'We haven't been introduced.' The woman sashayed into the room wearing an expensive-looking and extremely short dressing gown of the finest silk Juliet had ever seen. It was loosely tied and left little to the imagination. She was evidently naked beneath. She sat serenely on the very edge of the bed, without even making an indentation, or so it seemed and crossed her long, shapely legs. 'I'm Kiki. I'm here with Harrison.'
Juliet tried not to imagine what that meant, even though she had already assumed the beautiful woman was Harrison's girlfriend. At least there was no engagement ring on her left hand.
'I'm Juliet. I'm sorry for the inconvenience my mishap has caused. Is Harrison okay?'
'No need to apologise. We hardly know you're here. And Harrison's fine. I've just left him in the shower. I thought I'd pop in before we dressed and went downstairs for drinks. Is there anything you need?'
Juliet cleared her throat. But she couldn't clear the image of Harrison and this beautiful woman in the shower together, quite so easily. And that was clearly what Kiki was telling her. She shook her head. 'No thanks. Mum's bringing a tray up later.'
'You were so lucky Harrison had decided to go for a walk this morning.' She leant forward and brushed Juliet's arm with long, slim fingers and red-painted nails. 'I was still in bed. Ask Harrison. I'm not a morning person.'
'At eleven o'clock?' It must have been around eleven when she crashed through the ice. She'd been skating for quite some time beforehand. 'That's almost lunchtime.'
Kiki smiled. 'What can I say? We went to the local pub last night and had such a good time, we didn't get home till late. And Harrison's ... well, let's just say, Harrison's very active.' She yawned and stretched like a panther before giggling like a naughty little girl. 'And a girl's got to get some sleep if she wants to stay beautiful, hasn't she?'
She looked Juliet up and down. Not that she would be able to see anything, other than the top of Harrison's pyjamas, but Juliet still pulled the duvet up towards her chin.
'You're certainly very beautiful,' Juliet said. 'Have ... have you and Harrison been together long?'
'Why thank you, Juliet. That's so sweet of you. And your freckles are really cute. Goodness. Sometimes it feels as if we've been together forever. He and my brother Charlie are the best of friends. But it's only been four years. We work together too. I've known Luke for years, of course, but I'm here to meet their grandfather. Do you know him? I hear you lived here once. Before you and your family fell on hard times. I feel for you. That must be awful to come from a house such as this and end up in a tiny little cottage. So very sad.'
Juliet was enraged, but she forced a smile. 'I have wonderful memories of this house, but we were only saying yesterday that none of us miss the upkeep of this place. The draughts, the smoky chimneys, rattling windows and such. The cottage is so warm and cosy. We love it there. In fact, I love it so much I'm actually moving back. I've been living and working in Bristol since I went to uni there. But my heart will always be in Mistletythe, and Mistletoe Row in particular. As for Rufus. Yes, I know him, but I haven't seen him for years, and I can't say I'm sorry about it. I don't want to seem rude, but I'm really very tired. And Harrison insisted I get plenty of sleep.'
The smile on Kiki's lips wavered momentarily but it was soon set back to stun. Or perhaps Juliet was judging her too harshly. Perhaps the smile wasn't as false as it looked.
'Of course. And he said the same to me. “We need to make sure she gets plenty of sleep, so that she can leave tomorrow,” were his words to me before he sent me in here. Sweet dreams, Juliet. We'll raise a glass of champagne to you feeling better. Lovely to meet you.'
'And you, Kiki. Good night.'
Juliet heard the door close tight as Kiki left the room.
'And good riddance. You may be beautiful, but I think you're a bit of a bitch.'
Chapter Fifteen
'You're leaving?' Harrison hoped that hadn't sounded as desperate to her as it had to him.
Juliet smiled as she and Rosa met him at the foot of the stairs. 'Yes. Thank you so, so much for everything, but I'm feeling absolutely fine this morning, after a good night's sleep, and we really don't want to be in the way.'
'You're not. Not in the slightest. Please don't feel you have to go, because you don't.'
'That's kind of you. But the truth is, we want to go home.'
Juliet's smile looked as if it took some effort. Did she still hate him so much? He thought they had broken the ice yesterday. In more ways than one. Clearly, he was wrong.
