Mancunian

I'm really happy that you enjoyed the mini-tour. Including Sackville Gardens and Alan Turing was a 'no brainer', it is very popular with visitors to Manchester. What Brad says about people speaking to Alan Turing's statue is based on what I have been told by people who have that when feeling down, so that can be taken as fact. I think @raven1's addition of links to see the area has helped readers to enjoy it more. I hope Harry is as tough as he is stubborn, if he is he will be okay. I think being 'Gramps' will help him. Sometimes harmless pranks can backfire and can cause harm, luckily this one didn't cause harm when it backfired thanks to Jason, Danny and Liam. Brad is another good guy who deserves some good in his life. Thank you for your continuing comments and support my friend.

I do sincerely apologise to you Dan for causing you and other readers to spend so much on tissues. But, if I wrote the story any other way you wouldn't enjoy it so much, and be honest at least the happy tears make buying the tissues worthwhile.

I wish I could say that it was Stacy who inspired it, but I like the pic so let's pretend it was lol.

Thank you Albert, it was a fun chapter to write. I hope you liked the mini tour around my home city, did you take a look at the Google tour of Canal Street?

I do relax, occasionally. There is still a lot of writing to do and most of it is relaxing. The one report that isn't quite so relaxing is a police report that has to be done, but hey it sometimes goes with the job. Maybe I should do some baking 🤔

Pineapple on pizza! That's sacrilege!

I should point out that while the bar is still there, it was rebranded as 'The Church' in August 2022, just in time for Manchester Pride 2022. It retains much of the same character that it adopted over the years as Churchills and is still a fun place to meet old and new friends. Google Streetview hasn't caught up yet with the change so the Churchills you currently see in Google Streetview is the Churchills in the story. You can see The Church on Facebook by following this link https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj1z_Kqq4KDAxX1WUEAHXdOBNEQFnoECBgQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fthechurchmcr%2F&usg=AOvVaw0UKH4YbIkK1i3Qec4L4qXI&opi=89978449

Stacy's favourite film is Pay It Forward, it is a brilliant film and well worth watching if you have the time. I think Stacy tries to live his life following the example of its lead character played by Haley Joel Osment. If you do watch it keep the tissues handy, you will need them.

Sshh, don't give too much away.

From the outside, the only changes have been the addition of the huge chalkboard, the window decorations and the occasional new paint job. The inside has had some physical changes but that has been minimal. It has had numerous changes to the internal colour scheme, some have been much better than others, lol. The smaller lounge area has been left almost untouched and kept very close to its original look, including the fire hearth. It is one of the oldest bars on Canal Street and was originally a grain traders premises.

Disfiguring the street signs has happened a few times, but what the city council is more concerned about is tourists stealing the street signs as it costs a lot to replace them. December is definitely out for drinks outside, it's way too cold, brrrr.

I think it's safe to say that keeping a box of tissues next to you is advisable while reading this story, lol. I believe that TK Maxx is known as TJ Maxx in Canada and the USA, please correct me if I'm wrong. McDonald's drive-thru's are quite popular in the UK, I have to point out though that other drive-thru's are also available, lol. On building sites throughout the UK, mugs of strong tea (often referred to as builders tea) and bacon butties are a staple breakfast and very popular. Alan Turing could not be left out of any tour of Manchester City Centre and our Gay Village. I wanted the Baxter Boys and my readers to experience the tour as best as possible, @raven1 made some valuable contributions to the tour. Thank you for taking the time to leave your valuable comments.

Thank you for the wonderful compliment. 😊 I am enjoying working with @raven1, his help is invaluable, he brings out the best in me helping to bring this story to everyone.

I thought you would like the tour, the description in the chapter is a bit different to the Google tour. But then as we both know Manchester's Gay Village has changed over the years and no doubt will continue to change. For me, the best part is being able to sit in the warmth next to the canal during the summer while having a nice cold drink. Do you remember seeing the road sign for CANAL STREET that someone changed to read ANAL TREET, lol.

