Page 114 of A Long Way Back
The firm Tay finally found agreed to drop off several cardboard cartons and bubble wrap that afternoon so that Tay could pack up the smaller stuff, and promised they’d be there at eight in the morning and would deliver his belongings the following day. Tay needed to give him and Ink time to get up to the house. He booked train tickets to Newcastle for lunchtime tomorrow. If they missed the last train to Chathill, the closest station to Beadnell, they’d have to use a cab.
An hour later, Tay had undone his stay in the city. Most of it could be done online. He’d told his landlord he was moving out and arranged to leave the keys in an envelope in the hall.
While he was making lunch, Ink came in looking pale and tired.
“How are you feeling?” Tay asked.
“Like I’ve been stabbed.”
Tay laughed, then grimaced. “Not funny. Sorry. Peanut butter okay?”
“Yep.”
“Sit down.” Tay put the sandwiches on the table, then transported two glasses of water one at a time before he sat down.
“We’re leaving tomorrow. I found a company to come for the contents of the flat. They’re delivering some packing material this afternoon. I’ve bought train tickets for tomorrow lunchtime for us from King’s Cross. I think I can even get you a temporary job when you’re feeling better. My aunt who’s looking after my horse has stables. Maybe she could give you a job. My parents are away for another two and half months. That gives you time to decide what you want to do.”
Ink was playing with the sandwich, but not eating it. “You don’t have to do this. I can call George. He’ll come and get me.”
“And take you where?”
Ink shrugged.
“And I’d never see you again?”
“It’d be better.”
“Who the fuck for?” Tay gaped at him. “I don’t want that. I want to give us a chance. What are you afraid of? I know your past now. And I still want to be your friend.”
Ink looked at him. “Boyfriend?”
“I didn’t want to push my luck.”
“You’re not freaked out?” Ink whispered.
“Yeah, I was shocked. But you didn’t kill your brother.”
Ink exhaled.
“I think you should phone your offender manager and tell him what’s happened, just in case he’s been on the moon and not seen your face in the news. You need to let him know about Carter.”
“All right.” Ink pulled out his phone and tapped in the numbers. “You can listen in.”
“Hello?” George said.
“Hello, George. It’s Ink.”
“Fu… Bloody hell, Ink. What have you been doing?”
“Surviving.”
“Barely. You were stabbed.”
“He missed my important bits.”
“I suppose you need help now. You can’t just go off the grid like that.”
“You know why I did.”
