Private Number

Photo by Egor Vikhrev on Unsplash

The screen flashes. No sound, just the words ‘Private Number is calling’. A weight slides into my belly. The vibration creeps the phone across the table, awkward and slow. Hypnotised by the white-blue screen, I find it impossible to look away. Waves of nausea crash against my face. This is not the first call. I know, my …