Anton_Cloche

And Edwin's former Romansh kidnappers will be in the thick of this 🕵? Anton needs to get a break (not mast) including severing all ties to Fordell (even if that means Vic & Rita. I think that friendship, like a ⛵ has sailed).

Holy crapnik! Ебена мать

Jake, both saved and saviour (of this cruise at the least). Will he be a permanent addition to the crew? And was it just Nathan 'rescuing' Jake from homelessness through a chance encounter? And what of Edwin, pulling yet another fast getaway when things don' go his (pouting) way? (His mum and late Aunt Bea raised him better). Answers in the next / coming chapters?

Edwin has become more than just cheeky and self important, he's become exactly what he hates the 'paps' for, being a stalker.

"Davey clings to hope while Sean drains a bottle, but neither approach is sustainable long-term." No matter what 'life boat' you cling to, eventually you get tired, and if not rescued, well...

Hmm? Is Edwin just helping his soon-to-be boyfriend, or is he actively acquiring his competition in a move to corner the market? Lord Fordell has developed a serious 'need to control' attitude, that likely torpedoed his initial budding relationship with his best school mate Brad and his Uni 4-year roommate. (Not unlike lead characters in most of Preston's previous stories).

Wow. In this timeline we have waaay too much running amok even for that era. It's like throwing a FUBAR and a ClusterF**k in a giant blender and hitting 'Nuke Frappe'. While there were a few operational weapons / systems available for use back then (based on personal knowledge), use of such 'options' would have tipped off both allies and adversaries as to advancements being made and tested that had the potential to put a halt to 'things'. For example, Bunker Buster and MOABS (conventional, nuclear and 'other') weapons available but not used as it would have tipped off allies and adversaries as to new tools. As for downplaying Putin's 'position' in Dresden? Let's just say a treasure trove of documents obtained in the early hours after the Berlin Wall fell (before Moscow 'handled' them) revealed the true reach and impact he had even then. Next?🕵

A Viking warrior fights against death and wins new allies in the royal court. Enter Thor! Soon i suspect he will sniff out evil doers to protect his new allies and protectors three - an ambassador, the future King and a princess. Untilda then we just have to do what Thor does, wait, watch, then pounce.

Wow, so my heart says Billy and Liam, but my soul says Sasha needs saving and could be crushed if Billy doesn't choose him (even though he doesn't know that yet).

Continuity?. This chapter seems to have leapt ahead in time by a few years. When an author does that, I as an editor suggest they use a 'lead in' paragraph to bring readers up to date. Edwin, when he first appeared was 16 in year 11 at school, discovered his royal routes and took his "best mate Brad" to U.K. Next book sees Lord Fordell graduate from 4 years st Swiss Uni, continue his adventures, greave his departed Aunt Beatrice who returned to her native Scotland from Tasmania only to pass away. Now Lord Fordell reappears, but with a mention of "middle aged", and comes out not to Brad, but to the older captain of his yacht? Preston, can we get a better definition of these Gap Years??

Hmm, I'm thinking a certain young Austalian who inherited a title of Baron & Lord is returning home from the UK. (Where he is constantly trying to hide from parasitic paparazzi.

Carlos: Although I haven't been commenting as often as I used to (or would wish to), Cadet just keeps getting better and better. To a casual reader each book might seem like its own entity. To a confirmed Hazdayophile, (hey, a new term), each chapter of every book has been advancing little by little through the years and setting stepping stones in the pond (a drop of water creates a ripple effect), that is the Abello / Davenport saga, leading us from story to story amongst the family. Hopefully not leading to a grand conclusion anytime soon. In summary, a great chapter for Good Friday. Have a good weekend. Thank You, Tony

Think you're familiar with the writings of @CLJobe? This story may surprise you with the way it starts out, To quote John Cleese of Monty Python: "And now for something completely different".

Cal: Mille Grazie and Thank You for another wonderful story, and a very proper epilogue. Almost everything wrapped up in a nice package. You've brought us up to date on Tony and his extended family; some people laid to a proper rest and joining their forebears, others off to raise their own families. As much as Tony 'took in' Frank, Brad and Tom learning from that example, they are now paying it forward by 'taking in' and becoming 'Guardians' for the 12-year old boy found in the school showers, who although not homeless or abandoned as he lives with his elderly grandparents, their age and health precludes them raising him. The young boy lives in Charlie's room and perhaps will be visited by Charlie, in much the same way Frank's mother came to visit him as a boy. As for the next 'keeper' of the Carignano family legacy (named after the village in Italy where the original 1800's King came from), Tony and Amalia's eldest - Vic - will receive the ancient family ring (given by the King to his illegitimate first born son who when exiled became the start of the family in America from which Tony descended) at the appropriate time as 'next in line'. Along with his 'brother' Frank they will oversee maintaining the family and it's birthright resources guiding the family safely into the future, hopefully with Vic continuing to write the family history journals, as his father Tony did once he discovered them after inheriting the house and grounds. I so look forward to your next story Cal, and future stories. Tony Cloche

