Juliet shook her head. 'No, Dad. I didn't. I don't.'
'Then why on earth didn't you say something? And you, Zoe?'
Zoe shrugged. 'As I've said. I tried. And now it's no big deal for me. And it was years ago. I only brought it up now because Juliet was in such a tizzy about seeing Harrison this morning. I wanted her to know that the move affected us all in one way or another. That's all. I'm over it.'
'And you, Juliet?' Bernard looked both surprised and concerned. 'Why can't you let go of the past? Why do you blame Harrison for us moving out?'
Juliet took a deep breath and met his eyes. Could she say this after all these years? Could she finally admit this to her family? She closed her eyes as she spoke. She couldn't bear to see the effect her words would have on him. But in the moment of silence that followed, she re-opened them.
'Because it was my fault the Bows got the house from us.'
Rosa and Bernard exchanged astonished looks.
'What?' Rosa was obviously shocked.
'Of course it wasn't,' Bernard said. 'Why would you even think such a thing, sweetheart?'
Neither of them was angry, but they were staring at her in disbelief.
'What on earth makes you think that?' Rosa asked.
She had said it now. She may as well continue. 'Because I met Harrison Bow and I stupidly told him how bad things were for us. And he told his grandad, and his grandad conned you into selling cheaply because he knew how desperately we needed the money. He wouldn't have known that if I hadn't told Harrison and if Harrison hadn't told him. I thought he was kind and handsome and caring. I was miserable and upset because you and Mum had a massive row the night before, which I'd overheard, and in the morning, you shut yourself in your study, and that's how I met him. I went to the lake, as I always did when I was upset or had something on my mind. It was frozen so I was skating, and suddenly, there he was. Just sitting on the bench beside the lake, watching me. I know it sounds crazy, but I fell head over heels in love the minute I saw him, and by the end of that morning, I thought he felt the same. I poured my heart and soul out to him and he stomped on it. He told me he simply had to tell his grandad where he was, and then we would go out on a date. But what he really went to tell him was that the old man could grab a bargain. It was only when I got back that evening after our so-called date, that I realised what I'd done. What he'd done. And that's why I had it out with him in the middle of Mistletoe Row that night.'
No one spoke for a second and then Zoe gave a burst of laughter. 'Good God, sis! You really are crazy. Is that honestly what you think happened?'
'I'm not crazy. It did happen. You were five. You had no idea what was going on.'
'Girls!' Bernard interrupted. He emptied his sherry glass and poured himself another. 'It seems Zoe wasn't the only one who had no idea what was going on.' He sat down on the sofa beside Zoe and looked directly at Juliet. His smile was loving, his voice soft and caring. 'Sweetheart. Why do you think Harrison was at the lake that day? It was because Rufus was in my study and we were discussing a deal. I had already agreed to sell the house to him, in principle. We were meeting to finalise the agreement. Luke was at boarding school at the time, and Rufus, who for some reason had brought Harrison with him, told the lad to go and keep himself busy while we chatted. I don't think Harrison had the slightest idea that his grandfather was about to buy the house. In fact, I know he didn't because even now, I can recall Rufus saying that his grandson would be surprised.'
'What?' Juliet blinked in disbelief. 'But ... I don't understand. How? You never mentioned the Bows before that day. I thought Rufus Bow turned up later and made you an offer.'
Bernard nodded. 'He did. In a manner of speaking. I had rejected his first offer. He went away for half an hour or so and when he came back, he actually increased it. So if Harrison did say anything to him, which I very much doubt, the lad actually improved things for us. Is this genuinely what you've believed for all these years? Why on earth didn't you ask about it before?'
Juliet shook her head in horror. 'I couldn't. Don't you see? I thought it was my fault. I couldn't bring myself to tell you and Mum that I'd blabbed our private business to a total stranger and because of that, someone had jumped in and grabbed the house from us.'
Rosa and Bernard looked at one another, shook their heads, and suddenly burst out laughing, as did Zoe.
'What's so funny?' Juliet shot to her feet. 'I've been carrying this guilt and hurt around with me for twenty years and all you three do is laugh?'
