Page 104 of Je T'aime, Actually

“You did?” Monroe asked, pouring juice into two glasses.

“It’s got sparkles,” Kitty added proudly, as if that elevated it to museum quality.

Chloé took a long sip of coffee, eyes fluttering shut in gratitude. “Très artistique,” she murmured.

“We thought he’d like it,” Benji said, tugging open a cupboard and grabbing a bowl. “He made us cards once. Remember? When we went camping.”

Monroe smiled, heart catching at the way her friend’s son’s voice wobbled just a little. “I remember.”

Chloé leant against the counter, the mug warming both her hands. Watching them like this, it felt like a pause in the chaos. She looked at Monroe, who caught her gaze and offered the smallest, softest smile.

“We’ll head in just after breakfast,” Monroe said, slipping a piece of bread into the toaster.

“Can I wear my sparkly trainers?” Kitty asked, already kicking off her slippers.

“If they’re on your feet by the time I finish this toast,” Monroe replied.

Kitty bolted from the room.

Benji slid onto a stool. “She’s really fast when she wants to be.”

“You’re no slouch today either. Even brushed your hair.” Monroe’s mouth curved into a warm smile as she looked at him.

“Well, I figured we’d be going to see Dad again, so…” He shrugged, then shovelled a spoonful of Cocoa Pops into his mouth. “Can we stay there all day?”

Chloé glanced at her phone, then looked at Monroe. “I just need to respond to…” She stood up and stepped out of the room. Monroe watched her leave, the pause stretching just long enough for Benji to speak again.

“Monroe?” he said quietly. When she turned back to him, he repeated, “Can we stay all day?”

“I don’t know, sweetie. We can ask…but I think they prefer shorter visits, so your dad can rest.”

Benji frowned. “He’s in a coma. He’s literally asleep.”

Monroe let out a small chuckle at his logic. “You’re right. But still, hospitals have rules. We’ll go prepared, though. Bring something to read or play with. If we take lots of breaks in the cafeteria, maybe they won’t mind so much.”

He grinned and inhaled the last few spoonfuls, then jumped down from the stool, nearly colliding with Chloé as she walked back in. “Sorry!” he shouted, already thundering up the stairs just as Kitty appeared with her trainers on and her school book bag dangling from her hand.

Monroe turned to Chloé, who was refilling her coffee. “Everything alright?”

Chloé gave a tired smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “There’s an issue. Something Cécile doesn’t feel comfortable handling on her own.”

Monroe studied her face. “You need to go home.” It wasn’t a question.

Chloé nodded.

“I have to stay,” Monroe said.

“Of course. And I’ll come back. I’ll get a flight this afternoon, sort out whatever’s going on, and then I’ll be back.”

Monroe let herself be pulled closer, her arms sliding around Chloé’s waist as she tucked her face into the curve of her neck. She breathed in deeply—the familiar scent, the warmth, the ache of parting already starting.

“We’ve managed before,” she murmured. “We can do it again.”

Chloé held her a little tighter.

eighty-nine

The hospital felt colder when Monroe walked the kids down the corridor towards Frank’s room. Chloé had stayed behind to pack and organise her flight and would be gone by the time they got home again. Saying goodbye like that had been harder than Monroe imagined.