Summerabbacat

I read this chapter at around midnight on Friday evening (I think) and could not follow the conversation between Ian and Louis at all, and after that I got a "little lost" a couple of times following the thread of the story. Reading it again now at 2.00pm on Sunday afternoon I have to wonder what confused me. I read the conversation between Ian and Louis and it made perfect sense. It was obvious who said what, and as for the rest of the chapter, it was fully compos mentis too. Friday was not a good day at work and I finished the day very tired and very pissed off, so perhaps this was the root cause for my confusion. I am certainly glad I read the chapter again because if was as if I read a completely different chapter on Friday evening. Nicky the harpy, a wonderful description @CincyKris. Being less polite and in keeping with the English setting of this story, I would have described her as a "right cow". As for this vituperative fishwife's artistic talents, they were somewhat caustically, and very amusingly, described by Louis as "specialised in hand-printed silk and velvet, mainly scarves and floaty garments, all enormously expensive". Overpriced tat perhaps? As speculated by @centexhairysub is Charlie's friendliness towards Louis simply the joy of having a male fellow artist in the Stables, or does he have another hitherto unrevealed motivation? It is a trip to the Hugillverse @centexhairysub, so methinks Charlie may find Louis as sexy as Louis finds Charlie; however, the revelation may take some time to occur. In the meantime we can enjoy the awkward encounters and comical moments as they dance around the topic. Outstanding as usual @Robert Hugill, even if it did take me two readings to comprehend (my "fault" obviously, not yours).

@Josh Aterovis, master of the understatement. If the cesspool which currently exists had only infected LGBTQI rights it would be bearable, but so much more is at stake. Every day I read of the wholesale murder of wolves, bears, polar bears and Felix only knows what else, brought upon this by demented dictator and his band of like- minded scum. Then there is the incessant greed and the need to conquer nature by destruction of the environment. The list of negatives is endless and too depressing to dwell upon.

Damn. An inconvenient truth. Maybe he was incognito.

Owen Evans - gluttonous carnivore, overworked and under-appreciated. Old school like Novak, likely overlooked for promotions because of this and his age. Seemingly had a begrudging respect for Killian, but Killian should still tread with caution. Even before the discovery of the photograph I suspected Tom Jackson might be Jake @drsawzall. What troubles me though is, what was the nature of his relationship with Paul. Was it genuine, or was Jake already in too deep with Fenton Black, who was using him to get information on Paul. Several of us, your good self included, thought the key to the safety deposit box might be the key to solving the murder. Indirectly, it might be, but I think the origin of the connection between Jake and Fenton might be the "real" key. Paul's "family". What a joke. A spineless mother who utters ridiculous platitudes "he's in a better place now". Apparently frightened of her son, James, who forbids her to speak of his brother. If she cared tuppence for Paul she could always tell judgmental James to fuck off, in a "wholesome" manner of course "There's the door, don't let it hit you on the arse on the way out you fucking pious neanderthal". Unfortunately, there was little cause for "aterovisian" laughter in this chapter @Josh Aterovis. Not even the bon vivant of Baltimore could have brought any cheer to this chapter, with Frumpy Frau Flynn providing a glimpse into a life Paul was right to have left behind in search of sanity and happiness.

A well "greased" doorknob @drsawzall.

"No, Mama. They are helping us, but they may be in danger, so that’s why we need to get them out of the city and keep them safe. There will only be three people who will know where they are . . . we can’t afford to have anyone find out where they’ve disappeared to." This chapter needed a tissue warning, at least for me @Mark Ponyboy Peters, for this discussion alone. I sense Rick, and Beth and Tom, has each found comfort in the other for things lost, Rick as a surrogate son for Beth and Tom, and Beth and Tom as surrogate parents for Rick. What a disappointment Rick's parents must be, possibly poisoned by piety. Jarvis lives in Rose Bay; well he certainly won't be the only resident whose lifestyle has been funded by some illegal, or at least shady, businesses. And what of his wife, Cynthia, uptight Eastern Suburbs "wife", a dried-up, middle-aged crustacean. I won't be surprised to learn she knows well enough her lifestyle is being funded by illegal activities, but so long as she is kept in the manner to which she has become accustomed, her conscience will not be troubled. After all, she deserves it. I am with Rick, she is a nasty piece of work. Hopefully when Jarvis is imprisoned and the ill-gotten proceeds of his crimes seized, she will return from whence she came, working at her local Charcoal Chicken takeaway in Mt Druitt. AC Barrett is the possible high-profile cop to whom Shane referred as one of the regular johns who used the services of the boys provided by Jarvis. But is it really him, it seems awfully convenient. The inference he was spotted leaving a "gay sex den" so it must be him is bullshit. It is more likely to be a perfectly respectable heterosexual cop, one who is married with children, who likes younger boys on the down-low. Intriguing plus @Mark Ponyboy Peters. Hopefully in the next chapter Helen and Rick will have Jarvis and Gus in custody, with Gus singing like a canary, implicating Jarvis in more than just supplying underage boys for sex. If he does, he may find himself "meeting his maker" much sooner than he would have liked. I just hope he can be kept alive for long enough to bring down Jarvis and any of his associates or high profile johns who have been involved in the use and abuse of the boys.

