Wombat Bill

A week later, Thomas and Lachlan entered the gym together for the first time. Thomas had been hesitant about using the gym on his own, as he did not want to be alone with his memories, but his visit the week before resolved that. Lachlan’s offer came at a good time and the two quickly became good gym buddies. On days that one was down, the other offered encouragement and they both started to show results for their efforts. When Jonathan noticed Lachlan’s body changing he complimented him an

As the final act in his grieving process, Thomas sought and received permission from Jared’s parents to add a plaque of his own to Jared’s memorial at the cemetery. As he was leaving the cemetery Jared spoke to him for the last time. “Thank you Thomas, now move forward in your life and find someone who will love you as much as I do. I will watch over both of you, in silence.” Thomas moved into Crystalline and paid his way by working around the property. He took an interest in gardenin

This is part 4 of “Catering With Benefits” - in the Appetites series. Our favourite characters are living in the time of the pandemic, but don’t let that stop them from getting on with life. The Flinders Street complex housing Poppy’s, Deans’s Bar, Divas and Dare to Bare, is closed due to the statewide lockdown. On the other side of town the younger generation are coming of age and stepping out to discover what life has to offer.

TV shows have “teasers” Movies have “trailers” And books...well they just have... “dust cover notes” CWB 4 is coming soon, so here is your word trailer for “Young and Hungry...For Life” "But, as the ‘other man’ I felt it wasn’t my place to do so.” “A member would say he was going to take his wife or niece, they were usually called, up to the rooftop to show them the harbour view.” “Is there a view from the building?” “Well spotted Watson. Of course there is no harbour view from a three story building, among high rise office towers two blocks from the harbour. There isn’t even rooftop access other than for maintenance purposes.” “And you wouldn’t be jealous if I did?” “Of course not.” “In that case, I have a proposal to put to you.” “I like proposals, so go ahead.” “I’m thinking, that dark Mediterranean complexion, cheeky smile and the Ducati are telling me not all your ancestors came out on the first fleet.” “You’re partly right, my Mum’s family were five pound Poms, but my Dad’s family came out from Italy to work on the Snowy Mountains Scheme in the 50s.” “Are you my early morning wakeup call?” “N n n no. I just brought you some fffresh towels. I forgot to give them to you last night and knew you’d need then before...your...morning... shower.” “Oh I see you’ve now got a title and the end.” “Yes, now I’ve only got to fill in the middle bit.” It was a dark and stormy night. It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. “Sorry, I’m just a bit uneasy about the way some people at work are treating me” “What do you mean?” “Many of my old colleagues seem to be shunning me. Sure they are professional but not chatty or want to join me for coffee or lunch. I don’t know what I’ve done to them” “I’m sorry for your loss.” “No, he didn’t die. When Mrs Price left the house and didn’t need her personal maid anymore, my husband went off with the slim, red headed, vegetarian.” “Stupid man! Why settle for a carrot when he could have plump, full breasted, chicken on his plate.” “No, I know nothing about it” “About what?” “Nothing, I just meant I know nothing about any murder. OK?” “Wow you drag up well. I didn’t know you were a closet drag queen” “Excuse me, but I’m not a drag queen” “Sure looks like that” “I’m a woman and dressing accordingly, although I admit your clothes are a bit over the top for everyday wear” “Coming” he called as he approached the door, then said “Did you forget....” as he opened the door. Standing there completely naked, he added “Oh, this is a surprise, is there something wrong?” “No, except that I can’t sleep. I was walking around the garden when I noticed your light on and thought maybe you couldn’t sleep either.” “What’s your favourite memory of Jared, James?” “Um...let me think. Yes I know, it was the first time we met, when he came to dinner with cousin Justin. I’ll never forget the sight of him when he took off his jacket and was wearing the uber tight T shirt that showed off his muscles. I thought I’d cream my jeans.” “James!’ his mother shouted. “Just sayin’ Mum.” “Well, find a way to say it more politely.” “That’s how us gay guys talk, Mum.” “Are you telling me, the staff are getting it on under this roof?” Eventually the tape measure arrived and Andy started his measuring. Mid July was freedom day for NSW. James was excited about going to the circus, but also concerned about the animals that were kept in small cages and had to travel continuously. “With us? Are we a normal home?” “Maybe not the opposite sex couple with 2.2 kids, but a warm and caring home, none the less” “I think that’s a reasonable request. Can’t have you taking a girl on public transport for your first date” “Hey your dad called me a towner, is that bad?” They both sat watching the ducks but only one of them was interested in the wildlife. “Now I must warn you guys I’m not very experienced in bed, but that’s why I agreed to come here, so I can learn from you” Bryce found it difficult to recover from the loss of his partner, murdered by a lunatic plumber in a carpark toilet one year earlier. “NO! I am a woman on the inside all the time so I can’t be a part-time woman on the outside” “Oh I’ve so much to learn about you Aussies. You do talk funny at times.” “Perhaps I’ll have a Troughman” “If you like being licked by a deformed animal” “Tights, bare chest, as beautiful as it is, and what look like ballet shoes, might not be the usual streetwear around Parramatta” “Well check out the 131500.com.au and it will give you all the rickshaw timetables” “Did you say you wanted to fuck?” asked a hefty woman carrying a bale of hay on each shoulder. Well, Francesco stepped out. James fell out when he tripped over his own shoes. “I think these two know each other better than we do and maybe understand what’s being talked about, but I haven’t a fucking clue” “Now, we’ll have to set a date to do the deed and I’ll bring my equipment” “I should hope so” she replied with a smirk.

