Dodger

I suspect the pastor already knows Don will fall into line, so Robbie may be going to church in the morning. I'm sure Hannah will be pleased to see him.

The pastor is good at playing games but on this occasion, he may have revealed his hand prematurely. He was wrongfooted by Robbie's ability to ask direct questions - an attribute for which he rarely receives any credit. The pastor describes it as a knack for getting under people's skin, while Don thinks it's just a simple lack of respect, but it's most likely a by product of Robbie's fatherless childhood. Robbie knows the pastor doesn't want Matthew to talk to him, and he's deliberately allowed him to think he has him fooled. Surely it's unthinkable that a not-so-bright schoolkid could outsmart the clever clergyman.

You've got the pastor nailed. In many ways he's more dangerous than Don, whose attempt to bully Robbie into line isn't working as well as it used to. Robbie isn't scared of him anymore because he knows that Don can't physically hurt him, and if he does, or tries to, Jo will hang him out to dry. This is a big advantage to Robbie and part of the reason why he has become more aggressive when dealing with Don. He's able to control his temper a lot better when he's up against someone like Mitch or Mr Symmonds. He needs to remember that Don and the pastor are singing from the same song sheet just using different tactics. Shades of good cop, bad cop, and it's surprisingly effective. If the pastor can get Robbie's ass in that church Don will consider it a victory.

It doesn't seem like the pastor listens to anyone, even the so-called skipper of the boat, but maybe that's because nobody dares to disagree with him.

I can't remember Don saying anything genuinely nice to anyone, so he would never say anything.

Robbie definitely has anger issues although it's mostly with Don, and I don't see any possibility of them ever resolving their differences.

Here it's March winds, April showers, May flowers. I drove past Stonehenge a few years ago and thought I would stop and take a look, but it's not that easy. You're not allowed to stop unless you pay, and then you have to pay again to get anywhere near it. The druids have it all figured out!

Saturday morning started overcast and windy, with heavy rain forecast for the afternoon. I was told we would be back before the bad weather hit, but we were still likely to get wet, so I followed Daniel’s lead and wore swimming shorts with a t-shirt and a hooded rain jacket. Before leaving, Sue pulled me aside to give me some special instructions. “Be careful today, dear, and look out for Daniel. He has a hard time recognising danger.” “Don’t worry; I won’t let anything bad happen to y

It's easy to be intimidated and I've allowed it to happen in the past without even recognizing it. I wanted to keep people happy and fell into all the traps you describe in your article. I learned the hard way by writing myself into endless corners that were impossible to get out of, and leaving trails of loose ends and unmissable plot holes. I've had to pause stories until I could figure out how to get them back on track, and you're absolutely right, because no one appreciated my efforts or even noticed what I was doing. They noticed when I messed up, though, and jumped all over it. I may have done this anyway, but messing up because of other people's ideas really sucked, people who I didn't know, had never met, and was never likely to meet. Never again! Now I listen to ideas and suggestions but that's all, and I've sworn never to post another story until it's completely finished, no matter how long it takes.

Well done, Aaron. Eight stories in under two years plus Ask an Author is quite an achievement. Congratulations and keep up the good work.

This is a great article, and I truly understand your frustrations. I really get it. It's so difficult not to get angry when someone feels the need to criticise something you've worked so hard and for so long to produce. I've had all kinds of nasty, hateful, and sarcastic comments from readers who are angry because it's taken me too long to update a story or it's not going in the direction they want it to go. A reader recently used the story comments section of The Cockney Canuck to let everyone know that he wouldn't read it anymore because it was too long and not going anywhere. He waited until the 158th chapter to criticise a story that was almost at the end, and he did it in the most disrespectful way and in a place where it is likely to be seen by anyone thinking of reading the story. Why did he read all those chapters if he didn't like the story, or was he enjoying it up until that point? Thanks, pal. What have I ever done to you except entertain you for who knows how many hours free of charge? I wouldn't have the audacity to leave that kind of comment. If I don't like a story I simply stop reading it like most other decent people. I've gotten into trouble when I've told people what I think of their comments, so now I have to watch what I say, but sometimes it feels like I have no recourse other than to put up with it, and it's frustrating. I have no problem with anyone pointing out an error or plot hole, and I'm always grateful for friendly advice or suggestions, but these comments are just plain nasty, and I can't remove them. It makes my blood boil.

Thanks, @Comicalityfor another great article. You must write nonstop to do these every week on top of your usual stories. However you manage to do it, your efforts are always appreciated. I love the way you use video clips as examples. The Psycho shower scene is still scary today, sixty-two years after it was released. I can imagine the impact it must have made on cinema audiences in 1960.

I'm more of an explorer. I'm familiar with Rush and believe it or not Tangerine Dream. In my schooldays, I was a fan of German electro pop.

The pastor is a wily old fox, for sure. Robbie is doing the right thing by being cautious. We will see if he can keep his cool.

Definitely, and you won't be the only one hoping.

Whatever happens, living in such a small town will be difficult, although Stephanie mentioned about moving away, she's unlikely to do so on her own. Looking ahead, Robbie will turn 18 in just over a year. Then he can go wherever he wants.

Thank you, @JHarrison. I've been meaning to reply to this comment for some time now, so I apologize for the delay. I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Comments like these are very encouraging and it makes a big difference. Robbie seems to have struck a chord with a lot of readers and whenever I hear this it's a huge compliment. You have caught up at a good time. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story.

Unfortunately, this story had to be paused and has remained this way for a lot longer than I anticipated, but it hasn't been abandoned and there are new chapters ready to be posted as soon as it's completed. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Thanks for your comment. I went to school in the UK but I wasn't fortunate enough to attend a private or public school, as you correctly point out. Like the majority of British kids, I went to a state school, or comprehensive. I'm glad you found this story. Unfortunately, it's been on hold for quite a while now while I concentrated on other things, and I've only just returned to it. I want to finish the story before posting any more chapters, but I expect to start doing that soon.

I certainly wouldn't be looking forward to a boat trip with the pastor, even in perfect conditions.

Mr Lube is a strange character and someone who seems totally at odds with Nicola. They make an unlikely couple and Robbie can never quite work it out.

Don often behaves like a child, and it seems like the pastor doesn't have a lot of respect for him, so maybe Robbie is more mature than the man who is responsible for looking after him.

Anything's possible. That would be interesting. If this is the case then Buffy may be the only one with a clear conscience.

Rory might wish he was back on the farm with his ex-girlfriend, but he enjoys hanging out with Robbie and it's an opportunity to have some fun outside of school. The pastor will want to go ahead with the trip even if the forecast is bad. Maybe he believes his faith will protect him from anything bad happening.

Probably not ideal conditions for your first sailing lesson, but Robbie should be grateful that Don couldn't go.