Little Samuel watched Lucy with a deep pang of envy. She was being taken from the orphanage. Her new mum and dad were already signing the papers, and soon she would have a family of her own. Lucy chattered about all the things shed done with themthe zoo, where Samuel had never been, the puppet theatre where shed seen a real witch, and the marmalade with bits of apricot still in it.
Samuel was five. For as long as he could remember, he had lived in the orphanage. Children came and went. When Tommy vanished one day, Samuel asked Miss Margaret, «Miss Maggie, wheres Tommy?»
«Hes gone home, to a family,» she replied.
«Whats a family?» Samuel pressed.
Miss Margaret sighed softly. «A family is where youre always wanted and loved.»
«Wheres my family?» Samuel asked.
Miss Margaret only looked at him sadly and said nothing.
From then on, Samuel never asked about families again. He understood it was something precious, something he didnt have.
When Lucy disappeared for two days and returned in a pretty frock, her hair neatly braided and clutching a new doll, Samuel burst into tears. No one had ever come for him. He decided then that no one ever would.
Just then, Miss Margaret walked in, carrying a jumper and trousers. «Samuel, get dressed. Youve got visitors coming.»
«Me?» Samuel blinked. «Who?»
«They want to meet you.»
Samuel dressed and sat on the wooden bench, waiting. Miss Margaret took his hand and led him to the visitors room, where a man and woman waited. The man was tall with a beard and a kind face. The woman was small, slender, and lovelyshe smelled like roses, Samuel thought. Her eyes were large, her lashes dark.
«Hello,» the woman said. «Im Alice. Whats your name?»
«Samuel,» he whispered. «Who are you?»
«Wed like to be your friends,» Alice said. «And we need your help.»
«What help?» Samuel glanced at the man.
The man crouched beside him. «Im James. We heard youre a brilliant artist. Could you draw us a robot?»
Samuel nodded solemnly. «What kind?»
James fetched a bag, pulling out a sketchbook, pencils, and a massive robot in shiny packaging. The sunlight caught its gleaming parts, and Samuels breath hitchedhed never seen anything so grand.
«Is that Optimus Prime?» Samuel gasped.
«You like him?» James grinned.
«Hes the best!»
«Take him,» James said. «Draw us a picture, and meanwhile, well chat like friends.»
For an hour, they talkedSamuel about his favourite toys, his bed, his too-thin shoes. Alice held his hand; James ruffled his hair.
When Miss Margaret called him for supper, James shook his hand. «Well be back in a week. Can you finish the drawing?»
Samuel hesitated. «Youll really come?»
«Of course,» Alice said, hugging him so tight his ribs creaked. Her eyes shone.
«Why are you crying?» Samuel asked.
«Just dust,» she whispered.
That night, Samuel studied the robot, marveling at its movable limbs. But the older boys barged in.
«Give it here,» sneered Billy, snatching it and tossing it.
Samuel lunged. «Its not mine!»
Billy laughed. «Everything heres shared!»
They wrestleduntil a crack split the air. Samuel clutched a broken leg, tears streaming. Blood dripped from his nose as Miss Margaret scolded him.
«Its ruined,» she sighed.
«It wasnt mine!» Samuel sobbed. «They just lent it!»
Miss Margaret softened. «Then draw it broken.»
And he didpage after page, until the sketchbook brimmed with robots.
A week passed. «James and Alice arent coming, are they?» Samuel asked.
Miss Margaret shook her head.
Samuel cried himself to sleep, certain it was because hed broken the toy.
But the next day, Miss Margaret beamed. «Visitors!»
Samuel opened the doorand there they stood.
«Hello,» Alice said. «Fancy the zoo?»
Samuel burst into tears. He fetched the sketchbook and the shattered robot. «Im sorry»
James laughed. «Samuel, its yours!»
Relieved, Samuel handed over the drawings.
«Perfect!» James said. «Exactly what we needed.»
At the zoo, Samuel gaped at monkeys swinging wildly. Later, in their flat, Alice led him to a roomspace-themed wallpaper, a race-car bed, shelves of toys.
«Who lives here?» Samuel whispered.
James and Alice knelt, each taking a hand.
«Samuel,» James said gently, «wed love for you to stay. Forever. This is your room. Your home.»
«Forever?» Samuels voice trembled. «You mean a family?»
Alice nodded. «Our family.»
«But why me? Im nobody. I broke the robot»
«Youre our son,» Alice murmured.
Samuel wept. He loved them. He loved this room. He never wanted to leave.
«Do you want this?» James asked.
«Yes! Ill be good!»
Laughing, they swept him into their arms, smothering him with kisses. And Samuelfor the first timefelt whole. He had a family. His own. At last.
