Phillip Bollinger

“Overall though, I should have known better, ‘No capes!’ as Edna Mode would say.”
― G.B. Ralph, Slip and Slide

“It was clear that the books owned the shop rather than the other way about. Everywhere they had run wild and taken possession of their habitat, breeding and multiplying and clearly lacking any strong hand to keep them down. —AGATHA CHRISTIE, THE CLOCKS”
― Susan Wiggs, The Lost and Found Bookshop

“What I’m trying to say,’ Charles said, holding his hands up in surrender. ‘What I’m trying to say is this: our Arthur obviously liked the look of this particular book,’ he said, gesturing to me. ‘Gabriel caught his eye, so he grabbed him off the shelf, opened him up’ – did this guy hear himself? – ‘and he must have liked what he found inside because now he’s telling people this is his favourite book.’ There was a short pause while everyone considered this thought. ‘I think we’ve strayed from the matter at hand,’ Gerry said. ‘What’s that?’ said another of the old boys who’d returned from the tees. ‘What’s everyone doing back here, anyway?’ ‘Desmond, our Arthur’s gay,’ Gladys said. ‘Arthur’s gay?’ Desmond said. ‘Happy gay, or soap-drop-in-the-shower gay?’ ‘Both, I expect. That’s his boyfriend, Gabriel,’ Charles said. ‘Handsome and clever, as we have established.’ ‘Is that right?’ Desmond said, looking at me before turning to Arthur. ‘Why didn’t you say so?’ ‘I uh – I just did.’ ‘So you have,’ he said, smiling as he clapped Arthur on the back.”
― G.B. Ralph, Over and Out

“Charles cleared his throat and said a little louder than necessary, ‘But yes, we are all happy for you, Arthur. Gabriel seems like a lovely young man.’ ‘I admit, I still don’t understand the uh – the mechanics,’ Gladys said. ‘But I’m sure it must work – somehow. Seems very popular these days.’ The gruff-looking Gerry shook his head.”
― G.B. Ralph, Over and Out