'Are you okay?' Zoe perched on the edge of the bed and took Juliet's hand in hers. 'Mum and Dad are talking to Harrison and the doctor. They'll be in, in a minute.'

'This is ridiculous. Anyone would think I'm at death's door the way that man's behaving. I'm not allowed to move. I've got to get some sleep. I've got to keep warm. I've got to tell him if I'm feeling confused or dizzy. I'm not to be left alone. I've got to drink hot, sugared water, no caffeine. The list goes on and on.'

'Well, he's a doctor, so you should listen to him.'

'That wasn't the doctor who said all that. It was Harrison. The doctor told me I'm fine, more or less. Just a touch of mild hypothermia but my temperature's normal now and so is my heart rate, so nothing to worry about. I had a headache but that's gone and I feel absolutely fine. No ill effects as far as he can see and no reason why I shouldn't be up and about again very soon. But Harrison's insisting I stay here the night. Can you believe it? The nerve of the man.'

Zoe tutted. 'Just who does he think he is, eh? I mean, he only saved your life at the risk of his own. And he was in that water too, but is he tucked up in bed with everyone running around making sure he's okay? No. He's running around making sure you're okay. You're right. The man's got a bloody cheek.' Zoe burst out laughing. 'I think you need to stop and think, sis.'

'Oh bloody hell. You're right. It didn't even cross my mind. What a horrible person I am! He should be resting too. Do me a favour, Zoe. Please go and tell the doctor to give Harrison a once-over. I don't know much about hypothermia but I think you can get delayed shock or something and if you overdo things, it could affect your heart. But I might be wrong. Tell Harrison he's got to go and lie down. And keep warm. And do all the things he said I must do. Quick. The last thing I need right now is for that man to drop down dead because of me.'

'Okay, I'm going. But I don't think for one minute, Harrison will take much notice of me.'

Zoe hurried to the door and closed it behind her, so Juliet couldn't hear what was going on. But she did hear Harrison's slightly raised voice at one point, say: 'Oh, she did, did she?' But that was all she heard until her mum and dad came in, followed by Zoe.

'Sweetheart.' Rosa rushed to her bed and took her hands in hers. 'Oh darling, we were so worried when we heard. You father was vacuuming. Yes. Don't look so shocked. He was. Anyway. We didn't hear the phone above the noise and it was only when Cinnamon started barking maniacally that we realised something was wrong. I swear that dog has a sixth sense you know. Delayed, but it's there. But we didn't know what was wrong and it was a good five or ten minutes until we finally saw the message light flashing. By that time, Luke had dropped the doctor here and come back down to call on us. Zoe let him in just as we were playing Harrison's message. Not that any of that matters now. The doctor says you'll be fine. I can't tell you what a relief that is, sweetheart.'

'Luke came to tell you?'

'Yes, darling. He drove us here in his car. It took less than a minute. At least it felt like that.'

Juliet couldn't help but laugh, although she wasn't quite sure why. The whole thing seemed so farcical, and yet it could have been a very different story. If Harrison hadn't been at the lake at the exact same time as she was, she might well be dead. And that was definitely not something to laugh about.

But it was something to think about.

Why was he there at that precise time?

Luke said he wouldn't tell Harrison. Was it pure coincidence? Or Fate?

She glanced at Zoe and suddenly, she thought she knew the answer.

Yesterday, Zoe and Luke had 'arranged' for them all to be at Merry's Christmas Tree Farm at the same time. Had Zoe and Luke 'arranged' for Harrison to be at the lake at exactly the same time as her? And if so, why? Harrison was with Kiki, wasn't he? Would Luke really try to set his brother up with someone else under the very nose of the man's girlfriend?

'Is there anything you need, sweetheart?' Bernard was asking.

'What, Dad? Oh. Sorry. No, I'm fine thanks. Daphne – and Harrison – have made sure I've got everything, thanks. I'm sorry I've dragged you all back here under such ridiculous circumstances.'

'Nothing to be sorry about, sweetheart.' Bernard gently tapped her hand. 'Harrison has been extremely kind and considerate. He says we should feel free to go wherever we want and to stay as long as we like. He's even having a room made up so that your mother can stay here tonight.'

'What?' Juliet couldn't believe her ears. 'There's no need for any of us to stay here tonight. I'll get a couple of hours' sleep and then this evening, Zoe can come and get me and bring me home. You don't mind, Zoe, do you?'

Zoe shook her head. 'I don't mind at all. But I'm not going to do it. No. Don't shout at me. If you want to shout at anyone, shout at Harrison. He is adamant that you're not going anywhere until the morning. He even got the doctor to agree it might be wise, so you're here for the night whether you like it or not.'

'Of course you should stay,' Rosa said. 'Shock can be a very nasty thing, sweetheart. You may think you feel fine now but a delayed reaction can occur at any time and then where would we be? No. Harrison's right. He says we're all welcome to stay but your father and I think that it's best if it's just me. Harrison's going to take us home in the morning, providing you're still fine, that is.'

Juliet could hardly argue. Hadn't she told Zoe the exact same thing about delayed shock only a moment ago? And, once she got used to the idea, spending a night in her old room might actually be a treat. And one she would never get a chance to repeat. She should make the most of it. It might bring back lots of memories, but in a way, it might be cathartic. It could finally give her closure. And that wasn't such a bad thing.

She snuggled under the covers and smiled. 'Okay. If that's what everyone thinks is best, I won't argue.'

'God,' Zoe said. 'Quick. Get the doctor back. My sister is definitely ill.'

'Oh very funny,' said Juliet.

'Now, now girls,' Bernard said. But he was smiling, and so was Rosa.