My longest ever story, which suits this repost as its called the Long Road Home. A few people mourned its removal, so here goes. It will take a while to get it all up as I have to edit and refresh some of the text. Plus I stupidly named some of the chapters as I went along without numbering them, which has made it a bitch to remember the exact order! Anyhow, I hope you enjoy it second time around?

Emily

I've been searching for Katie for over an hour now, and I'm starting to get royally pissed off. It was her fucking idea to make me drive all the way to Cornwall on a hot Bank Holiday weekend so that we could spend some 'quality' time together. I should have known better. Quality time for Katie consists of conning her slightly younger twin sister into spending over £100 on petrol and sitting on the M25 circular car park for 3 fucking hours before even getting a sniff at countryside. Then after the hell that is the M4 and M5, followed by what seemed like a thousand miles of A roads till we got here, finally, Mousehole. Which for anyone with Google Maps is a tiny place near Penzance. No, I hadn't heard of it before either. OK, it's pretty and quaint and its about as far from our world as I have even been , but really, Cornwall?

We checked in at the booked holiday cottage at about 6 last night, after a whole day travelling, and as soon as we unpacked, I hit the sack. Driving isn't something her Ladyship has ever bothered to learn, so I had the dubious honour of doing the whole damned trip on my own. Katie spent most of the journey on her mobile phone, plugged into her ipod or sleeping. Great. There is only so much inspiration you can get from the limited selection of music on my memory stick, and as we got further from civilisation, the radio stations got worse. So I crashed as soon as we arrived, and this morning, when I woke to the sounds of hammering rain, my happiness was complete. 300 miles away from home, and more importantly, that sexy little blonde barmaid in the club I was supposed to be going to tonight. Instead of which, I am waking up in a tiny cottage perched on the hill over this village, without a clue where anything is, and my fucking sister, who is the one who came up with the idea for a weekend break, is nowhere to be seen. Call me cynical, but I bet there is a stiff cock in the vicinity. Katie is like a mesmerised cobra when one is waggled near her. Forget the flute, she prefers the pink trombone any day. You know, the gift that keeps on giving?...

Which is why I'm still puzzled at myself for agreeing to this sudden onset of sisterly affection. We haven't even been that close these past two years. Since we left college, and decided not to go the uni route, we've lived pretty much separate lives. Her in Southwark, working for a fashion chain as a junior buyer, me still following my dream as a budding photographer in North London. For photographer, read skivvy, memory stick holder and tea maker mostly, but I am working on my portfolio, and if the boss ever has a conversation with my face rather than my (not very impressive) tits, I'm sure he will notice that I'm getting pretty good at spotting useful, sellable images. The only good thing about this trip is that I've bought my trusty Nikon D800 and a couple of lenses with me. I can get some great shots if it will just stop raining for a few hours.

In any case, she is nowhere to be seen, and as I can't hear any fake orgasmic sounds coming out of her room, it seems safe to assume she has had to go further afield to find some willing prey. It's past 10.30 am, and even Katie usually has breakfast before her mouth needs extra stimulation. I know, its crude and hurtful to talk about your sister like that, but 20 years of personal exposure to Katie's err, adventurous nature, has left me pretty cynical. I spent enough of my teenage years avoiding the horrifying sight of my twin sister underneath one spotty youth or another to know that it might be crude, but its accurate. Once I came out as gay when I was 16, she seems to have taken that as a personal message to make up for my total lack of interest in cock, and hoover up all the spare she can. Yuk. Too much information, yeah, OK, I get that.

But after an hour of scouring the wet streets for any sign of Katie, horizontal or not, I gave up and went back to the cottage for my own breakfast. Two slices of thick toast, a couple of eggs and two mugs of coffee, and I'm feeling marginally better. Still no sign of my sister, but the rain has now eased up and I drag my battered Billingham bag from under my bed and check that I have a full battery in the camera and two spares. I attach the 10-100mm AF Nikkor and make sure the 80-200 is in the bag too. I'm going to go out onto the hill to see if this place is as attractive as the brochures promised. Fuck Katie.

