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acacia-may · 2 years

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Secrets and Sugar Mice (A Secret Garden Future Fic): Chapter 3

Story Summary: After many bumps in the road, the newly-licensed Dr. Colin Craven is finally fulfilling his long-time goal of running his own cottage hospital in Thwaite thanks to guidance, assistance, and generosity of the most competent doctor he had ever known, the Grand Doctor from London, Dr. Louis Cartwright. Even the generally pessimistic Colin can admit that the future looks bright, but there are still a couple of matters that have thrown a wrench into his plans--a certain medical supply cabinet, in particular, and Dr. Cartwright's daughter, a nurse with whom Colin did not get off on the right foot.

After a particularly frustrating day, Colin turns to his one of his oldest friends for help and advice. Perhaps Dickon is right and all it takes is the magic of friendship to turn this whole situation around...

Fandom: The Secret Garden

Genre: Friendship, Slice of Life, Developing Friendship, Post-Canon, Future Fic

Relationships (in order of appearance/mention): Colin Craven & Dickon Sowerby, Colin Craven & Dickon Sowerby & Mary Lennox, Colin Craven & The Grand Doctor from London, Colin Craven & Original Characters (Julia Cartwright), Colin Craven & Martha Sowerby, and Colin Craven & Mary Lennox (A little bit of Mary & Martha friendship at the end). Colin & Julia (OC) Centric.

Characters (in order of appearance/mention): Colin Craven (POV Character), Dickon Sowerby, Mary Lennox (POV Character), The Grand Doctor from London (Dr. Louis Cartwright), Dr. Cartwright's Daughter, Julia (OC) (POV Character), Martha Sowerby, and Mrs. Susan Sowerby

Rating: G

Warnings: Colin being Colin (I guess?) but honestly this is just friendship fluff and slice of life.

Word Count: 5331 [Out of 11,636 Total]

Link to original post on AO3. Please do not repost to another site.

Chapter 3 of 4. Link to previous chapter (Chapter 2) and next chapter (Epilogue).

Story Below the Cut! Thank you so much for reading!

CHAPTER 3: A Walk in the Rain

As they stepped out into the freezing rain, all Julia could think, a bit sarcastically, was that she hoped her father was happy. She had tried to keep an open mind, but all that had really done was confused her. For the few months she had known Dr. Craven, or she supposed ‘Colin’ as she was to think of him now, he had always carried himself with an air of aloofness which, she presumed, was a product of his posh upbringing and lifestyle. Honestly, she had found it rather snobbish, but he seemed different today—still curt, yes, but a bit softer somehow. It was almost a little unnerving, and Julia wasn’t exactly sure how to feel about it. However, it still didn’t change the fact that they had nothing to talk about. Their walk through the rainy streets of Thwaite village was filled with rather awkward silence, but at least they were dry. It was almost fortuitous that Colin happened to have an umbrella especially during such an unexpected storm—unless of course, he, as a life-long Yorkshire resident, knew something about the local weather that she didn’t.

“How did you know it was going to rain?” she asked curiously.

He tilted his head. “I didn’t.”

Julia’s eyes narrowed. “But you brought an umbrella with you even though it was so sunny earlier.”

“I like to be prepared,” he explained very matter-of-factly.

“For the worst, it would seem,” she quipped.

Colin’s mouth turned up just barely in the corners. “I actually rather like rainy days.”

Julia paused—a bit taken aback by this attempt at polite conversation—but she managed to add, “I don’t mind them when its warm, but they’re dreadful when it’s cold like this.”

Colin nodded. “We don’t get a lot of snow here so it mainly just rains in the winter. I’ve been thinking of bringing a couple of umbrellas to the hospital just to have on hand in the event of inclement weather.”

“That would be nice,” Julia replied with a nod as the conversation fizzled again. She sighed. At least they could talk about the weather. Though she didn’t know much about high society, she was of the impression that the weather was the default conversation topic among the posh though she wasn’t at all sure why, seeing as it was so dreadfully boring to talk about. Even so, she conceded, it was something, and something—even the weather—was better than the awkward silence that followed for the next several blocks as they walked along—huddling under the umbrella as the rain beat against its dark leather.

