Summerabbacat

I did notice this @jagboi. I made the assumption he would have to go through "different channels" to get the same information for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and that to do so would raise too many questions, questions he would not be comfortable answering, even if the answers were a fabrication. If not this, I thought he may consider the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish "beneath" the English and therefore not worth the effort of protecting (even the Tory voters).

That was certainly a satisfying moment for both Steve and Bryan and another reason why this chapter was so not "filler" (we readers love "emotionally charged" interactions between characters). Although I don't think it is crucial to the chapter I have to confess the Billy Joel/Green Day reference was completely lost on me. Billy Joel was hugely popular when I was a teen in the the late 70's and into the mid 80's, but I was never a fan (apart from Piano Man and Just The Way You Are, the latter of which is covered on albums I have on CD by several other artists with soul or jazz interpretations). I am only vaguely familiar with Green Day's work but again not a fan (I really only remember them at all because Billie Joe Armstrong has sometimes somewhat resembled Robert Smith from The Cure, a band whom I like very much).

@John Henry I feel you are your own worst critic. Your statement which appears to border on an apology "Yeah, I know it's yet another filler chapter" is not accepted by this reader, and seemingly not by my fellow readers who have commented overwhelmingly positively on this chapter. This chapter may lack the melodrama of those where Calvin makes an unwanted appearance or those where Billy is representing the family in Court, but for me it made the chapter no less worthy of very favourable comments. As you have indicated yourself it was about character development for the twins, and presenting the contrast between Kenny's life living with his mother to his "new" life as Billy and Trevor's foster son. I consider you have succeeded on both fronts. This is not a criticism, but I thought Kenny was a little "undersold" earlier in the story, so for him to be taking a more prominent role has been most welcome. He is an integral part of the Padilla family because of his evolving relationship with Bryan. He has contributed greatly to Bryan's growth from awkward and sullen teen to a teen far less so. It has been my observation he has also contributed, and not insignificantly so, to Bryan's growing acceptance of and blossoming relationship with Steve. And finally, this chapter was worth its weight in gold for the statement made by Bryan “I know, Dad. The only good thing that man ever did was leaving us with you." Bravo Bryan.

At this point in time the murder or attempted murder of a person without a left leg in Windermere on Saturday is merely conjecture, admittedly conjecture with some basis. If the murder of such a person takes place Jamie must disclose his prior suspicions to someone, to whom I am not sure. It is possible Morris-Walker misunderstood the message he received when he touched the "manifested spiritual entity" aka "naked monster man". It is also possible Morris-Walker is playing Jamie for a fool and the alleged intelligence he gathered from it and all the other information he has fed Jamie regarding "manifested spiritual entities" is just gobbledygook, although I am hard pressed to account for its presence with any rational explanation. I am not 100% convinced Morris-Walker changed his stance on the LGBTQI+ community solely to satisfy Jamie and in doing so protecting himself. My comment in an earlier chapter regarding the fact that he has not yet acquired himself a wife, whilst somewhat facetious at the time, may portend an event yet to occur in which Morris-Walker is found in a less than heterosexual compromising position which will be difficult for him to explain. Imagine the tabloid headlines "TORY POLITICIAN IN NAKED SEX ROMP WITH TEEN RENT BOY ON HAMPSTEAD HEATH", "RANDY RUPERT CAUGHT BONKING UNDERAGE BEAT BOY" or "RANDY RUPERT RESEARCHING UNDERAGE MALE SEX WORKERS". He is a politician, and a conservative one at that, so any statement he makes must be taken with a grain of salt. I am wondering if Jamie's superpowers will be diminished if he is in a "troubled" state of mind? His moral compass is already affecting his sexual performance as evidenced in this chapter and also appears, to some extent at least, be contributing to his uncharacteristic behaviour e.g. the recommencement of drinking and partaking of disco biscuits.

Oscar Wilde bearing a Lady's fan perhaps?

