Even though Zodwa’s new dwelling is so vastly superior to her old one that she may as well have moved to another planet, the boy still looks out of place there. He’s the little master slumming it in the servant’s quarters.

“There are sheets and duvets and linens, as well as towels and curtains and stuff for the kitchen. I also brought you some clothes.” Ruth starts pulling things from a bag and Zodwa wonders if it’s a joke, if the woman is making fun of her.

There are five pairs of shoes with heels that look like daggers. “I think we’re the same size,” the woman says. She isn’t laughing, or even smiling, and so Zodwa thinks she’s serious. The woman must think that Zodwa would wear prostitute shoes. “And here are some blouses and pants. This one’s Versace and this one’s Calvin Klein. Now, I know what you’re thinking, that I’m curvier than you are, but these ones are too small for me, which is why I never even wore them. They should fit.”

Labels are still attached to them and when Zodwa catches sight of the prices, she feels faint. That the woman would buy clothes that cost this much but that don’t fit is ridiculous enough, but the fact that she then wouldn’t return them for a refund is mind-blowing.

“There’s some other stuff in there as well. Sleepwear and such.”

Zodwa doesn’t know what to say and so she just says, “Thank you, madam.”

“You’ll wear a uniform in the house and I got you two of those as well. The local Spar doesn’t have the best selection but they’ll do for now so long as you aren’t allergic to polyester.” She laughs and then stands up. “Okay, I’ll see you in the kitchen at eight a.m. sharp.” With that, she reaches out to pick up Mandla and carries him back to the car.

As the woman puts him inside, Mandla turns back to Zodwa, smiling and waving at her. Looking at his face is like looking at the sun but Zodwa forces herself not to lower her eyes. She smiles and waves back. They’re standing only a few meters apart and yet with her child in that woman’s hands, it feels as if they’re looking at each other from different worlds.

Zodwa’s heart breaks a little then and she realizes she needs to prepare to have it broken a little more each day.

CHAPTER SIXTY

Ruth

3 July 1995

Verdriet, Magaliesburg, South Africa