'Oh sweetheart,' Rosa said. 'We're so sorry. We're not laughing at you. We're laughing at the complete absurdity of the situation. But you're right. It really isn't a laughing matter. Oh darling.' She got up and hugged Juliet tight, kissing her head and stroking her hair. 'All this time you've felt guilty when there was nothing to feel guilty about. And we've never had a proper discussion about what happened because we were all so keen to keep a stiff upper lip and carry on, as all true-blue Brits do. What awful parents we must be to not have realised.'
'No,' Juliet said, still not really sure what had just happened. 'You're not awful parents. I'm an awful daughter. I simply couldn't own up to being the one who helped to lose us The Grange.'
'But you didn't, sweetheart,' Bernard said, joining his wife in the hug and kiss. 'I was the one who did that. That was down to me, the markets, bad luck and circumstance. Things could have been different, but they weren't. That's just life, darling and we have to accept it. The Bows weren't responsible for our financial difficulties. And Rufus Bow actually offered us a lifeline in many respects. A few more days and the bailiffs would've been pounding on the door. Yes, he got the house for a bargain price, but the plain fact is, no one else wanted it and we couldn't afford to wait for the market to improve. Rufus Bow had wanted The Grange for years and the minute he got wind, no doubt from a mutual friend, that we were having financial difficulties, he contacted me. That was almost a year before the day we did the deal. Neither you nor Harrison had anything to do with it.'
'And let's face it,' Zoe said. 'The man hasn't exactly been happy living there, has he? His favourite grandson walked out. He doesn't have any friends to speak of, and he's as miserable as sin if you ever see him out and about. Which you hardly ever do. Especially not over the last few years.' She got to her feet and sighed. 'Can I join in this hug?'
'Of course you can, sweetheart,' Rosa said, extending her arm to embrace Zoe.
They all hugged in silence for several seconds. Even Cinnamon came and nuzzled her way in, having clearly woken up from her snooze in front of the Aga and wondered where everyone was.
'I'm sorry, sis.' Zoe nudged Juliet in the ribs when they finally eased out of the hug. 'You're right. I did know the Bows would be there this morning. No. Don't get cross again. I was doing it for all the right reasons. Luke and I are friends and we want our families to at least get on, even if they can't be all cosy and warm to one another. Just a hello and a smile will do. Is that too much to ask? It is Christmas, after all. And now that you know Harrison wasn't the evil villain you have thought he was for twenty years, surely we can all be civil to one another?'
'Friends?' Juliet gave her a questioning look. 'What does that mean?'
'What I said. Friends. Oh, and Luke did say he was sorry that he hit your car last night and he'll pay for any damage he may have caused.'
'He did what? That was him?'
'Yes. But he didn't realise it was your car he hit, until today. I may have lied a little at the Christmas tree farm, and told him and Harrison that you were in a bad mood this morning because some idiot hit your wing mirror and drove off. I thought Harrison was going to kill him. But Luke apologised right away and offered to pay. He didn't stop last night because of the weather and because he wanted to get home before Harrison and Kiki arrived.'
'Kiki? The beautiful woman we saw today? Is she ... is she Harrison's girlfriend?' Juliet asked as Bernard topped up the sherry glasses.
Zoe shrugged. 'I do
n't know. I didn't ask. Do you want me to?'
'No I don't! I couldn't care less if he has a girlfriend.'
'Then why did you ask?'
'Girls,' Bernard said, raising his glass in the air. 'Let's have a toast, shall we? Here's to the Bell family, and to us working on our communication skills with one another.' He shook his head and grinned.
'And to our happiest Christmas yet,' Rosa added.
'And to putting the past behind us and making friends,' Zoe said.
'What about you, sweetheart?' Rosa asked, smiling at Juliet. 'What would you like to toast to? Perhaps to a brighter and happier New Year?'
'Ah. About that. I've got something I need to ... communicate to you about my future,' Juliet said, with a self-deprecating laugh. 'But let's say cheers and happy Christmas for now, and we'll get to that bit later.'
'Cheers,' they all said, as Cinnamon gave a resounding bark, before curling up on the rug in front of the fire, and letting out the most obnoxious smelling fart.
