Wombat Bill

Don't plant ideas like this in my mind @Summerabbacat, that could be a whole book. Have you ever seen some of Betty White's hunks? To mix a few expressions, @quttzik, @ReaderPaul, @haines87 & @chris191070, The jury's in and the knives are out, so Jack and Candy are going down.

“Julia, we seem to have a problem” Jack said “Then how do you want to resolve it?” “I want to work out an arrangement whereby, Francesco will return to the circus until we find a replacement act. I knew this would happen one day. An act as good as him will be in demand anywhere in the world and I know he has ambitions to go to Cirque one day, so yes I was bound to lose him when he reached adulthood. I just didn’t expect it to be for whatever reason he has now, which I don’t think is fo

Don't fret too much @G90814, the characters are real, just living in a non-covid world. I had intended to write more about Kevin and Steve, but my other project "Catering With Benefits" has taken over my life. Check out the first book at

Chapter 23 - James asked - “But what about school?” “All circuses are required to have at home tutoring for children under 16, so in that way Wanda and I grew up together, but we were never close” “Did you do your HSC?” “No, education is only compulsory up to 16, so I stopped then. And besides what good is further education to me, I don’t need uni or other training. I’ve been training for my job since I was five years old. < > Many people may think that the legal working age is 16 or 18. However, that’s not true! Whilst there are almost no age barriers for those working part-time or casual jobs, there are some age requirements for full-time employees. The legal working age for paid work is different in each state or territory. However, it’s important to keep in mind, that for all states, there is no minimum working age for family businesses or in the entertainment industry. In most states and territories, Australian businesses looking to hire those under 17 must have a Child Employment Permit. Had to look this one up. The Amish Season of Love and Exploration Well, I'll be buggered! This is not the first time you have referenced the Amish @Summerabbacat I once worked at KFC, but still eat chicken. However, one one shift I refused to cook a couple of bags of chicken that had tuned green (and I don;t mean the chicken became an environmentalist) and left them in the defrosting tub. On my next shift I asked what happened to the green chicken and was told, the manager fried them, and was threatening to do the same to me. Lovely turn of phrase @ReaderPaul Feels good, doesn't it? James did deliver a "sweet treat" for his family.

“Now while we wait for Jack to call, you two need to tell me what this is all about. Who’s going to talk first?” asked Hannah There was silence from both boys, so Hannah prompted James. “OK Mum, Francesco doesn’t want to stay with the circus anymore, he wants to stay with me and I want him here also” “Francesco, I need to hear from you, that this is entirely a personal decision, that you were not coerced by James or anyone else” “What does she mean?” Francesco asked James.

The following morning, the circus was awake just before sunrise and they did two hours dismantling before breakfast. At Hurstville the household was also up early, though a little later than the circus people. While Alex was finalising his packing and James was texting Francesco, their mothers prepared a hearty breakfast for all, but mostly to set the traveller up for a busy day. When called to the table, James broke the house rule of no phones at the table. “But I have to an

When I was a child, yes way back in the 50s, circuses were very big. We had three major circuses that visited Sydney and I always went to at least one of them each year. For a few years I had access to a gold pass for one of the circuses, because a relative was a trustee for the park where the circus set up. That meant unlimited visits and could also take friends. It was every boy's fantasy to run away with the circus. Unfortunately a lack of talent prevented me from living my fantasy. If the circus had a gay contortionist, I might have tried harder. This chapter has been my little indulgence.

Gotcha!

“Alex” said Wanda, “I’ve got bad news for you, that is, for both of us. The circus will be moving on next week and we’ll no longer be able to see each other” “Bugger, I was hoping that wouldn’t happen, but I suppose it was inevitable. That’s what circuses do” “Yes, but can we still keep in contact?” asked Wanda “Of course, I would like that very much” “Good, because I will miss you Alex, it’s been a great summer spent here with you” “So where will you be going?” “Da

Romel was in two minds. He now needed the support of his closest friend more than ever before, but that friend’s partner was now estranged from him through actions over which he had no more control. He knew he would have to go through this alone. He steeled himself, got out of his car and walked into the police station, to give a statement, as requested by the attending officer the night before. Please take a seat Mr Campos, I’ll tell detective Vincenti you are here, he shouldn’t be to

Dear readers, I am in multiple minds reading all these comments. - Intrigued, by the varying views about the characters, their actions and their motivations for such actions. - Elated, that my writing can illicit such strong feelings among my readers. - Grateful, for the effort you put into your comments. - Humbled, by your sharing of thoughts and feelings. - Saddened, that the topic has caused discomfort to some. I always strive to make my writing interesting, factual where needed, intriguing, challenging sometimes, dramatic, humourous, balanced and page turning. To achieve this there may be times when confronting topics are dramatised. I try to avoid melodrama and, give all characters a mix of qualities. As in life, most people have some redeeming qualities. In regard to the AA website - it was not specifically stated it was a gay website, but in chapter 31, Justin and Craig say the following- “I hope Mum doesn’t see this” “Unless prompted, I don’t think your mother would find a gay writer’s website” Thanks for reading, contributing and being involved.