A half hour of brisk walking and I'm on the top of the highest point over the sea. The sun is trying to break through the dark low clouds,and I can spot at least a couple of angles which will give me some moody seascapes to start with. I start to fire off a few test shots, checking the white balance and experimenting with exposures. They look pretty good, and I swing round to get a better look at the inland views.

"I may be wrong, but I'm pretty much sure that there's a law against photo perving" a voice breaks the silence and I jump so much I nearly drop my camera onto the rocky path.

"Jesus, bollocks, shit!" I shout "Who the fuck?"

I barely manage to hold on to the heavy camera and look around for the source of the sound. Sitting on a wall, a few yards away is a blonde woman, well, a girl, well she's about my age, so whatever. She's dressed in something green and a bit grungy, to be honest, but I quickly put the questionable fashion sense out of my mind, because when I get a proper look at her, I notice her eyes. Well I say notice, it was more of a rabbit/snake scenario really. They were blue, but not just blue. Icy blue, with that dark outer ring which set them off perfectly. Jesus, they were eyes... Set in a face which literally stopped my motor functions. I've never been much good at hiding my feelings, and I think, judging by the amused smile that played on her lips as I stood there openly checking her out, she was well aware of what was going through my mind. She had a face that would literally stop traffic. Pale skinned but healthy, beautiful...I thought, then my eyes carried on down her body...and stopped, embarrassed as fuck. "Oh, I would definitely tap that" came into my mind treacherously. Shut up, shut UP, I told myself.

Finally getting my brain out of my underwear, I mumbled some sort of response.

"Sorry" I said "Not deliberate ...really. Just trying... to get some shots... of the general area. Didn't see you there... accident?"

I stopped then, no point in confirming that I was a stuttering fool, was there?

"No problem...err...?" she said, and my paralysed mind registered with shock that she wasn't offended at my obvious perving, and actually sounded like she wanted to know who I was.

"Emily...Emily Fitch" I said and stepped towards her, stumbling only slightly on the rugged path. Great, I thought, now she thinks I'm physically infirm as well as mentally.

She held out her hand to grip my own outstretched palm and I shivered slightly at the sensation of her cool skin on mine. I could get used to touching her skin, I thought and then suppressed it instantly. That way, small puddles lay...

She smiled and my mind registered shock that she wasn't excusing herself and getting away from the incoherent and stumbling loon she had just met.

"Naomi" she said quietly "I'd tell you my surname, but then I'd have to kill you"

I grinned at her

"That would be a pity" I said, thinking quickly that I wasn't going to let that one lie, but for now... "You'll just have to let me buy you a drink so I can risk death finding out"

Jesus, did I just hit on her? I fucking did. Emily Fitch, you ARE turning into your sister. Even Katie gets their full names before mentally fucking them...Shame on you!

She must have understood my internal monologue from the way I was standing there dumbly looking at her, because she threw her head back and laughed out loud. I nearly ruined my underwear. Fuck she was hot when she laughed. I grinned back, thinking that I had better remember to thank Katie for this whole trip idea after all.

"Do you often meet strange women on hilltops and ask them out?" she drawled, and I blushed.

"Only on wet Saturdays" I said seriously "And then only if they're wearing green jumpers and wellies"

She laughed again, and I swore if she did that again, I wouldn't be responsible for my actions.

"So?" I said, hoping to God she wasn't fucking with me. (Go on Emily...as opposed to actually fucking me?)

"OK" she smirked "How could I refuse after such a smooth pick up line?" She giggled prettily and I dived a bit deeper into my sudden fascination with this total stranger. This was way too good to be true. I mean, she was obviously gay, or bi at the very least. I thanked Katie and whatever God was watching over me. Forget cute London barmaids, this one was definitely a keeper...Emily Fitch, for once the heavens have smiled on you, I thought giddily.

