Summerabbacat

As a teenager I was NOT a fan of Bob Seger, but as I have aged I have come to appreciate some of his more popular songs and particularly like Against The Wind. Knowing the lyrics of the song I think it a most apt choice to signify Phil's melancholic mood early in the chapter. Colin's ignorance of the devastation caused by AIDS, particularly to gay men in the 1980's and 1990's surprised me greatly, but when I stopped to think about it rationally, I can perhaps understand his ignorance as it is not the death sentence it once was and has lost much of the hysteria associated with it. The 1980's and 1990's were confronting times, watching people you knew, even if only by sight from going clubbing, waste away. "I looked over at the window and saw the emaciated face of Dwight. I had to blink away tears." A powerful and moving reminder of those times @Ronyx. And Colin's ignorance of the cause of Freddie Mercury's death also surprised, particularly when he said he was a fan of Queen. I guess given Freddie died before Colin was even born perhaps explains this. Colin's reverent recount of the times spent with his beloved grandfather was so beautifully and sensitively written @Ronyx. Shades of Mr Wilbur again (he is such a memorable character for me; compassionate, caring, loveable with a streak of the larrikin thrown in for good measure). The feedback for this story is overwhelming positive @Ronyx, feedback which I wholeheartedly endorse. You are onto a real winner with this warm, inviting, humorous and intriguing story.

You have certainly known some interesting characters in your time. I have known a number of bitchy Ron types. Several spring to mind whom I was very good friends with many years ago. Suffice to say as I got older I refused to accept their rudeness and arrogance any longer and have not seen or heard from them for a long time (and don't miss them either).

A chapter rich with interesting and in some cases, bitchy characters. Those physical descriptions you write so well were to the fore again @Robert Hugill. "By contrast, Martin had bulked up and was alarmingly like Mr Pickwick (luckily Dickens was his favourite author)", such a delicate description in lieu of "he was a fat porker". With just a few words of their physical appearance and/or attire I had a vivid image of most of those who made a guest appearance (for now anyway) in this chapter. The artwork exhibited by The Donald Mitchell (how delightfully pretentious) and Mirko sounded interesting. I am not one who appreciates great works of art at all and have rarely been to an art gallery in my life. I do like the photography of Robert Mapplethorpe, including his photographs of flowers. I saw an exhibition in the 80's or 90's and wondered why some people were so offended, although the fisting may have been a bit much for some (don't go and look at it if it so offends you), and like Andy Warhol's pop-art (I love the "Marilyn's"). Vaughan and Dan are embracing "coupledom" with such apparent ease and obvious enjoyment. You have once again created protagonists who are interesting, intriguing and immensely likeable @Robert Hugill. I really warmed to Vaughan in this chapter because he revealed a little more of his beliefs and has quite the sense of humour.

OMG all those Tim Tams and Coke consumed by Tyron and Bradley. Clearly neither has a problem with the scourge of many teens (and was certainly the scourge of my teenage years), acne. I know it is very un-Australian @Paladin I have never cared for Tim Tams. Now Mint Slice, they are a whole different kettle of fish. I rarely each such food now, but still enjoy chocolate with 95% dark chocolate my guilty pleasure. And as for that enormous breakfast eaten by Chris, Andre and Jamie, suffice to say I am vegetarian. A very light chapter, possibly before heavier chapters involving the trial of Ollie and Andre's rapist. I hope there is no confrontation between Ollie and his mother. If she dares to harass or blame him in person I hope she quickly finds herself persona non grata.

And how neglectful was I not to my mention, the most profound, the most moving, the most joyous paragraph you have perhaps ever written @James Carnarvon: “And you’re Marco Fardello,” he replied. “You help people without expecting anything in return, but when something’s not right, you burn. Around your friends, you’ve always felt like the odd one out… you’ve never thought anyone could really like you. But…” He leaned closer to whisper into Marco’s ear. “you’re way hotter than you think you are.” 😭😭😭😭😭😭💖💖💖💖💖💖

