I’d been nervous-excited-nervous ever since we’d had that mega video call with our parents. Elle’s mum and dad were just as perfect as her—her mum could be her sister. In total I’d managed to get twelve words out. Mainly because our mums wouldn’t stop chatting. They couldn’t be happier Elle and I were going to both have the Christmas we dreamed of. To be honest, I got the impression my mum was sort of looking forward to packing up the house in peace. So, once Elle had got the flights booked, the plan was a go. We’d been messaging loads. She’d told me her little brother was going to love a Christmas visitor but had warned me not to take it personally if he spent most of his time in his room or playing with his friends at the playground. From what she said, he sounded a lot like the twins. Which I could deal with; I just hoped they didn’t expect me to babysit or anything. She also said her parents would be working most of the time, so to plan lots on my own. Which was fine—that’s exactly what my Christmas list was for!

Still. It was a bit scary—for me. It was clearly a breeze for Elle. As I’d been slowly freaking out, all she’d done was post to say how excited she was. I hoped her family would like me and not feel like they’d got a dud in return for their perfect daughter.

But it had to be done. I’d been so miserable about Naomi not coming back, the house move, Mum working, and when I saw Woody and Meera snogging, Christmas at home had basically been canceled.

But out here I could have my perfect dream Christmas after all and try and finally put Woody behind me.

EURGH.

I hated that even after what happened, a bit of me was still so sad about him that just thinking his name made my chest ache like my bra was too tight.

NOPE, HOLLY. You are in America! Remember the rules on the back page of the notebook in mega-size writing and underlined ten times?

Woody and all thoughts about him MUST stay in the UK.

Closely followed by:

From this day forward, Holly Judd catches FLIGHTS, NOT FEELINGS.

Yes. Better.

With a deep breath, I walked through the big security gates and into the start of my holiday.

“HOLLLYYYYYY.”

Someone was shouting.

“HOLLLLYYY, OVER HEEERRREEEEE!”

I scanned the heads. There they were! A gorgeous woman, cheekbones of a supermodel on a good day, bright-orange lipstick, and a man who looked like an aftershave advert, waving a massive sign saying WELCOME TO THE HOLLY-DAYS!!!

I couldn’t move. This was already too much!

Elle’s mum ducked under the barrier, ran toward me, and gave me a huge hug.