Summerabbacat

I forgot to comment on another guest appearance by Tim Tams @Paladin. I had another dark chocolate one recently and must confess I thoroughly enjoyed it. I still don’t care for the original Tim Tams nor any of the other more recent flavours, but could so easily become gluttonous for the dark chocolate ones. Best not to tempt fate.

Oh fuck, I so did not see that coming @Paladin. I suspect Daniel may be far more traumatised than what he is even aware of, hence the flashback out of the blue. Could this be the start of more to come? The only saving grace is he now has family to support him through what will be a difficult time until all those directly involved in the paedophile ring are convicted and sentenced. Hopefully their conviction and sentencing will afford both Daniel and Joshua some comfort, but I dare say they will need ongoing support for some time to come.

Sade have been very popular in my homeland of Australia from the release of their first album onwards. Not a singles band, their albums have always sold well and have usually been well received by critics too.

I guess for my generation (60+) she is well known, but for younger generations perhaps not given she has only released 2 albums in the last 25 years. Stunning voice, stunning beauty and a very supportive mother.

Nigeria "gave" the world Sade, and for that I am grateful.

Having grown up in a religious household myself, I have no patience for, or tolerance of, zealots like Hosea Crenshaw. Whilst he may not be subjecting his son to physical abuse, which remains to be seen, his authoritarian insistence his son follows his dogmatic and intransigent religious beliefs, is a form of child abuse. Frankly, the yet to be named pooch has a far better grip on reality than Hosea does and would make a far more amiable companion for Elisha. And what of Elisha’s mother, the submissive Ruth. A part of me has great sympathy for her living in such a suffocating environment, although she may be just as delusional as her husband. Another part of me would just as happily throttle her for participating in the indoctrination of their son. What a blessed relief that either Hosea or Ruth was a “one-shot wonder”. Another challenging story to provoke and entertain, to satisfy our hunger and thirst for more of your literary gifts @empath. I look forward to the journey exploring Elisha and Pooch’s life, but could well do without any further appearances by Hosea. This appears very unlikely though as his iron-fisted rule over Elisha is the likely catalyst for Elisha to embrace a life far different from what his father insists it should be be, much like Rebecca Rankin, the Cuntess of Chicago, was the catalyst for Mary and Joshua becoming the fine people they ultimately became.

Sad does not cut it @drsawzall. Where is the emoticon for sobbing and wailing like an old woman in black at a funeral; the emoticon for hysterical; for crushed.

You are too kind @J J, but I will happily "bask" in the praise.

All very true @Okiegrad, but I am going to play "devil's advocate", only because I think River's relationship with Zayn is going to mirror the soap opera he was watching in chapter 1. River and Zayn's relationship started on a lie to all but themselves. With each other they could not have been more honest. Their relationship was solely a mutually beneficial business transaction, one which neither expected would become anything more or less than that. Dare I say this is not an uncommon basis for a marriage even in today's world, although it may not be as explicitly stated between the parties involved. I don't necessarily think Zayn cannot be trusted, moreso he cannot be trusted to stand up for himself, although being with River has of late seen him becoming a little less acquiescent and more principled. As for River being tamed, I think Zayn has shown, more recently at least, he does not want to tame River, he admires his feistiness. This feistiness has perhaps been a motivation for Zayn to stand up for himself. When all is said and done, I will be content if River and Zayn remain friends only, so long as Cobwebs life is destroyed, and Adrian in jail. As for Harry, I don't give a toss about him as he is a snivelling weasel who will just fade into oblivion without Cobwebs stirring him up. She represents everything which is evil about humans, particularly humans who have lived an entitled life and believe it should always be so. The "violent, vengeful, vegetarian" in me wants to see her slapped and slapped hard by virtually the entire cast, but especially by Elena, River and Zayn.

You and I have made this comment on a number of occasions from the beginning of this story @drsawzall, but so far Dr Kincaid appears to have ignored us. I am frankly very disappointed she has not seen fit to take some time off work given the extra responsibilities she has taken on for not only herself, but for Nick too, in essentially adopting Jack. His erratic and irrational behaviour is apparently not surprising her, but she appears to be doing bugger all to help Nick who at 15 cannot, and should not have to, cope with Jack's behaviour. Nick loving Jack is not an excuse to do sweet FA to help Nick. Her recognition Nick needs therapy is a good start, but can she not see he needs more help. She indicated she is not struggling financially in a recent chapter, well take some time off, or hire a cleaner at the very least. She indicated Nick does not need to be superhuman, well put those words into action Dr Kincaid.

