Rutabaga Posted February 5, 2022 Report Share Posted February 5, 2022 The long-awaited continuation of the tale beginning with "Living with Johnny" is found here. For myself, I have decided to do a quick re-read of the first series (here) before I tackle this further tale. I am making notes of the dozens of characters as I go along. R Link to comment
Nigel Gordon Posted February 5, 2022 Report Share Posted February 5, 2022 Hi Rutabaga There is a link to the character list at the bottom of Chapter 1 of Being Johnny. It also covers the characters in book one. Link to comment
Gerry Posted February 6, 2022 Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 Thank you Nigel from the bottom of my heart. I've read, reread and read yet again "Living with Johnnie" and have been patiently awaiting (um, right, well...) the debut of "Being Johnnie". I'm really pleased with the opening chapter and can't wait for the next installment. Link to comment
Rutabaga Posted February 9, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2022 Well, I have made it (again) through all 60 chapters of "Living with Johnny," and as threatened have made my own character list. The spreadsheet has 255 lines in it, and some entries have more than one character in a line. I am pasting it below. There is some confusion through duplication of character names (different characters, same name) and from unexplained name changes (Jack and Flora become Stan and Flora in a number of places; Mike Carlton becomes Mike Clayton or Mark Carlton from time to time). But keeping track of all this in such an immense story is obviously a major task. It's also possible that I have unknowingly listed the same character twice due to name uncertainty. I think I will wait until tomorrow's posting to begin reading the new story. We left off the previous one with quite a cliffhanger about Trevor . . . Character Name First Found At Description/Comments Johnny Ch. 1 Son of narrator Mike Carlton; age 15; gay; "John Bernard Carlton-Smith" Mike Carlton Ch. 1 Narrator; father of Johnny; 40s; called Mark at times; called Mike Clayton at times Anne James Ch. 1 Lunchtime barmaid at Crown & Anchor; widowed when first husband Tom died at age 27; marries Mike Colin Matterson Ch. 1 Day student at Johnny's last school Bernard Lebrun Ch. 1 Solicitor extraordinaire; Johnny's godfather; childhood friend of Mike; "Bernard Solomon Joseph Micah Lebrun"; firm is LeBrun, Dean & Cohen Bob Southern Ch. 1 Literary agent Steve Johnson Ch. 2 Hamden boat yard manager; uncle of Anne George Hamden Ch. 2 Actual owner of boat yard; disabled by stroke Jack Ch. 2 Local publican (Crown & Anchor); Anne's boss; cousin of Mary at the Crooked Man Arthur John Lee Ch. 2 Technical whiz kid at J. Lee & Sons; Trevor's partner Zachary Meyer Ch. 2 Wealth management consultant; sometimes Mayer Matt Price Ch. 2 Surveyor and builder Ben Carlton Ch. 2 Younger brother of Mark Carlton Phil Smith Ch. 2 Ben's partner, stage name Matthew Lewis; brother of Mike's ex-wife; successful cinema director Aunt Jane Ch. 2 Mike's "aunt"; actually Ben's and Mike's godmother Mrs. M Ch. 2 Manager at Manston; real name Gelda Guttenstein Sheila Lane Ch. 3 Mike's accountant Jane Talbot Ch. 3 Junior partner in accounting firm; becomes Mike's accountant Aunt Sarah Ch. 3 Bernard's mother Debora Lebrun Ch. 3 Bernard's wife; sometimes Debra Beryl Smith Ch. 3 A/k/a Janet Carlton-Smith; Mike's ex-wife Hon. Malcolm Davenport Ch. 3 Fiancé of Beryl; also referred to as Hon. Edward Joseph Ch. 3 Brother of Debora; deceased Micah Lebrun Ch. 3 Son of Bernard; studying law Joseph Lebrun Ch. 3 Younger son of Bernard; plans to be a barber Saul Robertson Ch. 3 Barber; training Joseph; also called Sol Aunt Ruth Ch. 3 Bernard's aunt Bethany Ch. 5 Micah's girlfriend; studying music at U of Manchester Cousin Daniel Ch. 5 Debora's cousin; a shrink David, Benjamin, Rachel Lebrun Ch. 5 Siblings of Bernard Lebrun Clive Ch. 5 Beryl's live-in lover for two years Margaret Fletcher Ch. 5 Her