‘This half is for you, Paulo. I’ll keep it safe while you take this one to Britney. Okay?’

Paulo got back just as the coach eased out of the terminus, heading out past Benoni and the eastern suburbs on the N12 highway.

‘Do you have a South African name?’ he asked.

‘Yes, I do, it’s Lindi.’

‘That’s a nice name.’

‘Thank you, Paulo. My real name is Lindiwe but all my friends call me Lindi so I want you to call me Lindi.’

‘Are we friends?’

‘Well, I hope so. We’ve got quite a few hours together, so we can get to know each other.’

‘Where do you live?’

‘That’s a long story. Do you know where UK is?’

The boy shook his head. ‘Is it a big country?’

‘No, but some very famous people come from there.’

‘Like who?’

‘Well, let’s see. I bet you like games, I mean like football and athletics.’

‘Yes, it’s my favourite on TV.’

‘So you’ve heard of Mo Farah?

‘You mean the one who runs very far?’

‘Yes. He’s from my country. And Manchester United, you’ve heard of them?’

‘Wow! Are they from your country too?’

‘Yes, they’re all from UK. That’s where I live.’

‘Cool! I’m going to race in the Olympics when I grow up. I’m the fastest boy in my class.’

‘I’m sure you’ll be faster than Usain Bolt one day. Do you remember him?’

‘There’s a picture of him in my school. My mom says I have to work very hard to be the best. She says one day she’s going to buy me takkies just like Usain Bolt used to wear.’

‘And what’s your mom’s name, Paulo?’

‘Anastasia. But her boss calls her Anna. I think it’s because they don’t like Mozambican names.’

‘I’m sure it’s just because it’s shorter. You know, like I said my real name is Lindiwe.’

Paulo was quiet for a moment. Then: ‘They don’t like people from Mozambique,’ he said. ‘My dad told my mom that they were killing Mozambicans. It was his secret but I heard him tell my mom. That’s why he told us to come on this bus.’

‘There are just some very silly people, that’s all. The police will catch them and you’ll soon be able to go back home.’

‘I don’t want to go back home. There are angry people there.’

‘I tell you what, let’s talk about something else. What else are you good at, apart from running?’

‘I’m a very good drawer. I could show you but my books are in a bag.’