Summerabbacat

I was not at all surprised Marcus had figured out Dean was gay, but I was somewhat surprised by the depth of his emotions and his capacity and willingness to articulate them. Seemingly, he has far less in common with their odious father than what Dean does. I also did not realise Marcus raised Dean from his teenage years into adulthood. I assumed Dean had become an adult before their father died, however, this is apparently not the case. Dean is very fortunate to have had such a brother. The quandary Kris now finds himself in is not one to be envied. He has gone from having little joy in his life, apart from his mother, to a potential significant increase in his income AND someone who has professed their love for him. The poor lad is now spoilt for choices.

I daresay you may have been on the Edge Of Seventeen when you first encountered this goddess @Gary L. Dressed in your Leather And Lace, a youthful British dandy, a Gypsy, going to your first Fleetwood Mac concert in Birmingham (?), accompanied by your best friends, your Sisters Of The Moon, Sara, Rhiannon and Angel. Did you Stand Back in awe as this Gold Dust Woman, this Bella Donna, this Beautiful Child, exposed you to the Seven Wonders with her vocal prowess? Did you succumb to a Landslide of emotions, bedazzled by the Beauty And The Beast, Enchanted by Stephanie Lynn?

I was thinking the same thing @Philippe. I kept "willing" Rick to forget about the sliding wardrobe door and under the curtains, and check the open page of the school yearbook instead, which Martin may have conveniently blown open to reveal the killer, or at least someone with a connection to the killer. "Well, we all know that you and your sister didn’t get on too well, but maybe it’s time the pair of you thought about burying the hatchet?’ she suggested." I agree Beth, in her back. I am not a forgiving person (least of all of myself) so am the worst person to offer a comment, but I would not be in a hurry to "forgive and forget" Stacey's contempt for Rick and Martin n the past. I suppose if Rick wants to have a relationship with his nephew I can understand him extending the olive branch, but if she makes one false move again, I suggest he erase her from is life for good. " ....... watching the sun dipping low, washing the sky with a colourful sunset and bathing the evening in an ethereal golden glow". What stunning imagery @Mark Ponyboy Peters, I can relate to it well. Rick may have "incorporated" Mr X into his dream as Martin's killer because he mentioned him in conversation with Beth and Tom before retiring for the evening, but equally it may be a message from "beyond the grave" from Martin. Whatever, it made for a vivid and riveting moment in this chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters. I wonder if he is someone Jimmy and/or Shane has serviced before, and I wonder if he has a connection to AC Barrett. I sense his penchant for dressing as The Headmaster may just be the tip of the iceberg. Stevie Nicks featured heavily in this chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters, her "ethereal" vocals the perfect musical accompaniment for Rick's Dreams.

I read my comment again and noticed I had referred to Joshua as she instead of he @Paladin. I could blame auto-correct, but on this occasion that is too hard to believe. Instead I will blame Frida who insists on pressing herself against my laptop such that I have to put my arms up in the air slightly so as not to "disturb" her. I have already been glared at a number of times this evening for daring to "crowd" her. It is much cooler tonight so she is wanting the warmth of the laptop to warm her fur.

This chapter had me in tears too, the saddest chapter yet. At times I thought Adam realised Jamie was dead, and then he said something to make me wonder if he thinks he is still alive.

I am back to not understanding anything @CincyKris. What is reality and what is not? What is a dream and what is not? I feel like I have entered the Twilight Zone or Bobby Ewing's shower.

I remembered Joshua mentioning the call he made, which is why I felt vindicated to call her a bitch, nasty cow etc. I work with them every day, which has only increased my "colourful" language. I have never known any group of people to swear so much, so I have fitted in beautifully.

A tisket a tasket. It was the mention of Ella's little yellow basket that got you all verklempt wasn't it?

If I had been certain it was an error I would have sent you a private message. I have heard some people refer to "high" Anglicans as Catholic before so thought it might have been correct.

Ooh I do like the way your suspicious mind and that of fellow reader @pvtguy works @CincyKris. I will be particularly pleased if Uncle Phil has been financing Maddy's life and she has to payback money he has given her. Nasty cow. The solicitors who have been administering the trust funds for Madison, Daniel and Joshua should also be in deep shit. I wonder if they have any "affiliation" with Uncle Phil, if they have perhaps been viewing the porn he has produced.

Given his questions about Uncle Vernon's time in the Middle East and his job I wondered if he might recognise it too @drsawzall.