son-in-law interested in Mike's bungalow property Gerald Ch. 7 House manager at Manston Mrs. [Rosemary] Dwight Ch. 7 Cook at Manston Jack and Flora Smith Ch. 7 Phil's parents (also Beryl's); Jack becomes Stan sometimes Bains Ch. 7 Chauffeur from Manston Simon Ch. 8 Clerk at Bernard's law office Sue Southern Ch. 8 Wife of Bob Southern, literary agent Trevor Spade Ch. 8 Child star; son of Bob & Sue Southern Frank Talbot Ch. 8 Financial reporter; shildhood friend of Mike and Bernard Marge Price Ch. 8 Wife of Matt Price (surveyor) Aunt June Ch. 8 Mike's aunt Aunt Hilda Ch. 8 Mike's aunt Cousin Stan Ch. 8 Mike's cousin; eldest son of Aunt June Cousin James Ch. 8 Mike's cousin; underwater photographer & dive instructor Tara Ch. 8 Wife of cousin James; from Tobago Tyler Lawrence Ch. 8 Actor; also from Tobago Mark Gleeson Ch. 9 Cinema director; imprisoned for child sexual abuse; frequently "Glesson" Allen Davidson Ch. 9 Security expert; head of security at Manston "Dean" (Andrew Mark Mayers) Ch. 9 Production assistant for Mark Gleeson Martha Hartmann Ch. 9 Head of Bob's agency; disabled by stroke Ian Jenkins Ch. 11 Student taking hairdressing course; age 16; attacked by Brethren youths Robert Jenkins Ch. 11 Younger brother of Ian; "Robby" Alison McCarthy Ch. 11 Half-sister of Mary Jenkins's late husband; lives at Jenkins farm Mary Jenkins Ch. 11 Mother of Terry, Ian and Robert; a/k/a Mary Simpson Hendersons Ch. 11 Brethren family Terry Jenkins Ch. 11 Mary's oldest son; age 18; in prison for assault Peter Henderson Ch. 11 "Brother Peter"; head of the Brethren Sir Harold Gleeson QC Ch. 12 Barrister Steve Webber Ch. 12 Reporter; brother-in-law of Matt Price Edith Jenkins Ch. 12 Heads East London crime family; moving into legitimate, if questionable, businesses; fixer; great aunt of John Jenkins (Mary's late husband) Albert Jenkins Ch. 12 Edith's husband; in prison Jack Edwards Ch. 13 Manager of Home Farm complex; due to retire Peter Ch. 13 Incoming farm manager at Manston Leni Taylor Ch. 13 Phil's childhood friend; now driver and bodyguard; sometimes "Liam" Dorothy Ch. 13 Mother of Toby Barry Gales Ch. 14 Photographer accomplice of Gleeson and Mayers Saul Lichtenstein Ch. 14 Producer from LA; financed two of Phil's films; tried to molest Trevor Peter Torrey Ch. 14 Lichtenstein's assistant; pedophile Holloway sisters Ch. 16 Dupes giving to the Brethren for charity Sandra Hartmann Ch. 16 Martha Hartmann's daughter; redhead; Bob's old flame Matthew Ch. 16 Part-time yacht instructor; cousin of Steve from boatyard Tara James Ch. 17 Building inspector Tommy Ch. 17 Worker at Steve's boatyard Phillip Henderson Ch. 17 Brother of Peter Henderson Peter McCormac Ch. 17 Nephew of Peter Henderson Detective Sgt. McCormac Ch. 17 Father of Peter McCormac; investigating officer in Jenkins cases Charles Mayer Ch. 17 Corrupt defense solicitor for Ian's brother John Jenkins Ch. 17 Ian's father Michael Kent Ch. 17 Elderly former pastor of local Brethren church Jenny Ch. 18 Sister of Anne Dr. Lionel Portage Ch. 18 Museum services; archaeological expert Mark Dowland Ch. 19 Professsor, author, and radio/TV personality Sarah Colman Ch. 19 Ph.D. student surveying mill race Louise Malton Ch. 19 New solicitor for Bob's independent agency Ab & Ruth Ledermann Ch. 19 Ruth had Micah's child (boy) Ms. Brettman Ch. 19 Executive assistant brought in by Ritter-Landau Jan Ritter Ch. 19 Principal of Ritter-Landau agency John Henderson Ch. 19 Part of Henderson clan; manages college refectory Diana Ch. 19 A Miss Jenkins operative Dr. Peter Lovell Ch. 20 Steve's partner Tommy (4) and Susan (5) Ch. 20 Steve and Peter's kids Carol Price Ch. 20 Matt's ex-wife Chris Dalmen Ch. 20 Editor of a leading science magazine Tom France Ch. 20 Science author who has stroke Abe Kaufman Ch. 21 Had barber shop; father-in-law to Saul; part of Jewish mafia Sonny Kaufman Ch. 21 Nephew of Abe; another crook Martin Ch. 21 Senior worker at boatyard; qualified boatbuilder Chris Klempt Ch. 21 BBC producer Mrs. Craven