Jason lucked out when he was adopted by Max and Stacy, they are two loving and supporting fathers. (The adoption was covered in The Boot Three Years On). Stacy is the anchor of the family and loves looking after his family (Although Stacy is a Drag Queen he hates being referred to as she unless in drag). Max has strict criteria when he employs staff, they must be good decent people who are either gay or gay accepting, if they are not then they do not have a job. There will always be misunderstandings between brothers and within groups of friends, if relationships are strong enough they will be overcome and hopefully, grow stronger. Luckily everything was sorted and the day ended well. I think Brad and Charlie are hoping for more than friendship, fingers crossed it works out for them. I think it is safe to say that the bad guys in this chapter will be out of the way for a long time. Thank you for commenting, your comments make good reading.

I think many of us would have had an outburst like Stacy did, writing the scene had me feel angry. (No, you're not too sappy, you're human). Jokes in poor taste can be devastating, luckily brotherly love with the support of good friends won through, hopefully, it will make them stronger. I'm glad you liked the tour, I enjoyed showing off my home city. No tour would be complete if it didn't include Manchester's Gay Village and Alan Turing. Your description of his life is very accurate, we owed him so much better and still do. Thank you for the lovely comments, I appreciate them and enjoyed reading them.

Thank you for the link to The Imitation Game, it is a very good and informative film to watch. 👍

I agree it is both an upbeat but also sad chapter, but it does reflect real life and that is how it sometimes is. Alan Turing was badly treated by a country that owes him so much. His contribution to the war effort was very underplayed for many years. Had he lived, I'm sure he would have been even more influential in the world of computing. He is considered by many to be one of the 'fathers' of computing and AI. If you have time when you visit the UK I think you would enjoy visiting Manchester. Thank you for your comments, they are a pleasure to read.

Stacy is a lovely man who has the support of a loving partner, they are both wonderful people. Michael didn't intend any harm, but it was a poorly judged attempt to joke about as he did, he made a mistake, as many of us do, and regrets his actions. I think Charlie and Michael overreacted to the new situation they are in. You are right Charlie does love his brother, they love each other as brothers should, even this misunderstanding will not stop that. Who knows what will happen between Brad and Charlie, but they deserve the chance to discover if they have more than friendship, keep your fingers crossed for them. Alan Turing suffered a huge injustice, one that can never be undone. He is only now being recognised for what he did and never deserved to be treated the way he was treated all those years ago, he deserved so much better from us. Thank you Albert for your wonderful comments and the beautiful picture of Manchester, both are very much appreciated my friend.

Life can be a funny old thing, sometimes nothing is happening, and then all of a sudden everything seems to happen all at once. The boys have had a very unsettled existence with no security and little or no friends for a while, it will take them time to adjust. With so much on offer, it could make them feel overwhelmed and cause them to overreact. I too hope they get it together. 🤞 Thank you for commenting, I enjoy reading the comments.

Thank you Terry for adding the links, they do make for an interesting addition. For those who follow the Manchester Gay Village Tour please remember that this story is set eleven years in the past. Some of the bars mentioned in the story have since changed ownership and/or name, but they are all still there in one form or another. You will also be able to visit Sackville Gardens where Alan Turing's statue resides.

Psst, another chapter posted.

Michael turned his head to look at the radio alarm on the bedside table. The illuminated display read 7:17 a.m. He had been awake for a little more than an hour. He had listened to Max and Stacy get up and get ready for the day. Charlie woke up yawning and stretching in bed, then lay still staring at the ceiling in the dark room. Michael broke the silence, “Morning sleepy head.” Charlie raised himself in his bed and, leaning on his elbows, he looked across the room at his brother. “Morning.

Well, I worked and did what was asked of me. Unfortunately, it does mean that someone who was being very naughty will not be working again for a while.

Hiya Spikey, I've been busy working this afternoon, one of my clients needed an audit urgently so I've been very sneaky and working undercover. 🔎 🥷