The Long Walk Home

‘’Fuck, swear to god these jeans fitted me the other week. Wonder if there’s still time to pull an excuse out of the hat? Ahhh no chance sure have be there in an hour… Be nice to see the lads I suppose. Where the fuck is me bleedin’ hat I swear to god ya need to chain every last thing in this gaff to the ground otherwise it’s getting lifted. Suppose the red one will do. 

I'll have one before I leave sure be no harm. 

Ahhh you’re having a laugh my last can gone! Best not say anything i'll be like Ozzy in that video where he’s accusing his family of robbing his beer all the while he’s the beer thief. God I remember being able to go straight from work out anywhere back in the day, not a bother on me.

Yeah don’t worry ma I’ll be back later! 

Jaysus, 29 years old and still feel the need to tell the mother where I’m going, sure she’s a worrier. 

Some evening all the same. 

I’ve probably walked down this same road to this same pub about 100 times yet it seems to me like it never changes. Every house seems similar yet I’ve gone back through google maps to 2009 enough times to know that the road I used to know no longer exists. Haven’t seen Peggy in a while, hope she’s okay.  

Ah here’s this bleedin’ clown now……

AH PAUL! WHATS THE STORY ANY CRAIC, AH YEAH LEEDS ARE STILL SHITE YOUS WILL BE DOWN AGAIN NEXT YEAR HAHAHA 

Jaysus he’s a scourge. 

I’ll give this lad a bell now.

What’s the craic man! are ya in? 

Ah no hassle will head around now I’ll meet ya there. 

The lad must have a meeting with his mirror again, I’m buying him a watch for Christmas…

I remember this walk used to feel like it took an hour and now it feels as though I’ve taken five steps out of the gaff and I’m half way there. 

Crazy to think I used to play football over there in the Green. Seems like yesterday, but how could it be? 

I remember the kids that used to be in prams with their mothers walking them around while we were playing are now the kids that have taken our place in the football cages. I wonder will they think the same thing in 13 years walking around for pints too?   

Wonder what I'll have first, Lager or Stout?

Starting to get a bit darker now, was only last week it would be pitch black at this time, some stretch what. 

There’s something about the way the light bounces off this pub, it’s like its inviting me in with all the welcome of a warm room in the middle of winter.

Jesus there’s some smell of fart in this kip tonight.''