LOL @Gary L. I immediately thought of Agatha Christie's The ABC Murders when Morris-Walker stated “That means we know this Saturday, a person without a left leg will die a painful death …“ He indicated on the map. “So, about here.”I read the name of the village nearest to where his finger pointed. “Windermere.” Unfortunately for Jamie I don't think either he or Morris-Walker have the "little grey cells" to the same magnitude as Poirot. I was surprised Jamie indulged in an E. I had assumed, wrongly it appears, he was opposed to mind-altering substances, particularly now he is aware of his superpowers. I don't think Mike was particularly impressed with Jamie's indulgence. I believe if Jamie persists with uncharacteristic behaviour and attributes such behaviour to the pressures of his new job he may find his relationship with Mike in serious jeopardy. I, like Jamie, was uncertain what the SAS Sergeant said on occasion too.

I will be very surprised, and very pleasantly so, if any legal action is ever taken against Nathan and/or anyone from the church regarding Nathan's rape of an underage girl and/or the misappropriation of church funds if church funds have been used to pay-off the girl and/or her family. Unless @drsawzall is able to intervene on the underage girl's behalf, I suspect there will be no further investigation. Colin and Owain are far better roles models for Joe than Nathan. Joe has fitted into the household with a minimum of fuss and been voluntarily helpful. Mhairi has clearly underestimated him. Joe also appears to enjoy the company of Colin and Owain, something which I imagine would rankle Nathan no end. I do hope Joe manages to insert into a conversation with Nathan the enjoyable times he has spent with Colin and Owain (accidentally of course - LOL). Conniving Connie is clearly clueless. The invitation to visit she and Annalisa in Miles and Annalisa's family home is not hers to extend in the first instance. The invitation also demonstrates a complete lack of empathy for Colin and Owain as she has been made well aware by both of Miles' hostility towards Owain and she has observed Miles' treatment of Colin. I had held hope for an improvement in her treatment of Colin when she visited him and Owain in Owain's home, but it seems my hope was misplaced. She is so self-absorbed that she is totally unaware and/or uncaring for the feelings of others. Colin really should have pushed her head first into the big hole he dug in her garden earlier in the story and filled it in with soil. Gotta agree with @Gary L again @Robert Hugill. This great story goes from strength to reflective strength. “I’m lovin’ it!” 🤗

The mere mention of Margaret Hilda would be enough to send some into a frenzied attack, but I don't think we can attribute the appearance of the "naked monster man" to the mention of her name by the "Minister" prior to the political dinner. “All this is to distract me from the fact that a maniac tries to perform a ritual.” Morris-Walker appears to be speaking in riddles, but maybe not. There are many rituals performed in England, rituals of royalty, rituals of parliament, religious rituals to name but a few, and I envisage there are plenty of maniacs to be found amongst those performing these rituals. Unlike the prior occasion when Jamie fought the "naked monster man", on this occasion there are witnesses to its existence other than just Jamie and Morris-Walker, which must give Jamie some comfort that he is not hallucinating. "Naked monster man" certainly appears intent on killing Morris-Walker, therefore, I believe it must have something to do with his family rather than just his political stance. If it were just the latter then the number of targets for political assassination would not be confined to Morris-Walker alone. Intriguing story indeed @lawfulneutralmage. I don't normally read stories with a paranormal aspect to them as it is something which does not generally appeal to me. I must confess I did not notice this in this story's "genre" otherwise I would likely have passed it by; I am glad I did not notice it as I am enjoying the story immensely. Morris-Walker is still thoroughly unlikeable and is testing my patience sorely, however, his requirement for protection is proving to be something at which Jamie is very good. Unlike several of my fellow readers I am not overly alarmed at the actions Jamie has taken to alter the events of the evening as no one would have believed him anyway, unless the "naked monster man" would have "appeared" on the CCTV footage at the inn, which is very unlikely given his prior encounter with it.

For now masturbations, ejaculations and mastications should suffice @drsawzall.

