To Jeffs dismay the school board uphold the expulsion putting it back in the hands of the principal, who is adamant that Gordon will not be allowed back to the hero's welcome his friends will be planning.

The next nearest school is a further 15 miles away and only accessible by 3 different busses so he would need to be driven to school every day, which is just not possible. His office is in the other direction, Scott is still refusing point blank to drive a car and grandma just doesn't have the time to drive around after his wayward troublesome child all day. And the travel would exhaust him pretty quickly.

His other alternatives are home schooling, which he doesn't want to do. Gordon makes mince meat out of private tutors and he needs social interaction with kids his own age.

Or boarding school, but he can't send him away, he needs his children near him, and he would hate being so far away.

There is only one option for him now. Negotiating with principal Bell. Who is still denying Gordon re-entry unless he is severely punished.

It's been a week and he still hasn't made a decision. The atmosphere in the house is frosty, and all the boys are on tenterhooks constantly as they wait for a decision from their dad.

After the first night Gordon has not been confined to his room but has been banned from using the pool.

Once again Jeff is sharing his troubles with his mom, he needs this. Adult conversation, without the boys interrupting. After what happened In March they make sure they can't be over heard.

"I can't hit him mom. I know he's messed up, but he's just a kid. He's not even tall enough to go on the big rides at Disney world. And we almost lost him a few months ago. I don't approve of spanking, and neither did Lucy. We vowed that the boys wouldn't be subjected to that kind of inhumane treatment. No matter how angry we got."

Grandma disagrees.

"It won't do any permanent damage Jeff, and who knows maybe it will install a healthy fear of authority in him and curb some of his excessive bad behaviour. Fact is Jeff, Gordon has been getting away far too lightly for far too long now. You got it at school and it didn't do you any harm!"

Jeff knows she's right, but he just can't do it.

"He's too small mom" he insists.

"It's your decision son, but he will probably get thrown out of boarding school within a week!" She tells him.

"I will think about it" he promises her. Getting up from the table he heads upstairs planning on going to bed, stopping to check on the boys.

Scott is still up studying for a huge maths test.

"Five minutes Scotty, you know a good nights sleep is as vital as studying hard" he tells him.

"Okay, I was just about done anyway. Don't think it's even sinking in anymore! Night dad"

"Goodnight Scott" he retreats quietly closing the door.

Alan is asleep on the floor in Johns room, who is also asleep. He has no idea why his youngest is not In his own bed but carries him back and tucks him.

Virgil too is asleep looking peaceful and relaxed snuggled under a thick winter blanket with an extra one on top. Virgil hates the cold!

Finally he checks on Gordon, who is lying on his back on top of the blanket, his mouth wide open, snoring gently. There is a childlike innocence on his face and Jeff can't believe he is contemplating destroying it. He grabs a spare blanket from the end of the bed and wraps it around his beautiful little squid, who mumbles something about sharks in his sleep but doesn't wake up.

This trip did not help him make his mind up!

*TB*

He finds himself being woken in the early hours by loud screams coming from Alan's room. He jumps up out of bed ramming his feet into his slippers and races out into the corridor, he is met by Scott John and Virgil who are wearing identical looks of concern as they charge into the room.

Alan is sat up in bed staring at the wall opposite crying hysterically.

"Allie? Sweetheart, calm down. Daddy's here. What happened Allie?" He asks him kneeling on the floor beside the bed and talking to him in a calm soothing manner.

"The gym monster. It got me!" Alan cries. Throwing himself into his dads arms and sobbing even louder.

"For fuck sake Gordon!" Virgil mutters.

"What has Gordon got to do with this?" Grandma asks having been woken by the noise and come out to investigate.

"I told him not to tell Alan the horror story about the monster in the gym that they sacrifice a kindergartener to on the first day of the school year". Virgil tells her.

"Okay you three back to bed, Alan will be okay in a bit" She herds them out of the room before joining Jeff.

"You can't keep letting him do this Jeff. He literally has no respect for anyone or anything. Look at him!" Pointing to Alan who is still trembling in fear.

"I w-w-went go s-s-sleep in Johnnys r-room because of the m-m-monster daddy and it still got me" he wails.

Jeff takes the terrified 3 year old for hot chocolate and lets him sleep in his bed for the night.

This is the final straw, tomorrow he is phoning Principal Bell. Gordon is going back to school. It isn't lost on him that Gordon was the only one who didn't bother to see if Alan was okay.

*TB*

Breakfast the following morning is a tense affair, Gordon is the only one who really slept well and tempers are running short. Especially Jeffs.

They're also running really late. Jeff has to drive them to school leaving Gordon and Alan home with Grandma. Who for some reason Gordon doesn't understand, isn't happy with him.

Jeffs resolve doesn't crack as he makes the phone call, from the privacy of his office.

He is put through to Principal Bell.

"What would I have to do to get you to overturn Gordon's expulsion?"

