Dodger

When Conner’s mom dropped me outside my house late on Boxing Day evening, Mr Andrews was just leaving. I wasn’t in the mood for chatting with the principal, so my boyfriend got a longer than expected kiss goodbye as I waited for him to drive away. ‘What’s he doing there’? It was odd. Mr Andrews wasn’t exactly flavour of the month. Don blamed him for bringing in Jo and refusing Mr Symmonds’ request to use the school for his religious counselling sessions. Then there was the small matter o

I also have a problem with this and I'm not convinced the new reading stats are right. I had some time off work recently and was bored enough to play around with them for a while. I can tell you nothing makes any sense, and the more you delve into it the more ridiculous it gets. There are stories that have been completed for years that are suddenly getting thousands of views a month, which they didn't get before the update. How can that be? With all due respect to these great authors and stories, I don't know of any members who are still reading them, and they obviously don't appear on the list of updates. Yet somehow they are being found by random, obscure visitors in their thousands and outperforming most of the ongoing stories that have regular updates. I'm not sure exactly how these figures are compiled, but I don't believe they are correct. I know I'm going to have people on my case for daring to say this, but maybe this is the problem and not just the way the story updates are formatted.

For a minute I thought Adam was going to do the sensible thing and help his friend by telling his parents and getting the police involved. I'm disapointed in Adam he's not being a very good friend. He knows Zac is being abused, he knows it's been going on for a long time, and he's unable to think straight. Zac doesn't need Brody at the moment, he needs adult help and better friends. Another superb chapter to get me all worked up.

Me too! Been off sick for almost two weeks. The first week I could hardly move. Just getting over it now. I don't usually get sick that often, but I made up for it this time.

Tristian’s father had a round, jovial face with bright red cheeks and a neatly trimmed greying beard. There was a portrait of him hanging opposite the fireplace in full naval uniform and several photographs placed strategically around the room. In one of them, he was standing next to the Queen. It shouldn’t have surprised me. He was, after all, in charge of her Royal Navy and all of Her Majesty’s ships. I wasn’t sure how I felt about dating the son of such a prominent and powerful man, or ho

A nice ending to an enjoyable story. Billy and Brett grew on me with each chapter and if I didn't already know there were other stories, I'd be demanding more.

You're quite right @dughlas There are a couple of small clues pointing to an unpleasant past, which makes his situation even more difficult.

Yeah, James deserves better than that from his boyfriend. Now he's in an awkward position. Thanks @Parker Owens

Thanks for reading, Tim. Fritz would definitely creep me out.

Thanks, @Freerider I hope it lives up to your expectations. I can't confirm or deny your guess about the year, but it's the right decade.

Nothing like a good butler to creep you out, and Fritz is nothing like a good butler!

Thanks for reading @chris191070

Billy certainly needed that chat with his dad, but he could have done without him walking in. Maybe he will be more careful in future and make sure the door is closed. Loved the bit about the video, this was especially cool of his dad not to make a big issue out of it or say something in front of the boy's mom.

You've hit the nail on the head with the name. It's Jimmy, but Tristian thinks James to be more suitable for this occasion. I admit to being unaware of clause 28 until reading your comment, and I was shocked when I looked it up. It seems almost unthinkable nowadays, yet this wasn't that long ago. I wonder how many lives were impacted by this legislation, but I guess this is a topic best saved for the Pit.

Thanks, @Okiegrad. Chapter 2 next weekend.

Haha. I like this comment. The 1965 Bentley Continental was, of course, just a diversion. Maggie was the real clue. I forgot she had children. Perhaps they should have followed her into politics, although it's unlikely either would have made it to Prime Minister like their old lady. That kind of thing never happens.

Thanks, @drpaladin I think James has handled it quite well so far. Tristian has his reasons for keeping it a secret, but he should have given James the option of not going. If I were James, I don't think I would have been too happy. I expect most people should be able to guess the year within the first three or four chapters. I know the clue in this chapter narrowed it down significantly.

I felt sorry for his dad too. I was expecting him to do a lot worse and in the end it was an accident. Billy certainly let rip on his dad too, but I hope he's okay.

I'm also thinking about the phone calls. I think it's funny the way Brett manages to talk Billy into everything. They're well suited.

I feel sorry for Grandma. It must be awful to hear but be unable to speak. I got the impression she wanted to tell Billy to stop blaming himself for what happened to her. I like Brett and the way he interacts with Billy is funny. He's very comfortable around Billy's family.

The big manor houses on Hampstead Lane were impressive. Built on large lots of lush green grass with tree-lined driveways, wide enough for three cars. They were the type of properties owned by wealthy businessmen, bankers and gentry but a sailor? “You’ve gotta be kidding me.” “No, it’s the truth.” “Your dad’s a sailor?” “Not anymore, but he used to be.” “I don’t believe you.” “You can ask him when you see him.” “What type of boat does he sail in?” My boyfriend sto

Breaching the English class barrier isn’t easy, as Tristian discovers when he invites his new boyfriend to his illustrious father’s fiftieth birthday party, with disastrous consequences.

I like Billy but not too sure about his dad. Falling asleep holding a cigarette is not good but I suspect there's to come.

I don't know how I stumbled upon this story but I'm glad I did. I like the way you write and this was a cool first chapter.

I doubt if anyone intentionally tries to destroy all that's good in their life, but sometimes Robbie can give this impression. Thanks for reading and commenting.