THE WORLD UNSEEN
Cape Town, South Africa, 1952
Bastards!
Good day, Amina.
Sergeant.
Good day, Jacob.
Sergeant Stewart.
So, she finally got the place opened?
Nice business to have.
I imagine it is.
These new laws are making life
bloody hard for the police.
They're not making it a picnic
for the rest of us either.
My colleague's waiting in the car.
He has a problem with
this sort of thing.
You know it's an offence for blacks
to eat in the same place as whites.
There are no whites here.
Present company excluded.
As non-blacks then.
This is an Indian area.
Maybe coloureds, but no blacks.
Passports.
You know they have passes.
I want to see them. Now!
This is only a travel permit.
Yes, sir.
Where's your pass?
But I don't have a pass, sir.
I'm coloured, not black.
Yeah, you look like a Kaffir to me.
Her father was Dutch,
like mine.
You understand, Jacob, it's
going to be difficult...
Stewart, what are you talking
to these people for?
Calm down.
You keep serving blacks and
we'll kill the lot of them.
Ma'am, it would be safer
for you to leave now.
You don't have to pay for the...
I can finish my coffee, mister ...?
Williams.
Jacob Williams.
I'm Madeline Smith.
You run the post office.
Well, you come in it.
You're Amina's business partner,
aren't you?
Ah, well, no,
I just work for Amina.
Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot.
Partnership would be illegal,
wouldn't it?
Thank you, for shielding me
from the police.
Would you excuse me?
What is it?
My grandmother.
We'll get a new glass,
a new frame.
Are you OK?
And you?
I'm not so old that I can't
dive for cover.
Not to mention
flirt with the customers.
Milk...
Come in here and get ready
for school, both of you!
Thank God we are moving out
in a couple of months...
before the next one comes.
Say goodbye to papa.
OK, Sam, Yasmine, upstairs!
Go! Brush your teeth, get your books!
Off!
He said yes.
We can go.
Where?
Out for lunch!
To the "Location Caf".
I can't believe our husbands
are letting us out of here.
Come on, Miriam. Get dressed!
Good morning!
I'm so sorry.
Amina, I'm sorry.
Thank you, Doris.
Please, leave it.
They have staff to do that.
Good morning, ladies.
- Good morning.
- Good morning.
Our special today is lamb bredie
and I have some nice fresh "koeksisters".
What are "koeksisters"?
It's a South African delicacy.
A fried doughnut
with syrup and coconut.
Here, try one!
See if you like it.
It's delicious.
Good. I'll send some over and I promise
I'll try not to drop them this time.
She thinks a lot of herself.
Maybe she should.
She owns a business and
she's one of us.
No, she's not.
Where do you see any of
our girls looking like that?
Like what?
Are you blind?!
Like a man.
Maybe it's easier to work
in trousers.
Daddy, is it far?
I told you, Delhof's in the country.
You'll like it there.
Will we have a house there
like our old one?
We'll get a much bigger & better
than the old one.
With a big shop underneath.
Who'll work in it?
I will. And your mother. And we'll
have a boy to help us.
And we'll have a night watchman
to guard the place at night.
Shall we leave?
We'll need to work hard,
that's all.
She would've been
proud of you.
Hello, Bhai.
Mrs Benjamin is making
some tea.
She says you should
go and help her.
How hard is it
to make tea?
Here. It will give you
some energy.
Are you OK?
Shall I call her?
No.
No, I'm OK.
Going already?
Yes, I need to go
to the shop.
Don't worry about it.
Your sister-in-law's there.
Here, love. You have
a nice cup of tea.
Thank you, Mrs Benjamin.
He's not one for a chat,
is he?
No, he's not.
There's nobody here.
I don't know who you think is
going to come flooding in
to buy groceries at this
time of day. Or any time.
Where's the boy?
Robert?
He's making deliveries.
He'll be back.
Later?
What are you doing?
Has it been so long that you
don't even remember?
I suppose she doesn't like you
to touch her when she's pregnant.
You come to Cape Town
once a week...
Come and see me.
Sit down.
So what do you do
after school?
Homework.
Good... Good.
Do it then.
I don't have any homework.
Why not?
