Marty

Thanks, Bob! I hope I don't disappoint you as this story develops.

Welcome back, Hunter!

Is there an echo in here?

And some mix up dominate and dominant...

Now you've got me thinking of one of the songs from Lou Reed's Transformer album... 🎶 Cause you know what they say about honey bears When you shave off all their baby hair You have a hairy minded pink bare bear 🎶

*Marty wonders if certain people may be getting the words bear and bare mixed up...

Reminds me of a song...

We all do stupid things, make the wrong decisions, at times. It's what makes us all human, I reckon. Nicely told, @Thorn Wilde!

Well, I know what we were probably all thinking Kim was about to do for the first time... Have to admit that, although I was expecting some sort of final twist to the tale, II wasn't expecting that particular one. Nicely told, @TLM280249. And great dialogue.

Hey there, young Bertie!

You took the words right out of my mouth. Congrats, Gary! I hope mum is alright as well. No lingering problems from the blood pressure scare?

Cheers, @dughlas! Just be aware that I say in introductory blurb to this story: "This story spans a period from the nineteen-sixties to the present day." Which suggests that it may only be the opening chapters that actually deal with schoolboys. Hopefully my style of writing will be sufficient to keep you hooked.

Thanks for commenting, @Geron Kees! Just to point out, though, it's just possible that we may eventually meet characters that don't turn out to be fun and charming... Council estates were housing estates built by the local councils in the UK, designed to provide accommodation for working class families at an affordable rent. I think they may be similar to the 'projects' in the US, that I have seen mentioned in some stories I have read. The eleven-plus was an examination administered to all school pupils in their final year at primary school (aged 11 to 12) in the UK. Passing the eleven-plus qualified the pupil for Grammar School at second level, where they would receive a more academic education than was available in other schools (generally know as Secondary Modern schools), and hence a greater chance to later continue on to university.

Thanks, @Geron Kees! I'm glad to know that my attempt at writing humour seems to be working. As for them having been interesting times, there is an old (reputedly) Chinese saying: "May you live in interesting times" that is apparently meant as a curse rather than a blessing... (Terry Pratchett also uses it as a curse in his Discworld novel Interesting Times).

Thanks for reading and commenting, @Albert1434. I'm glad you are enjoying the story. Parts of it are based on things from my own life, or of things that happened to people I knew. Perhaps that's what give it the true to life feel that you experienced. I just hope that I can manage to live up to your expectations, and really turn this into at least a story worth reading. I'm not sure if I will be able to manage the "great" adjective you used - but I'll try my best. As you suggest, Danny is on a Journey. Some of it will be fun. But, as I have hinted at in the introductory blurb to this story, there is a secret that Danny is trying to hide, even from himself, so it might not all be plain sailing... Thanks again for your lovely comments.

You're bad, Bob! Give yourself a pat on the back.

I wasn't sure whether I would enjoy reading a story based around abuse, a suicide and a funeral, not to mention the paranormal tag. But I'm certainly glad none of that stopped me from starting to read this one. Both heartbreaking and heartwarming, this story of yours left me with leaking eyes, Gary. Such a shame that Mark could only see one way to find the peace that his life had denied him. Let's hope the two other main characters can now find peace of their own. Several times as I was reading it, the phrase 'The things we do for love' popped into my head. Great story!

I've given up hope of ever doing that!

I reckon you're not talking about Chapter 3, Val. But everything does go okay in that. But just be aware that the story itself has a suicide attempt warning for a much later chapter. And I, too, hope everything goes okay for Gary's daughter-in-law

So here's a photo of some Ivy-leaved Toadflax (Cymbalaria muralis) growing on top of a wall. If you look carefully you can see its genitals. (Someone did mention plant pornography earlier, didn't they?)

I did some plant photography when I was just out on my walk. No videos, sorry. But I may share some photos once I get them off the Trusty Nikon....

Sure, who are ye telling?

Doing good, Page. Doing good. Hope all's well with you, as well.

Gary.... I have Lifting The Veil currently loaded in a tab. I'm popping out for a walk at the moment, but look forward to reading it when I get back. (Then I really must get on with writing the next chapter of Fragments of Sean.)

Absolutely no thanks needed, Gary! It's we, the readers, who should be thanking you - for writing it!