I’m thinking that Hook wants Tink’s help in present day.
If Tink went to NL sometime after this Regina flashback happened, either by her own choice, or being sent there by someone, and she couldn’t come back, (or could but just never did), then we could have Hook in present day being all, “We can trust Tink to help us,” and Regina being all, “Oh no, that wench abandoned me when she was supposed to be looking after me, and my life went to hell, so I ain’t trusting her.” And spirited debate and tension shall ensue.
[adrotate group="5"]