Excess water pooled in the streets and soaked through Julia’s boots as she walked through puddle after puddle. Even with the umbrella, they would both be drenched by the time they got home—Colin likely more-so than her seeing as he had a much farther walk. Julia began to turn at a corner, but Colin stopped. She turned to stare at him confusedly.

“I usually turn here,” she explained though she didn’t think she should have to seeing as he had lived here all of his life and surely knew how to get places—though, she admitted, she wasn’t sure how much time he had spent in the village.

“That road curves,” he countered and motioned straight ahead. “This way is a bit faster.” He paused and Julia could have sworn she saw him smile just barely, “and you get to look in the shop windows.”

Julia sighed though she knew she couldn’t argue with “faster” in this storm so she followed him down the other way. “I suppose I’m still new here,” she conceded.

Colin nodded. “Perhaps a map would be helpful?” He said it so seriously she couldn’t tell if he meant it genuinely or condescendingly.

“Perhaps,” she answered curtly.

After a few more steps, Colin’s asked in a softened tone, “Do you like it here? I suppose it’s very different from London.”

“Very different,” Julia agreed watching the raindrops make ripples in the puddles on the ground. “It reminds me of the Lake District.” She paused then added, “where I grew up” for good measure even though she was sure he already knew that.

“That’s a very lovely area.”

“You’ve been?” asked Julia tilting her head.

Colin nodded. “A couple of times—in the summer.” Julia was about to say something more when Colin stopped abruptly and exclaimed, “Oh look! They’ve put out the sugar mice.”

Julia leaned slightly to the right to peer into the shop window where there was a shiny tray of sugar mice candies. Colin turned back to look at her with bright eyes and a gentle smile. She wasn’t sure if she had ever really seen him smile before. It made him look much nicer—almost handsome. She felt a blush rising in her cheeks at the thought. He didn’t seem to notice, however, as he explained excitedly, “We have sugar mice every Christmas. When I was younger—around 7 or 8—my father,” he paused before adding quickly, “well…he wasn’t around very often, but one year, he was home right before Christmas, and he asked what I wanted. I was surprised and didn’t know what to say, but I had just read about sugar mice in a book and had never had them before so that’s what I asked for. And on Christmas day, in the afternoon, a white box with a red ribbon came from my father, and it was filled with sugar mice. We’ve had them at Christmas ever since—even though we generally spend it together now.” He chuckled lightly. “My cousin Mary and I used to have fights with them—though I know it’s terribly dreadful to play with one’s food.”

Julia tried to keep her jaw from falling slack. Of all the many things he could have said, this probably surprised her the most. She couldn’t think of what exactly to say, and he must have noticed her confusion as his face seemed to fall or at least return to its usual coldness. “Oh, I…” he began to explain or perhaps apologize.

“No,” Julia interrupted. “It’s”—She paused—“It’s only…that’s the first personal thing you’ve ever told me about yourself.”

“Is it?” Colin seemed to take a step back, and his mouth opened just barely. “Oh. I…um…” his voice trailed off, and he pursued his lips.

“It’s nice,” Julia admitted before she could stop herself. “Why don’t you talk about yourself more often?”

Colin shifted from one foot to the other. “I…” He paused, and his pale cheeks turned the faintest pink. “I didn’t think it was relevant.

Julia couldn’t stop herself from chuckling a little and felt a bit bad for it as she could feel him pulling away again. “To tell you the truth, I’ve never had sugar mice,” she added quickly hoping to keep the conversation going. “We have caramels at Christmas though.” She paused and smiled. “I don’t have a special story about them, but I did have a friend growing up who used to say they suited me because they match my hair.” She chuckled lightly. “And I’m rather fond of them—but you already knew that.” She turned to look at him adding, a bit teasingly, “It was rather forward of you to buy me some before we had even met.”

