Despite having spent the entire day Christmas shopping, trudging through shin-deep snow, laden down with bags and battling hordes of determined shoppers, while being brain washed into feeling jolly by the endless stream of cheery Christmas music blaring from every shop, Juliet was ready by seven-thirty and was staring out of her bedroom window towards The Grange.

When they lived there, the entire outline of house could be seen from anywhere on Mistletoe Row at this time of year; lights hung all around the façade, the roof, the windows and the door. There was a huge Christmas tree, or two, outside, with hundreds and hundreds of coloured lights swaying in the wind. A warm amber glow from the interior flooded out onto the gravel drive, making the house look both welcoming and lived in. When you opened the heavy front doors which were surrounded by boughs of pine entwined with holly and mistletoe and where a magnificent, mistletoe, holly and red rose, wreath hung, the heady aromas of spices, brandy, and herbs and baking, drifted out into the cold night air. And when you went inside, it was as if you'd been enveloped in a warm hug. There were lights and decorations adorning the tree in the hall, another in the sitting room and one in the dining room. Boughs of holly and mistletoe wound their way around each door frame. Cards and presents were everywhere. The place oozed Christmas spirit in every sense of the word.

Peering out into the darkness, Juliet could just make out the light in the hall, and one in the dining room. Harrison and Luke, along with Kiki, had been at Merry's Christmas Tree Farm on Monday, so they must've got a tree. It wasn't outside, so it must be indoors. Perhaps they got more than one. She hadn't seen any when she was there, but she had stayed in her room. She hadn't spotted one as she left on Wednesday. Did they get one, after all?

From her room, the house looked sad and lonely. It really needed cheering up. It was odd that Luke hadn't done that. But perhaps he would if Zoe mentioned it. She saw car headlights moving down the drive. Luke was on his way. She went downstairs just as Zoe called her name and a few seconds later, Luke pulled up outside.

'Sorry this was all so last minute,' he said, holding the door open for Rosa, Juliet and Zoe to get into the back, while Bernard walked around and got in the front passenger seat. 'Harrison thought it was time we all got together. Now that it's out in the open.' He slid into the front seat and smiled. 'And I apologise if you feel that Zoe and I have been running around behind your backs Mr and Mrs Bell, but the truth is, we weren't sure how you'd all feel about us seeing one another. No point in tipping up the apple cart for a few dates. Once we realised how serious we were, we knew we had to come clean, so to speak. But I wanted to wait until I could talk to Harrison. And he's been difficult to pin down.'

'We understand,' Bernard said. 'And, if we're going to be family, please call us Rosa and Bernard.'

'Thanks.' Luke put his foot on the accelerator and tore away at close to breakneck speed, sending waves of snow into the air.

Bernard coughed. 'Perhaps we could slow down a tad. I can hardly see the road under all this snow.'

'I've got snow tyres and it won't matter if we venture a little off-piste.' Luke threw Bernard a confident smile, which clearly wasn't returned. 'No. You're right, of course.' Luke immediately slowed down, but it still took less than three minutes from door to door.

Juliet was surprised to see the front door open the second they arrived, and even more so, to see Harrison waiting to greet them.

'Welcome,' he said, as they got out of the car. 'Glad to see you arrived safely.'

'We didn't have far to come,' Bernard said. 'Good evening, Harrison. Good to see you again.'

'No. But ...' His voice trailed off as his gaze landed on Juliet. He was probably going to comment on Luke's driving, but clearly thought better of it. 'Um. It's good to see you again too, Bernard. It's good to see you all. Please come in.'

He stood to one side to let them pass and as Juliet drew level with him, he half-smiled, half-frowned; a sort of grimacing smile, if she could call it that.

'You look beautiful, Juliet.'

His words surprised her. She knew the midnight-blue dress, which clung to her body in all the right places, but somehow managed to hide the few lumps and bumps eating too much junk food had caused, suited her. Her family had even said she looked lovely, Zoe going as far as to say, “Wowser! And I thought I would knock them dead,” but Juliet had her heavy overcoat buttoned up tight, so he couldn't see it at the moment. He was clearly trying to be polite.

'Thanks. You look good too.' And he did. Charcoal grey trousers, a white shirt and a navy-blue sweater might look boring on most men; somehow Harrison made them look hot.