Ch. 21 Ran newsagent shop on Hill Road Janet Long Ch. 21 TV/film agent joining Bob's new firm Marge (Maggie) Ch. 21 Proprietor of Marge's Café; sister of Mary at Crooked Man Mr. Willis Ch. 22 Head of vocational training at Southmead College Mrs. Jarrom Ch. 22 Admisions tutor at Southmead College Dr. Laurent Ch. 22 Head of languages at Southmead College Robert Henderson Ch. 22 Running for Commodore at the Yacht Club Margaret Slater Ch. 22 Draughting teacher in London Judith Durncross Ch. 23 Youngest of the Holloway sisters Julia Ch. 23 Miss Jenkins's niece Dr. Jarrod Ch. 24 Family friend of Anne; treated Arthur at roadside June Ravensbrook Ch. 24 Barrister Cmdr. Janet Richards Ch. 24 From the Met; head of organised crime unit; also known as Richardson at times Martin Clay Ch. 24 Solicitor; sometimes called Mark Mr. & Mrs. Lee Ch. 24 Arthur's parents Nathaniel Thompson Ch. 24 Witness on Arthur's POA and AHD (Neal?) Magdalen Granger Ch. 24 Witness on Arthur's POA and AHD (Maddie?) Peter Braylow Ch. 24 London alias used by Brother Peter Neal Porter-Thompson Ch. 24 Nephew of Miss Jenkins; tech whiz; a/k/a Neil Magdalene "Maddie" Atkins Ch. 24 Neal's fiancée; skilled in martial arts Chief Inspector Manley Ch. 24 From the Met; head of organised crime unit Bill Kingsman Ch. 24 IT guy at Dunford Ceramics; son-in-law of Robert Henderson Ruben Ch. 26 Proprietor of Rubenstein's café Rebecca Rubenstein Ch. 26 Ruben's mother; friend of Aunt Sarah Steff Manning Ch. 27 Principal of Manning & Son solicitors Gerald Manning Ch. 27 Father of Steff Manning Richard Willams Ch. 27 SRN engaged to care for Arthur on houseboat Mr. Gregory Ch. 27 Head of department at Anne's college Paula Timmings Ch. 27 Fellow student in Anne's subject Dennis "Figgy" Ferguson Ch. 28 Small-time crook; caught trying to harm Arthur; also referred to as Finnegan Solomon Grundy Ch. 28 Bigger crook; Figgy works for him Great Uncle Frank Ch. 28 Safecracker parachuted in France 1944 John Mitchell Ch. 28 Prof. at LSE who sprang Uncle Frank; saboteur in WWII Klaus Brinkerhoff Ch. 28 German book publisher Greg Ch. 28 Site manager for Matt Price Prevention Officer Dawlish Ch. 28 HMRC officer Prevention Officer Carter Ch. 28 HMRC officer Madame Sourier Ch. 28 Concierge of Ben & Phil's Paris apartment building Grace Ch. 28 Anne's mother-in-law (John's mother) Jane Ch. 28 Daughter of Grace; senior engineering tutor Margaret Ch. 28 Older woman (50) in Anne's college class Tom Ch. 28 Fellow student in Anne's class; wheelchair bound Marcel Ch. 28 Youngest son of Jean-Paul Jean-Paul Ch. 28 Prof. at Uni in France Margaretta Ch. 28 Spouse of Jean-Paul Pierre and David Ch. 28 Older sons of Jean-Paul Dave Ch. 28 50-year-old in Johnny's math class Michael Henderson Ch. 28 Victim of Ian's stabbing with scissors Rob, Lee Ch. 31 Security personnel working for Ben/Allen Dan Ch. 31 Neal's second cousin, helping with security at Priory Det. Insp. Martin Stevens Ch. 32 Immediate superior of McCormac Dr. Leo Granger Ch. 32 Police surgeon Professor Janson Ch. 32 Performed autospy on John Henderson Lance Fletcher MP from Suddenham; junior minister at Home Office Crowthorne Ch. 32 MP from London DCI Carleigh Ch. 32 DI Stevens's boss Doctor John Nygara Ch. 32 Johnny's former MD Doctor Su Graham Ch. 32 Nygara's wife; practices separately Sharon Meddler Ch. 33 TV interviewer of Johnny Martin Shelt Ch. 34 Independent TV producer Irene Kaufman Ch. 34 On-air talent agent for Mike Francis & Miriam Ch. 34 Miss Jenkins's workers for Arthur's business Marcia Miriam Glockenberg Ch. 34 Another student that Anne meets Chawish Ch. 34 Marcia's abusive ex-husband; Pakistani Tariq Ch. 34 Marcia's son; assaulted and injured by Chawish Jasmin Ch. 34 Marcia's daughter Aunt Miriam Ch. 35 Marcia's aunt who is a rabbi Stanley Ch. 35 Miss Jenkins's driver/bodyguard Bernard Saunders Ch. 35 Moving agent recommended by Miss Jenkins James Daniel "Jaydee" Seymour Jr. Ch. 36 Tariq's boyfriend who is kidnapped to Trinidad James "Jamie" Seymour