Summerabbacat

Your creative juices have not merely been flowing @Robert Hugill, they have been gushing. Like a literary tsunami, with chapters of either this story or No Going Back released it seems on a daily basis. It is as if you have sniffed story-tellers speed or taken a literary viagra. I am pleased to confirm that your voluminous output has not diminished the quality of your work. Barbara Cartland you are not. What a charming boy Toby is. I was very impressed he took such delight in a "small" pleasure like catching the bus on his own to visit Evie and Drew. And, although the attraction to visiting them is largely due to the "bug life" within their orchard, he clearly is very fond of them too. Brian's chat with Toby regarding his sexual activity with Noah was a lesson for parents on how to discuss sex rationally with a teenager, regardless of the gender(s) of their attraction. Brian, ably supported by his "partner in crime" (or should that be partner in a jockstrap) is much the better parent than Deirdre.

The good doctors (@drpaladinand @drsawzall) and the dog or perhaps in this context, the wolf (@weinerdog) summed up my thoughts on this chapter to a 't'. I had not previously felt anything but admiration or sorrow for Micco, but in this chapter I too wanted to kick his arse. His "scene" at the conclusion of the chapter was like watching a daytime soapie where the lies two characters have told each other keep them apart for weeks, months, an entire season (or even longer). @drpaladin your speculation that it may have been Micco's father who raped his mother and then murdered her and his sister is plausible, and given Burke's comment that he failed to protect her, I believe may well be the case. I suspect Burke was in love with Maria, but she spurned his affections and left with town with Micco's father, and he sulked and went off to lick his wounds. Micco's father may well have been a ne'er do well who failed to support his wife and family, therefore Maria left him and his pride was wounded. I had a great chuckle from a misread of one of your comments @drsawzall. Land of Miasma, stuck in the capital city Wallowing I misread as Land of Miasma, stuck in the capital city of Wyoming, which I knew to be the least populous state of the USA. I thought it was the bastion of Republicanism and religion, but have just read on "the 'net" that it is the least religious state in the USA and was the first state to give women the right to vote and to elect a female governor. It was until the 1970's predominantly a Democrat-supporting state but has become more conservative since the 1980's (much to its detriment - this is my comment). Martina is my number 1 murder suspect again, but I cannot offer any plausible explanation as to why. There is just something about her I don't like or trust. The building barometric tension seems to mirror the building tension in Micco's life @Libby Drew. Is there a connection between the two? I suspect there is, particularly as the former seems to be affecting the animals negatively too, a negativity which Micco feels instinctively. I was not at all surprised when he admitted to himself that his ability to understand his fellow species is inferior to his ability to understand his non-human friends.

Frozen meals and take-away. This will just not do Owain. You have been ill for sometime and is it any wonder. You have to be kinder to your body and eat better. I am surprised @Robert Hugill that Owain is useless in the kitchen. I assumed that having been exiled from the family home at 18 he would have acquired one of life's essential skills at a younger age than many, the ability to cook. His parents were complete idiots viewing cooking and eating for pleasure as sinful. The relationship is progressing well, albeit primarily driven by Owain. The attraction is clearly more than just physical, so it likely has a better chance of success.

OMG @Robert Hugill, now that was just plain cruel; you will have to be sent to the "naughty corner" (LOL). Only 525 words. Just enough words for Colin to argue with himself for being a prat and buy some freesias for Colin, but not enough words to deliver the fucking things and gauge Owain's reaction (LOL). Perhaps you can arrange for Brian and Gordon, resplendent in jockstraps and combat boots only, to pay a visit to Colin during work hours and put Jimmie and the other homophobes in their place with Olympian displays of strength from a couple of "pillow-biting shirt-lifters", before giving Colin a demonstration of guilt-free gay sex (another possible business opportunity @Robert Hugill).

Watkins is hideous; reptilian in appearance and behaviour (although I hate to demean reptiles by comparing this scum to them). A number of my fellow readers have expressed their views that Watkins is lying about the real "entertainment" which will be on offer at the new club. I too don't believe a word he said; I am in total agreement with the previous comment made by @J.El, the entertainer's will be severely harmed, if not killed for the perverse pleasure of those to whom such "entertainment" appeals. Otis continues to charm and delight Hudson. They are polar opposites as far as their life sexual experiences are concerned, yet something draws them together in harmony. If anyone is able to understand the horror Otis has likely experienced at the hands of his mother, it is Hudson.

