The boys were in an arrangement so that Dickon and Tommy were in adjoining rooms, and Colin was across the hallway. They spent a very long time in the lounging area which was next to Colin's room, playing Fortnite and other games. They did talk to each other while gaming, but it was just a few words exchanged.
After a while, the boys put down their controllers and started talking face to face. 'So, Dickon.' Tommy said, 'What are your thoughts about my sister?' Colin burst into laughter and Dickon turned beetroot.
'Well...um...you know...' Dickon stammered, unable to make a sentence.
'Dickon and Robin, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G...' Colin and Tommy laughed, relishing in the look on Dickon's face. He punched them playfully in the arms and replied,
'She's a very pretty girl...'
'Oh really?' Tommy grinned.
'Yes, but she's also very funny and nice and...okay maybe I do like her just a little bit.'
'See! I told you!' Colin shouted, 'Dickon likes Robin!'
'Shut up! She might hear!' Dickon hissed. Colin looked at him sceptically.
'They're on the other side of the house, they won't hear us. Geez, I thought you knew the manor a bit better than that.'
'What do you mean?' Dickon snapped back. Sensing that things were getting tense between the two boys, Tommy suggested that it was getting late, and they better be getting to bed. Fortunately both boys agreed, and Tommy and Dickon headed across the hallway to their rooms.
Before going into their bedrooms, Tommy asked, 'Hey Dickon. Does all of this,' he gestured to the lavish hallway and the elaborate rooms, 'Feel a bit imposing sometimes?' Dickon looked around, then, 'Sometimes. You know my family's not made of money, and when we first came here, it was because Mum needed a job, and the Craven's found work for me and Martha, and we earned our share. And we could never repay the kindness they showed us when we turned up, cold and hungry on their doorsteps. This has been my home since I was eight - we live in a cottage on the grounds, me, Mum and Martha. When Martha went to college at the end of last summer, it was just me and Mum in the cottage, and it seems so quiet without her. But sometimes Mum and I sleep here; Misselthwaite has over 20 bedrooms and the beds are much comfier here.' he chuckled, 'So yes, all this luxury can be a bit imposing. Goodnight Tommy.' Dickon closed the door.
