"Before you shift," he reaches for her hands as she speaks, to give her a reason to pause. His fingers gently intertwine with hers and he squeezes gently. "To give you a bit of a reminder, until you are able to hold mine again."

He presses his lips to her knuckles, each hand in turn.

"It will just take me a moment to finish dressing," he adds. "Then you will have your 'perch' back."