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Theres a lot to think about in that chapter. My immediate reaction is that Billy definitely doesn't want to be seen by Andrew's dad, if he is an ex client. First there's no telling what Andrew's dad might do to get Billy away from there and blackmail isnt a good option. Secondly it would be embarrassing for everyone in that household. I think that has to be the last visit to Andrew's, if Billy is smart. With regard to Chris' pictures, there's almost nothing that can be done. It's not going to be a problem for Chris as he won't be working the beach chairs again next season as hopefully he will be a plumber, so no one will be able to stalk him. I'm at a loss why Chris encouraged Billy to 'oil' Andrew. It's not like he needs the experience. I might need to read that again to figure out what's going on.

I believe that the use of both hands is more an issue of length than dexterity @Geron Kees 😉

Thanks for taking us through a wonderful depiction of a 'family' Christmas day. They all put so much effort into it and got one of the best Christmas' ever in return. Poor Billy having to deal with spoilt, ignorant, rich brats, like Andrew. Billy may be fearing the worst but the sad truth is that Andrew could create very real trouble for them all. George's wisdom will help but it only goes to emphasise the precariousness of Billy's position. Will that end when he is 15? Who can tell? The fact that Billy is prepared to bloody a few noses, may just silence some of the gossipers, but will it be enough? As I suspected, Chris isn't interested in the penetrative sex that Billy forwarded to him, in that book. Even Billy himself is not sure he'd like it either. So I think that they should be content with what they've got, at least for now. That was actually some sound advice that Billy's ex client gave to him.

Typical males. A fabulous chapter about Christmas and all we can talk about are model gauge railways and wanking

What a sweet chapter. Sounds like the best Christmas ever for Chris and Billy. George too must be delighted that he won't be spending it alone. Everything that Billy and Chris have now become is down to him. A second chance to bring up 'son's and enjoy a family. Looking forward to how they'll spend Christmas Day. Sadly there are wolves around that both Billy and Chris will need to look out for.

Some strong developments in this chapter. Glad to see Billy has stopped putting himself at risk by ending his street business. Most surprising is the reason why. He wants to belong to Chris alone. Each country marks it's year by their own holidays and festivities. Britain has Guy Fawkes' on 5th November followed by 'Remembrance Sunday' on the 11th, then Christmas. 'Bonfire Night' with fireworks, cups of hot Bovril, baked potatoes and Toffee Apples, as I seemed to recall. George's new family is solidifying with each passing week. The lads have taken to him totally as a strong male role model in their lives. They now see George as a 'dad' they trust and respect. And now they know he was a war hero. Clearly Billy want more intimacy from Chris but that may be a step too far for Chris, at this stage. And thankfully Christmas won't be a grope in a cupboard this year. The milestone that I really want to see is Billy turning 15. Because then, if circumstances change for the worse, Billy can find a job and not have to go back to the orphanage. It seems that we are all lucky to be sharing in this tale.

Plagiarism. The sincerest form of flattery.

Before he wrote Game of Thrones 😉

So that's what a 5 bar gate is. Nothing to do with farmers and sheep then. George has to be commended for everything he has done for Chris and Billy. He might be forgiven for mainly looking after Chris, who reminded him of his son and the better behaved of the two. But no, if anything George has done as much, if not more, for Billy, getting him his birth certificate, enrolled in school, on the rugby team with kit and a bycicle for his paper rounds. I suppose many pre corporal punishment readers will be horrified at the beating George dealt out but what can you expect when the authors tag name is Ivor Slipper 😉? George clearly has a major issue with teenagers drinking as that's what took away his son.

So is that a can't or you won't explain the 5 bar gate? I suppose you'll give me Geron's explanation that its all irrelevant as either will spoil the plot.

I enjoyed reading this. Yes there were plenty of uncomfortable aspects but this was all about the characters of Chris, Billy and even George, how their hardships had affected them and how they coped in the aftermath. Billy clearly had the most traumatic of times, having been molested and then raped in the orphanage. Little wonder he was hostile and aloof when Chris met him on the road. Chris too had an abusive childhood but had a maturity, beyond his years, to seek his independence at 15. It's hard to show love when you've rarely received it but I was pleased that Chris still possessed enough care and compassion, to ignore Billy's initial anti-social facade and eventually take care of him. Billy too, surprised us. He had nothing to offer Chris for treating him to food, except tell Chris to run from the creep of a truck driver so that he wouldn't have to perform an act that Billy realised would degrade Chris. It was the best act of kindness that Billy had to offer but Chris was never going to stop physically caring for Billy after that. And an honourable mention to George for seeing first the good in Chris and wanting to help the plight of the two kids, that life had been less than kind too. The grief of having lost his clearly loved wife was being put to positive effect as was their now empty bed. We all have the choice to use our hardships for destructive or constructive ends. Chris, George and now Billy have so far decided for good. Great tale Ivor. Chris and Billy's looking after eachother has added a friends with benefits aspect, in keeping with the tale. In time it may become more. Like others have said, I'd like to see George focus on getting Billy a safer job next where hes not being sexually abused by adults. Life isn't always fair, we know. Alas there are still concerns about the fragility of their situation. Seasonal trade and the risk of Billy getting caught and returned to the orphanage. I'm still wondering about the reference to the 5 bar gate. It wouldn't have anything to do with farmers and sheep by any chance, or is that just my smutty mind? 😀

I wanted to read something of yours and I see there's plenty more of interest in your collection. I do like to be beside the seaside, appears to have some really interesting characters. 🙂

If you are good enough to write a sequel Geron, the gays by the lake with the motorised boat can be left out as one of the trails left hanging 🙂. I do have a very good Dutch friend who now knows when I am joking. I'm so pleased to hear of the possibility that this may not be the end for these wonderful characters.