"Six strokes of the paddle across his backside and letters of apology to the farmer and to his English teacher, unfortunately I can't paddle him as we are still waiting for the state legislation to pass. You, however as his father. Can."

"When?" Jeff asks. Hoping he agrees to within the next half hour before he has chance to change his mind.

"Bring him Into the office tomorrow morning I will have the paper work ready for you"

"Okay." Jeff tells him before hanging up the phone. Scarcely able to believe he is agreeing to this.

He finds himself unable to talk anymore, so texts his mom.

Jeff: it's on for tomorrow. 6 strokes. I will tell him at dinner.

Reading the text his mom knows he is doing the right thing. She glances over at Gordon who is lying on the sofa watching tv with an arrogant little smile on his face, which he has no idea is about to be wiped off.

Dinner is a sausage casserole with apple pie for dessert. Jeff waits until they have all finished eating before he makes his big announcement. Tapping his glass with his fork to get the boys attention and they all stop what they're doing to look at him. Gordon even stops kicking John under the table.

"I have made a decision about Gordon's future. Tomorrow he is going back to school".

"How? Scott asks.

"Yeah how. Old Bellend won't let me back!" Gordon replies.

"I spoke to him this afternoon and negotiated a deal. Unfortunately it's not a good deal, and it's not one I'm taking lightly." His dad tells him a solemn expression on his face.

"What are you talking about dad?" Gordon asks him.

"You can only go back if you are paddled. Tomorrow morning I am taking you to the school and I will be paddling your backside".

Gordon's face goes white.

And a silence falls over the table.

Which only lasts for seconds before all hell breaks loose.

Virgil leaps up and grabs Gordon. Holding him in a vice like grip and refusing to let go.

"You can't! I'm not letting you! I will quit school and teach him myself!" He exclaims, his dark eyes flashing angrily.

"Virgil calm down. I have spent days thinking about this. It's the only sensible option. Gordon needs to be punished and I have looked at all Other local schools. The nearest one is 15 miles away. And I can't send him to boarding school." Jeff tells him.

"I think it's an excellent idea" John tells his dad seriously. "You should have done this years ago!"

"Shut up John!" Virgil tells him, "think how you would feel in his position"

"I am not stupid enough to end up in his position!" John replies.

"Enough you two!" Grandma tells them. Putting an end to their discussion.

"Your fathers decision is final Virgil. You're just going to have to accept it." She adds.

"I'm coming with you" Virgil tells Gordon. "You're not going through this alone". He doesn't care about missing an hour of school. His little brother needs him. And he hasn't let go of him.

Jeff doesn't bother to argue. Getting up he starts to clear the table. Scott and John join in.

Scott hasn't voiced an opinion but Virgil believes from his body language and tone that he is siding with John.

Virgil refuses to let Gordon out of his sight. Staying with him all night and neither of them get much sleep. Their father locks both the window and padlocks the outside of his bedroom door so not even Gordon can find a way out.

*TB*

Gordon doesn't eat breakfast, staring at his plate of toast as if it is covered in poison, the mere thought of food makes him feel sick, and he knows that even throwing up won't save him from his fate.

"Time to go Gordon" his dad pipes up, disturbing him from this thoughts.

Abandoning the plate Gordon allows Virgil to lead him out to the car, they both climb into the back, Virgil still holding his arm protectively.

Virgil's last hopes are pinned on a sudden change of heart over night, but he is disappointed as they are escorted from the car into the main office.

Virgil is horrified to find the paddle already out and on the desk. It is made from solid oak, and is 2 feet long, and the blade is a quarter of an inch thick.

Gordon is forced to listen to a lecture about his future conduct which is pointless, as the terrified boy can't take his eyes off the paddle, and nothing Principal Bell is telling him is making any sense.

Only when Jeff signs the form to confirm that he understands the terms of Gordon's probation with in the school, does it even register with him that the lecture of over.

Jeff knows he is scared, and wants to get this over with as quickly as he possibly can.

"Drop your jeans and bend over the desk Gordon" His dad tells him.

Gordon just looks at him, his big brown eyes pleading with him to not do this.

"Now or your underwear comes down too and you get it across your bare backside." Jeff tells him, ignoring the pleas from his squid much to Virgil's disgust.

Gordon fumbles with the button on his jeans before successfully lowering them to his ankles.

"Virgil pop the pillow under his head, and I will need you to hold his shoulders down for me" their dad tells him.

Virgil glares at him with ill disguised disgust but does as he's told. He crouches down and places his hands firmly on Gordon's shoulders. His head positioned so it's right next to Gordon's. Whispering words of encouragement into his ear.

The paddle makes solid contact and the noise sounds like a fire cracker has exploded in the room.

Gordon lets out a painful howl and struggles against Virgil's hold on him.

"It's okay squid. Virgy is here. Virgy has you".

He's whimpering and his shoulders are shaking under Virgil's arms.