Thomas shook his head, "Not really. A couple of occasions when it was sort of like a group hug, but nothing more. Has always felt a bit complicated, the logistics of who puts what where, like Rubik’s cube sex." Thomas exhibited a wry sense of humour, which appealed to Keith greatly (and to me too). The pace at which Keith and Thomas are acquainting themselves with each others bodies may seem slow to some, but it seems to be working well for the two of them. They are exploring their sexuality together, opening themselves literally and figuratively to new sexperiences. They are both a lot more like the awkward Colin than the experienced Owain from No Going Back, although neither appears to have Colin's initial body dysmorphia issues. The parallels between your stories are striking @Robert Hugill, but in no way does it diminish any one of them.

Thank you, thank you, thank you @weinerdog. I thought I was going to be the only one again who did not agree with the majority. I don't care if it was an accident the 12 year old boy knocked all the food out of Mike's hand. Perhaps Liam should not have pushed him, but he did not punch him. If Liam overreacted then so did Roid Rage Ron aka 12 year old's arsehole father who pushed Liam away and threatened to kick his arse. If it was not OK for Liam as a 15 year old to push a 12 year old away, the question must be asked how is not OK for an adult who towered over him to push 15 year old Liam away and threaten him. A double standard it would appear to me. And did Roid Rage Ron offer to pay for the food his son had deprived Mike, Liam, Olivia and Abi of, let alone offer to clean up the mess. A resounding NO he did not. Maggie has scars on her arms, likely from self-harming. It is possible she has been in abusive relationship, but it is also possible she has self-harmed because her husband seems to pay little attention to her and/or she has difficulty coping with her boisterous twins, although the former is more likely to cause her to self-harm I should think. I recall many years ago seeing a British TV program starring Meera Syal and Sanjeev Bhaskar (from The Kumars at No. 42) playing a married couple whose marriage was floundering and she cut herself because it was the only time she ever felt something. Maggie's comment that "I'll never be able to make it up to your mom, no matter how long I keep you around" has stimulated the speculative juices of quite a few of my fellow readers. The obvious conclusion (maybe) to draw from this comment is that Mike's mother did something to rescue Maggie from a perilous situation, but what if Maggie did something which resulted in harm or unhappiness to Mike's mother. Perhaps Maggie introduced Mike's mother to his father and strongly encouraged her to marry him, or perhaps Maggie and Mike's mother were lovers and Maggie left her when she "decided" she did not want to live the life of a lesbian, she wanted to conform and have a husband and children. This chapter confirmed Olivia is NOT Liam's girlfriend, but could she be Abi's? It also confirmed Liam is at least curious about same-sex experiences and is comfortable with his inner Andre Leon Talley. It also appears Mike's mother's illness is not something from which she will recover this time. Cancer is the obvious reason, and if so, let us hope she suffers no more. A mixed chapter @Arch Hunter. The "fashion scene" in the girl's clothing store was very funny, a little cliched perhaps (and this is not a criticism), but very amusing, hence my reference to Andre Leon Talley. The impending demise of Mike's mother as many of us have speculated is like a dark cloud waiting to make an unwelcome appearance.

I was not an only child, but I would have had even less tolerance with the twins than what Mike did. Unlike some of my fellow readers, I think they got off lightly by Mike only referring to one of them as an idiot. I don't think he overreacted, he is a "guest" in his host family's home and probably felt under even more pressure to ensure the twins did not destroy anything "under his watch". They have obviously been allowed to get away with things such as throwing their football inside the house, a definite no-no for me. The "towel-affixing" lesson certainly appeared to be Liam teasing Mike. I believe Liam is aware Mike is attracted to him just as I believe Liam is attracted to Mike. @drsawzall's speculation that Liam's blind date may be another boy gave me a good chuckle. It will not surprise me if this is the case as I believe Olivia may be attune to gay boys, she is Liam's friend after all. Another interesting chapter @Arch Hunter. No doubt grumpy me will have flabbergasted and/or offended some of my fellow readers with my attitude towards the twins, their behaviour and Mike's reaction to it,

