Page 44 of A Long Way Back
“Not before we’ve been swimming.”
Ink looked up to see Tay smiling.
“I think you have to be the best person you can be while you have the chance,” Ink said. “I’m not afraid to make mistakes, I just hope that making them teaches me not to make them again. Better to regret having done something than regret never having tried to do it. Though I’m not including sky diving in that list. There’s some stuff I definitely don’t want to do.”
“What else don’t you want to try?”
“Not interested in climbing Everest. Nor in sailing single-handedly across the Atlantic. Don’t want to try base jumping either.”
Tay gave a short laugh. “I’d love to climb Everest. Not sure about sailing the Atlantic but I’d give base jumping a try.”
Ink gaped at him. “Are you mad?”
“No. What about an actual job? You don’t want to be a film star, vet, lawyer, teacher, doctor, massage therapist?”
Once upon a time, he’d dreamed of being a doctor but that dream had died. “I seem to have a talent for helping grouchy guys regain their get up and go. Well, I say talent. You’re the first but you haven’t threatened to call the police yet, so I’d count that as a win.”
“Can you surf?”
“I told you I’ve never been in the sea.”
“Oh yeah. Sometimes I forget things.”
Had that been a test or the truth? Ink had gone swimming once in twelve years and wondered if he’d still be able to stay afloat, but he had. He wasn’t brilliant, but was good enough not to panic.
“Ready to go?” Ink asked.
“How are we going to get there?”
“Bus.”
“I’d rather book a cab.”
“I’ve checked. The bus takes us almost to the door. You get to travel free.”
“In that case…”
It took Ink a moment to realise Tay was being sarcastic.
“Let’s go and get your stuff ready,” Ink said. “Which drawer are your trunks in?” He spoke as he left the kitchen and waited for Tay to react.
“I’ll do it,” Tay shouted.
So therewassomething Tay didn’t want him to see. Those tablets. Ink waited for him to catch up.
“Do you have a small sports bag we can use?” Ink asked. “If not, I can empty my backpack and we can use that.”
“You haven’t unpacked?”
Ink shook his head. “I need to be able to make a quick getaway if sea levels rise.”
Tay bit his lip. “There’s a bag at the bottom of my closet. Get my towel out of the bathroom…please.”
“You need shampoo and a brush too?”
“Good thinking.”
“I’ll come back with my stuff.”
