Page 108 of Je T'aime, Actually

“Hey, love,” Poppy said gently. “You’ve got visitors.”

Frank made a low sound, his mouth twitching.

Kitty leant in. “Hi, Daddy,” she whispered. “You missed doughnuts.”

That earned another flicker of a smile, and Monroe saw Poppy’s eyes shine for a second before she blinked it away.

Benji stayed quiet, but he didn’t let go of Frank’s hand. He just held on, his thumb brushing slow circles over the bruised skin, as if willing something stronger to return.

Frank tried to speak but struggled to form words. Poppy was ready, reaching for the small lollipop sponge the nurse had left beside the bed, soaking it in water before brushing it gently across his lips.

A grateful smile tugged his lips upwards and apart as he accepted it.

“Thank…you,” he rasped after the third pass of the sponge.

It was barely more than a whisper, but the effort behind it rang loud enough. Poppy smiled through the emotion tightening her throat and leant in to press her forehead gently against his.

“You’re doing great,” she murmured.

Frank closed his eyes briefly, another flicker of a smile touching his face. Kitty stood beside her mother, wide-eyed and solemn, while Benji leant in a little closer.

“Dad,” he said softly, “we’ve been here the whole time.”

Frank’s eyes opened again, tired, unfocused, but shining all the same.

Monroe still hung back to give them the moment. Something lifted in her one minute, before being replaced with something else, something heavier.

She smiled when Kitty whispered something that made Frank's lips twitch into a tired grin.

Monroe was happy. Truly. But underneath it, something was stirring. And she wasn’t sure she was ready to deal with it just yet.

ninety-two

With the kids in bed, Monroe settled at the table with her laptop and caught up on some work. She’d missed a day, which was fine. She’d logged it as annual leave, but she couldn’t afford to let things pile up.

It would be easier now. The children were heading back to school in the morning, and with Frank awake, Poppy would be coming home at night again. The fear of losing him had eased just enough to let everyone exhale. It wasn’t over, not completely, but the worst of it might be.

It also meant Monroe would be heading back to her own place soon, the little cottage she’d been missing more than she realised. Her sanctuary. Quiet. Familiar. Hers.

Her phone buzzing pulled her from the thought, and she smiled when Chloé’s name and photo appeared on the screen.

A video call.

She answered, “Hello, you.” Monroe smiled, pulling off her glasses. “How’s the world of publishing holding up?”

“Oh, it’s holding.” Chloé sighed.

“You sound tired.” Monroe stood, gathering her glass of wine and a small plate of biscuits, then settled onto the sofa.

“I’ll live. But tomorrow’s an early start, a late finish, and not much of a break in between.”

“That sounds no fun at all.”

“C’est la vie, huh? The life we choose.” Chloé moved into her kitchen, and Monroe watched with quiet fondness. “How’s everything your end? Any news?”

Monroe’s face lit up. “Yes. Frank’s awake.”

“That’s amazing. I’m so pleased. You’ll be home sooner than I thought.” She grinned into the camera.