A return trip to Ravello is a welcome delight at any time of the year, but for this reader at least a return trip in the height of summer is when Ravello presents its most glorious self. From the avenue of oleanders to the scraping of my beloved cicadas, the lemons, the olives and the grape vines, the sparkling water off the Amalfi coast and the scorching midday sun, sheer perfection, and @James Carnarvon describes all with such reverence I can visualise myself there, enjoying these Ravelloesque delights. This story is somewhat darker than James' usual fare, but let it be said, his writing style is NOT reminiscent of a soap opera. Many of the reader favourites return, with the addition of three new characters who are integral to this latest work, all three of whom have had anything but happy childhoods. The highlight of this latest work for me was the growth, the extraordinary growth of Marco, my favourite "Carnarvon creation". Like Ravello itself, it was the "little mouse's" turn to shine, and shine he does. And finally on a very personal note, I have found James' stories of great comfort over the course of the last three years, through some very sad times. The joy his stories bring delight many, and it is the delight of these stories and the sharing of comments by his faithful readers, which have brought joy to me on many an occasion when sadness threatened to overwhelm.

Another entertaining and enlightening chapter @Al Norris. Unfortunately I was not surprised at the "punishment" meted out to Carl by the police. It hardly seems worth the effort of Patrolman Stoner to interview Peter for his side of the story. Unless Patrolman Stoner carries some weight, and given his position I think it unlikely, the visit is merely an exercise in formality, so that whomever is in charge can "tick the box" to declare both parties in the "disagreement" had been interviewed. My favourite part of this chapter was when Uncle George drop all pretence of civility and stated exactly what he thought of Peter's mother "The fact is, I’ve been waiting for something like this to happen ever since you got here. You’ve lived for eight years with that monster, never shedding a tear." Well said Uncle George, accurate and succinct.

I like the slow burn.

I have a strong sense of deja vu writing these comments @James Carnarvon, although I cannot remember which story it was or to whom the sentiments applied. I did not expect to be moved by Elisabetta's passing at all, but lo and behold you have done it again, moved the immovable, softened this hardened heart. With just a few well placed words you managed to have me in tears for Elisabetta of all people: "A flight of swifts darted shrilly by, drawing Marco’s eyes to the sky for a moment. As he stared up into the fierce summer blue, he wondered at the absence of Elisabetta and Giorgio’s parents, who were apparently too enmeshed in the consequences of their wrongdoing even to make their daughter’s funeral. Or maybe they just never gave a crap…". This summed up her life I guess. My sense of profound sadness for her was quickly replaced with anger at her parents, particularly her mother. Her husband very well may rule and subjugate her, but could she not just this once defy him to attend her daughter's funeral. Seemingly she is like Gemma, Marco's mother, unwilling to take a stand for the child she bore. Marco more than any of your other characters has developed exponentially. He is indeed my favourite. I just adore him, and with each chapter in this book that adoration became stronger. His gentle and caring nature in this book for some reason made me think more than once of Kofi Annan, a man whom I greatly admired, a man with a gentle voice and seemingly an innate kindness. Little mouse, little Kofi. This chapter was everything that is appealing, entertaining, enjoyable, enthralling and enriching in your writing @James Carnarvon. This chapter was worthy of not just 3 or 4 Kate Bush comparisons, but 5 Kate Bush comparisons (but I still don't like bloody Sami).

@Robert Hugill your physical descriptions of your characters always bring a smile to my face, primarily because they are invariably so politely euphemistic. In this chapter, I found myself giggling madly at the description of Caroline, whose hairdo at least resembles that of my stepmother "Caroline by contrast was small and dark, almost bird-like with her dark hair in a sort of pudding-basin haircut which seemed more to indicate practicality than glamour." You are so kind. Nate's physique was also described with great kindness "Nate was tall, slim to almost gaunt, with what looked like a habitual stoop as if he spent his life bending to avoid low beams (perhaps he did). He had reddish-brown hair, which was more than thinning on top, what was left was rather wayward, and, perhaps inevitably, he wore a pair of glasses." I also found the images of the "catmosphere" hilarious and very familiar. I who live with 3 cats, which has dwindled from 6 since mid 2021, was surprised the cats don't appear to have the run of the entire house. I live in an apartment and only 1 room has a door which can be closed to prevent the cats from entering, and of course it is the bathroom/laundry where their litter trays are stationed. Before having cats I was obsessive and spent a huge amount of time cleaning. Now not so much. Even if I vacuumed every day there would still be fur on the floors, the bed, the kitchen bench tops, any flat surface in fact. And I would not have it any other way. Of your stories published on GA to date, I think Keith and Thomas are the "slowest" to reveal themselves and to "cement" their relationship, which given their past experiences in life is apropos. With the passing of each chapter I find myself becoming more intrigued by each, wanting to know more of their past, and investing hope for their future together. I find both immensely likeable and your writing of them very sympathetic. Once again well done with character development, one of your greatest skills.