She glanced around the hall, met her mum's eyes and nodded. She could read her thoughts because Juliet was thinking the same.

'You look a little disappointed,' Harrison said, as he asked to take their coats and Daphne joined them from the direction of the kitchen.

'No. Um. I was merely wondering if you bought a tree the other day, and if so, where it is, that's all.'

'In the sitting room. Daphne decorated it, with a little help from Luke so it ...' He stopped mid-sentence as Juliet shrugged off her coat and handed it to him. His jaw dropped, his eyes opened wide and he blinked several times.

'What's wrong?' She looked down at her dress. It was an off-the-shoulder, scooped neck, which came to a low-cut V at the top of her breast-bone and for a second, she thought it might be revealing much more than it should. She laid a hand upon her chest and let out a soft sigh of relief. 'Phew. I thought my dress may've slipped. Um. Why are you staring at me? It's making me feel a little uncomfortable.'

He blinked again. 'You should be in my shoes. I'm stunned. You look ... sensational.' He gave his head a quick shake. 'Sorry. Um. Let me take your coat, Rosa.'

He reached out his hand to take it, but his gaze was still fixed on Juliet and she could feel a rush of colour creep across her chest and up into her cheeks. A tiny smile formed on her lips. Was he actually having trouble taking his eyes off her? Did he honestly think she looked sensational? She was so pleased she'd bought this dress, even though it had cost far more than she should've spent.

'Drinks in the sitting room?' Daphne said, glancing at Harrison, as if for approval. 'Rufus is in there waiting.'

'Great,' Harrison said, but he didn't sound happy. 'Yes. Please make yourselves at home while I hang up your coats.'

'I'll do that. You go with your guests.' Daphne grabbed the coats from him and gave him an odd look, as if she was telling him that's what he should do.

'Come on,' said Luke, smiling as he took Zoe's hand and tipped his head towards the sitting room door. 'You know the way.'

They followed him to the sitting room and as he opened the door, a kaleidoscope of coloured light streamed into the hall. A majestic tree stood to one side of the room, covered in white twinkling lights and glistening multi-coloured baubles with piles of presents wrapped in gleaming paper strewn around its base. A splendid fire crackled and roared in the hearth and deep green boughs of holly and mistletoe lay along the length of the ornate marble mantlepiece, the red and white berries of each plant, looking fresh and plump and as if they were still sprinkled with frost.

It wasn't as festive as it had been when Juliet and her family lived there, but at least Harrison, Luke and Daphne had gone to some effort to make the house look Christmassy. It even looked welcoming. But Rufus didn't. He got to his feet and glared at them.

'Welcome,' he said, the tiniest hint of a smile tugging at his lips. 'I bet you never thought to be back in this room again, did you?'

'Grandfather.' Harrison's tone was quiet, but authoritative. 'I'll pour the drinks. Please sit down everyone.'

'Yeah, sit down,' Luke said, staring appreciatively at Zoe's dress, as they stood arm in arm by the tree.

'Good evening, Rufus,' Bernard said, nodding at the old man, who merely grunted in reply.

'Merry Christmas to you, Rufus.' Rosa smiled at him and his features softened a fraction.

'Hmm. Yes. Merry Christmas. Still a couple of days away though.'

Rosa increased her smile. 'Yes. But we believe in starting Christmas early. The festive season began in our house the minute Juliet came home.'

'Hmm. Where is the girl?'

Juliet, who had been trying to blend into the wall farthest from Rufus, stepped forward. She took a deep breath and held her head high.

'I'm here. Good evening Mr Bow. I hope you're well.'

His brows shot up, his eyes scanned her from head to toe and he let out a whistle before he shot a look at Harrison, who seemed to be watching Rufus with an expression on his face like a tiger ready to pounce.

To Juliet's astonishment, the old man chuckled. 'I bet you hoped I wasn't. But I don't blame you, girl.'

'Her name is Juliet,' Harrison said, with ice in his voice.

Rufus shot another look at Harrison, before chuckling again. 'Yes, yes. I know. Well, well, Juliet. You've grown into quite the stunner, haven't you?'

This time it was Juliet who shot a look at Harrison and he momentarily met her eyes.

'Have I?' She dragged her gaze back to the old man. 'Thank you, Mr Bow.'

'I suppose you should call me Rufus. Sit. I'm too old to stand around.' He dropped back into his chair but kept his eyes on Juliet.