Although painful to Mike that his sperm donor left before he was even born, I imagine his apparent permanent departure has been less traumatic and disruptive to Mike's life than Calvin's lengthy disappearances and intermittent brief reappearances have been to the lives of Bryan and Caleb @John Henry. Although both appear to be deadbeat dads, I think Calvin is hands-down the "winner" of the title "Loser Father". Perhaps we can name Mike's father Alvin, an abbreviated version of Calvin. I agree with all my learned fellow readers who have concluded Olivia is NOT Liam's girlfriend. Given her comments to Mike methinks Liam has expressed an attraction to him to Olivia and she was somewhat surprised by his appearance and/or personality when she met him for the first time. Might she be Liam's "beard"? Liam's father seems as interested in his children as he is in his wife. He appears to have disengaged from them all, something the rather observant Mike has noticed. I daresay this is something that at least Maggie is also aware of, but the "habit" of coupledom, especially marriage, can be a hard one to break. The good doctor @drsawzall foreshadowed the purchase of Superglue by Mike in an attempt to fix what he presumes is Liam's sex toy (I assume it is something like a Fleshlight). Dare I be so pretentious and "arty" to suggest the Superglue is symbolic, an adhesive to not only repair the sex toy but the fractured relationships between the members of Mike's host family. Another very interesting chapter @Arch Hunter.

Why is Mike’s mother in the hospital 200 miles away? Is her health issue physical or mental? Is her illness curable or is she just biding time? The conversation between Mike and his mother does not appear to augur well for her future, with Mike pondering that they were both lying to each other about everything being fine. "They still don't want to tell me. Not longer than a few weeks, I hope. I really feel much better already." Her voice is like a whisper and I want to cry. "That's... that's great news, Mom. You should rest now. I'll call you tomorrow." I hang up and sigh. I put my hands into my pockets to warm them up. I try to remember the last time life was good. Maybe when I was very little, just starting school”. I cannot help but think that the latter comment is not just a reflection of what has happened to Mike directly by way of bullying, but what has happened to his mother which has impacted his own mental health. And what is the connection between Mike's mother and this family. It does not appear to be filial. I assume the connection is between his mother and Maggie as his mother asked him to say hello to Maggie rather than Liam's father. Furthermore, I cannot imagine Maggie accepting to provide a home, even if only temporary, for the son of a woman who was a former girlfriend or friend of her husband. As a female work colleague of mine is fond of saying “there is only sisterhood between women when there is no man involved; when a man is involved the competition is fierce and women will stop at nothing to get what they want”. I disliked Liam intensely at the beginning of the chapter, but by chapter’s end I was warming to him a little. He appears as angst-ridden as Mike, and who isn’t when they are 15 years old, but he hides it better, so he thinks, behind sneering and contempt. I suspect Olivia is just a friend of Liam's, perhaps his confidant in whom he has confided his own sexual identity issues (I think he is at least curious), or perhaps she is someone he is trying to convince himself he feels a sexual attraction for. Maggie and her husband appear lost in their own world of pretension and disconnect. Each tried to hold the other responsible for “getting through” to Liam, not exactly a vote of confidence of their interest in their son’s life. Intriguing, authentically written and somewhat disturbing @Arch Hunter, with all the hallmarks of another enjoyable read from you.

I echo the comments of my fellow readers of this outstanding story as told by an exceptionally talented and generous writer @Libby Drew. Similarly to @Rkench, this is my favourite story of all the wonderful stories we readers have been gifted from her. Predictably (for me), the greatest intrigue and most satisfying plot line in this story is the relationship between Micco and his non-human friends, the wolves and the panthers. The relationship does have a "supernatural" element to it (perhaps), but I for one was prepared to accept that this "supernatural" element may in fact be possible. A gift for Micco like no other gift he could ever receive; a gift which made him a better person. Thank you @Libby Drew for writing this remarkable story. I found it very comforting to read at a time of great sadness in my life.

Excellent thoughts indeed @Cane23.

