Summerabbacat

"Marco stepped falteringly forwards, and Daniele and Giacomo embraced him together, side by side in the darkness". How can something so simple be so heartfelt and beautiful. My world is a better place for having once again experienced the gift of your storytelling @James Carnarvon. I, like my fellow readers, hope you will grace us with another tale in the not-too-distant future. I really do like Giacomo, but I am definitely on team Darco. Perhaps there is another team within their ranks, team Giamilia or team Emicomo? Perhaps when Claudia returns she will bring you with her @James Carnarvon. It would seem that even though she has departed, she is still a uniting force.

I actually do like Giacomo very much @James Carnarvon, but my natural inclination is to cheer for the underdog. In doing so, I have perhaps been a little harsh on Giacomo, but I still think he is acutely aware of his appeal, which is naturally an ego boost for him. I don't think there is any malice in him, he is as you have rightfully pointed out, not as emotionally mature or sensitive to the feelings of others as Dani.

I have delayed reading and commenting on this and the last chapter for this very reason @drpaladin. I think with each book in the Ravello series I have become more attached to these wonderful characters so beautifully created and crafted by our talented author @James Carnarvon. I have commented on several occasions how disappointed I was in Giacomo's abandonment of Marco, but had not appreciated that Emilia had behaved in exactly the same fashion, in fact, she in some respects was even more remiss as Marco had done nothing to her to cause her to abandon him. I had exactly the same thought @drpaladin, however, I think it was more that Giacomo's ego was bruised that Dani found someone attractive other than he. “We have to go and find him… together. He needs to know that he’s forgiven and that we all still care about him.” I wept profusely with this beautiful cry for help from Dani @James Carnarvon. I felt as if this entire book had worked toward this moment, the precursor to reunification (I hope). I felt as if with this statement Dani realised that it may be Marco rather than Giacomo who is his future.

Perhaps I have watched and thoroughly enjoyed too many bad soapies in which the “super bitch” was always my favourite character a la Sue Ellen Ewing in Dallas and the incomparable Alexis Morel Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan in Dynasty. The red tie-dye t-shirt, “I missed you too much, that’s why” and “I’m all yours” had me thinking the real Giacomo is emerging from his cocoon, a manipulative prick teaser, but by the end of the chapter I had softened my stance to what seems to be the consensus amongst the faithful @James Carnarvon, Giacomo is confused. Mind you, I still think he is well aware of his magnetism and uses it to his advantage, but I doubt his manipulation of Dani in particular, and to a lesser extent Emilia and Marco, is of malicious intent. Dani once again displayed his selflessness. He is almost too good to be true at times, but his sincerity appears to be genuine. His vacillation between his strong crush on Giacomo and his awareness of an attraction to Marco, a beautifully written display of teenage hormonal angst @James Carnarvon. I am thinking he must have been born under the star-sign of Libra, invariably indecisive, trying to please everyone and make the "best" decision, to the point where one is crippled such that one is unable to make any decision at all (and I am an "expert" on this, having been born under the star-sign of Libra). “It’s in your eyes,” Angelo said. “I recognise that look. Gianni wore it, once.” @James Carnarvon I am almost ashamed for having thought Angelo was the stereotype tradesman. If there is to be couple amongst the group of teens I am rooting for it to be Dani and Marco.

This I recall @James Carnarvon. Obviously too subtle for me @James Carnarvon, but that I see as a good thing. I liked the element of surprise. For me it made the climax more realistic as it also seemed to take both boys by surprise to at least some extent. I remember this line now too, @James Carnarvon. When reading the comment then, and even now, I well may have thought it disingenuous, a snarky comment motivated by jealousy. I believe that provoking different reactions from your readers, perhaps not reactions you had contemplated or intended, is indicative of a work that is interesting and stimulating, and that is certainly not a bad thing.