I was going to slink off without commenting as this story contained elements that weren't quite my 'thing'. It was a challenging read but one where I was pleased for Daniel and Kyle in the end. But in terms of the storyline, I was surprised at how many twists and turns there were. Not about Danni being a boy; I think I picked up on that early enough, having done something similar in my time.

You managed to match my hoped for expectations for Thomas in the last chapter too @unilive. That was lucky as the story has complete for some time. Thanks anyway. We're or are you part of an amateur band? Just wondering where all the detailed knowledge and interest in bands and their careers came from?

I was playing all the tracks of the concert as I read the story. It was like I was there 😀. Glad Thomas was nowhere to be seen. Nice touch by Rob to publicly tell him where to go. Damien is such an ass. I imagine a band that famous would have had many more bouncers to protect them and would have thrown Damien out at a click of Robs fingers. I'm not impressed with Mark over his failure to manage Damien. He clearly is sending out mixed and even positive vibes to Damien, enjoying being fought over by two guys. Mark is a real prick for encouraging the situation. It's a rocky road because Rob will be presented with the same temptation and will think it fair game to behave the same as Mark did. Of course that could be the start of the end of them as a couple and as a group. However, that's not happened yet, so they should sit back and bask in what was an amazing night.

Wow, could they have crammed anything more into that day. Amy should have known better to bring Thomas along hours before Mark's first concert of the tour. Did Thomas think mouthing sorry would be enough? It's amazing how Mark had to gain notoriety before Thomas changed his mind. And guess what, every one in the family, bar his biological mother's shag, wants to know him now. Don't do this to him Unilive. At least leave Mark with some dignity and self respect. The horseplay prior to the concert was a hoot. All 5 of them get on so well together but Jordan's antics with Mark are the best. I'm not sure why Jordan thought it was a good time to reveal the pictures of Mark's biological father, minutes before he went on stage. Sure it was a great distraction for Rob but what about Mark's feelings. If this is how the day has gone, I dread to think what the post concert party will be like. Thomas and Damien lurking around. Fireworks at the ready. Someone is definitely going to get burnt.

Essential I would say. A follow up on David and Mark, an introduction to Sid plus an even greater mystery when ghostly activities continue for the other residents. And whatever happened the gay couple by the lake and their motorised boat. You just left that hanging! 🙂

Oh no, we are being kicked out of the Boltfort and we didn't even steal anything . Mind you, we heard him say we could come back in two weeks and spend the summer there, so a sequel must definitely be on the cards. One that also introduces us to Sid. It all ended so well for Mark, with his old familiar bedroom back and an equally familiar job, this time paid for, maintaining the old lady, he always loved. David will be back to share the rest of the summer with him and by the end of that, they should have figured out a way getting to see eachother more frequently than now appears possible. Thank you Geron, for detailing such a wonderful building and environs of interest and a resourceful set of characters that provided wisdom, charm and love, aplenty. Many of your lines, cry out to be read again and I for one, plan on doing that.

Of course, sorry for making you state the obvious. I was just joshing with you.

Can't or wont? 🙂

Is this a shameless plug for another great book travlbug 😉?

I had 'gotten' the gist of the plot earlier Geron but the reveal was nevertheless, a fascinating event, way beyond mere discourse. The setting was as dramatic as anything from a Hitchcock movie. David exposed, at the centre of a small lit area, only able to observe Mark's cot and the few possessions that he was surviving on. Randomly placed boxes setting the perimeter of the darkened shadows beyond, among which Mark's emotions found voice, as he ghosted around. That movement alone was very unsettling. David not being able to see Mark's face, meant that he had to rely entirely upon what he could hear, in order to determine the sincerity of Mark's words. The setting also accentuated their detachment, at that point, Mark's resignation and David's impending sense of loss. It made for an emotional final walk as David entered into the shadows to seek out and embrace his friend and, in doing so, rescue him from his darkness. A truly great read Geron. And now I'm just as excited about what the final chapter holds in store. No doubt, David is about to play his granddad's heartstrings to use his numerous contacts for some work for Mark: waiter or trainee chef. Maybe even the use of his spare bedroom, at least for a time. Wouldn't that be a treat for David's visits. And how will the whole custody issue be resolved? Will David be going home with his Dad. I have no idea.

I found my shouting at David to use his mobile to phone Mark. He may have got lucky and heard Marks phone nearby, assuming that he hadn't got it on silent mode. I wonder what's up in the attic? I hope it's not one of those attics that is open to all other 7 condos. When i was 10, I discovered such an attic entrance in an end terrace that was open to about twenty other houses in the block. It definitely freaked me out. Almost anything could have come through there. Wow, this is going to be some heated meeting between David and Mark and the outcome is anyone's guess now. Can't wait!

How well the day began for David and Mark. A natural friendship where ease of conversation and similar levels of interests and humour, are a given. I really felt for Mark. He clearly hasn't been ble to be honest, in several fundamental facts about himself. In fact, the truth is likely to be extremely different if, as I suspect, he is a street kid, kicked out of home for being gay and possibly accessing the Boltfort for the occassional shower and scraps of food. It would take an awful amount of courage to confess all of this together with a night and a morning's preparation for sure. Only for the moment to be stolen by a screaming toddler. If David is eventually made aware of Mark's plight, I hope that he will not see it as an act of dishonesty but rather more, one of Mark's shame. A confession of that magnitude, could never be entrusted to anyone but a very dear friend. One that he desperately needed to keep.