The weather wasn't the only thing that had turned distinctly frosty on Friday morning. Kiki's smile was made of ice, which matched the look in her green eyes. Over breakfast, for which Kiki had uncharacteristically got up early, she smiled warmly and laughed with Luke, but every time Harrison opened his mouth, his words were met with an arctic blast. He couldn't really blame her. He knew how it felt to tell someone you loved them and to have it thrown back in your face. Not that Kiki had said she loved him, exactly, and neither had he thrown it in her face, but a line had clearly been crossed, and he wasn't sure they would ever come back across it.

'Zoe and I are going Christmas shopping in town today,' Luke said, seemingly unaware of the tension in the air. 'Would you and Kiki like to join us?'

Harrison shook his head. 'Thanks for the offer, but I've got a lot of documents I need to read and sign before everyone closes for Christmas. And it's Christmas Eve on Monday, so I'm running out of time. I won't be needing you though, Kiki, so if you want to join Luke and Zoe, that's fine.'

'Thank you so much, Harrison,' she said, and he could almost see the words freezing in the air, despite the heating being on full pelt and the warmth emanating from the roaring fire in the dining room. Her stare was equally frosty. 'But if you don't mind, I'll stay here. I have a few calls to make and emails to send. I'm considering a career change.'

Harrison wasn't completely surprised, but Luke appeared to be.

'A career change?' He looked from one to the other. 'Have you two had a row or something? It's not about me, is it? Or my new business, because I'd hate to think I've said or done anything to cause a rift between you.'

'It's nothing you've said or done, Luke,' Harrison said, smiling at him. 'It's all my fault. I've been thoughtless and inconsiderate, as usual. But a career change might not be a bad thing, Kiki. Although I'd miss you dreadfully and I know I'll struggle to find a replacement anywhere near as good as you.'

'I know,' she said, giving him an even icier stare.

'What's going on?' Luke asked. 'What's happened? Surely you can work this out.'

'I'm not sure we can.' Harrison finished his coffee. 'I hope we'll remain friends though. Good friends. And, of course, you'll still be staying for Christmas, won't you? Unless you'd prefer to get a flight to Aspen and join Charlie. I can arrange that if that's what you'd prefer.'

'Again, so kind. Let me get back to you on that.'

Harrison shrugged. 'Sure. Anytime. You know where to find me.'

'Oh yes. I know exactly where to find you. So Luke, have you actually proposed to Zoe, or are you waiting to see how things develop?'

Luke laughed. 'I haven't officially proposed, but we both know we're headed for the altar. And in the not too distant future, I should think. I was waiting to see how Harrison took the news before making it official.'

'Why? What did it matter what Harrison thought? You're your own man, Luke, and you'll soon be a very wealthy one. Are you saying you would have tossed the girl aside if Harrison hadn't approved?'

'God no! That wasn't what I meant. It's just that, there's been some bad blood between our families and I wanted to know I had Harrison's blessing before I asked. I would still propose though, even without it. But I wanted to tell him it was something I was planning to do rather than tell him it was done and he had to live with it.'

'I don't see the difference.'

'What Luke means is that he wanted to give me time to get used to the idea, I think, rather than just hit me in the face with it. I respect and admire him for that. And Zoe, too, for understanding.'

'Aw. How sweet. And Juliet will be over the moon that she'll finally get her house back. It won't be hers, of course, but with her sister married to a Bow, and no doubt living here, she'll get to come and go as and when she pleases, won't she? And I know how much that will mean to her. I've heard a bit about it from Daphne, your grandfather, and the locals. It seems there's a whole history between the Bells and the Bows.'

'Yes,' Harrison said, his fingers clutching the handle of his empty coffee cup. 'And now there's going to be an entire future between our families, too. But I'm not sure Juliet will exactly be over the moon about it.'

'She's fine with it,' said Luke, smiling at his brother. 'Zoe told her on Wednesday when they got home. Just before I told you. She was shocked, of course. But Zoe said Juliet was genuinely pleased for us. And she's going to be a bridesmaid when we do get married. Zoe's already told her that.'

'Then I think it's about time you actually proposed,' Harrison said, grinning. 'It seems a bit non-sensical to be planning a wedding before you've asked the question. Even if you both know the answer will be yes. Have you spoken to the old man?'

Luke tutted and shook his head. 'I told him last night. He wasn't best pleased, but I made it clear that it's happening, regardless, and that he can choose to either be a part of our lives, or not. I'm glad to say, he chose to be a part of it, albeit rather grudgingly.'

