Taking Risks

ary told Dickon her plan and they hurried to the house. Sneaking in through the back door, they crept up the staircases and along the corridors. Mary knew her plan was dangerous, and she had no idea if Colin would even agree to it, but she also knew she had to try.

As they reached the part of the house where Colin’s room was, they became even more cautious. Mary ran to the end of a corridor, checked the next one, then signalled to Dickon to move. He raced past her and dived into another doorway. Peering out, he beckoned to her and she made the next move. Corridor after corridor they negotiated as they gradually got closer to Colin’s room. They were almost there when Mary heard a door handle turning. She threw her arm up to warn Dickon and they flung themselves into an empty room, hardly daring to breathe. Risking a peek, Mary saw Mrs Medlock come out of a room and march away without realising they were there.

They waited a few moments and then made the final dash to Colin’s room. His door was locked.

‘Who’s there?’ she heard Colin demand as she rattled the handle. ‘It’s the girl, isn’t it?’

‘My name is Mary and you jolly well know it!’ she hissed.

‘I don’t want you here!’ said Colin, his voice rising. ‘I don’t want to see you. You’re cruel.’

Mary felt like stamping in frustration. ‘We’re past this, Colin. You’ll scream. I’ll scream. No good will come of it!’

Colin started to yell. There was the sound of running footsteps on the staircase at the end of the corridor. Mary hastily pulled Dickon into the nearest doorway and tried the handle, but it was locked.

She thought they were about to be caught by Mrs Medlock, but it was Martha who appeared at the top of the staircase. Spotting Mary and Dickon, her mouth dropped open.

‘What are you doing here?’ she hissed.

‘I know about Colin,’ Mary said quickly. ‘We’re friends.’

Martha blinked in astonishment and then her eyes flicked back to Dickon. ‘If they catch you here, they’ll have you whipped,’ she said urgently.

‘We want to help Colin, Martha. It’s worth the risk,’ Mary said and, to her delight, Dickon nodded.

Martha frowned at her. ‘You risk being sent to school, miss. We risk more – far more. If Dickon gets discovered here, we’ll be turned out and I’ll lose all my wages. We’ll starve!’

There was the sound of more footsteps. ‘What’s going on?’ called Mrs Medlock’s voice. She appeared at the far end of the corridor just as Mary and Dickon ducked back into their doorway and pressed themselves against the heavy door.

Martha hesitated and then walked towards the housekeeper, positioning her body to block Dickon and Mary from sight. ‘Don’t worry yourself, Mrs Medlock. It’s just the young master. I’ll deal with him.’

‘He never normally causes bother at this hour,’ said Mrs Medlock, frowning.

‘I’ll take care of him,’ Martha said briskly. ‘You continue with your chores, if you want.’

Mrs Medlock nodded gratefully. ‘Very well. Thank you, Martha. There is such a lot to do.’ She hurried away.

The breath rushed out of Mary and she saw Martha’s shoulders sag too.

‘I need to see my cousin, Martha,’ Mary pleaded, knowing there was no time to waste. Mrs Medlock could come back any minute. ‘I think I know a way to help him – to make him feel better.’

Martha looked at her uncertainly.

‘Please, Martha!’ Mary begged.

Martha hesitated and then unlocked the door. Seeing Mary, Colin opened his mouth to scream.

‘Do that and you’ll never see me again!’ Mary said hotly. ‘It’s your decision.’

He saw her angry eyes and shut his mouth.

‘Now I want you to meet someone,’ said Mary, her voice softening. She gestured to Dickon to come in. He stepped forward reluctantly. ‘This is Dickon.’

‘Hello,’ said Dickon awkwardly.

Colin looked Dickon up and down. ‘He’s handsome.’

‘He can whistle,’ Mary said proudly. ‘And all animals are his friends.’ She glanced at Martha, who was watching, wide-eyed. ‘When’s the next time they’ll check on my cousin, Martha?’

‘About four o’clock,’ Martha replied. She saw Mary look at the chair. ‘What are you planning, miss?’ she said anxiously.

Mary didn’t reply. ‘He’ll be back by four,’ she said firmly.

‘Oh, no. I’m not going anywhere with you,’ said Colin, starting to shake his head.

Martha looked at Dickon. ‘You understand what you risk?’

He nodded. ‘Aye.’

Martha bit her lip and then reluctantly left.

‘You’re coming with us,’ Mary told Colin. ‘Dickon and I are going to take you to the secret garden.’

Colin looked alarmed. ‘You want to take me outside? No, I won’t go. I won’t!’

‘When we tried to fix the dog, he refused us too,’ said Mary, her eyes glinting. ‘Take his arms, Dickon, and I’ll take his legs and we’ll carry him down there.’ Colin screamed. Mary’s hand covered his mouth in an instant. ‘Or you could let us help you into your chair and get you down safely. I promise we won’t kill you.’

‘You can’t promise anything of the kind!’ Colin said in a panicked voice. ‘I’ve told you – my legs don’t work and I’m allergic! The pollen, the flowers …’

‘The flowers won’t kill you and if you don’t come with us you’ll die in this bed and all you’ll have seen your whole life will be this wallpaper. Is that what you want?’ Mary’s voice rose. ‘Is it?’

‘No,’ he muttered.

Mary’s voice softened. ‘Then let us take you to the garden, Colin. Please?’