Colin’s cheeks turned pink, and he stammered, “My apologies. It was not my intention to be forward. You see, your father and I were taking a walk once in London when we passed a candy shop, and he asked if we might stop and go in so he could buy some caramels for his daughter because they were her favourite. And when he invited me for dinner, I picked some up because I thought it might be nice, and I was trying to be polite—I thought you were…” He paused. “If I had known that you…” He paused again. “I would have never…”

“It’s alright,” interjected Julia a bit perplexed by Colin seemingly sudden change of character. “I suppose my father still sees me as a little girl.”

“Please allow me to make it up to you,” he answered earnestly and motioned to the shop window. “I can buy you caramels now that I know you and perhaps some sugar mice.”

“Oh no,” protested Julia as a sheepish blush rose in her cheeks. “You don’t have to do that. I was only teasing—really.”

“No, please, I insist.” His eyes softened, and his mouth turned up at the corners. “It will be good to get out of the rain anyway.”

“Alright,” Julia sighed conceding once again that she couldn’t argue with Colin’s logic so she followed him into the shop and out of the rain.

The door had just closed—jingling behind them—when an excited voice called, “Master Colin?” Julia watched as Colin turned and his face brightened again into a smile.

“Martha, what a surprise!”

A wide smile spread between the freckled cheeks of a tall, hardy young woman with red hair. She answered with a hearty laugh, “I’m more surprised to see thee out and about. Miss Mary’s near convinced tha lives in tha’s hospital.”

Colin chuckled lightly to himself. “I was just on my way home, but we stopped to pick up some candy.” He paused and glanced over at Julia quickly. “Oh, Martha, this is Miss Cartwright. She works at the hospital as a nurse.”

Martha’s smile widened and something seemed to flicker in her laughing eyes. “Hello, I’m Martha,” she introduced shaking Julia’s hand.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Julia.” It wasn’t until after she had said it that she began to think it may have been rude to be so informal, but Martha seemed so kind and friendly it felt natural to introduce herself by first name and Martha didn’t seem to mind.

“I work for him t’ up at th’ big house,” Martha explained with a hearty chuckle. “It’s my day out today an’ I’m doin’ a bit of Christmas shopping for my family.”

“Have you been to see your mother?” Colin asked.

“Not yet. I’m on my way there now.”

“Please tell her that I’m sorry I haven’t been to visit,” he added sincerely.

“I’ll be sure t’ tell her, but I’m sure she knows tha’s been busy. She’ll be glad t’ hear tha’s been out an’ about though. Tha’s so rarely ever home, everyone is wonderin’ what tha’s been doin’ with thysel.’” She paused, and Julia could have sworn she glanced over at her. “‘Tis quite a mystery.”

Colin didn’t seem phased at all and answered, “I’ve just been very busy with the hospital. There is lots of work to be done. Nothing mysterious about that.”

Martha raised her eyebrows just slightly, but she smiled and laughed again. “No, I suppose not.” She sighed. “Well I won’t keep thee, but ‘twas nice seein’ thee out in th’ world an’ all.” She turned to Julia. “An’ nice to meet thee, Miss Cartwright. I hope we’ll be seeing more of thee around Thwaite. We’re right glad t’ have thee though I’m sure Master Colin has told thee tha’ already.”

The honest answer was no, he hadn’t, but Julia decided it would probably be rude to admit that to Martha so she just smiled and said, “It’s nice to meet you too. I hope we will meet again.”

Martha’s smile widened, and Julia could have sworn she glanced over at Colin before she added with a bit of a twinkling in her eyes, “I’m sure we will.”

As she watched Martha returned to her shopping, Julia found herself nearly frozen in place—almost perplexed. To her knowledge, it was very unusual for the aristocrats to carry on in such a familiar manner with their servants. She did not know much about the politics of the posh household, but she began to wonder if Colin’s estate was somewhat of an exception and simply rather strange. Not to mention the fact that he himself was acting rather strangely, very different from his normal character and behaviour—treating Martha in such a warm and almost familial way. However, she did not think it was her place to ask any questions even though she had plenty of them.

