Page 62 of A Long Way Back
Tay told himself not to bristle. “Would it help if I drooled?”
Ink turned on his bright smile. “Could you? Yeah, that would be brilliant. Tip your head as well so you dribble out of one side of your mouth, then I can pause to wipe it up. Touching moments are good for business.”
Tay laughed. “It’s a good thing I know you’re joking. One last song, then I’ll take you for lunch.”
Ink started to play and Tay immediately recognised the music.Take Me To Churchby Hozier. More people had stopped to listen. Mostly young ones, but there was a guy in his thirties, wearing a black T-shirt and black jeans, who was holding his camera as if he were videoing. Ink didn’t notice because he was too busy staring at Tay.
When the song was done, Ink bent to scoop up the coins. As he zipped his guitar away, the guy who’d been staring came forward.
“Can I have a word this time?” he said to Ink.
Ink froze for a moment, then grabbed his backpack and guitar, and ran. It took Tay a moment to register what had happened, though he wasn’t sure whathadhappened. This guy had scared Ink so badly that he’d bolted? Tay turned to look at him but the guy looked as puzzled as Tay felt. He’d saidthis timeso had they met before?
“I don’t normally have that effect on people.” The guy gave a short laugh. “Is he a friend of yours?”
Tay was unsure what to say, whether he should admit he knew Ink. The guy didn’t seem perturbed by the lack of response. He handed Tay a card.
“I’m Bryson Booth. I’m in A&R.”
Tay stared at him blankly.
“Artists and repertoire,” the guy said slowly. “I look for new talent. Is he on YouTube? Spotify? Instagram? What’s his name? Does he write his own songs? I didn’t recognise one of those. Does he play in pubs? Clubs? Where can I get hold of him? Ah shit. Do. You. Understand. What. I’m. Saying?” The last few words came out at sloth-speed.
Tay bristled. “Yes. I. Do.”
“Sorry. Have you got his number? Know where he lives?”
Tay gripped the card more tightly. “If I see him, I’ll ask him to call you.”
“That all I’m going to get?” The guy grinned.
“Yep.”
“Persuade him. Don’t know why he’s so shy. He’s good.”
When he walked away, Tay exhaled. He started to wheel himself and Dog back down the high street wondering if Ink was going to be there when he got back. This A&R guy didn’t seem to know him, so had Ink mistaken him for someone else?
By the time he’d reached his flat, he’d convinced himself Ink wouldn’t be there, but as he put Dog down at the foot of the steps and levered himself out of his chair, Ink opened the door. Dog scuttled inside and Ink folded the chair and brought it up after Tay.
Tay waited until they were inside the flat before he spoke. “What the fuck was that about?”
“I thought it was someone I didn’t want to see.”
Tay handed him the card. “He thinks you’ll be the next big thing.”
Ink ripped the card in half and dropped it in the waste bin. “I don’t want to be the next big thing.”
“Why the hell not? God, Ink, you’re really good, but you live hand to mouth. You’re homeless. This could be the start of something huge. Give the guy a call.”
“I’m not interested.”
“Why not?”
“Because I have a different goal.”
Tay sighed. He could see there was no point pushing, but something didn’t add up. “We still going out, or what?”
“I’ll make us lunch here.”
