Page 21 of A Long Way Back
“I get the impression you’re just drifting through life,” his father said. “What are your ambitions? Where do you see yourself when you’re thirty?”
“Dad, this is a domestic help job not a role at Microsoft. Leave him alone.”
His father sighed. “You made Tay smile, so maybe you’re the guy he needs. One week to prove it. If Tay tells you to leave, you leave. If you fail the police check, you leave. Right, I needall your addresses for the last five years and the dates you lived there. Plus, your National Insurance number, passport details and driving licence.”
Something about Ink’s expression… “I’ll handle all that,” Tay said.
His father turned to him. “You sure?”
Tay sighed. “I’m not fu… helpless.”
“Okay.” His father handed Ink two keys on a small keyring and a piece of paper. “The shiny one is for the outer door, the other for the flat. Don’t let me down. Don’t let Tay down. Don’t let the dog trip him up. On that paper, there’s a list of contacts. Phone numbers and emails for us, Tay’s sisters, his doctor and the hospital consultant he’s under. What’s your number?”
Ink rattled it off.
His father took out his phone. “Again please. Put it in your phone too, Tay. We’ll both call you.”
Ink took his phone from his pocket. “Let me unmute it so you can hear the calls coming through.”
Tay called him first, then his father, and after Ink tapped on his phone, he slipped it back in his pocket. An old, very basic phone, Tay noticed.
Tay’s mother finished on her call and sighed. “They’ll deliver the bed tomorrow between nine and twelve. I asked for as early as they could, but they can’t do it today.”
“That’s fine. I can share with Tay tonight, right?”
His parents laughed, but Tay didn’t. He was struck dumb in a combination of fear and excitement. He forced a laugh when he registered it was expected.
“I’ll be fine on the floor,” Ink said. “I’m… It won’t be a problem.”
Had he been going to say he was used to it?
“We need to get going.” His mother hesitated, then hugged Tay. “Bye, sweetheart. Try to say yes instead of no, okay?” She let him go.
Tay just about tolerated an embrace from his parents. When they’d moved away, he saw Ink staring at him.
“Have a great time on the cruise,” Tay said. “Send postcards.”
His father sighed. “If you need us, call or email.”
“I will.”Over my dead body.“Enjoy yourselves.”
Then they were gone and it was just him and Ink. And the dog.
Ink rubbed his hands together. “Where’s the vodka?”
Tay laughed. “I don’t have any.”
“Damn. I’ve always wondered if it really tastes of nothing. Want me to make us a coffee and we can get to know each other a bit? You can tell me exactly what you need me to do and what you don’t.”
“Okay.”
“Black, no sugar, right?”
“Right.”
“I’m just going to put out Dog’s water bowl in the kitchen where you won’t trip over it. Dog! Want a drink?”
The dog lifted his head and then lowered it.
