'I know that. It's not the issue here. I mean...' He breaks off and laughs, trying to ease some of the tension he feels. '...for a start, I'll certainly shout if you're getting near to breaking my ribs.

But being able to push me off - that's not the point, do you see? Because if we're ever at the stage where you need to push me off, then it's gone too far already. And I just don't want you to ever feel that it'll get that far, so I'm careful. Is that so bad?'

He shifts a bit and is quiet. Then ventures, 'So you're saying it's too tame for you, at the moment?'