Summerabbacat

OMG no, no, no. This is a distinct possibility given Noah has been M.I.A. so much lately and George has been bitching about it.

I am so hoping something happens to George before Colt does the deed. A massive heart attack, a stroke, an aneurysm, hit by a speeding car, anything which will kill or at least maim him.

Do you remember them? Their biggest hit was Hold Me Now?

If there were Thompson Twins there would have to be three of them, two males and one female. The Thompson family is known for their dishonesty and abuse, so this song is rather apropos.

It appears he has few friends, if any, so I am not surprised. It may also be "convenient" for him to do so as he may not restrict his activities to fishing alone. I shudder to think what he may have done to other boys if any have accompanied him, either voluntarily or by force, on a fishing trip.

A most likeable and sensible woman I assume @Robert Hugill.

It’s got the sand @weinerdog. The sand may not drop through the hourglass, but it is Shifting Sand according to Tony’s first published novel if I remember correctly.

I am trying very hard to be reasonable, sympathetic, conciliatory and forgiving, but I am finding it hard work to like Levi and bite my tongue when he makes comments like: "Like what? The fact that you are both gay?’ ‘Yeah, I guess.’ ‘Are you married?’ ‘No, mate.’ ‘So, you are both sinners?" My immediate inclination would have been to tell him to grow up, drop the pious attitude or fuck off, but then I reminded myself he is only 15 years of age, is grieving for his mother and has been raised, at least to some extent, by religious zealots. I have to wonder if Julie ever agreed with their views and had moderated her own views, or if she was perhaps tired of fighting those who held such views as they are always right and rarely if ever are prepared to compromise e.g. Tony's mother, the Monolith. Speaking of the Monolith, how unfortunate for Matt's mother she shares the given name, Margaret, with the Monolith. I doubt Matt's mother would have any charitable feelings towards the Monolith after what that bitch put Matt through as a teenager. I think a short break away from Levi may do Matt, and hopefully Levi, some good. I was encouraged Levi asked Matt what he should call him, suggesting to me he intends to at least try to have some kind of relationship with Matt. Another very well written chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters. Quality, realistic writing like this is not going to result in any lucrative script-writing opportunities in Summer Bay though. Perhaps you can come up with some fantastical idea for future chapters e.g. Levi had a twin-brother who was kidnapped at birth by a nurse at the hospital where the twins were delivered, a kidnapping Julie was not aware of because the doctor who delivered the twins was in cahoots with the nurse and Julie was heavily drugged. The same doctor had been Julie's gynaecologist and had not disclosed to Julie she was expecting twins. He and the nurse saw an opportunity to exploit Julie and make some money in a baby selling racket, selling the babies to rich couples who did not want to go through the "hassle" of adoption. Absolute shite, bound to attract a loyal audience like my mother. She has never missed an episode and it has been on TV for 38 years. It started when we were wee lads Mark (well maybe not).

Unlike a number of my fellow readers, I still have no sympathy for Brett. He is still an arsehole. His boasting he tells his father to fuck off, that he fights back when his father tries to control him such that his father backs down, may or may not be the truth. If it is the truth, it demonstrates what an out-of-control loser he is, just like those bratty children who throw tantrums in shopping centres and lay down and scream. Rylee, Christina and Tyler have no respect for him, he is merely their weed and beer supplier; Amy is the only fool who appears to genuinely like him. Brett's disclosure about George, if the truth, was interesting and rather revealing. It appears he has not cultivated genuine friendships within the old boys network, he may not have the protection of same if it was revealed he has been raping his stepson for the past 9 years. Hopefully this information may be something Colt and Noah take on board.

