Dodger

Thank you for pointing this out; I hadn't even noticed myself and I suppose that nobody really likes being called stupid even if, as in Robbie's case, he often is. Thanks for the comment, I appreciate the feedback.

Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment @Potterslashfan

You're probably right, in which case he's past his sell-by date already. These so-called pop stars don't have particularly long careers, which is understandable when most of your fans are under 12-years-old.

Thank you @quokka for reading and commenting, it isn't a long story but there are a few more chapters to come.

Well, as Andy found out, he's capable of anything. Probably because he never has to face the consequences of his actions. We will see, thanks for reading.

Definitely, a spoiled little wanker and I could think of a few other choice words. Thanks for reading.

It's nothing personal against my many American friends but Canada already has a real life attention-seeking jerk and Britain has an entire family of them at large. A fleet of quadcopters and jumping onto the lorry's roof makes Tyrone sound like a bit of a James Bond character, which wasn't really how I was trying to portray him but maybe he sees himself in that kind of role. Really, of course, he's just a commodity, used to make money for the already rich fat cats who own him. They'll want to get as much out of him as possible before he reaches his sell-by date and the scrapheap of teeny pop stars. What age is that now 19 or 20? Thanks for the comment @droughtquake

“Let me go, you freak,” he said but I held on and tightened my grip around his wrists. We were deadlocked but when he kicked me in the shin, I instinctively replied with a swift knee to his bollocks and he cried out in pain. It alerted the security guard who came running towards us with Bob behind him, but as I turned towards them ready to plead my innocence, the golden haired brat leaned his head forward and took a bite out of my hand. “Argh, you bastard.” I let go and stepped backwards

Thank you for reading. I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Admittedly, this is a difficult part of the story to read. Robbie is a very troubled boy who is desperate to be accepted by his new family and friends and believes that he can only do this by being straight. He's lying to himself as well as those around him and with little guidance and no role model, he tends to learn the hard way. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and I hope that you are able to plod on because it does get a lot easier. Thank you again for your comment.

"I love this feature, Renee," Dodger said artfully. "Thank you, Graeme, for taking the time to explain it so well."

Yeah, me too. @BlindAmbitionSorry to keep you waiting and as always thanks for reading and commenting.

I never thought of that before but you are right and it does happen all the time at workplaces. I don't think that Bob would care if he has to work all night but Andy will and Tyrone definitely will. Eventually, of course, if they can't fix the boiler then the record company will have to move him into a hotel. Tyrone, as you mention has no idea what is socially acceptable and he definitely doesn't like the way that Andy has treated him, which is basically the same as he would treat anyone else.

Ha, maybe he was just hungry. I know that the record companies like these kids to be skinny, so Mrs Dewsbury's probably got him on a strict diet!

Thank you @chris191070

Biting someone does seem to be a little extreme but this brat will continue to surprise Andy with his unpredictable antics. Thanks for the comment.

Thank you, @Parker Owens Yes, Tyrone is a first-class ass who's used to getting what he wants. Unfortunately, we have yet to see the worst of him.

Yes, of course, no one would bat an eyelid if you said that in England but elsewhere it could get you into a bit of trouble.

I brushed myself down and shook my head as I saw the security guard approaching, he was followed into the room by a middle-aged woman, who ran over to Tyrone with a look of horror on her face. “Are you okay, Tyrone.” She was an American. ‘Don’t tell me his mother’? “What happened?” she demanded and she was looking at me. My eyes switched from her to Tyrone and stayed there. He looked away. “Better ask him,” I said. “He’s responsible.” “What? He’s the one who fell over...

Thank you @BlindAmbition The chapter was about Alex, who we know is a bully and a user. I wanted to show why he's like he is because I know that most kids like him are that way for a reason. He's been neglected by his parents and as you point out, he has had no guidance or parental control. His older brother has been a poor role model but to be fair, they have both had to fend for themselves from an early age and it really isn't surprising that they've turned out the way that they are. Alex told Robbie that he wouldn't be able to go out unless Robbie stayed over. It may have been a ploy, but the message was clear that he wasn't prepared to leave Luke on his own, even to go on a date. Neither would he trust his dad to look after him, should he choose to come home. Alex may be a rogue, but this shows a responsible side of his character that goes way beyond his years. Most kids his age wouldn't have to deal with those issues but he accepts his fate and does his best for his dysfunctional family. With Jake now on his case and his friendship with Robbie now in the open, Alex may struggle to maintain his tough guy hetero image but maybe Robbie can help him realise that he doesn't actually need that to be happy.

Thanks, @Dahawk There is a good side to Alex, which he tries to hide because he sees it as a weakness. Robbie is the only person who he feels that he can trust and talk to about his demons and is helping him more than he could possibly realize.

Alex is a bully who uses people for whatever he can get but as is often the case, he is also a victim of a dreadful childhood. He is a fighter because that's the only way he knows but as Robbie is funding out there's also a lot of good in him that nobody else sees. It's an unlikely friendship between two boys whose lives wouldn't usually cross and forged for all the wrong reasons but sex aside, there is a natural bond between these two.

Don values his close ties with the so-called 'Cobourg Mafia' because he knows how important it is to have friends in the right places. On Robbie's first day at school, Don used his influence with the school principle to override Robbie's test results that would have put him back a year, effectively cheating. One thing is for certain, Robbie running away was a huge disaster for Don, which he didn't anticipate and I'm sure that he will do whatever it takes to get him back where he is under his control.

Thanks, Steve. I can always rely on you to throw the cat amongst the pigeons. This is a possible scenario, yes.

Thank you @tesao for your comment. The exchange rate would have been a little more favourable in 2010 than today but you're right it's hardly what you would expect to see posted as a reward. It remains to be seen if the money had anything to do with it in the end but Don will no doubt claim it as a victory of sorts. You're right about Sue and of course, Don did verbally assault Robbie. These issues will need to be addressed if Robbie is to ever feel that he truly belongs in the Taylor family.

Thanks, JayT, and we don't even know if there are any drugs on the premises anyway. The only thing that seems certain is that Robbie is heading home.