This story was the introduction for readers to the talents of @Robert Hugill, and what prodigious talents he possesses. The "cast" is not large and most of them, apart from Russ Khan, are ordinary people living ordinary lives. If that sounds boring, well nothing could be further from the truth. Robert's characters for the most part are likeable and without artifice. The relationships they establish, and in some cases disestablish, are believable and very well written. As noted by Robert in his précis of the story, there is some idiomatic language to be found when reading this story, which I invariably found amusing, charming and quintessentially English, and which adds further lustre to a very impressive literary "debut" (at least on this site). Highly recommended if you like stories which are well written, character driven, and laced with healthy doses of humour and repartee. A true 5 star experience.

Ashley aka FC (Fleshlight Chimney) aka CC (Cancerous C..t) is I imagine a CC (cash cow) for now at least. If Calvin is working for minimum wage in a fast food establishment then who paid for the fancy car and the lunches at the all? FC of course. She sounds desperate enough to believe the bullshit Calvin is feeding her @weinerdog. Methinks she is likely clueless. Mmmmmm, why has Calvin Sr suddenly appeared in the story. I wonder if he is a man of some wealth, or Calvin Jr believes he is a man of some wealth whom he knows to be dying from liver cancer, lung cancer or something akin, and Calvin Jr believes he is in line to inherit the lot. Perhaps Calvin Sr has reached out to Calvin Jr and wants to play "happy families ", including his grandchildren, before he kicks the bucket. Perhaps he has hinted that Calvin Jr's inheritance is dependant on the reunification of the family. But, I like your speculation better @weinerdog. He testifies in court that his son is an unfit person to be a parent to anyone and it has a decisive impact on Crustypants decision. Another enlightening and entertaining chapter @John Henry. FC smoking in the car should have meant an immediate cancellation of visitation with Bryan and Caleb regardless of Caleb's asthma. What a wonderful parent Calvin is exposing his asthmatic son to second hand smoke and then lung-damaging cold air so that the car can be rid of the toxic smoke from his cock-sock.

Perfectly said.

I will no doubt present as heartless, but I am glad there was Bonnie without Clyde, Thelma without Louise. Elisabetta had one redeeming quality in that she protected Giorgio from the worst of their father's beatings, but in the end her selfishness will haunt him for a long time to come. Her words to him left him her executioner, hopefully he will come to realise she was not his responsibility and it was her decision to die. She was as some have written "doomed" from the start, but she still had choices and made the choice to end her life. Her Uncle Maurizio showed her kindness and she threw it in his face. I feel sad for those she has left behind who for one reason or another still saw something of good in her, but for Elisabetta herself I feel no sadness. I have to agree with you @James Carnarvon regarding Marco, but I will go even further and state if Marco had not gone to fetch Luca it very well may have been Bonnie and Clyde and Thelma and Louise. Cosmo will no doubt suffer greatly from Elisabetta's death, but ultimately it may be a blessing for him. He will now have a chance to make something of his life, without the constant negativity of Elisabetta to bring him down. As others have stated this was an exceptionally well written chapter James. Full of suspense; one was not quite sure until the very end that it would not end well for Elisabetta, or perhaps it did.

@mikedup is so right in the comments he made on this and the prior chapter. Carl is as dumb as a post. He assaults Peter in clear sight of the whole team, not all of whom are intimated by him. The size of his brain is in direct contrast to the size of his ego and his mouth. It is no excuse, but I have to wonder if he is parroting the beliefs and behaviours of his family, particularly his father. What's the bet daddy is a raging homophobe who spends his time drinkin' 'n' huntin' with other similarly-minded neanderthals. "Perfect" specimens for retrospective abortions. Coach seems to be a fair-minded man and I doubt he will have Carl on the team, particularly as his ability is apparently not as he, Carl, believes it to be. He may find himself sidelined by Coach and the rest of the team, which will likely fuel his hatred of Peter even more. It is good Peter has found a kindred spirit in Mitchell. I just hope Mitchell does not become the target of Carl and his goons now too. And I have to wonder if perhaps Uncle George is not at least 100% straight. I hope more is revealed of his life as the story progresses @Al Norris. I also hope we have not seen the last of Mary. I want to know what has become of her now her slave has departed the family home. I am hopeful life has turned very sour for her. Long may she suffer and regret. Terrific story-telling @Al Norris. Although the plot thus far is not a unique one, you have certainly added enough of your own style to make the reading entertaining, enjoyable and at times enraging (Mary and Carl take the prize for the most heinous characters thus far).