Chapter Seven
She hadn't changed one bit, simply matured like a fine wine.
Harrison was still reeling from the shock of seeing Juliet, which had affected him far more than he expected. He knew seeing her again might unsettle him a little, but this. This was ridiculous. When he had realised that it was Juliet's car that Luke had hit last night, he wanted to kill his little brother. Which was an insane reaction, even for a Bow. His ancestors were known for doing some pretty crazy things when riled, but on the whole, Harrison was mellow and fairly laid back. At least he thought he was. That woman certainly brought out strong emotions in him.
It had been the same the first time he'd lain eyes on her, twenty years ago. It was a freezing February morning; a grey and cloudy day and his grandfather had taken him to The Grange. Rufus told him he had some business to do with his friend, Bernard Bell and that Harrison should go and entertain himself for an hour and then return to the car. One look at the grounds, and Harrison was in his element.
He walked around, taking in every tree, every nook and cranny of the beautiful gardens, the hedges and paths covered in frost, ornate lead pots filled with winter blooms, life-sized statues standing high on tall, stone plinths, a row of conifers leading to a wood. He would love to live somewhere with grounds like these.
He was a sensitive teenager, according to his grandfather, happy to spend hours outdoors doing nothing in particular, simply enjoying his surroundings, reading a book or sitting in a chair beside a window. Not the usual pastimes for an eighteen-year-old. But he was happy. At least, as happy as you could be when you've just lost your parents within six months of each other. His mum to cancer, his dad to a massive heart attack.
Rufus had taken him and Luke in. They had nowhere else to go. But Luke was away at boarding school and Harrison would soon be off to university, so they wouldn't be spending much time with their grandfather. Prior to his parents' passing, they hadn't seen much of Rufus. There had been some sort of falling out, but Harrison didn't know the details and his parents never talked of it. Neither did Rufus. The old man had been nothing like Harrison's dad though, that much was clear, and Harrison missed his parents every day.
On that particular day, he walked through the woods in the grounds of The Grange and saw the lake. The clouds parted and the sun filtered through the trees until he left the wood and walked out into the open, and felt the full force of it. Not so much the warmth – it was February after all – but the power of the light, and for a moment it had blinded him and he raised his hand to shield his eyes.
Through half-closed lids, he saw her. She looked ethereal as she glided across the ice, small shards flying into the air as her skates cut into it, sparkling in the sunlight. Her hair was the colour of summer, like ripening strawberries. She was dressed from head to toe in white and he wondered if one of the statues had come to life and taken to the ice. He was positively mesmerised, and she was completely unaware that he had walked to the lake and sat on a wooden bench which was covered in frost. He wasn't sure how long he sat and watched her until her skates carved into the ice with a grating sound a short distance away and she stared directly at him.
'Hello,' she said, the look of surprise on her lovely, freckled face replaced by a wondrous smile.
She wasn't exactly beautiful but she took his breath away. It took him a moment or two to reply and then all he said was, 'Hi.'
'What are you doing here?' She moved towards him, her body swaying gracefully as she covered the ice between them.
'Watching you.' He took his hands out of his pockets. Perhaps she would skate right into his arms. But she had stopped a metre or so away from him. 'You should be in the Olympics.'
'Thank you. But I'm not that good.'
'You're perfect. I mean. You look really good to me. On the ice. Skating, I mean. You looked good skating. Not that you don't look good now. You do. Um.' He ran a hand through his hair. 'I'm making a bit of a mess of this. Hi. I'm Harrison. Harrison Bow.' He smiled at her. Could she hear his heart thumping or see the perspiration on his forehead? He didn't reach out his hand; clammy palms were definitely not cool. His mouth was dry. He was having trouble swallowing.
'I'm Juliet. It's lovely to meet you.'
'Juliet? Wow. That's a pretty name.'
'Please don't ask me where my Romeo is. I get that all the time from Mrs D.'
'Mrs D?'
'Oh. Mrs Dobbie. She owns Dobbie's Convenience Store on Mistletoe Row.'
'Mistletoe Row?'
