Page 145 of Tell No One
“You saved my life,” Ahsan said. “There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
Tag’s fingers slid to Adam’s under the table. He could feel tears forming.
“And you have introduced us to a great place to eat,” Rafiq said. “We’ve never been here before, but we’ll come again.”
Adam squeezed Tag’s fingers. Ahsan had checked with him whether it was a gift that he should give, and Adam had said yes. He should have thought of doing it himself, buying a bolthole elsewhere just in case. He felt…as safe as he thought he could ever feel and that was enough as long as he had Tag in his life.
He’d joined the climbing group to make Tag happy. Adam would have been happier climbing on his own but he didn’t want Tag to worry about him. Tag worried anyway but Adam had got used to the team he climbed with and while they weren’t friends, they were people he could tolerate.
Tag spent much of his time in the studio they’d had built, singing as he worked, much to Adam’s amusement. They used the bowls and plates and mugs he’d made, though Tag hadn’t managed to convince any stores to sell them for him. His animal sculptures were fantastic, but Tag hadn’t sold any.
“Are you still making things with clay?” Ahsan asked, almost as though he’d been reading Adam’s mind.
“I’ll make you something—oh, but we can’t meet again, can we? Or know where each other lives.”
“I don’t think it matters now,” Ahsan said. “Maybe you could come and stay with us.”
He showed Tag his phone. “We run this gallery in Toronto. Mostly paintings, but some sculptures. Make us some items to sell. People like big things, so go wild. Whales bursting out of the sea, dogs, polar bears, dragons, wolves…whatever you like. You can make up a name. You never have to meet anyone. Whatever way you want to play it.”
Tag started to cry and Adam pulled him against his chest. He’d sent pictures of Tag’s work to Ahsan once he’d learned they had opened an art gallery and had hardly been able to keep the secret of today’s visit.
They split up following lunch, with more hugs and tears from Tag, then Adam walked Tag towards the Bay Shopping Centre holding his hand.
“That was… Oh God… I can’t believe it.”
“Which part?”
“All of it. Seeing them again, the house, the gallery. It feels like it’s all happening to someone else. Why are we going to the Bay? Do you need to buy something?”
“You’ll see.”
Adam stopped walking outside Torrent Galleries.
Tag looked in the window and gaped. “That’s my kangaroo and baby.” He frowned and turned to Adam.
Adam wasn’t going to tell him he’d schlepped Tag’s sculptures to galleries all over Victoria until he’d found one that would take them.
“Let’s go in.”
Dieter, the gallery owner, came forward when he saw them.
“Hi, Adam.”
“This is Tadhg.” The nearest they’d found to Tag.
“Our artist.” Dieter held out his hand and beamed at Tag. “Wonderful sculptures. I’ve sold all three, including the one in the window. Transferred the money to your PayPal account. When can I have more?”
“Er…” Tag gulped.
Customers came in and Dieter moved off. “Let me know!” he called.
“You’ve been busy,” Tag said.
“You weren’t aiming high enough, so I did it for you.”
They left the shop and Tag smiled. “Are you going to do anything else that’s going to make my heart leap?”
“Maybe.” Adam took his hand and pulled him into the jewellers next door. He’d already spoken to the shop owner and when they went in, the man took out a case of TAG Heuer watches.
