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"Do I detect any jealousy there, pole-like friend?" Nobley said "Still upset that you weren’t cast as a gentle Nobley ducked and raround The brunette squealed and bounced on the balls of her feet

"Stop it!" Jane pulled at Nobley, then slipped He put out an arht her midfall across her ive her a hand up and push Martin away at the same time

"Get off me," Martin said "I’ll help her"

He kicked Nobley in the rear, followed by sorabbed Nobley’s ar at Nobley froround Nobley’s cap fell off, then his trench coat twisted up around Martin, who batted at it crazily

"Cut it out!" Jane said, pushing Nobley back and putting herself between the a school-boy scuffle than an ingenue with two brawling beaus

"M- of Edgar"

"Who the hell is Edgar?"

"You know, that other gardener who always sht"

Jane raised her hands in exasperation "Would you two

A stuffed-up voice over the PA announced preboarding for Jane’s flight The brunette led to his feet with a hand up from Nobley, and they both stood before Jane, silent, pathetic as wet dogs ant to be let back in the house She felt very sure of herself just then, tall and sleek and confident

"Well, they’re playing , boys," she said melodically

Martin’s tall shoulders slu feet seemed clownish Nobley had no trace of a siven her Darcy obsession a really good challenge They were easily the most scrumptious men of her acquaintance, and she supposed she’d never had sono To both of theled It was a perfect moment

"It’s been a pleasure Truly" She started to turn away

"Jane" Nobley placed a hand on her shoulder, a desperate kind of bravery overcoain "Jane, please" He raised her hand to his lips, his eyes down as if afraid ofhers Jane smiled and re She stepped into hihtly pressed her cheek against his neck She could feel hih

"Thank you," she whispered "Tell Mrs Wattlesbrook I said tallyho"

She sauntered aithout looking back She could hear thetheir sincerity Jane ignored theate, down the jetway Though pure fantasy, it was exactly the finale she’d hoped for

She liked the way it had ended, had enjoyed her last line Tallyho What did that ? Tallyho A beginning of sohted It was time to run it down