A Long Way Back (Unfinished Business #2) - Barbara Elsborg Page 0,117

and his hands fluttered.

“Good goldfish impersonation,” Tay said.

“Koi carp! I’ve gone up in the world.”

“Sorry.”

“Can you walk?” Jonty blurted.

Tay took one step and Jonty flung out his arms. “Give him space, give him space.”

There was no one anywhere near. The guy with him was rolling his eyes.

Jonty stared at Tay. “You can do it.” He beckoned him and Ink smothered a smile.

“I’m not sure I can make it.” Tay glanced around. “Where’s my wheelchair?”

“Nooo, you can do it. Just try.” Jonty grabbed a miniature circle of meringue topped with a swirl of whipped cream and a strawberry from the table. “Want this? I’m going to eat it if you don’t walk to me.”

Jonty lifted it towards his mouth and Tay strode over in a way that Ink hadn’t ever seen him manage before and wrapped his lips around the dessert.

“It’s a miracle,” Jonty whispered. “I did a miracle. Do you do miracles? Does anyone else need help? I performed a miracle. He speaks, he walks, he eats.”

“And he apologises,” Tay said quietly.

Jonty sucked in a breath and burst into tears.

The dark-haired guy ushered Jonty and Tay through open doors onto a patio.

Mike sighed. “To see them together again… It’s amazing. Like bookends, that pair.”

Ink swallowed hard.

“Come on. Time for us to go, Bigfoot,” said Willis.

“What do you mean?” Mike glared.

“Think before you speak. Nice to meet you, Ink.”

“What did I say?” Mike asked as Willis tugged him away.

Ink hesitated. Now what was he supposed to do? He didn’t want to talk to anyone, but he felt like a lemon just standing there without even a drink. His attention was caught by a picture of two seahorses, tails entwined, constructed from small pieces of sea glass. No doubt Jonty’s work. It was really good. Ink’s already shaky self-confidence was shrivelling second by second. Before he could decide which direction to take, the tall guy came back into the room and headed straight for him. It was as much as Ink could do not to run.

“Hi. I’m Devan. I think we need to leave Jonty and Tay alone for a while. Can I get you a drink and something to eat?”

“I’m fine, thanks.”

“What’s your name?”

“Oh, sorry. It’s Ink.”

Devan held out his hand. “Good to meet you, Ink. How long have you known Tay?”

“Not long.”

“Is he back up here for a visit or for good?”

“For good, I think.”

Ink didn’t want to make conversation. It might lead to mistakes he couldn’t put right.

“What do you think of the hotel?”

“Who wouldn’t want to stay here? It looks great.”

“Can I get another photo?” someone asked.

A flash went off and Ink’s heart imploded. He stepped away from Devan and turned his back. As Devan chatted to the photographer, Ink left the lounge and found himself heading out of the hotel. His tie was choking him and he tugged at the knot until it was loose, then undid his top button. He knew he was overreacting, but it was impossible not to.

This was why things never worked.

He found a path to the beach and followed it down, trudging through the heavier sand until he could walk on the hardpacked stuff. The tide was on the way out and, just for a moment, a slightly longer moment than he would have liked, he thought about going out with it. But he walked along the edge of the sea away from the hotel. He wasn’t going to die today. Tay had enough to deal with.

At least when Ink was in charge of his own destiny, he wasn’t hurting anyone else, but he couldn’t stand the idea that he might hurt Tay.

Too late.

TAY AND JONTY STARED AT each for a long time and neither of them spoke. Jonty had rarely been this quiet and every time Tay opened his mouth, words failed him.

“You look good,” Tay finally managed.

“Thanks. We got the suits in London and… I wanted to come and see you but when you made it clear you… I missed you.”

“I’m sorry,” they blurted at the same time.

“What do you have to be sorry about?” Tay asked.

“A lot of stuff, but Brad Greene in particular.”

“What he did was not your fault.”

“But if I’d never gone out with the wanker in the first place… If I’d listened to you…”

“If you’d listened to me, we’d never have had our adventures when we were boys, we wouldn’t have had anywhere near as much fun. Mind you, if you’d listened to me, we wouldn’t have had to be rescued off the causeway to Holy