Dodger

The problem with reading and commenting behind everyone else is that all the best questions are already taken but it doesn't matter because you won't answer them anyway, at least not in the comments. I wonder what could be so 'insurmountable'. I was going to go with @Sweetlion and guess that maybe he isn't a man but then I remembered the scene after the shower when 'Drake was hit with the full force of his masculinity'. Hmmm. Anyway, I dislike Preston even more now that I know he likes lurking in dark corners! I want to know more about Richard but Dot's in my good books for now. Mostly because she cooks a good 'Western omelette', my favourite! Nice chapter, Gary.

Yeah of course, Alex would be easy to frame. He was blackmailing Robbie and had to kill him when he threatened to blow the whistle. I promised a happy ending, this would certainly shake things up a bit.

Yeah, I've seen a few of those movies too and although Robbie would probably be tempted to do the same, I don't think that Don plans on killing him just yet. It would be a real twist though at the end. Robbie found dead in the pool and Don and Sue get away with murder by framing Nathan and then walking off with all of Robbie's money to save them from bankruptcy after the business collapses. I wonder how that would go down? Thanks @droughtquake

I feel for Brandon having Sam breathing down his neck all the time. He can't seem to get away from him. The little mention of Jimmy was a poignant reminder of a dark side that doesn't seem to go away. Great chapter as always @MrM

Thank you @SolarMaxx It would be foolish for Robbie to ignore Nathan's warnings and abuse his trust but Tom's presence will be difficult for him. The adoption was always going to go ahead and Robbie certainly wanted it too, despite the problems with Don. Now that there's no going back he can perhaps work on changing Don's attitude.

I've been thrown into a pool a couple of times as a teenager because I was the youngest and easiest target and probably a little mouthy as well so I brought it on myself. Unlike Robbie I didn't strip or slam doors. I've never seen any nudist resorts in Niagara and I don't think Alex will be well enough to go there. I've never been to Palm Springs but Robbie's visit will be memorable. Thanks Steve.

Plus the crafty Cockney Canuck from that chap in the hat. 204,000 views

Well done @northie I enjoyed reading this chapter this morning although it depressed me slightly. I have met a few people like Eric and I hope that I don't end up in his predicament. Very well written. Thank you.

Interesting start. Can't say I've ever got stuck in a school locker before but you've gotta love the dad's reaction.

Yes, it's hard to know exactly what way Tom swings but I think he cares too much for Robbie to want to cause problems for him for the sake of a holiday fling. Tom is probably the most level-headed of all of them, although he hasn't got a lot of competition. Thanks @Sweetlion

Thanks @Butcher56 Robbie did manage to keep his briefs on at the pool and preserve what little dignity he has left but it was still an embarrassing moment for him and he wasn't happy that he was thrown into the pool in the first place. Thanks for another great comment.

You've done well Albert to make it this far. I'm happy that you have though.

Thanks Albert. It makes me happy to know that you're enjoying the story warts and all.

No getting away from that, the sooner he understands and accepts it the better for everyone.

Robbie pretending to be straight!

Thanks Albert and don't believe the comment above. Canadians enjoy the winters too and hockey is God.

Agreed, it's not good that he feels the need to do this and it will never make him happy.

Thank you Albert. I'm glad you stuck with it so far.

Nicola is always ready to push things a bit too far, we will have to see what affect Tom's visit has on Robbie and co. thanks Benji.

As far as Robbie is concerned at the moment he doesn't really need the old man (Walter). He was happy to accept the deal that was offered to him because the alternative would have left him outside of the family on his own and vulnerable without any way of rectifying it. At fifteen-years-old this was very much a now or nothing deal for Robbie. He views the adoption as an opportunity to secure his place forever within a family which despite their misgivings he now sees himself as a pert of. Now he is on equal footing to Nicola, Daniel and Amy and the security that he badly needed. The feeling of belonging and the security that it provides overrides even Don at his homophobic worst. Thanks @Wesley8890

Ha ha, that would be too quick and easy for him. Not enough time for him to make all the wrong decisions. Thanks JP.

We would all like to see some kind of sweet justice handed out to the people who have failed him but at the moment Robbie isn't really thinking in terms of revenge. As far as he's concerned, he will never be able to compromise Don without hurting himself in the process and that isn't something that he wants to do. He may never forgive Don for his hurt that he caused and he may not ever be able to refer to them as his mom and dad but Robbie is prepared to accept them as his parents because he needs them. The fear of being alone and defenseless overrides everything else and there's not a lot that he wouldn't be prepared to put up with to prevent that from happening. The adoption was an insurance policy for him that ties them into a deal and gives him the security that he craves. Thanks Tim, I hate surprises too and the swimming pool prank unfortunately comes from personal experience. My sulks lasted a lot longer than Robbie's though and I did more than slam a door but it didn't stop it from happening again.

Glad someone picked up on this. Of course, I can't reveal!

Robbie has his work cut out for sure but most of his decisions in the end will be made for him. Whether or not the adoption proves to be the right or wrong move for Robbie remains to be seen but it's clear from Robbie's thinking that he sees this more as an ending than a beginning. Loyalty to his mother and a fear of being on his own were huge factors behind his decision to go ahead.

The judge was a small chubby man, with half-round glasses, red cheeks, and a white neatly trimmed beard. Come December he probably would have made a decent Santa Claus but today his job was to preside over the finalization hearing of my long-running adoption. When it was over, he would sign the order and I would officially become Don and Sue’s fourth child and a brother to Nicola, Daniel, and Amy. He didn’t look much like a judge and he wasn’t wearing one of those ridiculous curly wigs, whic