'Fatima has gone away. She's got a job in another country,' she said. 'It's a very good job where she will be able to continue her education and will be hosted by a respectable family.'
'What country?'
'Ivory Coast,' she said.' 'Or it might be Nigeria.'
'What nonsense is this?' He'd never spoken to his mother like that.
'A man came. A business man. He was recruiting young people to go and work on cocoa plantations and in people's houses. He wore a suit. He paid a fee. It's a guarantee. I've kept it safe. I haven't used any of it.'
Boubacar had heard of this business, these child traffickers during his travels in the south. 'Where is this man?' He said.
'He went with them. I'm waiting for a letter.' He took a step back. 'Don't get you hopes up,' he said. 'You've sold her.'