Epilogue
December
The Harlowe June Gallery, London
“I’m so nervous,” I tell Noah as I walk around the art gallery and do what seems like my thousandth inspection of each piece of the Bloom exhibition of paintings and prints that is opening tonight at the Harlow June Gallery in Soho. “I just want everything to be perfect.”
Noah puts his hands on my shoulders and holds me in place. “Violet. Breathe.”
I follow his instructions and take a deep breath of air. Then I exhale slowly.
“This exhibition is amazing. I’ve heard the gallery director tell that to you. She had enough faith to let you put on your own small exhibition as soon as you started, so trust me when I say it’s brilliant.”
I stare into his deep brown eyes and feel nothing but comfort as I look back at him. Because I see nothing but belief in me in his intense gaze.
“I believe you. And this is happening all because of you, Noah,” I say, nodding. “None of this happens without your belief in me.”
It’s true. It was Noah’s belief in me that caused me to believe in myself. That I could be brave enough to fail—and by doing so, be brave enough to take a chance on finding a career that I was passionate about.
And I found it here at the Harlowe June Gallery as a gallery assistant.
“No,” Noah says firmly. “You did this. You got the introduction from Amelia’s mum, but the rest of it—making an impression in that interview, then showing what you could do here—that was all you, Violet. And I’m so proud of you.”
I think back to the summer. Lady Sarah connected me with Winter Fielding, the gallery director. When I did the research for the gallery, my heart knew it was a perfect fit. This gallery focuses on art from the Renaissance period to the sixties, and so much of that interlaces with the art that I love so much in my family’s home. When I met with Winter in August, I was nervous, of course—because there was no way to get around my lack of experience on my CV—but I answered that honestly. I talked about the art at Wintersmith Hall, what compelled me to select specific pieces as my favourites, what I hoped to offer a gallery that gave me a chance to learn and prove myself.
This is the result. I organised this entire show on my own—in a very tight time frame—and tonight is the culmination of all that work.
My first exhibition.
My dad never gave me a chance to do an event at Wintersmith Hall, despite Noah’s heartfelt plea for them to do so.
But as it turns out, I didn’t need it.
All I needed was to believe in myself and to convince someone to give me a chance.
And I did exactly that.
“I love you so much,” I tell Noah softly.
He smiles gently at me. “I love you, too.”
I still can’t believe how much my life has changed since I started seeing Noah. I got the job here at Harlowe June in August and moved to London straight away. I thought I would be living in my family’s flat—which I did for a month—but then Jules ended up taking a job in Scotland and moved out of Aimee’s flat.
I moved in.
And it’s the best move I could have made. We are truly each other’s best friend, and we enjoy living together.
Well, when I’m there, that is.
I have to admit, I spend a lot of time in Surrey. So much so that I have my own wardrobe in Noah’s home. He still hasn’t changed his mind about me staying there when he’s travelling, but I’m working on it.
I’m so happy when I’m in Surrey with Noah. We’re creating our own little life there with Mila. I’ve even decorated his living room and it actually has furniture now! Noah and I went furniture shopping, and he was involved in the whole process of decorating, which made it fun.
It also made the room ours.
The sound of heels clicking against the hardwood floor causes both of us to turn around. It’s the gallery director, Winter.
“Are you ready, Violet? The VIP guests are already beginning to queue outside,” she says, smiling brightly at me.
My stomach flips upside down with excitement and nerves. “Yes. The waitstaff are ready with starters, the bartenders are ready, and I—”
“Violet,” she says, chuckling, “I know you’re ready on the professional front. I wanted to know how you’re feeling about your first exhibition.”
“Oh,” I say, feeling my cheeks grow warm. “I’m nervous, if you can’t tell.”
“Don’t be. The collection you’ve put together is fantastic and from the RSVPs you’ve received, you know it’s going to be a full house. Take time to enjoy it, okay?”
I nod. “I will.”
Then she turns and walks away.
I turn to Noah and exhale again.
“You know you have a full team here to support you,” he reminds me.
I grin at him. “The entire Saucy Shorts squad is coming tonight.”
Noah blushes. “Stop.”
I giggle. “You keep telling me that and I would think you would have realised by now that I’m never stopping with it.”
“I can always hold out hope.”
“Never.”
We both laugh softly at that.
But it’s true. The entire Saucy Shorts squad, as I’ve named them since the Australia trip, are coming tonight for my show. Nicholas and Amelia. Aimee. Camden and Bella. Our found family are here for me, and I feel so lucky to have them.
Sarah, of course, will be here with her well-connected friends. She and I have formed quite a lovely bond, and I have lunch or dinner with her once a month to talk about art and charity events. I enjoy her company, and she enjoys mine. Sarah told me once that she sees now that Amelia is much happier “mucking about” in the country fixing leaks and tending to peacocks, and she’s accepted that Amelia has to follow her own path—which has made both of them happier as a result.
My parents have come up for the opening, which means a lot to me after everything that has happened. They didn’t support my projects at Wintersmith Hall, but they have supported my career in London, and I appreciate that.
Whilst I’m being supported tonight, Noah has been equally supported this season on the pitch, too.
