89. Chapter 89
eighty-nine
T he hospital felt colder when Monroe walked the kids down the corridor towards Frank’s room. Chloé had stayed behind to pack and organise her flight and would be gone by the time they got home again. Saying goodbye like that had been harder than Monroe imagined.
“When is Chloé coming back?” Benji asked, his voice soft as he slipped his hand into Monroe’s.
“I’m not sure. She has something with her business to fix, and then hopefully…” Her words trailed off. She smiled down at him, trying to keep it light, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Hopefully, soon.”
Benji nodded but didn’t say anything else. He just held her hand a little tighter as they reached the door.
They paused outside, and Monroe fussed with Kitty’s hair while Benji fidgeted beside her.
“Will she be here for Christmas?” Kitty asked.
Monroe hadn’t even considered that. Though it was only a few weeks away, she’d been looking forward to spending their first Christmas together.
“I hope so,” Monroe said instead, before changing the topic back to where they were.
“Now remember,” she said, crouching slightly to meet their eyes, “we have to behave. No arguing with each other. If you feel overwhelmed, you can just say so and we’ll go for a walk or take a break in the café. Alright?”
They both nodded, eager now, with brighter faces than during yesterday’s visit.
“Okay.” Monroe knocked gently.
“Why can’t we just go in?” Benji asked.
“Well, there might be doctors in there,” Monroe said, “or Dad might be getting a bed bath—”
“Bed bath?” Kitty exclaimed. “The sheets would be drenched !”
Monroe stifled a laugh. “Not the kind of bath you’re thinking of. It’s just a way for people to stay clean when they can’t get up. The sheets stay dry—promise.”
Kitty wrinkled her nose. “That’s gross.”
Benji gave her a shove with his shoulder. “You’re gross.”
Monroe raised her eyebrows. “What did I just say about arguing?”
“Sorry,” they both mumbled in unison.
The door opened before Monroe could say anything else. A nurse stepped out, clipboard in hand and a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Perfect timing.”
Monroe didn’t respond. Her gaze slipped past the nurse, into the room, straight to Poppy, who was sitting as close to the bed as possible. One hand clasped Frank’s, the other gently stroked his face.
Kitty darted past them. “Mum! Dad!”
Poppy turned, her face lighting up with a tired but genuine grin. “I was just about to call you,” she said, eyes moving from the children to Monroe. “He woke up.”
“Dad’s awake?” Benji asked, suddenly hurrying to the other side of the bed.
“He was ,” Poppy said. “He’s drifted off again. They said that’s normal. He’ll probably be like this most of the day, until the sedatives properly wear off.”
“Hey, Dad,” Kitty whispered, climbing into a chair beside her mum. They all grinned when Frank let out a soft groan.
“This is wonderful news,” Monroe said, stepping towards Poppy. She placed a steady hand on her friend’s shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Did he say anything?”
Poppy shook her head. “No, just kind of mumbled incoherently and then closed his eyes again.” She laughed and reached up to grip Monroe’s hand, “But he’s awake.”
“I brought some clean clothes,” Monroe said, dropping her rucksack to the floor. “Do you want to grab a shower? We won’t go anywhere.”
Poppy looked torn.
Monroe grinned. “You don’t want his first words when he wakes up to be ‘Who stinks?’ do you?”
Benji laughed. “Yeah, Mum. Even we washed.”
“Fair enough,” Poppy said, smiling. “You all win.” She grabbed her wash bag and took the carrier Monroe pulled from her backpack. “I’ll be right back.”
“We’re not going anywhere,” Monroe promised.
Poppy returned ten minutes later. Benji was on his iPad, Kitty was reading a book, and Monroe was checking a message from Chloé.
Chloé: I have a flight for two this afternoon, so I need to leave now. I’ve spoken with Cécile and she’ll meet me in Nantes. I’ll go straight to the office and try to work this issue out. Authors and their egos, huh? Give my love to everyone, and I’ll speak to you tonight.
“Everything okay?” Poppy asked, catching the serious look on Monroe’s face.
Monroe nodded, though there was a hint of sadness behind it.
“Chloé had to go back to France,” Kitty said without looking up from her book.
“Oh.” Poppy’s brow creased. “Is she coming back?”
“Yes, eventually…I hope.” Monroe gave a soft laugh. “It’s a work thing. Something to do with an author. She needs to soothe the ego and keep them on track. It’s a huge part of turning the publishing house around.”
“I’m so sorry,” Poppy offered, sitting down beside Monroe. She took Monroe’s hand and rubbed the back of it soothingly. “If you need to go—”
“No, not at all.” Monroe shook her head. “I’m here—for you all. I’m not leaving. Chloé and I both understand the pressures on each of our lives at the moment. We can work around them.”
“I’m glad you’re here,” Poppy said, her voice cracking a little. She glanced at Frank in the bed, the kids either side of it, before turning her attention back to Monroe. “I don’t know what I’d do without you here.”
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now,” Monroe assured her friend. “For as long as you need me.”
“That’s sweet, but you’ll have to go home at some point.”
Monroe shook her head. “This is home. You and the kids are my home, no matter where I live.”