Dodger

Thank you, @Old possum, for taking an interest in the story (binging is allowed and encouraged} and for commenting. However, you are wrong to say your opinion isn't worth much. Your comment is worth a great deal to me and you should not underestimate it's importance. Reader's comments, good or bad, have been the driving force behind this story. They have provided me with the motivation I needed to continue as well as a voice of reason whenever Robbie has threatened to veer too far from reality. I hope you continue to enjoy the story.

In that case @Myr you have enough words for the next 60+ years at one a day.

This is a great feature @Myr. It's often the first thing I look for when I log on, but finding a new and interesting word every day is not a task I envy. Perhaps twice a week would be better.

Water with a little help from gravity, will find its way through almost anything. That drip was driving me crazy. I did more damage than good and my wrench was the wrong size. The plumber had a much bigger one and he knew how to use it!

I've done a few jobs around the house and plumbing is definitely the most frustrating. I had similar problems with a leaky pipe. In the end I decided to call out a local plumber and I never looked back. It's all about having the right tools for the job.

Hi Gary and all my friends on COTT. Just stopped by to wish you all a belated Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays and a healthy New Year. It's been a white Christmas here in Southern Ontario, which contrary to popular belief isn't always the case. It makes this town look pretty but not when it's still here in March! Like everyone else, I'm hoping and praying for a better year ahead. I can't see it yet, but I'm told there's a light at the end of this very long tunnel that's worth reaching.

I love this article. Dialogue is hugely important to me when reading or writing fiction. When it's poor it's like watching bad actors stumbling their way through an otherwise plausible script. It becomes unbelievable and the connection to the viewer or reader is lost. This is usually the point where I stop reading or switch channels, no matter how decent the story line. A writer needs to take on the character of the person who's talking, almost in the same way as an actor, and unless you're writing about yourself, it's not easy. This is where a good beta reader can be a useful addition to your team. I'm enjoying reading these articles again. It was a good idea to re-post them.

I thought Nadir was a tennis player.

Thanks, Tony. I would have been so upset if I hadn't been able to post something for Christmas. I liked that line too. One of Robbie's more bizarre quotes. Let's hope that next year is a lot better than this one. You're right there will be a few loose ends, which will leave things open for a possible sequel.

Yeah, it has been a fun ride. I've enjoyed it too, even if it has been a little stressful at times. I've learned a lot from writing this story.

Than you, @BoyLove for reading the story and for your enthusiasm. This story isn't finished yet though. A lot can happen in six chapters.

Thank you, @Shaggy_93. Happy Christmas to you.

Thanks, @chris191070. It could be someone from the church but how would they know Robbie was there? The Church and The Tradesman is being re-vamped posted from the beginning in the spring. Happy Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Steve. You're quite close. I will try to answer some of your questions. As the narrator, Robbie says "I told Nathan about the man in the car and about Mr Symmonds." He was also talking to Nathan;s parents at the time, and although we don't know for sure what he told him, it's likely he would have mentioned about the photographs. There was no reason for him not to, unless he forgot. Robbie also mentions that he thought Nathan's parents were deliberately playing down the incident to protect their son, and this is a big clue. The guy in the car wasn't targeting Robbie because no one knew he was there, and it's unlikely that he was just a random weirdo who just happened to park opposite their house. The chances are he was there to spy on Nathan or to intimidate him or the family in some way. Liz and Morgan know this and were probably trying to dismiss it so as not to scare their son. Liz showed her concern at the end when she refused to allow Robbie to go home. There's a lot going on and poor Robbie is oblivious to most of it. He's got his own problems to keep busy, like Don and Mr Symmonds and all he wants to do is look after his sweetheart. Oh, yeah, the police. Well, you answered your own question there. Robbie doesn't trust the local police any more than he trusts Mr Symmonds. He knows they will report everything back to Don. I think he probably felt safer with the stalker. You certainly keep me on my toes, Steve, but I love your interest. Have a good Christmas.

Thanks, @Butcher56. Robbie enjoys caring for Nathan and isn't put off by some of the more unpleasant tasks. It's not something you would expect from a teenager and this won't be lost on Nathan. I'm glad your son is home and I hope you both have an enjoyable Christmas.

Robbie has shown this side of his character before with Alex when he was injured, and more recently, with Jamie, the boy he met in the hospital. Looking after people seems to bring out the best in him. Maybe he's found his place in life.

This made me even more curious.

Thanks, @Wesley8890. Torrential rain and the presence of a creepy stalker still wasn't enough for Robbie to trust Mr Symmonds.

Thanks, @AquariusGuy. After reading this comment I had to find out more about this character and his odd tendency. It sounds interesting so you have a new reader.

Your comment in the Cockney Canuck fired up my curiosity. I wanted to find out about this character first-hand. I have to admit I haven't read any of your work before, and judging by this chapter, I've been missing out. I like the way you started the story, giving the reader just enough information without bogging it down with unnecessary detail. I'm pretty sure I'm going to enjoy this story.

I had never held another boy's penis while he peed before, so I was having fun directing Nathan's steady stream around the toilet bowl, much to his annoyance. For the first time since I was a young boy, a monotonous and uninspiring task that I performed half-a-dozen or so times a day for my own necessity suddenly became interesting again, but it was a recipe for disaster. I got carried away attempting a figure of eight, overstepped my artistic licence, and created a small puddle on his bath

I tip my hat to you, Carlos. You did a great job with this feature from the very first month. Thank you for your good work. You're going to be a hard act for someone to follow.

Another great chapter but incredibly frustrating. I hope this cry for help works because I can't see any other way out for Zack. I'm disappointed in his friends. No, I'm really pissed off with them, especially Brody. They could help him but they choose not to and I can't understand why. Maybe they're not the smartest kids in the world, but they must realize by agreeing to keep his secret, they're risking his life. Now they know for certain what's going on they absolutely must tell someone. Their parents, the police, the school principle, older siblings, helplines. There are a lot of people they can turn to who will be able to help Zack, before it's too late, but the one thing they absolutely must not do is nothing. Makes my blood boil, but I love the story.

Nice move by Leo. Choosing the right time to opt out, even if Chris didn't get it at the time. I'm enjoying this story.

Thank you, @mg777. Funny you should mention 'General Hospital', I have always seen the Cockney Canuck as more of a soap opera than a story, but readers tend to prefer some kind of ending and some will not start reading without one. Despite several long detours I have remained true to the original ending, which was originally written in 2013. All I've done is bring it up to date and edit out most of the bad grammar. There was a lot. I have, however, left plenty of options. I didn't want to box myself into a corner by tying up too many loose ends, because I'm still not sure how I'm going cope without Robbie. He's been a big part of my life since I wrote the first chapter seven years ago, and although sometimes he drives me crazy, I know I'm going to miss him.