I still get chills when I remember how the entire Saucy Shorts squad came to Noah’s first game of the season at Hawkes Park. He confessed to me that his contract gives him a box at the stadium, but he’d never used it because he had nobody who would come see him play. I told him to get that box ready because there was going to be people in it for every home game.
I kept my promise.
But even better? Noah surprised me by having a mural painted on one of the walls in the box. There’s a painting of him, sliding into the grass and making the V for me with his hand. If that weren’t enough, he also had a field with butterflies painted into the picture.
I cried when I saw it.
And vowed I would always be in that box to watch him play.
The squad has shown up for him in big ways. Aimee makes every game, and Nicholas and Amelia make quite a few as well. Even Amelia’s mum has shown up, which surprised both of us. Her brother Harry has been here, and that’s always a good time because he’s so funny. Bella always comes down from Camden’s box—he finally claimed his this season, too—and we have fun cheering on our boys together.
Stonebridge United is off to another strong start this season, sitting second in the table behind Oakleaf Palace. Noah mentioned that he expects Declan Hawkes to make some big moves when the transfer window opens in January. Most notably, for a hotshot American goalie who is playing for Milan.
Hmm. Maybe the new goalie could be a potential date for Aimee. I’ll need to ask Noah once he gets to know him. Harvey still has a girlfriend, and I’ve met her. The impression I got from her was that she really wasn’t supportive of Harvey. It was at a charity event for the team, and she stayed on her phone the entire time. It’s the same when I’ve been in the WAGS suite, which I always make a point to spend some time in during matches. She doesn’t interact with other WAGS, and I’ve overheard her bitching on the phone about being at “another game” and she was “so bored.” She said it in front of us and didn’t care that we heard it.
Hopefully, she’s more supportive of Harvey in private, but I kind of doubt it. Which is a shame because he is a lovely guy.
And he’s interesting, unlike Kieran.
I shift my thoughts back to Noah. “We should probably go to the front so I can greet people as they come in.”
He takes my hand in his. “I’ll discreetly disappear into the woodwork until Nicholas and Camden arrive,” he promises me. “This is your moment to shine. I’m so proud of what you have put together, Violet. You’re brilliant.”
I’m brilliant.
I still revel in that compliment as much as I did the first time he told me that at Wintersmith Hall all those months ago.
“Thank you,” I say, smiling up at him.
We reach the front of the gallery, and to my surprise, people are already queuing outside the door to get in—like down the pavement!
“Oh my God!” I gasp. “Noah, look!”
He slides an arm around my waist, and I feel his lips brush against my temple. “I told you. You’re going to be a success tonight.”
Happy tears fill my eyes. I look at the VIPs who are about to be let into the gallery for a night of enjoying a collection I sourced, acquired, and arranged in this space. I have my family—and found family—coming to support me.
And most of all, I have this man who loves me and believes in me with all his heart.
Just as I love and believe in him.
I glance up at Noah, thinking how lucky I am to have found him.
That we found each other.
I gave Noah the freedom to let go of his past and accept love into his life. Noah gave me the belief that I can’t be afraid of mistakes, to shed perfection, and to go after a career I wanted.
“I’ll be right back,” he says. “Excuse me.”
I nod, and Noah leaves my side. Winter is talking with other gallery employees, directing them where to be during the exhibition, and I take a moment to make sure the waitstaff are ready to go with the starters as soon as we open the doors. I’m assured by the caterer they are indeed ready, and the grilled prawns will be the first starter served to the crowd.
“Thank you, Carolyn,” I tell the woman.
“You’re welcome, Violet. And I’ll be in the back if you need anything,” she assures me.
As soon as she leaves, I see Noah approaching me with two champagne flutes. My heart melts inside my chest as he comes up to me.
“I think we have to drink to your first exhibition,” he says, smiling lovingly at me.
I take a flute from him, and Noah raises his glass to me.
“To my butterfly,” he says softly, so only I can hear him. “I’m so proud of everything you have done. You’re brilliant. Amazing. And one day, I’m going to give you beehives.”
I laugh at that, and he does, too.
“I love you, Noah,” I say softly.
“I hope you plan on doing that forever.”
“Oh, I do. Cheers,” I say.
“Cheers.”
We tap our glasses together and take a sip. The crisp, bubbly drink slides down my throat, and then Noah takes my glass back from me.
“I know you don’t want to deal with the glass when you are greeting all your guests,” he tells me.
“Thank you.”
“Now I’m going to take this champagne and disappear,” he says, his eyes dancing at me. “And Violet?”
“Yeah?”
“Congratulations.”
Noah retreats just as Winter goes to the front door to open it. I move to the front as well, and right before the guests come in, I turn and look back at Noah, who raises his glass and smiles at me. I smile back, and as the door opens and our VIP guests walk into the gallery, I have a pinch-me moment.
I can’t believe I’m here, opening an exhibition I curated.
I begin to greet people, and I see my twin with Amelia. Mum and Dad. Sarah. Aimee. Camden and Bella. My throat grows thick.
I feel so loved.
Then I turn and take one more look over my shoulder, and Noah is studying me, with a look of such pride on his face that it takes everything I have not to fall into happy tears.
Best of all, I’m loved by Noah Darby. The man who gave me the world when he gave me himself.
My Saucy Shorts,I think joyfully.
And he always will be.
THE END