Page 20 of A Long Way Back
“He has a dog,” she said.
“What does that have to do with anything?” his father asked.
“That dog loves him.”
Ink glanced at the dog who wagged his tail and looked up at him.
“Tell me about yourself,” his father said.
“You hit the nail on the head. I’ve just completed a ten-year prison sentence for murder.”
His mother and father gasped, and Tay laughed. “Locked up when you were ten?”
Ink smiled. “You got me. I have no family. I have eight GCSEs and 4 A levels with pretty good grades. I didn’t go to college. I’ve never taken drugs. I don’t smoke. I don’t drink. I do swear.”
Tay gave a quiet sigh. “You don’t drink?”
Ink glanced at him. “I’m not against drinking, but I have better things to spend my money on. Your money though…”
“Annoying habits?” his father asked and Tay wanted to laugh.
“Tay and I talked about that. I guess I might have some, but then so will Tay. We can soften each other’s edges. I can wean him off his habit of singing opera in the shower and reading when he’s on the loo.”
“Hey, I—”
Tay’s protest was swallowed by Ink’s voice. “I’ve lived in shared accommodation a lot. I’ve rarely had a problem getting on with people.”
“So you’ve had problems?” his father said.
“Nothing I couldn’t handle.”
“How?” His father was pushing too hard. Tay didn’t want him to push Ink away.
“Dad!”
Ink shrugged. “It’s okay. By speaking out or walking away, depending on the situation. I don’t like confrontation, but I stand my ground when I need to.”
“What about your dog?” his father asked.
“Dog isn’t mine. He latched onto me after I fed him. I didn’t know what to do with him so I decided to keep him until I could find him a good home. I don’t want him to be put down. Everyone deserves a second chance, don’t you think?”
“Every dog in the UK has to be microchipped and wear a tag with the owner’s name, address and phone number,” his father said.
“So Dog should have a chip?” Ink asked.
“If you’d taken him to a vet or a rescue centre, they’d have checked.”
“Oh. Guess I should take him then.”
“There might be some small child mourning the loss of their pet.” His father frowned.
“Or the dog might not have a microchip,” Tay said.
His father glanced at him. “That’s true.”
“I thought I was doing the right thing looking after him.” Ink looked distraught. “I’ve never stolen anything in my life. I don’t need Tay’s laptop. I have one of my own in my bag. I can show you if you don’t believe me. I read a lot. I’m reading a brilliant book set in Russia at the moment. I don’t have any health issues. I don’t owe money to anyone. I prefer coffee to tea. I can cook basic stuff. I eat most things. I like playing my cigar box guitar. I can sing…okay, I guess. I’m just an average guy.”
No, you’re not.Tay’s heart beat faster.
