Paladin

A fantastic start to this story. Scott admitting he is gay. He saves the boy who saw him kissing Billy. He is identified as the rescuer by a teacher. Justin is grateful but has a homophobic brother who probably goes to the same high school as Scott. Enough there for an amazing story.

Thanks, @chris191070. Yes Ollie has settled in well and they are becoming a family surrounded by extended family.

Thanks @Cane23. Hadn't thought about a spa being installed. Smut? Well that's a different story. Yes Chris, in particular, wasn't ready for Jackson moving in and the mass sleepover.

Thank you @drsawzall, and I'm sure David and Chris would have liked to have a scotch together. Since they started to foster Ollie, "ordinary things" have changed for A&C. Little did they realize that having one child could lead to having a house full.

Thank you for your comments. This chapter did show Beau in a different way. What could go wrong at a birthday party?

First up, @Summerabbacat, @Lee Wilson and @drsawzall and your speculation regarding Ollie's mother. All I'll do is follow the lead of @chris191070 and say "I know nothing".

Friday was the last day of term. At school it was a mufti day with fun activities for the students which meant that there was no problem getting Ollie off to school. We received a phone call from Harold and Marjorie. They were of a generation that still liked to use their smart phones to make phone calls rather than send text messages. They asked about William and said how gorgeous he looked on the quilt and insisted the quilt had to be for him. They also said we could keep the other t

No problem @Mark Ponyboy Peters. Even when I use real places I fudge the details of the place to suit my story. Southern Cross University has a campus in Coffs Harbour, which ties in nicely with Mac Harbour.

Nah. Just knowing where the rural universities are, some local knowledge and a bit of geography.

I was thinking somewhere North of Armidale, like Glenn Innes. I've based this on Luke when not getting a place at SSU adding a comment to the effect that he felt his destiny was "down south" referring to Highlands (UNE).

I was waiting for that Marmalade as well.

A very interesting chapter with comparisons drawn between Susan and her divorce and Eloise and Phil's divorce and the effect on the women. Also a comparison between Phil and Dwight and Colin and Jason and their relationships. I'm interested that Phil now has an adult grandson and a young great grandson. There is the possibility that Phil's adult grandson, Allan, could be the key to a resolution between Phil and Roger. 🤞

I think you will find that @Mark Ponyboy Peters was referring to a radio station in the New England Region of NSW, Australia. Matt and Luke's home town is clearly in that New England Region

Those of us who lived through the horror of the AIDS pandemic years know how true this is. I fear that too many young gays believe AIDS is history. A future on antivirals is the price of not playing safe in the present. An advertisement at the time said "When you sleep with someone, you sleep with everyone they have slept with". Always worth remembering and not just for AIDS.

All I can say is that the people I give it to, ask for more.

So Johnny is enjoying his first gay sexperience. He has heard Clay's narrative of first love turning into lasting, if closeted, love. We will have to wait to see if Clay's experience will influence what he does next. It is likely that he will continue to conceal how wealthy he is. We know nothing about Bo, apart from being a Southerner. Hmm Southerner. For all we know, he could be heir to an oil dynasty and equally concerned about revealing his wealth.

A fun, enjoyable read. Thank you @Lee Wilson. The story come to an end with marriage, adoption and confirmation that Rocky is straight. All that was missing was Bruce being Rocky's Best Man.

Another beautifully written and beautifully told chapter in this captivating love story. I am completely drawn into Oliver and Niko's love for each other.

The comments have taken a turn I didn't expect. Yes @Lee Wilson Vegemite is salty. In fact the only change to the recipe in the 101 years since it was invented was to reduce the amount of salt. Still salty, just not as much. Tim Tams are moreish.

My favourite @mansexlover is vegemite and cheese on toast. Haven't tried it with honey. Haven't tried scrambled eggs with marmalade on toast. I make my own marmalade. Tangelo and lime when my tree fruits. At present I'm making Orange and lime.

I totally agree with you, @Al Norris. Nowadays here it is down to a question of consent, not whether it was enjoyed. The offender has to establish that consent was obtained if they are using that as a defense.

Like most readers I'm looking forward to the next chapter. This chapter has given the background to what promises to be a very interesting story. John is a very wealthy gay young man who has grown up in a secluded environment. He is about to have his first sexual experience with another person and a little latter he is off to Harvard to live on campus with a bunch of horny men. He wants to experience love but is aware that he wants someone to love him and not his wealth. Nothing here that could go wrong. Hmm

There's something sinister about wooden spoons when not used for cooking. Another example of the extended families coming together and each in their own way providing love and support to all the others. Lovely descriptive writing, as usual.

Tourism Australia hates it but I just love these stories about how dangerous Australia is. Killerroos! Yeah they can be dangerous when threatened and can kill in a fight but they don't go out looking to kill. They're herbivores. Koalas have sharp claws (they climb trees) which can inflict injury if you really mess with them. We do have snakes. Lots of them. About 140 species of land snakes and 12 species produce deadly venom. We have antivenom so only about 2 people a year die from snakebite out of about 3000 snakebites a year. Northern Australia has crocodiles. Again about two people are killed by crocodiles each year. I won't mention drop bears.

Rocky was surprised when he went back to school that Bruce didn’t bother him at all. No hassles at their lockers. Bruce said ‘hello’ to him before history class. He even told Bart Packer to leave Rocky alone when Bart threw an insult Rocky’s way at lunch. OK it looks like there has been some change with Bruce, but so far very superficial. Has there been any deeper change? His bullying doesn't seem to have been confined to gay kids so i can't see that changing quickly. Bruce and his father have, so far, gotten off very lightly. So Wilmer has been to Charlie's often enough to recognize Manny as one of the barmen. Interesting! The biggest change has been with Rocky, who is turning into a nice kid with friends. I hope he accepts the offer of being adopted by Manny. Rocky, Bass and Manny are an excellent match.