Ch. 36 Jaydee's father; trauma surgeon now in Australia Aunt Louise Ch. 37 Steve's sister; Asst. Dir. Of Education Prof. Brian Cox Ch. 37 Host on Infinite Monkey Cage Stefan Binder Ch. 37 Conference organizer in Europe Marlene Ch. 37 Solicitor who James Seymour referred to by Bernard Chief Inspector Gray Ch. 37 Special Branch Joe and Miriam Ch. 37 Debora's parents Uncle Barry Ch. 38 Tyler's uncle Guy Martin Ch. 39 On-air presenter Mrs. Dent Ch. 39 Cleaner who works at Priory twice a week Helen Mayhew Ch. 39 CEO of a finance house Stanley Porter Ch. 39 Moneylender; father of Neal Thompson George Porter Ch. 40 Father of Stanley; One of biggest moneylenders in London Michael Andreotti Ch. 40 Student at Machenson House, one of Johnny's former schools; rich and spoiled Oncle Jacques Ch. 40 Uncle of Marcel in France Sebastian Ch. 40 Sex partners mentioned by Johnny Dr. Cricks Ch. 40 Sex partners mentioned by Johnny Guy Reames Ch. 40 Mike's solicitor during divorce from Beryl; now DJ Susan Gells Ch. 41 Fifth year classmate of JayDee; "Smelly Jelly" Bob Crawford Ch. 41 Minority owner of Chawish's business; the real brains Magdalene Ch. 41 Marcel's cousin John Dupree Ch. 41 Canadian delegate to Paris conference Marc Dube Ch. 41 13-yr-old grandson of John Dupree Professor James Ch. 41 An organizer of Paris conference Héloise Ch. 41 Proprietor of restaurant near conference hotel; sister-in-law of John Dupree Doreen Ch. 42 Local solicitor for Marcia (referred by Bernard) Danny Ch. 44 Former roommate of Johnny. Mother is a witch. Martin Ch. 44 Cousin of James (JayDee's father) Donna and Richard Ch. 44 Mike's cousin and her husband; living in Holland Susan Kilpatrick Ch. 46 Expert witness on False Memory Syndrome Steven Jones Ch. 48 Legal secretary at Bernard's firm Susan Mitchell Ch. 48 Law clerk at Bernard's firm Elle Martin Ch. 48 Press agent for Phil Vera Taylor Ch. 48 Mother of Leni Taylor; complaining witness re Phil Simone Ch. 49 One of Miss Jenkins's "family business" workers Sir David Stellerson QC Ch. 49 Lead counsel for Mayers prosecution Lee Sanderson Ch. 49 Defendant in assault case; becomes Mike's PA Darren Graham Ch. 49 Psychology graduate; clerk for Bernard; leaving for New Zealand Chris Ch. 50 Marcia' cousin; auto mechanic/engineer - Formula 1 Jan (Janet Catherine) Ch. 50 Chris's ex-wife; hospitality management expert Clair Ch. 50 Chris's current wife Henrik Ch. 50 Was going to marry Jan; was already married Auntie Miriam & Uncle Abe Ch. 50 Brought up Chris Barry and Dean Ch. 50 Stunt doubles for Trevor and Tyler Alex Ch. 51 Stunt coordinator for Phil's film Brad Jenkins Ch. 51 Stuntman and Alex's partner George and Gill Ch. 51 Body doubles for Ben and Phil Mark Thompson Ch. 51 Script writer of "Snowball"; cousin of Neal Kathy Donaldson Ch. 52 Pupil to Sir David Tim Tinkermann Ch. 52 From Crown Prosecution Service Mrs. Justice Godwin Ch. 52 Trial judge in Mayers trial Brian Potter Ch. 53 Great nephew of Miss Jenkins; schoolmate of Ben Sammy Ch. 53 Senior clerk at Sir David's chambers Det. Insp. Wilkinson Ch. 53 Officer who executed search warrant on Mayers Mary Shields Ch. 53 Casting director for Phil's film Sgt. Judith Mallon Ch. 55 Essex Constabulary Constable Tony Richards Ch. 55 Essex Constabulary Det. Supt. Lawlan Ch. 55 Police investigating Beryl's killing Det. Sgt. Crawshaw Ch. 55 Police investigating Beryl's killing Klaus Rikkenberg Ch. 55 Accused of being Treblinka guard; rep'd by Beryl Josef Muller Ch. 55 Real name of Rikkenberg Uncle George Ch. 56 Tyler's uncle in New Jersey Jack and Sue Ch. 56 Owners of film equipment business Tyler is buying Phillip Sanston Ch. 56 Investigator from Yalend Insurance Steven and Jim Ch. 56 Horticulture students at Sohnny's college Uncle Jack Ch. 57 Jim's mother's brother who is gay Jennifer Morley Ch. 57 Essex Probation Services Det. Sgt. James Ch. 57 Assisting Det. Supt. Lawlan George Thompson Ch. 57 At one time one of the biggest villains in London Kray Brothers Ch. 57 Criminal family in London