Page 106 of Je T'aime, Actually

Benji laughed. “Yeah, Mum. Even we washed.”

“Fair enough,” Poppy said, smiling. “You all win.” She grabbed her wash bag and took the carrier Monroe pulled from her backpack. “I’ll be right back.”

“We’re not going anywhere,” Monroe promised.

Poppy returned ten minutes later. Benji was on his iPad, Kitty was reading a book, and Monroe was checking a message from Chloé.

Chloé:I have a flight for two this afternoon, so I need to leave now. I’ve spoken with Cécile and she’ll meet me in Nantes. I’ll go straight to the office and try to work this issue out. Authors and their egos, huh? Give my love to everyone, and I’ll speak to you tonight.

“Everything okay?” Poppy asked, catching the serious look on Monroe’s face.

Monroe nodded, though there was a hint of sadness behind it.

“Chloé had to go back to France,” Kitty said without looking up from her book.

“Oh.” Poppy’s brow creased. “Is she coming back?”

“Yes, eventually…I hope.” Monroe gave a soft laugh. “It’s a work thing. Something to do with an author. She needs to soothe the ego and keep them on track. It’s a huge part of turning the publishing house around.”

“I’m so sorry,” Poppy offered, sitting down beside Monroe. She took Monroe’s hand and rubbed the back of it soothingly. “If you need to go—”

“No, not at all.” Monroe shook her head. “I’m here—for you all. I’m not leaving. Chloé and I both understand the pressures on each of our lives at the moment. We can work around them.”

“I’m glad you’re here,” Poppy said, her voice cracking a little. She glanced at Frank in the bed, the kids either side of it, before turning her attention back to Monroe. “I don’t know what I’d do without you here.”

“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now,” Monroe assured her friend. “For as long as you need me.”

“That’s sweet, but you’ll have to go home at some point.”

Monroe shook her head. “This is home. You and the kids are my home, no matter where I live.”

ninety

Macaroni cheese and garlic bread felt like heaven to Kitty, who wolfed down her lunch. Benji picked at a jacket potato.

“Do you not like it, Benji?” Poppy asked. She sipped her coffee and glanced down at the half-eaten sandwich on her own plate. “Want to swap? It’s ham and cheese.”

He dug his fork into the potato and shook his head. “It’s okay. I just want to be back with Dad in case he wakes up again.”

“He’s going to wake up lots of times,” Monroe said gently. “He won’t mind you missing one so you can eat something.”

“Can I have a doughnut?” Kitty asked, pushing her empty plate away.

Poppy smiled. “I tell you what…as soon as Benji eats his lunch and I finish my sandwich, we’ll all get a doughnut and take them back to Dad’s room. How does that sound?”

Kitty’s eyes lit up. “Like a plan,” she said, turning to Benji with a look that clearly urged him to start shovelling that potato into his mouth.

He laughed at her but picked up his fork and took a mouthful.

Monroe stood up. “I’ll go get those doughnuts before they sell out.” She looked to Kitty. “Coming to help?”

“You bet.”

Frank was still out of it when they got back, which suited Kitty just fine. She was too busy devouring her doughnut, this time with blue frosting and sprinkles.

Monroe felt eyes on her and looked up to find Poppy watching her closely.

“You look pensive. Everything alright?”