The waiter came to collect us for our table, as we finished our drinks. As I stood up, my foot slipped off the rail and I fell into the bar on my bad arm. Couldn't help a grimace that didn't go unnoticed. "You OK?"

"Yeah, just banged my arm a bit."

She took my good arm in hand. I got the strangest feeling from this and from the look on her face that the hand wasn't from feeling sorry for me but just from a need to touch me. My pain went away instantly.

We had a great meal and lots more wine. She was always expressive and touchy. She...