After successfully avoiding each other all evening, we headed to bed without another word. Monday morning came, and with it, the majority of my anger had dissipated. Now I was just determined to ignore Henry as much as possible and enjoy my Christmas without him.

This was the most wonderful time of the year and no grinchy, grouchy boss was going to take that from me!

Showering quickly, singing to myself to distract from the memories of that first shower, I dressed in my skirt and tights from the previous week, along with one of the slightly unflattering turtlenecks.

With a last scan of the room and grabbing my phone, I made my way down the stairs. The garlands were still wrapped around the bannister, a fact I was relieved to see. I had half-expected that as soon as I went to bed the previous night, he would come and take it all down.

My tree stood proudly, lights off but still beautiful, instead bathed in the pinkish glow of the rising sun. I moved to the window. Another light dusting of snow had fallen in the night and our snowman from the previous day still stood just outside the doors.

No matter what Henry said, he had had fun making it and no one could persuade me otherwise. I just wished I knew what had caused the dramatic change in him. Yes, I hadn't made the safest choices, but his reaction was totally out of proportion with the moment.

Head held high, I marched through to the kitchen and began making myself a hot chocolate.

There was still no sign of Henry by the time I had finished and I pulled on my coat and boots quietly before making my way over to the office. Thank goodness Henry had sent an email telling everyone to work from home so I could still work over here and stay out of his way.

A glance back at the house confirmed all the upstairs curtains were open now, so he was definitely up. Despite it only being 8am and the fact I was not actually due to start until 9, I loaded up my computer for the day.

"Alexa, play Christmas music." I called out.

"Here's a station you might like, Christmas music on Amazon Music." The mechanical voice replied cheerily before the jingling sound of Last Christmas started pouring out of the speaker.

"Last Christmas, I gave you my heart, But the very next day, you gave it away." I sang along, feeling like, in an odd way, I identified with the lyrics.

OK, I hadn't quite given Henry my heart, but he had seemed open to sharing in my Christmas magic until he did a compete switch last night.

"This year, to save me from tears, I'll give it to someone special." I whispered glancing back through the windows at the house.

When it came down to it, he was my boss. Whether we got along and enjoyed each other's company occasionally was irrelevant. We had been forced together by totally unexpected circumstances and he was under no obligation to be my friend.

The phone rang, breaking through my thoughts and making me jump. I glanced at the clock again. It was only 8:04, who could possibly be calling at this time?

Taking a deep breath, I easily slipped into my professional phone voice, "Good morning Carter Investments, Susie Miller speaking, how can I help you?"

"Susie, I just saw you come online, and I had to hear what is happening. A little mouse...your mother, told me something juicy, and I have to know if it's true! Are you living in the big boss's house?" Ayla's excited squeal came down the phone.

I smiled at my friend's stuffy nose voice, "So I'm temporarily staying in his house whilst we self-isolate until Christmas Eve. Thanks to you, you little git. How are you feeling by the way?"

"Oh wow, I'm fine and you are totally welcome by the way," Ayla laughed and broke off on a cough, "I mean, I might not swing that way and he does perpetually look like someone stole his favourite toy, but damn if the man ain't good to look at."

"He would be great if he didn't totally hate Christmas and wasn't a major buzzkill of my festive vibes." I replied sadly.

"He doesn't like Christmas? Who doesn't like Christmas? It's, well it's Christmas!" Ayla was definitely struggling to get her head around this new nugget of information.

"Yep," I said, popping the p sound, "I'm trying my best, but that is a man determined to be a lonely old Scrooge."

"So sad. Well, at least he's pretty to look at and you still get to go home in time for Christmas."

"Exactly, how are you feeling though, honestly? I hope you're not working today."

Ayla laughed again, "Five minutes living with Mr Carter and you're already getting bossy. I'm OK, I just have sense or smell or taste at the moment and that's so weird. Accidentally made my coffee with gravy yesterday and was just wondering why the texture felt off."

"Ew, that's so disgusting." I replied, adding a gagging noise for effect.

"I know, hopefully my sense of taste comes back quickly. One of the best points of this time of year is the food, and it's so depressing not to be able to enjoy any of it. Especially when we work with bakeries! I've got tons of bits saved and frozen ready for me to use."

"How are things going with all the sites?" I asked, easily slipped into my professional persona.

When Ayla recommended me for the role, it was just supposed to be an office administrator. In less than a week I was writing up reports, budgets and website and advert copy. No day was ever the same, but that was part of what I loved about it.

Ayla sensed the shift and matched it, "All doing great and smashing targets. The only one concerning me right now is Christopher's site."

I frowned as I loaded up the live sales tracker, "That's the Rochester store right? What's wrong, they seem to be hitting their target?"

"He lost two members of staff last week and no one will tell me why. He's currently trying to hire replacements, but you can imagine what that's like this close to Christmas."

I nodded, forgetting Ayla couldn't see me, "Mmmm that is strange. Do you want me to look into it?"

"I'm doing exit interviews with the two that left this week so hopefully get some answers then but just wanted to give you a heads up." Ayla reassured.

"Ok, well just let me know if there's any support you need from head office on this. Did you think about asking Carla if she can spare anyone from the Chatham store for a couple of weeks, just to help cover until they hire replacements?"

"Oh no, good call," I could hear Ayla's aggressive typing in the background, "You know it's so awesome being able to work with my bestie."