I assumed they would sell Chris' townhouse, but now I have given it more thought after your comments @Paladin, I have realised to live above Chris' workplace would not be much of a change from their current environment, which they are keen to change to separate the work place and home. My comments regarding their marriage are a reflection of the "encouragement" to do so they received from Chris' parents and both sets of grandparents, and the speed with which they have set about purchasing their first property together once their mind was made up to do so. These boys don't dilly dally when their mind is made up, so marriage could be the next milestone on their horizon.

Chris and Andre are certainly far braver (or more foolhardy) than I am. I would not contemplate buying one property, let alone two, with someone unless I had known and lived with them for a long time. Perhaps this is why I am terminally single. I would not recommend renting out the apartment next door, if they manage to buy it too, to Beau and Skye, unless the walls are very, very thick. Living next door to a baby is not a good idea unless you are prepared for disrupted sleep and parents who expect you to make no noise while the baby is trying to sleep, but don't care if the baby screams at 4.00am and keeps you and all the surrounding neighbours awake. I have not near neighbours in my apartment complex whom are universally disliked, even by my next door neighbours who also have a baby, a dog and a cat and are the most laid back couple I have ever known (and I adore the dog and like the cat). And what is with young Noah? Are Chris and Andre merely trying to help him out as the "new kid on the block" or have they recognised a kindred spirit, and if so, do they have another kindred spirit in mind to introduce him to. @Paladin the boys are certainly not wasting any time in moving forward with their recently made plans. Before we know it they will have booked the venue, hired the caterers, orders the flowers, had their fitting, sent the invitations and be drafting their vows.

Or better still @weinerdog, Phil leaves his house to Colin along with the bulk of his estate, leaving Roger an open multi-pack of toilet rolls. Phil's father is certainly an "enlightened" one isn't he. I can only but shudder to think what his reaction will be if he ever discovers his son is bisexual. Phil's mother appears to hold very different views on race at least. Phil's attitude to race was best summed up as "The way I see it, we are all human beings with different colored skin. There are white dogs and black dogs. They seem to get along. So, what was the big deal anyway?'. The innocence of a child brilliantly portrayed @Ronyx. Colin's first sexual experience was not a good one. Perhaps this has left an indelible mark on his psyche @weinerdog and he may have had little subsequent sexual experience. It may be that Phil will be Colin's "Mr Wilbur". I am enjoying this story immensely @Ronyx. My only gripe, Phil has to stop his mother from calling him "Philly"; that is just wrong.

Perhaps some money changed hands @drsawzall to avoid any legal action or scandal. After all money speaks all languages, it even swears sometimes (although in this case blasphemous language would not pass the lips of the pious). Maybe this is where some of Owain and Mhairi's father's money was spent. Nathan and/or the pastor of the time may also have bullied the underage girls in question to keep their mouths shut on this occasion. No doubt it was their fault anyway, poor weak Nathan was cajoled by those teenage temptresses with their push-up bras, liberally applied perfume, alluring make up, short skirts, midriff tops and swivelling hips. What more could the "poor man" do but fall prey to the charms of these little hussies. He may have even been attempting to "rid" them of their "slutty" behaviour by demonstrating what such behaviour attracts (for their own "good" of course).

If piety is a virtue then vice or kink is its only reward. We already know that Nathan likes underage girls, so I wonder what the new pastor's vice or kink is? Cocaine-fuelled orgies with underage rent boys? Fisting? Double penetration? What a significant change in Colin's confidence since the short weekend away in Oslo and then the trip to Italy. The fuller-figured fraidy-cat formerly known as Colin has been replaced by the fuller-figured laissez-faire lad known as Colin. He barely raised an eyebrow over Owain's admiration of the photograph of him about to enjoy an ice-cream. The former Colin would have been revolted by such a photograph and begged Owain not to take a print of it, worrying that he was "too big" to be a source of admiration and sex appeal. I'm on the side of Team @CincyKris. I don't think it is worth the grief generated by an interaction with Nathan for Joe to find out more about the relationship between his grandfather and great-grandfather. Both sound equally unpleasant so let Sandra continue her research which may or may not reveal the state of the relationship between the two. More good work @Robert Hugill.

