"Can Maureen come outside to play?" the little girl asked

"I think she already is outside" my father answered

"No daddy, I'm right here, behind the sofa..." I said

This scene happened many years ago but it's still etched in my brain. Big glasses, braids and always preferring to read a book inside, over playing outside in the cold Dutch weather. My father never saw me sitting on the floor that day, quietly tucked away between the sofa, completely in my own world.

Fast forward to today...