Wombat Bill

@Summerabbacat, as you know I like writing humourus chapters and I know you like reading them. BUT PLEASE don't go looking for laughs where they are not meant to be. I now feel like the Professor of medicine, who can't even write a pamphlet about prostate surgery, without making the reader chuckle. Perhaps you have imbibed a bit too much Christmas cheer. @chris191070, it's good the boy has a hobby. @quttzik, those bloody time zone differences, hey!

OMG, I can't believe there's another me out there. I stopped doing Christmas in the early 90s. After half a life time of being, unknowingly forced to do Christmas, I gave up when my mother died and the rest of the family looked to me to carry on the tradition. I refused and have spent every Christmas day solo since then. I am not alone, in general, I have a male partner, who has just left to have the day with his family, as well as children from a straight marriage, in a former life. But my position on Christmas is now so well know, I don't even get pity invitations anymore. I have sometimes looked for a reason to celebrate Christmas, but eventually come back to the same conclusion, that I would be celebrating a religious myth. If I want to be with people, I just invite them any time of the year. I don't need an Advent calendar to tell me when. Thanks @albertnothlit for reminding why I don't do Christmas.

Edward was due to have his catheter removed seven days after surgery, so he made an appointment with his GP for the 27th. He arranged for Romel to pick up some incontinence pads, just in case. His consultant had advised him there was a 10% chance of some degree of incontinence and that he should consult him if it lasted more than seven days after removal of the catheter and he would be referred for physiotherapy. While reading through the aftercare brochure he was given on discharge from h

Because of the hectic events of the past few months with Alex, James and Francesco, Hannah and Julia had forgotten to make their regular booking for the holiday house at Forster. By the time they remembered, everything in the area was fully booked. Then they received an invitation from Craig and Justin, for Christmas at their place. They were happy about this, but there was one problem, Alex would not be home for Christmas, because the circus had performances booked right through the holid

Previously - “Sounds like I missed so much, not being around in those days. Do you think we could get Jonathan to throw a party like that sometime?” asked Dante “And encourage Justin out of retirement” suggested Virginia excitedly. “It’s a big ask” replied Thomas “Thomas, I’ve not known you to shy away from a challenge before” *** “But why can’t I go to the party?” asked Caleb “Because it’s strictly an adults only party” replied Craig “So who will be ther

@Summerabbacat To you ' will just quote @chris191070 "nothing left to say." I've noticed a new trend to discuss the next chapter teasers, with the same depth as the current chapter and even before the current analysis. Lots of good material though. NO, NO, NO, we will not see Gran in the witness dock, giving evidence to defend her cooking. Sometimes you groupies go TOO FAR. I can work with that one, if necessary. So it's 'pick on Gran' day, is it. I was a bit worried about this suggestion up to this point, but you did redeem yourself @Summerabbacat

Chapter 8 Do you know much about her?” “Only that she’s worked her since she finished school. She’s the daughter of the maid of one of Mrs Prices friends and she gave her the job as a favour to her friend. She doesn’t seem to have much life outside of the property.” “I thought as much, she really should get out more and meet people her own age. She’s very needy.” Thank you, but I don't have to anymore. The comments (suggestions) on this chapter have provided enough material for a new book.

Later in the morning, Edward called Craig. “Hi Edward, thanks for a great meal” “My pleasure, but I need to ask you a favour” “Sure, what is it?” “Raj, that is we, have a problem. You know he wants to transgender but he and Juanito are not talking. Raj slept on the couch last night and left early today. I don’t know where he’s gone” “That’s awkward, considering he’s only just moved in.\” “That’s why I want to talk to you. I would happily have him here, but Juanito

OMG, I could never imagine a world where lives a @chris191070 that has nothing to say.

While Edward was in the kitchen, Raj asked Romel and Craig for medical advice about making the change. Romel answered first “You will need a number of specialist consultants, so you will have to start with an understanding GP who can refer you to the appropriate specialists” “What sort of specialists will I need?” Craig then took over “Gender transition involves a team of healthcare providers. Most of these are doctors. But the first step in the process is to meet with a mental he

Learned a new word today. I didn't even know there was word for a person whose gender identity is the same as their sex assigned at birth.

