Page 211 of The Bonus

“I have special instructions that both Grace and the children have to sign for each package.”

I walk over and sign for Dominic’s and he does too, and his package is handed over to him, then I do the same for Lucia. “Thank you.” I close the door in the delivery man’s face.

They both take their packages and run to grab the scissors.

I walk back to the kitchen with my heart in my throat, what’s he bought them…a pencil case, a pony, an island…fuck, it literally could be anything.

I sit on the couch with my bottle of wine as they take forever to unwrap their presents.

Hurry up already.

Dom gets his open first and he gasps with wide eyes.

“What is it?” I snap.

He holds it up proudly. “It’s a phone.” A blue iPhone with a postcard handwritten by Gabriel.

“What?” I snatch the card from him.

My dearest Dominic

I’ve bought you a phone so that you can call me whenever you want to.

It’s for calls only and doesn’t have internet and has been locked for Wi-Fi (you are too young just yet).

Please keep it in the kitchen where Mom can see it at all times.

My phone number is programmed in, you just have to press the name Dad and it will connect straight through to me.

All my love,

Dad, xx

Dominic swipes it open and a picture of him and Gabriel posing together lights up the screen. “Wooow.” Dominic’s eyes are nearly popping from their sockets. “This is sick.”

“Oh my god,” Lucia yells as she finally gets hers unwrapped. “Mine is pink.”

Oh, this just keeps getting better and better. I go and fill my wineglass back up.

This is the day from hell.

It begins to ring in Dominic’s hand, and their eyes widen. “What do I do?”

“Who is it?” I play along.

He holds the phone up and a picture of Gabriel comes up, he’s in his suit sitting at his desk in New York, smiling and looking all charismatic and punchable.

“Swipe across to answer it.”

“Hello,” he answers excitedly and then listens for a bit. “Uh-huh.” He’s smiling goofily. “Uh-huh. It just arrived.” His eyes flick up to me. “She’s drinking wine out the bottle.”

“No,” I mouth as I shake my hand around. “Don’t say that.”

“It was good.” He smiles. “Nothing much.”

I listen intently.

“Oh, Zoe’s mom said you’re an ape.”

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