'You're back here to live, I hear.'

'Yes.' Juliet sat as far from him as possible.

He glanced at Harrison. 'My grandson's considering the same.'

'What would you all like to drink?' Harrison hurriedly asked, giving Rufus what looked like a warning glare.

'Sherry, if you have it, please,' Rosa said.

'I'll get ours,' said Luke, finally moving away from Zoe and walking over to Harrison.

'Same for me, please,' said Bernard.

'Zoe'll have a G&T,' Luke said, smiling at her.

'Juliet?' Harrison gave her an odd smile.

'Same for me. G&T that is, please.'

The sitting room door burst open and Kiki sauntered in. Her red dress was like a second skin, so tight you could see her hip bones. And that wasn't all you could see. She clearly wasn't wearing a bra. Juliet sucked in her breath and glanced at Harrison from beneath her lashes. He turned, gave a half-hearted smile and went back to pouring the drinks.

Had the man gone blind? Or had he seen Kiki's body so many times that it no longer had any effect on him?

'Kiki!' Rufus jumped to his feet like a man half his age and reached out a gnarled hand. 'Come and sit by me, my dear. You put the fire to shame. I thought Juliet here might've outshone you tonight, but not by half.'

Kiki darted a look at Juliet, her eyes narrowing for a split second, her mouth forming a tight line before being hastily replaced by a smile.

'Hello, Juliet. So lovely to see you again. And in such a pretty dress. I hope that didn't blow your budget. And all your family, too. Hello Zoe. You're looking lovely. And Rosa. We met briefly when you stayed the other day. Nice to see you again. And this handsome devil must be Bernard. I didn't get a chance to say hello when you were here last time. How does it feel to be a dinner guest in what was once your home?'

'Kiki.' Harrison's voice was cold.

'Yes, Harrison?'

Their gaze held and the room fell silent for a milli-second, but it felt like longer as Juliet watched the expression on Harrison's face. It went from angry to calm in a moment.

'What would you like to drink?'

'The usual,' she said, with the coolest of smiles, before sashaying over to Rufus and sitting on the chair beside him, her arm draped casually on the arm of his.

Kiki had clearly got into Rufus' good books. The old man couldn't take his eyes from her. Juliet felt a twinge of envy. She didn't like Rufus but he was Harrison's grandfather. Perhaps they were also putting the past behind them; obviously with a little help from Kiki.

Conversation was stilted for the first few minutes, but eventually, as Harrison said how pleased he was that Luke had been sensible enough to fall in love with Zoe and how sure he was that they had a bright and extremely happy future together, the tension vanished.

'Only if he actually proposes,' Zoe joked.

'Ah yes. About that. Luke placed his glass on the side table, took Zoe's left hand in his and got down on one knee, taking a small, plush velvet box from his trouser pocket. 'Zoe Rosa Bell, I know you could probably do better than a man like me, who often has his head in the clouds, and didn't have a clue where he was going, until he met you. But you're my heaven. My future. You made me stop daydreaming and helped me turn my hopes and desires into reality. I love you with all my heart. Will you make my last outstanding dream come true and say you'll be my wife?' He opened the lid and the ring inside sparkled brighter than all the lights on the tree beside him.

'Yes,' Zoe said, tears of delight filling her eyes. 'Oh yes, Luke. And I couldn't do better than you. You're the best man in the world.'

He slid the ring on her finger, got to his feet and pulled her into his arms and kissed her as everyone clapped and cheered. Even Rufus smiled and nodded.

Juliet glanced at Harrison and had to gasp for breath. He was looking directly at her and the look in his eyes was unmistakable.

A look she hadn't seen for twenty years.

No one but Harrison had ever looked at her like that, nor made her feel that way.

It was as if he was in agony and ecstasy at one and the same time.

And as if they were floating in the universe with nothing around them except exploding stars and careering planets.

At least it seemed that way to her.

A sudden flash before her eyes made her blink, and then she saw that Zoe was holding out her hand, a circle of diamonds around a blood red ruby glinting on her finger.

'Isn't it the most gorgeous ring you've ever seen?' Zoe asked, her voice as high as the ceiling.

'It is,' Juliet replied. 'Congratulations.' She hugged Zoe to her and seconds later, when she glanced across to where Harrison had been standing, he had gone to congratulate Luke.