“Miss Cartwright?” he asked pulling her out of her thoughts.

“Yes?”

“What would you like?” Colin turned and motioned to the counter behind which were rows of shelves some of which were full of candy jars and others which were filled with various items one would usually find at a shop. The candies all looked lovely, but it wouldn’t be practical to spend too much money on them.

“Perhaps just a few caramels,” she answered, and the shopkeeper nodded at her.

“I hope it’s alright, but I’ve taken the liberty of ordering you some sugar mice,” added Colin. “You must try them at least once in your life.” He paused staring at something in one of the jars behind the counter. “And a maple sugar candy please,” he added to the shopkeeper.

Julia started to rummage around in her bag for her money so that she could pay, but Colin held out his hand in protest.

“Please I insist. This is to make amends for being forward.”

“No. I can’t”—she paused—“I’ve got it, really.”

Colin tilted his head just slightly. “Please. Allow me—I’d like to get it for you.” His face seemed to flush just a little before he added hurriedly, “It was my idea anyway, and it’s not very much. Consider it an apology and a gift.” He smiled just barely in the corners a bit sheepishly, and Julia sighed but conceded.

The shopkeeper began to box the candies, but when she got to the maple sugar candy, Colin said, “Leave that one out, please.” He took the candy in his hand, and Julia was quite certain he was going to eat it. However, as they made their way towards the door, he stopped and handed the candy to Martha. Julia was not trying to eavesdrop, but she overheard Colin say, “Please—for your mother. I know it’s her favourite. Please send her my regards and tell her that I will try to visit her soon.”

It was a very kind and generous gesture—one that Julia would not have expected from him even two hours earlier. She was incredibly intrigued by it, but she thought it better not to press the issue. After all, this was the first time she had ever had a proper conversation with the man, and although she was honest, sometimes even to a fault, she did not want to be so blunt as to destroy their newfound agreement.

As they returned to the street under the umbrella, he held out the box of candies to her. “For you.”

“Thank you. This is far too generous. I’ll buy next time” she added though she wasn’t sure if there would be a next time. She thought she would have to make one as she hated owing people things.

Julia reached into the box and took just one caramel—she didn’t want to seem greedy or some sort of a glutton. She unwrapped it and popped the candy into her mouth and waited for Colin to take some for himself. When he didn’t, she asked, “Aren’t you going to have any?”

Colin tilted his head. “That’s very kind, but those are yours.”

Julia’s eyes narrowed. “You bought them. You ought to have some.” She pushed the box toward him, but he shook his head and sighed.

“Miss Cartwright, I’ve bought these for you as an apology…” He paused again. “I couldn’t.”

Julia tilted her head. “Is this what you do—go around buying sweets for people without ever getting any for yourself?”

Colin chuckled lightly—almost a little sheepishly—as he ran a hand through his thick, dark hair which was getting a little damp from the weather. “Truthfully, I’ve had a box of sugar mice sent home.”

“And here I was thinking you were just being altruistic and generous,” she teased with a chuckle.

“My apologies for disappointing you,” he answered though he was so matter-of-fact, Julia couldn’t tell if he was genuine, condescending, or teasing her too. She couldn’t really imagine Colin being a teasing type of person, but he was surprising her today. Still, she thought it would be best to reassure him, “I’m only teasing you. You’ve been very generous. It was very kind of you to buy candies for me, and for Martha’s mother too.”

Colin’s cheeks turned a bit pink. “Oh, you saw that…?”

Julia sighed. She hadn’t meant to mention that, but now that she had, there was nothing she could do about it, so she nodded and asked, “Do you know Martha and her family very well, then?”

Colin nodded. “Martha has worked at Misselthwaite for almost as long as I can remember. She was a housemaid, but now she is acting as a bit of a lady’s maid for Mary though Mary doesn’t seem particularly concerned with those sort of things.” He paused as if thinking for a moment. Then, as if he had somehow decided more explanation was warranted, he added, “Her brother, Dickon, was a particular friend of Mary’s and I’s growing up. We used to play together out of doors almost every day, and their mother used to pack picnic baskets full of foods for us.”