OMG @Ticklishboy30, you always post the most beautiful animal gifs. So much more appealing than human gifs.

I seem to recall she left Australia with her boyfriend/husband @CincyKris. I assume he is Irish and she took his family name. It strikes me as very suspicious she has apparently never attempted to maintain contact with her siblings, but has been quick to judge at least one of them, Joshua.

What @weinerdog said. Is Mr Corcoran a man of interest? Could he be the mysterious Mr X Rick sighted at Bondi Junction railway station and possibly caught a glimpse of near Alexis' workplace. He would be about the right age and could have lost some weight in the interim. It is apparent Tom and Beth, like Rick, have not finished grieving for Martin. His bedroom is a shrine to his memory, which may prove fortuitous in helping to solve his murder. I cannot help but think (or is it hope) there is something amongst Martin's possessions which may point to who it was who murdered him. It has not been windy today in Sydney @Mark Ponyboy Peters, but still my "hay fever" symptoms flared up with: "No matter who you love in the future, Martin will always have a place in your heart. Just as you will in ours." and: "It was then that another thought struck me . . . one that chilled me to the bone. Would any of these faces be capable of murder? And if so, then why? What possible motive would they have to harm such a beautiful boy? My beautiful boy!" I wonder if any of those educational films released by Falcon Studios are amongst the collection I have. Martin and Rick clearly had a thirst for knowledge (or something else), and were keen to continue their education even after leaving school. I am a little puzzled by the following statement @Mark Ponyboy Peters, having always attended public schools with no religious affiliation thankfully: "Waratah Catholic High School was a co-educational school, administered by the Anglican Church". Wouldn't a Catholic High School be administered by the Catholic Church, or are schools administered by the Anglican Church also referred to as Catholic High Schools? A beautifully written melancholic chapter, with a little revelation of Rick's life with Martin before his murder. Rick's reminiscing was mostly concentrated on the joyful times, the times prior to the moment when tragedy struck with the force of a natural disaster. As I read this chapter I had a much loved favourite ballad by Madonna playing in my head, rather an appropriate song given the location of the events which took place to. I sense the next chapter may be devastating, one which covers the incident which nearly destroyed Rick, Tom and Beth. If so, I think it best I wear a long sleeve shirt whilst reading it @Mark Ponyboy Peters, or have the doona and/or pillows nearby.

Vince's protein-rich diet should ensure he remains in peak physical condition to continue his role as a guardian. One of the positive side-effects of his diet is that the process of consumption also releases significant serotonin and stress hormones, thus ensuring he remains calm and serene. Why would he possibly want to return to his former profession. If he continues to excel, "Bushy" Pembroke might even give him a promotion. Jack was too cute receiving his first blowjob. I can only but imagine how he will react when his prostate is stimulated for the first time.

How about Toxicity Bitchface Sourpuss or TBS for short.

She was hugely successful, especially in the USA. You may have heard her Prince-penned Sugar Walls, which was on Tipper Gore's list of "filthy songs" at one time, along with several songs by the Purple One himself. I loved most of her songs, even the somewhat cheesy Morning Train (9 to 5). I love listening to her speaking because her Scottish accent is so strong, which does not come through in her singing. She is also very funny, taking the piss out of herself all the time. She is a smart woman too, she has been married and divorced 4 times, with the longest marriage lasting 18 months, and her last husband was a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon.

I was wondering why Alice was spelt with a lower case 'a'. Another Hugillism I have never encountered before, although I think you have used it in a prior chapter and I assumed it was Aunt Alice on that occasion too.

Madison O'Reilly, what a bitch. I am perplexed as to how Jordan was responsible for a shark attacking Adam, but I dare say "Maddy" will have an explanation. As for her defending "dear" Uncle Phil, perhaps she should be shown some of the pornographic footage he has made using underage children, assuming of course she has not already seen it. Perhaps the police should be alerted and do some investigation into Maddy's background, maybe dear little Maddy has been involved in the distribution of the porn in Europe. There is something suspicious about "innocent" Madison O'Reilly, calling "out of the blue" after Daniel has handed over his diary to the police and additional charges are to be brought against "dear" Uncle Phil. Vanessa started to irk me again @Paladin (and it does not take much at the moment), but she was forgiven when she cooked asparagus risotto and home made apple crumble.