Somewhere behind him Principal Bell calls out "1! 5 to go"

In Virgil's opinion 1 is enough but he knows he has no say in here as his father raises the paddle once more.

A second stroke makes contact with the centre of Gordon's backside and he bucks in pain. He's openly crying now, but he doesn't beg his dad to stop.

"2" is the cry from Principal Bell.

Before the third strike. This time is takes all of Virgil's strength to keep him in place.

"3"

"It's okay squid. We are half way there. You can do this" Virgil whispers into his ear.

Only this time he whispers back.

"C-c-c-ant"

Virgil can feel his heart breaking, and his dad delivers the fourth stroke.

"4"

Virgil looks up at his father. Silently shaking his head. No more. Please no more he pleads with his eyes mouthing stop to him.

Jeff notices Virgil's pleas begging him to stop, but he is determined to go through with it, and brings the paddle down again.

Again Gordon writhes in agony. This is worse than breaking his leg in 4 places.

"5"

"Last one Gords. Then I'm taking you home" Virgil whispers to him.

Gordon is now lying limp over the desk the tear soaked pillow protecting his head from hitting the solid wood desk.

One last strike, this one Jeff makes count. And it's the hardest one yet.

"6"

Gordon doesn't even react to the final stroke.

Jeff puts the paddle down.

"Let him go Virgil" he tells his second eldest son.

Virgil releases him, finding himself having to move Gordon from the desk and into a corner. Virgil can feel the heat radiating from him as he gets him dressed. Holding him in his arms while he sobs. And he can't stop him shaking.

"Gordon was right. There is a monster in this school" he tells Principal Bell, his own voice unrecognisable as it shakes with anger. "It's you, no wonder all the kids here call you old bellend. It's an accurate description! I hope you're happy now. Dad I'm taking him home are you coming? Or are you just going to hang out here with your new best friend?"

Virgil has never been this angry. And he isn't done yet.

"You know the last person who hurt him went to jail. How is this any different? I begged you to stop but you wouldn't. Either take us home or I'm calling Grandma to come and get us."

"Go and wait in the car while I finish up the paper work, and don't be rude or you're next" His dad tells him.

Virgil grabs the keys and as gently as possible without causing him any further pain, he slides an arm under Gordon's legs just like he had to when he was in the hospital and carries him from the room.

Virgil sits with him in the back of the car on the way home. Gordon on the middle seat, his head resting on Virgil's shoulder, tears silently streaming down his face. None of them say a single word and the second Jeff pulls up Virgil gets out, taking Gordon with him and carrying him upstairs, marching past Grandma and lying him down on the bed.

"Gordy I'm going to get you into your pyjamas okay?" Virgil tells him. He doesn't react, even though he is no longer crying. He lets Virgil undress him and apply the cold cream he got out of the medical cabinet to the bruising, which is quickly turning purple, and isn't limited to his backside. The tops of his thighs are also bruised as is the lower part of his back. He's still shaking with shock and fear while Virgil tends to his injuries, and gets him dressed.

Grandma brings up food for them both, but Gordon won't eat it. No Matter what Virgil tries, he can't get him to eat.

Gordon spends the rest of the day in bed, lying on his stomach, a cold towel over his backside and legs. While Virgil reads to him.

He doesn't stop reading even when Gordon, exhausted from the ordeal falls asleep. He hasn't said a word to their dad since they got home and he doesn't want to see him.

Downstairs it's a different story Jeff is still insisting that it wasn't as bad as Virgil is claiming and once they have both stopped sulking they will be fine. He refuses to let it ruin supper even if all there is for supper is what Grandma is insisting is home made chicken soup.

"Is anyone going to take some up for Virg and Gords?" Scott asks.

"Feel free, but they aren't going to be getting away with this sulking for long and they are going too school tomorrow" Jeff insists.

So Scott brings up their supper. Gordon hasn't eaten all day and can't sit up to do so.

"How bad was it Virg?" He asks.

"Bloody awful and there is no way anyone is going to do that to him again. Not so long as I am breathing!" He replies.

"He needs to eat something". Scott tells him.

"I know. But I don't want to move him." Virgil replies.

"Let me try." He tells him approaching Gordon. "Gordy?"

"We need to get you sat up so you can eat. Okay?"

Scott manoeuvres him into a sitting position. Trying to ignore his whimpering as he forces his little brother to eat, holding the spoon up to his mouth and making sure he drains the soup bowl. Resting his head on Scott's shoulder he starts to cry again. Scott can't believe he thought this was a good idea. Sometimes he forgets that his little brothers are still kids.

"What happens now Scott? How do we move on from this? He was supposed to protect us." Virgil asks. His respect for his father has gone.

Scott settles back down on the bed resting Gordon across his chest one arm protectively around his shoulders.

"I don't know" Scott answers honestly. "But if he can agree to do this to Squid he can do it to any of us"

And that is what is truly scaring Virgil.