She's only five.
She doesn't get homework
until big school.
Hello, mister Husband.
Or should I say: mister Father?
Is it a boy?
What a question!
You have a beautiful baby girl.
My son!
I have traveled
so long to see you.
All these Africans!
That's the problem
with this country:
too many black people.
You should come home my son,
it is a better life.
How will Amina find a good
husband here?
There are plenty of families
when she's ready.
Of course she's ready!
Where is she anyway?
She's work--
She couldn't come.
Working?
Did you say she's working?
Where is she working?
Cape Town.
The girl needs to be brought back
to a decent way of living.
Why is she working?
What is she doing?
She must mix more.
I know a family.
The Alis. Do you know them?
- Yes.
- Invite them for dinner, on Sunday.
Your son never lets us
invite anyone.
Amina will never come.
It is Amina's duty to be
where we tell her.
She will come.
Amina, you're late. They're here
already. Hurry up inside.
Who's here?
Where are you going?
Inside?
Like this?
Like this.
Mum, this is who I am.
What else
do you want me to wear?
I'll help you serve the food.
I don't see why people say
that our girls are too modern.
They may want to go out for a while
and find out things for themselves.
But I think our girls always find it
best to stay at home in the end.
Doesn't Amina
work anymore then?
Only now and then.
- But what about the caf--
- Why isn't anybody eating?
Things have been so busy
at the garage lately.
I don't have time to stop
for one minute.
Sometimes I wish
Amina was helping me again.
And how many children
would you like, Amina?
Oh, I don't know... I suppose
two or three would be nice.
Do you want only boys?
What would make you think
I'd want boys at all?
What a rubbish!
Everybody wants a boy.
Everybody!
Well, I'm not everybody.
And I wouldn't care
if I had a boy or a girl
as long as the child was
healthy and happy.
Nothing else really matters, does it?
I think she's right.
I think it's time for desert.
We're going to Cape Town
on the weekend.
All of us?
Do you remember
when this came?
Two weeks ago.
It's from my sister, Rehmat.
The one in Paris?
Who told you that?
Farah.
She's coming with her husband.
I'm going to go to sleep.
You watch the shop.
Farah, come and help me here!
They'll be here
any minute now.
And you know
how particular Omar is.
Not as much
as he likes to think.
They're here!
I'm cooking!
Well, where is she?
She's gone to the hotel
to meet James.
That's a stupid thing to do.
Are they trying to get caught?
They shouldn't even be here.
- He's father's dying.
- So what?!
He'll be dead in a week and
they'll be in jail.
Do they think
the police care?
Which hotel is he staying at?
At "The Royal".
If you can believe it.
I don't know who they
think they are.
And this is my other
sister-in-law.
This is Miriam.
Hello.
It took me a while
to get used to it.
Paris must be such a nightmare
to get used to.
I meant that it
wasn't home, at first,
for either of us.
But then I realised that
there were no gossiping neighbours,
no list of rules,
no need to stay home
if I wanted to work.
We were very sorry to hear
about your father's illness.
He gave us
his blessing, finally.
I suppose death can give you
a different perspective
on what's important.
And now eating here
with all of you and
at the time
that seemed impossible.
Aren't you afraid?
Of what could happen
if you get caught?
My husband is an idealist.
We have no time for idealists
these days.
We have to be practical.
Get what we can
whenever we can.
You know, my husband and you,
you could be twins.
We are twins.
Why couldn't you tell me?
Men never tell you anything.
Miriam, why don't we
get my brother
to take us
to the "Location Caf"?
I used to sneak out and go
over there all the time
on my school breaks.
I should stay and help.
Bhabhi, you go, I'll take care
of the children.
Farah can make us tea.
Is that the Harjan girl?
She's young and she
owns this place, huh?
With a partner.
Imagine at her age to be the
partner of a business
and a good business too!
Sunday is always her
busiest day.
I think she's done well
for one of our girls.
So do I.
She's not totally
one of our girls.
Have you ever seen one
of our girls with such...
with such curly hair?
Are you saying
that she's part black?
That's her grandmother, Begum.
The child is Amina's mother.
There was a big scandal.
She messed around
with the Africans.
