She sits on the end of the couch. Just out of his reach.

She’s both totally ignoring what’s going on around her, fully fully focused on the TV.

AND

100% alert and aware of what is going on around her.

She has to look like she’s not sulking. She has to look like she’s not afraid. She has to comfort him without words. Soothe his hurts.

AND

She has to protect herself. Be absent enough to not be the centre of attention.

Be still enough to not draw attention. To fade into the backgroud.

Her body is rigid.

She wants to look around. She wants to follow and watch - waiting for the next attack. But she must not do so with her eyes. She must do so with her senses.

Her body but not pose a threat. Or an attraction.

He makes out he was just pinching her bum.

It was not her bum.

And even if it was. She knows he does not respect that she does not like that.

Everyone is on the look out for the big stuff.

He has them fooled.

Surely if he’s done it before he’d do the same thing again?

No. No, he’s smarter than that. This will be different.

No one will notice because it’s not what they are looking for.