She laughed and it sounded more like angel song. Not that he knew exactly what that sounded like, but her laugh was the most mellifluous sound he'd ever heard.
'You're not from around here, are you?'
'Are you?'
Her brows furrowed a little. 'Are you going to repeat everything I say?'
'Sorry. I mean, do you live near here?'
'Oh. Yes. I live here, actually.'
'The Lady of the Lake?' He raised his brows and performed a dramatic bow. 'It's an honour. May I be your knight in shining armour?'
She laughed again and then hesitated. 'Are you making fun of me?'
'No! Absolutely not.'
She smiled. 'Well okay then.' She gave a delicate curtsy. 'You may.' She skated towards him but one of her blades hit a stone at the edge of the lake and as she fell forwards, he caught her in his arms. 'You are,' she said, looking up into his eyes. 'Thank you for saving me.'
'Anytime, Juliet.'
He wasn't sure how long they stayed like that; his arms around her, her hands on his arms, but he wanted it to be forever.
'Shall we sit?' She pointed hesitantly at the bench.
'I'd like that. Have you lived here all your life? It's so beautiful. I'd love to live in a place like this. Well, to have these grounds. And this lake. You're very lucky.'
She seemed sad, suddenly, and she shook her head. 'It's not all bliss. I think my dad's got money worries. I heard him arguing with my mum.' She looked surprised, as if she hadn't meant to open up to him. 'Sorry. You don't want to hear about my problems.'
'I do, Juliet,' he coaxed, reaching out his hands and taking hers in his. 'I want to hear anything you want to tell me.'
'You'd be bored to tears.'
'No, I wouldn't. Nothing you could say would bore me. Please, Juliet. I'm a good listener.'
And she'd told him quite a lot. She had poured out her heart and soul to him and he had listened. So much so that he'd lost all track of time.
'I've got to go,' he said, 'but I wish I didn't have to.'
'So do I,' she replied.
Reluctantly he eased himself away, her hands sliding from his until only their fingers were touching. He curled his fingers tightly round hers. 'Will you go on a date with me? Today? I've just got to go and tell someone where I'll be and then I'll come back.'
She nodded vigorously. 'Yes. Shall I wait here?'
'Yes. I won't be long.'
Without another word, he ran along a different path whi
ch he could tell led to the park he and his grandfather had seen as they drove up to the front of the house. He'd never run so fast and when he reached the car, he was out of breath, but his grandfather was nowhere in sight. He could go inside and ask to see him, but that would waste time. Instead, he pulled out the small notepad and pen he always carried around with him and scribbled a note which he pinned under the windscreen wiper. “I'll see you later. I'm spending the day with someone. I've got cash. Will make my own way home. Harrison.” He ran back to Juliet as fast as he could.
She was still sitting on the bench, staring at the lake, her skates hanging from her hands resting in her lap. She looked deep in thought. She was now wearing black boots. Black leather boots which came to a point at her knees. She was the sexiest girl he had ever seen and once again, she took his breath away.
'Juliet!' he called out and waved to her.
She seemed startled, but when she turned to face him, sadness drained from her face and was replaced by an excited smile. She looked so beautiful, and even a little vulnerable.
'Harrison! You came back.'
'I said I would. Are you okay?'
She nodded. 'Yes. I'm fine.' Then she sighed as if all the troubles in the world had been lifted from her shoulders. 'That's not true. I'm not. But now that you're back, I feel as if I could be. Does that sound crazy?'
'It doesn't sound crazy at all.'
At some point, he now realised, it must have occurred to him that he should've told her his grandfather was at The Grange with her dad. It also must've occurred to him, deep down, the reason why. But he hadn't said a word. He merely listened. And when, eventually, they had talked of other things, and she had asked what he was doing by the lake that morning, he should've said more than, 'Just admiring the view.' But she hadn't pressed him. She was so caught up in her own troubles that she couldn't really think of anything else, or so it seemed to him.
They had walked, talked, laughed. By the afternoon, they were holding hands as if they were in love. By the evening, they were arm in arm. And when he walked her to the door of The Grange, he had kissed her on the lips.
Bells and Bows on Mistletoe Row Page 5