“That’s very kind of her.”

Colin sighed—twisting his hand around the umbrella handle. “She’s a very kind and generous woman. Mary is an orphan and…my mother died…and so Mrs. Sowerby was a bit like a mother to us, I think.” He stopped and rubbed his hand across the back of his neck almost awkwardly.

Julia could scarcely believe she had never known that Colin had lost his mother, but he did so seldom speak of himself let alone his family. She wondered if the loss of his mother had something to do with that, but she was not going to press the issue. It was often a difficult thing to talk about—she knew that better than anyone.

“I’m sorry about your mother,” she answered sincerely, before she sighed. “My mother is gone too.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright,” Julia brushed off. “It happened a long time ago.” She stopped and tilted her head just barely before she sighed again. “But you already knew that, from my father, I’m sure.” She tried to smile slightly. “You know so much about me, but I know so very little about you.”

Colin seemed to stop for a moment and tilted his head slightly as if he were thinking. His brow furrowed. “What do you want to know?”

Julia stopped. This was not at all what she had been expecting, but he seemed so earnest somehow. She sighed, realizing she wasn’t quite sure how to answer that question. The truth was she wanted to know lots of things about him—to understand his perplexing contradictions. Why did he, the heir to a great estate, decide to spend his time running a hospital? Why become a doctor in the first place when he seemed so critical of the profession? What did he say to her father which caused him to drop everything in London and move here? As much as she wanted to know, she didn’t want to admit that she did, and she didn’t think it would be right of her to ask—at least not right now when they were just getting to know each other—so she decided to ask him something more innocuous.

“What’s that book I’ve seen you reading?” she asked, and she conceded it was probably about time she did as, if she was being honest with herself, she had entertained the idea of striking up a conversation about books every time she had seen him reading which was rather often, but she had always thought better of it.

Colin looked a bit perplexed at her question and choice of conversation topic for the slightest moment, and he pursued his lips together almost pensively before his mouth curved into a small smile. “Which one?”

“You read more than one at a time?” she asked before realizing that he always seemed to have a new book in his hands every time she saw him and that was probably what he meant.

Colin chuckled lightly. “Sometimes,” he admitted. "It depends on what they are.”

Julia narrowed her eyes, but she smiled a little in spite of herself. “Which one…or several”—she chuckled a bit teasingly—“are you reading now?”

“Just one. A Christmas Carol. I read it every year around Christmas—or at least try to anyway.” He chuckled lightly. “It’s not my favourite of Dickens’ works, but it puts one in the humor for the Christmas holiday, I think.”

Julia smiled. “Which Dickens’ novel is your favourite?”

Colin sighed and stared off thoughtfully—his grey eyes softened almost wistfully before he answered, “The Personal History of David Copperfield.” Julia jerked backward just barely and tried to keep her jaw from falling a bit slack. She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. Colin sighed again with a breathy, almost awkward chuckle. “You seem surprised.”

Julia’s cheeks flushed, and she twisted to her mouth to one side. “I suppose a little,” she admitted. “It turns so romantic in the end.”

He sighed, but answered a little stiffly, “I didn’t mind that much.”

“I suppose it was rather satisfying to see David finally stop his dreadful obliviousness,” conceded Julia. “But that didn’t make it any less insufferable as it was happening throughout most of the book. I wanted to give him a good whack about halfway through—knock some sense into him for being such a dolt.”

Colin laughed aloud—almost timidly as if he were trying to stop himself. He covered his mouth with his hand, but his eyes seemed to shine behind his dark, fluttery lashes. Julia stopped. She had never really seen him laugh before—not like that anyway—not with the lack of control of the polite chuckle he usually used—if he laughed at all that is. It was so brief that Julia scarcely had the time to register that it was happening let alone to think that it was rather perplexing and yet somewhat pleasant somehow. Colin cleared his throat and uncovered his mouth saying, “Forgive me.” He cleared his throat again and sighed with a stiff nod. “I agree.”

