Page 38 of Forgiven

“Just one. But, uh, you probably don’t want to know where it is.”

Pink-tinged curiosity chased away the miserable expression on Callum’s face. Dylan half hoped he’d ask about the tattoo, but he didn’t.

“Uncle Ezra has a narrowboat.”

Dylan blinked and then whistled. “That was a bit of a one-eighty.”

Callum laughed. “Sorry.”

“No, go on. I didn’t know that.”

“He lives on it. Most of them time it’s moored, but he likes to take it down the canal every now and then. Ink Envy is closed on Mondays, so he’s going to take it out tomorrow.” He looked Dylan square in the eyes. “Do you want to come?”

The question stunned Dylan, to the point he couldn’t immediately speak.

Callum rubbed the back of his neck and finished his beer.

“I’ve never been on a narrowboat,” Dylan said when he’d got over his shock. “It sounds fun.”

Callum relaxed a little and smiled. “Ten? At Leeds Dock? His is the boat with solar panels on the roof.”

“Sounds great,” Dylan said, enthusiastic about the idea because it meant spending more time with Callum. As friends. Obviously.

Callum reached for his coat and disappointment pinched Dylan’s chest tight.

“See you in the morning?” Callum asked, standing.

Dylan nodded. “I’ll finish my drink and then head home too. Thank you.”

Callum stared at him, and Dylan realised he had to qualify his statement.

“For telling me about your tattoos.”

Callum nodded and then waved a goodbye, before leaving Dylan alone.

“You suck,” Dylan told himself. “You fucking suck.”

He downed his drink, but the guilt remained, practically choking him as he pulled on his gold jacket and set off for home.