A fragile truce has been brokered between Gordon and Tanusha. Both settling for a lack of open hostility and an unspoken agreement that they will not let their problems ruin the summer. Jeff has had to round up Toes and put him back in the jungle twice more, as the snake always makes his way back to the house.
"Daddy, can Toes live with us forever?" Gordon asks.
Everyone is outside in the sunshine, the boys all working hard to help with the clearance of the area where Jeff is planning on putting in the permanent pool, he knows that the boys are bored, and he also knows from experience that this is usually when they get into trouble!
"Gordy no, he's a wild animal, not to mention venomous, if he were to bite you it could kill you" he replies, trying to get him to see sense.
"But daddy, I want a pet, and Toes is perfect I could take him to school for show and tell when we get back home" Gordon insists.
"Gordon. NO!" He replies firmly, in his no more arguing voice.
"But Dad! I want a pet. I have never had a pet before" He tells him, knowing his dad is getting angry, but he does not care.
Tanusha rolls her eyes, the spoilt brat has had someone tell him no? Wishing she had some popcorn to eat while she watched the impending tantrum, she sits down on the ground nearby quietly observing, determined to make it look to her father and to the boys father that she has turned over a new leaf, that the calm in the house is real, and not just a smoke screen.
"You are not having a highly dangerous cold-blooded reptile as a pet!"
"You kept Scott!" Gordon tells him outraged, earning him a glare from his eldest brother, and a giggle from Alan.
"I am not discussing this further with you Gordon, you are not having a snake and that is final"
Grumbling under his breath Gordon goes back to raking the fallen leaves his dad has assigned to him. Despite his dads promises he has not been allowed to destroy anything, and he can't deny it is frustrating him. He knows from talking to his brothers that they feel the same way, this holiday is boring now the novelty of the Island has worn off.
*TB*
Jeff has put up a hammock, strung between two trees in the primitive back yard, just far enough away from the splashing in the pool, which has been commandeered by John during the day where he stretches in the sun and reads book after book, while sipping endless amounts of lemonade. John can get used to this life and does not share his brother's complaints about being bored.
"Watch ya doin?!" Alan asks him. They have now been on the Island for 9 days, and Alan has started to grow restless. The endless days of sunshine, swimming in the pool, digging in the sand, avoiding Tanusha have started to blend into one long day and he needs something more to fill his days.
"Reading, go away Alan!" He replies impatiently.
"But I'm bored" He replies.
"No, you're boring!" John tells him.
"Fine, I am telling Grandma you're being mean to me" He tells John, turning tail and hightailing it back to the house.
"No! Anything but that, come back Allie I will take you for a walk just don't tell Grandma! John pleads.
"And Chocolate?" Alan asks, knowing that he has John where he wants him.
"Okay sure, from my private stash" John tells him desperately.
"Okay then. Let's go"
John tips himself out of the hammock, awkwardly landing on the floor, picking himself up and ignoring Alans laughter.
"Come on Sprout, lets go and tell Grandma where we are going" he tells him, reaching out for his hand.
"What is that on your hand? John asks disgustedly, pulling his hand back and examining his fingers which are now covered in green slime.
"Slime, Gordy made it" Alan replies.
John doesn't want to know! "Come on, lets go and get you cleaned up first."
Kyrano is in the kitchen putting an apple pie in the oven.
"Kyrano? Where is everybody?" John asks.
"Your father and brothers are out at the site clearing some more of the trees for the main structure, and your Grandma has gone to take them some cookies Mr John". He replies.
"Oh, okay. I am taking Alan for a walk can you let her know when she gets back, we will be back in time for dinner?"
"Be back by 5 Mr John" Kyrano replies.
"Will do" he replies. "Alan wash your hands first"
Alan drags a chair from the table over to the sink and plunges his hands into the soapy dish water still in the sink from lunch, before jumping down and wiping them on his t-shirt.
"All done" He tells him smiling holding his hands out for inspection.
"Much better Sprout lets go" following him out the door and down the path towards the beach. John having to sprint to keep up with his hyperactive brother. John realises he hasn't been down this far, preferring to stick near the house, where it is safe from the wild animals of the jungle, even if it means he isn't safe from the wild animals that call themselves his younger brothers!
They continue their walk along the sand, getting further and further away from the house. John engrossed in exploring, walking around the edge of the jungle, stopping to help Alan identify the different bugs he is finding.
"Johnny, can we just go in a little bit? Gordy has been in and dad keeps promising that he will take me in there, but he never has the time. All he does is fight with Gordon about the snake and work. Gordon always gets all the attention Johnny and it isn't fair" Alan asks looking longingly towards the trees marking the edge of the jungle.
John hates disappointing Alan. But he knows that the jungle is off limits. Torn between two of the things he loves, rules and Alan John feels stuck, deciding that to avoid an argument to go home again.
"Come on Allie, let's head back it is almost time for dinner" he tells him. Glad that Alan does not know how to tell the time!
"Fine" he pouts in reply. "But I wanna go home now Johnny, I don't like it here anymore. And I want you to carry me" he demands his bottom lip sticking out petulantly.
John may love Alan but he is no Virgil and he will not let his younger brother wrap him round his finger like Gordon has done to Virgil, taking Alan by the hand he silently marches him back to the house. Wishing he had a book with him.
"Grandma, look after Alan for me, I am going back to the hammock until dinner" John tells her, transferring his small hand into hers, grabbing his book from the table in the kitchen and heading bak outside.
"Grandma, I want to go home" He tells her seriously.
"I want you to go home to" Tanusha pipes up.
"Watch it young lady" Her father interrupts.
"Sorry father" she replies, her eyes staring resolutely at the ground.
"Apologise to Mr Alan"
"Sorry Alan" she tells him, still failing to look up.
"Grandma, John said that it was dinner time." Alan looks at her hopefully, the thing he loves the most about the island is Kyranos cooking!
"Not for another hour Allie" Grandma tells him. "How about a cookie, then you and I will go out into the yard for a bit"
Alan can't believe that John lied to him but a cookie sounds like a good idea, and the offer reminds him that John promised him chocolate.
"I need to go and see Johnny first, meet me out there Grandma" Alan tells her, a sly grin now on his face.
"Okay dear" She replies smiling, unsuspecting of his motives.
"Oh Jonny-boy" Alan says, approaching the hammock.
"What now?" John snaps, he gave up an hour of his life for Alan, he is off big brother duty for the rest of the holiday now.
"I want the chocolate you promised me, or I will tell grandma you lied to me, and that you were mean to me, and you will get grounded" Alan tells him.
"I will get you chocolate, just stop channelling your inner Gordon" John replies rolling his eyes at the blackmail attempt.
Neither of them notices Toes making his way back towards the house.
*TB*
The truce looks like it is on course to continue during dinner, as Scott and Virgil help to serve the lasagne piling it onto the plates before joining their family and friends for another meal together.
"Hey dad" Gordon says, once his plate is cleared and he is waiting for the pie to be served.
"No I haven't and no you can't" Jeff replies grinning.
Gordon rolls his eyes. He was only going to tell him that he had sauce on his face, but now he is getting nothing!
"how do you all fancy a trip to the mainland at the weekend?" Jeff asks. "get off the island for a bit"
"Really?" Alan asks excitedly, "it is really boring here daddy. There is nothing to do" he whines.
"Agreed" Gordon tells him. "The highlight of my day was raking leaves. This is supposed to be a vacation dad, but you won't let us do anything fun, you said I could use the sledgehammer and I was going to ask for a tree house, but all you care about is keeping us out of danger, and downtrodden and bored!"
Jeff didn't realise he was neglecting the boys so much.
"Okay, this weekend I will take you all over to the mainland, there is a new theme park opening in Auckland. I will make some calls after lunch and see if I can pick up passes for you all"
"What about the sledgehammer?" Gordon asks.
"When I have something to destroy, I will let you know, but for the moment there is no need for it."
"How many days until the weekend daddy?" Alan asks.
"Three" today is Tuesday, so we will leave on Friday night if that is okay with everyone?"
"If Taneska going?" he asks.
"Tanusha!" She interrupts, determined to teach Alan how to pronounce her name before the end of the summer. "And am I?" she adds, trying to keep any tone of hope out of her question.
"If you promise to obey the rules, then I don't see why not" Jeff tells her, his tone light and friendly.
"How long will we be away for dad?" Scott asks.
"Until Sunday evening, and if you guys really don't want to stay here all the time, you can stay in Auckland and visit during the weekend", not wanting to ruin their vacation anymore. He knows once the construction has finished; they will have everything they need.
"On our own?" Gordon asked awed.
"NO!" Jeff replies laughing. "Your Grandma will stay with you"
"Dad, did you know you have sauce on your face?" John asks.
"I was going to tell him, but he told me not too" Gordon adds.
Jeff wipes the sauce off his face, laughing. Which stops abruptly when she spots movement in the corner of the kitchen, recognising it as Toes he doesn't even bother panicking, he just gets the box and collects the snake and returns it wordlessly to the jungle.
"How much longer is Toes going to be made to live out there Grandma? He obviously wants to stay with me forever" Gordon asks her.
"He is an outdoor creature Gordy, I am sorry, but you can't keep him" she replies, the look of disappointment on his face breaks her heart, but she knows that it can not break her resolve. There is no way Gordon is keeping the snake.
By the time Jeff has returned, Gordon has finished his slice of pie and scarpered from the table to avoid his father's wrath.
"Where is my pie?" he asks, already suspecting either Virgil, who is a bottomless pit, or Gordon as he has fled.
"Gordon did it daddy!" Alan tells him, selling his brother out.
"That doesn't surprise me" He tells him laughing. "Who is on clean up duty?"
"Tanusha and Scott" Grandma tells him. Much to Scott's disgust, as he has still not forgiven her and he isn't buying her sudden act of repentance.
"You wash, I will dry and put them away" He tells her, his voice formal and all business.
"How many times am I going to have to apologise Scott, I said I was sorry for hurting your brothers" she asks, not wanting his forgiveness, but the curiosity is killing her.
"When you truly mean it, I will believe it and forgive you Tanusha" he replies again keeping the condemnation out of voice.
"Gordon has forgiven me" she tells him.
"Gordon doesn't hold grudges, I however do! Now just get on with the dishes, I want to get out of here some time tonight"
"Fine" she replies curtly, placing a clean plate on the side for him. Leaving the kitchen the second she is done, without another word. Scott following her shortly afterwards.
*TB*
"Scotty, can we all go for a walk together. We never spend time together anymore. You and Virgil are always working, Gordon is in the pool most of the day and Johnny just reads. All day, I want my brothers back" Alan asks the following morning.
"Sure, I could use a break" Scott tells him. Looking round at his brothers, all in varying sates of half asleep, apart from Gordon who is fully asleep, buried deep under his blanket, snoring gently and completely oblivious to what is going on around him.
"Do we wake him or go and eat his breakfast?" John asks, only half joking.
"Eat his breakfast, and he will probably get Toes to eat you!" Scott replies.
"I will get him" Alan informs the room, jumping onto Gordons bed, ripping the blanket away and shouting "MORNING GORDY!" into his face.
Gordon jumps up in shock, causing Alan to fall off the bed.
"What was that?" He asks confused, looking around at his brothers.
"Morning Gordy!" Alan repeats, popping back up from the floor, quieter this time.
"Ugh" is his reply.
"Come on, we are going for breakfast then we are all going for a walk together, it looks like it is going to be a nice day out there" Scott tells him.
"No, bring me breakfast in bed in about an hour" He replies, pulling the blanket back up over his head.
Scott and Virgil give each other their customary, lets get him look, before grabbing the blanket and throwing it on the floor before grabbing him under the armpits and pulling him up onto his feet. And walking him out the door.
Gordon protests all the way down the stairs, loudly, not stopping until the food is on the table, then the urge to eat overcomes his urge to complain!
Leaving a note for their dad to get they leave shortly after breakfast, having packed a picnic for lunch, and games to keep Alan and Gordon entertained, and a book to keep John entertained they are all set.
Jeff gets their note and is happy for all 5 boys to spend the day together, they need some time together.
He isn't aware that Tanusha has followed them, curious as to what they have planned.
Outside the boys hike for miles, making sure they stick to the main trails and always taking careful notes of their surroundings, but Scott has his phone just in case and as one of the first things Jeff did was built a phone reception tower, he is guaranteed to get a signal.
Laughing and joking together, this day has been perfect, and the idyllic life that they thought they would have on the Island. Settling down on top of a big rock looking out to the sea, they stop for their lunch.
"What are we doing now Alan?" Scott asks, as he is in charge. After all this was his idea.
"Can we play catch?" he asks, digging in the bag for the baseball.
"Of course" Virgil replies. Setting up bases, using the jumpers they had packed, John agrees to umpire first.
"Can I bat?" Alan asks.
"Nope, but you can try" Gordon replies.
"Gordon!" Scott warns.
"Okay Alan, you can go first" Gordon tells him diplomatically.
Scott pitches to him, gently and slow pitches which Alan misses, but with Virgil coaching him, he finally makes the bat connect with the ball, which sails into the outfield, much to Alans shock. he stands there watching it, a look of amazement on his face.
"Run the bases Allie!" Gordon tells him, as Virgil walks slowly over to where the ball has stopped, to give Alan time to get home for his first ever home run.
"I DID IT I DID IT!" He shouts jumping up and down in delight, hugging his big brothers happily.
They don't notice the change in the weather early in the afternoon, the wind picking up, the heavy cloud cover, and they continue playing. Scott and Virgil getting more and more competitive, almost hitting John in the head with the ball, missing him by inches and only when he had the sense to duck!
It isn't until the first drop hits them that they realise it is raining.
"Come on guys time to pack up and head back" Scott tells them, shoving their baseball and gloves into the bag, grabbing the jumpers they were using as bases, and they all pull the jumpers on over their heads.
The mist has descended quickly, and they can barely see two feet in front of them.
"It's this way Scott" Virgil tells him, pulling him towards one of the paths.
"No it is this way!" Scott replies.
"Guys its clearly this way" John says pointing In a 3rd direction.
The 3 of them look at each other in horror.
They are lost, in what is quickly escalating into a storm. They can hear the thunder rumbling in the distance.
"What are we going to do?" Virgil asks, as they all turn towards Scott looking for guidance.