Just your heart @andy cannon? You have set this up well @Robert Hugill, what with Tom's stepfather being a builder and Tom having absorbed some of his skills/knowledge. Tom indicated he wants to stay until after the weekend, but he did not state which one. I sense Tom is at a loose end and he may have had a health scare given his appearance and professed burn out. Helping Louis in the restoration of his home and all the outbuildings might be just what the doctor ordered, and his company may be welcomed by Louis too. “We all turn up, open our doors, and answer stupid questions from curious punters.” Tom laughed. “I can see you enjoying that.” Dare I say shades of Gray Philpott @Robert Hugill. The "artistic temperament" on display yet again? I am curious about Ian. Will we get to learn a little more of his history? Is there a reason for his extreme shyness and very poor self-esteem? And was his Aunt's name Alice given he refers to her as allus?

"Tonight, he was all swagger and flash. He wore tight white jeans, spotless designer sneakers, a fitted Armani tee, and a puffy white vest that matched his backward baseball cap and tinted glasses. His overnight bag was Louis Vuitton." Label queen much Miguel? Whilst I loved Wham!, the white jeans were always just so wrong, LOL. I remember having a pair of tight white jeans as a teenager in the late 1970's. As well as being completely impractical colour wise, I vaguely recall whenever I wore them I felt like I had been kicked in the crotch when I took them off. “Everyone thinks I’m this stuck-up, arrogant asshole,” he said quietly. “But that’s not really me. I don’t even like the parties half as much as I pretend. I’d rather have a quieter life... less stress, less noise". Everyone thinks you are a stuck-up, arrogant asshole Miguel because you behave like a stuck-up, arrogant asshole. And making excuses for your behaviour with statements like "And I sometimes act homophobic for the same reason. I’ve even beaten a few people up for being gay or acting too afeminado.” is pathetic. As a very wise old dachshund, @weinerdog said, "I know Miguel says he putting on an act to hide things about himself but I can't respect bullying behavior". Nor can I @weinerdog, and hopefully Hunter will not either. I am with you, Team Yeison all the way. Miguel is a prat, making excuses for the fact he is essentially a jerk. Maybe he is parroting his father's behaviour, but frankly I don't care. I can appreciate smoked salmon and cream cheese, especially if accompanied by capers and on a poppy seed bagel @Altimexis, but sushi with cream cheese and mango. Although I no longer eat fish, I did enjoy sushi from time to time, but with mango, no, no, no. I must admit though, that whilst I enjoy most fruit, I loathe and always have loathed mango. As with pork, lamb and eggs, just the smell of mango makes me feel somewhat queasy. And the taste, sickly sweet. Agreed on all fronts @drsawzall. It will not surprise me if Miguel's father proves to be one of the biggest criminals in this story, and may pose a threat to the safety of both Hunter and Miguel. A "savaging" of the family jewels by Max may save the day.

You and Kris are far more forgiving and trusting than I am @Davide. This is not the first time Dean has made allegedly idle threats in conversation with Kris. Given his father's history of violence directed towards Dean, I hoped he might be more self-aware about making such comments himself, perhaps he is not because his threats are not idle. Sooner or later I fear Dean will inflict physical violence on Kris, whether intentional or not hardly matters.

Would I be correct in surmising it was Senator Tom Day in the photograph with Fenton Black which Killian found in Jake's bedroom @Josh Aterovis? Killian has been remarkably lucky to date to have not been killed by one of the murderers he has apprehended. Todd, Caleb and Razi all tried and fortunately all failed. I have to wonder if, and when, Killian will disclose to Adam that not only can he "see" Seth, but is able to talk to him too. Perhaps finding a person who is able to "train" him with his gift; said person may also be able to help him with this quandary too. And what of Carmen @Josh Aterovis? When will Carmen's daylight identity be revealed? Sterling effort @Josh Aterovis. It is extraordinary that you wrote this 25 years ago, it is so contemporary, but then I guess murder, abuse and corruption are as old as humanity itself. You must have been awfully young when you wrote it too, barely beyond a foetus. A posting from me is barely adequate without a musical accompaniment. I just hope Jake's attempt is more successful than Amy's.

Gloryholes? Slings? A playroom complete with all manner of whips, dildos and other "accoutrements"? Gray and Vince's "missing" Aunt Marjorie? Ella's little yellow basket? Elvis? The list is endless @drsawzall.

They may have "warned" me my hay fever was likely to flare up again.