Page 95 of A Long Way Back
“I assumed you did or you wouldn’t have insisted on him having the job.”
Tay so very nearly said that hereallyliked him, but this was a conversation better had face to face. He didn’t know how his parents would feel about having a gay son. They were fine with Jonty, had never even commented about him being gay, but would it be different for him? He didn’t think so. They just wanted him to be happy.
He tuned back in as his mother was telling him about what they’d seen and done that day. “The weather is fabulous. It’s so restful to be on board and just be taken from place to place.”
“I’m glad you’re having a good time. Well, I have to go. Ink and I missed our meal, so we have to find somewhere else to eat.”
“Arrgh, don’t talk about food. I’ll be the size of a whale when we get back. The food is out of this world.”
Tay forced a laugh. “Bye, Mum.”
“Bye. Love you!”
Tay choked up as the call ended. He pressed buttons with shaking fingers but still no answer from Ink.
By the time he wheeled himself into A&E, his arms and hands ached, and his anxiety was off the charts. He headed over to the reception desk and waited until the woman was free to talk to him.
“Hello. I think my friend—”Fuck!“—might have been brought here after the attack at Covent Garden. His name’s…” One moment of hesitation, but what choice did he have? “Ink Farrow. Can you tell me if he’s here, please?”
The woman tapped into her computer. “Heishere, but I can’t tell you more than that.”
Tay released a shaky breath.Oh God. He’s hurt.“Can’t you even tell me if he’s okay?”
“No, I’m sorry.”
Shit.“How can I find out?”
“If you’re not a relative, you can’t. The hospital may issue a statement to the press, but they don’t release names.”
“He doesn’t have any relatives. His parents are dead. He lives with me. He’s my live-in helper.” Tay gestured at his wheelchair. He was hoping that might work.
“I’m sorry. I can’t tell you anything other than that heisin this hospital. The police might be able to help.”
Tay knew a brick wall when he hit one. He wheeled himself away, unsure what to do. Go home and wait for Ink to call?But what if he couldn’t? The frustration of being in the chair ate at him. Tay wheeled himself further away from the desk. He’d thought about sitting there looking sorry for himself, but it was likely more than her job was worth to tell him anything. The better bet was to wait for her to go off shift and Tay would tell the next person he was Ink’s brother.
He’d sat there for almost an hour with a worsening headache, when two policemen came up to the desk. As they moved away from it, Tay wheeled himself over to them.
“Excuse me?”
They turned to face him.
“I was at Covent Garden with my friend,” Tay said. “He used one of my crutches to try and disarm the attackers. I was told he was stabbed, and I know he’s here in this hospital, but no one will tell me anything, whether he’s even alive and I’m…”Close to fucking tears.
“What’s his name?”
“Ink Farrow.”Oh God, and now I’m telling the police your name. I’m sorry, Ink.
“Sorry, we don’t know anything. Try contacting Victim Support.”
Tay gritted his teeth. He’d given them Ink’s name for nothing. Why had they even asked?Fuck!Behind him he heard someone talking to the woman on reception and at the wordsCovent Gardenhe pricked up his ears.
“I’m her father,” a guy said.
“She’s in the critical care unit on the third floor.”
Tay turned and wheeled himself after the man and woman. He braced for the woman on reception calling him back, but she didn’t. Tay went into the lift with the couple.
“Which floor?” the man asked.
