Page 32 of A Long Way Back
“No. I get it. Car. Bus. Truck. Elephant. Dog. Sorry. Wow, Dog, who’d have guessed you had the strength of a bull?”
“You give the ducks the rest of the food,” Tay said.
Ink took the bag, went back to the pond and shook out the contents.
As he walked back, Tay said, “You left me with the brake off.”
“Fuck. I’m a complete failure at this. Can I make up for my uselessness by buying you an ice cream? Oh no, but you won’t be able to eat it because your hands have clearly fallen off. I could hold it for you to lick. One lick for you, one for Dog.”
Tay glared. “Just making a point.”
“So was I. I’ll get us an ice cream.”
Ink moved the wheelchair to an empty table and gave Dog’s lead to Tay. “I’ve put the brake on. Just let him go if he bolts. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Ink had taken a couple of steps when Tay said, “Make sure you come back.”
He turned, but Tay wasn’t looking at him. Ink could have run. He could have beaten Tay back to the flat, gathered his stuff and been out of there in seconds.
Not yet.
Ink never bought ice cream. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten one. It was with some reluctance that he paid as much as he did for two 99s—cones of swirly soft ice cream impaled by Cadbury’s Flakes, crumbly sticks of milk chocolate. That was more or less the last of his cash.
When he came out of the café, Tay had moved his chair so that his face was to the sun. Dog lay on his lap with his chin over the arm rest. Tay’s eyes were closed and Ink stared at him for a moment.I like him. Even when he’s being prickly.His cock twitched and he sighed.Really, you dumb shit? What’s the point?
Dog jumped down as Ink approached and Tay opened his eyes.
“Eat your ice cream before it melts,” Ink said.
It was as if the little colour Tay had in his face leached out.
Ink gaped at him. “What have I done now?”
“Nothing.” Tay took the cornet from his hand. “Thanks.”
Ink sat at the table, pulled the Flake out of the ice cream and sucked it. Tay gave a quiet groan. Not one of pleasure, unfortunately. At least, Ink didn’t think so. When the chocolate was gone, he swirled his tongue around the top of the ice cream and licked his lips. He looked up to see Tay staring at him.
“What have I done?” Ink asked again. “Something’s pissed you off. Not quite level ten but…”
“My friend Jonty liked Flakes. A lot.”
Liked?“Is he dead?”
Tay gave a short humourless laugh. “Not that I know of.”
Ink licked around the top of the cornet, gathering up the melting ice cream. “Is this the same friend who was going out with the guy who pushed you off the ladder?”
“Yes.”
Dog jumped up and put his paws on Tay’s knees. When Tay ignored him, he tried the same trick with Ink.
“Not for dogs.” But Ink swiped his finger over the top of the cone and let Dog lick it. “Where does Jonty live? You could ask him to come and stay. He might cheer you up.”
“No, he won’t.”
Ink didn’t miss the snap in Tay’s voice. “Aren’t you friends anymore?”
“No. Drop it.”
