The Invasion of Tork by Claire Davis & Al Stewart

Author:Claire Davis & Al Stewart [Davis, Claire]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Beaten Track Publishing
Published: 2014-11-30T23:00:00+00:00

I can’t stop fidgeting and pacing all week, wondering what he thought of my shit-tastic dinner box.

I thought for ages about the next food parcel treat. What can you get a homeless dude with no internet or wi-fi? Loser! But then, I came up with something that would not only prove my intellectual brilliance, but that he could also use to put on the fire—a book—A Christmas Carol. I know he’s heard of Dickens from that quote he left on my form. For some reason, I want him to know that I’ve heard of him, too. Pity I can’t show him my exam grades, because that would certainly shut him up.

I don’t want him to realise the book is new, so I bend all the pages back and try to rough it up a little. Don’t want him thinking I went to any effort.

I haven’t seen Tork for a week, and I have just about given up. Maybe he’s deliberately not coming to spite me? Yes, he’s probably already fallen for me and can’t face seeing what he can’t have. Mike keeps on checking his progress sheet and frowning.

“Are you sure he didn’t say anything?”

“He didn’t, Mike. Nothing.”

“He has nothing else. He missed his benefits appointment and his check-up with the doctor. Why would he do that?”

“I really dunno, Mike. Maybe he’s busy.”

“Too busy to eat?”

I shrug, and get back to sorting the tinned fruit from the noodles, while Mike heads off to sort out the great unwashed. It’s surprisingly absorbing, and at first I don’t see him there.

He looks awful. His already pale skin is like a vampire’s, and even from here I can see he has a fever. His beautiful eyes are glassy and bright and stop me dead. For once he actually looks at me, as if he is too tired to bother evading me.

“Are you all right?” I can’t stop the concern from leaking out. I don’t want him to be too ill for me to torment him.

“Yes. Thank you. I have had a cold, but I am better now. Your box—thank you. It was very kind.”

“Nothing to do with me. What box?” I can feel my stupid face going red, and I wonder again why I even care what he thinks. He’s probably got leprosy as well as being a deadbeat no-hoper. “Do you want to see the doctor? Mike was worried about you.”

“No. Thank you. I am getting better now.”

But he isn’t. Even I can see that. He looks fragile and sad and makes me confused. Now is the time I could really squash him. I don’t know why I don’t.

“Come on, Tork, I can see you’re not well. How about if I come with you?”

He just shakes his head wearily and starts edging towards the door. It’s really selfish of me, but all I can think is, he mustn’t get away without his food parcel and my precious gift. I want him to know I thought of him…I mean, to see my brilliance.

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