Angela
24/01/2345

Angela looked up at her mother, as she tied the ribbon in her hair into a decorative bow. The ribbon was a vibrant yellow and contrasted her brown skin and curly black hair. 

It also matched the dress that was set out beside her, which she assumed she was supposed to wear; however, she did not recognise it as her one of her own.

“Who’s dress is that, Mama?”

Her mother stopped. Her fingers were still on the ribbon, as she looked at her daughter, her face tense and tinged with concern. 

But she did not answer the question.

“Mama,” the little girl tried with a different question, “Do I have to wear that dress?”

Her mother hesitated, but this time, she nodded in response.

“Why?” she asked.

“There is a nice lady coming to see you, from the City, Angela.”

“Why is she coming to see me?”

Her mother continued with the bow. “Well, she wants to adopt some children and give them the opportunity to experience a better life, for some time.”

“For some time?” she repeated. “Will I have to leave you for some time?”

“That’s right, Angela. If Miss Thomson likes you, she may adopt you and take you with her to her home, in the City. She will take care of you for some time. It will give you the opportunity to learn and make friends… And then, when it is time and you are ready, she will return you to us.”

Angela became silent at the explanation.

She felt her mother finish up with the ribbon and comb through her curly hair with her fingers. “All done, Angela.”

She got up from the stool she sat on and turned towards her mother. Her cute face was contorted with concern, as something seemed to bother her. Her mother recognised the expression and looked at her in question. 

“What is it, dear?”

“How long is some time, Mama?”

Her mother sighed. “I don’t know, Angela.” She turned and glanced out of the window, distant and full of thought, “I really don’t know.”

“But, the lady will bring me back to you?” she confirmed.

Her mother could not help but smile. “Of course, my dear, you can always return to Papa and I... This is your home.”

Angela smiled and her face brightened up at the thought that she would return to her parents.

“Alright, then, I will be good to the nice lady, so that she likes me.”

“Good.” Her mother turned to the yellow dress. “Now, let’s put on this dress, Angela.”

Once her mother helped her put on the dress, the girl flounced out of the door and onto the road out the front of their house, where her father stood.

Her father, who was normally a relaxed and soft-spoken man, seemed to be uncharacteristically tense. He looked over at Angela with an expression of concern.

“Angela-” he began, before he quickly stopped and looked behind her. Angela followed and looked behind her.

It was her mother.

“I have explained the situation to Angela,” she said.

“You have?” Her father returned his attention and lowered himself in front of her. “Angela, do you understand what’s going to happen, now?”

She nodded, enthusiastically, and replied, “Yes, Papa. I have to leave you and Mama, if the lady likes me, but she will take good care of me and return me to you.”

He relaxed.

“That’s right, my dear. It will only be temporary. Mama and I feel that this will be best for you. Miss Thomson will take you to the City, where you can have a better life. You can get an education, meet children your age and get better opportunities for your future. And when you are ready, she will bring you back to us.” His lips curved into a smile.” And Mama and I will be waiting for you, my dear Angela. We love you.”

“I love you, too, Mama and Papa.”

Her father pulled her into an embrace.

“You’re a good daughter, Angela."

As Angela wrapped her small arms around her father, she heard an unfamiliar sound in the distance - like something was dragging or pulling against the gravel on the road. She pulled away from her father and looked in the direction of the sound.

She recognised the large box with wheels, which was on the road, as a vehicle. She knew that vehicles moved and were large enough to carry people. They were used for travel but as they were expensive, only people from cities could own them. 

Angela, who was from the outskirts, had only seen them in old books and newspapers.

She could not hide her excitement, as the vehicle on the road seemed to approach her house. She glanced between her mother and father, eager to see their expressions and noticed that they were as awestruck as she was.

The vehicle came to a stop in front of their house and the doors opened.

A tall lady stepped out of the vehicle. She was dressed in all white, with a suit, gloves, socks and shoes. The colour made her seem taller than she already was. The little girl looked up at her face and took in the black eyes and smile painted onto her face. Though she had been eager to meet the lady, Angela was suddenly uncomfortable… Very uncomfortable. 

She moved behind her mother and grabbed onto her skirt.

But her mother did not comfort her. She shook her head and reached down to gently remove Angela's hand from her skirt.

“You have to be on your best behaviour,” she reminded her.

She was right.

If she wanted to go to the city, then, she had to be on her best behaviour.

Angela nodded and stepped away from her mother.

She returned her attention to the lady, who scrutinised her surroundings with her black eyes. Her eyes narrowed when they fell on Angela.

“This is your daughter, Mr D’Souza?”

Her father replied, “Yes, Miss Thomson, this is my daughter, Angela.  She has good behaviour and is intelligent for her age. I hope you like her.”

The lady, Miss Thomson, raised her eyebrows and glanced over at the men that stood beside her, who also wore white suits. Then, she looked at Angela, again.

“And what is her age?”

“She is 8, Miss Thomson, but almost 9.”

A hint of displeasure crossed her expression though she continued to smile. “But she is very skinny for an 8-year-old.”

Her father was quick to defend. “I apologise,  Miss Thomson, but we don't have enough to eat. I hope you understand… She is healthy. I assure you, that if you give her food and there is enough to eat, she won't be as skinny.”

Miss Thomson seemed to relax. “There will always be food at Thomson House, Mr D’Souza.”

Her father nodded.

The lady took a look at the men, again, before she quickly announced, “I will take her.”

Angela smiled, as both her mother and father seemed relieved and relaxed, at her words.

She did not realise, then, but those four words would change her life forever.