Who said gay couples cannot make good/great parents. As noted by all my fellow "Hugill aficionados", Brian and Gordon are raising Toby in a far better environment than Val and Marina are raising Noah. I think the good doctor, @drsawzall, has made a very good point in his comment (as inspired by @akascrubber), Toby has the better living situation and Toby and parents, just may be what Noah needs!!! I don't think Val and Marina are necessarily "bad" parents, they are just so wrapped up in themselves and their careers they have seemingly little time to spend with Noah. They are very fortunate that in their absence Noah appears to keep himself entertained/amused without resorting to anti-social behaviour. Perhaps they have instilled in him a sense of propriety, although I think it more likely he is essentially a good person without having had much, if any guidance, from his parents. This story just keeps getting better and better @Robert Hugill.

I was quite angry with some of the cast and very angry with the others @raven1. Firstly, Carol Reinhart's platitudes that Seth will be able to leave home and go to college soon as the solution to his problems. I wanted to scream "how the fuck does this help you silly cow?". Seth is 16 years old and should NOT have to leave home to resolve problems caused primarily by his parents and selfish sister. If Seth can be "blamed" for anything it is that he did not pull his umbilical cord tighter around Stacy's neck. She can have all the counselling Mommie Dearest wants to arrange for her, but the only thing which will improve her is a casket. Jim's treatment of Seth was underwhelming at best. I can understand his wanting Seth to be home by a certain time if it was for his peace of mind (although I doubt Jim gives a rat's arse about Seth really), but the reason he gave pissed me off BIG TIME. Emily is what 7 or 8? If Seth coming home after she has gone to bed wakes her up then Jim as her father should tell her to go back to sleep. If she "puts on a performance" then she needs discipline. Do not let her become another Stacy. I was not disappointed in Aunt Marie @raven1. She acknowledged she and Uncle Steve were living elsewhere when Stacy and Seth were born and when Jim left. She can only disclose what Julie told her. It seems Julie has perhaps withheld information from her just as she has from her children. Although it hurt Seth, I was pleased Aunt Marie confirmed she agreed with his assessment of his father's absence from his life. It is quite apparent now his absence was at least partially due to his own disinterest in Seth and Stacy. Now to Craig and his response to Seth that he was partially to blame for the treatment his mother and sister dished out because he would disappear to his bedroom. I was FUCKING LIVID @raven1 when I read this and when Seth did not challenge Craig and tell him to GO FUCK HIMSELF. I thought he, Craig, was starting to show some maturity and compassion for someone other than himself, but this comment had him falling from 99 back to 1 just as he was about to reach 100 on that ladder. As has been the case in much of this story the snake bit him, and this time it was his own "snake" which apparently still dominates the "big head" on his shoulders. Finally I agree with the good doctor, @drsawzall, again. If it weren't for Ty, Blake, Aunt Marie and Uncle Steve, I would say the best thing to happen to the rest of the cast for Seth's sake, would be a stray asteroid. The rest of the cast are oxygen-thieves with little or no redeeming characteristics. Craig's profession of love for Seth was as shallow as Craig himself. Brilliant chapter @Ronyx. I have to say though that unless a miracle occurs in the next chapter (perhaps the asteroid @drsawzall), life for Seth will not have improved to any great extent. Maggie, Stacy and his mother are are all still cu,,s, his father has made little improvement to his life (although he may feel he can pat himself on the back for having re-connected with his son) and Craig's centre of his life is still Craig.

@CincyKris Owain made the first move as you assumed would have to be the case. He was admirably rewarded by his resolve with Colin bottoming for him with great enthusiasm. I rarely stereotype gay men, but I am always particularly pleased when a man whom the average person would assume would not bottom e.g. a butch tradie, relishes the role. Well done for "flipping the stereotype" @Robert Hugill. Colin's uncertainty will require patience on the part of Owain, but I believe Owain is anything but shallow and if he is attracted to Colin as he appears to be, he will invest in a relationship where he will likely have to give Colin a "little push" from time to time. I believe a strong friendship is likely to develop between the two before a relationship becomes a reality. "Shirt lifter" one of many delightful expressions used to describe gay men. This expression, "pillow biter" and "poofter" were probably the most prominent descriptions in Australia certainly in the pre-internet age, however, faggot seems to have become universal now. Personally I find faggot far more offensive than "poofter", although I am not sure why. Blossoming attraction is always a delight to read of @Robert Hugill. I enjoyed this chapter immensely, moreso because the attraction is taking some time to blossom.

