Mancunian

Unfortunately, many people do experience hard times but it is a fact of life. Benjamin's actions may not have been well thought out but they were not intended as cruel, as luck would have it he chose a family full of love and understanding. Please @Summerabbacat, take care of those 'allergies'.

If Joseph had any doubts about his future and if he was loved, they are now gone. He now has what any boy should have, a loving supportive family.

I cannot say what Associated Executive Car Services are working on as it is highly confidential. Many religious people do some unspeakable things and claim it is in the name of religion, my answer is simple, if that is your religion then you can keep it. Many houses in Israel are built with some fortification and or/ a safe room. Like you, I cannot imagine living where you are in constant fear of terrorism unfortunately some people do as recent events have highlighted.

Manny lived by a simple philosophy, to not do harm but to do good when meeting someone in need. Very few know Manny's past and it is a closely guarded secret, given his age it makes me wonder what happened in his past that influenced him. Maybe that past will one day be visited.

Joseph is mostly used to the way of life with his family and the village he grew up in. Living with Isaac and Shamira has given him a taste of family life, but until he moves to the UK he has no idea what to expect. I think he will like it, I hope so. My portable aircon is put away until next summer, the heating is on with our current temperatures.

I can't say anything

Up to now, everything appears to be going well, let's hope that continues. 🤞

Isaac knows his stuff and has every intention of using all legal means possible to make things happen. Ian and Kevin being in Israel makes matters easier. Joseph wants to make a good impression on 'his brothers' and does what he believes is right.

You assume correctly that it was Joseph's family that treated him badly, he is yet to discover how fortunate he is to be rescued by Manny. While Manny was of the Jewish faith and honoured most of the tenets of the faith he could never accept all of its teachings. He concentrated on the teachings that tell of love and acceptance and lived his life accordingly, in what he considered an honourable way.

Sometimes I wonder why is there so much red tape, but then I do understand the necessity of thoroughly checking backgrounds. But then the rich and famous don't appear to have that problem. Ian and Kevin are neither rich nor famous, so I wonder how they will get on with the system as it is.

As grown up as Ian and Kevin are, they still need the level-headedness of their Pop and it's good that he is there for them. They, and we, will discover more about Joseph when they arrive in Israel, and keep the tissues handy for those allergies when they meet. Benjamin is from Israel and enters the story in later chapters.

Manny, like The Major, took to Ian and Kevin and had a special place for them in his heart, they were like the family he never had. Ian and Kevin's love and respect for Manny equalled their feelings for The Major and he became a second father figure to them. This made their decision an easy one to make, if it was important to Manny, it was important to them.

Ian and Kevin are good likeable hardworking lads who, like many young gay men, were rejected by their families. After a poor start to independence, they met and became attached to The Major who is a father figure to them. They never forget their beginnings or the new 'family' they meet on that journey. Their future has its complications, but is interesting.

Christian is a remarkable young man, he knows what he has lost, but he also knows the joy of what he had. Naturally as the author I will say that it is to be believed, but then it is fiction. The character Christian is loosely based on a mix of a few different people that I have known and consider myself lucky to have met. That is the case fo many, but not all, of my characters.

Unfortunately, you are right about Carl. I think you are right about Gary and Eduardo, it won't be a spoiler if I tell you they are together for a long time. We have to wait until Christian arrives home before we find out what's happened, but it does sound ominous.

I think most of us have met a Simon or two, luckily there are some good genuine people around too. It is a sad time for Christian losing his adoptive mother, she was there to love and care for him as he grew up, he loved her then and still does. Christian will be strong for his father and will be there for him as any good son would. Let's hope he is around for a long time to come.

That would make it two dinners in one day for me 😀 It's been a hard but fantastic day, over 80 dinners served and no complaints

Phillip and Emily love John/Christian unconditionally and that love is returned. Any more would be a spoiler.

I didn't like keeping John in the dark at the start of the chapter, but it was done with the best of intentions. I think John's reaction at the end was the best part. I'd keep the tissues handy if I were you, just in case those allergies bother you again while reading.

Entering puberty is a confusing time for any child, add it to the trauma of losing parents and it's no wonder that John flipped. It looks like Phillip was the right man to calm John down. Maybe you're right @Summerabbacat, this could be the start of something good.

I won't comment on your first paragraph, I want you to read and discover. A full English breakfast can be a huge meal, especially for early in the morning, most of us will have small portions to make it more manageable. Considering what the day held for young John his reaction is more than understandable. Given the trauma he has suffered the behavioural signs you describe are not surprising.

Thank you for your kind comments about the story and Major Alexander 'The Ox' Oxley. You are right, he does have flaws, as do we all, and he does treat people with decency and respect, loyal to his friends and those he considers family. He gains the respect of others by earning it. It is a shame that a man like Ox ended up on the streets, but he could no longer cope, something that could, and does, happen to anybody.

Andy's journal entries should be believed, he has no reason to lie in his journal. Ox's grief is beyond anything he has felt before, he lost men whom he regarded as family in combat which would be hard to deal with but at least in combat, there was an explanation. Andy's death was a senseless accident and harder for Ox to comprehend. Ox's stubbornness coupled with his sense of pride and independence is probably why help was discontinued. Ox was career-minded, but not of the cold hard-nosed type, he was caring and respectful. I have no doubt this was a contributing factor in Ox's downfall.

Marty is that publican and a close friend of Ox. Andy's death was accidental. He had recently been promoted to sergeant and had been transferred to an active unit that would see him enter the field of combat. The slightly longer hugs were probably his way of having a positive memory to take with him, reminding him of what he had to come home to. Marty probably picked up on this as he knew how close Andy and Ox had become. It is safe to say that Ox has hit a devastating low by hitting the bottle.

Being an avid Beatles fan I have to declare The Beatles version as the best, but I will agree that Elton does a very good cover version. Having pet names for a loved one and being romantic isn't exclusive to straight relationships, it exists in gay relationships too and I like to show it. I'm happy that you see and like the normality of their relationship. Ox headed a tight-knit unit and 'adopted' his men as family, warts and all. He accepted his men for who they were, not how others wanted them to be and built trusting relationships with them. That is a part of life in the armed services, especially when in the theatre of war and conflict. Ox is straight, confident in his sexuality and comfortable in his skin, this has resulted in him being totally gay accepting. I'm happy that you like this first chapter, thank you for your comments.