Jason is certainly getting more "bang for his buck" than the average person. A popular lad, very accommodating. The "Texass Tunnel".

It is easy for me to say at a much more "mature" (read advanced) age than Dean, but his excuses are pathetic. I don't have an issue with him fucking up his own life, sad although it is, but he as no right to upset Leah's life because he has not got the courage to live his life authentically. His father is dead, thankfully, so it is time he pulled up his big boy pants and stopped trying to live his life by the standards of a dead bigot. It is sad Dean still thinks of his mother. I assume she is deceased, if not, she is just as selfish as what his worthless father was, and frankly he is better off without her. Kris and Ethan? Mmmmm. I still think it is not a good idea to date your boss, even if a mutual attraction exists, but that is me. I don't trust many of my own species.

That generous G&T sounds more to my liking.

Not a fan @Gary L, apart from Queen’s A Night At The Opera, although I could listen to an album by Maria Callas.

I had the same thoughts as you Philippe. Jake was the lover Paul had met, either in a professional capacity to begin with or on a dating app or in a club. I am certain Fenton Black aka Neal is the killer as Paul had found evidence of crime(s) he was able to link to him. The red herrings have grown considerably in size @drsawzall, they now more closely resemble whale sharks, the largest fish in the world. I know the story is complete @Josh Aterovis, but I will still indulge myself a "fantasy finale". Howie joins forces with Killian and Chris when he learns it is Fenton Black who was responsible for the murder of Paul. Deranged by grief Howie slowly strangles Fenton after drugging him, accompanied by the stunning and apropos vocals of Julie Covington, with "aterovisian" laughter in the background courtesy of Killian, Chris, Micah, Tad, Adam, Steve, Kane, Jake and Judy. Speaking of Judy, I hope the "death" she feels coming is the death of Fenton.

It might have to be guests rather than guest @centexhairysub, unless Brian and Gordon loathe opera but young Toby surprises all and likes it.

Well it does not appear it was Buttwipe Benevetti who has paid Shane a visit or two @weinerdog, but it could easily be colleagues with whom he hangs out. A bigwig cop is one of the regular johns whom the boys service, along with a well known football player and friend, and a TV newsreader. A mixed bag, with the bigwig cop the one whom I would be most concerned about. And then there is Gus, Jarvis' stand over man who likes very young boys. I hope when he is sent down he rooms with Colin "Cannon Cock" Crusher who has a passion for tearing virgin buttpussy a new one literally. Gus impaled on a footlong without the benefit of any lube. Fucking scumbag should be taken for a "swim" in Botany Bay and see how he likes it. I sensed Rick was thinking of Martin's parents as a possible getaway for Jimmy and Shane. I imagine Rick has maintained some type of relationship with them, particularly if they did become his surrogate parents as I suspect they may have. It is pleasing to hear they have fostered boys after the brutal murder of Martin; I daresay it has provided them some degree of comfort or solace. "How about we give you a couple of minutes to have a read of that before we talk?’ I offered, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder as I did so. He looked up at me and tried to smile, but the tears that I could see forming at the corners of his eyes kept holding him back. ‘Th-thanks,’ he eventually managed to say, before turning his attention back to the letter and quickly ripping the end from the envelope. I stepped away from him and joined Helen outside the doorway, glancing back just once and seeing him wipe his eyes with the back of his hand." This chapter needed to a tissue warning @Mark Ponyboy Peters, with moments like this bound to herald a tear or two. And what of Constable Plod? Unless he was off having a dump, he needs his arse kicked to Woollomooloo and back. You don't leave your post on a job like this dickhead. I hope Helen read him the riot act.

I had the same thought @Davide. To have his hopes raised so, only to be dashed at a time when he is consumed with worry and fear about his mother and their future, would be a crushing blow. His already low self-esteem would take a battering. His only saving grace is his mother, tenacious and surprisingly positive given what life has thrown her way, even when Kris' father was still alive. Dishonest Dean, not only lying to himself but also to Leah. He needs to grow a pair, become the man he wants to be, especially to spite his odious father.

I NEVER thought I would describe Russ as endearing when he first made our acquaintance @drsawzall and @Robert Hugill, but he was just that in this chapter. He has charmed his nephews with the offer to make cake again (even though he is not really into football), he has charmed Lisa with his stories of his and Connor's childhood and his urbane manner, and most surprisingly, he has managed to form a connection with Connor, one which does not appear to have ever been as strong or resilient. “Do these names mean anything to you?” Russ looked at his phone. “Spontini, Marschner, and Balfe?” Con laughed. “Sounds like a dodgy firm of solicitors.” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 It sounds exactly like a firm of dodgy solicitors, the sort Mel Brooks would mock mercilessly. And the weather is still bloody awful Robert.

