Paladin

Another amazing chapter and finish to this book. I've commented before that I seem to be one of the few who haven't read the previous version but, I have to add that I'm enjoying this version so much I don't have any desire to check out the old version.

Another excellent chapter. he interaction I did like was: "The fuck you didn't know. Leave. Now. Or I won't be responsible for what happens to you." "I'm not afraid of some little pip-squeak that can't do shit if I'm ready for it." "Are you ready right now?" "Yeah. Start something." Rocky started something. A quick combination of hits to the face, stomach, and groin and Bruce was down on the floor. Rocky got in three kicks to the face and head Bruce certainly didn't learn from is first encounter with Rocky, just as his father didn't learn from his first encounter with the keypad. Bruce is in hospital so the police are probably involved now. Now, we just need the truth to be revealed. Lawyers involved ???

I like vegemite, especially on toast, but then I grew up having vegemite sandwiches. I've read some research that suggested both marmite ad vegemite are acquired tastes and the overwhelming percentage of people who like them were introduced to them before the age of 4 years. Only a small percentage of people who first tasted them as adults like them. OK it's a weird thing to research. OK I'm with you here. I prefer the dark chocolate Tim Tams and don't like the various flavoured ones. I still like the original ones.

Thank you @Lee Wilson for reading and enjoying the story. Ollie has certainly won over the grandparents.

Yes some croc! We may have some dangerous animals @drsawzall but the people are friendlier. Also you have almost no chance of being shot.

Wow @Cane23 It's taken a while for you to check them out. They are a very popular Aussie chocolate biscuit (not American style biscuit) even if @Summerabbacat doesn't like them. Send your address privately on DM and I'll organize it.

I'm pleased you loved the chapter and there may be some bumps. I didn't expect the parties to have such appeal.

You stayed up later than I did @Summerabbacat. I now have to catch up with the comments that were made while I slept. I agree with you as my experience is that Tim Tams don't last long when the teens are around.

I agree @Summerabbacat that Ollie is soaking up attention like a sponge, which could be because he hasn't received much (any) since his father's death. I also agree that Logan is being careful with what he says about Ollie's mum. After all he's only recently met Andre and Chris and the rest of the gang and doesn't know the details leading to Ollie being fostered. Also he wouldn't know if Chris is related to Ollie's mum and that being the reason he was selected as the foster parent. Ollie's friends will help him blossom as well. I don't recall there being Tim Tams at Lachlan's parties

Yes @Cane23 you have mentioned Lachlan's parties. Remember he's having a holiday in Europe. Maybe you can meet up for a party while he's there. Just because Andre and Chris are foster dads doesn't mean they've lost interest in having loving sex with each other.

Thanks @chris191070. The grandparents were easy to win over and Ollie likes being part of a welcoming extended family.

You are right @Al Norris that life has a habit of intruding. Hopefully not for a little while. Jackson still has to meet up with the awesome4some during the holiday.

Ollie’s smile broadened even more. “Thanks. That’s what dad used to do.” He yawned and rolled onto his side. “Goodnight. I’ll see you in the morning.” We said goodnight and walked out, turning off the light and closing his bedroom door behind us. In the hall we looked at each other, both acknowledging what had just happened. Ollie wanted us to be like his dad, Dan. We were preparing breakfast when Ollie came out dressed ready for school. He gave each of us a warm hug. “Good morn

A wonderful, beautifully told story @Mark Ponyboy Peters. Matt and Luke have resolved to leave their past (or at least the bad parts) behind and are heading heading for their future together. Recognizing that they are leaving the town where they lived while they grew up and that they will never return to live there again is such a big step for them. Unfortunately, they would have to wait until 2017 before being able to marry in Australia.

Another wonderful chapter of loving and playful family interaction. Helen is delightful. The end is worrying. I hope they easily overcome the unwelcome vibes that have overtaken the plot of land.

Yes the correct advice is to report it to the police. One problem is that it is easy advice for the therapist, Manny and Bass to give. It is much harder for the victim, Rocky, to carry out. Bruce is a nasty character and is most likely a serial molester as well as being a bully. He is also a minor, which could make it difficult to find other victims. I hope Rocky does report him and I hope the police have some leads on other victims. In any case Bruce has to be stopped.

A beautifully written chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters. Your description of the campsite, the river, the animals and the bush land brought back so many memories of my own camping and bush walking. I could picture it all from my own experience and identify with what Luke was experiencing. That included finding the graves as I've also come across isolated graves in the middle of nowhere. It is very sobering and, as Luke experienced, reminded me of the frailty of life and the need to live it in the best possible way. I did notice they didn't come across any snakes. Well the reptile variety anyway.

What! So Rocky's not straight Looking forward to this.

A fun chapter and didn't we need it after all the drama and trauma of the previous chapters. Rocky seems to have ended up with a good group of friends. I just thought. Is Rocky's school co-ed? Will we have the drama of Rocky and a girlfriend?

You are correct @Al Norris that prawns and shrimp are different in more ways than size. While Australia has many species of both prawns and shrimps we generally refer to both as prawns regardless of size. Of course if you're a marine biologist you could have hundreds of different names for them.

I can easily picture that VW Kombi struggling up the hill next to the big banana. In fact I think I may even have passed it at some time.

Again another excellent chapter. I was pleased to see the boys followed the advice of The Hitchhikers Guide to have their towels with them. While I think justice was fairly delivered for Matt, I think Luke's father got a raw deal in court, perhaps because of Harry's preference for guilty pleas. Three years good behaviour strikes me as excessive, even though I don't think here is any risk of it being breached. No previous history of violence. first offense, no victim statement. Surely, given the magistrate's comments about the family not being punished further, it would have been better to invoke the first offenders provisions and issue a non-conviction order. Luke's scores are high enough for him to be near the top for the second round of offers for Southern Star University so I'd be very surprised if he misses out. As an aside Luke's score is also the frequency of one of the FM radio stations where I live. Luke is monogamous while Matt is prepared to have group sex. That is something they need to resolve very quickly in their relationship. Well you could say all's well that ends well, but what's next in store for Luke and Matt?

Another very full chapter. While it is true that "The sad part is, between us, we had seven years of experience as vampires." Greg is showing real leadership, especially in accepting advice and recognizing the actions of the others. I love the way Billy doesn't take any shit from Greg and Greg's recognition that Billy is totally supportive, loyal and right. We have a lot to find out about running the Barony and Greg's now personal wealth. Does not having a pool have anything to do with buried treasure? I'm really wanting to know what is going on with Jake; the blindness and the mind to mind with Josh. The meeting with Prince George is imminent and should be very interesting. Tommy is taking precautions in case there are problems. Hope there won't be any but who knows?

Where's the groan emoji when you need it?

Manny is back home and with the help of a therapist resigned to only having one complete arm. Wanting to use the one-hand implements is very positive. Rocky is certainly changing for the better both with his "family" and with his friends. Accepting gay friends and inviting his friends to visit is very positive. Bass seems back to providing Manny with loving care. I'm looking forward to Bass and Manny managing a house full of teenagers.