“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?”

16

New Friends

Trying to get Colin out of the house in his wheelchair was very risky. They almost bumped into Mrs. Medlock in one corridor and Mr. Craven in another. Even Mrs. Pitcher almost caught them! However, they managed to hide just in time and not be spotted. It was as though the house itself was helping them. They used the lift to get Colin down to the ground floor and then wheeled his chair out through one of the back doors. Mary pushed Colin across the lawn, hoping Mrs. Medlock wasn’t looking out of a window.

“Ow! Ouch!” Colin exclaimed, grabbing the arms of the chair as it bounced across the ruts. “You’re going too fast, Mary!”