northie

Balanced on a ladder, Rob Bairstow steadied himself by leaning both elbows on the loft's flooring. A torch lay close by. The flimsy, pull-down ladder was far from his favourite place to be. The treads were more rungs than anything else and his size nine feet didn't fit. He tapped on his left trouser pocket to be sure the phone was secure. Hardly an effective insurance policy in his current position, but it was better than nothing. Living in an historic building undoubtedly had its pleasures – co

Hmm... maybe. He's certainly unsettled but I don't think he's assailed by the sort of angst Eric is.

Thank you. You're very kind to say so.

Thank you for adding a personal memory. One thing that has enthralled and enlightened me throughout Eric's story has been readers' contributions.

I suddenly wondered whether that was what he was like before he made that phone call right at the start of Book 1. 🤨😄 Probably.

Yes, indeed. Another instance of Eric being a magnified image of me. He has more reason / need to push Eric. In some small respect he represents Rob. Felicity? As has been said many times before, she has to come to her own conclusions - right or wrong.

Yes, and the day dream since Pride has always involved him making the first approach. Why should that be important? Logic doesn't always hold sway in these situations.

It has been quite some time since Never Too Late To Explore. If you go to Chapter 15 https://gayauthors.org/story/northie/never-too-late-to-explore/15 you'll find Andy and Adam chewing over what to do. In many ways, Adam's too close to get involved. Even Andy is really. If Felicity were to confide in him then, yes, you'd have the issue of whether or not he should confide in Adam. Difficult times.

Yes, he's not to be envied. Poor Andy indeed.

Can she though? Yes, it might be a place of last resort but she wouldn't want to bring trouble to them. It would be the first place Oliver would go to. Both lads work full (or nearly full) time. Felicity would spend a lot of time on her own.

Some insightful thoughts from our regular email contributor:

No. It is a necessary part of this tale. I hope it doesn't bleed through to colour your thoughts about the entire story.

Yes, but. Imagine if Eric doesn't make contact. It would make any future contact tricky. Rob might decide to keep things formal and only for the necessary time.

😳☺️ You're too kind.

On a drab, cool Friday, Andy turned off the High Street and strolled down a side lane he knew led to Eric's favourite stop-off. He chuckled under his breath. In the past, he'd frequented the cafe once in a while but not since he'd met Eric. It was somewhere to get a plain, freshly-made sandwich when he'd been in a hurry. That wasn't his destination. Instead he turned into the next-door pub, The Black Swan. Felicity had declared herself tired of the various coffee franchises available so he

I find most written-by-rote romance stories complete drivel. Yet they're generally hugely popular. I accept they're not my cup of tea and move on. Equally, I realise my British, slice-of-life, few HEA stories are only of interest to a comparatively small proportion of the GA readership. Different interests, different experiences. As to quality... Yes, it varies. Bear in mind though, the site is free to access and writers do not get paid in any form. Those writers who see writing as a craft that needs to worked at, will do so. Writers at GA are encouraged to use beta-readers and editors but if they actively decide not to, that's their choice. There is however a grey area as well when newer writers may struggle to find the editorial help they'd wish for. Likes, recommendations, and comments sometimes have little to do with writing quality. In that case, it's easy to see why the writer might feel there's little pressure to improve. I, for one, encourage respectful, constructive criticism. I've learnt a lot that way. But those words 'respectful' and 'constructive' are important. Also, I've learnt never to assume all authors welcome criticism - openly or in private. Stories here are not being critiqued prior to commercial publication. If an author over time gives little impression of improvement or expanding their creative horizons, it's usually a safe bet they will not respond favourably to criticism, however couched.

At least, being a latecomer, you have the option of going straight on. 😉 Your next chapter awaits...

This is so quintessentially you, dear friend. Nature is such a bountiful source of inspiration for you, and we, your readers, benefit hugely. It seems invidious to pick out a favourite. Nevertheless I will. 🤨😄 For some reason I can't put my finger on, the final haiku strikes me as being the most satisfying. All are worthy poetic picture postcards which give me such Technicolor insights into your world. 😘

That's very true. I think Eric's spent so much time visualising this interaction as being initiated by him, to have it happen otherwise is a shock.

Here's our regular email correspondent again:

Aren't authors mean? 🤨😁 I'm glad you find the prospect exciting.

Yes, indeed. Andy's impulsiveness isn't Eric's. As we've discovered before...

Eric looking at his meeting with Rob in this way is a way of him concealing his nerves and fears.

He does, but there's a lot going on in his head. His independence has been one way of getting through life.

Glad you think so. Keep on reading to see if that's the case. 🤨