Page 22 of A Long Way Back
“You call him Dog?”
“I wasn’t going to keep him. Seemed wrong to name him. I was going to ask you to have him.”
Tay frowned as Ink went over to the kitchen. What made him think that he’d want a dog? He noticed Ink remembered where everything was. Mugs, coffee and spoons. Part of Tay liked the idea of someone being around to help him. Company when he wanted it. The other part of him didn’t. Company when he didn’t want it. He suspected that was the half that would dominate.
Ink handed Tay his coffee and sat down at the end of the couch with his own drink.
“What did you mean about the dog?” Tay asked.
“I saw you on the high street a couple of times in your wheelchair. You looked as if you needed cheering up. I thought you might like a dog. Dog’s so friendly, no one can resist him. I’d intended to leave London at the end of the week and couldn’t take him. Now, it looks as if we’re both staying.”
“Until you’ve found out whether Dog has a chip and until the criminal record check’s done.”
Ink gave a slow smile. “There’s going to be a bit of a problem with that.”
“Yeah, when I discover you have a record for preying on guys who use crutches.”
Ink chuckled. “Exactly. When your father said what was needed, I could tell that you suspected I wasn’t going to be able to supply those things. I don’t have a driving licence or a passport. I can’t list my addresses for the last five years. There’s been too many. No way can I remember the dates. I don’t know whether hostels count, but I’m guessing squats don’t. I do have a National Insurance number, but you’re not going to be paying me enough for me to need to give it to you, so I’d rather not. I’m twenty-six, by the way.”
“Do you have a criminal record?”
“No. Well, apart from preying on guys who use crutches, obviously.”
“Okay, then.”
“Any house rules?”
“Such as?” Tay asked.
“No feeding you after midnight?”
“I’m going to expect you to be at my beck and call, and if I want egg and chips at two in the morning, you’ll get me egg and chips at two in the morning.”
Ink laughed. “Have you ever eaten egg and chips at two in the morning?”
“No, but I’ve never had a live-in slave before.”
“Hmm. Any other rules? Do I need to be in bed by nine?”
“Eight thirty at the latest.”
“Shackled?”
“Preferably.”
“I suppose more than four in a bed isn’t allowed?” Ink raised his eyebrows.
“Sounds like fun.” Tay’s mouth went dry and he swallowed hard. It looked fun online but… A lot of porn looked fun and likely wasn’t.
“Do you have a boyfriend?” Ink asked.
Tay’s heart stuttered. He was fairly sure it actually stopped for a long moment. “You’re assuming I’m gay?”
Ink tensed. “I shouldn’t have assumed. Sorry. Girlfriend, then?”
“Neither.” That was a safe answer.
“What about friends? How often do they come round? What visitors do you get? Are there times when you need me to make myself scarce? Hole up in the bedroom or leave the flat?”
