Stories

A novel in fifteen chapters.

Fourteen-year-old Daniele Ferrero and his best friend Giacomo are finally finishing middle school. As they embark on the endless summer holidays amidst the mountains and olive groves of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, they begin to grow closer. But will Giacomo prove worthy of Daniele’s affections?

Meanwhile, Daniele’s other best friend Marco is waiting in the wings, and he suspects that Giacomo’s motives are anything but selfless.

Frankie approaches life head on with a logical brain and healthy contempt for everyone not as smart as him, so his life isn't straightforward. After coping with a family death, abduction, theatrical success, evil property developers, gender-equality fanatics, con-men and women… a trip to a Himalayan monastery goes very, very wrong. Worse, the young men he meets are not what they seem. But Frankie enjoys his life and never complains - a true hero, strong, honest, decent, clear-thinking and not too bad looking, so surely one of the young men he befriends will turn out to be his equal?

Derrick has recently left the comfort of his old school to attend a new prep school on the other side of town. He may not have their money, or their possessions, but once he finds the love of a boy he meets on the bus...he finds something much stronger.

Terry Young has just been appointed as chief projectionist in a run-down old cinema. But from day one he has problems. Resentment from the man who thinks he should have got the job. An undeniable attraction toward his general manager, Dan. And the re-awakening of psychic abilities indicating something is hidden under the building.

This story is set in 2005, modern enough for there to be mobile phones and Internet access, but still within the timeframe when cinemas like the Regal, with a crew of projectionists running film still existed.

Growing up happens differently for everyone. Finding yourself takes time, and for some of us it's not an easy process. Sometimes it can happen fast, all too fast. Sometimes we let parts of ourselves stray behind. Sometimes things must get worse before they can get better. Sometimes much, much worse. But these are the things that define us. That much, at least, St. John Allerdyce knows. But it's one thing to know something and another to live through it.

At fifteen CJ Abelló is exiled from his home in Miami because of his sexual orientation and sent to live in Washington, D.C. with his gay father and his father’s wealthy partner. Over the next few years, CJ flourishes in his new home thanks to the love and guidance provided by the two men and their group of friends. He is nearing graduation from School Without Walls High School, ready to begin his freshman year at Georgetown University, and volunteering in the 2016 presidential campaign.

Kyp had enough smothering to last him a lifetime. He overcame so much to graduate high school. Now that he's finally at college, he's finding that the start is harder than he thought.

He has a roommate for the first time in his life, and people who would like to be his friends if he'll let them in. Kyp wants to be independent, but circumstances beyond his control will teach him that sometimes the second half of the race is the hardest part.

The Boot three years on. There have been some changes and improvements to The Boot, partly thanks to fund raising and charitable donations, and in part thanks to Christian Edwards benefactor to The Boot. Some 'guests' have moved on, some remaining homeless, but others having been helped are now in independent accommodation either working or looking for work. This is the continued story of The Boot, it's staff and 'guests.'

It is not necessary to read The Boot beforehand but it may help to understand some of what is happening now and in its future.

In Newport for a wedding, CJ’s confronted from the right by a Donald Trump acolyte and from the left by an Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fan. In both instances, he deftly refutes their arguments, impressing the groom’s father sufficiently he offers CJ a job.