'Mrs Bell, are you sure? Honestly, you're both very welcome here. And as I said yesterday, so is the rest of your family. You can even bring your dog. Cinnamon, isn't it? Please don't rush off on our account.'
Rosa smiled, more genuinely than Juliet, he felt. 'Harrison, you've been so kind and thoughtful. But we really do want to be at home. I'm sure you understand. It's Christmas. We've still got so much to do, and what with Juliet moving home permanently. Well, maybe not permanently but certainly until she gets another job, we—'
'Harrison doesn't want to hear all that, Mum. Come along. Zoe will be outside, I'm sure.'
'You ... you're moving back?'
She ignored him and headed towards the front door.
'You've called Zoe to come and get you?' He wasn't sure what was happening, or how it was happening so fast.
'Yes. Thank Luke and Daphne, will you, please? I'll thank them again when I see them. Oh. And say goodbye to Kiki, for me. I know she'll still be in bed.'
'Yes. She will. She's definitely not a morning person.'
Something flashed across Juliet's face, but it was gone before he could see exactly what it was. She didn't look happy though.
'Well. It was lovely to meet her, but I doubt we'll meet again. Goodbye Harrison. And thanks again for everything. I hope you have a very happy Christmas.'
'I'll see you again before Christmas, won't I?'
Juliet didn't reply. She simply smiled and marched to the door.
'Goodbye, Harrison,' Rosa said. 'Do pop in and say hello if you're passing.'
'Mum!'
Juliet definitely wasn't happy. Was it something he had done?
Or hadn't done?
And when had she met Kiki? Kiki hadn't mentioned it. She had told him that she had knocked on the door before dinner and that Juliet was sound asleep and snoring. She'd turned her nose up, as if a woman snoring was a big no-no, and he'd laughed and said he couldn't imagine that, but so what if she did? Lots of people snored.
'I don't,' Kiki had replied.
Juliet must have been extremely tired because on both occasions he had knocked on the door and poked his head round, she had been fast asleep. He could hear her rhythmic breathing and when he'd softly called her name, she hadn't responded.
She hadn't been snoring, either.
Something was nagging at him, but he wasn't sure what.
He followed Juliet and Rosa outside and Zoe pulled up as he reached them.
'Please pop back whenever you like. Or if you want to walk around the grounds or anything, please feel free to do so. I'd avoid skating on the lake for a while though.' He gave a little laugh, but Juliet threw him an odd look as if she didn't find it funny. 'But come up and walk around it, or sit on the bench whenever you like. I'll tell Luke and Daphne you've got my permission.'
'I'm not sure your grandad would be pleased,' Juliet said, without looking at him.
'He won't mind. But it makes no difference if he does.'
'Well, we won't, so there's no need to worry about it. Thank you though. Goodbye.'
'Hi Harrison,' Zoe said, getting out of the car and helping Juliet to get in to the back.
'Hello, Zoe.' He smiled at her and she smiled back.
Rosa sat on the front passenger seat and waved as Zoe got in and they pulled away. Juliet didn't smile. She didn't wave. She didn't even look at him.
Had yesterday all been a dream? He was sure they had been getting on. He even thought they could
, perhaps, be friends. He hoped they could be more, in time. Why had it all gone so wrong?
Again.
He stood and watched the car until the tail lights disappeared behind their cottage on Mistletoe Row.
Shivering, he turned and went upstairs, opening the door to her room. The Rose room. The bed was made and his pyjamas were neatly folded on the pillow. He walked over, sat on the bed and picked them up. Rather foolishly he hugged them to him.
Would it be too ridiculous to never wash them again?
He gave a self-deprecating laugh. God. He was beyond all hope.
He shook his head. He'd throw them in the wash himself. He had really got to get over her.
Seriously. Twenty years was quite long enough to harbour any hope for something that was clearly never going to be.
'Get a grip, Harrison,' he told himself, as he got up and left the room, closing the door behind him.
Chapter Sixteen
'Okay,' Zoe said, as she and Juliet sat on the sofa in the sitting room, drinking hot chocolate and eating mince pies, straight from the oven. 'Why do you keep giving me funny looks? You've been doing it ever since we got back from The Grange, and that was hours ago.'
'Did you and Luke do anything?'