A harrowing read, traumatic for this reader, so I can only but guess how traumatising events like this would be for someone who has lived a life like Jack. His parents must be held accountable, preferably without any pressure placed on Jack.

“Get out!” Zayn shouted, his voice trembling violently. River flinched, tears streaming down his face, then turned and bolted out of the dining hall, his sobs echoing behind him. Zayn stood there like a statue, his entire world collapsing around him. He didn’t even blink as his aunt gently rubbed his shoulder, whispering, “I told you so.” No one moved. No one spoke. Dinner was over. But the night wasn’t. Because as the silence settled, Leonardo’s eyes—cold, sharp, and calculating—lifted from his plate to stare at Veronica. And he just sighed and shook his head. " Leonardo has not been fooled by Cobwebs and his equally manipulative and deceitful nephew. I am sure he is well aware of Cobwebs' current financial circumstances and has calculated what her modus operandi is. I am hoping maybe he has bugged her room, Adrian's room and Harry's room, and will play the conversations between them for all to hear. Even if he has not, I expect (or at least live in hope for) a big reveal from Leonardo in the concluding chapter, one which results in Cobwebs exiled from the family and living in a rat infested trailer park, Adrian charged with drugging River and sent to jail, and Harry Cobwebs roommate. As for River, I hope he is employed by Leonardo, who gives him a sign-on bonus to help pay his father's medical bills. As for his "relationship" with Zayn, the latter has a lot of growing up and begging to do before he deserves River's affection.

I have revisited the earlier chapters trying to pinpoint an event which may have triggered reality to cease and Adam's parallel universe to kick in. Alas, I have not been able to do so. This chapter was painful to read, knowing that the events are all in Adam's imagination, or are they? Is this story a "Bobby Ewing dreamt the whole thing and none of it really happened" equivalent? When are you going to put us "out of our misery" @ChromedOutCortex, LOL? This story has more suspense than a murder mystery.

I wonder @weinerdog if there may be a connection between Martin's murder and the murder(s) which may already have been committed, or those which are yet to be committed, in Sydney. Is there a serial killer on the loose? Was Rick privy to any of the circumstances of Martin's death or has he been able to find out since he joined the Police Force? Did the police investigate fully or did they lose interest when they learned he was just another "teen fag"? Get those speculative juices percolating, and it may be time to dust off the crystal ball as I assume there will be more than one murder to solve.

I forgot to acknowledge two more wonderful Hugillisms, the first the use of a word I have not encountered, but one which felt just right; the second a phrase I have never heard before, again a delight. "This latter had caused much discussion amongst everyone in our party, though only Peter and I essayed it." "It seemed that the world and his wife had decided to leave Southwold and drive down the coast road". This phrase akin to every man and his dog, which I have heard, and used, on many occasions.

Wow! What a spectacular chapter. A post-mortem of their weekend at Southwold led to a serious discussion of their desire and intent for their relationship between Gray and Matt. They both were pleased to learn their views align, and Matt’s insecurities and uncertainties were aired and for the most part placated. They are on solid ground in their relationship, progressing at a leisurely pace each is comfortable with. Vince’s BIG reveal to Dawn was quite the shock, but what surprised even more so was Vince’s enthusiastic acceptance. Peter holds the key to the private Vince, the part of him which would lay dormant and unnourished if not for Peter. A tremendously moving chapter @Robert Hugill, particularly the heartfelt discussion between Gray and Matt. The tears flowed freely, tears of joy.

Neal, the modern day Charlie, but who are/were his Angels, surely not Razi, maybe Paul? Where are Farrah, Jaclyn and Kate when needed? Jaclyn recently celebrated her 80th birthday and she still looks good. The frost in the relationship between Killian and Micah thawed significantly in this chapter, with both making an effort to reach an understanding. This chapter, the calm before the storm @Josh Aterovis. And happy birthday to you. And whilst I like Stevie Wonder's song of the same name, it's this Happy Birthday which I just adore.