Master James Ch. 57 "Nasty operator" taken down by Miss Jenkins Antoinette Ch. 58 Colleague of Simone; worked for Miss Jenkins Charles Demain Ch. 58 Of Demain & Toques retail group; backer of Master James Roman Sanderson Ch. 58 Lee Sanderson's father Carol Ch. 58 Sister of Mike's mother; Donna's mother Joan Ch. 58 Sister of Mike's Father; Richard's mother Uncle Henk Ch. 58 Joan's husband Martin Ch. 58 Martial arts instructor for Lee Paul Ch. 59 Anne's brother living in Canada Margaret Stapleford Ch. 59 Antique dealer from auction Uncle George Ch. 59 Auctioneer; uncle of Steven (Jim's boyfriend) Aunt Grace Ch. 59 Uncle George's spouse; her brother is Steven's father Rhoda Ch. 59 Steven's mother Sharon Stevens Ch. 60 Assistant Director on "That Woman's Son" R Link to comment
Merkin Posted February 9, 2022 Report Share Posted February 9, 2022 I applaud this incredible effort, Rutabaga. Having the thumbnail bios and the chapter reference will be invaluable. Thanks. BTW, Nigel, don't you plan on posting twice a week? Link to comment
Rutabaga Posted February 9, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2022 I am happy to share my files with Nigel if he wants to create something to go with the first story. R Link to comment
Nigel Gordon Posted February 9, 2022 Report Share Posted February 9, 2022 3 hours ago, Merkin said: I applaud this incredible effort, Rutabaga. Having the thumbnail bios and the chapter reference will be invaluable. Thanks. BTW, Nigel, don't you plan on posting twice a week? At the moment it is only being posted once a week and will be until the editing process has been finished on all 61 chapters. At the moment only 33 chapters have been through the full editing process and only 9 through the full review process. Hope to be through the full editing process about the end of April. Link to comment
Nigel Gordon Posted February 9, 2022 Report Share Posted February 9, 2022 18 hours ago, Rutabaga said: Well, I have made it (again) through all 60 chapters of "Living with Johnny," and as threatened have made my own character list. The spreadsheet has 255 lines in it, and some entries have more than one character in a line. I am pasting it below. There is actually a full listing here: http://awesomedude.com/nigel_gordon/being-johnny/being-johnny-character-list.htm Although it is the listing for Being Johnny, it contains the Living with Johnny characters as reference is made to them. I thought there was a character listing up for Living with Johnny, but it does not appear to be there. Link to comment
Cole Parker Posted February 10, 2022 Report Share Posted February 10, 2022 The amazing thing to me is that your list, R, goes all the way to Ch 40 till Johnny's name appears at all, other than his introduction. C Link to comment
Rutabaga Posted February 10, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2022 1 hour ago, Cole Parker said: The amazing thing to me is that your list, R, goes all the way to Ch 40 till Johnny's name appears at all, other than his introduction. C I think that reflects the story itself, which is narrated by Mike and includes characters with relationships to Mike. Only the first few entries from Chapter 1 refer to Johnny in the character descriptions. R Link to comment
Rutabaga Posted February 11, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2022 I will note for the record my list of pending questions from the first series, "Living with Johnny," here. There probably are more, but it's a good start. [Note -- the questions are hidden under a spoiler wall.] R Link to comment
Rutabaga Posted February 12, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2022 Ch. 2 - It seems like Trevor must know something that the bad guys don't want to have pursued. R Link to comment
Nigel Gordon Posted February 12, 2022 Report Share Posted February 12, 2022 1 hour ago, Rutabaga said: Ch. 2 - It seems like Trevor must know something that the bad guys don't want to have pursued. R Thank you Rutabaga. I was struggling with a reason for a sequence of events that have to take place in book three. You have just given me a way to explain them. Link to comment