Jared rang around a few of his old army mates, looking for a particular soldier that served with him, but not considered a mate by Jared. “Hi Wozza, it’s Jared, long time no hear.” “You old bugger, what have you been doing since you deserted the forces?” “A bit of this and that” “Sounds a bit light on intel, nothing the cops would be interested in, is it?” “No nothing like that, but I am interested in finding someone who is a bit bent in that direction.” “I always t

Justin drove Jared to Leichhardt then went home to Craig. “How was it?” asked Craig “Great, they all seemed to get on very well. In fact Jared was a great hit with Alex and James. I think I’ve been replaced by the new brother.” “Don’t say that, you know the boys love you and look up to you.” “Maybe, but I have failed them in some ways.” “How? You often buy them gifts and take them out sometimes. I remember how they hung on your every word when we were in Forster a few ye

With all the attention Jared was getting from the boys, Justin was feeling a bit unneeded. Usually he was the one in demand by his cousins. Finally he managed to get Jared’s ear and said “You’re definitely the star of the show today, are the boys too much?” “Not at all, they’re young and curious, that’s good. But I suppose my novelty will wear off eventually.” “I doubt that, but I know how curious and interrogative they can be. A few years back, Craig and I had a few days with them at

Jared poured two glasses of white wine, ready for a mother and son chat.” “Thanks for that Jared” “My pleasure, I’m so glad to get to spend some time with you now. The boys certainly are a chatty pair” “Oh there’s no holding them back when they’re in the mood” “They certainly are today, so many questions” “I hope they weren’t too nosy” “That’s fine, a new brother, of course they’ll have lots of questions and they both have a need to share” “Oh and what did they

At the barbecue the brothers were having their usual squabble about whether to turn or not turn the steak regularly. They couldn’t agree on this and probably never would, so the usual result was to take charge of half each and cook by their method. “Why did you ask Jared if he was gay?” “I need to know’ replied James. “That’s his business, not yours” “Of course it’s my business, he’s our brother, why should it be a secret? You make no bones about constantly professing you ar

Before Justin and Jared arrived, the whole household was excited and a bit nervous at the same time. “I wonder if he’ll look like Mum or like Justin?” asked Alex “He’ll probably look like Jared” was Alex’s retort. “Smartarse! I just wondered if there would be a family resemblance. “I don’t get that family resemblance thing, I don’t look like you, thank goodness.” “You could do worse, but why would we look alike? We have different mothers and....” “You were saying?”

