Young Samuel watched Lucy with a bitter pang of envy. She was being taken from the orphanagenew parents were already signing the papers, and soon she would have a family of her own. Lucy chattered about all the things she had done with them: the zoo Samuel had never visited, the puppet theatre where she had seen a real-life witch, and the apricot jam with whole pits still inside.
Samuel was five. For as long as he could remember, he had lived in the orphanage. Children came and went. When little Alfie vanished one day, Samuel tugged at Matrons sleeve and asked, «Matron, wheres Alfie gone?»
«Home, to a family,» she replied.
«Whats a family?» Samuel pressed.
Matron sighed. «A family is where youre always wanted, always loved.»
Samuel frowned. «Wheres *my* family?»
Matron only looked at him sadly and said nothing.
From then on, Samuel never asked again. He understoodfamily was something precious, something he did not have.
When Lucy disappeared for two days and returned in a pretty dress, her hair neatly braided, clutching a new doll, Samuel burst into tears. No one had ever come for *him*. He mustnt be worth keeping.
Just then, Matron entered, carrying a jumper and trousers. «Samuel, change quickly. Youve visitors coming.»
«Me?» Samuel blinked. «Who?»
«They wish to meet you.»
Samuel dressed and sat on the bench, fidgeting. Matron returned, took his hand, and led him to the visiting room. A man and woman sat waitingthe man tall with a beard and moustache, the woman small, slender, and pretty as a rose, Samuel thought. She smelled of flowers, and her eyes were wide and dark with thick lashes.
«Hello,» the woman said. «Im Alice. Whats your name?»
«Samuel,» he murmured. «Who are you?»
«Wed like to be your friends,» Alice replied. «Andwe need your help.»
Samuel glanced at the man. «What help?»
The man crouched beside him. «Im David. We heard youre a fine artist. Could you draw us a robot?»
Samuel straightened. «Yes. What sort?»
David fetched a bag, pulling out a sketchbook, pencils, andSamuel gaspeda towering robot in gleaming packaging. Sunlight caught its polished limbs, making them shimmer. Samuel had never held anything so magnificent.
«Blimey,» he whispered. «Its Optimus Prime! Hes the leader, you know.»
«You like him?» David asked.
«*Yes*,» Samuel breathed.
«Keep him, the pencils too,» David said. «Draw us a picture when you can. For nowlets chat, like friends.»
An hour passed in easy talkSamuel spoke of toys, his bunk, the thin shoes that let in the cold. Alice held his hand; David ruffled his hair.
Then Matron called, «Samuel, supper time.»
David shook his hand. «Well return in a week. Can you finish the drawing?»
Samuel hesitated. «Youll really come back?»
«Of course,» Alice said, hugging him so tightly his ribs creaked. Her eyes shone wet.
«Why are you crying?» Samuel asked.
«Just a speck in my eye, love.»
After supper, Samuel raced to the dormitory where the robot lay waiting. He examined every joint, every moving part, then set to sketching.
Older boys barged in. «Cor!» Tommy snatched the robot, tossing it high.
«Give it back!» Samuel cried. «Its not mine!»
Tommy laughed. «Nothing heres yours!»
They scuffleda crackand Samuel clutched only a severed leg. Tears blurred his vision. He lunged, Tommy threw the broken toyblood spurted from Samuels nose.
Matron cleaned him up, scolding, «These toys belong to everyone, Samuel. Now its ruined.»
«It wasnt *mine*!» Samuel sobbed. «They only lent it for drawing!»
Matron softened. «Then draw.»
Samuel propped the broken figure against a box, painstakingly sketching what remained. By bedtime, one drawing was done. He filled the entire book in days.
«Has it been a week?» he asked Matron. «Will Alice and David come?»
Her face fell. «The weeks passed, Samuel. I dont think they will.»
Samuel wept all night. Hed spoiled everything.
Yet the next morning, Matron beamed. «Visitors for you, Samuel.»
He opened the doorAlice and David stood there.
«Hello,» Alice said. «Fancy the zoo today?»
Samuel burst into tears.
«Whats wrong?» David knelt.
Samuel fetched the sketchbook and broken toy. «Im sorryTommy and Iyour robot»
David laughed. «Its *yours*, Samuel! A gift!»
Samuel handed him the sketches.
«Brilliant!» David said. «Just what we wanted.» Alice helped Samuel into his coat.
At the zoo, Samuel gaped at lions, parrots, and monkeys swinging wildly. He laughed until his sides ached.
Back at their house, Alice led him to a roomspace-themed wallpaper, a racing-car bed, shelves of toys.
«Who lives here?» Samuel asked.
David took his hand. «We want *you* to, Samuel. This is your room. Stay foreverif youd like.»
«Forever?» Samuel whispered. «You mean a family?»
Alice nodded. «Our family.»
«ButI broke the robot. Why would you want me?»
Alice cupped his face. «Youre *ours*, Samuel. Our son.»
Samuels tears fell fast. He liked themtheir laughter, this bright room. He never wanted the orphanage again.
David squeezed his hand. «Is that a yes?»
Samuel nodded. «Ill be good.»
They swept him up, kissing his cheeks, hugging him tight.
And Samuelfor the first timefelt whole. He had a family. His own. At last.
