The Departure Lounge was rammed with people. The sensible ones carried everything essential in backpacks, others insisted on dragging large suitcases behind them, adding to the gridlock.

Sea-Tac Airport expected the last weekend before Christmas to be busy – it always was – but even the additional check-in staff and baggage handlers were unable to cope after the news broke.

The extra flights to Norway were leaving from every airport in the US and elsewhere around the globe. All manner of aircraft had been enlisted, from massive army Hercules carriers to twin-prop private planes that would need to stop for refuelling along the way.

Teenagers hoping for their first glimpse barged past pensioners hoping to see it one last time. Parents hauled children behind them, unable to make them understand the significance of the moment.

In front of the banks of monitors in the Terminal building the massed ranks kept watch. The weather forecaster confirmed the rumour as fact:

‘It has been officially confirmed that there has been snow in Tromsø, Norway. This is the first recorded snowfall in over fifty years anywhere in the world. Meteorologists on the scene predict it should last until Christmas Day.’

Written as part of Sunday Photo Fiction. Write a story of around 200 words based on the photo prompt given (above). Hosted by Susan Spaulding. For more details visit HERE.

To read more of the stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

My new novel, ‘A Justified State,’ is now available in Paperback and on Amazon Kindle – still time to order for Christmas delivery – a perfect gift!

‘a first class read from start to finish’ – reader review
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