I was going to say was this back in the day when you were known as Travolta Sawzall, but it could not have been as it was early 1977, almost a year before Saturday Night Fever exploded. I have never made it a secret of my love for disco in its many forms and would have relished watching Soul Train in the 1970's if it had been shown on TV in Australia.

But it’s not a Hawaiian shirt @drsawzall:

It sounded much more “sophisticated” than “Joshuan” or raucous, and almost looks like a real word.

The lads have "called" it early on this one @Robert Hugill. Nothing but praise for this latest "hugill". Just in time for the festive season. Perhaps as a "treat" for the faithful, you might release the "deluxe edition". It's bound to be another chart-topper for you again.

I don't know any teenagers in today's world, but my limited observations of them would support your assessment @Josh Aterovis, although contrary to @Seraph28's assessment, Killian appears to me to be far less self-absorbed than the average teenager. He also appears to have far more commonsense and not as reliant upon technology to tell him what to do, how to behave, how and whom to relate to, and to keep him constantly entertained. I may be harsh though as I invariably am, grumpy old so and so that I am. You have hit on the characteristic I admire most about him @Josh Aterovis, his strong desire for justice, which motivates him to help people. The two are inextricably linked and motivate each other. I don't find him vain, in fact, quite the opposite. Jake struck me as troubled even before Todd butchered their entire family, so it is little wonder he deteriorated mentally after that. I was pleasantly surprised he admitted he is in too deep with Fenton Black aka Neal as this bodes well if Killian is able to help him. Had he not admitted this he may have resisted any assistance Killian may be able to offer. And now to the mystery man himself. I fucked up big time assuming Fenton Black was a journalist after Micah's comments in the last chapter. I heard the very loud "aterovisian" guffaws emanating from Baltimore all the way over here in Sydney, Australia, when I read this chapter @Josh Aterovis. Killian's detection of a slight accent when he spoke with Neal was spot on if Fenton is in fact from Argentina. If what Micah believes about him is true then he is nothing more than a common criminal, a thug, a bully. The escort business is likely a little plaything to amuse himself. I won't be at all surprised if he tried to force himself on Paul and was rebuffed. I daresay he is not a man who accepts the word 'no' from anyone, and therefore he murdered Paul in a fit of rage. I will be more than satisfied if there are no more murders @Josh Aterovis, and will be exceedingly, deliriously happy if either Jake or Killian end Fenton in self-defence and it is witnessed by the "powers that be" so that they are not charged with a crime. The headlines would read: FENTON FINALLY FUCKED FOR FORNICATION AND FELONIES

Jack's childlike naĩveté fascinates me. It is as if he has lived under a rock, totally oblivious to the world around him and its fascination with sex. It appears he has had no sexual urges though, which may mean he has been asexual up until now. Will his first foray into mansex with Vince unleash the beast hidden within? Will his appetite explode overnight resulting in him changing from Joan of Arc to Joey Stefano? Will Vince be able to keep up with him? Will Theodore be man/alpha enough for him? Will his "little thingy" be perpetually hard from now on?

Perhaps he has "performance anxiety" issues or is prone to premature eJACKulation @drpaladin? We already know he is a "ball licker", perhaps he also takes rimming to a (w)hole new level and is embarrassed by his insatiable lust. Maybe he does not just "eat arse", but devours it, with a tongue that puts Gene Simmons to shame.

Only if Coop could get him away from the fabulous Sue Ellen, that: I know you have mentioned the "cuteness" of Christopher Atkins before. I put him in the same category as Leif Garrett (back then not now), a bit too twinky for my tastes even then. He is 64 years old now, the same age as Leif Garrett. He looks a helluva lot better than Leif though; he has had major drug problems over the years and it shows, a bit like Jan Michael Vincent (I thought he was very hot when I was a teenager).

Come on Eileen Oh, I swear (what he means) How are Lilibet (?) and Greta @Gary L? Has the former managed to bankrupt you yet?

"You need to get out of that bloody flat, Louis. Say goodbye to all those other shit leaseholders and live on your own." As soon as I read this statement and then the name Eileen Garner I thought to myself, this is that woman who was so rude to Gray. And I was right, it was she who remarked “Good.” She nodded. “Ruth here”, she gestured at her companion who remained silent, “had a family event nearby and luckily for you we decided to look up. I have to say”, she looked around the room, “you’ve surprised me. It isn’t shit. It isn’t shit at all.” She nodded. " It appears her use of the "brown" word was nothing out of the ordinary for her, one might say shit is to her as fuck is to Gordon Ramsay. Farouk LaForge, more infamously known as Farouk Joski, appears to be a thoroughly unpleasant character, one who will make Andreas Schmidt and Jasper (I cannot remember his family name, if he even had one) appear to be novices. It appears we readers are in for a very different ride into the Hugillverse on this occasion @Robert Hugill. Whatever the ride I am certain it will be an amusing, interesting, and more than likely educational one, with a sprinkle of Hugillisms along the way, in fact, this chapter had one already, oik. Never have I seen this word before and what a wonderfully colourful and expressive little word it is.