Trying to buy an evening dress on Christmas Eve morning in Mistletythe was like being the girl holding the ball on a rugby pitch while surrounded by men who agreed women should be treated as equals. In one shop alone, she had been pushed, elbowed in the back and kicked on the shin, albeit apparently by accident. But she was determined to buy something fabulous, no matter what. Especially now that Harrison was going to so much trouble to make The Grange look festive.

Last night, when she glanced up at The Grange from her bedroom window, she was astonished to see the whole façade was covered in warm, white lights. She could even see, not just one but two, obviously large Christmas trees, also festooned with lights. The man was clearly going to town.

And when she had finally gone to bed, all she could think about were her family's words. They seemed so sure that Harrison was in love with her, or at the very least, interested, and yet none of them had said what made them think so, other than the way he had looked at her. For one moment on Saturday night, even she herself had thought that, when their eyes met after Luke proposed to Zoe. But the way he had behaved afterwards seemed to indicate quite the opposite.

There was also the matter of Kiki. They had clearly had some sort of falling out, but Kiki had told Juliet herself that she and Harrison were dating. Yet Zoe was adamant they weren't. Why would Kiki have lied? And if Harrison truly did have feelings for Juliet, why hadn't he said so? Was it really because he thought she and Dan were an item? Was that what was stopping him?

None of it made any sense. But Zoe was right. Perhaps something would happen on Christmas Eve. Which was why Juliet definitely had to buy a new dress. And not just any dress. It had to be something mind blowing. Luckily, she had taken Dan along.

'I swear,' Juliet said through gritted teeth, 'if one more person elbows me, I'll rugby tackle them to the floor.'

'Oh darling. That I'd like to see. But leave them to me. I'll be your bodyguard.'

That made Juliet laugh. 'I don't want you to be covered in bruises on Boxing Day when Louis arrives.'

'I still can't believe he's coming. I almost died when Dad insisted I put the phone on speaker, and then, after introducing everyone, invited Louis to come and stay. Thank goodness the darling man has to work so will only be coming for the day. I'm really not ready for Noah to try to convert him. I had already explained that to Dad, but you know what he's like.'

'I think it's lovely that they want to meet him, and even nicer that they're happy to welcome him into their home, despite him being an atheist.'

'Don't joke about it, darling. It's terrifying. Meeting your partners' relatives always is. This is it!' He held up a dress from the rack through which he had been browsing, and waved it in front of Juliet. 'The man will be drooling at your feet.'

Juliet laughed again. 'I'm not sure that's the effect I'm going for. I was sort of leaning more towards the, sweep me up in his arms and carry me upstairs to bed, response.'

Dan tutted. 'He'll be doing that too, darling. Trust me. This is the dress. Try it on right now.'

Juliet did as she was told, and when she stepped out of the changing room, not only Dan, but two other men, who were waiting for their respective partners eyed her up and down appreciatively. One of the men was still looking at Juliet when his partner stepped out in the dress she was trying on, and she gave him a hearty slap on the arm.

'Told you, darling,' Dan whispered. 'If that's the effect you can have on two total strangers and one gay man, imagine what you'll do to Harrison. I almost feel sorry for the man. Even though he is such a grump. But you need new shoes. A killer dress demands killer heels. Hurry up and change. We haven't got all day. It's Christmas Eve. Some of the shops will be closing early, and we've got to meet Zoe and your mum. And I've booked you in with my friend, Jerome. You need seriously sexy tresses to complete the picture, and a pedicure and mani, with sparkly nails to match. Oh I'm so excited, darling. Why are you still standing there? Hurry up!'

'I haven't got time to have my hair and nails done, Dan. I promised Mum and Zoe I'd help with the baking this afternoon. We got a lot done yesterday, but there's still a lot to do.'

'Baking? Darling, Juliet. This is your future we're talking about. You can bake for the rest of the holiday. This is Christmas Eve, darling, and it's your time to shine. Now go. We've got things to buy, and places to be. And I've got presents to wrap and put under the tree. Oh my days! All this love stuff has turned me into a poet.'