Paladin

This in memory: “You’re crazy.” “Yeah, crazy about you.” “Try this stupid line on that chick you’ve been texting all evening.” Brad dropped Lyn as fast as he had picked him up. “Right. I should head over to her place.” Reminded me of this in present: “Luke?” Brad seemed as surprised as if they hadn’t been talking about the same guy until now. “Nope, never. This is a first.” “How do you know? You haven’t known him for long, right?” Lyn pressed on. Brad lost his smile. “What’s with the third degree, Lyn?” Even in College Brad had a problem with Lyn standing up to him, even if moderately. It's only got worse.

While it's not being mentioned, many of the others involved, including those paying to watch the videos are being arrested and charged in the background. Protecting Joshua and Daniel from being portrayed as offenders is essential.

Yes the support of a girlfriend and a boyfriend is important for Joshua and Daniel. Uncle Phil just neede some lawyers who will convince him he needs to plead guilty.

Just as important is that they accept that they need counselling. It certainly is helping them move on, however the trial will being the past into focus again.

Very true @pvtguy. It is amazing that so many people who know they are guilty, believe they will get away with it, no matter how much evidence exists.

Both Paladins agree.

There's a truism: The walls we construct to keep out the slings and arrows also keep out the hugs and kisses.

Yes @Summerabbacat and @Mark Ponyboy Peters Uncle Phil's legal are facing their own challenge. They accepted a case that they thought could bring them glory and now find that glory can be very elusive.

Oh I so want to hear about your Kinky socks. Before your post I had this vision that Kenny had a kinky obsession about socks and would only have sex with Steve while wearing one of his own carefully and significantly curated pairs of socks.

Yes the Horse has bolted and is being sought. Monitoring his accounts could be more effective than freezing them. It will let authorities know where he is and potentially where he is going, along with any other money moving. The case against Uncle builds along with, as you suggest, the possibility of rorting the tax system.

Hang on there. By size??? Who has different sizes of socks in their sock drawer? Is it to fit their collection of different sized shoes? Oh I get it! As well as owning half an intersection, Steve also sidelines as a clown in full costume complete with make up, red nose and big feet.

Depends. Organizing by having socks together in pairs is sweet. Organized by colour is weird.

So much fun in this chapter as the adults deal with their chaos and Kenny accepts being Steve's boyfriend and part of Steve and Lydia's business operation. A shoebox full of cash (was Steve really organised enough to tightly roll the wads of notes) a problem for Kenny? Not at all. Just ignore "keep out" stickers and fling it at Lydia to deal with. My favourite quote: She patted Steve on the cheek fondly. "And you can get something into you..." Kenny went white as a sheet. And Steve went red as a beet. "I meant a sandwich," Sally rolled her eyes. "Boys, I swear, one track minds."

Jordan wondered why Noel Lawson wanted to talk to him as he called Joshua while keying in the inspector's number. "What do you want Dad?" "The AFP Inspector wants to talk to me. You may need to know what this is about." Jordan switched to speaker as the call was answered, "Australian Federal Police, how can I help you?" "I'm Jordan Anderson and Inspector Lawson asked that I call him back." "Yes, he's expecting your call. Hang on while I put you through." "Hello Jord

Liquidate sounds like a romantic evening that requires a lot of lube.

I'm assuming the cards have told Jack that he is Theo's mate. As we've seen wolfshifter alphas can be very possessive when it involves their mate. Vince is starting to look like a universal guardian.

True and it must be remembered that the colony rebelled (mutinied) against him and indeed arrested him. Even after that he was promoted to vice admiral. He obviously had more influential friends than Vane.

Truthfully, I wasn't anticipating, foreboding.. Much like Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

I'm older than both of you and I grew up in a city. Because of my parents and grandparents, I also gained a lot of experiences on farms and in very small rural communities in NW NSW and Qld. In that context bum fruit for eggs was very much an expression used by my parents' generation. No doubt a dying expression. @Lynx003 is correct. They are native to China and were also marketed in Australia as Chinese Gooseberries. I admit I prefer the green variety. I still have trouble calling them Kiwi fruit, but that's an age thing.

Lately, I've experienced a sense of foreboding when I see that Word of the Day has been posted. Today was different.

An absolutely wonderful story. I particularly liked that in the end it was Pitt who went to Blake and went to stay. Previously we had seen Blake going to Pitt and Pitt resisting despite his feelings. Even in Port Royal it was Blake who went to Pitt's room. It's true that after a pause in letter writing and Pitt refusing to tell Blake where to meet, Blake went to him, but importantly to visit, not to stay. For the relationship to be real and lasting Jamie needed William to show it by coming to him. The scenes of them in Lymington were of them enjoying a mutually loving domestic country life. A beautiful conclusion.

Nate is really experiencing late 1970s free love in his short time in Nimbin. Skye said she delivers to Kandanga Falls so Nate may have another hetro experience before he leaves for the army. While army training may be a shock after Hippyville he won't have to face going to Vietnam. I'm old enough @Mark Ponyboy Peters and @Summerabbacat to be familiar with the reference to eggs being bum fruit. Very much a country expression and largely with people like Jake and Danny who kept their own chooks. As for Kiwi Fruit. Another example of New Zealand appropriating as their own, something which is not indigenous to New Zealand or even originally marketed by New Zealand. I'm looking forward to more of Nate's developing awareness of sexuality and finding his own place sexually.

Mr Johnson turned out to be even worse than we expected. His behaviour was not only repulsive but criminal. Initially I was sad that Mr G wasn't reinstated but I warmed immediately to Miss C. I don't see her taking any nonsense from Nick and his friends, or allowing anyone to abuse them. A formidable mother hen, or maybe aunty hen. Noah still lurks in the background and I still don't trust him. I think he still sees Nick as a potential "conquest". Jack, who has survived by shutting down and not showing emotion, is showed that very human emotion, jealousy. I see that as positive for Jack's improving mental health, but also something Nick and Jack have to work through together.

Blake and Pitt take the opportunity to show their love for each other and then, in the light of day, they are once again separated by "duty" and "the articles". Their letters, personal unshared disclosures, reveal that their love is not a one night stand destined to fizzle, but something that will endure. Endure until they, hopefully, will be together again. Great writing.

"I intend to keep both under observation". The Admiral watching is a double edged sword. Possibly professionally rewarding but potentially personally dangerous. Which will it be for these two talented sailors? At the moment they seem destined for careers apart on different ships. Their exchange of letters should be very interesting and maybe, revealing.