I had thought as you @Cane23, apart from your last statement. If as we both suspect he is a potentially dangerous man, I envisage one who is used to getting what he wants when he wants, he would not hesitate to jeopardise Brian's custody of Toby. Let us hope he is not the manipulative arsehole we suspect beneath that veneer of bonhomie.

Very astute "wishes" @84Mags. One of your wishes is something which occurred to me hours after writing my initial comment and after reading a comment made by @drpaladin again. Micco accepted at face value what Martina told him the Tribal Council had said. How do we know she was telling the truth. I don't trust her. And after reading her comments again, I am incensed she referred to Micco as "Honey" before digging the knife in. Patronising bitch should have been slapped.

This was wishful thinking on my part @John Henry. I was venting more than anything else because I despise people like Thomas Walker. I thought CPS may be able to "heavy" the apartment owner if it is in disrepair or if it is public housing contact the government department responsible and "heavy" them. CPS equivalent in Australia has a similar reputation. I am a government employee myself and would not want their job regardless of how much I was paid (and it would not be much). Such jobs are thankless and no doubt the relevant department is under-resourced and restricted in how and what it is allowed to do and by when.

Now that was plain cruel @Robert Hugill. Just as things were getting a little steamy you left we readers, and by the sounds of it Colin, hanging. Is this the literary equivalent of sexual "edging"? I don't know who is worse, Colin's mother or his annoying brother. I have to say though, why does Colin take his washing to his mother's to do? Why could he not do it at night during the week and let it dry during the day or is the weather in his part of the world so bloody awful that it would never get dry without the aid of a dryer? Speaking of his mother, perhaps she needs to have an accident in the bathroom or kitchen and injure herself so that she would have something legitimate to complain about. If she were incapacitated she may have to live with the annoying Miles, Annalisa and the twins for a while. This might do Miles some good too as he would get to see what a pain in the arse she can be, or perhaps he would leave everything for Annalisa to take care of.

No predictions from you yet @weinerdog? I too think Rory may know something important or may have been going to disclose to Micco that he should not believe everything Martina has told him.

Thomas Walker is like a parasite or virus, spreading infection whenever he comes into contact with his "host". On this occasion the "host" for his dishonesty and deception was the District Attorney, his alleged high school and college friend. Although it is unlikely, I hope the dropping of charges against Amanda Rickman is raised at the preliminary hearing of Calvin's custody petition. I want justice for Diego and justice would involve disbarring of Thomas Walker, public humiliation for him and his cu.. of a wife, the sacking of the District Attorney (if the allegations are true) and the permanent and painful disabling of Calvin. Kenny's mother's life appears to be difficult, but my patience with her is decreasing with each chapter and each excuse. I assume the "state of the apartment" is the cleanliness of same. If she works long hours then perhaps Kenny needs to step up and help more if he is not already doing so. If the "state of the apartment" is its disrepair, then Child Protective Services need to get off their arses and demand repairs be made. Steve's contribution to the family increases with every chapter and should not be underestimated. @John Henry another masterful chapter. I am intrigued by your comment that "only one of those anecdotes about Calvin isn't real, and came from a different person entirely".

What a powerful chapter @Libby Drew. I found myself doubting my long-held strong suspicions Martina was involved in Sam's murder, but despising her for her treatment of Micco. She well may be caught in a "difficult balancing act", but I still loathe her and don't trust her one iota. She is a bully and a bitch. I also strongly doubt her sincerity and alleged concern for Micco. I wonder what Rory was going to disclose to Micco before Martina demanded she ceased speaking to him. I also wonder if Martina has been lying or at least embellishing her story that Rory and Frank have been expressing their concern at Micco's strange behaviour and his alleged fight with Sam. I still believe Micco's best defence against the allegations he murdered Sam are his connection with his brother wolves and the panthers. They know who killed Sam and unlike many of the other humans in this story, they don't have any hidden agenda and will not lie to him. I was surprised and somewhat disappointed though by his actions "I feel the wolves’ questions in the air. Clock how the panthers’ agitation swells to meet my own. Ruthlessly, I cut myself off from them all." All my distrust and hatred for Martina "disappeared" and was replaced with great sorrow when Burke disclosed to Micco how he found Chase on the catwalk two years prior to finding Micco in the same spot. I strongly suspect Chase's reason for being there and in a state of such despair and sorrow was his feelings for Micco. This story continues to entertain, enthral and at times enrage me @Libby Drew. Your story telling has never been better as far as I am concerned.

