churning: turbulent - dozy: stupid - flock: group - focus ahead: look straight forwards - foster home: adoptive home - fumble: reach for an object to hold - grin: smile - grip: attachment - hem: bottom edge - lame: feeble - midriff: waist - proffer: put forward - railings: metal rils, barrier - relieved: calmed - sheepish: guilty - sift: pass through - sigh: breathe out deeply - sneer: talk sarcastically - soar: circle - trickle: flow slowly - trust her: it was typical of her.