out for a run every so often to keep the battery charged, but Tay was relieved when it started on the first turn of the key. He reversed the mid-sized SUV onto the drive, then moved it to the far side of the front garden. He felt okay. Controlling the car wasn’t an issue and he was relieved.
He left the garage open and had just walked back to the front door when he heard the sound of a vehicle approaching. The van pulled in and a guy jumped out. “Morning.”
“Morning. Good journey?” Tay asked.
“Pretty good. We came up as far as Newcastle yesterday so we can get back today.”
“Can I make you a drink?”
“We’ve just had one, thanks. Where do you want your stuff?”
“If you could stack the beds, boxes and furniture in the garage, please. The suitcases, the black bag and the box marked ‘food’ can come into the house. I’d like the suitcases and black bag upstairs. On the landing is fine. I’ll go and put the dog in the garden.”
Once he was inside, he called up to Ink that the guys had arrived, then let Dog out the back. It didn’t take long for them to finish the unloading and Tay let Dog back in again. He made his way upstairs and headed for the bathroom.
“They’ve gone,” he said. “Can I come in?”
The door opened and Tay’s jaw dropped. “Wow.”
“Is that a good wow or a bad wow?”
Bare-chested Ink was chewing his lip, but his hair looked great. Dark purple and rough cut, sort of wild, but it suited him.
“I’ve done such a good job. I’m so impressed with myself. Forget forensic accounting, I can be a hairdresser.”
Ink smiled. “Do I look different?”
“Yes. Younger. Well, maybe more your actual age. Your eyes are brighter. Did I do that too?”
Ink pulled him forward and kissed him. “Are you going to take credit for everything?”
“Yes.”
“Want to change the dressings on my back, doctor? I got them wet in the shower.”
“You’re not supposed to have wet your back.”
“Maybe I don’t need the wounds covered anymore.”
Tay took off the dressings and inspected his back. “They look okay. Not bleeding or anything. Want to leave the dressings off and see how you go?”
“Okay.”
“We’re going to the beach. With a picnic. It’s too nice a day to be indoors. Dog can come too. The beach is dog-friendly all year round. You want to make the sandwiches while I find the pop-up tent and a blanket?”
“Are my pink swimming trunks going to clash with my hair?”
“They’ll tone beautifully.”
BY THE TIME THE THREE of them were settled on Beadnell beach, Tay was shattered. He lay on the blanket in front of the pop-up tent in which Dog had settled and sighed at the feel of the sun on his face. His head ached, his legs ached. All of him ached. Not so long ago, he’d have reached for the codeine. If he’d had any… If Ink hadn’t been with him… Maybe. He wondered if he ought to ask Ink to get rid of the codeine the hospital had given him. Addiction wasn’t something you could shrug off like a summer cold. He shuddered when he thought how close he’d come to wrecking his life.
“This is lovely,” Ink said. “But don’t burn. Use the sun spray.”
“Will you spray me and rub it in?”
“Sure that won’t lead to you frightening small children and dogs?”
Tay laughed. “Probably, but I don’t care.”
He sighed as Ink sprayed him, then rubbed the liquid in.
“You look tired.” Ink sprayed his own arms and legs.
“It was worth it to get here. If I could walk further, I’d take you to one of my favourite beaches. We might have had it to ourselves, but a crutch and soft sand don’t work.”
“This is… This is…” Ink released a stuttering breath.
Tay turned to look at him.
Ink rubbed the spray on his face, then released a shaky breath. “Beautiful. Restful. Calming. And… I feel safe.”
Tay reached for his hand and squeezed his fingers.
Ink lay down at his side. “I can’t remember when I last felt as safe as this. I usually have a few days of feeling okay when I move to a new area, but this is different. And I know I’m not really safe, but I feel it.”
“I want you to feel more than safe. I don’t want feeling safe to be something you even have to think about. I wonder if we could find a way to get you a new identity.”
“It would cost