Dodger

This is a clever and entertaining story set in a very believable world, with a plot that will keep you guessing until the very end. The author uses a varied set of characters, including a lovable pony, in a gripping, compelling and sometimes emotional tale that asks questions and commands your attention. Well-written, highly recommended, and deserving of five stars.

Robbie hasn't shown a lot of interest in his trust fund, probably because he knows he can't spend any of it yet. The biggest asset is the apartment which is not only accumulating rent but it's also increased in value quite a bit. It's Dons duty to keep Robbie informed of this and advise him. There has to be a reason why he's wants to keep Robbie in the dark.

Not sure what Conner is or what attracts Robbie other than he's available. He's a nice guy, smart, level-headed, well-mannered, with a good family and no major hang-ups. Not the type of person Robbie is usually attracted to.

Robbie may want to take a step back and think things through before jumping to conclusions. He right to a certain extent about the money. They live comfortable lifestyles because of Don's job, but Robbie also benefits. He may have his own money, but he never has to use any of it. Robbie gets exactly the same as Daniel. Phone, clothes, computer, gadgets etc. He likes to think he's badly treated, and there's no doubt that he's been mentally abused and denied some fairly basic rights, but in other ways he's just as pampered as the others.

I think you've interpreted it very well. Robbie has always wanted to be part of a family. It was something he was denied as a child. There are many references to this in the story from Robbie and even from Tom who he was always jealous of in England. Tom had a close family while Robbie spent a lot of his childhood on his own. When his mother was in the hospital, he looked after himself, before being taken in by Tom's family. It's this desire to feel wanted that was the driving force behind the adoption. Robbie was always going to agree to it, because he needed it, even if he pretended to others that it wasn't important. Nicola's comment was harmless, she has shown beyond doubt that she cares for him and will do so again. Like most children though, she doesn't want her parents to get divorced and even Robbie is able to understand this. It is different for him as you point out, and it will always be different for him, but it doesn't have to be bad. It doesn't make him an outsider. Don's attitude has caused a lot of unnecessary pain for Robbie and made his integration into the family much more difficult than it should have been. For Robbie, a family is not just a convenience, but an essential need. We know how easily he attaches himself to people, especially people who he sees as strong, either physically like Alex, or mentally like Jo. His counsellor has made a huge difference and there's been a lot of improvement, which we have seen, and will see in the near future. He is more confident now when he's dealing with Don, and not as scared as he was. He was even goading him in this chapter and openly defying him in an attempt to make him lose his temper. It's a game he has always played, but he has to stay focused and beware of unusual gifts.

Very true and this is something I have been anxious to point out in the past. Robbie has got it wrong plenty of times. Everything and everybody is how he perceives them at the time and not necessarily how things really are. He tends to exaggerate quite a bit too and a bit of a drama queen.

Would Don do something as despicable as that? Robbing Robbie of his lolly?

You don't come across as mean @Wesley8890 only to Don, but that's allowed.

Nathan would have loved it, Fran, too. Even Tom would have been impressed. But unfortunately my greatest ever money shot was witnessed only by me. It seemed like such a waste. After thirty-two days in the making, I thought my watery masterpiece deserved some kind of recognition. I credited Conner for ending my most prolonged period of sexual inactivity since puberty. It was his succulent kiss outside the school that lit the fuse, even if I did instigate it myself. Then not long after, in the

Thanks, Carlos for another excellent AAA. Also to @AC Benus, @Graeme, and @WolfM for your candid and interesting responses.

I forgot this was going to be posted today, so it was a nice surprise to see it when I got home. This was another epic chapter. Hemothrance's death (didn't he have it coming?) stands out, but as with every chapter before it, I was captured from the first word. I would like to see Keter alive, but this cliffhanger is impossible to predict, and I can see it working either way. There's an element of sadness attached to Keter's character that has been there from the beginning. Almost as if he has known all along that his life was to be short, if important. I hope I'm wrong, but either way, I'm certain it will be handled perfectly.

Gods teeth, man! You had me ducking and diving for cover as they approached the hall of the dead. I agree with all the comments above. A powerful and gripping chapter. Anyone not reading this story is missing out.

