Summerabbacat

He faces stiff competition though from fellow students, Boris and the slime-ball Rector Reichenau.

You have outdone yourself with this story @Mark Ponyboy Peters. If I remember correctly, you said it started out as a two chapter short story posted on another site, but the positive reaction you received to it encouraged and/or challenged you to lengthen it to become the joyous wonder it has become. Maybe there is a Shifting Sands in you just screaming to be let out. Best you ring Shania and see if she can book a flight for Harry to come to Armidale to visit you. It might be a bit cold for him at the moment though, so perhaps summer would be a more suitable time for him to visit. In the meantime you can keep the peasants from revolting with your next story, an homage to the Electric Light Orchestra. Although on an earlier album, Face The Music, it is hard to believe Evil Woman was a hit 50 years ago, along with Devil Woman by Cliff Richard. A few bad bitches on the pop charts in 1976, another one being the one who stole Yvonne Fair's man and she belted out It Should Have Been Me. And all this while ABBA dominated the charts and Donna Summer simulated multiple orgasms for a glorious 16 minutes and 47 seconds on Love To Love You Baby. I am getting all flustered just listening to it; it is as phenomenal now as it was back in 1976 when I first heard it. As for Beyonce's interpolation of this song into Naughty Girl, no just no. Fucking hideous.

My comments were mostly on their smoking habits, although I recall Alex speaking unfavourably of them in a prior chapter after his falling out with them.

Me too @dboggs9700. Much like Grayson's younger brother Oliver (Ollie) in Stockroom Secrets, Toby (Tobes) had a charm all of his own. A hint of the larrikin, combined with a genuine and gentle nature.

No, no, no, say it isn't so, so, so, @Mark Ponyboy Peters. The end of this delightful story with some of the most endearing characters you have created. All I want is: A great song and a rather "saucy" little video. Andrea True's other venture into the entertainment industry, porn, certainly held her in good stead for her "movement" in this music video, and the outfit looks like it could have been a left over from one of her porn movies, although I have never seen one. Now deceased, she will be remembered for this song, although I much prefer the album version which clocks in at 6 minutes 19 seconds. The video for the longer version is woeful, with the sound and picture so misaligned it looks like she is the worst lip syncher ever.

I am just hoping there will be another murder, and take your pick for the one you would like to see done in the most. Many "deserving" candidates for the next murder victim I think.

Yelena and Bart sound positively ghastly @Robert Hugill, he with heavily nicotine-stained teeth and she with her anorexic physique, likely also from heavy smoking. As a reformed smoker I can attest to the fact heavy smokers stink, from their breath, to their hair, to their body and all its emissions. Evan is an amusing character, although his referral to one as "lovey" may get a little too much after repetition. His appearance does not bode well for the future I don't think. Methinks he may not be long for this world so Alex should make the most of his company whilst he can.

"Bastien let out a soft snort. “You’re the only one who’s managed to put me out of a bad mood in a long time.” Is it possible Bastien is a genuine person who wants to be treated on his merits rather than the wealth and status of his parents? Is it possible his guard dogs, sycophants all, annoy or perhaps even disgust him? Is it possible he regards Lawrence as a breath of fresh air, someone who is not interested in ingratiating himself with Bastien, someone who on face value has no agenda for friendship with Bastien? Very intriguing chapter @Laura S. Fox. Lawrence should trust no one. I wonder if there will be another murder?

Way to go boys. Noah's parents are seemingly not impressed. Well guess what Mummy and Daddy, it matters nought if you are not impressed. Toddle off back to London with your uptight little selves and leave Noah the fuck alone. He does not need your judgment and your outlook on life. He is perfectly happy and content without your interference. Jay did not seem overly concerned with this new development in the relationship between Noah and Leo. Fabian is an unknown quantity, but if Jay is not concerned I cannot see any reason for Fabian to be concerned. A terrific chapter @ObicanDecko, one which I found very amusing above all else. Noah's parents reaction I found particularly amusing as Noah let it wash over him without so much as reacting to either of them. The perfect "fuck you" to both of them.

You are too kind @Gary L. It is very easy to write the odd witty or "deep" comment on a well written story such as this (and all of Robert's stories), but it is quite another to have the imagination, patience and persistence to put pen to paper to write a story. I am also invariably verbose (I remember my Year 8 English teacher telling me this), which does not make for good writing and enjoyable reading.