@weinerdog and @Geemeedee have summed up well what I thought of this chapter. The hope I previously had (as did several others, including @weinerdog and @drsawzall) that Seth's father would ride into the sunset and be his knight in shining armour, does not seem to be an option now. Certainly Jim has a new life with his new wife and daughter for which he cannot be faulted, however, I now believe they are the reason that he took little, or if being totally honest, no interest in his children from his marriage to Mommie Dearest. It is all very well to detest your former spouse (and there does seem to be a great deal of animosity between the two), but to ghost your children (even the hideous Stacy) is not the behaviour of a parent worthy of admiration. I would like to give Jim the benefit of the doubt, but I am inclined to believe his invitation to Seth to stay with him was motivated more by his desire to piss off his ex-wife. Their hatred of each other seems very unhealthy and I have to wonder what really went down between the two. Seth is more lost than ever so it would seem. I think the only adults who genuinely care for him and have any clue how to help him are Aunt Marie and Uncle Steve. His despair in this chapter appears to be heading in the same direction that Blake's previously did. I hope his friendship with Craig, Blake and Ty will be enough to sustain him. Terrific chapter @Ronyx. I still loathe Stacy though. I just cannot find it in myself to have any sympathy for her at all, regardless of the difficulties she has faced.

My favourite chapter so far, as @CincyKris commented, a great "feel good" chapter. I am reading it early Saturday morning and for some reason, I found the support Toby received from Evie and Drew and Brian and Gordon profoundly moving. @CincyKris and @centexhairysub made similar comments regarding the support Toby received from the four, support he would never have received from Deirdre or the odious Jasper. I think the less they are involved in his life the better it will be. And Amalia Vincent, what a delight she appears to be. A wonderful tonic well received thank you @Robert Hugill. I am very surprised, pleasantly so, how much I am enjoying reading of the growth in Toby's life. He is a delightful character and central to the strengthening bond between Brian and Gordon too. The relationships between the three have enriched each of their lives immeasurably, and shall continue to do so I believe.

OMG @drsawzall I believe you are even more suspicious than I am of these pious puritans. The "donations" or "gifts" were used for bacchanalian feasts; an orgy of drug and alcohol-fuelled rambunctious sex between two or more people of any gender; buying extravagant gifts for family members and non-family members who provided much needed "relief" during "difficult" times; real estate and ostentatious houses, cars and clothes. I envisage very little of the funds donation found there way into providing the basic things in life for those who have so little or into any form of community outreach. I believe many of the larger organised religious affiliations are nothing more or less than corporations who con their followers into believing their brand of "God" and conveniently establish themselves to enjoy a tax-exempt status funded by all, including those whom they may despise, who have to pay tax.

The ubiquitous hairy plumber's/builder's crack made its first, but dare I say not its last appearance, in this charming slice of life in north-western England. I have to wonder if Owain fancies a large man in a jockstrap, and if so, does Colin possesses such a sexy piece of clothing. Mhairi and Owain's renewed filial relationship appears to be progressing at a leisurely pace. Given both are currently single, I have to wonder if there will be any setback to their relationship if either one and/or the other settles into a relationship (or even just some good old-fashioned fucking on a regular basis). Hot-desking. Hate it. I do not find it conducive to a happy, healthy or productive workplace. Another fine chapter @Robert Hugill. I had the face of many an English actor pop into my head, even if momentarily, when reading this chapter.

@CincyKris perfectly described the intensity of this chapter for me with "this chapter crackles with electric tension". The approaching hurricane, the mania with which Whisper was digging, the aggressive behaviour of Luna towards whatever or whomever lurked outside the chain fence and Micco's blow to the pit of his stomach all had a sense of foreboding. @drsawzall those damn red herrings have become red piranhas for me, viciously and effectively stripping and shredding my brain of any rational thinking when it comes to this story now. I feel I can only rely upon any predictions @weinerdog may make (which as some of you will know from other stories, are at times "spot on"), the astute observations of @drpaladin or my own wild speculations. The latter is the basis for me thinking: the shelter is a sham, inside the apparently decrepit hurricane shelter is a very sophisticated operation run by Martina, importing a huge amount of cocaine from South America and heroin from the Far East Martina's husband did not die from the effects of COVID; he forcibly snorted a lethal dose of cocaine when murdered by Martina after he uncovered what the "real" purpose of the shelter is Sam was also murdered by Martina when he got a little too "greedy" and wanted more of the share of the profits from the drug cartel she is the head of in the USA Micco's "black outs" have been caused when his drinks or food has been spiked by Martina, Rory or Frank Rory is not the sweet little innocent she appears to be; she is a cold-blooded killer who was responsible for Sam's death Burke is suspicious of Martina but does not have enough to reveal her double identity yet Elvis is still alive and is secretly engaged to Kris Jenner And I just saw 50 pink pigs flying overhead in Sydney, Australia Riveting again @Libby Drew, such that I may have completely lost my mind with trying to "use the little grey cells" and make a considered assessment of what the hell is going on. The good doctors @drpaladin and @drsawzall may be the only hope I have of restoring sanity.