“You’re right, when shall we tell them and how much do we tell them?” Hannah asked her partner, Julia. “I don’t think we can tell them any less than the whole truth. If we try to hide the fact that Jared’s father is my brother that could turn out very messy. After all there are so many others involved. It’s a complex relationship between me, Brendan, Jessica, Justin and Jared. If we leave out anything that will just raise more questions, and we would also have to ask Justin and Jared to be

A side salad to CWB 3 - An Appetite for More. What happened when Jared met his new family? Who is The Fixer?

A BIG thank you for your continued support over the past year, you really have made all the crafting worthwhile with your comments. I too am a little sad to see a temporary end to the lives of our friends. But they will return sometime with new adventures. In the meantime any suggestions are welcome, except writing about the pandemic. Give yourselves a big round of applause. From the sleepy wombat.

I thought you all deserved a happy ending and after so much work, so did I. A little treat for myself.

Thank you all for your kind words of support. I found one unfinished story line that I am working on, surely you can find more. ⌨️

I had doubts about including the stats, thinking they might seem a bit dry in a work of fiction. However they seem to have done the job, judging by your comments. I too will miss living with our friends on a daily basis. You know, I just a had an idea. Not all of their stories have been told. There must be snippets of their lives we have missed. Maybe a few flashbacks in short story form would work. I'll ask them and see what they have to say. In the meantime, if you can go back in your memory and can think of any unanswered questions, unresolved issues or occasions when you wanted to know more about a story line or a character, in any of the books, let me know.

I wonder how it went with Jonathan and Lachlan? I haven't heard any reports, so I guess it will stay in the bedroom. My few words have encouraged you all to reveal your compassion for your fellow man and our non-human neighbours with whom we share this planet. Thanks guys.

I am thrilled to see that my little story has not only entertained you but has brought you together as a group, referencing each other in your comments and waiting in anticipation to read what each other says. And it was one of your number that coined the collective name of 'CWB Groupies'

Brett, Jeremy and Rani went onto government social security.

On 30 March, Sydney and the rest of NSW went into lockdown. All entertainment and hospitality venues had to close and restaurants could only serve take-away on a non contact basis. Personal services businesses also had to close. Romel was the only one of the group whose workload increased. Nurses were in high demand, so Craig worked some casual nursing shifts. Charlie amended Poppy’s menu for take-away service. Snowy assisted and Justin handled orders and non-contact service.

In book 2, chapter 10, Jared explains this in his interview with Edward. https://gayauthors.org/story/wombat-bill/the-second-course/10

When I was young I read very little because I wasn't given stories that interested me and many had two many words. I once remember trying to read a story that took 3 pages to describe the sky. When I started writing recently I quickly discovered I could not write long passages of description, so I gave up trying and just stuck to the facts that drive the story forward. I remember a very old TV show Dragnet where the lead character used to say "All we want are the facts, ma'am". That is my writer's motto. So my unwasted words are by chance rather than design. But if it works, good! I guess I write what I want to read.

There will not be a fourth book immediately. I don't want to write about covid times. This will become a period in history, best forgotten. I have done my covid bit in "The Covids" I will be starting a new project with two of the characters. There is a clue in the epilogue. BUT I love these characters, they have become my family, so I want to do more in the future, but no firm plans as yet.

On Mardi Gras night all available staff were on duty in the various venues and even those partners that did not normally work there, were co-opted for the night. Every food waiter was dressed only in black tight fitting pants and bow tie. Bartenders and drink waiters, including Dean, were dressed in glittery rainbow boxers. The different rooms were decorated and the air was filled with incense. Guests were served champagne on arrival and ushered to their tables as the meal had to be

In mid January rain started to fall in some areas across the east coast of Australia. Over the rest of the month, the rain spread and aided firefighters in all east coast states. The states experienced rain, hail and severe thunderstorms. But it was not all good news. Heavy rains brought on the risk of flash flooding, falling trees and landslips after fire had wiped out trees and undergrowth. While thunderstorms can bring useful rain, it can also come down fast and in high quantities, making the