Like Dani, I did not see that coming at all @James Carnarvon. I don’t recall Emilia inferring Marco liked Dani. I have obviously not been paying attention. "He likes me" and "What have I done….?". Once again Dani demonstrated what a remarkable boy he is for one so young. When he realised Marco’s likely attraction to him, his primary concern appeared to be not to hurt Marco. The climax was foreshadowed by the onset of the storm which seemingly came out of nowhere. It was distressing for both Marco and Dani for different reasons. I hope their newfound friendship will be strong enough to weather this setback. Marco will undoubtedly suffer the rejection most; his desperation for affirmation and affection being nourished by Dani as so beautifully described with “the smaller boy thrived on Daniele’s attention and, in a reversal of his earlier combative stance to praise, he seemed to have become hungry for compliments”. Another poignant chapter @James Carnarvon. The climax had Sarah Vaughn singing C’est La Vie in my head, specifically the first verse lyrics: John's in love with Joan Joan's in love with Jim Jim's in love with someone Who's not in love with him

I cannot speak for my fellow readers, but you have certainly met my expectations @James Carnarvon. "Writing more economically", saying more with less, not an easy goal to achieve, but I believe you have achieved it. The interaction between Toto and Michele, the slap; the interaction between Dani and Marco, the smile. The sparse conversation between the parties, the things left unsaid because they did not need to be said. A finer demonstration of the great beauty to be found in simplicity I have not witnessed. The soundtrack to this chapter was Abba from start to finish, it was as if The Name Of The Game was written 45 years ago in anticipation of this chapter. This chapter perfect, just like the song. With Claudia "on his case" I am more hopeful of a positive outcome for Sami. That girl makes things happen, Isabella knows it and the others know it. She is a force to be reckoned with.

@James CarnarvonI think Claudia has been the most prominent of the female characters in the Ravello series as she has played at least some part in the development of the relationships between Angelo and Gianni, and to a greater extent, Toto and Michele. I like her no-nonsense attitude, particularly in matters of the heart, although she too can be sensitive when the situation warrants. She also has a wicked sense of humour, invariably displayed when teasing Angelo and/or Gianni, but again to a greater extent, when teasing Toto and/or Michele. I have if I recall correctly, commented on Patrizia on occasion. I very much like her too, she is a great mother to Dani, allowing him to develop as his own person, rather than trying to mould him into the person she would like him to be. Her recognition of Dani's feelings for Giacomo was as I commented then, a touching moment. Dani is inherently kind and compassionate, but having parents like Patrizia and Paolo has allowed him to flourish with guidance and without suffocation.

I did not punch the air @James Carnarvon, but I did rejoice (with tears) at what I thought was a physical and emotional victory for both boys. As noted by @drpaladin "Marco's resolute tough shell is beginning to crack", and Dani's accident had a volcanic effect on those cracks. I think Marco derived great joy and pride from being able to be "the hero" for once, particularly after hearing of Dani's "Wonder boy" heroics in rescuing Sami. The following discussion revealed more to me than anything else ever spoken by Marco or by anyone else in observation of Marco: Marco nodded. “Blastoise,” he replied. The name brought up a memory. “That’s your favourite one, right?” Daniele asked. Marco drew back, startled for a moment. “How did you know that?” Daniele gave him a quick shrug. “I listen,” he replied. Marco seemed astonished that he had taken the time to notice. Daniele, meanwhile, turned his attention back to the picture. The drawing of the creature was perfectly fine, but what really caught his interest was the background. Marco had cut no corners in giving the scene a sense of place. The creature was perched on a pair of rounded rocks in the middle of a river. Behind it, a waterfall cascaded down over a jagged rockface from which strands of glossy plants hung down. “This is… really good,” Daniele said, passing the drawing back. “The waterfall looks totally real.” For a second, Marco stared back at him, confusion racking his cool grey eyes, but then he broke eye contact, placing the drawing hastily down on the coffee table. “Nobody normally bothers to look,” he mumbled. He glanced back up at Daniele for a moment. " "Nobody normally bothers to look,” is the most profoundly sad statement I can recall any of your characters ever making @James Carnarvon. I was awash with tears after reading this; it reinforced what I have thought all along of Marco. He is a boy starving for affection and affirmation, but one who believes he deserves, and one who expects, neither. Dani WILL triumph in his rehabilitation of Marco, although I do not expect miracles. Marco strikes me as melancholic by nature, a boy for whom sadness and loneliness are not a burden as they would be for some, a boy who will rejoice in the small victories and pleasures in life, without expecting life to always be abundant with adventure and happiness. On a less maudlin note, those cicadas were busy yet again @James Carnarvon. It is winter in Sydney, Australia (my least favourite time of the year), but with another of your delightful climatic descriptions and reference to those cicadas, I did feel a momentary trickle of warmth through my otherwise icy veins "It was another sunny morning, the sea below a deep cobalt blue and the sky above unbroken by clouds; they met at the distant horizon in a hazy confusion of tones. Through the open window, he could already hear the cicadas scraping away among the olive groves below." Thank you for this, it lifted my spirits too. Gianni and Angelo's discussion of parenthood may be purely coincidental, but then it is rather timely given Sami's orphaned status. For today, my favourite chapter so far, but with so many delights to choose from, this might change at any given moment. PS. I neglected to mention in my comments on the previous chapter that Claudia is one badass girl. I had an image of her kicking down the door to rescue Toto and dragging him free a la Foxy Brown or Cleopatra Jones (a cliche I know). In mentioning Claudia, I wonder if Angelo is perhaps not the only same-sex attracted sibling in the family? "In one of the gift shops, Claudia bought a simple, inexpensive bracelet that she thought Isabella would like. When Michele gave her a questioning, slightly teasing glance, she punched him on the arm and told him to grow up." Maybe my imagination is working overtime, but could this be a hint from our author that Claudia is experimenting or at least thinking of sapphic pleasures?