Zoe's cheeks flushed, but she was sitting near the fire and the logs were roaring as the flames leapt high into the throat of the chimney. 'Like what?'
'Like telling Harrison I'd be ice skating yesterday morning around ten o'clock. Or perhaps, suggesting he go to the lake for some reason or another.'
'Why would we do that?'
'You tell me. That's precisely what I'd like to know.'
'What makes you think it had anything to do with us? Perhaps he simply decided to go for a walk to the lake yesterday morning.'
'Perhaps he did. And I'm very glad he was there, believe me. But it is a bit of a coincidence, isn't it? I mean, you did admit that you and Luke arranged for us all to be at Merry's Christmas Tree Farm at the same time. Is it too much of a stretch to wonder if you arranged for me and Harrison to be at the lake at the same time?'
Zoe sighed. 'Oh, okay. It was us. Luke told Harrison he had seen something on the lake and he wasn't sure what it was. He knew Harrison would go and investigate. But you must admit, you loved being on the lake again, didn't you? Until you fell through the ice, of course.'
Juliet laughed, in spite of the situation. 'Yes. I'll admit I was in absolute heaven until I dropped like a stone into that freezing water.'
Zoe shivered. 'Actually, it doesn't bear thinking about does it? What could've happened, I mean. Just imagine if Harrison hadn't gone. No one would've seen you fall through the ice. No one would've been there to rescue you. Bloody hell, sis. You might have drowned. And it would've been my fault. I'm so sorry. I truly am.'
'Hey.' Juliet reached out a hand and rubbed Zoe's knee. 'Don't beat yourself up about it. Harrison came, he saw, he saved me.' She gave a little laugh. 'That's got a certain ring to it. Anyway. The point is, it all ended well. And I even got a bonus. I got to spend a night in my old room again. And I never, ever imagined that would happen. It was well worth almost drowning for.'
'Was it weird? Being in your room again?'
'Yes and no. It's just the same as it was and I'm not sure whether that was good or bad. I know I didn't want to leave this morning.'
'Then why did you? Harrison said you could've stayed.'
'I didn't want to stay, either. I know that sounds crazy, and I can't explain. I think perhaps I was worried I might not ever want to leave. Better to get out whilst I could. Being dragged out of the house kicking and screaming wouldn't be a good look. Especially as it wouldn't be the first time.'
'You didn't exactly kick and scream when we moved out. Not that I can remember, anyway.'
'Not on the actual day, perhaps. But there was a lot of kicking and screaming leading up to it, I promise you. Part of that was to do with Harrison, though. Because I thought he'd lied to me. And part of it was because I was so angry with myself. Anyway, what's done is done. I won't be going there again.'
'Never?'
Juliet shrugged. 'There's no reason to.'
'But ... Aren't you and Harrison friends now? Or at least on speaking terms?'
'I suppose so. But to be honest, I'll be happy once he's gone. And I hope I don't see him much while he's here.'
'Why not?'
'Oh Zoe. I really can't explain. I just think it would be better for everyone if Harrison and I kept our distance. Why were you trying to throw us together, by the way?'
'Ah. I'm not sure you're going to like this.'
'Try me.'
Zoe smiled and leant forward. 'You know I told you that Luke and I are friends?'
'Y-es.'
'Well the truth is ... We're a bit more than friends. A lot more than friends, actually. Oh, I might as well just say it, because it's got to come out sooner or later. Luke and I are dating. It'll be six months at Christmas.'
'What?' Juliet was astonished.
'That was why it was so important to us that you and Harrison get on. Things are serious between us and we're tired of keeping it quiet. Of hiding it from everyone. I haven't even told Mum and Dad. And that makes me feel terrible. But I didn't want to tell them without telling you, and besides, if I told Mum, she'd be on the phone to you immediately. So I had to keep it secret. And Luke hasn't told anyone either. Not Harrison, or his grandad. That's why Luke asked Harrison to come for Christmas. He plans to tell him now.'
'Wow. I don't know what to say. How have you managed to date for six months without anyone finding out? I'm astonished. You deserve a medal. Where do you go on your dates? Or shouldn't I ask?'
