Ch11

Several things surprised Gordon when he returned to his room with an armful of snacks and two of Scott's beers. Alan was nowhere to be seen, his tablet was on his bed with the screen lock off but the most surprising came when he went to investigate and there was an e-mail from Penelope.

Dear Gordon,

You may wish to remind your brother that 18 is the age when one is expected to act like a man. If he is unable to show a level of maturity, not to mention a decent knowledge of the queens English then I think we may have to send him to finishing school. I must say being described as 'well hot' is an education in crass I did not require. If I were you I would bide my time and remember revenge is a dish best served cold. Consider your options Gordon because I have a feeling he will be hiding somewhere expecting instant retribution. I would also consider changing your password immediately; it seems your little brother could do no end of damage with his new found aptitude for hacking.

Penelope

PS A date Gordon, what a wonderful idea, such a shame you never thought of it. X

Gordon immediately switched his attention to his sent items, the e-mail was scanned and rescanned 'generous lover.' he must have read that particular sentence five times, he was torn between killing him and admiring him for a prank well played. Still no harm done and really if anything the joke was on him, if he knew Penelope she would enjoy having her fun with Alan over this. He turned his attention back to the inbox and re-read Penelope's message, two things jumped out at him, number one, revenge is better if it takes its sweet merry time, watching Alan sweat in the meantime would be excellent sport. Secondly 'shame you never thought of it!' It was quite possible that Alan had actually done him a favour he took the tablet and tried to turn his impromptu e-mail to Penelope to his advantage.

Dear Penelope,

I am thinking of nothing else now! It would be my absolute pleasure to take you out on a date if you would do me the honour.

Gordon x

PS If you have any idea's on the perfect response to Alan's behaviour I am taking your advice and biding my time.

He lay back on his bed and racked his brains for the perfect retaliation, he doubted that Alan would have had the sense to change his password but getting him a subscription for a certain magazine or paying him back in kind by declaring undying love to Kayo by e-mail did not seem to cut the mustard.

Gordon had considered his options and not really come to a conclusion by the time he faced Alan the first time the next day. The colour immediately drained from Alan's face as they bumped into each other, it amused him greatly and he fought hard to keep a straight face, pleading ignorance may just prove its own fun.

"Hey Allie, where you disappear to last night, pilfered a beer too, I thought you were trying to avoid Kayo."

"Gordon …. I was … Er …. I …. Suddenly got tired and needed my bed."

"Since when did you ever sleep in your own bed?"

"You know what I mean."

Alan had never been so sure that Gordon must have received an irate phone call or e-mail from Penelope by now but it seemed he was getting a stay of execution. Rather than drag out any further tit for tat conversation he decided he would rather spend his next few hour risking the threat of Kayo being in super sleuth mode than being anywhere in the vicinity of Gordon when Penelope eventually made contact. When he finally braved the ring he was further surprised when Gordon had left the Island altogether and was accompanying Virgil on the trip back to Kansas to finish the last modification on the car. Now he felt certain that Gordon had found out and he was keeping his distance to stop himself from killing him. He thought it was time to come clean then phone Gordon to tell him he had put it right and he may just face a tongue lashing by the time he returned.

Dear Penelope,

It was me and I am very sorry. Gordon knew nothing about it so please don't be too hard on him and if you wouldn't mind telling him that I have said sorry then you may just be saving my face.

Alan.

The response came within minutes.

Dear Alan

Whilst an apology is appreciated it does not make up for bad manners and stupidity. It is time for you to do a little growing up and apologise to Gordon yourself.

Penelope.

PS If you think referring to a woman as 'well hot' is appropriate then I think you may find you are single for some years to come.

Well he had tried he reasoned, he would attempt to talk to Gordon when he returned from Kansas, until then there didn't seem much point in worrying about it.

Gordon had been pondering the question of revenge before the ideal solution presented itself. It was Virgil reminding him of his overnighter in Kansas that made it clear that there was no point biding your time for revenge unless there was one hell of a response at the end of it, that meant there was only one target.

Virgil performed the mods in the garage when Gordon set in motion the perfect payback and one he had ensured he would be there to witness. Arrangements made he took a couple of beers out to the garage and for the first time set his sights on the AMG, it seemed a shame really, she really was a beauty and co-driving her would reap certain rewards that can't usually be ignored. However the sight of Alan's face when he unveiled the tarp at the start of their vacation would be priceless and he was prepared to lose a little street cred in the race to take a picture of his reaction and send it to Penelope to prove that the debt had been paid.

Virgil took the beer from Gordon and eyed him with suspicion.

"I've seen that look before, what are you scheming?"

"Me!" Gordon feigned indignation "I resent the implication."

"You're spending too much time talking to Penelope,"

Gordon drained his beer and went to the house to get a couple more while Virgil finished off, he had just resisted bring him in on his little scheme but in the nick of time realised that he would need to admit to them having signed up for the revival of the Gumball Rally. It was one of the few occasions when he had just managed to stop himself in time before letting his big mouth run away with him. When Virgil entered the house he managed to compose himself and suppress the grin that was trying to break free the more he thought of Alan's face when he realised that payback had been delivered by an expert prankster.

"Hey Gord, what do you think of Alan's car?"

It was the worst thing Virgil could have thought to say and he was very close to spitting out the laugh he was holding back.

"She's hot."

Virgil immediately saw the mischief in his brothers eye "What's so funny?"

"Just imagining Alan fending off the ladies."

"and you no doubt."

"I have always been blighted by these good looks; I don't think the car would be necessary."

"Explains the VW."

"Hey that camper had her own pulling power, something romantic about her."

"Alright Gordon we don't need the details."

"A gentleman never tells."

"Yeh, but what about you?"

"Well maybe if you get me drunk enough."

"That seals it. I'm putting the kettle on."