"Hugillverse". Very clever @Carybr.

Francis' parties appear to be somewhat similar to Russ', with perhaps a little more leather and sweat thrown in. Security guards moonlighting as strippers; I seem to recall Russ' security guards being sparingly dressed too. Nothing salacious there Vaughan, move along. Vaughan has a healthy scepticism of the obscenely wealthy, a scepticism I share. I am of the opinion that such wealth if not acquired illegally (at least in part), has at least been acquired by shabby treatment of those whom have been used to acquire such wealth. I like the manner in which Dan is inserting himself into Vaughan's life. It seems quite natural. His gardening attire and shoes, the makings of a garden, a healthier diet for Vaughan with more home cooked meals. Once again your talent for taking the ordinary and making them anything but is shining through @Robert Hugill. I am very impressed by Dan (although I wish he would refer to himself as Dante). Less so by Vaughan to date, although I am impressed by his wit and intellect. Alas, only one musical reference in this chapter for me. English Summer by Eurythmics played in my mind when discussion turned to the garden, likely only because it is taken from their first album In The Garden.

I have to agree with you and @drpaladin, @drsawzall. Nobody owes Elisabetta anything, expect perhaps Pietro, and he is too much of a gentleman to retaliate to the beating she delivered to him without provocation. We learn in this chapter her father beat her and she sometimes protected Giorgio from a similar fate. Horrible and uncalled for yes, a reason which excuses her vicious assault on Pietro, no. I would like to be able to feel sympathy for her, but she is so thoroughly unlikeable and intent on bringing others down with her, that I don't. I don't know what, if anything can be done to help her, but right now I just don't care. Uncle Maurizio impressed, and although I recalled his name I could not recall under what circumstances he had previously featured. I assumed it had been in either of the chronicles devoted to Toto or more likely Michele given his link to Ravello appears to be Chiara. I am not surprised @drsawzall recalls the "event", he appears to have the memory of an elephant. It must be all that cold New England air that keeps your brain in good working order @drsawzall. The awkward attraction between Marco and Giorgio was well written @James Carnarvon. Their connection is their low self-esteem and former unhappy and unpleasant family lives. It seems they both had mothers who cowered to their overbearing bully fathers. Is this sufficient for their attraction to grow? Perhaps, perhaps not. In the interim, each is a tonic for the other's low self-esteem. I just hope their feelings do not run too deep if ultimately friendship is their sole reward. Angelo descended into an unusual funk owing to Pietro's assault. His normally happy disposition only restored after a conversation with Pietro reassured him he was going to be fine. Once again, as observed by Marco, he became The Man With The Child In His Eyes. As is always the case with any addition to the Ravello chronicles, I am enjoying this story immensely @James Carnarvon. As is always the case with such carnarvonesque delights, I feel the Blues A Brewin' as we near the end of this latest journey.

What started as a delightfully light and humorous chapter ended with Keith's first recollection of the violence of his childhood and teen years. His father, Keith Snr, seemingly hellbent on beating anything out of Keith which may or may not have tempted him and in which he may or may not have participated. The recollection of his father beating him if he even had a wet dream reminded me for some reason of Margaret White, Carrie's deranged mother in Carrie. Keith's "variation of the truth" amused Thomas, and it caused no harm or disadvantage to his client. He "lied" with such efficiency one would think he was well practiced. A somewhat dark chapter for you @Robert Hugill. Well written and very believable, contributing significantly to the reader's understanding of Keith's fear of gay sexual activity and his reluctance to accept he is gay. Grief does have a profound effect on many people, but Keith's father's method of coping with his grief was completely without cause. He was a heinous man and the day he died must have been a blessed relief for Keith.

An educational opportunity has presented itself already @Al Norris. I don't recall ever encountering the word "tetched" before.

