northie

Yes, hopefully not confusing. It's part of my development as a writer, I think. Eric's story has tracked my writing evolution. Absence makes the heart grow fonder? Kinda. Even Tyler acknowledges his dad can be a bastard. Maybe it's the hope (however useless) that the absent parent can't be as bad as his current homelife. Tyler's a mess, basically.

Yes... funny, that when I started out writing Eric's story I didn't realise how unusual such a narrative stance was. 🤨😄 Escapism is fine, don't get me wrong, but I do enjoy stories that are also firmly connected to reality.

No, but there are people to help Eric. Tyler may be unlovable and lacking parental control but that shouldn't be a reason to give up on him. The volunteer might get through his defences. Maybe.

Thank you! Let's see how it goes for him. 🤞

Tyler Jackson stood at the top of the stairs and surveyed the usual Monday morning chaos down below. His mum rushing to get to a dead-end job and to make sure his two younger sisters went to school. He scowled and scratched his balls through a tattered pair of boxers. Fucking losers, the lot of them. Herd instinct never brought anyone fame or fortune. If he was going to follow in someone's footsteps at all, they'd be his dad's. A quick tap on his battered phone summoned the familiar image of a d

I couldn't possibly say. You'll just have to keep reading, like everyone else.

Something you might see in more rural areas and smaller towns. Cities - less so.

Thank you for saying so. Eric's virtual friends are legion. 🤨😄

When did Eric last stay away from his cottage? A very long time ago probably; if at all. So this is quite a shock and at a time he's not feeling his best either. You were lucky with your friends and relations.

Thank you - you're very kind. I welcome your comments whenever you feel the urge. You've timed your reading well. Book 3 Never Too Late To Believe is currently posting at weekly intervals. Hope to see you there. ☺

👀😄 Two and a half years later and I'm still not convinced by the idea of meat (in any form) and ice cream.

@Timothy M. Now I understand. Kinda. 🤨😄 It is the friend of a friend who lives locally, not the friend. I've looked at the sentence again and can't see any way to change it or the punctuation to make things clearer.

Chapters 18 and 20 are both more than 5000 words long. 😮 Chapter 20 might even make it to 6k. May not be long for some people, it is for me. 🤨😄

In wandering around looking for information, I came across this gem by Romanian / British composer, Francis Chagrin.

Hmm... my hint was obviously too throwaway. 🤨😄 Here's Emily talking to her son early on in the chapter: Afterwards I'm meeting a friend of a friend who lives locally. I hope she'll fill me in on the local do's and don't's.