“At the end of the day, it sounds like he’s just a boy who’s been hurt. He’s not sure what he’s worth to anyone, and he’s been on his own for quite a while now. Maybe it feels easier for him to stay that way than to risk trusting a friend again.” It appears Angelo and I think alike when it comes to Marco's rejection of all overtures for friendship advanced by Dani @James Carnarvon. Methinks Giacomo is not as enamoured with Laura as she is with him. He may even be relieved when she returns home to Rome as she appears to be suffocating him somewhat. His discussion with Dani had both revelling in their reunion, with a slice of humour from each helping things along. I am somewhat disappointed again though by Giacomo's total lack of empathy for Marco and his situation, making me question his loyalty to anyone other than himself. Does this bode well for his friendship with Dani? The tension felt by Dani in particular, and Claudia perhaps to a lesser extent, during the rescue of Sami and Toto was palpable. It had me on the edge of my seat, much like the scene when Toto and Michele combined to rescue Dani from the cliff face. I hope Sami and Toto will suffer no lasting damage from the smoke inhalation. Like many of my fellow readers have expressed, Toto's near-brush with death may be the catalyst for him to resolve his "issues" with Michele. Also like some of my fellow readers have expressed, I don't believe little Sami will want for potential adopters if he is allowed to stay. I may be biased, but like one of my fellow readers expressed in a prior chapter, I would like to see Gianni and Angelo become his parents. I believe they would also be the most suitable of the potential candidates as their jobs appear to be such that one of them could always be with him. Until he adjusts to life in Italy and learns the language, I think he needs the comfort of an adult most, if not all of the time. Patrizia and Paolo's jobs are such that this does not appear possible. Salvatore may be suitable, but would he as a single man want and be capable of looking after a young 7 year old. This story is progressing at a leisurely pace @James Carnarvon, just how I like them too. This allows for character development, which you have indicated was an important aspect of this latest work, and does not have to rely upon theatrics and melodrama to keep the reader entertained. The Dani/Marco storyline and the storyline with Sami present endless opportunities for growth, and I for one, look forward to their development. The only disappointment, which I will express now, is that I am not looking forward to the end of this latest work. I am greedy, I shall be left wanting more.

I am pleased to see the expanded family return home, and particularly pleased to see they were greeted with such joy and adoration by my favourite Devlin-Major family member, the beloved little Rascal. Your description of his exuberance to have his humans home brought tears to my eyes, tears of joy @Andre Delport. My late beloved boy, Bassey, would always greet me upon arrival home with head butts and beautiful cat kisses. The integration of Jamie and Fiona into their new home has started smoothly, no doubt helped by the delightful little dachshund.

