The drawing of lines in unequal relationships is great IRL, and in a story it's a great plot driver! Thanks, great read.

"Curtis Buck: the misunderstood man"?😉

I get the feeling that Travis and Will are almost jealous of Miranda Buck; she looks to have slept with almost as many men as they have!

I get to read it over breakfast! Certainly takes away from other world crisises I could be reading about. I can see Curtis Buck's future is going to have some pain and trauma. Even with my crystal ball at the cleaners, that's a little obvious! That said Mr Arbour has set up enough people that the counselling industry will be rolling in gold for generations. Just working through the family tree will take several sessions! Interesting for Grand and Stef making a rare miscalculation on the Ghandi proposal; they should know their family well enough to know that dropping that into the conversation in a limo while heading surfing was tactically wrong. Added to the drama, of course ( and that's why we are all here, isn't it? It's not only wealthy hot young men having more sex with more people since Caligula's court -no, we aren't that shallow.......)

Good illustration between effects of liberal vs strict parenting. Noah's parent think their strict rules will keep him safe, Toby's parents know he's a horney little bugger and so allow him choices, but guide him. Apart from better for the child, the latter actions just seem so much more stress free than running the home as a police state.

Bugger Will and Travis ; I want more of the good, handsome, and noble George Grainger! Mr Arbour, over to you!

At first the line " we did Shakespeare in English" did have me worried; I wondered if the good denizens of the US expected it to be in their language, then of course I came to my senses and realised Mr Arbour was far more cultured than that; not even he would want to corrupt the bard in that way. Half brother..... makes sense why Curtis hates him and why he is willing to have Travis disposed of. Such an Arbour-like twist! Thanks. Bloody good read.

Haven't we addressed your premature exclamations elsewhere?

In other words "in Mark Arbour-land; guaranteed".......

Let me just say this is one up on my family dramas! The writing and control of characters is just brilliant. Just perfect reading for a morning when being Australian at this point in time is rather depressing. Thanks Mark.

The problem with prescriptive laws is that they are inevitably misinterpreted and taken out of context. Yes, no means no. Simple concept, getting a law to say that unambiguously, not so easy. The US second amendment; straight forward "right", yet..... The first amendment; clear right to free speech.... except.... The law is all grey. The best laws recognise this and make allowances for it.

What an amazingly emotional offering from our sainted venerable and honourable leader Mr Arbour. Caroline and her misguided anger, the Duke and StVincent with their reconciliations, the news of Gatling and Calvert and finally the behaviour of Winkler, knowing his boss so well. Enough to bring a tear to the eye of the most stalwart WASP. For this commentator especially raw having just returned from a viewing of " Little Lives" a filmed play that takes harrowing to a new level. Congratulations Mark Arbour; my Saturday evening has descended into Pentatonics acapella hits of the 80s and gin martinis!

Everyone needs a Stef in their world... he can clothe you, transport you in boats planes and cars and rescue your family fortune. Sadly in my family's case the Steff role for my father and grandfather was played by a thriving conniving amoral sonofabitch more like Curtis Buck. (No, I am not bitter....)

I've never felt so nouveau poor.....

As the bond between Travis and Will grows stronger and stronger, I get the feeling we are being set up. I keep getting visions of the opening scene of Macbeth... Mr Arbour certainly knows how to keep us coming back for more (my husband is keen to find out his secret...) Thanks!

I am not sure we are done with a completely humiliated Curtis Buck just yet..... Great chapter. Thanks.

That's certainly your reputation! 😉😜👍😘

The Norweigan hunk! He sounds like my sort of host(ess)!

The now Lady Brentwood seems to be digging a larger and larger hole for herself. I initially thought we were going to see a redemption...now, not so sure!.

That was the very best FIRST HALF of a chapter! I swear, Mr Arbour you could give the Inquisition lessons in torture..... So many unanswered questions..... Sigh... Nb Yes Tube is amazing, eurostar wonderous, French trains incredible. The Abbey choir is brilliant. Now.... how about a resolution...or two? Please? 😘👍😇🤩😜

Apologies! I am not trying to be an objectionable smart arse ( my husband would say it comes naturally) 😘

We were there August 2015. It was bloody hot! So hot in fact that the Brits, Germans and North Americans all stayed away! Just mad Australians wandering about 😉🤯🤣

And - surprisingly - the plot twists! But....no thought that the meeting in the Abbey is fake??? April 7 2004 was a Wednesday. Evensong is generally said daily except Wednesdays ( at least now, it may grave been different in 2004) The Alhambra is out of this world amazing, the Charles palace on site a rather unfortunate carbuncle. Pity they didn't stay in the Mirador in the Alhambra.... As far as Gibraltar🇬🇮; how about we agree the Brits return it to Spain when the US returns Hawaii to its original owners? 😉👍 This is one awesome story. Thanks