I smiled, "It really is, I can't thank you enough for getting me this job. Almost enough to help me forgive you for making me isolate here."

"You're loving it really. And don't be silly, I just told you about it, you're the one who applied and got it!" Ayla reminded, "Anyway, I'm going to have to go because I have a bunch of calls to make and very limited energy to do it."

"Just don't overdo it. You're sick, no one would judge you for taking some time off!" I told her, concerned at my friend's lack of concern for her own wellbeing.

"I'll be fine!" Ayla laughed, "You just focus on staying festive and counting down the days until we can see each other again!"

"Will do bub, I miss you already."

"Miss you more." Ayla sang out as she hung up.

I sighed as I found herself alone with my thoughts once more. As angry as I was with Henry for speaking to me like that, I was more cross with myself for allowing it to happen. For not chasing him down and demanding the apology I knew I deserved.

Now I wasn't one for silent treatment, and I didn't usually agree with it, preferring to talk out any issues, but right now I had absolutely nothing to say to Henry until he did apologise. That told me that maybe it was the right thing, just this once at least.

Firm in my decision now I found myself relaxing more and more. "No, I don't want a lot for Christmas," I belted out, sliding my chair across the office to the filing cabinet, "This is all I'm asking for! I just wish COVID would end so I don't have to isolate no moreeee." I sang, taking creative liberties with the lyrics.

Humming loudly as I shuffled the chair back across the floor to my desk.

A little Christmas music and a lot of work later I realised it was lunchtime and wandered into the staff kitchen on autopilot.

It was then I remembered there wasn't any lunch because I hadn't brought any. And there weren't any pastries because with only one person in the office there wasn't much point.

Putting the order on hold until the new year made so much more financial sense. However, as the one person currently in the office, I suddenly felt very differently and wished I had kept the order coming.

With a groan I wrapped my still damp coat around me for the walk over to the house. It took a moment to steel myself to prepare to face Henry again.

Then I marched across the garden with purpose. As soon as I opened the door, I heard footsteps heading up the stairs.

Apparently Henry had decided he was going to avoid me too. Coward. How was he going to know I was avoiding and ignoring him if he never saw me?

I decided not to take my boots off as I hurried into the kitchen and began rummaging through the kitchen cupboards. God, why was Henry so healthy? Low calorie soups and lots of low sugar and low salt nonsense.

What I really wanted was a Greggs sausage roll and an éclair. Yes, not even something from one of our own Muffin Compares bakeries. Although, come to think of it, I would take anything sweet right now.

Reluctantly I settled on a microwave vegetable rice. At least I could cook and eat that at the office.

With a final glance towards the stairs to confirm Henry wasn't going to make an appearance, I left, hurrying back to the office.

The rest of the day passed without drama and by the time I had finished, I was nicely caught up on all my work and the drawer I typically used as a dumping ground had been organised again.

Now time to face the music with Henry, if he would even face me, I thought as I headed back towards the house.

It was dark now, and the lights drew me in like they had that first night in the snow. Sliding back the door I stepped into the warmth of the house and blinked in surprise. The Christmas tree lights were on and the spare garland I had wrapped around the base of the tree now hung around the doorframe where I had originally intended it to be.

Despite the crackle of the fire, I could hear no other signs of life. Silent treatment be damned, "Hello?" I called out.

Perhaps aliens had come down and brainwashed Henry whilst I was away?

"Hi," Henry emerged from the kitchen. He looked a little sheepish and his words came out in a rush. "So I just wanted to apologise. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. It was unprofessional and rude and you didn't deserve it."

I blinked, well I hadn't quite expected that, "Thank you," I said slowly.

"I have no explanation for my actions other than I was really worried for you. When I saw you lying there like that, it gave me flashbacks to a moment I'd rather not remember and... I just exploded. It's not an excuse, I know that. But I hope it helps you understand where is came from a bit." He explained, not meeting my eye.

I shrugged my coat off slowly as his words sunk in. "Was it a moment with Penny?" I asked tentatively.

He closed his eyes and nodded. "Christmas was when she first collapsed and we realised something was wrong."

My heart clenched. "This explain so much."

He didn't seem to be hearing me. Caught up somewhere in his memories. "Coming down to her tangled in Christmas lights, with bits of shattered baubles everywhere, was terrifying. I thought the blood and getting her stitched up would be the worst of it, but the bad news just kept coming after that."

"I'm sorry you went through that." I sighed. "But you need to remember, I'm not Penny. I'm accident prone, so that probably won't be the last time something like that happens. You can't control everything in life to stop things from happening."

"I know." He took a step towards me. "I was so scared you were hurt, and then angry you put yourself in danger. I overreacted."

"You were worried about me?" I asked softly.

"Of course I was Susie. I care about you." Henry crossed the room to me. "Do you know I think my heart actually stopped when I first saw you there? I thought you were dead until you moved and even then, I wasn't sure how badly hurt you were."

"Does that mean we are friends again?" I asked.

Henry froze, his face pinched in an almost pained look. "Yes Susie, friends." He gave me a forced smile.

"You don't have to pretend to be my friend," I patted his shoulder, "But I am glad we aren't angry at each other anymore."

Henry gave another tight smile. "Are you hungry? I did steak for dinner."

My eyes widened, "Absolutely!"

If this was how we made up from arguments, I might be tempted to argue with him more, I thought, inhaling the mouth-watering smell of dinner.