74. Chapter 74
seventy-four
B y two in the afternoon, Monroe was exhausted, half-asleep in the chair beside Poppy. Chloé sat opposite, uncomfortable on a hard plastic seat on the other side of Frank’s bed. She’d been up and down all morning, fetching coffee and snacks to keep them all going as they waited.
And waited.
“Monroe, you need to get some sleep,” Poppy said gently.
“I’m fine—”
“No, you’re not. You’re exhausted. You both are.”
Chloé straightened. “She’s right. We’re no use to anyone if we can’t stay awake.”
“I appreciate you both being here, I really do,” Poppy said, her voice low, “but get some rest.”
Monroe frowned. “What about you?”
“I can sleep here. They bring in a cot.” Poppy offered a tired, sad smile. “It’s not great, but it’s something.”
They walked back to the car in silence; the kind that wrapped around them like a heavy coat, slowing you down with every step.
The quiet thrum of the engine filled the space as Chloé started the car, pulling out of the hospital car park and onto the road, following the Satnav back to Monroe’s cottage.
Monroe stared out of the window, chewing her thumbnail.
“I feel awful leaving her,” Monroe said finally, her voice barely audible over the sound of tyres on tarmac. “She looked so…lost.”
Chloé reached across the console and gently squeezed her hand. “I know. But you being rested and steady is going to be more helpful to Poppy than you falling apart from exhaustion. And the kids need you too. You’re their safe space.”
Monroe didn’t answer, but the guilt still sat heavily behind her eyes.
“I have a plan,” Chloé continued softly. “We’ll go back to the cottage, take a short nap—just enough to reset. Then we’ll shower, get changed, and head to Poppy’s. We’ll let Jan go and we can take over from there. Get the kids some dinner. Be present—properly.”
Monroe nodded slowly. “That makes sense. I just…” She trailed off.
Chloé glanced at her, keeping her tone gentle. “You don’t have to do everything at once. Let’s take it in steps. You’ll be there when she needs you.”
There was a long pause before Monroe finally said, “Okay. Let’s do that.”
Chloé gave her a small, encouraging smile. “Good. Now close your eyes if you want. I’ll get us back.”
Monroe leant her head against the window, allowing herself to be led. It was exactly what she needed for now.