“That’s a first,” quipped Julia with a smile.

“I suppose that’s true,” he admitted almost sheepishly, and Julia could feel that distance between them returning as he squared his shoulders and looked off down the road.

“I shall have to try David Copperfield again. It has been awhile since I’ve read it,” she said in an attempt to fill the silence. “Though I’m not sure I have it anymore.” She sighed. “I’m afraid many of my books have not survived two moves.”

“You may borrow it from me if you like,” he said politely.

“Oh no, I couldn’t.”

“It’s no trouble,” he explained. “Misselthwaite has an extensive library, and we’re happy to share.” His face softened into a kind almost excited smile. “People are always borrowing books. We have a bit of a system. Just sign your name in the ledger and write the title of the book you’re borrowing—and be sure to return it.” He paused. “Or I suppose, you could be like Mary…she has had Moni the Goat Boy for years, and I don’t think she will ever give it back.”

“Moni the Goat Boy?”

“Oh, I think it is her favourite book. It’s written by Johanna Spyri—who wrote Heidi—and it’s about a goat boy named Moni.”

“You don’t say?” Julia quipped though her mouth turned up in the corners. Colin seemed to try to stifle to a smile. He sighed.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t really remember it. It didn’t make the same kind of impression on me that it made on Mary. I remember that Moni took the goats up and down the mountain and that he could sing, but something happened or was going to happen to one of the goats so he couldn’t sing anymore…or something like that…”—his brow furrowed in concentration—“and I think there was something about a necklace, too.” He sighed. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember. You’d probably have to ask Mary about it—she could tell you.”

Julia laughed. “Is she particularly fond of goats?”

Colin pursued his lips together thoughtfully. “I’m not entirely sure, but I don’t think so. I don’t think Mary has ever had much experience with goats. Dickon…Martha’s brother…had a lamb once when we were growing up”—he tilted his head and sighed—“But I suppose lambs and goats are rather different. Why do you ask?”

“Well I suppose, I was curious about why she was so fond of Moni The Goat Boy,” Julia sighed. “I think our favourite books often say something about us—especially our favourite books from our childhood.” She paused and then decided she ought to explain. “For instance, I have a friend whose favourite book was Treasure Island.”—She paused chuckling and smiling almost nostalgically. “He once took all of our dining furniture and rearranged it into a pirate ship. He was the captain naturally, and his sister, Lizzy, and I and Tommy…our friend…were the crew.”

“What did your father think when he came home?”

Julia laughed. “Well Aaron…our captain…he brought Papá into the game, and he played Long John Silver.”

Colin chuckled lightly. “It’s hard to imagine your father as a villain.”

“Even with your distaste for doctors?” teased Julia quite without thinking.

Colin’s brow furrowed, and he sighed. “Not your father. He’s the best I’ve ever met.” Colin stopped abruptly and shrunk backward a bit, sighing pensively. He changed the subject. “Your friend who loves Treasure Island, is he a sailor now?”

“No, though it does suit him,” chuckled Julia. “He’s very adventurous. You can never get him to stand still or settle down. I doubt he ever will.” Julia laughed, and Colin smiled slightly.

“What was your favourite book growing up?” he asked.

Julia hummed thoughtfully. “I read many books growing up so it’s hard to decide on just one, but,”—she paused for a moment then smiled—“I think Little Women was probably my favourite.”

Colin smiled widely. “Oh that’s excellent.”

“You’ve read it?” she asked almost incredulously, and Colin’s cheeks flushed.

“Yes, I’ve read a lot of things.”

“Did you like it?”

Colin chuckled lightly. “More than I’d care to admit.” He paused and looked down at the road. He added in a softer tone, “I think it suits you…if I may say so.”

Julia’s cheeks felt a bit warm, and she twisted her mouth to one side before she smiled. “Thank you, I take that as a great compliment.” She sighed. “What was your favourite? I know it is hard to choose, but if you had to pick only one.”

