Page 133 of The Bonus

“You know.” She laughs. “All Grace Porterish.”

“Un-fucking-believable,” Deb mutters under her breath.

I bite the side of my cheek to stop myself from telling her where to go.

I hate this woman with every fiber of my being, she thinks she’s so perfect…it kills me that she is.

“Well, I’m very busy and I can’t do the stupid bake sale that you are obviously obsessed with, and now that I know you don’t like my cakes, I won’t even bother buying them.”

“Oh, how sad for your children that their mother won’t support them at school.”

My blood boils as the sky turns red.

“Are you…”

Deb hits me on the leg to silence me. “Goodbye, Felicity, we’re kind of busy right now.” She gestures to the stage.

Felicity rolls her eyes and shimmies through the seats again.

“If I ever get that boring, shoot me,” Deb whispers as she watches her disappear.

“Gladly.”

It’s just on 9 p.m., the kids are tucked safely into bed, and after working today, cooking dinner, and then washing up, I’ve only just showered and sat down for the first time.

I flick through Netflix, looking for a new series to watch.

I’ve been so preoccupied since Gabriel came back that I’ve done nothing but worry.

I guess that now he’s gone, I can finally relax.

My phone beeps a text in the kitchen, who’s texting me at this time of night? I get up and grab it, it’s from Gabriel.

Hi

I frown, what does he want?

I text back.

Hi.

My phone instantly rings, and the name Gabriel lights up the screen.

What the hell?

“Hello,” I answer.

“Hi Gracie.” His voice is soft, cajoling. He only ever used this voice with me when we were alone in his office.

“Hi.” I frown. “What’s up?”

“I just…”

I listen as I wait for him to finish his sentence, he doesn’t.

A weird feeling comes over me, something is wrong with him.

“Where are you?” I ask softly.

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