Should I pretend to be horrified?
You know, plenty of white people,
including some of his family,
would sit there one day, just like
you, all self-righteous,
and accuse my children
of being half-Indian.
That's not
the same thing.
It's exactly the same thing.
How can you
live here, Omar?
How can you bear
to be in this place?
South Africa is my home.
You wanted ten pence worth...
here you are...
I'd like to serve someone
over here, please.
WHITES NON-WHITES
ONLY ONLY
I love South Africa.
What do you love about it?
The freedom, the space.
It's not like India.
No, it's not.
It's much worse.
And God help anyone
who tries to fight it.
I fight it. And I think
you probably did too.
I fought so hard
I had to leave
with bruises on my face.
Do you still like "koeksisters"?
Yes, I do.
And have you had any since
that were better?
Never.
Good. I'll send some over.
They're frying now.
Amina, this gentleman here
is looking for
someone to help
build him a garden.
You want it or know
someone who would?
I want a vegetable garden,
behind my house,
back with a shop.
I can do it.
I want a big space.
I need enough to sell
not just to eat.
If you want me
to do it, I can.
Can you come early?
How about seven?
Hello.
That's the patch I'd like you to do.
Mummy, why is she wearing trousers?
Because she works outside.
Don't forget their lunch.
Thank you, Robert.
Robert, give the young lady some chapatis
and some tea when she starts working
and there's fig jam
in the fridge, yeah?
Come.
Good morning.
Hello.
Say hello to the lady.
Hello, Ma'am.
Come on!
Bye!
I... I brought you some food.
Thank you.
It smells delicious.
I wish I could cook so well.
But you work in a caf.
All Jacob's recipes.
Well, then you should learn.
So my mother tells me.
Your mother's right.
What will you do
when you get married?
I don't know, I suppose
I'll have to
find someone who can cook.
Have you eaten?
Why don't you join me?
I have to mind the shop.
I just want
to know you better.
I'm just a housewife
and a mother.
And doesn't a housewife have
thoughts and feelings
and wishes,
just like everyone else?
You were the first person to
smile at me at the caf...
...in eight days.
I count it!
What's this?
Poetry.
I can't take it.
Don't you like reading?
I love reading.
I mean I used to...
I used to read a lot...
Please, keep it then.
Stay for dinner.
I should get going.
No, you can't
drive at night.
I'll be fine.
No. Maybe in town
but here...
The roads are just tracks.
Stay.
If you're going to stay,
you should come inside.
Your husband's not back yet?
He works late in Cape Town.
Usually he stays at his sister-in-...
brother's place.
The daal was delicious.
Do you want some more?
No, I would like to
clean up though.
There's hot water
in the bathroom. Come.
What are you doing?
I couldn't sleep.
Me neither.
Let me get you some tea.
I'll make the tea,
Miriam.
Miriam is always
getting the tea for everyone.
Tell me...
Has anyone ever
looked after you?
When did you come
to South Africa?
Seven years ago,
after I got married.
Me too!
Our first evening
off of a boat from India
and we walk straight into
the Indian congress protest.
There were sticks and guns
and policemen. I was...
...terrified.
I was there.
Protesting The Ghetto Bill.
I thought we could overthrow
the government in two weeks.
Is there anything
that you don't do?
I have to give people
something to talk about.
Do you ever think about getting married
and having children instead?
Yeah, it's that word "instead"
I don't like.
Why can't a woman do both
if she wants to?
It's not usual.
No. But neither am I,
and neither are you.
Where did you learn
to think like this?
My grandmother...
My mother's mother...
The picture in the caf?
She lived here once before
she was sent back to India.
You must have heard
someone's version of the story.
There's always gossip...
Tell me the story. The real story,
if you don't mind.
I'd like to tell you.
I think you'd understand why my
grandmother was so important to me.
What happened to her?
She was 19,
with one child already.
And shame and dishonour of being
rapped, she tried to hide it.
But she became pregnant.
As soon as the baby was born,
my mother,
they realised
it wasn't her husband's.
What did they do to her?
They put her
on a train to Durban,
to get a boat to Bombay.
Hold him out so I can kiss him.
Please... Please...
No!
