Paladin

A seedling mightn't know how to be a tree yet but Tabby knows how to make a part of Alvin grow.

Granny expected the bathroom mayhem. Her message was clear “Now for Task the Second: The Master Bathroom. The plumbing has developed a personality. Specifically, the showerhead in the main bath only emits a sad, lukewarm trickle. You and Tabby are to diagnose and fix it. I've left my tool chest under the sink. Remember: righty-tighty, lefty-loosey. And for heaven's sake, turn the water off at the main first.” Granny knew 1. that both are incapable of being successful plumbers and 2. they wouldn't follow her instructions re the main. I reckon that wherever she is (Steve's time share or beyond the grave) she is have a good old laugh and chuckling at the tasks yet to come, in the full knowledge that the guys will stuff them up somehow. But, eventually the tasks will bring them together.

It gets bored just sitting in a corner washing all day. Besides it rocks to the music.

What worries me most about this story is those aspects of it that I have survived. The everything doily covered, those souvenir teaspoons displayed on wall racks, the pink bathroom (including pink toilet paper) and every crocheted item, including that bloody key ring strawberry. If there's a multi coloured striped knitted cardigan I'll scream. 🙀 Loving the the interaction between Teddy and Alvin and everyone's easy assumption that they are a couple. wonderfully comic.

While the net is tightening around Corcoran the number of people around Rick needing protection is increasing. Corcoran knows where Rick lives and where Adam lives, so where will they stay when they go back to Sydney? Being a regular of Casey's suggests Corcoran has money or is given access as a favour. What is he doing for money or favours and for whom?

Poor Alvin, trapped in a house and garden with Tabby and over looked by Blake and Jason on one side and the Higgins family on the other side. Too late to leave. He's trapped in more ways than he knows, but there's still room for him to have lots of fun, or as an Australian quiz show host would say, Hard Fun.

Alvin has to live in Granny's house without changing it so it won't take long for him to appreciate beige. At least Tabby isn't doily or beige.

So with comic brilliance the glitterati win over beige and save the children from a colourless fate worse than death. Now it seems, back the relatively ordered chaos of Merrickville. That is if someone gets the dates right.

Maybe the GA gods read this prologue and decided to inflict their own chaos on your timing. Anyway Happy Christmas.

This absolutely hilarious story smelling of pine, snow drifts and survival reminds us that Christmas really is a time for vivid imagination and joy. I'll have whatever you're having @Topher Lydon.

I'm surprised that Rick didn't look back in his journal to see if he posted a private note about telling Martin about Corcoran. It could have jolted his memory. @weinerdog recovered memory through hypnosis is a minefield of contention both professionally and legally.

One thing this discussion has done is teach me about useful GA features I've never used. Never too old to learn as they say, so guess what my new year's resolution is? Thank you @Myr for all the explanations.

I see drones as the feckless bees. Only one chance to show death destroying initiative, but otherwise spending their life being an irresponsible and lacking in initiative burden on the hive.

I've only been on GA for a bit more than two years after an author encouraged me to join. Over that time I have grown to love the site more and more. Currently I only use my laptop to access GA but with the changes I expect I'll be using my phone as well as my laptop. I have to add that one of the great things about GA is the opportunity to react to and comment on stories and individual chapters and I see so much support and encouragement in those comments. There have been times when I would have liked to have a 'groan' emoji for comments that are humourous but cringworthy. 😂 and more seriously one for chapters that I love but also make me laugh ❤️ Yes, with those I have difficulty deciding which response to use. I view my Premium Membership as a subscription towards keeping GA running. To me that is the member benefit. I also want to say a huge to the absolutely amazing people working behind the scenes keeping GA running smoothly and supporting authors and readers.

A delightfully light and amusing story. Thank you.

Swift action in arresting Azzopardi and Ryan and others in the Black Book. No mention yet of the Assistant Commissioner being arrested. Hope we hear soon. Rick and Adam and the boys are bonding. While the boys are testing limits, Rick and Adam are gently pulling them back into line. Looks like the four of them would make an excellent family unit when the case is settled. Tom and Beth are getting a clearer picture of the boys' backgrounds and the seriousness of what they are involved in. Looks like Adam's IT skills are going to be put to good use helping Rick with the murder case.

Thank you @RoyKing and Christmas greetings to you and all readers.

You seem to understand Madison very well @Davide

We're still building up to the real team building, which will involve the three of them doing those things to each other that will bond them together. A threesome facing and defeating all. 😉

I'm just pleased that the big red button didn't activate an ejector seat. It would be the worst way to break up with someone.

Steve is catastrophe smelling of vanilla and good intentions. What's not to love?

What can I say @Topher Lydon? I enjoy reading about Brian.

Precisely!

Christmas always leaves me happy and haggard.

I was thinking more the greenish yellow. 😉