'Then that's the final hurdle jumped. Have you got the money for a ring?'

Luke laughed. 'Yes thanks. I'd have asked you for a loan for that if I hadn't, don't worry. But I've been saving for a while now and I'm going to get her something really fantastic.'

'If you want any help with that,' Kiki said, reaching out her hand and brushing Luke's fingers with hers. 'I've got excellent taste in jewellery. I can show you exactly what she'll want. The more diamonds the better and at least 5 carats for the central one. I assume you can stretch to that.'

'Thanks,' Luke replied. 'But I've got a pretty good idea of what Zoe likes and doesn't like. And actually, she'd prefer something simple. She's really not into ostentatious jewellery, even engagements rings. She joked that she didn't want anything too big or heavy because it would be on her finger for at least eighty years and when she gets arthritis, she doesn't want a ring that'll break her weak and ageing bones.'

Harrison laughed. 'That's the sort of thing Juliet would say.'

Luke grinned. 'Yeah. She and Zoe are so alike, and yet so different. Zoe's really happy that Juliet's come home. She says they're already closer than they've ever been and she's loving having a big sister she can talk to about anything. Everything seems to be falling into place. It's almost as if all this was meant to be.'

'Pre-ordained, you mean?' Harrison asked.

'Yes, exactly.'

Kiki rolled her eyes. 'Dear God. You two are like a couple of teenage girls! Next you'll be saying you both believe in Father Christmas. Or... or Unicorns.' Kiki slapped her napkin on the table and slumped back in her chair.

Luke raised his brows. 'Juliet believes in Unicorns. Or she did. I remember Zoe telling me.'

Kiki glowered at Harrison. 'Unicorns. Hmm. That explains a lot. Excuse me, please. I have some calls to make.'

'What's up with her?' Luke asked, as she slammed the door behind her. 'What's really happened between you?'

Harrison got to his feet. 'Nothing, Luke. Honestly. Just a little misunderstanding of what we want from the future. Please don't worry about it. But if Zoe wants a job as my assistant, please let me know. I'd better get to those papers. They won't sign themselves.'

Luke laughed. 'I think Zoe will stay put for now. At least until we get our business up and running. But thanks for the offer.'

Harrison was about to close the door when Luke added: 'Oh. But I do know someone who is looking for a job. And she was an executive assistant, I believe.'

'Oh? Who's that?' Harrison turned back to look at Luke.

'Juliet. She's been made redundant. That's why she's moving back. She's planning to work in London if she can't get anything local.'

Harrison nearly choked. 'I can't see Juliet wanting to work for me, can you? We may be speaking – just about, but I think she'd rather throw herself back in the lake than be my assistant. And besides, I need to concentrate on work. With Juliet sitting the other side of my desk, all I'd be thinking about would be leaping across it, throwing her on it and making mad, passionate love to her.'

'Shit, Harrison! I knew it. I knew you were head over heels in love with her. That's why you've asked about her constantly over the years. Not merely out of interest because you were friends once, as you claimed. Why the hell didn't you say something sooner?'

He shook his head. 'I can't believe I've actually said it now.' He ran a hand through his hair. 'Do me a massive favour, Luke, and keep that to yourself. She really doesn't have any interest in me at all, and with you and Zoe getting married, I'd hate for there to be even more tension between Juliet and me than there is already.'

'But if you told her how you feel—'

'No, Luke! I'm serious. Don't say one word to her. I never thought I'd hear myself say this – and doing so makes me feel a little bit sick. I'm clearly more like the old man than I want to admit. But if you want my help and the funds to start your business, you'll promise me now, you won't tell Juliet what I just said. Or that I have any feelings for her whatsoever. Is that clear?'

'Jesus, Harrison. Yes that's clear. But I think you're making a mistake.'

'It won't be my first and I doubt it'll be my last. I'm sorry, Luke. But this is really important to me. Please promise me.'

'Okay. I promise. I won't say one word to Juliet about the way you feel. Not one word.'

Harrison breathed a sigh of relief. 'Thank you, Luke. That means a lot.'

He smiled and closed the door, feeling grateful that his brother had agreed to his demand, but feeling dreadful that he'd made it, and furious with himself that now all he could think about was Juliet on his desk and what he'd like to do. Not many papers were going to get signed at this rate. And there were only two working days until Christmas, counting today and Christmas Eve.

And now he'd also got to find himself another bloody assistant. Again, the image of Juliet flashed before his eyes.