As usual, you're right on so many things, Steve. The locker room bullies are coming out of the woodwork now that Alex is no longer a threat, and the fact that there are calling him out is not a good sign. It suggests that word is getting out just as Alex himself had predicted. It's not an immediate problem for Robbie but it may be a good idea for him to open up completely to Conner. He may be laid back but it looks as if this new kid is on the ball. Rory has always been one of my favourite characters. Totally straight and comfortable with his own sexuality, but blissfully unaware of his appeal to Robbie, who tries to disguise it as a joke. As for Nathan. It's not clear what he wants yet but it will be difficult for them to be friends and nothing else.

I'm not sure how that would go down with those who are demanding his blood, or how many chapters it would take to transform him into a reasonable human being. Maybe if he were to fall down the same stairs as Robbie and suffer total memory loss!

That's exactly what I was thinking. His soul was anxious for Stravor to deliver him.

A powerful and emotional chapter. I admit, I wasn't expecting Stravor to go through with it, but I suppose you could say the boy forced his hand. Perhaps he left it too late to make his offer to run. The boy's bravery was remarkable, but his insistence that the amulet remained with him after death was significant. It makes me believe he had faith or knowledge that it would not end badly. As for Stravor. After Keter's death, I was hoping he would begin to question the validity of his god, instead of accepting that his was the only way. His father's reaction was the sadist of all. I could feel his disappointment at his son's loyalty to an evil master over his own wise words. I'm looking forward to seeing Stravor, the younger turn against his master. A great chapter and so well written. To end on a positive note. At least Shade managed to get his oats; I was happy for the guy! 🐴

Ah, forgot to do that bit!

Conner is a nice guy who will no doubt be an asset to Robbie in many ways. There is definitely an attraction there and Conner's laid back style may be a good balance for Robbie's often over-dramatic approach to every problem he faces. On paper it looks like a no brainer, providing Robbie can resist the temptation of playing with the bad boys.

Don doesn't do diversity and acceptance of differences, just like Robbie doesn't do good decision making.

Well put, Tony. Don's bigoted views and stubborn refusal to listen to reason has made a lot of enemies. He's angry and no doubt hurt but he's also an intelligent man who's not used to being on the back foot. How he handles this will be a big test.

Don may have had a full head of hair until Robbie arrived. That's another thing he can blame on him. I think Don knew the evil balding bigot was a reference to him and would have been seething in the audience before walking out. It's quite insulting to walk out during a stage performance, so Don wanted to show his displeasure. I expect he'll be looking for a way to even the score. So far, Robbie has profited from Jo's advice, but he's not out of the woods yet.

There will be plenty more of this story soon. It has been re-vamped a little with some minor changes, which should make it a better read.

Thank you, @mg777. While I appreciate your kind words; I'm not sure if I would be capable of another 44 chapters. I have enjoyed writing this story, but at times it has threatened to engulf me. It is already more than double the length of the original story, which had 57 chapters and was completed before I started posting in 2015. The story got a little out of hand after about a year when I began adding characters and deviating from the original plot. I won't reveal how many chapters remain, but I must admit, I'm looking forward to getting Robbie off my back for a while and concentrating on a few other badly neglected stories. He can be very demanding at times.

Warped minds are always welcome in this story. I suspect Don was probably expecting a more Disney like version of Peter Pan. Maybe he should have attended some of the rehearsals. It will be interesting to see his reaction. Don is already unhappy with Mr Andrews for voicing his concerns over Mr Symmonds and paving the way for Jo's intervention. This will create even more of a divide between him and his former ally. There has been a long running battle between Nathan and Don which began before Robbie arrived. Don always saw him as a threat to his family and tried to destroy his friendship with Daniel. It would have worked if it wasn't for Robbie, who brought Nathan back into the picture and has since replaced him as public enemy number one.

This is very true. Nathan, Tom, and even Fran (don't forget, he has played for both teams) have all been dominant partners. Then, of course, there's Alex who missed the list because he was too dominant.