The Long Way Home

The Long Way Home

Sarah knew that it has been a mistake asking her long-term partner to her company's Christmas 'do'. He had drunk far too much, embarrassed her to the point of exasperation and spent much of the evening leering over a colleague (though in that dress, Charlotte could hardly have been surprised).
Sarah had decided against booking a hotel for them to stop overnight as money had been lately and they were supposedly saving for their wedding. She had offered to drive home, thinking she was making the night as easy for Mike as she could - you know, karma and that. But the thought of sitting next to him for two hours as she simmered with anger was more than she could bear.

They had only just got out of Leeds before Sarah realised they were lost.
"Sssshould 'ave took a right turn there..." Mike slurred. Sarah's lips tightened even further. She pulled over and reached across Mike's lap to the glove compartment for the map.
"Yeah, baby....nice idea..." Mike leant back and reached for his trouser zip as her head bent towards his groin.
Sarah sat bolt upright. She started the car again and took the road that headed for the Yorkshire Moors.
"Why you going that way.....s'long way 'ome.." said Mike.
Sarah didn't reply but steered the car around the bends in the road, climbing higher through the moors with each mile. The air was even colder up there and the houses lining their path became fewer as they continued. "Told you.....lost..." Mike said, his eyes beginning to droop. Within minutes he was snoring, slumped against the passenger door window.
After a few minutes, and once she was sure Mike was asleep, Sarah parked the car. She got out and walked the few steps to the overhang, looking at the sheer drop down the crag to the valley below. She pulled Mike from the car, as gently as she could, so as not to wake him.

Within a couple of hours Sarah was back at the house she shared with Mike, warm and cosy in her pyjamas and cuddling a mug of hot chocolate. She smiled to herself at how peaceful the house was with no Mike stomping about or with the football highlights turned off. Yes, she could get used to this.

She sighed, knowing it wouldn't be too long before he walked through the door. She was not the murderous type, unfortunately, and therefore stopped herself from actually pushing him off the cliff - but she did think Mike deserved a long walk to sober himself up. He was right about one thing, though...it was a long way home.