Summerabbacat

I think it has to be Razi @drsawzall, solely because his presence in the story serves no other purpose. Killian learned virtually nothing about Paul when he visited Razi's apartment, and what little he learned on that occasion he learned from Tad. Razi may have been jealous of Paul because Fenton had wanted to date him, so Razi killed him in a jealous rage. Now as to why he killed Fenton, perhaps Razi wanted in on Fenton's criminal activities but had been rebuffed. If Razi is not the killer, then I think it was either Elvis or Paul's brother, James. James may have murdered his brother in a pious rant, raging against him for his "sinful ways" and a perceived "shame" he brought on the family. He then murdered Fenton because he blamed him for leading his brother astray. He could also be a self-hating closet case who killed Paul in a jealous rage because he had chosen to live his life authentically, and then killed Fenton because he had killed Paul. Absolutely riveting @Josh Aterovis.

The story performed even better than you were led to believe for its debut.

No, he does not remind me of anyone. His rude and aggressive behaviour towards Kris irritated me even more than his similar behaviour towards Leah. I am finding him insufferable at present, particularly when one compares what Kris has on his plate in comparison. Dean should just "shit or get off the pot". LOL.

It will take a major attitudinal adjustment for Dean to admit his dishonesty to Leah. I may be too harsh, but I don't really think he either cares or is aware of the feelings of others as he is too wrapped up in feeling sorry for himself. I got the impression she almost enjoyed "rubbing Leah's face in it". I have a particularly amusing female friend who has on occasion said to me that women are far nastier to each other than a man would ever be, and are invariably very competitive with each other for attention. Jenna and Leah? Scissor sisters?

I had forgotten about Uncle Mark and Stephen's decisive action. I have not slipped on the steps carrying laundry, but I fainted in the bathroom whilst taking washing out of the front loader washing machine, and fallen and bashed my head on the freestanding handbasin and the sharp tiled edge around the spa bath. 15 and a half years later I still have problems with my balance at times so I can understand Stephen's misstep. Perhaps Michael could be in the swimming and Stephen in the shooting (if that is an Olympic sport).

Pete's younger brother, Alex, is a little horndog. I wonder if either he or Dennis think they might be gay or bi-curious, or are they just horny teens? Is it my imagination @Lee Wilson or is Stephen a little accident prone or clumsy? I cannot recall if his eyes are amongst one of his physical deformities? If not, perhaps they need checking (I cannot remember if he wears glasses or contact lenses). Michael's swimming times are certainly impressive. Is he Olympics bound?

A debut at # 5 in the Most Read Mystery for the month ending 28/11/25 on GA. Quite an impressive feat @Robert Hugill given you have only published three chapters to date. The "boys" were right in singing it's praises early, it appears to be another winner. Well done again.

This story debuted at #2 in the Most Read Mystery and # 4 in the Most Read Adventure for the month ending 28/11/25 on GA @Mark Ponyboy Peters. And I note that our fellow Aussie, @Paladin, is in the top 10 again for the Most Read Mystery at #9. An impressive achievement from both of you again, you little "Aussie battlers". Now where's bloody Deirdre Chambers? Probably off gossiping with your cousin Primrose @Mark Ponyboy Peters.

I can only but live in hope that "sacrifice" has orange hair and is demented.

"For a second, the parking lot seemed to tilt. I wasn’t really looking at him. I was looking at a memory." OMG, I know that feeling well. If I stand on an uneven surface, a sloping footpath, a dining chair or table, or my stepladder at times, the earth seems to tilt noticeably, although fortunately usually only momentarily. What a refreshing group of middle-aged men, self-deprecating and seemingly at ease with their various health issues or life restrictions. Gay men are often so youth-obsessed, whereas this lot seem to be coping quite well with advancing age, or maybe they are just better at hiding it, mocking themselves for their limitations to hide their fears and/or disappointments. Terrific start to this story @ChromedOutCortex.

Perhaps it is indicative of what an intolerant, judgmental and somewhat misanthropic bastard I am (not all the time though), but Dean really pissed me off in this chapter. I have had a gut full of his pity party, his rude and at times aggressive behaviour (not just to Leah, but to Kris too), and his lack of consideration for the feelings others (not just Leah, but Kris too). He has used Leah to try to prove to himself he is a "man", and I suspect he will use Kris too. For Dean life is all about Dean, poor broken-hearted and abused-by-Daddy Dean. Well do something about it bitch and until you sort yourself out, stay the fuck out of other peoples' lives, people to whom you only bring misery. Go and be miserable on your own time. Now I have finished venting (I was furious when I read this story about 17 hours ago), I do hope Dean can overcome his self-pity and self-doubt and embrace his true self, if in fact his true self is gay. He may genuinely be bisexual, and if he is, then embrace that too.

