Wombat Bill

TWO MONTHS LATER Jonathan and Lachlan had gone to the villa in France and had been there a month when Thomas called Jonathan, asking if he could join them. “Of course, we’re looking forward to it. Lachlan has compiled a long list of things to do and places to take you. He seems quite excited about your visit. Vineyards are a big feature on his list and you’re not going to believe the range of cheeses here. I made sure he put some fromageries on the list.” “Thanks Jonathan, that all so

The following week, Thomas kept the appointment with Dr Winston. He wore dark glasses and a cap, just in case the receptionist suspected he wasn’t Jared. “Jared Haynes for Dr Winston.” “Please take a seat Mr Haynes, doctor will be with you soon.” Thomas was relieved that he was past the first hurdle, now all he had to do was convince the doctor to talk to him about Jared. The receptionist’s intercom buzzed, and after speaking to the caller, she said to Thomas “Mr Haynes, do

After writing these last four chapters I need to move on quickly to something lighter in the next two chapters, otherwise I can get bogged down in morbidity. I wrote the rape chapter as somewhat detached, but when I finished the chapter of Justin telling Craig about the rape I was so angry, I had to go for a walk afterwards to calm down. Funny how even my own writing can have an effect on me.

@NimirRaj, @ReaderPaul, @chris191070 and @Summerabbacat, Your combined word count for comments on this chapter is 1,740. Challenging my word count for the chapter of 2,859. Doing the maths that 61%. Just saying! Love you all for your loyalty, continued interest in my stories and the feedback you constantly provide. Sometimes humourous, sometimes in-depth analysis sometimes thought provoking and sometimes illuminated with ideas I had not thought of when writing. Yes, and even sometimes influencing the story plot. Give yourselves a round of applause. Keep reading, keep commenting and I'll keep writing.

While Desmond was driving the Prices back to Crystalline, Jonathan closed the privacy window between the front and back seats then said to Virginia “Tomorrow I will have my things moved from Potts Point, and then it’s all yours Nia. But you should also feel free to stay at Crystalline as long as you wish.” “Thanks, but I think I should move on and make a clean break. Towards the end of the week I’ll move some of my things to Potts Point and then the rest to Mallacoota a few days later. When

Thomas had heard there are five stages of grief that start with denial and work through to acceptance. However it wasn’t working that way for him. Over the next week he felt all five stages at some time, but not in order. They came and went randomly. His fantasies, he accepted as denial, then he would snap out of the fantasy and feel depressed by reality. During the many phone calls he had to make there was a feeling of acceptance while he got on with the job at hand. Bargaining, he used as a wa

You've said it all. Karma got him but as usual Jared took others down with him. Many of you made the right prediction. Congratulations! Of was it wishful thinking. It is now 2019 in the story and approaching Christmas - what surprises will 2020 bring? Do I hear you say, no surprise at all. So here is the big question - Do we launch headlong into the real 2020 or do we forget the time line and continue in a parallel universe? Having already written about 2020 in "The Covids" and being fed up to the back teeth with the China Virus. I'm leaning towards life on another planet. Did I say that, me who does not like sci-fi and couldn't write it to save my life. ??????????????????????????????????????????????? Oh yes, I must tell you that Covid came reasonably close to home this week. A visitor from Victoria (now in it's third lockdown) visited Goulburn, this week, the town where we shop, while positive. Fortunately we did not go to the venues he visited this week, although we did go shopping at Goulburn. My partner had a test yesterday (mainly so he could get a clearance to visit his mum in the aged care home). A negative result came through overnight, so I am spared having my brain probed by an oversize cotton bud.

The following morning Thomas was awakened by his phone ringing. As he looked at the screen he said ‘Oh finally he returns my calls’. “Hi, where have you been, why didn’t you return my calls before this, I’ve been calling for two days.” “Is that Thomas?” “Yes, who’s this and why are you calling from Jared’s phone?” “Can you tell me the nature of your relationship with Jared Haynes?” “Who wants to know?” “I’m Sergeant Frank Condon of the Northern Territory police. I’m call

@chris191070, @ReaderPaul, @NimirRaj & @Summerabbacat - Lot's of analysis, assumptions, speculations, predictions and wishes. Many questions will be resolved tomorrow and no doubt, more will be asked, so fasten your seat belts.

Two days later, Craig received a phone call during the lunch time rush at Poppy’s. He noted it was Justin and was pleased he called, but surprised. “How’s the desert Lawrence, haven’t fucked any camels have you?” “Not funny Craig. I’m at home, couldn’t stand another day with the fucking bastard, poor excuse for a human. I hope he rots in the desert.” “Hey, hey, slow down. What’s happened, did you two have a falling out?” “That’s putting it mildly. I hope he dies a slow painf

Well, this chapter has stirred the emotions. From @NimirRaj, Damn Jared to hell From @CaJu, Seems like Jared got to be just like his father. From @ReaderPaul, More of Jared's true nature keeps coming out. I'm not liking what I see being revealed. From @Summerabbacat, I have always wondered what attracted him to the SAS; it has now been revealed to some extent. The excuse to commit wanton violence with no regret. From @haines87, Also Jared needs to take a long walk off a short cliff. and from @chris191070, Jared is pure evil just like his father. It seems a unanimous verdict is in. So the questions are - Will he continue to be evil - Will he change - Can he change - How will his partner and friends deal with him - How many relationships will he ruin - Maybe he could seek professional help - or is he irredeemable?