Merkin Posted February 19, 2022 Report Share Posted February 19, 2022 Chapter 3. I wish I had an Uncle Bernard. Link to comment
Rutabaga Posted February 19, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2022 Interestingly, the "phone hacking" (really, unauthorized access to recorded voicemails) has a notable real-life precedent centered on the now-defunct News of the World. Details here. I predict a serious dilemma, however -- if the "Sentinel" paper in the story is sued for defamation, it seems like Trevor would have to come out of seclusion to confirm that rumors of his death were greatly exaggerated. That would just provide new fodder for the sensation press. Meanwhile, is it possible that the clumsy detectives following Johnny and Mike near the end of the previous series were actually working for a red-top newspaper? R Link to comment
Rutabaga Posted February 26, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2022 We're all rooting for Trevor. This exchange between Trevor and Johnny was important: "But you wanted it." "Yes, but how did you know?" "Because I was the same. I wanted the attention, the praise, the love. I wanted what I was not getting. No, it's more than that; I needed what I was not getting, so I gave sex in exchange for it. It's the devil's deal. You give them what they want, the use of your body. They give you what you want: attention, something you take as being love, and physical pleasure." "You enjoyed it?" Trevor asked. "Of course, I did, sometimes. Didn't you?" "Yes." That was accompanied by a deep sigh. "Of course, you did. You're a young male just entering puberty. They were supplying sexual stimulation; you were bound to enjoy it. You probably even looked forward to it. That does not mean you did anything wrong. It just means that those men knew how to use you, and they were using you." And then there's the almost Shakespearean twist that both Trevor and Arthur are convinced that the other one is going to reject them. These are the kinds of characters we readers just want to slap! R Link to comment
Pedro Posted February 27, 2022 Report Share Posted February 27, 2022 18 hours ago, Rutabaga said: And then there's the almost Shakespearean twist that both Trevor and Arthur are convinced that the other one is going to reject them. These are the kinds of characters we readers just want to slap! That's harsh. Both Trevor and Arthur have felt rejection in one form or another before. Of course they are going to be wary they will be rejected again. They only see one side, we see both sides and want to scream at them. Link to comment
Rutabaga Posted February 27, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2022 3 hours ago, Pedro said: That's harsh. I certainly did not mean any criticism -- I just thought the irony was considerable in that each of them has separately talked about what they plan to do when the other one turns them out, as each expects. They need each other, and need the kind of emotional breakthrough that will allow them to believe in one another despite their past experiences. In particular, they need to conquer the self-doubt and self-loathing that convinces them they are too worthless to warrant affection from anyone else. We all just hope that nothing happens to wreck their growing relationship while waiting for this to occur. R Link to comment
Rutabaga Posted March 2, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2022 Once it was the Henderson family; now it's the Elmchurch family. At this point we readers can be excused for being skeptical about every apparently accidental death of family members. R Link to comment