Dani's talk to Gianni was very nice and helped Dani. The thing that touched me the most was Gianni letting Dani read his mother's diary and letter. This scene was so beautifully written. I'm glad you liked that section. I wondered if readers might be frustrated by me taking time to focus on that storyline rather than driving the main plot forward. This was my favourite storyline in this chapter @James Carnarvon. Like @raven1, I consider it to have been beautifully written. The discussion between Gianni and Dani was poignant and ultimately, I believe affirming for both. “Tell me,” Gianni said gently. “Would you have agreed to go out with Emilia so quickly if Giacomo hadn’t discovered a sudden interest in girls?” was a lightbulb moment for both Dani and me. I think Dani recognised a kindred spirit, much as he has with Toto and, I recognised that Dani and Gianni are both sensitive and soulful, with care and concern for others an innate quality that each possesses. Is it a cliché to suggest these qualities may be intrinsic to their artistic talent, Gianni with his painting and Dani with his writing? Is their art an expression of their sensitivity perhaps? I don’t know what to make of the disappearance of Sami’s Aunt and Uncle. Upon learning of their disappearance in a prior chapter I immediately concluded they had also abandoned him. After reading the comments of my fellow readers who expressed the view they may have been captured by “the authorities”, I softened my opinion and gladly entertained the notion that this was a more likely scenario. With their continued absence though I am inclined to believe I may have been right in the first instance. I was interested to read my fellow readers' comments regarding Marco’s continued spurning of Dani’s attempts at friendship. I agree with @drpaladin, but think there is even more to it. Marco appears to have such low self-esteem, due in part no doubt to being small and poor, likely believing that he is not worthy of love, affection or attention from anyone; rejecting the olive branch extended by Dani as he cannot believe it is being genuinely offered to someone so undeserving. His homelife, what we know of it, has not helped. If anyone can heal his damaged past it is Dani. An emotionally rewarding chapter for not only a number of the “cast” @James Carnarvon, but also for your readers. Your literary talent continues to grow in tandem with the growth of your characters.

I enjoyed this chapter immensely @James Carnarvon as it would seem did many of your other followers. I have written and edited numerous comments on the chapter, but suffice to say felt nothing I had to say went above and beyond anything my fellow readers have already written, moreso eloquently than what I could say myself.

@northie, @Quixo has expressed my thoughts far more eloquently than I could have myself. The conclusion although a sad event (only because it is the conclusion), was written in your usual subdued style, a skill you possess which you should never underestimate. I found myself profoundly moved by the emotions Eric experienced at the wedding of his two lads. His "witness" of the ceremony itself via a live-stream had a similar impact upon me, but with "Pride that he knew and loved Andy – in his own crabbed way – and happiness in their joy. Eric blinked. How could someone else's life choices make him so ridiculously happy?", I sobbed with a mixture of joy and loss, joy that Eric has opened up to life since meeting Andy, and loss for the barren life he led before that. @northie the journey with Eric and his two lads is one that I have been privileged to undertake with yourself and the other readers who have enjoyed this wonderful tale. I have particularly enjoyed reading it because it has featured as front row and centre, an older gay man who is ordinary in every sense of the word, a man not totally dissimilar to myself. LGBTQ+ literature and other forms of entertainment are unfortunately not that different from mainstream entertainment, with a strong focus on youth and beauty. Works like this are so much the more rewarding because they celebrate the ordinary and the aged, presenting the lives of the characters in a much more realistic manner for those of us who are fortunate enough to partake of it. Thank you for sharing your talent so generously.

Don't you dare remove those cicadas as they conjure images of summer for me too @James Carnarvon. One of the assets you continually display in your storytelling is your obvious appreciation of nature, especially fauna, flora and weather. Let we readers embrace this appreciation too as there is no artifice in nature (apart from our bloody species, which has artifice down to a "fine art").

Well, what does one say about the upheaval in this chapter @James Carnarvon. It seems even a small village like Ravello has its share of intrigue and mystery, despite Giacomo’s protestations that everyone knows your business. My initial reaction to the apparent split of Toto and Michele mirrored that of @drpaladin. Toto is having a crisis of some sort, and in what is likely a misguided act of selflessness, wants to release Michele from the burden of his troubles. Will history repeat itself, as it often does, and find Dani playing an integral part in their reconciliation, assuming there will be one. Whilst Dani seems to be spiralling into a world of unhappiness and despair much like Marco did, he is fortunate to have a circle of older friends and family support, neither of which Marco apparently has, to assuage any deep depression. Although Dani is an emotional boy, he appears to be happier boy and have a stronger sense of his own worth, than does Marco. Marco strikes me as a boy with a desperate need for love and a sense of belonging, which he tries to cover with a false sense of bravado. Dani is the best thing that could happen to him, and he may well be just what Dani needs in his current state of turmoil. Dani’s close “brush with death" (or at least a serious accident) brought Angelo to the rescue. His reaction to Dani's behaviour thereafter makes me think that he, Angelo, knows the root cause of Dani’s unhappiness. @James Carnarvon this one act of kindness on Angelo’s part unlocked the key to his past kindnesses when he first met Gianni, which I had forgotten. Dani and Emilia both displayed a keen sense of humour in this chapter; their light-hearted banter regarding an imagined discussion between Giacomo and Laura, evidence they are both acutely aware of the sorrow the other is feeling over their perceived abandonment. Another beautifully painted canvas of characters in this chapter @James Carnarvon. Apart from the continued character development being at the forefront of this latest work in the Ravello series, the one thing that struck me in this chapter is how often those "scraping cicadas" make an appearance, often on more than one occasion per chapter, as was the case with this chapter. I am very used to them living in Australia, in fact, I rarely notice their noise. I associate them with summer, my favourite season of the year, which well may be why I think of them favourably.

