Writing for Fun
June 2017
Out Of The Mist - Diane Silverston
They had been driving for hours on this twisting road, through unknown territory. High hedges blocking any view, shielding them from any little light around. There had been no roads turning off for many miles, no signposts, except the black and white arrow boards indicating yet another sharp bend ahead of them.
A silence had fallen, the bantering and jovial conversation was at an end. There was a friction, a tension between them, after that disagreement over which direction they should take. Now neither of them knew where they were, or where they were heading. The journey had started so well all those hours ago, when they had left their university city and headed off for a break in the Dales. An adventure for them both.
Until 3 years ago they had both lived in the South, in a built up area on the outskirts of London. They had met as students just enrolling for their university course, became friends and now shared a flat. They had always been able to talk to each other, joked about things, but now a stony silence surrounded them.
Neither felt they had to apologize, it would be proved they were right in the end, but now it was quite scary, quite frightening, as they had no idea where they were.
Suddenly as they turned around another bend there in front of them was another car coming towards them, the road was narrow, Tom managed to pull over slightly as the other flashed past.
He was getting tired, he needed to find a layby and pull in, have a rest, or get Sonja to take a turn at the wheel, But where would he pull in? The road was so twisty he couldn't see far ahead, and it was getting darker and more overcast. He knew they had been climbing for some time, the hedges were smaller and less dense.
Then he saw it, a gravelled part. He pulled over, made sure they were in a safe position and turned off the engine.
'So where are we? Is this our hotel?' Sonia's voice was hard and sarcastic.
'Obviously not and no I don't know where we are, but I need a break, so are you going to drive?' Tom's voice was equally hard.
'No. You took this road. You decided we would go this way. It's down to you.'
'Then we will just have to stay here while I have a rest.'
'I hate you Tom Brightwell!'
'I'm sure you do. I'm not too keen on you at present but we're stuck with each other, so let's make the best of it,' Tom replied. 'I'll get the blanket and any food and drink we have left from the boot.'
They settled down angrily.
When they woke up Tom realised it was getting dark and it was raining. They needed to get moving and find some civilization. He carefully managed to get the car back onto the road and set off. Still the roads twisted but he knew they were heading downwards.
After what seemed again hours, the rain appeared to be easing, and the road was wider. In the distance was a faint orange glow, habitation? Tom certainly hoped so. Even Sonia seemed to relax a little.
After driving a few more miles the glow seemed stronger.
Suddenly Tom had to stop the car. Ahead of them many eyes caught the headlights, then there were faces peering in at the windows, faces that had appeared out of the mist, out of the rain.
'Oh Tom' Sonia laughed 'It's a herd of cows on the road. Perhaps they're heading for a farm?'
Tom was so pleased, Sonia sounded like her normal self.
Just then there was a tapping on the roof and a human face at the window.
'Hello you two, what are you doing out in this weather? Where are you heading?'
'Leyburn,' Tom happily muttered.
'Well you're not far off. Follow this road for another three miles, then turn right onto the A road, it'll take you there.'
'Thanks, but where have we been?'
'You've just driven through Wensleydale and Whafedale, beautiful places on a clear day but scary on a day like this and you don't know the road. Have a good time.'
'Thanks so much.'
The cows with their searching eyes had moved on and the road ahead was clear. The rain was stopping. Tom started the engine, looked across at Sonia, smiled.
'Well let's get going we've started our adventure in the Dales and there's still time for a lot more.'
Sonia smiled. 'I'm sorry. It takes a herd of cows to make us be sensible.'
'I'm sorry too, how silly we were?'
They drove on, out of the rain mist and out of the tension mist they had caused. Reaching the A road they turned right and soon reached their hotel in Leyburn.