Glad to hear that you're getting 'settled' in to your new place Calvin (until you win Powerball and upgrade ). I'm in the midst of an unplanned move at end of April as my landlord retired and sold property and new owners doing a complete tear-down reno. Searching for new 'digs' is more difficult with Covid-19, especially with lockdowns where I live, so have to do either virtual apt tours or rely on photos. With regard to Tony's 'coin collection' I recall touring a Florida museum that displayed sunken treasure (mostly Spanish Galleons). That was the source of the comment about gold and silver coins (especially from treasuries) being 'stacked' lying down in 'trenches' in wooden trays inside trunks. An 'average' size trunk / chest would have 3-5 trays with 500 coins per tray. So one 'trunk' with 1,000 coins would be $4 million. A smaller truck (carry-on size) under a wine barrel could be $2 Million. So we're talking 10's of millions or more. As for getting any of the vaccines (which Fauci advises, and he gor Moderna), Ontario where I live is still seriously lagging in roll out. Front-line workers (Dr, RN, EMT, PSW etc) are only about 50% innoculated. Residents of retirement homes, Long Term Care etc are up next, then dropping down to next (lower) age groups in 5-year increments, right now 80+. So my age group wont likely see shots until May, if vaccines are delivered. If governments can't / won't activate military to properly do mass vaccinations, maybe Amazon should 💉. Take care Cal. Tony C

Don't overthink Randy and Taipan snake. Drag Randy to elevator, throw in the (hopefully dead) Taipan 🐍 and call 0-0-0 (Aussi equivalent of 9-1-1 in North America, 9-9-9 or 1-1-2 in UK) and let them deal with it. They can always say that Randy was a deranged fan stalking Connie. Media focuses on 'stalker'

Another really good chapter Calvin! Although things are progressing, and time is passing (in 5 year increments?) hopefully we've got more than a few to come, before Tony walks his and Amalia's daughters down the aisle. Young Vic (is it really Victor Emmanual iv) goes off to college. I'm still in modified lockdown in the Great White North with borders closed. I need more 'The Home' fix, a chapter a week until 4th of July, or a follow-up story 'The Home - II. I'll even grovel. Oww. Take Care. Tony Cloche

@CLJobedrops a hint like the RoadRunner drops an ACME safe on Wyle E. Coyote... BOOM!💣 A number of "royals" who sent offspring to America since 1776, did so with significant assets 💰 to see them and their heirs/descendants through good times and bad, and from one generation to the next. In the case of our Italian King and his illegitimate son, that included significant land, (100's to 1,000's of acres of prime land, usually easily accessible, a suitable home (if your home resembles something out of England, Spain or Italy. and funds - historically gold and silver coins (not bullion per se). In the era that fits this story, arrival in 1845 - 65, a certain Victor Emmanual II, King of Italy & Sardinia (before all of Italy was combined). those gold coins (20 lira)with the King's effigy on them, would have been mint condition (newly struck) not circulated (handled), and usually sent in 'trunks' in rows carved into wooden forms, versus the pirate's chest image of loosely piled loot. As mentioned in the story, a 'good' condition coin that has been handled and somewhat worn but with image and dates still visible would conservatively be worth about $2,300+ per coin. Because the 'King's Bountry would be 'pristine' that value can double. The only problem is selling too many at a time, flooding the market and raising questions, not that it was unusual for well-to-do Americans to hang on to 'Walking Liberty' gold coins, BUT the current Italian government might investigate and ask for money to be returned to Italy since they no longer have a monarchy. HOWEVER, Tony's Ace up his sleeve is the journals/diaries which would establish his hereditary claim as a direct descendant. Hail King Tony! A. (Tony) Cloche

Lee getting back the apron, is Greg holding out a lifeline to a drowning person. Sometimes they (Lee) grab on and can't ever let go, believing that connection will keep them safe from physical and emotional harm. Then discarding the person, (Avery) who put him in that position (intentional or not in the case of Avery who had no idea what 1 wrong pill could do to him), Lee believes or hopes he is saving Avery. Nice in theory, often lousy in practice. As many times as people think that works, all parties (Lee and Avery) feel as if an important piece is missing. Have seen this first hand as a counsellor, and in personal circumstances. 20 years after cutting off someone off in the belief it was in their best interests (get off drugs, figure out / get their life in order), I wondered from time to time how they were doing. A few months ago, while waiting at a clinic for a CT-scan, I heard his name called. I looked up, caught his eye, and instantly saw a look of confusion, anger and sadness. As he passed by, his comment was "thanks for 20 years of making me feel guilty and unwanted". By the time my scan was finished 30 minutes later, he had already left, (and of course the clinic couldn't release contact info). Do Lee and Avery need time apart to find themselves, to figure out what they need to survive and grow? Yes, but most councillors, psychologists, etc will tell you that some time together can also help mend. IMHO, Greg's could have been, "You guys need some time apart to figure things out. Let's see about getting together in X months" if there's any interest". That's my 2 cents worth.