Zoe sighed. 'We go to the cinema, and restaurants, and pubs, just like any other couple. But we have to drive to somewhere like Michaelmas Bay, or Snowflake Cove, where we're not so well known. Although we did see Robin Merry once, shortly after he started dating Raven. They were in Snowflake Inn and we'd gone there for a drink. I swore him to secrecy, and he was pretty understanding. In the summer, we had lots of picnics in the grounds of The Grange. Luke knows Daphne's routine, so we knew we wouldn't be seen. But we're in love, and we want everyone to know we're a couple. I know it might be hard on you, and Mum and Dad. But we didn't plan to fall in love. These things just happen.'
'Don't I know it. Oh, Zoe. I'm happy for you. I'm happy for you both. I just hope his grandad and Harrison feel the same.'
'I don't think Harrison will be a problem. And Luke says he doesn't care what his grandad thinks. But I'm pretty sure he does. I just have to hope the old man accepts me. It's not as if Luke is going to inherit the house or anything, so I won't be moving back in, if our relationship runs the course. And that's something else Luke is going to talk to Harrison about during this holiday. Luke and I are planning to start a business together.'
'What?' There was one surprise after another, and Juliet wasn't sure how many more she could take. 'A business? What sort of business?'
'A property business, like Harrison's. Only smaller. Luke hates his job in the city. He hates commuting. He hates designing buildings only to be told they're not quite what the company had in mind. He's always been good with his hands and as an architect, he's got a lot of knowledge others haven't. And I've always been good with interior design. So basically, he'll redesign, renovate and rebuild the structure as necessary, and I'll design and style the interiors. I'll keep my secretarial job in Mistletythe until we've got some money coming in. But Luke is thirty in February, and just like Harrison did, Luke will get his trust fund monies on his thirtieth birthday. I don't know how much it is, but it should help us get started. Oh, and we're calling the business, Bells & Bows Building & Design.'
For a moment, Juliet was speechless. She stared at her younger sister in disbelief. Zoe stared back, a little nervously. And then Juliet put her half full mug of chocolate on the side table and jumped to her feet, pulling Zoe up and hugging her tight.
'Oh, Zoe. I'm so ha
ppy for you. Truly, truly happy. I wish you every success. You deserve it. But I think you'd better tell Mum and Dad. There have been enough secrets and misunderstandings in this family to last a lifetime. And we did all promise to work on our communication skills. The sooner you tell them the better.'
'I know. You're right. I'll tell them right now. Hey, sis. It won't be too dreadful being Luke's sister-in-law, will it? He hasn't asked me yet, but I'm pretty sure he will. And I'm going to say yes.'
Juliet laughed. 'Of course you're going to say yes. And no. It won't be too dreadful. And now that Harrison's saved my life, I suppose I should try and be nice to him. I just wish his girlfriend wasn't quite so awful.'
Zoe held Juliet at arm's length. 'Girlfriend? Harrison doesn't have a girlfriend. At least, not one Luke's heard of.'
'Yes he has. It's Kiki.'
'Kiki?' Now it was Zoe who looked astonished. 'Harrison's dating Kiki? That's the first I've heard of it. And Luke definitely doesn't know. He told me Kiki is Harrison's executive assistant. She has been for the last four years. Harrison knows her brother, apparently, and when his last assistant decided not to return from maternity leave, Kiki stepped in temporarily. But they get on really well, workwise, so he offered her a permanent position.'
'Precisely.'
'No. A permanent job. Not a permanent relationship.'
'Well, I can assure you, they're definitely having a relationship. She came into my room last night, fresh from having sex with him in the shower. And she told me herself that they're a couple. That's why she's here. To meet Harrison's grandad. So it must be fairly serious.'
'Bloody hell. Luke honestly doesn't know that. I wonder if Harrison's going to tell him? Perhaps that's why Harrison agreed to come back for Christmas when Luke asked him. Maybe Luke isn't the only one making plans for the future. Maybe Harrison has some plans of his own.'
The thought of Harrison making plans with Kiki made Juliet feel a bit sick.
'I think delayed shock may be kicking in,' she said. 'I'm feeling dizzy. You go and tell Mum and Dad your news. I'm going to go to bed. Wake me in time for dinner, please. Although I'm not sure I could eat a thing the way I feel right now.'
Bells and Bows on Mistletoe Row Page 9