No! Stop! Stop the train! No!
No! Stop! No!
I can't imagine
losing a child like that.
It broke her.
She didn't have one choice
to make her whole life.
And for as long
as I can remember
she always warned be about the dangers
of being oppressed in a marriage.
Is that why you
haven't gotten married?
That's not the only reason.
Miriam?
Yes?
Nothing.
You should go,
the baby needs you.
Sam? Yasmine!
Auntie Amina was showing
us the garden.
Are you ready for school?
Did you eat?
Auntie Amina gave us some
breakfast.
Here we go.
OK.
I've never imagined
I'd be so domesticated.
I've never imagined anything else.
OK, kids. You ready for school?
Come on.
Have a good day!
Can I make you
some breakfast?
Perhaps later.
I'm going to start work.
I hope I didn't worry you with all my
strange ideas and stories last night.
No, you made me think
and that's
supposed to be a good thing,
isn't it?
That depends on who you ask.
What are you doing?
Reading.
I can see that.
Reading what?!
Poetry.
Poetry.
At this time of night?!
I'm tired.
I was busy
in Cape Town today.
With her?
What did you say?
Nothing.
"Love bade me welcome,
yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-ey'd Love,
observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
If I lack'd anything.
"A guest," I answer'd, "worthy to be here";
Love said, "You shall be he."
Afternoon.
We need to ask you
some questions.
My husband is not here,
he just left.
Yeah, we must've
just missed him.
Robert, get these gentlemen
a drink.
It's a good shop
you have here.
Thank you.
Is your sister-in-law here?
My brother-in-law
and his wife stay in town.
We're looking for Rehmat Winston.
And we know
she's staying with you.
They're not here.
So you know where they are.
Listen.
You'll be in a pile of shit
if you help them.
What have they done?
Have you heard of the Prohibition
of Mixed Marriages Act of 1949?
It's there for a reason.
To stop this depravity.
It's against nature what these
people are doing.
Home from school.
No, you can't.
Yes, we can.
They may be witholding
valuable information.
No! No! Please!
Have you ever been to a
police station, young lady?
Where are we going?
Stop!
We'll bring them back later.
Or tomorrow, whenever
we get time.
No, I'll tell you
where they are!
Too late!
So? Where are they?
Where are they?
In Cape Town.
At my brother-in-law's.
You know, if you're lying,
I'll beat you, and your children,
and your baby!
I need help. The police
are after us.
We can't.
Amina, you have to.
We can't help you.
I'm sorry.
Please, please, sit.
I understand. It's just...
I don't know what to do.
If we helped you
in front of the customers,
someone would break when the
police start threatening.
Are you sure?
Thank you for this,
I...
You were supposed to tell us.
In front of my husband?!
Was I supposed to tell it while she
could hear me, hiding upstairs?
What kind of state police don't
even search the house?
Where are they now?
Some nice clothes...
French labels.
We'll find them.
You'll be the next,
for helping them.
I'm not stupid.
But there is someone around
here who is.
And it won't be the first time
she's in trouble with the two of you.
Stop that bloody noise!
Jacob.
Sergeant?
We're looking
for an Indian woman.
Indians is all
we get in here.
But you're welcome
to have a look around.
Where's Amina?
She's having a nap.
She'll be taking over
from me shortly.
I'm not as young
as I used to be.
I know she's here.
Who?
Open this up!
Go, go, go!
Open it!
What's all that?
Stock for the caf.
That's why I keep it locked.
Those Kaffirs would steal anything.
Tell me where she is!
I really don't know who you're
talking about.
You and I both know that I've
had some women in here, but this time even I...
Stinkin' queer!
Hey, yours is the only place in town
where Kaffir workers
eat alongside Indians.
You get away with it.
Yes.
I could've closed you down
anytime, couldn't I?
Yes.
So?
Was she here?
No.
Where is she?
I really don't know.
I'm sorry.
Who's that?
If it's the police, then I'll deal
with them this time.
Someone's here.
My goddamn truck.
What happened?
My lights have gone.
Hit a bloody Kaffir
walking in the yard,
pulling right in my way.
Thought it was just one side he caught,
but both my lights have gone.
We might have one of those.