It appears the "royal butt" aka Bastien's rosebud is a thing of wondrous beauty, well-rounded, pert and naturally smooth. Not a hairy, saggy, soggy disappointment resembling two empty wallets. Likely natural, not a surgically enhanced monstrosity akin to those purchased by certain shallow celebrity parasites. I have to wonder if it was a coincidence Bastien paid Lawrence a visit on the night Lawrence had undertaken an undercover reconnoitre of Lukas' suite to gather any possible clue(s) as to who murdered him. Was Bastien already heading for Lawrence's room when he saw him stepping out and he followed him to his destination, from which he quickly departed when Lawrence entered Lukas' suite. A very big coincidence if it was in fact a coincidence. Bastien's attempted seduction of Lawrence was met with resistance on this occasion, but it certainly implanted a desire hitherto not experienced by Lawrence, a desire for the male physique. A delicious chapter @Laura S. Fox. Almost sultry, which in the cold climate in which Veridien Academy is situated is no mean feat.

I sense Margaret is rather stealthy, she will have Charlie doing things she has "suggested" he do for his wellbeing, but he will think it was his idea. Her unobtrusive approach is far more suited to Charlie's temperament than that of his insufferable and suffocating mother. Both Neil and Alex have artistic talents, albeit in very different fields. Both are somewhat dismissive of their talents and have a great appreciation for the talents of the other. It seems Neil's bum is getting an increasingly good workout after some initial reluctance @Robert Hugill. Alex may make a power bottom out of him yet. If the hand pictured above is indicative of the collection I can fully understand your reaction @Gary L. I think it is rather grotesque and very self indulgent. If it was a marble replica of H.R.H. Greta, Lilibeth, Frida or Missy's paws it would be a thing of wondrous beauty. Another delightful addition to your repertoire H.R.H. Robert Hugill of Baden-Württemberg.

I had no comparisons until this chapter, and although the storyline was radically different, I suddenly thought of Thelma and Louise when Noah said “Loved,” Noah whispered. “Safe. Like somebody actually cares what happens to me.” I hope this story has a better outcome.

From a lay person's point of view, I think this is a very plausible explanation. Kieran's comment in chapter 3 of Traditions"There was nothing untoward about Father Costas. He was one of the good guys – at least as far as Catholic priests go." makes sense in this scenario as Father Costas was trained as a Catholic priest and "practiced" (not sure this is the correct word but cannot think of anything more suitable at present) as one until he was defrocked, which might explain his interest in Trinity's sequinned frocks too, LOL. And as Thompsonville Community Church is non-denominational, he can take on any title he wishes or the congregation wishes to address him as. Brilliant in fact, this is why you are an author and I am a mere summerABBAdiscocat.

Manipulative and frighteningly manic too @drpaladin. It appears he has been planning this for some time, it is not something he has been plotting only since meeting Colt, it is as if he has been waiting for someone like Colt to help him put the plan in place and carry it through. He is quite deliberately I think, ensuring Colt takes all the traceable actions, whilst he is the "ideas man", the "silent" partner in the development and execution of the plan.

I did not realise either @SilentandBroken.

I am intrigued as to how the thieves/shooters knew Jerry has an original Renoir painting in his home. I assume he has it insured so perhaps it is an inside job, with someone at the insurance agency involved. I do not think the average 80 year old male would own a painting of such value, so perhaps he was involved in criminal activities to have acquired such wealth. Now a SWAT team is involved hopefully all will go well. Whenever I see the acronym SWAT I always think of the American TV show from the 1970's which I have never seen (it may not have even been aired in Australia), but moreso its theme song, which was not a hit in Australia, but I assume it was played on the radio because I rather liked it. A mix of Isaac Hayes, Barry White and the Theme From Rocky (which it predated). Your usual high quality entertainment yet again @Lee Wilson.

Maybe Father Costas could "moonlight" as a guest speaker at the non-denominational Thompsonville Community Church. Perhaps he becomes a fan of Trinity de la Creme who also attends the church albeit as Patrick, initially intrigued by her somewhat biblically-inspired name, then enamoured by her courage in the face of adversity and her fabulous sequinned frocks.

I think it would make more sense to edit Traditions because the events in that story take place after this story. Having said this, have you published Out Of The Blue anywhere else, or is this its "maiden voyage? If you have not published it anywhere else you could edit this story as it would presumably be easier for you to do so. It would also make him more of a rebel if he was a free-thinking Catholic priest. Apologies if I have fucked it up for you, but this is one of those "small details" that I have referred to in comments before that I simply must understand.

