'Hey, um, Tommy?' Dickon said on the way upstairs. Tommy waited for him to catch up. 'Well, um, I think I might ask your sister out.' Tommy looked at him in bewilderment.
'Okay? I mean you've only known her for two days, but sure, go for it.' Dickon grinned, and ran back to where the girls were lingering. Mary saw him coming and nudged Robin.
'I think someone's coming to ask you out.' she giggled, and pushed her forward. But Robin simply stepped past the approaching Dickon and kissed Tommy goodnight. Dickon looked so crestfallen Mary felt a bit sorry for him. But she simply patted him on the shoulder and whispered, 'Next time.'
The next morning Dickon tried again. Before breakfast he tried approaching Robin but she hurried in to the smell of crispy bacon. Dickon laughed it off, pretending he wasn't trying to do anything. But Dickon took Tommy's words to heart, and over the next few weeks he spent his time hanging out with Robin and getting to know her better. After all it was a bit rash to ask her out after two days.
Three weeks later he tried again. The kids had two weeks left until school started, and they were making the most of the holiday. They spent their days in the pool and in the gardens, but the children didn't feel comfortable showing them the Garden just yet. Dickon approaches Robin while they were around the pool. Mary and Colin were in the pool with the floaties and Robin and Tommy were trying to get some sun. It had warmed up and it was the perfect time to get a tan. Robin succeeded halfway, coming out a little bronze, but Tommy had come out bright red, and had spent the days covered in Aloe Vera gel. But a little burn wouldn't stop him soaking up the sun.
'Hey Robin?' Dickon said, strolling up to the deckchairs.
'Go away, I'm busy.' Robin replied, waving him away with a flick of her hand. Dickon started to retreat but Tommy silently cheered him on and made the excuse that he was getting hot and jumped in the pool. 'Well, um, I kind of want to ask you something.' Dickon tried again, but Robin was on high alert and replied,
'Sorry, getting hot, have to jump in quickly.' Dickon stepped to the side and watched as she cannonballed in, annoying everyone in the pool. Tommy and Colin gave him meaningful looks and he had a burst of bravery. He walked down to deep end and knelt by the side of the pool. Mary winked at Robin and swam away. Robin climbed on to the unicorn float and replied,
'What?' Dickon squirmed a bit. What if she rejected him?
'Well, um, I know a place...near Misselthwaite, where you can see the most spectacular sunsets.' Robin looked interested so he took that as a good sign.
'And I was wondering, if I could see the beautiful sunsets...with a beautiful girl?' From out the corner of his eye, Dickon saw the boys giving puppy eyes, and he let himself smile. Robin opened her mouth, then closed it, then opened it, then said,
'Look Dickon, you're a great guy, and a great friend, but that's all we really are. Friends.' Seeing his dejected face she added, 'But any girl would be so lucky to know a guy like you.' Dickon smiled sadly, then stood up and walked back inside.
