Born to Run

Epilogue

Within the following year, three weddings were announced, Julian Mansfield and Princess Esme Broderick’s, Fitzwilliam Manning and Heidi Goldworth’s, and Ted Falcon and Louisa Goldworth’s.

Though the Manning family were crushed by Brigitte’s death, the loss only made them stronger. A plaque in her memory now stands in the palace orchard, right beside the late Queen’s grave, where the royal family, the Goldworth and Manning families pay their respects every year.

As for Kenneth Goldworth, after resigning from his post as captain in the King’s army, he gave up on fighting altogether, and decided to pursue his dream career in art, travelling the country to sell his work. Gray is never used in any of his paintings.

Curtis continued as footman for the palace, and could not be convinced to take a higher title. He vowed to forever stay by the King’s and Princess’ side as long as he’d live, and so far, no one big enough has been able to move him.

With none of her children living at home, Mrs Goldworth sold the cottage and took up the Manning’s offer to live with them, where she finds herself quite content and occupied.

Julian and Esme, of course, could not be happier. Though occasionally they have their arguments, usually involving ways to behave under the eye of the public, it gives King Edward and Morton Mansfield something to chuckle about.

Lizzie remains blissfully unaware of everything that goes on, but her family is expecting that to change very soon.

I know this is the part of the story where I, as the author, sum up “Born to Run” with some heart-felt and mushy lines that will make you sigh and wish you life was exciting as Esme’s, but I will surprise you and not do so!

How will I sum it up, then? I will do so by saying that I sincerely hope reading my work has been as depressing, amusing, confusing and as exhilarating as it has been to write! Esme’s trials and tribulations perhaps might be an extreme version of yours or mine, but one think is very clear: we are all born to run; it just depends on when and where we decide to stop. And it’s not just a one-man marathon either. It is family, friends, and maybe even significant others who help you make it all the way.

Here’s to running: thank God there’s eventually a finish line.