We were having a new kitchen fitted, our plumber was a sweet old guy called Greg, whom my wife knew from some previous work she'd had done at her last place. He was around his mid 60s and very softly spoken.
My wife was away for the week as part of a training course with her work. Greg was only needed for the first few days but I decided to work from home the entire week regardless. I like having the place to myself.
The first day went swimmingly, I got loads of work done and Greg had made good progress on fitting our new boiler and radiators.
The second day while Greg was working on hooking up the gas hob I decided to take a shower. About half way through I lost my footing in the tub and slipped really awkwardly, throwing my back out in the process. Greg heard the loud bang and was at the door instantly asking if everything was ok. I was in a lot of pain and could tell I had damaged my lower back again. I was slumped over the edge of the bath, my legs twisted underneath me.
"No, I can't move, I just lost my balance and now I think my back is fucked."
"Do you need any help?"
I knew I needed help getting out of the tub, this has happened before and I am practically paralysed until someone helps me up. The bathroom door lock was just within reach so I quickly grabbed my towel and covered my lower half then painfully stretched to unlock the door.
"If you don't mind, Greg. I don't think I can get out of the tub by myself."
"No problem," he said.
Once he heard me unlock the door he entered the bathroom and stood over me shaking his head at what he saw.
"How on earth did you manage that?" he said concerned.
"I'm an idiot, that's how," we both chuckled, laughing was quite painful and I must have winced as well because he came straight over and asked if I had done anything serious.
"It's my back, I have done this before a few times, it should be OK in a few days. If it's not I'll have to see the specialist again."
"OK, well let's try and get you out and on your feet, if you can manage it?"
With that, he leaned forward and grabbed me under the arms and began to lift. For an older gentleman he was surprisingly strong, taking my weight almost without any help from myself. While I was being lifted my towel was getting tangled up between my legs. Greg could see me struggling with it so gently let me slump back down in the bath, he grabbed the towel and untangled it from my legs. Instead of covering me back up he just took it off completely and put it back on the towel rail.
"Think this will just get in the way, no time for embarrassment, we need to get you up and out of that tub before you do any more damage."
"Indeed," I said panting, out of breath from trying to move.
"OK, let's try again," Greg said. He put his hands under my arms again and lifted me up. I tried to help as much as I could, slowly turning my body around so that my legs were still in the tub but at least I was in a sitting position on the edge of the bath. Greg then stopped for a minute, clearly out of breath himself. He stood up and asked if I was OK.
I said I needed a minute, he could tell I was in a lot of pain. Without saying a word the next thing I felt was him drying my back with my towel.
"Might as well get you dry while we wait. Shall I take you to the bedroom? Does lying down help or make it worse?" he asked.
"Yes, the bed is usually OK if I lie on my back, either that or the floor, but I can't get up from the floor myself"
I didn't mind him drying me at all. His touch was gentle enough for him not to cause my back anymore pain. During the next few minutes the situation started to become a bit clearer in my head and I was now fully aware of my nakedness and the fact an old man was drying my body with a towel.
"Lift your arms up," Greg said. I did. I quite liked it if I'm honest. I began to feel a stirring between my legs from his attentions. He dried my back, arms and chest, then put the towel back.
"I can do your legs once you're out the bath."
"OK," I said, almost looking forward to it.
"Right, let's see if we can get you sitting round the right way," he said.
I sat up as straight as I could and asked him to support my top half as I try to lift and swivel my legs over and out of the tub. He grabbed me under my arms again to take all my weight and, one leg at a time, I manage to turn myself around. This action exhausted me once again, at least I was now facing the right way though.
"You OK to take your own weight now?" he asked.
"Yes, I should be."
He gently let me go and I slumped down, not able to sit straight because of the pain. He went for the towel again.
"OK, let's finish drying you."
"Thanks for doing this Greg, I hope it's not too weird for you," I said.
"Oh, don't be silly, it's fine. I know how crippling back problems can be."
"Yes, but you've probably never had to dry another man before," I said with a slight laugh at the end.
"You'd be surprised," he smiled and winked.
