Jane Actually

each person or crafting personalized notes for each one. Instead, Mary had written the same personalized note fifty times.
    Three more days of this, and then a break.
    But that thought did not comfort her; it only increased her exhaustion. She did her best to hide it as she rose from the signing table and thanked the JASNA volunteers who waited with her as the room emptied and while she waited for Melody to arrive with the photographer.
    The task of making small talk, unfortunately, did not prevent her mind from churning.
    What am I going to do? Did I promise Jane I would sign a contract? It was the heat of the moment. Surely they’ll understand. And what did I say?
    She tried to recall her exact words: Something like ‘I hope I’ll always have the privilege of being your avatar.’
    She had earlier hoped she could explain to Jane that she’d said those words unguardedly, but then Jane told her about Albert’s letter and again she felt the need to support her friend.
    She’d been surprised by her instant defence of Jane, even though she thought Jane was stupid to have deceived Albert. It made her realize that Jane was no longer just her employer, but a friend to whom she had made a sort of promise.
    And, of course, Albert’s letter only increased Mary’s desire to remain by Jane’s side. It would be like leaving a movie before the lovers unite—
before Elizabeth realizes Darcy paid off Wickham
, she thought with a smile.
Oh God, she’s gotten into my head and can I ever get her out? Nine months ago I hardly even knew who she was.
    Further contemplation was interrupted by Melody’s arrival. Mary thought Jane’s agent seemed strangely subdued, but perhaps Melody was still recovering from the drama of the morning showdown.
    “Hi Mary,” Melody said quietly. “How’d the signing go?”
    “No problem,” she replied, quickly reminding herself of the lie she and Jane had concocted.
    “Is Jane with you? I have to ask her a question and she hasn’t been answering any of my emails.”
    “No, she left right after the signing. I’m surprised you didn’t bump into her on her way out,” Mary said without hesitation. “She’s going on one of her walks, I’m afraid.” She decided not to elaborate on her deception.
    “Oh, well tell her to answer her damn emails,” Melody said, although she did not make her remark with any vehemence.
    “Is everything OK, Melody? You look a little down.”
    “No, everything’s OK.”
    “You’ll feel better once Tamara arrives. Was she able to get a flight for tomorrow?” Mary knew that there had been some difficulty about Tamara’s flight because they’d put off booking it until the last minute.
    Melody grimaced, stood and then answered, “Yes, she gets in very early.” She walked away from Mary and toward the backdrops the photographer had earlier set up.
    “Now I know what’s wrong. You forgot to take your heartburn pill this morning.”
    Melody nodded without looking at Mary. “Yes, that’s it. Where is that photographer? We’ve only got this room until three. Damn, Jane should be here.”
    She’s gone from depressed to cranky
, Mary thought. “I don’t think it really matters, Mel.”
    “Still she … no you’re right. I guess you can handle this on your own. You know it’s a load off my mind that we won’t have to find another … oh, finally. You’re late,” Melody told the photographer.
    Mary, with a sinking heart, prepared once more to pose as Jane Austen.
    . . .
    Mary fumbled for her phone, worried for a brief irrational second that Jane, still on walkabout, had been in a car accident. She looked at the display and saw it had just gone twelve and that her caller was Stephen. She had just fallen asleep despite her troubled thoughts.
    “Mary, is Jane with you?” Stephen asked without a hello.
    “What? No, she’s gone for her walk. Why are you calling so late?”
    “I’m sorry, I just didn’t know what else to do. Do you know that Jane has a boyfriend?”
    His question erased any lingering sleepiness. She turned onto her back and raised herself up, adding an extra pillow for support.
    “How do you know about that?” she asked, rather confused.
    “Because her boyfriend is my roommate.”
    That comment required several minutes of explanation from Stephen before their conversation could continue.
    “And then he sent her an email telling her that he was leaving the AGM.”
    “I know, she told me about it,” she said, her voice