Page 93 of Je T'aime, Actually

Just then, Monroe’s phone buzzed on the side, lighting up with a familiar contact photo. Before she could reach for it, Benji leant forward and grabbed it.

“It’s Mum!” he shouted, thumb already swiping to answer the video call. The screen lit up, and there she was: Poppy, looking pale and tired, her hair scraped back, eyes red-rimmed, but smiling as soon as she saw them.

“Mum!” Kitty squealed, trying to clamber onto the table. Monroe caught her halfway, bringing her in closer to the screen.

“Hey, my babies,” Poppy said, her voice cracking instantly. “God, I’ve missed you.”

Benji held the phone steady, his eyes now full of tears. “We’re okay, Mum. Are you okay?”

Poppy nodded slowly. “I’m okay. I’m with Daddy. He’s still sleeping, but I’m right here.”

Chloé took a step back, giving them space, her hand brushing Monroe’s in quiet reassurance. Monroe smiled faintly, grateful once more none of them were going through this alone.

“Do you want us to come tomorrow?” Kitty asked.

“No, sweetheart. You stay with Monroe and Chloé, okay? I need to stay here for Daddy.” Poppy paused, breathing through the emotion. “But just seeing you…this helps more than you know.”

Benji tilted the screen so Monroe was visible too. “Monroe bought us pizza.”

“Well,” Poppy managed a tearful smile, “then I know you’re in good hands.”

“Yeah, but we want to see Dad,” Benji said. Kitty nodded beside him, her face nearly pressed against his as they both stared into the screen.

“I know you do,” Poppy said gently. “And as soon as it’s possible, I’ll have Monroe and Chloé bring you here. Deal?”

Unconvinced, Benji nodded. “Okay.”

“Now…” Poppy added softly, “can I have a quick word with Monroe?”

Benji passed the phone over, and Monroe took it, gently placing Kitty back into her chair before stepping out of the kitchen and into the back garden. The late evening air was crisp, quiet—a stark contrast to the emotions still buzzing through her.

“Hey,” she said, smiling as her friend appeared on the screen.

“Hey.” Poppy’s smile crumbled the moment they were alone, all pretence gone. “Frank’s had some tests. It’s looking promising, but I don’t want to tell the kids yet—not until I’m sure. But…if things keep improving, maybe they can visit in a couple of days.”

“That’s good news, Pop,” Monroe said, relief fluttering softly in her chest.

“We’ll take any glimmer of hope right now,” Poppy said. She bit her lip, biting back the tears.

“I told the kids they could skip school tomorrow.”

“That’s fine,” Poppy replied quickly. “I’ll call the school and explain. Maybe one of you could pick up some work for them later in the week? Nothing intense—just something to keep them focused. How’s Benji?”

“He’s okay. He’s no longer holed up in his room, so that’s something. He’s talking, bit by bit. Trying to be brave.”

“That’s what worries me,” Poppy said quietly.

“Well, don’t worry about that just now. Chloé seems to have struck a bit of a chord with him, which is helping. We’ll just keep things structured and keep things ticking over as normally as we can. And my phone’s on, so call anytime you need us, for anything.”

“I will. I promise.”

“And I’ll come by the hospital tomorrow with some clean clothes for you.”

Poppy laughed. “God, yes, please.”

seventy-nine

Monroe carefully stripped the bedding from Poppy and Frank’s bed, folding each item with care and placing it gently to one side.