Russ takes a star turn on his own and does rather well. His appreciation for his biological family increases as they are placed on more equal footing, with his brother removing the long held chip from his shoulder and taking an interest in Russ' life and not being so defensive. Some new friendships are forged, but it's not all ha ha hee hee, as Russ experiences racism and homophobia Irish style (or lack thereof). And of course, the weather is bloody awful, wet, cold, wet, cold and wet and cold, unless of course you like it wet and cold. Another tasty morsel from the pen of @Robert Hugill. Given its short duration it's more an entree or an appetiser, but it's equally delicious and fulfilling as a main. "Eat" it and enjoy.

A little less lip gloss and less pout and it's k. d. lang @Josh Aterovis.

Damn, the story status changed to 'Completed' as I wrote the comment above (at least I think it happened after I started writing it). I wondered why @Gary L, the Viscount of Valencia, referred to it is a "side story". Perhaps it was already 'Completed' and I did not notice. I guess it is a logical place for the story to conclude given Russ has returned from Ireland. I have wanted to post this song throughout this story, but now it seems very apropos. Wonderful song from a singer I rather like much of the time.

He has indeed @Gary L, but @Robert Hugill has cleverly made those changes occur slowly over a period of time, a little like someone who has a little cosmetic refreshment here and there to retain their youthful appearance, rather than industrial-strength cosmetic procedures where they go from looking 75 to 35 (and look ridiculous). This chapter found Russ embracing some quite daring social interactions; having his PA, Felicity, accompany him to a charity fund raiser, much to her delight, and setting up a holiday where Russ will meet Arman's family when they holiday together in Ireland. But the highlight of the chapter was the serious discussion of the family of four moving to buy a property together, one which would accommodate their individual needs, as well as frequent joint "activities". Any story featuring Brian, Gordon, Russ and/or Toby will be most welcomed by "the faithful" @Robert Hugill.

AC Barrett is scum, and if those who have hushed up his indiscretions in the past knew of his real proclivities, they should be charged with enabling his criminal behaviour. It has a familiar ring to it, the protection of child rapists within the Catholic Church. Casey could prove very useful to the police case against not only Jarvis, but also hopefully an investigation into and the prosecution of AC Barrett, Azzopardi and Ryan at least. This of course makes him very dangerous to them and a wanted boy, a target for a hit. I just hope he will not become another victim like Greg Walls @Mark Ponyboy Peters. Rick once again showed his acute observations and quick thinking by recognising Casey's reactions in the courtroom and then following him. Before this story concludes I hope it is recognised what an asset he is. The stench of corruption was very present in this chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters. My favourite non-emotional scene was Judge Price's very polite "fuck you" to Roderick Carlton QC.

He may not have been given the opportunity to reveal this yet @refueling835; @Josh Aterovis may be waiting to reveal this juicy tidbit of information only after he has had a good laugh at all the speculations of we readers. I don't really think it is Fenton Black though as that would be too good to be true. I also want to see him suffer the indignity of being arrested and scorned, reviled in the court of public opinion. Given his Argentinian background, who knows what government sanctioned criminal behaviour he may have been involved in whilst resident in Argentina, remembering @Josh Aterovis wrote this story in about 2000 and Neal/Fenton Black was in his mid 40's plus.

True @drsawzall, but Killian has been feeling guilty, unnecessarily so I believe, and it is this guilt which was the primary motivation for his irrational behaviour to rescue/save Jake. I think Killian's guilt about Jake is very deep seated, it goes back to the events which led up to and culminated in Todd's butchering of Jake's entire family. I think to some extent Jake has played on Killian's feelings of guilt too, whether intentionally or not. I think after this chapter those red herrings have darkened further, they are now pomegranate in colour, the colour of blood, the blood Killian stepped into on the floor.