@James Carnarvon my memory has apparently not served me well. I certainly recall Angelo's pranks and jokes and his interest in Gianni, but not his intense emotional availability. Perhaps my recollection has also been "tainted" by their respective professions and dare I say, the stereotype of those professions; Gianni the artist and more sensitive of the two, Angelo the handyman/labourer and more gregarious of the two, Gianni the yin to Angelo's yang. It may well be time for me to revisit the earlier books in the series to refresh my memory, or even observe and appreciate something I have not observed and appreciated before. Your works may well yield the same kind of delights when I revisit the works of my three favourite Brits, Kate Bush, Emily Bronte and Jane Austen. If so, you are in rarified company.

The pleasure derived from reading this latest work in the Ravello series @James Carnarvon is akin to the enjoyment of an Italian food feast, sumptuous, delicious and replete with gourmet delights. Not only do I have to engage my brain to appreciate this work, but my sense of smell and taste is stimulated by the vivid descriptions of the flowers and food, all of which appeal to me and add immeasurably to the story. Dani continues to delight, his emotional maturity contrasting beautifully with his innocence. I was very moved by Patrizia’s revelation she is aware of Dani’s true feelings for Giacomo and that she is apparently not at all bothered by them. I daresay Paolo is also aware as he has always struck me as a very kind and caring man, a man who adores his son unconditionally. What a delightful family they are. Angelo surprised me greatly with his comment “To keep a little bit of Marina and Vittorio alive with us”. He is a far deeper well than I have appreciated to date; perhaps this is the development of character you have spoken of @James Carnarvon. If so, you are off to a very good start. Now for my nomination of the most unique use of a word I have encountered for many a day “The priest bowed and set off down the street, robes whispering on the uneven paving stones”. Whispering, the perfect adjective to have used in the circumstances.

@James Carnarvon I was hooked on your latest literary offering from the opening paragraph, captivated by another of your wonderfully vivid climatic descriptions "the deepest truths are sometimes learned in the darkness, when the sun has spent its fury and the distractions of the daylight hours have given way to the mellow strains of the evening". I felt the warmth of the day fading as I was on my way once again to Ravello (and it was anything but warm here in my home in Sydney, Australia). My journey to Ravello was completed by the deliciously descriptive "The hillside below the house was steeply terraced, striped with olive groves, grape vines and lemon plantations that groaned with fragrant, ripening fruit.' My mouth watered at the thought of a zesty limoncello tiramisu or San Pellegrino limonata. I could almost taste them. It was a wonderful and surprising treat to be reacquainted with the joy that is Dani, his quirky and delightful passion for tie-dyed clothing, his deeply emotional and mature outlook on life and his humble and shy persona. I had hoped one day you would favour your readers with your literary talents again, but did not dare hope you would revisit the troubled Marco. I commented at the conclusion of Dani The Hero that I felt Dani may be the only one to reach out to and help Marco. It would appear from the synopsis of this story that my hope may not have been in vain. I look forward to the development of this storyline in particular. If this chapter be any guide, I expect once again to be enthralled, enchanted and enriched by a glimpse into the lives of these most wonderful of characters in the charming and picturesque Ravello. PS. As a fellow-Australian it just has to be Chris Hemsworth.

My fellow readers have been unanimous in their praise of your literary skills in this chapter @Andre Delport and for good reason. I echo their praise. Perfect. I would also like to comment on your description of the weather and the elements which I consider to be Bronte-esque. The power of the written word of Emily Bronte in Wuthering Heights (my favourite novel) swirled in my head as I read this truly marvellous chapter. I absolutely loathe cold weather, wind and damp, and found myself shivering reading this as I do when I read Wuthering Heights.