Miriam!
Thanks.
Ah, that's the right one.
How is he?
Who?
The Kaffir. How is he?
Dead, I hope.
Just look at it. Both lights.
That should fit.
You reckon?
Yes. Try it.
Come on! Light it!
Are you OK?
I'm fine.
Where are you?
I can help.
Let me help you.
I don't need your help!
I don't need your help.
Where were you?
I thought I left the washing out.
Your place is here with me.
Not with those Kaffirs.
Oh! You found them!
Books, madam. You forgot them?
Yes, until somebody reminded me.
Robert, take this. Take it
to the post office.
Here you are.
Good morning, Jacob.
Good morning, Madeline.
Warm out today, isn't it?
You can say that again.
Hey, boy. Get me some water!
Go on! You understand
English, do you?
There's a jug over there.
Listen, I'm the employee here and
I'll get you the water if you are
incapable of getting it yourself.
What's the matter
with you, lady?
That will be six pence
for the stamps.
All of us here are losing our
dignity as human beings in this place,
aren't we?
Some of us more quickly
than others.
Oh, no. Don't you believe
that for a second.
It's men like him
who lose the most.
Perhaps...
I've got a parcel here for you.
Or rather
for the young miss Harjan.
Here. There's no other post.
There's no return address.
No. Perhaps it's
from a secret paramour.
I'd better get back.
I'll see you soon.
Jacob!
Be sure that you do.
This came for you today.
Thank you.
It's... It's not
my mother's handwriting.
b"All the wild summer
was in her gaze"/b
She's not gonna work
all the time!
This is still so difficult,
because he's too young.
What are you doing?
It's the Alis.
They've come
to give their reply.
Even my mother must realise
it's going to be no.
Won't you have some tea?
Send that girl to me
at once!
Who? Amina?
Of course.
She needs discipline now.
Send me the doctor.
I'm dying.
She'll be fine.
Ma', just...
Just take her some tea.
But she's dying.
She's been claiming
an imminent death for 30 years.
Please, just...
Take her some tea.
Ma'!
Dinner is ready!
Ma', your tea
must be ice cold.
I don't have time to go driving
around the countryside
for some old woman
we didn't even know.
That family don't mix
with any of us.
Yet, when it suits them, they expect
all of us to just come running.
They don't expect it.
I don't owe
those people anything!
Yes, you do.
Amina Harjan
saved your sister.
After Farah betrayed her.
Auntie, is Amina here?
I'd like to offer
my condolences.
- She's in the next room.
- OK.
Please see
if she will join us.
I'm reading your book.
I'd forgotten I even
had them un-, until...
I didn't know
you knew my parents.
I don't.
We came to see you.
The murderess?!
Apparently my work
and my trousers
caused the heart attack.
I can't tell whether you approve
of my clothes or not.
They're nice.
It's a nice outfit.
I mean that
you look nice in it.
So you prefer me
in traditional clothes?
No...
You look very nice in this.
But you don't look
like youself.
I don't feel like myself!
But I have to
please a person who,
God rest her soul, is not
even able to see me.
It sounds silly
when you put it like that.
It is silly.
But no one else
seems to think so.
Does it matter
what people think?
Doesn't it?
Why did you get married?
Did you fall in love and
know you wanted to be with him
for the rest of your life?
No.
He saw me a few times and...
proposed and...
my family accepted.
And that's what you want
to hear, isn't it?
That it never occured
to me to question it.
It occurs to me
to question it.
I know.
What happened to your face?
Nothing.
Your mother wants
to see you downstairs.
My husband wants
to see you too.
To thank you.
For what?
For Rehmat.
Anyone would've done
the same.
I didn't.
Did they hurt you?
The police?
They were taking
my children away.
Then you did the right thing.
Come.
I want to change back
into my own clothes.
Why should you take that risk?
Because I hate apartheid.
Because I hate aggressive policemen.
I wish I could be
more like you.
Be careful what
you wish for...
...Miriam.
Jacob?
I have an idea.
You haven't had a bad one yet.
What is it?
Indian food.
All sorts of things:
samosas, biryanis...
OK...
But you know
our girls don't know
the first thing about
making a proper Indian curry.
