Crossword Genius

Characters holding hands face delays (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shelves

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'delays' is the definition.
(shelving is a kind of delaying)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for shelves that I've seen before include "Horizontal surfaces" , "Storage surfaces" , "Postpones" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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