"Okay," Theodore looked nervously at his two older brothers. Simon was sitting patiently waiting for him to continue. Alvin was laid out on his bed, very obviously bored. He glanced across at Theodore and raised an expectant eyebrow.

"Well, first you have to break up with Jillian." Theodore averted his gaze back to Simon. "It'd be very bad to try and get a date with Jeanette when Jillian still thinks you're dating her."

"We know that." Alvin rolled his eyes.

"But you don't want to upset her," Theodore rushed on. "You just have to explain how you'd like her as a friend but realise Jeannette's the one you really want." Simon started nodding then with a confused look shifted to shaking his head.

"How do I do that without upsetting her?"

"Well, you just tell her you feel while you've got lots in common, you're not soul mates. Everyone has a soul mate and she deserves to meet hers."

"That's really good Theodore," Simon complimented. "But I don't know if I can say all that. I made a real mess of it before. And I don't have your gift for sentiment."

"I know!" Alvin leapt up and began rummaging through his stuff. "We'll connect you two with a two-way radio. You'll just have to repeat what Theodore says." Theodore looked nervous again but Simon cheered up.

"That's a great idea."

***

"Hi, Jillian," Simon gave her a shy wave as he greeted her in the park. She smiled up at him.

"Hey, Simon. Why the sudden meeting?" He sat down next to her and tried to focus on her rather than the bickering in his ear piece. He stalled while Alvin and Theodore sorted themselves out.

"Well, I've been thinking… and since it's a nice day… why not meet in the park?" He cringed as he realised how idiotic he'd sounded. But it was hard to ignore an argument in your ear. She looked confused.

"Yeah, it's a nice day." Simon was relieved to realise Theodore was now ready, whispering to him.

"I had a really nice time yesterday…"

"It was good, wasn't it? And I'm still waiting for you to show me those modifications." She smiled at him.

"Yes. I'm looking forward to that. Because that's what friends do." She frowned.

"But we're more than friends, right?"

"Right. I mean, we have so much in common…" he heard Alvin's voice raised in the background.

"Exactly! I always thought you were cute you know."

"I did. I mean… I thought you were cute… you are cute…" She blushed.

"Thanks."

"I'd like us to always be friends…" She smiled again.

"We will. I know it."

"Yes." Simon tried to think but it was impossible with the insistent whisper in his ear. "Soul mates?" Jillian looked down shyly.

"Do you really think so?" Simon looked at her in confusion.

"I… believe in soul mates… and I want you to have yours."

"Oh, Simon. You're so sweet." She kissed his cheek.

"I'm not sure this is coming out right," he muttered.

"It's perfect," she whispered. He heard Theodore whispering 'I don't know!' and suspected Alvin was interfering.

"Look. I've got to go." He stood up. "I'll talk to you later OK?"

"Sure Simon." She smiled happily as he headed off to find out just what on Earth had just happened.

***

When he found his brothers Alvin was berating Theodore.

"What just happened?" Simon asked wearily.

"Look," Alvin turned to Simon. "I agree you don't want to hurt Jillian but you needed to let her know she was dumped."

"I was trying!" Theodore wailed. "But she was so happy…"

"And what about Simon?" Alvin turned back to his youngest brother. "What about Jeanette?"

"I did have an idea about Jeannette…" Theodore spoke timidly. Alvin threw up his hands. Simon found he was too tired to be angry at Theodore. It wasn't really his fault after all.

"What did you think about Jeannette?" he asked. He felt a slight stab of pain at the thought of her.

"Well," Theodore glanced at Alvin. "I was going to suggest once you'd sorted things out with Jillian," Alvin made a humph noise, "that you sent her a box of chocolates. Perhaps you could still do that anyway?"

"So Jillian can find out she's dumped by Simon making a move on Jeanette?" Alvin retorted.

"They could be anonymous," Theodore suggested. Simon sighed.

"I guess so. At least that way she'll know someone cares." He looked back over to where he'd sat with Jillian. "I'll worry about Jillian tomorrow. Come on."