So who's gonna
do the cooking?
Don't worry.
I've already thought of that.
Where you just passing through?
No offence to you... there down...
but I...
It's OK...
...but I don't think anybody
just passes through.
I came to see you.
Will you have some tea?
A cold drink?
I want to talk to you.
About the caf.
We're thinking about something
new. Indian food.
Maybe a few days a week.
It's a good idea.
I want you to cook
for the caf.
Me?
You haven't even
had my cooking.
I ate here,
remember?
Potato curry and daal.
Besides, I couldn't do it.
Why not?
Because I have to
take care of the shop.
We'd pay you well.
My children.
OK, then we'll make it one morning
a week to start with.
My husband wouldn't like it.
I'm offering the job to you,
not your husband.
You surprise me.
I thought you had
a fearless streak.
How would you know whether
I have a fearless streak or not?
Wasn't it you who went out
in the middle of the night
to help an African
who was hit by a car?
How could you know?
There were only two people:
myself and my husband.
Three.
I know this government
would like us to think that
they're savages,
but Africans can speak
as well as we can.
Has it been busy?
No.
I came to see if Miriam
would cook for the cafe.
What did you say?
I said that I have to
mind the shop and the children.
My wife doesn't need to work.
Look, I'm sorry it's not a
question of need...
No!
My wife doesn't know
how to drive.
I've told her time and again
to take lessons,
but she doesn't want to.
If only she had...
Oh, but I teach
driving myself.
Miriam, if you want me to come
for a couple of hours a week,
I'd be happy to come teach you.
Thank you. Yes, I'd like that.
My husband has been telling
me I should learn
how to drive for some time now.
Good, then it's settled.
I'll see you next week.
Why did you do that?
You know eggs are expensive.
You have a long day
in Cape Town.
I may be staying the night.
You're early...
Very early.
What happened?
The market's closed.
Closed?
Why closed?
Day of action
by the blacks.
Bloody blacks.
Farah? Farah?
Bhai,
everything OK?
My God!
Bhai...
Were you just going to
surprise us like this?
How good to see you!
How did you know
Sadru was back?
I... I've finished
early today...
So I thought I'd stop in
to say hello.
I also finished early today...
The demonstration...
Family OK?
Are you ready for me?
Who else is going to
teach me how to drive?
OK, let's start
with the pedals first.
This is
the gas pedal - the accelerator,
and this is the...
- Break.
- Right, and this is the...
- Clutch.
Do you know
how to drive?
No. Why would I ask for lessons
if I knew how to drive?
I don't know.
Maybe you wanted to see me.
I don't know how to drive.
But my husband
showed me all the pedals
once when he tried
to teach me how to learn.
There's only three,
so it's not difficult.
Do you know
the gears too?
No.
I'll show you.
Is madam inside?
No, she's in the
driving lesson, sir.
There you are. See?
Did he see us?
No.
We were having
a driving lesson.
I'm not finished yet.
Get out of the truck.
Miriam, we'll finish
another time.
How was your day?
What?
How was your day?
Not good.
Sorry to hear that.
But things could get better.
I want to talk to you.
Where's Robert?
Inside probably.
I was angry
with him earlier.
Why are you angry
with all of us?
I should be angry with you.
It's finished.
I won't be seeing her anymore.
Why did you do it, Omar?
I don't know.
There's mummy!
I'll race you!
You hurt me.
Mummy, mummy!
Come, come, come!
Go, go, go, go, go!
"It won't be a stylish marriage,
We can't afford a carriage..."
I've asked Madeline
to have dinner with me.
She accepted.
Do you know
what you're doing?
I believe I do, yes.
Where will you take her
for dinner?
I'm not fit to take her anywhere,
am I?
Only good enough to serve
her a plate of food
but not to sit
and eat with her.
You could bring her here.
I'll think of something.
I have lived my entire life
in this place by their rules.
I do not want to end my life
alone because of them.
I know.
I know but
lately I've been wondering
whether it's worth
going after certain people....
...no matter how strongly
you feel about them.
You more than anyone
has taught me
that it is worth it.
Don't start
changing now, Amina.
Hello.
Hello, Robert.
Miss.
