Zinhle does much better in the English test, but her marks are still much worse than Mbali’s. She rushes home as soon as the school day is over. She stays in the yard and watches her siblings playing for the rest of the afternoon. Today, Thursday, is the start of the Easter holiday. Zinhle doesn’t want to be around people because everyone wants to talk about their plans for the holiday.

On Saturday she wakes up early, bathes and cooks porridge for her siblings. She is swallowing the last spoonful of her porridge when she hears a car stop in front of their shack. Zinhle peeks through the window. It looks like her teacher, Mr Hlophe’s car. He is very important at school and is HOD of Maths. Who could Mr Hlophe be visiting in this area, Zinhle wonders.

That thought is quickly gone from her mind as she gets up to wash dishes.

Sbongile rushes into the shack. “There is someone here to see you,” she says, catching her breath.

Zinhle looks through the open door, but sees no one.

“Where is that someone, Sbo?”

“In the car outside,” says Sbongile.

“Who is it, Sbo?”

“It is Mr Hlophe, from your school.”

Thoughts race through Zinhle’s mind. Every teacher knows her plight. Maybe Mr Hlophe is here to help her, or maybe he is here to warn her because her marks are dropping and she might fail the year.

Zinhle quickly gets out of her tattered shorts and into a pair of jeans. She walks up to the car. It really is Mr Hlophe.

“Sir,” says Zinhle. “Good morning.”

“Good morning, Zinhle.”

“Can I help you, Sir?”

“Yes,” says Mr Hlophe. “I need someone to help me in my business. You know, I’m not just a teacher. I also have a business on the side. Do you need work?”

Zinhle can’t believe her luck. She needs all the money she can get.

“Yes, Sir,” she says, her face lighting up. “I need all the help I can get, Sir. When can I start?”

“You can start right now, if you are free,” says Mr Hlophe.

Zinhle contemplates for less than two seconds. She doesn’t even stop to ask Mr Hlophe what his business is.

“I’ll get ready, Sir. Please give me a minute,” she says.

She rushes into the shack and quickly gets into a better T-shirt and sneakers.

“Sbongile!” Zinhle calls out to her sister.

Sbongile comes rushing in.

“Sbo, I have to go. I’ve just found some work. Look after your brothers for me.”

Sbongile smiles and nods. She is young, but she knows that work means food.

“Cook two cups of rice for lunch and have it with the leftover chicken curry. If I am gone until late, make sure you don’t let your brothers near burning candles. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Tell Ma Mdluli I’ve gone to work for Mr Hlophe.”

Sbongile gives her older sister a thumbs-up and waves goodbye.

Tell us: Do you think Zinhle’s luck is about to change?