Three choices for a distraction put forward, Nel nods and readily makes a selection, “I can listen to the telly. Thanks, Mum.” Given her dozing tendency, she would rather not join those immediately around the television, but listening from a distance would suffice if she tried to imagine her own picture to match what she hears. A book might normally be more tempting, but Nel had trouble at school before slipping into a coma of reading the same line over and over, and expects the same now. As for cards, she doesn’t want to bother anyone to play.

Rather than sink back in her seat, Nel leans forward to prop on her elbows. Honestly, she will keep her attention mostly on her family and half listen to the telly. It will keep her mind off the snow she is missing outside. Watching the other kids playing earlier in the day had been better than nothing at all.