What’s good about life in this place? he asked.

He guffawed. A whiff of alcohol escaped his mouth.

With the keys in hand, Saba turned when she noticed Hagos walking towards them, balancing two jerrycans filled with water on a stick over his shoulders. He tripped over a stone and splashed water on Eyob.

Tedros rushed to his father’s side. Papa, are you all right?

Eyob sat still, eyes fixed on Hagos. He said nothing.

Taking a handkerchief from his pocket, Tedros dried the water on his father’s shirt. I am sorry, Saba said. I am so sorry.

Why doesn’t he speak for himself? Tedros jumped to his feet, standing in front of Hagos.

Hagos didn’t move. Some water still ran from the sides of the jerrycans suspended on the stick over his shoulders. The evening before, Saba had shared with her brother her plans for the future. Saba hoped Eyob would not get rid of her. Not now.

I am sorry, Sir Eyob, Saba said again. My brother didn’t mean it.

But in her mind, she wasn’t so sure. She wondered if her brother had deliberately set himself to get her fired and thwart the dream she had started to work towards, to leave this place.

Back in their hut, Saba lay in her blanket, wondering if she had lost her job. Usually, after she finished, Eyob would confirm another shift for the week ahead. This time, though, he said nothing. He just stared at Hagos again. And as his eyes settled on her brother, Saba noticed how the veins on Eyob’s neck throbbed.

Lying on her blanket, Saba thought about Eyob and what it was about Hagos that had made the businessman’s heart almost pulse out of his neck. Hagos stretched beside her and put his arm around her. Saba turned to face him. Hagos, did you do that on purpose? she asked.

Hagos looked away.

Did you want me to get fired?

Silence.

I mean, why else would you just come there without telling me?

Silence.

But how could you have told me?

Hagos tried to jerk away, but Saba held him back. I am sorry, she said.

In the evening, Saba, her hair washed and wrapped in a towel by Hagos, was sitting outside with her mother when the businessman came to their hut. Saba helped her mother to her feet. Welcome, Mr Eyob, the mother said. Your presence brightens our home.

You and everyone in your household is the source of this glow, he said.

May God bless you, the mother said.

Saba, I am not upset by what happened earlier today, Eyob said. In fact, it would be my pleasure if you want Hagos to help you at work.

Saba called on Hagos to come out. He squeezed himself between his sister and his mother. When his hand shook against her, Saba held it and caressed it with her thumb. Eyob greeted Hagos, then raised his head towards the sky, and as he looked back at Hagos again, Saba saw the glint in the businessman’s eyes.