Gary L

We know this isn’t going to be a HEA from the word go. Title, Dylan song and the opening words indicate we are in for a sad ending. A at first it seemed v familiar but then it took off like Carver’s career. We have wonderful fireworks in Valencia (just look up Las Fallas in Google) and there is one which explodes like a golden firework in the shape of a palm tree. Utterly brilliant, always centre-stage, but disappearing in seconds. Perhaps this is a suitable simile for poor Carver. A moving tale. Well done

A rather compelling (and condensed) tale of the relationship between two friends from school and into adulthood- a friendship that waxed and waned until the end. Much ground is covered in a short number of words, but the complexities of the personality of the “famous” friend are nicely developed, as are the feelings of the bystander narrator. A good entry to the competition.

And what a treat!!

We had three in a row during nearly 40 hrs. Here in Spain an abandoned cross dach adopted us for 17 hrs. Now Greta has arrived and another in Sept. We must be mad ( ok it’s my fault). I promised Carlos H I would start to write when I retired. A month in nothing…… I loved the development of the story. Thank you Lee. Your arrival here has been a pleasure ❤️

For pleasure, I hope, and pirate free…..

Wow! No medal in Paris but what a future outside of the sport beckons……

Writing this with a weiner puppy almost identical to the animal on the right! Second day here and she’s just peed on my bed right in the middle. Cute as Fk but am I not 🎭

Quite unusual for you, Lee. It just makes me more nervous for the future! Kindness now means future suffering for your readers (and characters, of course) 😱😱😱😱

Isn’t it the middle of the night in Georgia? Here it’s 10.40 am in Valencia in a heatwave and a newly arrived baby weinerdog glued to me as we both read GA - yep she a clever girl! 🐶

I feared you are lulling us into a false sense of security until I came across the next chp title. I’m really enjoying the story. It has much more depth than in many other joining a band stories, where nothing goes wrong except for the odd nuclear bomb! I also really like the style of writing, the English prose etc. etc. . ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Totally agree, 👍 Yes, @Sherye Story Reader, this @Lee Wilson has got form for doing this!

I knew it!

Yep, all the signs are there that this is a classic @Lee Wilson tale. Seat belt fastened, check……

Me too. With Lee I prefer to have a few chapters in hand to escape the cliffhangers or disasters that befall his poor characters! So far, v good 😊

I fear you are correct, o wise one! But surely not India? Perhaps he could be sent back to Paris as Ambassador? That would test Napoleon’s temper!

When I read the title “Song for Guy”, all I could think of is the haunting Elton John instrumental which has a few words at the end, “life isn’t everything”. Released in 1978, I remember hearing it as I passed through every shop in central London as a student. In Elton’s words: I was imagining myself dying. Morbidly obsessed with these thoughts, I wrote this song about death. The next day I was told that Guy [Burchett], our 17-year-old messenger boy, had been tragically killed on his motorcycle the day before. Guy died on the day I wrote this song." I hope this story has a happier ending,,,,

An interesting idea, which will work really well for the fans of sci fi. There is a duplicated paragraph midway: At that point, Mags and Jack arrived back at the rectory after working at the agency all day. Before anyone else spoke, Mags addressed Glaric. "I sensed what happened today. It's good news. I also heard you telling everyone about the pod and the home planet, I've told Jack as much as you have told everyone here, so there is no need to go over anything again. Please continue, Glaric." Jack sat at the table while Mags went to stand next to Seb. At that point, Mags and Jack arrived back at the rectory after working at the agency all day. Before anyone else spoke, Mags addressed Glaric. "I sensed what happened today. It's good news. I also heard you telling everyone about the pod and the home planet, I've told Jack as much as you have told everyone here, so there is no need to go over anything again. Please continue, Glaric." Jack sat at the table while Mags went to stand next to Seb.

The task of reciprocating hospitality doesn’t seem to have been too burdensome!! And their guest didn’t outstay his welcome. All in all, a satisfactory weekend for our two protagonists… v enjoyable,

As ever, the chp ends with a great one-liner: ‘you can sing?’ Another great installment. Thank you 🙏

This came up in the secret author contest - and what an amazing read. The command of the English language is breathtaking. At times it is as if poetry were written in prose. This linguistic ability only enhances the desperate nature of the story itself. I’m pretty hard hearted but even I was moved to have my eyes glistening (only a little) at the end. one of the best short pieces (13k words) that is a masterpiece. Wonderful.

Hi, estimes author, although there is lots of chatter in the comments about the weather, or whatever smutty thoughts one or two followers have(!!!), don’t forget we really appreciate your writing. Keep it coming !

Simply breathtakingly sad, with a “happy” ending enough to break one’s heart. The English is exquisite, totally compelling in it’s breadth. One could quote a dozen examples of the character’s pain. Just one: Now all I had were husks of the tomorrow we dreamed of together. An amazingly good piece of writing. Thank you

Would love to exchange the weather! 40°C here yesterday. AC on all day and got no lower than 28° inside. I’m melting 🫠

Delightful. Adam is on a huge learning curve after becoming a bit (?) staid in his ways as a single man.

Both have travelled a long way but with the other’s support each one can look forward and eventually leave the past behind. Great stuff…l