Page 79 of Je T'aime, Actually

sixty-five

The door flung open and a rather excited, now-eight-year-old stood holding it, the biggest grin on her face.

“Roe Roe!” Kitty exclaimed. Ignoring the wrapped gift Monroe held out, she launched herself forwards, arms flinging around Monroe’s waist. “Oh, I missed you.”

Monroe’s chest tightened. God, she’d needed this—needed arms around her with no expectations but love.

From where she stood in the doorway, Monroe could see into the house. Poppy was in the kitchen at the end of the hall, apron on, blowing her hair out of her face as she lifted cupcakes from the oven. The scent of warm vanilla drifted down the hall, familiar and comforting. Benji wandered down the stairs, gave a silent wave of, “Hi”, then disappeared into the lounge.

“Well, that’s a greeting.” Monroe laughed as Kitty finally let go and stepped back. “Happy birthday.”

“Thanks!”

“I got you a gift.” Monroe offered the box, and Kitty took it carefully, eyes lighting up as she gave it a curious shake. Then she looked up again.

“My bestest gift is you being here,” she said, beaming.

“You say all the best things,” Monroe said, still smiling. “So, can I come in, or am I supposed to stand here on the doorstep and greet all your other guests?”

Kitty giggled. “Don’t be silly.” She opened the door wider and Monroe stepped inside.

“We’ve gotallthe cakes,” Kitty declared proudly as she closed the door behind them. “And the bouncy castle’s being put up. Will you come on it with me?”

“Of course,” Monroe grinned, “as long as it doesn’t rain.”

“Mummy said it’s going to be dry and cloudy.” Kitty shrugged. “So I guess we’re good.”

“Sounds like a plan then. Good thing I wore jeans.” Monroe glanced down at her outfit, then back at Kitty. “Are you going to open your present now, or wait and do them all later?”

“Now, but upstairs,” she said. Holding the gift tight, she dashed off up the stairs leaving Monroe to find Poppy.

In the kitchen, the air was thick with the sweet scent of icing sugar and warm sponge. Poppy stood over a tray of cupcakes, her cheeks flushed, her hair messily pinned back with a pencil stuck through it. She glanced up as Monroe entered.

“Hey, you’re a sight for sore eyes,” she said, brushing flour from her hands onto her apron. “I didn’t hear the door—sorry, I’m all over the place.”

Monroe laughed softly and crossed the room to give her a one-armed hug. “Looks like you’ve got your hands full.”

“You have no idea.” Poppy exhaled, gesturing towards another tray waiting to go in the oven. “I’m up to my elbows in buttercream and glitter.”

“Need a hand?”

Poppy gave her a look that was equal parts gratitude and exhaustion. “God, yes. If you could start putting icing on those cupcakes, I’ll love you forever.”

“You already do,” Monroe quipped, grabbing a piping bag from the counter.

Before Poppy could respond, the patter of footsteps thundered down the hallway and Kitty burst back into the kitchen, holding the now-unwrapped gift box high in the air.

“Roe Roe!” she squealed. “It’sperfect!I’ve wanted to make jewellery forever and now Ican!” She practically danced in place, eyes wide with excitement. “There’s so many beads and threads and sparkles—I’m going to make everyone something!”

“I’m so glad you like it,” Monroe said, smiling warmly. “You’ll have to show me your favourites later.”

“I’ll show youallof them!” Kitty declared, then whirled around and disappeared just as quickly as she’d arrived, her new treasure clutched to her chest.

Monroe turned back to Poppy, who was smiling after her daughter with fond amusement. “She’s going to make some truly hideous bracelets,” Poppy said with a chuckle.

“Hideous, sparkly, lovely bracelets,” Monroe replied, lining up cupcakes on the counter. “The very best kind.”

“And you’re going to wear them with pride, aren’t you?” Poppy laughed, knowing her friend well.