Page 94 of Je T'aime, Actually

When Chloé frowned, puzzled, Monroe explained, “I’m aware the sheets smell like Frank. That might be something Poppy needs, eventually.”

“I hadn’t thought of that.” Chloé paused, reflective. “If something happened to you, I don’t know if smelling you on sheets would comfort me, or break me.”

Monroe hesitated, then said softly, “If it were me, that would be your choice. But this isn’t about us. I’m not going to take that choice away from Poppy.”

Chloé nodded. “Fair enough.” She moved to the other side of the bed and helped stretch the fresh sheet across the mattress.

“It already feels strange enough sleeping in their bed,” Monroe said. “I’ve never stayed here—never needed to—living just around the corner.”

“We could manage on the sofa, if that would make you more comfortable,” Chloé offered.

Monroe smiled. “I really do not want to sleep on a sofa. And I imagine at some point, we’ll have Kitty in here with us.”

Chloé’s eyes widened. “Oh, so…bedclothes on.”

“Absolutely.” Monroe laughed, pulling a pillow into a fresh case and tossing it across to Chloé.

“I get the feeling this is going to be an eventful few days,” Chloé said, catching it with a grin.

“You have no idea, my darling.”

Chloé sat up in bed reading. Monroe doomscrolled on her phone. The nap earlier had eased the exhaustion, but switching off wasn’t coming easily, which turned out to be useful, because ten minutes later, the door creaked open and little feet padded softly across the carpet.

“Kitty?” Monroe whispered, watching the child drag her blankie behind her.

“Can I sleep in with you?” came the small voice.

Monroe lifted the duvet and shuffled over, patting the mattress. As Kitty scrambled in beside her, Monroe turned to Chloé.

“Once she’s asleep—”

Chloé nodded. “It’s fine.”

“Can I sleep in the middle?” Kitty asked, already climbing over Monroe to squeeze herself between them.

Monroe grinned. “Shall we see how fine it is in a minute?”

Chloé picked up her book, only to set it down again a moment later as Kitty wriggled and fidgeted, settling in with limbs everywhere.

“I see now why Poppy always looks slightly unhinged,” she said, amused.

Monroe chuckled, gently tucking the blanket around Kitty. “You get used to it.”

Chloé smiled, brushing her thumb over Monroe’s hand. “I’ll be fine. She’s no bother.”

eighty

Seven a.m. and Chloé woke to a small foot pressed against her cheek.

Monroe was already awake, lying on her side, propped up on an elbow and watching her with a quiet smile.

“Still all fine?” she asked softly.

Chloé yawned, reaching up to gently nudge the foot away so she could turn her head properly.

“I didn’t think anyone could be more fidgety than you,” she said, her voice dry. “I stand corrected.”

Monroe laughed quietly. “She might be here every night.”