Little Alfie watched Lucy with envy as she packed her things. Lucy was being adopted from the childrens home. Her new mum and dad were already signing the paperwork, and soon shed have a family of her own. Lucy chattered about all the things shed done with themtrips to the zoo, where Alfie had never been, a puppet show where shed seen a real witch, and the sticky jam with bits of apricot in it.
Alfie was five. For as long as he could remember, hed lived at the home. Other kids came and went. When Billy disappeared one day, Alfie asked Mrs. Thompson, «Wheres Billy gone?»
«Home,» she said. «To a family.»
«Whats a family?» Alfie pressed.
Mrs. Thompson sighed softly. «Its where someones always waiting for you, loving you no matter what.»
«What about my family?» he asked.
She just looked at him sadly and didnt answer.
After that, Alfie stopped asking. He understoodfamily was something special, something he didnt have.
When Lucy vanished for two days and returned in a pretty dress, her hair neatly brushed, clutching a brand-new doll, Alfie burst into tears. No one had ever picked him. Maybe no one ever would.
Just then, Mrs. Thompson walked in with a jumper and trousers. «Get changed, Alfie,» she said. «Youve got visitors.»
«Me?» His heart skipped. «Who?»
«People who want to meet you.»
Alfie dressed quickly and sat on the bench, waiting. Mrs. Thompson took his hand and led him to the visiting room. Inside sat a man and woman. The man was tall with a beard, and the woman was small and slender, with big eyes and thick lashes. She smelled like roses.
«Hello,» she said gently. «Im Emily. And you?»
«Alfie,» he whispered. «Who are you?»
«Wed like to be your friends,» Emily said. «And we need your help.»
«What help?» Alfie glanced at the man.
The man crouched to his level. «Im James. We heard youre brilliant at drawing. Could you sketch us a robot?»
Alfie puffed up. «I can draw loads of robots! What kind?»
James fetched a bag, pulling out a sketchbook, pencils, and a massive robot in shiny packaging. The sunlight caught its metallic parts, making them gleam. Alfie gaspedhed never held anything so grand.
«Blimey,» he breathed. «Thats Optimus Prime! Did you know hes the leader?»
James grinned. «Dyou like him?»
«Yeah!»
«Take him, then. Draw us a picture. But first, lets talklike mates.»
For an hour, they chatted. Alfie told them about the toys at the home, his creaky bed, and the shoes that left his toes freezing. Emily held his hand the whole time, and James ruffled his hair.
When Mrs. Thompson called him for tea, James shook his hand. «Well be back next week. Think you can finish the drawing?»
«You promise?» Alfie asked.
«Course,» Emily said, hugging him so tight his ribs ached. Her eyes were wet.
«Whyre you crying?»
«Just dust, love.»
Back in the dorm, Alfie tore open the bag. The robots limbs moved, its head swiveledhed never seen anything so perfect. He sketched furiously until the older boys barged in.
Tommy whistled. «Gimme that!» He snatched the toy, tossing it high.
«Stop!» Alfie lunged. «Its not mine!»
«Nothing here is,» Tommy laughed, twisting away. They wrestledthen a crack.
Alfie stared at the broken leg in his hand. Tears burned. He threw himself at Tommy, who hurled the wreckage at his face. Blood trickled from his nose.
Mrs. Thompson cleaned him up. «You know the rules, Alfie. Toys are shared.»
«But it wasnt mine! They lent it to me!»
She sighed. «Just draw, then.»
With shaky hands, Alfie propped the robot against a box, piecing it together as best he could. By bedtime, hed filled a page. Soon, the whole sketchbook brimmed with robots.
A week passed. «Will Emily and James come today?» Alfie asked.
Mrs. Thompson hesitated. «They might not, love.»
That night, Alfie sobbed into his pillow. They mustve heard about the robot.
But the next morning, Mrs. Thompson beamed. «Get dressed. Theyre here.»
Alfie dashed to the door. Emily and James stood smiling.
«Fancy the zoo?» James asked.
Alfie burst into tears. «Wait!» He fetched the sketchbook and broken toy. «Im sorry. Heres your robot.»
James laughed. «Its yours, Alfie. A gift.»
Alfie handed over the drawings.
«Brilliant!» James said. «Exactly what we wanted.»
At the zoo, Alfie gawked at monkeys swinging wildly, stuffing their faces with bananas.
Back at their flat, Emily led him to a room with spaceship wallpaper, a race-car bed, and shelves of toys.
«Who lives here?» Alfie whispered.
James knelt. «We want you to, Alfie. This is your room. Stay with usforever.»
«Forever?» Alfies voice wobbled. «Like a family?»
«Yes,» Emily said. «Our family.»
«But why me? I broke the robot.»
James squeezed his hand. «Youre not just anyone. Youre our son.»
Alfie nodded, tears streaming. He loved them already.
«Really?» James asked.
«Ill be good!»
They scooped him up, laughing, kissing his cheeks. And for the first time, Alfie knewhe belonged.