Nigel Gordon Posted March 4, 2022 Report Share Posted March 4, 2022 On 3/2/2022 at 2:21 PM, Rutabaga said: Once it was the Henderson family; now it's the Elmchurch family. At this point we readers can be excused for being skeptical about every apparently accidental death of family members. R Yes but with the Elmchurch family you are dealing with English Gentlemen. They will always clean the blade of the knife before they stab you in the back. Link to comment
Rutabaga Posted March 5, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2022 22 hours ago, Nigel Gordon said: On 3/2/2022 at 6:21 AM, Rutabaga said: Once it was the Henderson family; now it's the Elmchurch family. At this point we readers can be excused for being skeptical about every apparently accidental death of family members. Yes but with the Elmchurch family you are dealing with English Gentlemen. They will always clean the blade of the knife before they stab you in the back. You can't begin to imagine how reassuring it is to know that. 😁 R Link to comment
Merkin Posted March 5, 2022 Report Share Posted March 5, 2022 Chapter six up and getting all legal on us. Since I've never had more than two cents to rub together, reading about all that money is a treat. Link to comment
Rutabaga Posted March 11, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2022 In the latest chapter, Johnny muses: It is strange. I think of Jack and Flora as being my grandparents, but I never think of Dad's parents as my grandparents. Probably because I’d never met them. Indeed, we readers know very little about them either, including -- as far as I can determine -- their given names. Chapter 3 of "Living with Johnny" discloses that Mike's father was an accountant, the only non-Jewish one in the area, and that they lived above his office next-door to the tailor shop of Bernard's father. Then when Ben was born they moved to a nearby house in Hampstead, about a mile away. Mike's mother was a doctor who worked part-time, which meant that Mike and Bernard were often babysat by Aunt Sarah (Bernard's mother). My memory of the first series is fuzzy as to any further details about Mike's and Ben's parents. I'm not even sure if they are still alive at the time Johnny is musing about them. I do recall comments that Mike's dad was an accountant for the Thompson enterprises -- at least those with a patina of legitimacy -- further explaining Miss Jenkins's interest in the various events. But I am as curious as Johnny as to what has become of Mike's and Ben's parents. UPDATE: I wasn't paying close enough attention in the first chapter: I had moved into the bungalow during my divorce. My father had died a couple of months before Johnny's birth, a year after the death of my mother, who was considerably younger than my father. They had moved here when my father retired at sixty-five. Mam had just turned fifty. A few weeks after the move, she had been diagnosed with cancer and was dead within six months. I do not think Dad really got over her death. From then on, he just went downhill, and he was dead in a year at the age of sixty-seven. The bungalow in question was where Mike was living at the outset of the story. So the reality is that Johnny never met his paternal grandparents because they were gone before he was even born. Which makes his remark in the newest chapter a bit weird, since surely he was aware of why he had never met his paternal grandparents. R Link to comment
Rutabaga Posted March 12, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2022 Ooooh . . . I just love it when the plot thickens. R Link to comment
Rutabaga Posted March 16, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2022 Mike and Johnny are worrying about storing the heirloom jewelry safely, but seemingly have left those formerly-well-concealed diaries lying around loose somewhere. At a minimum they should immediately have scanned them and stored the files in multiple safe places. The bad guys are still out there. For that matter, what business did the police have in staking a constable at a "former crime scene"? How is it that no one has found anything suspicious about that? R Link to comment
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