Colin’s brow furrowed, and he stared off pensively again—deep in thought. “I have many favourite books,” he admitted. “But I suppose if I had to pick only one from my childhood as my favourite…“ He paused and an emotion Julia couldn’t quite place seemed to pass over his face. He sighed. “Probably…The Little Lame Prince.”

“I’m not familiar with that one. What’s it about?”

Colin sighed again and stared off almost wistfully. “Well Prince Dolor is the heir to this great kingdom, but when he is a baby, he is in an accident and he can’t walk. And his mother dies and he has an uncle who wants to take over the kingdom so he tells everyone that the prince is dead and locks him away in a tower.” He paused, and his tone softened as his mouth curved into a gentle smile. “But Prince Dolor has a fairy godmother who comes to visit him, and she gives him a magic carpet so he can leave the tower and go on adventures.” He stopped almost abruptly, and his cheeks turned pink.

Julia tilted her head just slightly. She didn’t know what she had expected him to say, but there was something about the way he talked about this book that intrigued her.

“I’d like to read it,” she said with a smile. “If you wouldn’t mind lending it to me.”

“Not at all,” he answered, turning away almost as if he was embarrassed though Julia couldn’t imagine why he would be. “You can come visit the manor and the library anytime you like and borrow as many books as you want. If I’m not there, someone will be and just tell them that I sent you and that you want to visit the library.” He paused, and his speech began to speed up a little, “But I should be there, probably, if I’m not at the hospital. Perhaps you could come on the weekend.”

“Perhaps,” she answered. “Thank you.” She paused and looked over at the front steps to her house. It seemed they had arrived at last, and she couldn’t help but feel just the slightest hint of disappointment over it. “Well…” she began. “Thank you for walking with me and letting me use your umbrella. I’m sorry you’ve gotten wet.”

Colin brushed a little bit of water off of his coat but shrugged with a half-a-smile. “Oh, it’s alright.” He paused and glanced at the ground as his pale cheeks turned a bit rosy. “It was my pleasure.”

He nodded politely at her and turned to go, and Julia was so surprised she didn’t know quite what to say. This whole evening had been rather perplexing. To think that not two hours ago, she had thought that she would never have a conversation with Colin that did not involve arguing over that cabinet—but here she was seeing a completely different side of him and the truth was…it was actually rather nice. She almost blushed at the thought, and it reminded her of something.

“Say,” Julia began to call after him, and Colin turned around to look at her. “Why didn’t you make a mess of the cabinet today?”

“I don’t make a mess of the cabinet,” he answered. “I reorganize it.”

“Why didn’t you reorganize it then?”

Colin sighed, and his pale cheeks almost seemed to blush a little. He glanced up at her but stared over her shoulder. “I didn’t want to give you the wrong impression,” he admitted though a little stiffly. “That…I only meant to argue with you, I mean…” He sighed. “I didn’t”—he paused—“I don’t.”

He seemed so earnest and sincere that Julia answered, “I don’t always mean to argue with you either.” She sighed and added quite without meaning to, “In fact, I’ve rather hoped we’d be friends.”

“I’d like that very much,” he said quietly with a gentle smile. His grey eyes seemed to almost light up as they met hers and they were so soft and sincere, Julia felt an almost swooping sensation in the pit of her stomach and a blush rise in her cheeks. She looked away and cleared her throat.

“Well then,” she said. “As your friend, I feel I should tell you that if the cabinet is not rearranged by the end of the week, I shall consider it evidence of your concession and shall accept victory graciously.” She flashed a teasing smile at him that reached her eyes.

He glanced away from her, but his mouth turned up in the corners when he said, “Don’t worry. I’ll be sure to rearrange it tomorrow.”

“I look forward to it,” she answered stifling the smile that threatened to break her playful smirk. Though she did so enjoy teasing him, the truth was she did look forward to it—but, of course, she would never admit that.

#the secret garden #colin craven #dickon sowerby #mary lennox #secret garden #frances hodgson burnett #secret garden fanfiction #part 3 of 4

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