Dodger

Thanks @CaJu For Robbie's sake, let's hope it's not a marathon.

Don is going to be a tough nut to crack. I can't imagine him ever holding his hands up and admitting he was wrong. He will likely stick to his guns and try to cast Jo as a freak or unsavory character intent on poisoning Robbie. He will need the rest of the family and particularly Sue to fall into line if he is to have any chance of success. Thanks for your comment @Peterlefun

It seems to be a well trodden path. Lurk, read, join, comment, and maybe try a spot of writing yourself. It's what I did too. I can't remember what story it was that brought me here, but it was in the early days. I've watched the site develop and grow over the years and seen members come and go. Throughout that time there has been a core group of members who I once referred to as the 'inner circle.' It wasn't a criticism just an observation from the fringes, but it took a while for me realize how it worked. @Cia is fond of reminding us that 'you get out what you put in' and that is very true. It's worth the effort and has helped me enormously in so many ways. The site has a lot to offer with good, free advice and interaction with some very talented and experienced authors. New authors are lucky to have all this for free and are always encouraged to improve and showcase their work. I like the changes to the story reviews and comments. It's difficult to think of ways it can be improved. I think the key is, as always, in the quality of the writing and this should continue to attract new members and budding authors to the site. I hope so, because this is the only site I post anything on so I kind of have all my eggs in one basket here. Whatever. I've made a lot of friends here, had a lot of fun, and received a lot of encouragement. Maybe I've even become one of the 'inner circle' without realizing it. If so, I'm still waiting for the initiation ceremony.

I watched Jo as she paced the tiny room reading notes from her clipboard and biting the top of her pen. I wasn’t in the best of shapes. My eyes were sore, and my voice hoarse. I grabbed a handful of the tissues she gave me and dragged them across my face trying to scrub away the drying tears, then took a long gulp from a bottle of water, only to spill most of it down the front of my shirt. It was Jo who called an abrupt end to the session with ten minutes still remaining of our allotted time

I love this comment @droughtquake. As the chapter title points out, Robbie never claimed to be an angel and it would be a mistake to think of our protagonist as a good guy. He's not a villain, but can be a real handful when he isn't kept in check and definitely rude. He's happy to use people to his advantage and enjoys making others feel uncomfortable. There's enough of the devil in him to want to be disruptive and he knows when to throw a spanner in the works. This all stems from his childhood or lack of one really. We're beginning to learn a bit about his mother now. Previously Robbie's only recollections were of a sick and dying woman, but she wasn't always sick.

Thanks, Chris and not a minute too soon.

Robbie will probably want to see her like that, which could create a few problems. Maybe Robbie will end up testing Jo's experience and professionalism further than she expects. Thanks, Steve.

Robbie's always at his best when being told what to do, especially when it's a woman. This is obviously a throwback to his mother and Jo should be able to pick up on this fairly quickly. Nicola already has. Recognizing his need to come to terms with her loss, something his adopted parents have completely missed. Thanks @Freerider

Thanks @Scary for such an awesome comment. That would make such a cool review once the story ends, hint. Only kidding, but honestly comments like this one give me such a mental boost. Like drinking ten Red Bulls, although I wouldn't necessarily recommend that.

I agree, it's about time the cards fell for our young storyteller. I think Jo may be able to bring the best out of him.

Thank you @James B. Rest assured, this story will definitely be finished, and I'm hoping you will stay hooked till the end.

Thanks CG. You picked up on the mood perfectly. The police officer wasn't the right person for Robbie to trust with such delicate and potentially destructive information. He was right to hold back. He's learning to be more circumspect and not a minute too soon. If the incident with Alex became public knowledge at that time, then the shame and humiliation would almost certainly have been enough to push Robbie off the end of the pier. He has to be careful who he tells and so far he has chosen well. Without Nicola, Jo's arrival on the scene would have come too late.

Yeah,, Sue was a little unprepared for such a conversation. Food for thought. I like to think that despite the nature of the conversation, there was a part of Robbie that quite enjoyed seeing her discomfort when she realized what he was saying. It's the devil in him. I think Sue was more embarrassed than he was. There's no doubting Jo's credentials though. Apparently, she's never, ever embarrassed and I believe her.

Being honest with people hasn't always been top of Robbie's list of priorities, and he may have problems being truthful when it comes to Alex.

Thanks, Tony. It's been a long time coming, maybe Jo is exactly the kind of person Robbie needs.

It's bound to happen, but can Robbie withstand being suffocated by two strong-willed women?

Thanks, @Butcher56 The amber alert system has had its fair share of critics in Canada, and it's not perfect, but it has had enough success to be worthwhile. I suppose if it saves just one kid from dying it's worthwhile. Nicola has shown remarkable maturity for her age and seems more than capable of running the house and dealing with problems. Maybe Don and Sue should take a back seat for a while and leave it her capable hands.

Lets hope Robbie can keep going this time. He's been unlucky in the past but surely he's fallen on his feet with Jo. She has many hidden talents. Robbie is generally happier when Don isn't around and it seems that Sue also benefits from her husbands absence. Don's grip on his family is loosening and maybe soon they will realize they're better off without him.

This, admittedly, was an unusually long gap between chapters. I was caught in the real world for a while, but pleased now to find myself back in the land of fiction.

If he tells Jo what happened with Alex, then she would have to notify the police so he will still need to be careful what he says. This may be a lot more difficult than he thinks. The sexual assault has played a huge part in his near breakdown and definitely needs to be addressed. Jo will know he's hiding something and it wont take much working out. Thanks @Stix

The Taylor residence was unusually quiet for a Saturday evening, but the atmosphere was tense and foreboding. Sue looked like she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I could hear her pacing the kitchen while I sat downstairs watching a movie with my new self-appointed bodyguard, Nicola. My sister had hardly left my side all day, and while I appreciated her concern for my well-being, I was already growing weary of her constant presence. At least Sue had stopped fussing over me. Alex and

Oh dear, Hunter has a lot to learn about relationships. Keegan isn't asking for much but Hunter, it seems, isn't prepared to offer him anything at all. The naivety of both boys is understandable considering their age and lack of experience. Like others, I also doubt if Hunter is actually gay, and maybe he doesn't know yet himself, but whatever team he plays for he will have to learn that it's not all about him. Great story, @Comicality

How did I miss this? Fantastic news! Well done, Tim. You truly deserve this.

I must admit, I've only seen one in real life and I wouldn't know what to do with it. That's my story anyway.

This was ace mate! Great idea, Carlos. I tip my hat to all the Australian authors featured. It makes me wanna down a tinny and grab my didgeridoo!