So Mary, Peter's mother, was going to leave his father and blames herself for his death. As is so often the case, piety and hypocrisy are such comfortable bedfellows. Peter is well rid of her; and, it seems her "enlightened" attitudes had already managed to poison his brothers' and sisters' minds so he would not likely have had their support either. Thankfully he has relocated to the relative harmony, at least at home, of his uncle and paternal grandparents. And they showed their kindness and understanding immediately upon his arrival, acknowledging him with a birthday and Christmas party, something his spiteful mother had denied him for no good reason. As noted by @Cane23 it is amazing how self-confident Peter is. It appears he is going to need every ounce of it in his new school, surrounded by neanderthals and their spineless snivelling cohorts who have already assumed Peter is gay because of his attendance at the Diversity Club. The spawn of flat-earthers who want to burn books which even suggest that those who are not white and heterosexual are not inherently evil and broken; and, that a wizard in the sky sends earthquakes and solar eclipses to warn American's to repent (I saw a report on this last evening and thought it was a joke until I realised the far right lunatic MTG had made this pronouncement). Absolutely tremendous writing @Al Norris. My passions have been enflamed. I am seething and laughing at the same time. The stupidity of our species is portrayed so eloquently and believably by you in your writing. The only thing missing so far is the bestial experiences of the school neanderthals, something which I am sure will not be dealt with but I can well believe such persons participating in. Marjorie and Lauren eat your heart out.

Mommie dearest either the lost the plot completely when her husband passed away or he managed to keep her "true" nature hidden from the children until he passed away. It is hard to imagine someone could change so much, so I suspect her "true" nature exploded to the surface when her husband passed away. The fact that her own parents as well as her husband's parents were seemingly banished from her life and the life of her children is further indication she was not a pleasant person. Spiteful, hateful, nasty bitch I would say, and they are her better characteristics. And what type of mother subjects her son to viewing his hideously disfigured father in an open casket? Who will be her slave now that Peter has been gone. Clearly mommie dearest was looking in the mirror when she shouted "Good riddance to bad trash". A very well written and believable chapter @Al Norris. It is hard to believe she is based on a real life person and that person was your mother.

The boys should be protected at school for now by their beards Olivia (super fruit fly) and Abi. Who knows, perhaps they are a couple as well. It would not surprise me to learn that Mike's mother shared with Maggie why they suddenly left town. Maggie has not given any indication she is homophobic. As for Michael, one cannot know as the man has said little to date and mostly been distant from everyone. The build up to "the kiss" was suitably and believably awkward for both Mike and Liam. Liam may be a jock, but it does not appear he is threatened by his same-sex attraction, particularly given he initiated "the kiss". Males who insist they are not gay but like having sex with men would I imagine find kissing just a little "too gay". A delightful and very sweet chapter @Arch Hunter. It appears to have seriously "stimulated" several of my fellow readers. Perhaps you should have a "heat" warning for any similar chapters in the future. 🔥🔥🔥🔥

@Robert Hugill I do like me some Ian Dury (especially Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick) and a couple of Madness tracks. Both Ian and Madness had a few hits here in Australia. Old Hollywood musicals I like too, especially anything featuring Doris Day, Ethel Merman and/or Marilyn Monroe. The only one I can recall I don't much care for is South Pacific. Hot Chocolate sprang to mind solely because of the Brixton connection. They were originally formed in Brixton in 1968, a piece of trivia I have always remembered. I particularly loved Every 1's A Winner, the guitar riff from Harvey Hinsley is worthy of Nile Rodgers from Chic, another band I adored from the 1970's (I make no apologies, I loved disco in all its variant forms). I also thought lead singer Errol Brown was quite sexy. Check out his outfit in the video for Heaven Is In The Back Seat Of My Cadillac. Yum.

RMW seems to know a hell of a lot about how all these different "creatures" operate and what to look for to stop them, but is powerless to do so. I have to ask myself how does he know, and are the Turner's privy to all he knows too? He must have had experience with these "creatures" for quite some time to have acquired such knowledge. I strongly doubt he could have gained the knowledge from the internet or text books. Are they escapees from the BBC, alien creatures designed by the creators of Dr Who? Are they targeting him because he is a Tory? I have no idea and cannot even begin to speculate. The pace of this chapter was frantic, chaotic, reminiscent of an apocalyptic movie @lawfulneutralmage. Perhaps RMW and Jamie need assistance from Sigourney Weaver or Famke Janssen or a megawatt blasting of Ray Parker Jr.