At some point my arm starts to go slightly numb but moving now would definitely wake her, so I just flex my fingers slowly and ignore it.
It’s not exactly hardship.
We hit London traffic about three hours later. The stop-start motion makes her stir slightly, her grip tightening briefly like she’s orientating herself again.
I leave it another few minutes.
Then when the hotel finally comes into view I know I have to wake her.
I lower my voice.
“Ava.”
Nothing.
“Ava,” I try again, softer.
She makes a small sound but doesn’t wake.
I very gently touch her sleeve. Just enough pressure to bring her back.
“Ava… we’re here.”
She wakes slowly, blinking like someone trying to remember which reality she’s in.
Then she realises she’s very much not upright.
“Oh God.”
She pulls back immediately, sitting up far too quickly.
“I amsosorry.”
“It’s alright,” I say.
“I fell asleep on you.”
“You did.”
“I did not mean to do that.”
“I gathered.”
She presses a hand briefly to her forehead. “Please tell me that wasn’t for long.”
I hesitate just enough.
“…a while.”
Her eyes close. “I am never showing my face at training again.”
“You didn’t snore,” I offer.
“That is not the reassurance you think it is.”
She reaches automatically toward her face.
Then pauses.
