Dodger

This has been one of my biggest problems. I wanted to make readers aware of Robbie's accent in the dialogue without deliberately misspelling words like dropping the 'h'. This is difficult to do and difficult for people to read, so I chose instead to rely certain words like 'bloody' or 'blimey' which are generally only used by the British or Australians to remind the reader of his accent. Plus the occasional bit of slang which is probably what's confusing you. Let me know if there's anything that you're really confused about and I'll try to decipher.

I'm just happy that you're enjoying it, Will. I get a lot of encouragement from reading comments like these and constantly try to improve.

Very true, and she's definitely working in the wrong place.

Thank you so much, Will. I know some of these chapters are a little wordy and not always easy to read.

There's a lot of it to get out, will.

Ha ha. Yes absolutely sure, but you're not the first to ask. Luckily Robbie gets to keep his anatomy intact.

Thanks Will. I remember getting a little backlash after posting these chapters because of the heterosexual sex. It was enough for me to consider making changes and deleting certain parts. I was persuaded to leave it by some of the more sensible writers on the site and now I'm glad I did. It's part of the story and needed to included.

They teach very little of this I'm afraid. I did suspect that you were the same person. The avatar kind of gave it away but I'm pleased that you're still reading. I don't mind snarky as long as there's a reason and it's constructive. I know why you point things out now and it's certainly not malicious.

Not a very predictable match-up and it's difficult to see any good coming of this. Maybe he should have taken the bus.

Now you're looking for the trick and expecting the unexpected.

Thanks Will for a great comment and for continuing to read. I take pleasure and encouragement in reading what you have to say.

Thanks Will. I have always had problems with commas. I either use too many or too few and they're generally in the wrong place. I'm working hard on getting these right at the moment so I appreciate your input.

Thanks for your comment Will. I don't take offense to constructive criticism but I do learn from it.

The slang words are mostly Cockney (London) and based on rhyming slang. I've tried to limit it to the words used by teenagers today, but it can be confusing even to Londoners. Robbie, however, would not be considered a true Cockney. His accent could be more accurately described simply as a London accent. As for the mistakes, I commend you for persevering with the story. You should notice fewer errors as it progresses and my writing and grammar improves. The story has been going for three years now and it's been a steep learning curve for me. I cringe now whenever I read any of the early chapters. It's my intention to edit the whole story from the beginning but it's very time consuming and so far I've only managed to do the first two chapters. I'm still not happy with them and probably never will be, but I take heart from comments like yours. I also believe that it's sometimes possible to over correct. There are stories from good authors on this site who use two or three editors and beta readers. I know their work is grammatically correct but I often struggle to get into the story and the dialogue particularly, seems flat and too contrived. Almost as if written by a computer. This is an interesting subject but one which I feel a little out of my depth discussing with some of the more academic writers on the site. Thanks again for your comment. I'm glad you're enjoying the story, which of course, is what it's all about.

The general consensus seems to be that Nathan is not as innocent as he first appeared to be and Alex is not as tough. Certainly, he's not all bad and as you point out he is quite vulnerable, especially when he's out of his environment and comfort zone. He has become quiet and withdrawn to all but his brother and his only friend Robbie. Whatever happened between him and Nathan, it seems that neither of them want to talk about it. It's a shame that Tom and Robbie are separated by the Atlantic. They proved it was possible to go back to being good friends and still care for deeply for one another. They are obviously more than just good friends. Thanks @Dahawk

Thank you so much for reading and commenting @Will Hawkins I know that the early chapters are a little wordy but I'm pleased that you're enjoying it.

'Nathan has always been the dominant personality in this relationship'. So true. Nathan tends to get whatever he wants and Robbie has been happy to play second fiddle to his boyfriend. I think this will be the case whoever he's with. Robbie may not be doing himself any favours by trying to hang on to Nathan's coat tails. It's going to be a bumpy ride if he does.

Thank you, @SolarMaxx It's always a pleasure to read your comments. According to Tom, Nathan wants to play and who can blame him. I don't think that even Robbie would be naive enough to think that his boyfriend will want to stay with him forever or even for a few years. These are exciting times for Nathan and he could soon be living his dream. I don't see him as a particularly heartless person but he can be selfish and inconsiderate. Robbie could well be hurt by his actions if he's not careful. As for Tom. Well, he has everyone still guessing, including, it seems, Robbie.

If he hasn't already then this is probably more down tom lack of opportunity than loyalty. I don't see Nathan and Alex as a very good match but there is obviously some sort of history between them which will come into the open very soon. Thanks @JayT

Whatever happens will happen sooner rather than later.

Tom had nothing to gain and everything to lose by saying what he did at the airport. A lot of so-called friends wouldn't have bothered. It's not usually a good idea to put yourself between a friend and their partner. Robbie obviously means a lot to Tom; their friendship goes back a long time and I think he's the only one who Robbie will listen to. It's a pity Tom had to leave because he has the coolest head and could probably offer his friend the best advice. Who knows, maybe there would have been something else there as well if the kiss at the airport is anything to go by. I loved Robin Williams but he was probably being a little kind to Canada with that joke. The apartment needs a bit of repair and it has it's fair share of Dons, Pringles, and meth labs!

I think that would be the end of Don if that were the case! You're right about Nathan's confidence soaring and who could blame him, he seems to be living a charmed life at the moment. I'm not sure if he actually wants to end his relationship with Robbie just yet but he does want to have fun and won't be held back. Robbie can either play along or let him go and I think he knows this. Thanks @Benji

Tom's an interesting choice and no matter what he says, it's difficult to believe that he's not bi-sexual. I understand the need for boys to experiment but I would have thought he would be over it by now, if that's all it was. He's far too comfortable with his gay side to be totally straight. Flirting with the girls in school is one thing but he doesn't have a girlfriend in England. As for Robbie. Could it be that his aversion to including Tom in a threesome, was more down to him not wanting to share Tom with Nathan than the other way around? Thanks CG

Could Nathan, the darling of the story for so long, end up displacing Alex at the top of the rogue's gallery? I don't see it going that far but you're right when you say he's becoming more wild in his new role. He's in a good place at the moment. With a supportive and close family, good and accepting friends, a secure environment at school, and a budding career in acting, it's no wonder he's brimming with confidence. He's also got an obedient boyfriend, who looks as if he will agree to anything rather than risk losing him. Nathan must be thinking he's indestructible. Thanks @Jeff1

It's difficult to them lasting even a couple of years but they are only teenagers. At their age, of course, these things are the most important things in the world. Robbie will probably laugh at all this when he's older with a little embarrassment.