‘What if we make it to the front and then there are no cars left?’

Good question, Becky thought. What then?

‘They will have cars.’

‘You don’t know that. Look at the length of the queue! I think we should head out of London and try somewhere less busy.’

Becky considered that suggestion even though it hadn’t been directed at her.

Maybe that wasn’t the worst idea. But what if she did that and there were still no cars? She’d be stranded outside London. No, she was staying put and hoping for some luck.

Honestly, could things be any worse?

‘Becky?’

The deep voice almost made her drop her coffee.

Oh no. Please no.

She conjured up a smile – if the woman behind the check in desk could do it then so could she – and turned.

He stood directly behind her, drawing interested glances from the many bored women standing in the queue.

‘Will! This is a surprise. What are you doing here?’

He was living proof of the fact that just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse, they got worse.

‘Same as you I imagine. I was hoping for a quick journey home, but it doesn’t look as if that’s going to happen.’ He pulled her in for a hug, which was a standard greeting between them and it gave her a chance to bury her very red face in his coat.

Typical. It was snowing outside and her cheeks were blazing like a furnace.

She never would have thought she could feel uncomfortable with Will, but that was before she’d embarrassed herself at her sister’s wedding. Embarrassed was probably too tame a word. Embarrassed was when you were late for a dental appointment, or you forgot someone’s birthday. This was bone deep humiliation. The sort of humiliation that made you wonder if you should emigrate, have plastic surgery and change your name.

She was just going to ignore it. Pretend it had never happened.

Hopefully he’d do the same.

She stepped back. ‘I thought I’d hang out in an airport for a while. Soak up some of the festive spirit.’

‘I’m pleased you haven’t lost your sense of humour.’ He studied her for a moment, his hands still on her shoulders. ‘It’s good to see you. It has been a while.’

‘Oh, you know – new job, busy, busy –’

He nodded. ‘Are you okay? You look – I don’t know. Upset?’

And she thought that hiding her feelings was her superpower. Not from Will, apparently. ‘I’m fine. It’s just airport stress.’

‘I can tell you’re not fine, Becky. Talk to me.’