"I'm in the cottage next to the farm over there" she pointed "Come round at about 7.30, we can go to the Kings Arms. I'll let you buy me that drink and maybe you'll get your chance at finding out my second name...if you're very very good"

I smirked myself. I had no intention of being good with her, in fact I wanted to be a very very bad girl indeed.

"That I can't promise" I flirted outrageously, hoping I wasn't overdoing it, as per usual "I have... ways.."

"I'll bet you do Emily Fitch" she purred "Let's just say I'm a sucker for gentle persuasion"

My fucking heart thumped in my chest so hard I thought she would be able to see it through my shirt. She was flirting back. Suddenly the 300 mile journey didn't seem so bad after all.

"7.30?" I said "What's the name of your cottage?"

"The Creel" she said "It's an old fisherman's hut. My friend and I have it for the week"

I didn't like the word friend. I would have preferred sister or even better maiden aunt. Friend had too many possibilities I didn't like the thought of... She must have read me again, which I hoped wasn't too regular a trick, some things are better not known, yeah?

"Her names Effy, and she's my best friend. She's been a bit ill lately, so we came down here for a break. And why the fuck am I explaining my relationship with Effy to you?" she frowned.

"Sorry" I tried "Just don't want to tread on any toes"

She laughed again "That's really funny" she said "It's just that Effy is more of a man's girl, if you know what I mean. She would be horrified if you considered her...err, competition"

It was my turn to tease.

"Competition, Naomi" I smiled "I'll have you know I don't like to lose"

Again the narrowing of the eyes, but this time more in amusement.

"I just bet you don't Emily" she said, emphasising my name. "Especially when the prize is this hot" She looked down at her body and I shuddered, which made her laugh again. Oh God, this is going to be a very bumpy ride, I thought. Please don't let me fuck this up.

We separated then, with brief goodbyes and I made my way back to the cottage. Still no sign of Katie, but to be honest, I didn't give a flying fuck. I had pulled and life suddenly didn't seem quite so shit.

Two hours later, Katie turned up looking flushed and happy. Jesus, does she ever give up, I thought?

"Fucking hell Katie" I yelled "Is it not possible for you to visit somewhere in the UK without being nailed by the resident stud?"

She smiled infuriatingly at that and dragged her hands through her tangled hair.

"His name is Kurt, and he's fucking gorgeous, not to mention he's totally hung and..."

STOP!" I screamed "Don't even go there. Jesus, we've only been here a few hours and already one of the locals has nailed you "

"No need to be crude" she said archly,and I wondered, all over again how she managed to get offended by me pointing out the obvious.

"Anyway" she continued as if I hadn't said a word "We're meeting him and his mates in the Ship tonight for a drink. I know you're still sipping from the furry cup babes, but make an effort for me will you. There isn't much chance of you finding any muff to munch in this little place is there?"

"Actually" I said, raising my eyebrow "I have a date tonight, with a totally hot blonde who has a body to die for"

"Fuck off Ems" Katie sneered "The lezzer count in the whole of Cornwall must be in single figures. You've got more chance of making it with a willing sheep"

"I said I have a date Katie, and I have, You'll have to entertain Kurt and his mates tonight all on your own, babes, I mean, it wouldn't be the first time, would it. The words Bristol Rovers reserves and Holiday Inn ring any bells?"

She turned and strode into the bathroom without answering, Reference to that little episode was guaranteed to end any Katie Fitch one-upmanship in a second. I didn't use it very often, but it never lost its power. Too much champagne and MDMA lowered Katies inhibitions even more than they already were. Which was saying something. Lets just say several of the players scored that night.

The rest of the day seemed to take forever to pass, and I must have changed outfits six times before I settled on a blue silk top, which I left open 4 buttons from the top, with a tight white tee underneath. I put on a pair of black jeggings, which were so tight I had to breath in to get them buttoned at the waist. A pair of black ankle boots finished it off. I brushed a dab of Issy Myake onto my neck below my ear, hoping against hope that a pair of soft lips would discover it later, and teased my hair out for the 50th time in front of the mirror. Emily Fitch, I told myself, you look hot. She's gonna melt into her wellies when she sees you. A couple of glasses of chilled white wine gave me the confidence I needed to get out of the door. Katie had left me to it, and responded to my shouted goodbye with a grunt. She was still pissed off with me, but my mood wasn't about to be broken by one of her sulks.

