Summerabbacat

@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.

I have no sympathy for Elisabetta. I think everything she says should be taken with a grain of salt. Did her father really abuse her, perhaps he did, perhaps he did not. Even if she has been abused by her father, it does not excuse her vicious assault on Pietro, he had done her no harm. She appears hellbent on proving herself to be "cool", a "rebel", when instead she is merely a petty thug, a bully and someone who is not to be trusted. If confronted over Pietro's assault it would not surprise me if she blamed Cosmo for putting her up to it. She and the equally insincere Vincenzo would be a suitable match for each other. Cosmo is facing a moral dilemma now Elisabetta has confirmed it was she who attacked Pietro. He stupidly, I believe, considers she has a loyalty to him, feelings of sympathy for his plight. Don't fool yourself again Cosmo, Elisabetta's only loyalty is to herself. He also has recognised his attempt at seducing Giorgio was predatory, although I am not convinced he would have gone through with it unless Giorgio was very ready, willing and able. I believe with encouragement from Luca, perhaps Emilia and definitely Marco if he shows any kindness towards Cosmo again, will be sufficient to motivate him to try to improve his lot in life and accept that not all the residents of Ravello are boring and shallow, some of them do really care about him. And, the best thing he could do for himself is to tell Elisabetta to fuck off. Another well written, believable and quite intense chapter @James Carnarvon. Kate made her presence heard on many an occasion, Breathing when Cosmo was being questioned by Valentina, All We Ever Look For when he was having what promised to be a heart-to-heart chat with Luca, and most loudly with Get Out Of My House when Elisabetta visited him. If only he had it in him to wail like a banshee and screech like a eeyoring donkey like Kate does in that song then 'Black Betta' might leave him alone.

Given your professed love of classical music @Robert Hugill I did not expect Hot Chocolate would appeal. I must confess we are polar opposites as far as our musical tastes are concerned. I like many genres of music, with the exception of classical, heavy metal and most rap.

You have gifted we readers an eclectic assortment of characters in your three prior stories @Robert Hugill and I am pleased to witness two more who promise to entertain and enrich our lives yet again. Dante (Dan) and Vaughan on face value appear to be very different; one is a former policeman turned security personnel, the other an art critic. One would not expect them to have much in common, and yet during one weekend each found much to like and admire about the other, and not just of a carnal nature. As is your wont @Robert Hugill, one chapter in and I am already hooked. Two more intriguing and very charming leading characters, for whom the sexual flames were fanned very quickly. I particularly enjoyed the fact that Dan, the hairless Italian stallion (woof), has an apparent passion for gardening and cooking, and is not a prodigiously endowed power-top (another delightful flip of a stereotype). As has often been the case your singular, and at times humorous, phrasing was a joy to devour e.g. "An attractive man in his early 30s, cropped blond hair, tall, well put together, detached himself from the group around Judith and came over towards me with remarkable efficiency" and "The point of all three articles was the same, what is the point of protest art if those you are protesting against are not allowed to see it. Without people who don’t agree with you seeing the work, it all becomes masturbatory fantasy." And for a favourite reminiscence, the mention of Vaughan's home being located in Brixton, brought readily to mind a much loved UK band from the 1970's to the mid 1980's, Hot Chocolate, led by the charismatic Errol Brown. Given the lustiness of Dan and Vaughan's reacquaintance songs such as You Sexy Thing, Put Your Love In Me, Heaven Is In The Back Seat Of My Cadillac, It Started With A Kiss and my favourite Every 1's A Winner seemed apropos. Dare I say Every 1's A Winner who has the pleasure of reading another Hugillistic tale.

If you think my comments were murderous in the last chapter @John Henry then "you ain't seen nothing yet". My first thoughts when Steve, Diego, Bryan and Caleb were confronted by the "skank-led brigade" was the protestors were akin to the Westboro Baptist Church. I have read that at a number of their protests at the funerals of gay or gay-friendly departed, large gatherings of bikies counter-protested their presence. Some of these gangs of bikies did not take kindly to the likes of the Thomas and Burch bitches @John Henry. Do I foresee safety problems for these two c..ts and their spawn? I certainly hope so. Perhaps these two skanks or the eternally stupid Dan could attempt to plant a bomb at the Court and it blows up in their faces, not enough to kill them, just enough to hideously disfigure both of the skanks for which treatment is nigh impossible. Whatever takes place, they both need to have their smug mugs altered permanently (imagine the botox and fillers that will be released as they burn or implode). Billy was a star. Either Charlie or Billy did a thorough investigation of Calvin's first witness at least. I hope they have investigated the other witnesses just as thoroughly, and as recommended in my comments on the prior chapter, investigated Judge Crustypants too. I am certain they will dig up some dirt on him e.g. sex with underage rent boys or sexual harassment of female and/or male or work colleagues. I smell blood and I want revenge. The Thomas and Burch bitches have to pay with their health and their wealth. Reduce them to living in abject poverty and being rejected for all assistance because they stink and are hideously disfigured.

In chapter 3 comments I speculated his obnoxiousness may be a cover for a pene piccolo. A Ferrari may be a compensation.

A minor gaffe which none of we readers seemingly noticed @James Carnarvon.

I think Ollie is in foster care with Noah's grandparents @chris191070. David and Bradley went to visit him to deliver the "gaming stuff".

When I referred to her in earlier comments as the "questionable Elisabetta" I was being polite for the sake of @weinerdog. I am sorry, but the gloves are off now she has committed this vicious assault on Pietro. What I have thought of her along, referencing Vincenzo's description of her as an "emo chick", is she is Elisabetta, skanky e-mo ho. If Giorgio learns of what she has done I hope he has the good sense to tell Marco who will no doubt report her to Gianni and/or Angelo. From there hopefully it is into custody for this fucking bitch, then off to jail. I too believe her actions may be what finally forces Cosmo to re-evaluate his life and how he is not helping himself by associating with the skanky e-mo ho. Unlike her, I don't think Cosmo is vicious or criminally intent. The emerging attraction between Marco and Giorgio was beautifully written @James Carnarvon. The awkward moments between the two were comedic, culminating in Angelo's quip to Gianni “Who’d have thought it, Gianni?” he deadpanned. “Fireworks, in June…”. Clearly my memory is not serving me as well as I had believed, with Isabella being the "ferry girl". I recalled Claudia was away at college/university and remembered Isabella, but had no recollection as to her whereabouts. Her response to "meathead's" invitation was delivered with such sweet surprise, a lethal putdown to the egotistical Vincenzo.

I have just read about him. His mother's name is Deborah Divine. He could not possibly have been straight given her fabulous name.