Rory's parents are killed in a car accident. Rory, Audra and Jock are upset, but not devastatingly so. Lachlan had not updated their wills (he was after all the one in charge so wifey did what she was told), and had left everything to Rory. Rory and his grandparents are very pleased with this. Slav starts going to the gym to lose his belly (diabetes and other health concerns prompt this) AND has a full Manzilian (vanity prompts this). Rory is not happy with this, especially the hair removal from that hairy arse and carpeted balls. Slav's sister comes for a visit and is very taken with Rory. Slav is very pleased with this, although she does express her concerns to Slav that he is gay. Irma's parents come for a visit and have a constructive discussion with Vesna (I cannot remember if Slav's sister's name has been mentioned before) regarding their evolving beliefs on homosexuality. Vesna has a better understanding of Slav as a result of this and he is very pleased. Irma and Matthew have a pregnancy scare, but it proves to be a false alarm. Both are very happy with this as are Irma's parents. Jason proposes to Gavin and Gavin accepts. Everyone is very pleased with this. Irma and Audra decide to organise the wedding as they think only women are capable of organising a wedding. Jason and Gavin are very pleased with this and allow them to take full control. In short, everyone is very pleased, expect Rory's parents, but no one really gives a fuck about them because they were unpleasant at best. There you go @Robert Hugill, writer's block solved. Now you can write to your hearts content.

And I have just read the scene again and the teenage boy had dark hair whereas I think Zack may have been blonde.

I had wondered if it might be Zack too @Ivor Slipper and @Mark Ponyboy Peters but concluded, after much pondering, the timeline was wrong.

Love those Pointer girls @weinerdog.

Gorgeous @Ticklishboy30. Zelda sometimes did this to me if I did not get up at a reasonable hour to deliver her breakfast.

You have probably been there more often than me even though I lived on the coast. Is it the Newell Highway than comes down from Armidale through Walcha out onto the Pacific Highway via Wauchope?

I don't remember Fantasy Glades, where was that at? I vaguely remember Timbertown, was that at Wauchope?

I like this song by DSB @dboggs9700 but I chose the video for the gown more than anything else. It would make a fabulous gown for a drag queen. Perhaps Trinity and the girls could do a show at The Big Banana @Mark Ponyboy Peters; the gown the perfect colour for such a venue.

You have spoilt us with these 'slice of paradise' stories @Mark Ponyboy Peters. As you know, I grew up not far from where these stories are set and have never had any real desire to return, other than the occasional visit, in the last 42 years. There are times though when reading these stories I feel a little nostalgic for my home town and the far simpler life I led back in the 1970's to early 1980's, without the responsibilities of adulthood.

It is "kinder" than fag hag as it does not have any negative connotations as to the appearance of said fag hag.

I had a good old chuckle at the reaction of poor Jasper @Mark Ponyboy Peters. I have to wonder if he is Pippa's boyfriend or if he is a gay classmate whom she has decided to take under her wing, educate and introduce to Patrick, Kevin, Jack, Kieran and Charlie at least. Is Pippa a fruit fly in training?

Long admired by older gay men and drag queens alike for her powerful voice, fabulous gowns and dramatic flair, a connoisseur of camp. Often lip synched by drag queens in years gone by, I can imagine Trinity and her girls may have included this more recent offering of hers from 2007 when she was 70 years of age and still magnifique.

My speculation in the previous chapter that Patrick may move back to Macquarie Harbour and complete the baker's dozen of gay men is on the cards. Jack appears to have been accepted into Kevin's family, with the comments made by his mother very affirming, but it was the comment made by Kevin's father Leo, which brought me completely undone. "Trish stood up immediately and pulled Kevin into a tight hug, then surprised Jack by hugging him too. ‘You boys were holding hands out there,’ she said, eyes shining. ‘I’m so proud of you both. So proud.’ Leo stood more slowly. He shook Jack’s hand firmly, holding it a moment longer than necessary. ‘We’ll have a proper yarn sometime, son,’ he said, his voice gruff but not unkind. ‘When things aren’t quite so crazy." More than anything this chapter was a celebration of family. The family of six gay couples who will shortly be joined by the doyenne of drag, Trinity de la Creme, who will no doubt share her wisdom with the younger men; and Kevin's immediate family who welcomed Jack into its fold. In honour of this chapter's "message" @Mark Ponyboy Peters, a disco classic, performed by a family of sisters. A monstrous hit with titanic lead vocals by young Kathy Sledge who was only 19/20 at the time. No expense spared for the video and unfortunately the song has been severely edited and the sound quality is mediocre at best. A masterpiece from the pen of Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. I daresay this song may have even featured in the show as it is anthemic.

The penultimate chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters, and I wept from go to whoa. I hate to think what I will be like when you post the final chapter. I am going to allow the chapter to settle in my psyche before I write any chapter relevant comments. In short, it was a joyous chapter, so the bucket of tears were happy tears.

Or from the great man: