"I've been laughed at for years. It might be good for you to have a turn?"

"But you're so puny. You deserve to be ..." he stopped.

"Maybe there is something you can do."

"What?"

"How about a deal" I said, "From now on, you show me respect whenever you see me at school, or anywhere, and I won't tell anyone that I beat you at boxing?"

"Its a deal!" said Brooks with huge relief on his face.

He dragged himself to his feet and wearily dressed again, then he got on his bike and wobbled down the road.

Which is why, when you see us together at school, he's always very respectful to be, and nobody knows why. It's the best secret I've ever had and I'm not telling anyone until I'm good and ready.