Page 90 of Je T'aime, Actually

“Yes,” Monroe smiled, “that sounds like the perfect plan.”

“Okay, then let’s go and make ourselves useful.”

seventy-six

Kitty flung herself at Monroe the moment they stepped into the house. The youngster wept into Monroe’s neck as she carried her through, into the lounge.

Jan smiled sadly. “Benji’s in his room. He won’t come down,” she explained. “This one just wants cuddles,” she added, gently rubbing Kitty’s back as the girl clung tighter to Monroe.

“That’s okay, we can manage cuddles,” Monroe replied with a soft smile. The look she gave Jan carried all the unsaid weight between them. ‘It’s horrific,’ it said.

“Okay, well, I’m just next door if you need me.” Jan picked up her phone from the sofa and kissed the top of Kitty’s head. “Be good.”

Chloé showed her out, though it was obvious Jan knew this house better than Chloé did.

Monroe sank slowly onto the sofa, adjusting Kitty in her arms as the girl buried herself deeper into the curve of Monroe’s neck. The sobs had quieted now, but her tiny body still trembled, wrung out from too much grief for such a little person.

She smoothed Kitty’s hair, her fingers brushing through the soft strands over and over, the rhythm calming them both.

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” she whispered. “I’ve got you.”

Kitty didn’t speak. She just gave a barely perceptible nod, her small fingers curling into Monroe’s jumper.

Outside, the street was quiet. Somewhere in the kitchen, Chloé moved gently, opening cupboards, filling the kettle, giving them space without straying too far.

After a few minutes, Kitty’s breathing evened out, her lashes fluttering closed against Monroe’s collarbone.

Kitty shifted slightly but didn’t wake. Monroe closed her eyes, cradling her close, as the weight of it all settled like dust around them.

The soft clink of a mug set down on the coffee table drew Monroe from the half-doze she’d slipped into with Kitty nestled against her.

Chloé crouched in front of her, offering a small smile. “Tea,” she said simply. “Thought you could use it.”

Monroe gave a tired, grateful smile in return. “Thank you.”

Chloé glanced at the sleeping child in Monroe’s arms. “She’s out.”

“Completely,” Monroe murmured. “Didn’t even flinch when I shifted.”

Chloé hesitated, then sat gently on the edge of the armchair opposite. “I was thinking…maybe I could go speak to Benji.”

Monroe’s brows lifted slightly. “You barely know him.”

“Exactly,” Chloé replied, her voice soft but certain. “That might be the point.”

Monroe looked down at Kitty, then back at her. “I don’t know…”

“Sometimes the people we love…we hide things from them,” Chloé said carefully. “To protect them. He might be trying to stay strong for Poppy, for Kitty, maybe even for you. But withsomeone he doesn’t know—someone who doesn’t come with all that heaviness—he might let a little more out.”

Monroe blinked at her, heart full. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

Chloé smiled, a little shyly. “Just trying to help.”

Monroe nodded, gently brushing a curl from Kitty’s forehead. “Alright. He’s in the room at the top of the stairs.”

Chloé rose, brushing invisible lint from her jeans. “I’ll be kind.”

“I know you will,” Monroe said softly, watching her go.