His little legs stick out from underneath his green backpack, making him look like an upright walking turtle. I reach for his hand, but he yanks it away from me. We complete the rest of our journey in silence. At the wrought-iron gate I kneel down to hug him, and I tell him how amazing he is and how much I love him. I'm not entirely sure he believes me. He will spend the rest of his day alone with strangers, knowing that his mummy shouted at him for accidentally spilling his cereal milk all over his uniform before school.
Cindy Hossain grew up in South Africa. She now lives in Manchester, United Kingdom where she studies English Literature and writes in her spare time. Find Cindy on Twitter @cindy_hossain.