Page 121 of A Long Way Back
“They’re intrigued by a shy hero. Someone who doesn’t want any acknowledgement of what they’ve done is rare.”
“If I’m linked… If Carter opens his mouth…”
“We’ll be fine. Stop worrying. Eat something. I bought cheese and onion pasties and they’re still warm. And two Mars bars which have probably melted since they’re in the same bag.”
The train had picked up speed and Ink sighed.
“You okay?”
“Yes. I feel safe when I’m leaving a place on a train. I see it as starting a new adventure. The first time I got on a train after I was released, I pretended I was on my way to Hogwarts. Bradford turned out to be nothing like Hogwarts.”
“I’ve never been to Bradford.”
Ink raised his eyebrows. “But you’ve been to Hogwarts?”
“Many times.”
Ink smiled. “Bradford was voted one of the worst places to live in the UK, but I don’t think much of polls like that. Who the hell is voting? If you live there, how do you know it’s worse than Grimsby or Billingham? If you don’t live there, then how come you can vote? Northern towns are never going to come off better than those in the south. Bradford was much nicer than some of the towns I spent time in.”
Ink bit into the pasty which was a perfect temperature, and all cheesy and gooey.
“You’ll love Northumberland,” Tay said.
“Why do you love it?”
“Because it’s big and open, the coastline is unspoilt, and I can drive for miles along roads and not see another car, and spend hours on a deserted beach with amazing views and seals in the water. When Jonty and I surfed, we sometimes had the sea all to ourselves. Northumbrian skies are huge and the stars are brighter because there’s less light pollution. I always felt free there. I want you to feel that too.”
It was a kind but impossible thought because Ink could never be free. What he was embarking on here was like a…holiday. Holidays didn’t last. There’d be a return to normality in a few weeks, if the break lasted that long. It might not. Jonty was up there. With Devan. But Tay was gay and back on his feet. Maybe Jonty was still an option.
That was a good thing. A great thing. Because it meant Ink could slip off on another adventure. His heart twisted in his chest. As he finished the last bite of pasty, he saw Tay watching him.
“Thank you. That was good.”
“I’m going to call my sister and ask her to get some food in. Save us bothering.” Tay took out his phone and turned it over and over in his hand.
“What?” Ink asked.
“How do you feel about hair dye?”
“I don’t think orange would suit you.”
Tay laughed. “Green?”
Ink thought about it. It wasn’t a bad idea to dye his hair. “Purple?”
Tay took out his phone. “Hi, Ali. Yes… I know… I wonder if… Could… Let me bloody talk!” He raised his eyebrows at Ink. “Yes, I ‘m fine. I’ve had enough of London and I’m on my way home. Could you please take some food to the house? Bread, salad stuff, fruit, chicken. Poo bags… No, you cheeky… And kibble for a small dog… Yes… Yes… They know, okay?… Anything. Use your imagination.” He sighed. “No, not liver. Nor kippers.” He stiffened. “Not until I tell you that you can come. Please. I need some space… Yes, I swear they know. Mum asked me to call you… Today. Sixish, I’m guessing… One other thing. I need hair dye. Purple… Yes, I’m serious… I don’t care what you think… I need it… Thanks. I’ll pay you when I see you, okay? Bye.”
“What are your sisters like?”
“Alison is six years older than me, and Dee is eight years older. Once my cuteness had worn off, I was a pain in their necks.”
“Your cuteness hasn’t worn off.” Ink smiled.
“Tell me if it starts to, so I can do something about it.”
“Such as?”
“Buy a mankini?”
