Holly's Christmas Kiss Read Online Free Page A

She walked in between the rows of chairs, clambering over bags, pushchairs and people’s legs. There wasn’t a single seat free. Eventually she dragged her rucksack back to the window overlooking the runway, dumped it down on the floor and tried to get comfortable sitting on her bag. It was not a dream start to her dream holiday.
    The time passed slowly, too slowly. Michelle shifted around, trying to find a comfortable position on the cold floor. She read for a bit, looked out of the window for a bit, closed her eyes for a bit trying to rest. As the ache in her back grew, she silently cursed her mother for forcing her into this holiday. The money would have been put to far better use invested in her ISA, or topping up her pension pot.
    Outside the snow continued to fall. Michelle shifted and stretched to get a view of an information board. Her flight was still listed as DELAYED. She scanned for details of the Edinburgh flight. It wasn’t on the board. She glanced at her watch. Nearly five o’clock. Sean must be on his way already. An unfamiliar feeling crept into her tummy. Disappointment? Michelle told herself not to be so silly. She settled, as best she could, back onto the floor, trying to use her rucksack as a pillow. She gazed out of the window. A thickening white layer was covering the runway, crying out for a child in wellingtons to jump full-footed into the unspoilt snow. It was a silly thought, and it made Michelle shake her head. Jumping in snow was just the sort of frivolity that she could do without; every bit as foolish in its own way as spending your last few pounds on a present that would hardly get played with, or a turkey that would barely fit in the oven. She remembered her father bringing home a turkey on Christmas Eve and her mother complaining that it was too big, and she remembered eating turkey soup and turkey fritters long into January. At least her mother understood how to plan ahead.
    ‘I bought you a hot chocolate, just in case.’
    The voice interrupted her thoughts, and Michelle tried, unsuccessfully to scramble to her feet. She ended up half kneeling, half squatting, eyes level with Sean’s crotch, her hair halfway out of its ponytail and sticking to her face.
    ‘I thought you’d gone.’ She tilted her head towards his face and decided to carry on as if this was a quite normal position for chit-chat. ‘Your flight’s not on the board.’
    Sean smiled. ‘You noticed.’
    ‘Well, I was, I didn’t particularly …’ Michelle let her voice trail off. She’d noticed, and now he knew she’d noticed. She wished she hadn’t said anything.
    Sean held out his hand and Michelle let him help her to her feet. The touch sent tingles through her body. She dropped his hand and tried to regain her composure. Sean wasn’t her type. She liked men who were put together, not ones who looked like they’d fallen into their clothes by happy accident. 
    He held the hot chocolate towards her. ‘It’s got cream and marshmallows, but I suppose you can keep the lid on if you don’t want cream on your nose.’
    She took the drink from him, realising that she’d arrived at the airport nearly five hours ago and not had anything to eat or drink since. She kept her gaze firmly towards the floor, or at best Sean’s shoes. Calm and under control was her new mantra. ‘Thank you.’
    ‘You’re welcome.’
    Michelle felt herself smiling. That was probably the first bit of normal conversation they’d managed. She swallowed, raised her head and met Sean’s gaze.
    He nodded towards the snowy scene outside the window. ‘My flight was cancelled.’
    ‘Oh no! I’m sorry.’ She put her hand out to touch his arm in sympathy, but pulled it back before her fingers made contact. There was really no need for any more touching. ‘What are you going to do?’
    He shrugged. ‘Stand here. Drink my hot chocolate. Watch the snow. What about you?’
    ‘Well, my flight’s only delayed. I’m still going …’ Her