It is the inference that your life is easy as you don't have a spouse and don't have children, therefore you have no responsibilities and are somewhat selfish. I have had this comment thrown at me (not by my family, they know better). My response, no one forced you to get married, no one forced you to breed, these were your choices. Just because you have managed to reproduce does not mean you are superior to those who did not. If anyone is selfish it is you.

Is Colin's mother physically incapacitated in any way or is she morbidly obese? It does not mention she is. She is only 70. This is not old. 70 is the new 50. Unless she is physically incapacitated or morbidly obese, then why can she not walk to the church fete if it is that important to her. My response to her - get off your fat arse and walk you lazy cow. As for Miles - she is your mother too. You live 30 minutes drive from her and you work 9 to 5. Does Annalisa work outside the home or is she a stay at home Mum who looks after the twins? Interesting chapter @Robert Hugill. Perhaps Colin should tell his mother and brother he is gay to enable him to distance himself from them. The bar name Ten Tons Of Fun made me immediately think of the Weather Girls who were known as Two Tons Of Fun when they were back up vocalists for Sylvester in the late 70's. Both were biiiiiiggggg women, especially Izora Armstead. Is Colin obese or merely a large-framed man?

I split my sides laughing at "Noah's Mother answered the door, a short, yet substantial woman with fly away grey hair pulled loosely into at bun." Such a polite euphemistic way of saying something like "she was built like a tank" or "she was as big as the side of a house" or "she was fat". I had no idea what a 'Victoria Sandwich Cake" was until I looked it up on "the 'net". Sponge cake is something I have never particularly liked, even those my mother or grandmother cooked. I could almost smell the freshly baked cakes and biscuits of my youth. Both my mother and grandmother made wonderful cakes, biscuits, tarts, pies, jam and roasted vegetables. And let's not forget an Aussie favourite, pavlova (yum). What a delightful chapter @Robert Hugill. The baking brought back wonderful memories of my youth in rural Australia, particularly the holiday time spent with my maternal grandparents, both of whom, but particularly my grandmother, my two brothers and I adored. It was never "a chore" to visit them or have them visit us. They played a big role in our lives until our late teens at least.

Once again I am in complete agreement with you and @weinerdog @drsawzall; there is something about Jim's story which does not add up. He appears to have the financial capacity to have challenged Mommie Dearest if she obtained a restraining order against him under false pretences. He claims to have fought her for two years before giving in, but what was their to fight about. Jim acknowledged Mommie Dearest was telling the truth in that she feared he would try to take Stacy away from her so as to seek professional help for her. Mommie Dearest's paranoia seemingly was not without cause, but why would this have been persuasive to have Jim denied access to his children. The fact that Aunt Marie and Uncle Steve appear to be friendly towards Jim is favourable, but they may not have been privy to all that transpired between him and Mommie Dearest. It is easy for me to say and I probably would have been tempted to do the same thing (I lie, I would have done the same thing and more, and relished doing so), but I do think Jim should have refrained from slagging off his ex-wife and calling her a bitch, even though she is. He seemed just a little "too keen" to win the popularity vote from Seth. I hope for Seth's sake his father is telling the truth and not just point-scoring against his ex-wife. Seth may think the chaos has retreated from his life, but I fear it has just taken a diversion and will rear its ugly head again until his issues are resolved with his mother and the skank, and until all is revealed about his father's absence from his life. I know you generally refrain from something this drastic in your stories @Ronyx, but could you make an exception on this occasion and kill-off Stacy. She wore out her welcome very early in the story and has been a thorn in everyone's side apart from her mother and Maggie. I have little doubt the latter would ditch her without giving her a second thought if it was to her advantage.

I share your distrust of this particular fundamentalist church @drsawzall, in fact, my distrust extends itself to all fundamentalist organised religions and to a lesser extent (slightly) to organised religion in general.