The acceptance list for Edward’s drinks was small, so he decided to make it dinner as well as drinks. When Edward rattled off the names to Romel, who was counting to ensure they could be accommodated for dinner, he replied “That’s thirteen, including us, an unlucky number” “Because we have one single coming, but that’s not really a surprise” “And it’s also too many to fit around the table” “Then I’ll make it a buffet and people can sit around the room” replied Edward. “H

As one of my favourite characters on 'Mad as Hell' says, "Just a bit of fun".

Caleb was lying in bed, waiting for sleep to take over, but wasn’t really in a hurry to enter dreamland, because his thoughts of Lucas were even better than his dream might be and he could control his conscious thoughts. As his hand went down and found its target he remembered the day he gave Lucas a sample bag of his chocolate biscuits. <> Keen to have Lucas try the biscuits, he invited him to share at morning recess. They sat on a bench in the school yard, legs either side of

In a moment of idleness, Justin looked at his phone and realised he hadn’t changed the wallpaper picture for some time. He looked at the group photo with Edward in the background, in a photo bomber pose, and thought ‘that’s right, always where he isn’t wanted’. His dislike of Edward had not softened, but Craig’s words started going around his mind. ‘I’m more concerned about your emotional health. I know you say you’re fine, but you are not’ This reminded him that his partner reall

i gave a lot of "Fingers Crossed" because you all seem to have some hopes and good wishes for our characters. With Christmas coming up and Covid under control (in the story) it is certainly the time for some good news. That being so, I will share with you a little spoiler -The last chapters will cover three end of year events and over the three events, ALL major characters will make an appearance. So if any of your faves have not been around for a while this will be your chance to have a drink with them, before the last chapter to be published on Christmas Day.

After such a late night, they all slept late the next day, although James’ sleep was interrupted by pain and the discomfort of trying to sleep with a plastered arm. Over breakfast, James asked “What’s on today?” “I think you need to have a quiet morning, then we have a lunch invitation at the circus. After that Francesco should pack his things and then it’s a final goodbye to the circus folk. Then you should rest again, James” “Mum, I’ve only got a broken arm” “Even so, the s

@quttzik, great idea for the busking. I have taken note. I think it is probably only the rent by the hour type pf motel that has those beds. Yes @chris191070, Francesco will have all the time to attend to James' "Needs" Oh that burger sounds delicious @Summerabbacat, but you really must get your mind out of the gutter with regard to what happens in Francesco's van. Yes @haines87, will be interesting to see what happens with the trust fund. @ReaderPaul, hope you are over your E-problems. Thanks guys, give yourselves a round of applause.

James was first awake and showered before his mothers were awake. After dressing he put on the kettle, knocked on his mothers’ bedroom door and said “Up and at it, big day ahead” “What’s with him this morning?” asked a barely awake Julia. “He’ll have Francesco in his arms tonight if we get away early enough” “Bugger, forgot about that. We’re on holidays” <> Hannah entered the kitchen and asked James “Want a big breakfast to set us up for the day?” “No time fo

Plenty of good advice here, chaps.

See "An Appetite for More" chapter 39. Justin's talk with Craig when he returns from Uluru See "Catering With Benefits" chapter 3. Although Sam was older than Justin, was it molestation?

Romel was home before Edward and waited up for him, because they had not talked about Edward’s urology consultations. “Why are you so late?” asked Romel “You didn’t have a function at Divas” “I was having a drink with Dean. He’s quite a decent chap you know” “I thought he was supposed to serve drinks, not drink with the patrons” “I use the term, a drink with Dean, very loosely. I drank, he listened” “And what did he listen to?” “Oh, this and that. Why are you so wou

....and the award goes to...."Gran and Caleb"

Toward the end of lunch, Gran excused herself, saying she was going to the toilet. “I might as well go also” said Caleb. “Then we’ll meet back here at the table” suggested Gran. Caleb returned first and while waiting for Gran, took in the view of the passing young men. When he recognised a boy from school, he waved and the fellow student stopped and said “You’re the newbie at school, aren’t you. I’ve seen you around the school yard, but we haven’t met have we?” “No, I’m Caleb

On the drive home, Julia said “We have got to get to the bottom of this hourly pay business” “I agree” replied Hannah “But today is not the right time. After all the work we’ve done to settle things for now, I didn’t want to upset Jack again” “You’re right and thanks for stopping me. I could have stirred it all up again. The most important thing now is to help keep things calm around Francesco and get him out of there as soon as possible” “And for that we need to keep Jack on side