Tony has to disclose more about what he's found in those diaries, especially those going back to the original days of the American Villa and its prince. And now that he's let a shoe drop (as it were) to his mother about a boy that returned to Italy... which boy? If it was the original 'son' then the 'line' wouldn't continue in the U.S. (too much DaVinci Code? Is Marlene part of the cabal?). More please.

Hi Cal: I'm playing 'catch up' on The Home and so far its coming along well. A hiccup or two along with way, but nothing to comment on. But now... a little lengthy comment, please bear with me. In this chapter Tony talks about lack of central heating and the reasons behind it: "The house had one disadvantage, there wasn’t any central heating. I remember asking Pa, and he said to install it, they would have to destroy some of the walls. I could understand that the outside walls were thick. You could see that at the window sills. One thing that helped, the house was well insulated." 🔨 (Full disclosure, my great & great-great grandfather were engineers, architects, constructors as far back as 1800's) As mentioned in some previous chapters, starting with the first), this Home - in effect a design extension of the Kings 1800 villa in Italy, (for obvious reasons being commissioned by the king for his son) - would have been built to standards of that era which for security reasons more than comfort would have had substantial exterior walls, well over a foot in thickness and in many cases a metre (3.2 feet) thick. This 'home' in America standard 'non-fortified' home would be about 12 - 18 inches exterior walls. Interior walls (not load bearing) would have been a version of lathe and plaster (L&P is literally 1/4" x 1" wood slats covered in plaster) but little space for running internal services such as water pipes, electrical, let alone heating ducts. Although his Pa did run some electrical (knob & wire at the time), and there is plumbing. In fact, even that small space between L&P interior walls would allow for chases (tubes / spaces) to run updated wiring, water and plumbing lines. As for heating, hot water radiators (water fed from basement boilers) can and often are installed without destroying walls. Many of my grandfathers 'antique homes' have been upfitted with radiant underfloor heating. Given what's in the safe including paper money, jewels, coins (American and European gold coins from the king would be worth 'a King's ransom' today, pun intended), plus whatever else Tony has yet to discover, should have give him sufficient resources to upgrade the home/villa and outbuildings. I suspect the more he digs (literally), the more he'll find.💰💰👑 Enough building (homes and money) history for Chapter 9. Small comments to follow other chapters, or not. Stay safe, Mask Up, Get the Jab 💉 . Cal you're more than eligible now.! Tony B

Calvin, I'm finding this story more and more interesting as we go along for the ride. Marlene thinks she is La principessa abita in un castello, and she's looking for the crown jewels or at least the family jewels. But her 'entitled' behavior reminds me of the saying, 'casting pearls before swine'. (and I'm only repeating them 2nd or 3rd hand, having heard them from Aunt, Uncles and older relatives! ) As for 'family' members stealing from parents and grandparents, I too have had my fill of them. My mother suffered from Parkinsons and later Alzheimers. As Mom's health declined over 5 years, she mostly stayed at home with Dad and care-givers (thanks to Dad's insurance). Her first granddaughter would spend a week or two each summer and that's when things began to disappear. Antique Silver Dollar collections MY grandmother gave to her only child yearly for 50 years. Jewelery and anything else Pat could get her hands on and hide in a bag. On the day of my mother's funeral she stayed behind to look after her 1-year son. We discovered months later, when my Dad died, that Pat's father (my 'brother', a scheming banker) found some of the stolen items, in her closets. He never returned anything, nor apologized, other than saying she had 'a problem' since a teenager (Klepto). Another saying comes to mind: 'You can your nose, but you can't pick your family'. Let's hope that Marlene doesn't discover the secrets of the house, that Pa and Nonna left to Antonio. That Tony finds someone to help him restore the Model T to running condition. (I'd prefer a '29 Model A roadster with rumble seat myself). What else is hidden is Villa Carignano? Could 'Princess' Marlene stumble into a hidden well or a secret dungeon? If she falls in a well Lassie isnt around to bark. Hmmm Tony (Anton)

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Ah yes, well in the past (or so we're told) when new regimes take over, much of history is either destroyed (unless hidden away) and the former historians didn't do so well, especially if they didn't re-write history. And as we know all to well, 'Those who ignore history, are doomed to repeat it' Case in point, current New Zealand Prime Minister being called 'Chamberlain' for literally asking Australian government to "Appease China rather than oppose their (Chinese) expansionism into Australia". But engineers (like yourself) well, they get to remake things, make new ones, that usually stand the test of time. That's why parents encourage their kids to be doctors, dentists, engineers, and MAYBE lawyers (although after the last four years, few kids are going to be named after lawyers, See how I dodged 'certain net nannies' by not mentioning names |). Parents might encourage kids to become teachers (in general), but not Historians? And now on to the next chapter. Are there hidden 'royal jewels' in the carriage house? Is the signet ring key to ... fortune? Castles? Kingdoms (King Ralph )? Or just a fancy title that along with a few bucks will buy a coffee? Or maybe, just maybe, the current descendant / heir will become a case worker looking out for deserving children (too formulaic)? Tony C