What Happens at Christmas Read Online Free PDF

week.”
     

 
     
     
     
    CHAPTER FOUR
     
    Sean wove his way through the crowds of shoppers. As Justin had predicted, it was manic. Christmas displays adorned every window and the decorations lighting the streets looked as though they were using half the power from the national grid. It was beautiful, but hard to appreciate when you were surrounded by stressed people laden down with carrier bags.
    Starbucks was packed, of course, but Sean got there deliberately early. He ordered his coffee in a takeaway cup—just in case—but stood, sipping slowly and watching the occupied tables like a hawk. Finally his patience was rewarded. He spotted a couple of women beginning to gather up their shopping bags, and as soon as one of them pushed their chair back to stand, he made his move.
    “Sorry to swoop like a total vulture, but are you leaving?” He gave the woman his most charming smile.
    “Oh, um, yes.” She smiled back, looking a little dazzled.
    Sean was used to that reaction from women. “Mind if I dive in?” He gestured to the table.
    “Oh no, of course not. Help yourself.”
    “Thanks.” He waited until they’d gathered up their stuff, and then took the table they’d vacated. While he was waiting, he got out his phone and scrolled through his emails. There was nothing new of interest—just the usual junk or marketing emails, which he quickly deleted.
    The sound of a child laughing in delight made him look up. A little boy was giggling at the man opposite him. The man—his dad, Sean assumed—had a splodge of whipped cream on the end of his nose.
    “I want one too,” the boy said.
    His dad dipped his finger in the cream on top of his coffee and dotted it on the boy’s nose. The child giggled again.
    Sean was amused at their antics, but an ache spread in his chest. He thought back to his own childhood. It was so many years since he’d had a fun, easy relationship with his father—almost too long ago to remember. He knew they’d played football in the park together. Sean had a vague sense of sunshine and smiles, and of feeling happy. But when his mum died when he was eleven, everything had changed. His dad had become withdrawn and distant when Sean had needed him most. That was when Justin’s family had become a substitute for Sean’s own. Justin’s mum, Liz, had minded him every day after school. As Sean’s dad worked increasingly long hours, retreating into his job as a way of holding the rest of the world at bay, Sean spent more and more time with Justin and his family. It was easy there, and there was love and laughter, unlike in his own home.
    Sean stared at the phone in his hand, considering sending a message to his dad. He hadn’t been in contact with him for weeks. His dad didn’t even know he was back in the country. Sean knew he ought to get in touch, maybe go back to spend Christmas with him. But he wasn’t even sure if he’d be welcome.
    He’d put off telling his dad he was gay until a month before he left the country. Sean knew it was a cowardly way to deal with it, but he’d been so afraid of his dad’s reaction. It wasn’t that he thought his dad would be violent—Sean was bigger than him, anyway—but he couldn’t face the inevitable negativity. Sean’s dad had made it abundantly clear during his teen years how much he disapproved of Justin.
    I don’t know why you hang around with that little queer… People will talk, you know… Don’t want them to get the wrong idea.
    Sean tightened his grip on his coffee cup, the cardboard buckling as he squeezed.
    “Hi.” Justin’s slightly breathless greeting pulled Sean out of his uncomfortable musings. “Sorry I’m late. The Tube was hell on wheels. The first one was so full I couldn’t get on, so I had to wait for the next train.”
    “It’s fine.”
    Justin’s pale cheeks were pink from the cold and the tips of his blond hair peeked out of the charcoal beanie he’d pulled low over his ears. He looked adorable. “Sit