Wombat Bill

On Saturday morning, Edward had a call from SBS TV. “Damien Underwood here from SBS. Sorry to be so late getting around to this, but I only just read your press release about the wedding expo. I wonder if it would be ok to drop in today with a camera crew and have a chat about this enterprise.” “Yes that would be fine as long as you don’t disrupt the clients’ enjoyment of the event.” “No, we would not do that, and when I say crew, it’s only three of us.” “That’s good, when sh

@ReaderPaul, yes surrogacy is allowed in Australia, BUT there can be no payment other than expenses. Should have read "from Jared", thanks, fixed. @Summerabbacat, unlike you I had heard of the animal before I heard of the plant based food. So was somewhat surprised, many years ago, when I saw it on the menu at an African restaurant in Australia. When I found out I made that joke, so I consider it an original. @NimirRaj, I don't think Justin showed any genuine interest in hooking up with Simon, maybe a little innocent flirting. But I see you looking into the future with some accuracy. @chris191070, sounds like you will be back on-line soon. Looking forward to it.

I cannot find any Malaysian connection. The film is a remake of a Dileesh Pothan’s Malayalam film Maheshinte Pathikaram. Malayalam is a language spoken by the native people of southwestern India (from Mangalore to Kanyakumari).

Edward’s wedding expo was scheduled to run for three days Friday to Sunday and showed promise of being a huge success. The stall space was fully booked, Poppy’s prepared a special menu of light lunches to compliment their regular menu and Dean rostered on extra waiters to serve drinks in Divas. To get maximum exposure Edward had spent up big on advertising and the event was opened from nine in the morning till nine at night, except Sunday when it would close at five pm. *** Jared and J

So that he could put his plan into operations, Jared arranged for he and Thomas to have dinner with Justin and Craig. During dinner Jared said “Justin, I was thinking it might be good for you if I shared some of my skills with you.” “Like what?” asked Justin “Jungle survival.” “Does he need to survive in a jungle?” asked Craig. “You never know, but what I’m really trying to say, is it would a good brotherly bonding opportunity. We missed out on so much, not growing up togethe

@NimirRaj, I like the way you've analysed this chapter by considering all options and not jumping to any conclusions. I particularly liked the way you analysed the conversation between Virginia and Thomas. That's pretty much what was intended. @ReaderPaul, you're looking again for gossip and those overheard conversations. These are staples of writers trying to create mystery and suspicion, and I have been guilty of using this technique, but not overly used I hope. @Summerabbacat, so you think Virginia has a thing for drivers? You have also become very cynical of Virginia. Oh yes, I had to look up that word. What if Bernard dropped the news about their marriage, not as payback for loosing his job but to hasten the end the marriage so he might have a shot at getting Virginia in the sack again. That is assuming there was a previous occasion. Does he know about Desmond and if so will it be spanners at 20 paces? I can't wait to read the next chapter.

The following morning, Thomas went through the formalities of cancelling all bookings, advising the charities of such and closing all social media accounts associated with the campaign. He sent cheques anonymously to all the charities and cancelled the order for the TV sets. <> Meanwhile Jared went to the Regency Club to collect Price’s car and returned it to the company carpark. He had not heard from Price so he checked with Prism, who said Price was in his office. “Good m

could even be the next person to contact the papers. - Oh @NimirRaj, you do like a tabloid scandal. Makes him come off as arrogant, spoiled, and entitled. - You make Jared sound like the perfect candidate to join - a club for what I assume is the idle rich Not sure what bubble of secrecy Virginia can pop as it seems like few secrets exist anymore but you know we love the drama. Oh, yes she does have one more card up her sleeve.

The female desire to mother is an extremely strong emotion, often not understood by men, myself included.

@Summerabbacat, some well chosen words of yours sprinkled through your comment - interesting, pretension and position, muddling, affection, cordial, satisfying and heartwarming desires and aspirations. All very much describe the range of emotions that make up the human condition. When the "dust settles" I believe Bernard may have done both Jonathan and Virginia a favour. Aint life strange, one can often not predict the outcome of some actions.

@ReaderPaul, I think you predicted this. It reminds me of real life, but as yet none of my grandsons seem to be gay.

“As the three sat down to lunch in the plush surrounds of the Regency Club, Jared reminded Jonathan that the lunch was a bit overdue. “Yes, remiss of me, but there is another reason I have asked you today. Since the three of us have been working together, I’ve noticed how close you two are and you seem to really love each other. I’ve not experienced that before between men. To me it has only been about sex with other men. But you have shown me there can be more than that in a male to male r

@ReaderPaul, @Summerabbacat & @NimirRaj, I am constantly amazed at the incites you draw from this story and your in depth analysis is superb. I also thank you for your efforts to report your analysis. Some times you write almost as much as I do. You all manage to get into the minds of these characters, often in ways I couldn't manage. It is a constant delight to read your comments. I try not to be influenced by your comments when plotting and planning but your ideas are sometimes just so damn good it's hard to ignore them. I'm sure they find their way into the story sometimes. Thanks guys.