"When he still didn't move, I took another. And then another, until I was within a few feet of him. My feet stuck unpleasantly to the floor, as if something had been spilled. I moved around beside him and felt the air rush out of me as I began to tremble. A perfectly round hole the size of a dime punctuated his forehead, dribbling a tiny trickle of blood down his face. If it was a mob-style hit we were looking for, I had just found it." Could the dead man in Fenton's kitchen be the "death" Judy has felt was imminent, the one she felt would endanger the lives of Killian and possibly Jake (if I remember correctly)? If it is so, could the dead man be Fenton Black? Could Killian and Jake be so lucky for it to be Fenton Black? It if is Fenton, what danger could Killian and Jake be in? Might the police think either one or the other or both had the perfect motive to murder Fenton? Who is the dead man? If it is Fenton, the murderer could be anyone as I daresay a man like Fenton would have earned many enemies, people he has wronged over the course of his life? If Fenton is the murder victim I think it is possible Razi murdered him? If the murder victim is Razi then I think Fenton is the most likely killer. I think however, the most likely murder victim is someone in the corruption Fenton is embroiled in with any number of public officials. @drsawzall summed up Killian's actions well in his comments above, although like @refueling835, I understand his foolhardy behaviour as he hopes to rescue/save Jake from a fate unknown. Given how clever @Josh Aterovis is, the murder victim could be Elvis or Roger Ackroyd for all I know.

I'm sure we will enjoy it anyway. Not Just Another Summer took its time to warm up and look how beloved it became. I's sure she will be a "right cow".

I have just re-read the precis of this story again @Robert Hugill and I look forward to the introduction of Tom, the burnt-out ex-boyfriend, the grumpy gay policeman and the toxic aunt. I wonder if the latter will be as ghastly as venomous Venetia Murray, the spawn of Mary Whitehouse or Margaret Hilda. I wonder if, and it is a very big if at this stage of their friendship, Louis' perceptions of Charlie's relationship with Kelsey are at all accurate. If so, it appears Charlie is treated as an afterthought or taken for granted in the relationship, not unlike how Tom apparently treated Louis in their relationship. I wonder if this shared indifference might forge a bond between the two, leading to something more than just friendship. Or perhaps the old battle-axe might take a fancy to Louis and encourage a relationship between the two (mmmm maybe not). Another Hugill, another treat. In just over two years you have favoured we readers with 11 stories @Robert Hugill, including the 3 still 'In process'. As Eileen Garner would quite possibly say "and none of it is shit". Well done.

Sometimes the polished to perfection takes away the thrill of the original, warts and all. I think this is true of music too @Robert Hugill.

Maybe they could come and stay with you and hubby over the Christmas break @chris191070. They could help look after the 13 cats. Do you get snow at Christmas time in Oldham? You could expose them to Slade's Christmas anthem which I understand charts almost every year in the UK (and is much better than Mariah's bloody awful Christmas song). Personally, I love Wham's Last Christmas and Boney M's Mary's Boy Child/Oh My Lord, both of which were massive hits in your homeland, and substantial hits here in Australia too. And I hate White Christmas by Bing Crosby.

St Vincents has a public and private hospital @weinerdog. I assume Nick works at the public hospital. Depending on the nature and severity of your "illness" you may have to go on the waiting list.

I drink oat milk (only in smoothies though, filtered water on my cereal) and eat soy yoghurt and soy ice cream @Altimexis (ice cream is a weakness). I do buy some processed vegan vegie burgers and plant based chicken schnitzels (made from pea and soy protein) and eat tofu, plus regularly eat cashews, pecans, pepitas, black chia seeds and LSA meal. My processed burgers are essentially various mixed vegetables with chick peas and spices. It is not practical in a single-person household to buy all the ingredients to make such things (and I am way too lazy and hate making too much of a mess, which I then have to clean up). I don' t recall ever buying eggs since I left home at the age of 18. I ate them as a child, but now they repulse me. They smell horrible and the sight of the yolk as it oozes on a plate is revolting. I ate 1/2 an organic BBQ chicken about 6 years, only because I had bought it for my 1 of my 6 cats as she had a stomach upset and was refusing to eat. My vet recommended it because everyone knows cats love BBQ chicken. I was skeptical as I did not think any of mine would eat it, including Zelda (she is my profile picture) and unfortunately I was right. Zelda licked it, but refused to eat it, and not 1 of the other 5 would eat it either. I felt obliged to eat it as the bird had been killed and not to eat it seemed "sinful". I paid for it the next day. I reacted like you, it was like I had gastroenteritis (which I had as a 2 year old, but cannot remember) and vomiting. NEVER AGAIN.