Are you ready?
Robert?
Take care of the shop please.
You didn't come to give me
a driving lesson,
did you?
Why did you come?
I can't.
I'm married.
And you're a woman.
Those are not good reasons.
They are my reasons and
they matter to me.
Don't you care for me?
Of course I care for you.
Amina, please...
Miriam.
What am I doing to you?
What am I doing to you?
Every time I look at you
I want you to stay...
...forever.
Will you do something for me?
Close your eyes.
You can trust me.
I'm not afraid of you.
Will you just imagine,
just for now,
just for
brief moments,
that nothing exists
except for you and me?
You need to go to her.
No.
What happens now?
Do these driving lessons
just continue?
Come away with me!
I have three children,
who I'll never leave.
I would never ask you
to leave the children.
We could...
We could move.
We could move away from him, Miriam,
and I will look after you and the children.
Amina, please...
Miriam, I know...
I know that you think I don't know
what I'm talking about,
but I've lived this way, Miriam,
I've lived my own way my whole life,
and it can be done!
- Amina!
- It can be done, Miriam.
Amina...
Not for me.
Ah, Jacob!
Do you need a hand?
If you wouldn't mind. I'm
struggling with this lock.
Here, let me do it.
Hello.
Hello?
Police here, ma'am.
Post-mistress here, sir.
Are you alright?
I was driving by
and I saw the door ajar.
Oh, I'm fine, thank you.
Just locking up.
Sorry to trouble you.
No trouble.
Who's there?
This is Jacob.
The section where you are standing
is for whites only.
He was just helping me lock up.
He shouldn't be there.
Who is he anyway?
He's my driver.
Why doesn't your driver
keep the keys?
Coz I prefer
to keep them myself.
Yeah, I know what you mean...
Better to be safe than sorry.
Quite...
I thought I told you
not to disturb me?!!
Yes, but that was when you
were six years old, no?
Dad...
I'm sorry,
I thought that...
You come! I thought that you were
Doris or one of the girls.
Just me.
Can I get you something to eat?
Some tea?
No, no, I'm fine.
No, we just... we haven't heard
from you for 3 weeks and your...
so your mother's worried
and I just came to check...
to see you're OK.
I'm fine.
Good.
Things have been...
um...
It's hard to explain.
No need.
You see, people like to make sure
your mother and I
know everything that is
happening with you.
They wouldn't like us
to miss out.
Only this time people are...
Amina, people are talking
about her, not just you.
They know her as well.
They have no right.
It's only because she's friends with me
that they make any assumptions.
Don't people have
anything better to do?!
No, they don't.
That's why I try
to avoid them.
Jacob,
I'm so terribly sorry about
what happened.
I'm ashamed to say that I was
afraid of that young policeman,
and what he might do to you
if he suspected...
It's alright.
Probably they'd thrown me
in jail if they'd guessed.
Jacob, come inside.
I'll make us some supper.
I can't.
I hope you understand.
Yes, I understand.
I am sorry.
- I-I-I want to drive you home.
- No.
Goodbye, Madeline.
Goodbye, Jacob.
Goodbye.
So, you're running away?
No, I just need some time, I just need
some time away to think, dad.
Do you need money?
No.
Thank you.
You shouldn't go.
How will she know
where to find you?!
What a day!
Did you have
your driving lesson today?
No.
Good.
That's over then.
No.
I have to learn how to drive
if I'm going to work.
You work here.
And I will still work here.
And I will work at the cafe
for two mornings a week.
You don't need to work.
I do.
It's just for two mornings,
just let me learn how to drive.
You will not be my wife
and work!
Do you wanna divorce me?
What about the children?
What is it, Omar?
Tell me
what you're thinking.
Mummy!
It's OK.
It's alright, my love. Everything's OK.
Go back to sleep.
It's alright.
I don't like it.
If I don't like it,
that should be enough.
It's not enough.
It never has been.
I just didn't know
what to tell you until now.
No!
You'll have to find a better way
of speaking to me.
Not again!
I may still need some lessons.
You drove all the way
from Delhof?!
Do you still have
that vacancy?
Two days a week?
If it works out,
even more...
Come on then.
I'm Miriam.