A Long Way Back (Unfinished Business #2) - Barbara Elsborg Page 0,115
Tay said. “Miss me?” He took a mint from his pocket and offered it to Blue who nibbled it daintily from his palm.
Tay rested his head against Blue’s neck and stroked him while he talked quietly. “I’ve been ill, that’s why I haven’t been to see you. I missed you.”
Ink came up beside him. “He’s beautiful.”
Blue shoved Ink away with his head, bared his teeth and Ink chuckled.
Gill handed them both helmets. “The grey one is Sol. Let’s get going.”
“I’ll need a hand up,” Tay whispered.
“Okay.” Ink fastened his helmet, then dragged a set of steps over to Blue’s side. He held the horse steady while Tay climbed on, then moved the steps back.
“Stirrups okay?” Ink asked.
“Bit longer please.”
As Ink adjusted them, Tay saw Gill watching.
“They look good now,” Ink said.
“They’re fine, thanks.”
Gill handed Sol to Ink and watched as he climbed on the powerful grey horse and adjusted his own stirrups.
Seven horses and riders made their way down to the beach and gathered on the sand. Ink’s eyes were glittering. Sol was dancing, raring to get going, and Ink had the same look about him, but he had no problem keeping Sol under control. He was one of the more difficult horses and Tay knew this was Gill’s way of testing Ink out.
“How do you feel?” Ink asked.
“Brilliant.”
“I wish your mum was here. Fine, to good, to brilliant. I am a miracle worker.”
Gill walked her horse to their side. “Okay, boys? Take it easy, right? We’re going right if you want to go left.”
As Gill set off with the group, Tay pulled Blue back from following and he and Ink headed in the opposite direction. This end of the beach was empty and they made their way down towards the water.
“Ever ridden on a beach?” Tay asked.
“No. Nor in water.”
“We’re not going in the water. Not until I’m fit. First time I took Blue in, he fainted when we were in up to his belly.”
“Fuck! What did you do?”
“Held his nose above the water and floated him back in. The moment we reached the beach, he stood up, shook himself off and looked at me as if it were my fault.”
Ink laughed.
“This beach is safe for riding. Nothing unexpected to worry about, unless some random dog runs at us, but the horses get overexcited. They like the waves, as long as they’re not too big, and once they’re off, they want to go faster and further. Blue likes to lead, but Sol is quicker, so you’ll pull past and Blue will be arsey and go for Sol’s bum. Follow me while you can.”
Tay hadn’t realised how much he missed this until now. He moved from a walk to a trot and eventually to a canter, then gave Blue his head. He heard Ink coming up behind him, and they were racing alongside each other, flying into the sun.
“You almost as good as me,” Tay called.
Ink laughed and pulled ahead.
Chapter Eighteen
ON SATURDAY, THE DAY OF the hotel event, Tay woke up anxious and as the day went on, his anxiety grew worse. It made Ink edgy, but he ignored Tay’s snaps because he understood the cause, though even Dog seemed tense. Ink would rather have stayed at the house than go to the hotel and mix with people, but Tay wanted him to go, so he’d go. Tay changed his clothes three times before he decided on pale grey chinos, white shirt and blue tie.
“Do I look okay?” Tay asked.
“You look great. It’s amazing what a few days of sunshine and sea air can do.”
“And hot sex.”
Ink glared. “Who did you have that with?”
Tay laughed. “This purple Sonic the Hedgehog who’s raced into my life.”
“Ooh. Is he up for a threesome?”
Tay rubbed his knuckles in Ink’s hair. “I’m not sharing you.”
Ink didn’t have the luxury of choosing clothes from his limited wardrobe, but he did accept the offer of one of Tay’s grey shirts to go with his newly washed black jeans. Tay tossed him a pink tie. “That will look good.”
If Ink could tie it, but he couldn’t. As he struggled, Tay came up behind him and put his hands over Ink’s shoulders.
“Collar up. Wider end of the tie on your right side. Narrow end hangs about here. Cross the wide over the narrow, loop it under and pull it back. Then drag the wide end up through the neck loop, and push it down through the knot. Hold the narrow end and slide the knot up to tighten