He looked so vulnerable and fallible, his shoulders slumped, his head down, that Carol's impulses overrode the decision she'd taken only minutes before to play it cool. She stepped forward and pulled Tony into a tight hug. 'If anyone can do it, you can,' she whispered against his chin like a cat marking its territory.
In the book "The Mermaids Singing" by Val McDermid, a moment of emotional vulnerability arises when the character Tony displays signs of distress. His posture is slumped, and he appears both fragile and human, leading Carol to feel a strong urge to comfort him despite her earlier decision to maintain her distance. The sight of Tony in such a state triggers her protective instincts.
Carol acts on her impulses, stepping in to embrace Tony, expressing her belief in his abilities with a gentle whisper. This act of support signifies her deep care for him, as she tries to reassure him during a difficult time. Her hug is not just a physical gesture; it symbolizes a bond between them, as if she is claiming her place as a source of strength for him when he needs it most.