"If you're sure..." she said doubtfully, though as far as she was concerned it was all right by her if he wanted to just sit there.

But she smiled gratefully at Alex. "See? We'll just take it carefully, so you can keep breathing." The end of the sentence was a little more cheerful, as if she was trying to inject some humor into their situation, but her eyebrows pinched together as if she knew it wasn't working.