This was a most surprising chapter @northie, a credit to your storytelling prowess. I did NOT expect to be moved by Tyler's plight. From the outset of this chapter I could feel a most unexpected emotion beginning to take shape, a great sadness for the life Tyler is leading. You had painted a picture before of his home life as anything but ideal, but in this chapter the bleak circumstances of his life struck me like a sledgehammer (a gentle blow though thank you). @Timothy M.comments above so very true. I found myself moved to tears, not an uncommon reaction, but I did not expect it with this brutish lout. I think it was Eric's recognition of Tyler's home life as in some ways worse than his own, which sealed it. Never has Eric impressed me more than he did in this chapter. He has never allowed himself to be so completely vulnerable before, and whether it was intentional or not, I feel no one could have helped Tyler more than Eric did. Just like @JeffreyL "I'd like to give my favourite curmudgeon a big hug". He is indeed a most remarkable man, even if he does not see it of himself.

I find myself agreeing with you again @drsawzall. Graceful, the perfect adjective to describe @Andre Delport's storytelling in this chapter. He is another exponent of the "less is more" style of storytelling which I find so very powerful when the storyline is one filled with sadness and grief. Superb @Andre Delport.

I had the same thought when I commented upon the previous chapter @weinerdog. In praising @FrankD, I wrote "I have to wonder what further surprises you have up your sleeve for your readers - maybe a reappearance by Mayson, perhaps he is somehow related to the odious Harriet Dunspur or Meredith Priestly". I seem to recall reference to Mayson's family wanting nothing to do with him and Albert's comment that Meredith's son is gay and estranged, although this may be purely coincidental. If Meredith is Mayson's mother or a close female relative, it could also explain his homophobic attitude. The only flaw in this speculation is that if Meredith is Mayson's mother then surely Hunter at least would have recognised the same family name (I don't recall Mayson's family name ever being mentioned, although I guess he could have changed it). A very sad chapter with the confirmation of Oliver's murder and the disclosure of the circumstances of his death. I can only but imagine the sadness Ruth and Ian must be feeling, and the guilt that Ruth in particular must be feeling for having judged her father unfairly. A very intriguing chapter @FrankD.

I have had similar thoughts @Onim. Religious evangelism and lust for power and money seem to be very comfortable bedfellows, and the adherents to this nonsense often appear to believe themselves above the law in satisfaction of their lusts. I initially thought Belle may have had something to do with the absence of Oliver from the children's lives, but with the appearance of the "Oliver impersonator" in the prior chapter, my suspicions were raised such that I was not surprised to learn he appears to have been murdered. If any of these pious zealots are involved in the death of Oliver (and it would not surprise as they often are strong supporters of the right to bear arms), it would be an occasion for which I would support the death penalty that is used in a number of US states. @FrankDyou have "grown" as a writer in leaps and bounds since your first literary attempt. This story is now riveting. I have to wonder what further surprises you have up your sleeve for your readers - maybe a reappearance by Mayson, perhaps he is somehow related to the odious Harriet Dunspur or Meredith Priestly. It was very pleasing to witness Principal Erichson support Hunter and put the odious Meredith Priestly in her place. I have to wonder if she will now try to besmirch his name as well. She strikes me as a vengeful bitch who does not like to be disagreed with as she is always right.

@frosenblum I echo your comments regarding the impact Eric has had on the lives of those with whom he has had contact. It is too easy to overlook this, focussing instead on the impact others have had on him. I doubt very much that Andy and Adam in particular have ever met anyone quite like him, and their lives are the richer for having done so. I hope his meeting with Tyler will be mutually beneficial. In some ways they are very much alike I think, living a life of isolation in the "company" of totally alien companions. Eric's limited filter is the thing I admire most about him. @Parker Owens described him as taciturn and irascible. I believe the former is one of his many qualities, and whilst the latter may make it difficult to engage socially with success, I don't see it as always a negative. Another great chapter @northie. I have derived a great deal of pleasure from reading this and the preceding books centred on the life of Eric and Andy. I could not have imagined them forming such a comfortable and enriching friendship from their first meeting. The growth of their friendship has been a joy to witness.