Ok, you all seem to be happy with the goings on, except Jared is still getting up everyone's nose. Understandable, given his ability to manipulate with a leaning towards causing trouble. Bernard? Even I'm not sure where he's headed. Well observed, everyone.

My intention was to show he was jealous that Andy and Dean are buying their own home. Craig and Justin live rent free in Gran's house.

Three months after their trip to Cairns, Jared suggested another trip away for him and Justin. This time, his reason was to teach Justin desert survival skills. “But why do you have to go away together again so soon. We never go away together, it always seems to be with Jared. I was super happy for you when you two found each other, but I didn’t think you would need all this bonding time.” lamented Craig. “It’s only our second trip.” “Yeah, in three months. When was the last time

Wishful thinking. I don't think you'll be invited. Welcome back

Dean’s bar was by now very successful and Andy was still working full-time at Price’s as well as part time at the bar. He had been thinking for a few months about asking Dean to move in with him. That would mean getting Jared’s approval, which he was sure would be ok, or the alternative would be to move in with Dean, but that was a share house as well, and offered less privacy and independence. When he collected his mail one evening, which was mostly junk mail, he was about to drop the bro

Virginia went back to Sydney for a meeting with Jonathan regarding their divorce. “Firstly Virginia I need your assurance that you really want this divorce and won’t change your mind part way through the proceedings.” “Of course I want the divorce, that’s the easy part. What we may have problems with is the property settlement.” “Yes, I understand that. So is it ok with you if we lodge the divorce application immediately and get that part underway.” “Yes, that’s fine.” “

So is our Prime Minister, so unless you lied about your age, I guess you're not him. Happy reading,

@Summerabbacat, Although I have said many times, there is a lot of me in Edward, this time Romel is my alter ego. Not a cat hater as such, but definitely not one to share a bed with four legged animals. @NimirRaj, I can let you in one one item - it's not a new haircut. @ReaderPaul, one of your predictions is correct.

Romel went to the airport to meet Edward. They greeted each other and hugged for a long time. Not only had they missed each other but Romel felt he should have been able to do more to support his partner during his past week of grief. “I really should have gone with you. You were gone before I had time to think about it.” “As much as I would have liked you by my side, especially at the funeral, there really wasn’t much you could do. All the doctors and nurses were very patient explaining ev

@ReaderPaul, No Paul reader has not been mentioned by name before. The only reference to the character was in book ! when Edward moved to Sydney (She was now married again to a loving man that he trusted to take care of her). I'm sure you know why he now has a name. Sorry to hear about you and your mum. The events in the story were also based on my mum's death, but she remained on life support for a month before she gave up. @Summerabbacat, I've said before there is a lot of me in Edward (except the drag queen) and the carnation thing is something I did spontaneously at my gay uncle's funeral. @NimirRaj, It's time off, or blank pages. The TV news just reported on Australia's current oldest man at 111. He mentioned that he wrote 300 stories, so doing the maths, I'll need to knock out 8 per year to match that. That's a lot of time off.

ONE MONTH LATER Virginia and Desmond were at the Mallacoota house when Jonathan called her. “Nia I want to talk to you, but I didn’t know you were going away.” “What do you want to talk about?” “It might be better in person.” “Sounds serious, can you give me some idea now.” “Are you sure you want to discuss this over the phone?” “I don’t know until you tell me.” “I’ll come straight to the point. Nia, I want a divorce.” “Oh that, about time Jon

DERANGED - the Oxford dictionary definition is "mad; insane." I recently came across a new meaning for this word. I found an item on the Bunnings (hardware store) website that I wanted. They only had one left in stock so I rang my local store and asked them to hold it for me. The operator was happy to do that but advised me there would be no more because:- "The product has been deranged" I replied "I hope it does not need therapy." I don't think she got the joke as I got no reply.

@ReaderPaul, don't be too hard on Rani about the cock cage. It was Daniel who volunteered and it was given to him by his previous. No, alas a missed opportunity there for Max and Charles. Must have been busy all weekend. @Summerabbacat, Yes, @ReaderPaul was correct re the reference to a cage, but I though you might pick up on the "flower". He is perhaps your greatest and most complex creation - There is much of the writer in Edward's character, perhaps that is why he is so complex or maybe slightly deranged. @NimirRaj, I hope Jonathan is only "killing you" with laughter. It is nice to see this other side of him.

Glad you enjoyed your visit to the wedding expo. Those naughty brothers, what can I say, they seem to upset all. And before someone asks, no Sybil will not be joining the regular cast, there are already too many characters to wrangle. BTW Sybil is the name of a very old and dear friend of mine, who used to read tarot cards. The coffee stains reference comes from a clairvoyant I once attended when I was not sure of my relationship. When she asked how I liked my coffee, thinking she was just being welcoming, I asked "Could I have tea?" Turns out she only reads coffee stains, not tea leaves. She found a stain that actually looked like an elephant and asked me if their was any significance. Turns out yes, I had just booked a trip to Thailand. Oh, your're wondering about the relationship? We;re still together 25 years on.