“Try to think of something else for a minute,” I suggested. “Something pleasant, to take your mind off it.” His brow furrowed for a moment, then relaxed. “Stand up a moment, will ye?” he said. I obligingly stood, wondering what he wanted. He opened his eyes, reached out with his good hand, and took a firm grip of my buttock. “There,” he said. “That’s the best thing I can think of. Having a good hold on your arse always makes me feel steady.”
