Page 140 of Play On

Nicholas grins. “Amelia is a bit paranoid about that door not being firmly shut, but I’m not.”

“Well, after that painting disaster in the den, I don’t blame her,” I say, smiling at the memory.

“Now that it’s in the rearview mirror, it’s hilarious to think about.”

“It is,” I say. “By the way, if you don’t know it already, you have a fantastic girlfriend. If you don’t marry her one day, I might have to disown you as my brother.”

Nicholas quirks a brow at that, and I continue. “She’s going out on a big limb to help me, and I want to reassure her I won’t let her down. I won’t. No flittering, I swear to you.”

His forehead wrinkles in confusion. “Vi, what are you talking about?”

“She’s going to her mother for help,” I explain. “She’s going to take my plans and my CV, and she’s hoping with her mother’s connections to the art world in London, she might be able to get my foot in the door for some interviews.”

Nicholas’s face nearly lights up. “That’s my girl,” he says proudly. “She’s got such a huge heart for people she cares about.”

“She does. That’s why you need to marry her,” I tease.

“Don’t worry. I’m going to.”

I grin. From the look on his face, I know it’s true.

But I grow serious once again. “I swear to you, Nicholas, I know she’s taking a risk asking her mum to help me. I promise you, I will not, in any way, flake on her if she helps me. No jumping to another job shortly after being hired. I’ll be committed and work hard and make Amelia’s mum proud.”

Nicholas is quiet for a moment.

“What?” I ask.

“I’m so sorry I ever played a part in putting that into your head,” he says, his voice steeped with regret. “I did call you a butterfly and used the word ‘flittering,’ and if I had only known the damage it di—”

“Stop,” I say, interrupting him. “You knew I had fears behind my reasons. But how were you to know how I was processing those words? There’s no way you could.”

“I should have, I’m your twin.”

“Yes, but you aren’t a mind reader. I don’t want you to say another word about it. You’re my brother and I love you, okay?”

“I love you, too.”

“So how much did you argue with Mum and Dad? Are they madder than they are about you getting the peacocks as a new morning alarm?”

Nicholas chuckles at that. “We argued, I was told to mind my place, and no, they still are angrier about me getting Carl and Roy than anything I said in defence of you.”

“Well, good, we’re already getting back to normal.” I tease.

He smiles wryly at that. “But are you okay? I know what Dad said hurt, Violet.”

I pause for a moment. “I won’t lie to you, it was gutting to hear those words from Dad. And Mum. But I’m just going to have to prove them wrong, that’s all. The old Violet would have slunk away to the gift shop. The new Violet is going to look for an opportunity to build a career. I know I’ll make mistakes. But I understand now how that makes me a human being.”

“I’m so proud of you. I really am, Vi.”

“That means a lot to me,” I say quietly. “Thank you.”

Nicholas rises. “I’m going to head back in. Are you coming?”

“I think I’m going to stay here and get some sage counsel from Carl and Roy,” I joke.

“Well, I know they have ideas on grapes and interior decor—not sure how helpful they’ll be on the CV.”

I grin and Nicholas walks out, locking the door before he leaves. I pick up the bag of grapes and throw one to Carl, but then Roy lets me have it with a big squawk and I quickly throw one to him, too.

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