Ten minutes later I arrived at the door of the small stone cottage Naomi had pointed out to me from the top of the hill. To be honest it was pretty much an identikit version of ours. 19th Century, converted to 21st century plumbing. Another house taken out of the local housing market, I thought grimly, before shaking my overly PC thoughts out of my head and knocking firmly on the ledge and braced door.

Five seconds later the door opened and a slim brunette with huge blue eyes stared out at me. She looked very thin and pale, and I guessed correctly that this was the mysterious Effy. She looked at me longer than was comfortable, before saying "Oh" quietly

"Hi" I said cheerfully "I'm Emily...here to see Naomi?"

She blinked at me and then shouted over her shoulder "Naoms, your date's here"

Date? I thought. Yep, that's me. Emily Fitch, ready and willing. In fact more than willing, positively gagging for it...Stop it Emily, I scolded myself. Just a drink, that's all.

Naomi came to the door, as Effy obviously wasn't about to invite me in.

"Hi you" she said, smiling broadly "Looking good Emily Fitch"

I grinned back. Even in the growing dusk, she looked fucking good to me too. A tight black top with sequins on the sleeves and neck, black leggings which were even tighter than my own and flats. Her hair was arranged round her neck in soft waves and her eyes made up with smoky black. In short she was screaming at me fuckable. Is that wrong? No I didn't think so either...

XX

The it happened, and everything I was sure about and relied upon in the whole world changed. As Naomi turned to give Effy a friendly goodbye kiss on the cheek, there was a flash in the eastern sky above the cottage. Luckily we were in the lee of the building, so for us there was just the strange sensation of being in a stark negative image. White light spread around us until even our clothes glowed brightly. I stumbled towards Naomi and she automatically pulled me towards her. Effy fell backwards into the doorway, and I found myself on the floor in a tangle of limbs and long hair. The three of us clung to each other in absolute terror. The light stayed bright and harsh and as we struggled to free ourselves, it flickered like Morse code, on and off rapidly as if someone was turning a torch with unimaginable power of and on ten times a second. The the sound hit us. It sounded like the biggest thunderstorm ever heard. The rumble was deep, like a huge beast groaning. It sounded like the earth itself was dying in agony. On and on it went, and all the time, the flashes carried on illuminating everything in unearthly light. I don't know how long it went on, half an hour, and hour? All I knew was that every time it seemed to be quieting, another burst would start. None of us were brave enough to venture outside to see, but whatever this celestial firework display was, it was frightening us all rigid.

Finally it subsided, with a low roar. The only sound then was the rustling of thousands of wings as every bird in Cornwall rose up and fled west in their flocks. Birds don't fly at night, do they? Well these did, darkening the late evening skies. The night was cloudless, just the beginning of a full moon shining down, but the birds kept coming, by the thousand, no by the million, surely.

After ten minutes of paralysed fear, it was Naomi who spoke.

"I have no idea what that was, but whatever it was it's bad. Effy, fill the bathtub"

Effy looked at her as if stunned "I don't want a bath" she said flatly

"Don't fucking argue, Eff" Naomi barked "Just do it"

Effy stood for another couple of seconds before turning to go along the ground floor bathroom. I could hear the taps turn and the sound of gushing water.

Naomi stepped closer to me and held me in her arms. I didn't realise till then that I was shivering.

"It's OK" she said "Something really, really bad has happened back east. But we have to get ready for whatever this means Emily"

I looked up at her as she looked towards the glow in the eastern sky which had settled to a broad flickering yellow and orange band.

"I think the fucking lunatic politicians have finally done it" she sighed,and looked down at me "And it would be just when I found you" she ended sadly.

I let her hold me as the water continued to fill the bath and Effy sobbed quietly in the background.