Morris-Walker improved marginally in this chapter. At least he had the good sense to acknowledge and accept Jamie's apparently unorthodox behaviour e.g. travelling off the motorway was for his protection. I am intrigued as to what it is about him that is attracting the attention of these "manifested spiritual entities". It is certainly not his sparkling wit or conversation, charm or amiability. Is it some connection to his mansion given the attacks have mainly occurred on the way between London and and his home in Devon? Has Joss Stone perhaps conjured up some "manifested spiritual entities" to voice her displeasure at the antics of his party? I have to wonder why he has not acquired himself a wife for political purposes, particularly given the homophobic beliefs of the party he is aligned to. Inspector Boswell and his staff are perhaps understandably annoyed Jamie has seemingly had an easy transition into the elite Protection Command, but if they bothered to check they may have found out the reason why. I can only hope that one of the "manifested spiritual entities" attempts to attack one of them and is disarmed/curtailed by Jamie. Lorna, what a fabulously old-fashioned name @lawfulneutralmage. I put it in the same "class" as Ivy, Peggy, Hazel, Doris and Shirley. I recall my grandmother who passed away at the age of 96 in 2012 had a friend and neighbour named Lorna. Not a name one tends to hear anymore. I had images of Gosford Park or Downton Abbey @Anton_Cloche, but Upstairs Downstairs would likely do just as well. I have never seen it as I was a pre-teen when it was shown on TV in the early to mid 70's. I am not sure if it was shown on TV in the small rural Australian town I grew up in either as we only had two TV stations to choose from then.

I had forgotten Kenny was placed into special education @John Henry. I do not wish to appear unsympathetic or insincere and perhaps am being somewhat ignorant, but is it possible he was placed into special education because his state of poverty has made him withdrawn and those in the "education system" have mistaken this for him requiring special education? Dare I say that his state of poverty has made him someone who has been deemed not worthwhile bothering with, something which Kenny has acutely felt.

No amount of money would make me agreeable to work for a twat like Rupert Morris-Walker, particularly if it involved training with the likes of the three public order trainers. What condescending arseholes, rude and totally unfriendly. Like @kbois I have wondered what might happen if someone or something threatens Mike's safety. Would this automatically activate Jamie's super powers, and if so, does he have any control over them switching on. Given his profession it does strike me as somewhat implausible that he has not been aware of them before, or did it take an encounter with Rupert Morris-Walker's supernatural nemesis to unleash these powers for the first time. Is Jamie's relationship with Mike a healthy one. Nutritionally there can be no question the answer is yes, but is Jamie's dependence on Mike for emotional sustenance healthy? Methinks at the moment the answer to the latter is yes as it will take Jamie some time to adjust to his new found superpowers, knowledge of which I think Mike could be trusted to withhold from others. Well crafted chapter @lawfulneutralmage. I was momentarily puzzled by Jamie commenting he was assessed on his Roadcraft skills. I assumed it must have been some type of video game, perhaps because I have been reading another story on GA in which the teenage characters play Minecraft. I myself have never played a video game in my life and in no way feel I have "missed out" because of this.

“It's just too much at once, I think. It feels like I'm being erased and replaced by someone else, like I'm not good enough as I am.” Simply said, but powerfully emotive. I burst into tears when I read this. I like @weinerdog would never have thought of this perspective; Kenny has been denied so much in his life that many of us take for granted. I was furious with Billy for his insensitivity, but in a matter of moments he redeemed himself. His contrition was real and heartfelt. And Bryan's compassion and understanding of the situation shone through. He may only be 14 years of age and occasionally does stupid things one would expect, but then he has moments like “I honestly don't think he's trying to do that. He's probably just trying to make you feel better. Donna used to try that when we'd visit her during her rare moments of sobriety." Superbly written chapter @John Henry. Kenny's and Billy's insecurities authentically captured, without being overly maudlin. Very well done.