Page 115 of A Long Way Back
George gave a heavy sigh. “Yes, I know.”
“I don’t need help, well, not that sort of help. But Ben Carter came to the hospital, told the staff he was my father, got to the side of my bed and took a photo.”
“Shit.”
“So I left the hospital. He’s writing a book and he wants my story, my version of events. I won’t talk to him, but I don’t think he’s going to leave this alone. If he tells the press who Ink Farrow is, everything will come undone.”
“He’s not allowed to do that.”
Ink huffed. “You think that would stop him? He’d find a way.”
“I could get you a new name, a new start.”
“I can’t do that all over again. I’m not sure it’s even possible if he speaks out. I like my name. I’ve found my new start.” Ink lifted his head and looked at Tay.
“Leave it with me. I’ll see what I can do and keep this bloody phone, right? I need to know I can get in touch with you.”
“Okay. Thanks, George.”
“You did…a good thing at Covent Garden.”
Ink sighed and ended the call. When he picked up the sandwich and started to eat, Tay smiled. Ink drank all the water too. “God, I shouldn’t have drunk all that.”
“Why not?”
“The one thing I remember from chemistry is that water decreases concentration and I need all my concentration.”
Tay gaped at him, then laughed. “Youarefeeling better. Good. You can help me pack.”
Tay didn’t want him out of his sight.
When they were in his bedroom, Tay pulled the cases from the side of the wardrobe and opened one of them on the bed.
“My shoes go in the bag.” Tay pulled a soft-sided bag from inside the case.
“How about if I sit on the floor and pack those. No bending.”
“Okay.” Tay mentally groaned. “Ignore the wrap of heroin in the brown shoe.”
“What?”
“Lennie’s attempt to turn me into a more regular customer. I meant to get rid of it.”
Ink handed the wrap to him. “Don’t put it in the loo. You need to destroy it, like with the codeine.”
Tay put it on the bedside table.
“Go and do it now in case the police turn up.”
He gaped at Ink.
“I mean it. I’d go back inside.”
Tay took it to the kitchen and opened the packet. He squirted bleach over the light brown powder, then scraped it into the bin. That wasn’t far enough away.
“I’m going to take it to the dustbin,” he called and pulled the bag out of the waste bin.
It was a struggle to get it into the garden, but Tay managed the steps and felt a lot happier on the way back inside. He hadn’t thought of the consequences of being found with that.
