Longlisted for the Booker Prize 2025

'An elegant, devastating book.' OBSERVER
'Funny, wise and knowing.' CLARE CHAMBERS
'Packs a serious emotional punch.' DAILY TELEGRAPH

When Tom wife had an affair, he resolved to leave her once their children had grown up. Twelve years later, after driving his daughter to university, he remembers his pact and keeps driving West to visit friends, family and an old girlfriend.

But he also has secrets of his own - trouble at work and health issues - and sometimes running away is the hardest thing to do.