Page 63 of Je T'aime, Actually

fifty-one

“So you’re actually going to do it?” Poppy grinned at her. “I am equal parts jealous and sad. Part of me hoped you’d chicken out, or Chloé would find a way to come here.”

Monroe smiled, soft and a little wistful. “If I’m honest…I’d hoped for that too. Maybe not chickening out, exactly, but something that kept everything the same, just...easier.”

“But it’s not easy. Love rarely is.” Poppy reached for her tea and held it between both hands. “It’s bold, though. Brave. And stupidly romantic.”

“It might only be for a few weeks. Months, maybe,” Monroe said, gently managing the weight of her choice. “Once Chloé has the restructure handled, when things settle…we’ll talk again. There’s a lot we haven’t figured out yet.”

Poppy nodded, her expression unreadable for a moment. “I’m the one who told you to go, remember. To see where it leads. I just didn’t realise how quick it would all happen. I’m going to miss this—our little catch-ups and tea breaks.”

“Me too. But I’m not giving them up,” Monroe said quickly. “We’ll just move them online.”

Poppy laughed, but it sounded softer now. “I know. It’ll be fine. We’ll be fine. It’s just…different. I’m proud of you, you know. For choosing what you want.”

Monroe reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “You’ve always had my back. I wouldn’t be brave enough to go without knowing that.”

“Well, you better send postcards. And photos. And call. A lot.”

“Constantly. You’ll be sick of me.”

Poppy gave a teary-eyed smile. “Not possible.”

“I haven’t lived with anyone in such a long time.”

“You’ll get used to it,” Poppy encouraged.

Monroe sighed. “I need to talk with Kitty.”

The slow nod that followed told her Poppy understood completely. “She’s going to miss you more than any of us.”

“I know…” Monroe’s voice cracked just slightly. “I already feel guilty.”

Without hesitation, Poppy stepped forward and gently took her by the shoulders. “She’ll be fine. Eventually. Kids are resilient. And as long as you’re still in her life—calls, visits, silly voice notes—that bond won’t break.”

Monroe gave a quiet nod. “You’re right. I know you’re right.”

“You’re not abandoning her,” Poppy added, “you’re just…shifting the postcode a little.”

A faint smile tugged at Monroe’s lips.

“So,” Poppy said, glancing at the time, “do you want to pick her up from school?”

Monroe blinked. “Would that be okay?”

“I’ll take Benji for a kickabout and explain things to him—give you and Kitty some time.”

Monroe exhaled slowly, gratitude warming her chest. “Thanks, Pops.”

“Go. She’s yours for the next hour. And hey—bring tissues.”

It took barely a second for Kitty to notice Monroe was waiting at the gate again. Her eyes lit up, and she spoke quickly to the friend she was with before kicking up her heels and running, her bag swinging off her arm, until she was wrapped around Monroe’s waist.

“Roe Roe,” Kitty exclaimed.

“Hey, Kit.” Monroe grinned down at her. “I thought we could go and grab a milkshake.”

Kitty’s face did a full one-eighty turnaround from gleeful excitement to a frown. “Is everything alright?”