Thomas tried not to take phone calls while he was driving, unless it was Jared or Jonathan, so by the time he got to his office, there were voicemail messages and emails banked up awaiting his attention. He dialled up his voicemail account and heard the following “You have fourteen new messages. First new message.....” “Good morning Mr Steadman, this is Hilda from St. Martha’s nursing home, please call me regarding the planned presentation for next week.” “Second new message....”

I have no idea who these people are and won'even bother looking them up. They sound to be of no consequence.

Oh, they're back already. GREAT!

Yes, @ReaderPaul the 2 Js do seem to be skating on thin ice. Will it be Thomas or Craig who breaks that ice first? @Summerabbacat, you do disappoint me. It is ABBA's multi-generational appeal that was the reason for choosing their songs. is the teaser at the end of the chapter an indication of the imminent collapse of the Steadman/Haynes relationship? Perhaps, perhaps not.- Brave prediction. And thank you not, for that image of "other' bleaching. I'm sure it will stay with me all day. Some astute observations @NimirRaj, if you are right, there could be relationship breakdowns all around us. Maybe Thomas' reluctance to admit his suspicions about the brothers is connected to his own cheating previously. Only time will tell. Furthermore - you're all so hard on Brett, the dizzy, clowning queen. Although @NimirRaj does admire his passion. Brett only wants to please.

So, @Summerabbacat it's a big thumbs up for Juanito, now rescued, rehabilitated, and almost revered. Yeah I've gave it a try, but am no competition for our @ReaderPaul, the awesome, artist of alliteration.

Not sure I like the change. Yes, the 'Check it Out" change is good. However, all the icons look the same, especially on small screens. To older eyes they all look like smiley faces. The previous icons were immediately identifiable. Bring them back please.

Edward asked Juanito “How are your plans for the gay and seniors’ functions going?” “Pretty good really. I’ve got two Abba songs to sing for the seniors. Something not too upbeat and a bit old, but I think they’ll be appropriate to a political function. I’ve learned Take a Chance on Me and The Winner Takes it All.” “And for the gay function, are you going to debut One Eata?” “I’ve rehearsed a few songs but still a bit nervous about frocking up.” “Don’t be, if you’re not nervo

Juanito arrived home around midnight, absolutely exhausted after a very long day of lectures at college and accounting work at Poppy’s after college. Romel had gone to bed earlier, but Edward stayed up late watching old episodes of Midsomer Murders, which he had previously seen but could never remember whodunit, so to him they were always a new mystery to be solved. He had a particular reason for staying up tonight. Almost zombie-like, Juanito went to the fridge for orange juice, said

When Price arrived at work, his secretary was busy on the phone. He nodded good morning to her and headed for his office as she tried to get his attention, while simultaneously trying to end her phone call. “Yes, I’ll give him the message, Four Corners program is it?” She dropped the phone and raced after her boss in an attempt to speak to him before he saw the newspaper on his desk. “What is it Prism?” “I just wanted to warn you that today’s newspaper is...ah...somewhat...that is

Some interesting observations about the Prices, @NimirRaj, @ReaderPaul, & @CaJu. Popular opinion seems to be that Price does not have what it takes to be a politician.

@Wombat Bill rarely (if ever) introduces a character into his works and then gives them nothing to do. @Summerabbacat's comment is from the previous chapter, commented upon here as it would be a spoiler if put at the end of the previous chapter. When Johnson was replaced by Jared, and his name mentioned, it was so Jared would have to do something difficult to prove himself. There were no other plans for Johnson at that time. It was only later that Johnson said I have a motive, an itch that needs to be scratched. Just another example of how the characters sometimes write the story for me. I have just written a chapter in which Jonathan takes Thomas and Jared to lunch as a thank you for their work. It was only meant to be a brief sequence but once again, the characters took control and the sequence became a full chapter. Sometimes I'm not sure if i'm a writer or a wrangler, when these pesky characters want to do their own thing.

It took Jonathan a few days, after the publication of the newspaper article, to calm down enough to speak to his wife. “Nia we need to have a serious talk about what happened.” “Good, I have been waiting for you to apologise, about time.” “Apologise!” “Yes for calling me an old boiler in public. What were you thinking of, making a statement like that on a night when you were supposed to sucking up to those that you want to vote for you. I could scarcely believe my own ears.”