Simon Peters and his partner Mark Smith face a number of challenging life events in the fourth and final volume of this heart-warming saga. Because of his time working on the streets after being kicked out of home by his father, Mark worries he may have contracted HIV. Despite knowing the lack of treatment options if he were to test positive -- this is the late 1980’s before the age of retro-viral drugs -- Mark is determined to know his fate. Things become complicated when Mark receives a letter from his father wanting to re-establish contact. Roy entering their lives presents further challenges, ones which ultimately threaten Simon and Mark’s continued happiness. Gay teens Sam and Billy play an increasingly important part in Simon and Mark’s lives, often regarding the older men as surrogate fathers/big brothers. Can this unconventional family pull together and become stronger, despite all the world has thrown at them?

Fireside Romance Book 4: Glowing Embers

As the summer progressed, so did Roy’s cancer. For the most part, he dealt with it all with good grace. Mark or I or one of the boys would be with him most of the time during the day, either talking to him, or just giving him a reassuring hug. Roy soaked up the physical affection like a sponge. 


Dr Holloway, our local doctor, paid us frequent visits to regulate Roy’s medication. By the middle of July, Mark and I were forced to admit Roy’s medical needs were becoming too much for us to cope with. He found it almost impossible to hold a cup or piece of cutlery. 


Knowing he was relying upon Mark and me more and more, Roy asked us to admit him to a hospice. 


Mark balked. “We promised we’d look after you here.”


“Going into a hospice will free you two up, mean you can get on with your lives again.”


“But, Dad.” Mark was close to tears. “I want to look after you. Hospices are where people go to…” He swallowed.


Chapter 56