Harriet has an antagonistic relationship with her aunt, whom she used as material for one of her novels. She is nevertheless persuaded into hosting her and Leah's visit coincides with the January 1998 North American ice storm. Harriet has had a long held flirtation with Jack Frame and finds herself drawn to him once again. At the same time Dinah develops a tumour and her illness causes her attraction to Lew and Lew's attraction to Dinah to become more apparent to both them and their surrounding friends and family.