Ethan double checked her chin strap fastening, just to be on the safe side, then, giving her helmet a tick with one finger and a grin, slid up on the bike and instructed her how to swing a leg over and clamber up behind him, where to put her feet and how to lean forward against his back.

"And hang on, carina," he said matter-of-factly. "Arms...there we go, arms around my waist and scoot forward...there." He gave her hands a fond pat. "And relax, we're not going to haul off and set the pavement on fire, promise."