1. A roving band of teenagers is going up the high street ahead of me. In the centre, boxed in for protection, is a lad with a vision impairment using a cane to navigate. He also uses it to whack the ankles of the boys in front. They lead him round and round the metal columns that hold up the church porch before they go through the doors.
2. Up the stairs comes the scent of toffee -- Bettany and Nick are busy on the stove.
3. Occasional shouted questions about asthma suggest that Alec is getting on with his homework.