Helen is an interesting woman. Her concern for Jimmy appears to be motivated by more than just wanting to keep him safe as he is useful, a young rent boy, presumably, who is going to help secure the arrest of a pimp, a pimp with a passion for roughing up his young boys. I believe Helen is a woman not to be messed with, but one who has a big heart. And what of Jimmy. I, like @centexhairysub, sense Jimmy is going to play a bigger role in this story. His bravado hides an unhappy teen, one who has likely had a hard life in recent years. I hope we get to learn more of his history. Joe Benevetti is a relic, a homophobe who thinks he is funny. If Rick shows any sign of weakness, of taking offence to Joe's offensive remarks, the petty man he so obviously is, will continue to taunt Rick with his heteronormative language. "All we picked up was a street kid and took him to a house full of dykes,’ I countered, with a chuckle. ‘Just so long as you didn’t pick up anything from the street kid,’ Adam said." It may have been an off-the-cuff remark, but the text in bold rankled me. Being the "precious princess" I am at times, I took an instant dislike to Adam because of this remark. He may not have meant anything by it, may have used it as humour, but it smacked of moral judgment and a sense of superiority brought on by wealth. Once again @Mark Ponyboy Peters your characters are "leaping off the page", real people, not cardboard cutouts, even if they are not all likeable. Real people with real problems.

Me too, very uneasy. Ethan has not done anything to warrant my mistrust, but it does not matter, I don't trust him. He is in a position of power, one which he could use to manipulate Kris. It won't surprise me if Dean's "date" with Leah is a flop, but one which leads to a friendship between the two, something which I suspect he would benefit greatly from. His generosity to Kris was unexpected and although very "noble", was quite stupid. He may have placed himself in a perilous position as if Terry the turd finds out, Dean may find himself unemployed.

"I stared at the statues as I gasped involuntarily. Transfixed by their beauty, the radical sensuality they projected, and the obvious love between them, I was riveted to the floor. They represented a sort of timeless masculine love that I’d never seen before. My heart ached to feel for a man what they so clearly felt for each other. Oh, to love and be loved like that." These thoughts appear more consistent with the less experienced Calvin, the one who was interested in dating and getting to know Jordan. He is perhaps still undecided about what he really wants, is it a relationship with Brady, one which is not constrained by monogamy, or is it a relationship with someone where it is constrained by monogamy. In the meantime he is enjoying himself with a smorgasbord of admirers. The thoughts above brought to mind a song (of course) from an artist not unknown in the USA, but one who is nowhere near as popular there as in her homeland in the UK or here in Australia. The very gifted singer-songwriter Kate Bush, whom I have revered since her very first hit in 1978. This song, taken from her debut album, was a minor hit, one which I have always loved.

I think it is high time we had another murder @Josh Aterovis. I nominate Razi as the next victim. He did not even appear in this chapter, and yet he still stirred up ill will by the sheer mention of his name. In revisiting his "generosity" towards Tad, I felt my dislike for him becoming stronger. Judy has seemed a little distracted of late. Either the worry of what Jake is up to is taking its toll on her, or perhaps she knows more about Killian's gift than she is disclosing, and the additional information is disconcerting to say the least. Maybe a little more Novak nookie might help to calm her.

No good. Mischief and mayhem. Perhaps he is thinking of taking a "walk on the wild side", or has been gossiping with Declan and is buttering Oliver up with the intention of persuading him to have a little fun.

Jason is following the sage advice often given by GP's the world over, and possibly by GA's resident @drsawzall. You have got to keep your fluids up to maintain a healthy body. Jason "drank" a substantial amount of fluids in this chapter, ensuring his digestive system was well lubricated from the end rather than the beginning. Colonic irrigation with a high pressure washer rather than a gentle slow flow.

Given the "action" has shifted from England to Ireland, perhaps I should be referring the world the characters inhabit as the O'Hugillverse rather than the Hugillverse @Robert Hugill. I have never heard of the given name Cathal or of plum bread before @Robert Hugill. Once again you are educating this philistine from the Antipodes. You will never persuade me to enjoy classical music or bleak cold weather though. Russ has certainly surprised with the manner in which he has disclosed very personal information, not only to his family, but to complete strangers. Perhaps the disclosure to Jamie is not so surprising though given Jamie is gay and a stranger. Russ' fondness for Toby appears growing. A most unusual but delightful friendship to witness. Another winner with this one @Robert Hugill.

Or perhaps a "murder ballad" courtesy of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds with guest vocals by Kylie @Mark Ponyboy Peters.