He was an arsehole before his accident, now he feels justified in being an arsehole. It does not seem to have occurred to him that maybe he was "targeted" because of his prior behaviour, particularly his treatment of Noah.

My bad @Mark Ponyboy Peters. I thought Father Costas was Catholic because he is called Father and he was described as a Catholic priest in chapter 3 of Traditions by Keiran before they attended midnight mass. Certainly his beliefs would appear to be more in keeping with someone from a non-denominational community church.

"Levi endured them all with a blank expression. When one woman reached out to hug him, he stepped back. Matt saw the hurt on the woman’s face, then watched Luke smoothly step in with a quiet thank you and with enough warmth to soften the moment. That was Luke all over. Always noticing the emotional tripwires before Matt did." One more "incident" like this @Mark Ponyboy Peters and Luke may need to be beatified, whilst he is still alive. I believe Matt will have to build up his reserves of patience as I expect Levi is going to express at least some resistance to being raised by two gay men, particularly with other gay men in the extended household. It appears the "cherry pickers" have instilled the oft quoted passage from Leviticus into Levi's mind, possibly whilst conveniently overlooking the reference to not eating pork or wearing mixed fabrics. It may be that Matt and by extension Luke, will have to acquaint themselves with at least some parts of the bible so they have some idea what Levi is talking about and can mount a counter argument if necessary. We don't know as yet what denomination of Christianity Levi has been exposed to, although it may not matter all that much. When they return to Thompsonville, perhaps Matt and Luke could make the acquaintance of Father Costas, although none of the guys may be aware of him. If Levi is Catholic, Father Costas would be the obvious choice to approach, although if none of the guys are aware of him they will not know he is a moderate man who is capable of independent thought, one whose mind has not been poisoned by dogma. Matt is doing a fine job thus far, acting on instinct more than anything else. There may come a time when this is not enough. If so, I hope he does not take it as a failure on his part as what he is about to embark upon his no small feat, even putting aside Levi's beliefs about same sex relationships.

I too suspect Brett is not going to cease his accusations of Colt and Noah's involvement in his accident. Hopefully a miracle will occur and it will emerge something else caused Brett's accident, or maybe he was breath tested and was found to be DUI. He may have a genuine grievance against Colt and Noah, but he is still an arsehole and I don't have any sympathy for him at all. Brett's belligerence may convince Noah that the plan to murder George should not proceed. I think Colt's resistance to the idea will have been reinforced by Brett's behaviour, and there is next to no chance Noah will carry out the murder himself.

Maybe the shooters are not very bright and got the wrong house @chris191070. Perhaps Trevor was the intended target for an investigation he led which resulted in the arrest of a significant crime figure, someone who has decided payback is warranted. Or maybe Jerry is involved in criminal activities and the shooters are from a rival "gang". Or maybe Jerry has a vengeful ex-spouse who has decided he needs to pay up. Given it is an offering from @Lee Wilson, the scenarios are limitless, and that is at least half the fun. As other readers have noted @Lee Wilson, we have received more "bang for our back" than we could have anticipated in one short chapter.

I know next to nothing about cars but I assume if the brake line is cut and the police discover this they will know George has been murdered. I hope something happens to George before this as I don't think Colt will cope having George's death on his conscience. I was surprised at how easily Noah changed his mind and allowed Colt to fuck him. Colt's previous request to do so was denied and Noah seemed genuinely terrified, but on this occasion it was full steam ahead. I have to agree with my fellow reader(s) who have previously indicated Noah is somewhat manipulative, but then I guess he has learned this from George.

Is the tall dark zombie-like wolf the real killer of Theo's pack? Is this wolf the evil Wisdom Tree in disguise perhaps? Are Jack and Vince fighting the good fight for nought? Is this entire story a bad dream Theo, Jack or Vince is having after drinking too much champagne at Ryder and Danny's wedding? Is @Laura S. Fox rolling on the floor laughing her arse off as we mere mortals dissect and speculate each chapter with our puny minds and imaginations? More puzzles @Laura S. Fox with only my feeble mind to examine them.