It seems Brenda's DIY impregnation has not gone over well. Thanks for your observations and the feeling you all put into your comments.

Love is in the air.

“That was a close call” said Brenda “For a moment there, I thought he might not sign the agreement” “Why would he not sign it, since they brought the agreement with them?” “I don’t know really, but they both just seemed a bit suspicious when we returned from speaking to Smidmore” “Just as well we did or we or we wouldn’t know about the possibility that Dean could take action against us” “Yeah, the law’s a strange and complicated thing. Who would have thought, signing an agree

Justin walked into Juanito’s office at Poppy’s, to ask him if he could do a waiting shift that night. “Sure, I was just about to leave, but I can stay on, I’ve got some black and whites in my locker” “There’s no rush, I don’t need you till six” “No problem, I’ll call Raj to let him know and then I’ll spend some time reading Edward’s book” “His book is published already? Where can I get a copy?” “On your computer or your phone” “You mean I have to order it online?”

When Candy went to Francesco’s van to give him fifty dollars, and explained she would give him something each week for spending money, he said “Oh thank you. I now have a wallet to keep my money in” Candy thought this odd, but waited till Francesco produced the wallet. When he opened it to add the fifty dollars, she noticed he already had money. “Where did you get that cash?” “People gave it to me at the beach” “Why would people at the beach give you money? Wait; did you have

This chapter was great fun to write (except the brief child abuse mention). Sometimes when I'm having fun writing a chapter, I feel a bit guilty that I might be writing for myself. Anyway, like life, just as things are going well life throws you a problem.

Wanda said “Mum, you know how Francesco never used to go off lot until recently, since he became friends with Alex’s brother” “Yes, but why your interest now?” “Alex says he doesn’t have any money to pay for things when he goes out with James. Do you know why that is? Everyone else, even me, gets some pay for their work, why not Francesco?” Candy was quiet and thoughtful for a few moments, then said “Wanda, there’s a lot you don’t know about this, but I suppose you’re old enough t

After what he estimated was finale time at the circus, James called Francesco. “Hello, this is Francesco” “It’s me, why so formal?” “Isn’t that what people say when they answer the phone?” “In an office maybe, but you know it’s me” “Oh, I forgot to check, anyway I’m glad you called, I’ve missed you this week” “That’s nice of you to say so, I miss you too. Wish we weren’t so far apart so I could see you everyday” “That would be great, but we may be even further

These chapters have taken the story line away from the main characters. Once I started writing it I could not stop, and for a few weeks ignored the other story lines. I did at one point consider making this a separate story, but in line with the title considered this is where it belongs. Pleased you are all enjoying it, even if it has raised some issues, but I believe they are worth examining. I try as much as possible to write this work of fiction within state and federal laws in Australia. Sometimes that is a challenge to create the drama and remain factual.

Tax and stuff in Australia. Federal government collects - Income tax, company tax, excise tax and Medicare levy. It also collects GST (VAT in some countries) although this is by law a state tax, it is collected by the feds under an agreement between the states. States are responsible for - Animal welfare laws (although minimal) and work safety (OH&S) laws. The states also regulate child welfare, fostering and adoption. I might also add, all police forces are state run (no city or provincial forces) except the Australian Federal Police, that have specific laws to enforce. @Summerabbacat may have something to add, or correct.

Craig and Justin completed the forms from the Department of Child Services as soon as they received them and sent them on to Pamela for her comments. In the meantime Caleb kept coming weekends. He was taken into the restaurant on Saturdays to do some tasks and used Juanito’s office for downtime. Despite Craig’s best efforts to get him to bring his homework to do in the quiet of the office, Caleb always found some excuse, usually ‘I forgot’.” On Sundays he spent the day with Gran and the boy that

With Wanda’s help, Francesco’s visit was arranged. Alex drove James to the circus lot on Sunday morning, but when James arrived he didn’t have to go looking for Francesco. He was already dressed in Alex’s clothes, he had been given the week before, and was waiting by the carpark. “Hey, he’s got a shirt just like mine” Alex noticed “And he has jeans like yours also” “Well, blue jeans are blue jeans” “But these are exactly like yours” “So?” “I forgot to tell you,

James and Francesco spent Sunday on the lot, mostly exercising, talking and staring into each other’s eyes. Alex had a date with Wanda, so at the end of the day they drove home together. “How was your date” asked James “Pretty good, we had lunch, a movie and a walk in the park” “That’s a bit lame” “Oh so what did you do that was so much better?” “I’m very glad you asked, but didn’t you girlfriend tell you?” “No, what’s Wanda got to do with it?” “Nothing really,

When James asked his mother if he could stay overnight at the circus, she was at first surprised, until James explained it was no different to having a sleepover at any other friend’s place. “I suppose you’re right, But I’ll have to clear it with his parents” “He doesn’t have any parents and lives alone in his own caravan” “Oh it’s going to be one of those sleepovers?” “I have no idea what you’re talking about” “Of course you don’t” she replied with a wink and added “Do