Jane Actually

I’m kidding. I’d be happy to have any part in a movie.”
    Thus assured that the movie offer wasn’t a mistake that she would have to refuse, she and Jane were free to talk of other things.
    “And how did the Florida trip go?”
    “A little overwhelming, I must confess. Albert’s family is … quite extensive.”
    “And did they all love you? Like I said they would.”
    “I believe they did. And it was fun to just be Albert’s ‘lady friend.’”
    “And did you go to Disneyland?”
    “Disney World … and I’m sure Albert has already related to you my embarrassing incident.”
    “I know, it was so cute. How long did you have to wait in lost and found?”
    “It was no more than three quarters of an hour. They are very efficient. Florida has a very large disembodied population.”
    “And how’s Mel doing?”
    “Sigh. Still at a loss, I’m afraid. She’s thrown herself into work, as usual. But I’m meeting Tamara for lunch tomorrow. Maybe I can talk some sense into them separately.”
    “I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you.”
    “Nonsense. You needed to pursue your own dreams for a while. I did get a call from Stephen the other day. He asked about you.”
    “Oh poor Jane. You’re stuck in the middle of everyone’s love life. I’ll call him. I promise”
    “You are both in Chicago. Surely you can meet him.”
    Mary then heard her name being called from the other end of the alley—“Cranford! Get your ass back in here. Cranford!”—and then the sound of a slamming door.
    “Got to go, Jane. They’re calling for me.”
    She made her goodbye and hurried back inside. As the door closed behind her she heard the rumble of an elevated train. The sound, combined with Jane’s mention of him, reminded her of the first day she’d spent with Stephen.
    1 The Screen Actors Guild is an American labour union representing professional film and television actors in the United States. Actor’s Equity represents stage actors.

Titbits IV

About the author
    Jane, Actually
is Jennifer Petkus’s third book. Previously she wrote
Good Cop, Dead Cop
(the first book about the AfterNet) and
My Particular Friend
(a Sherlock Holmes/Jane Austen mashup). Once she stops writing in the third person and publishes this book, she’ll return to the task of writing
The Background Noise of Souls
(the sequel to her first book) and
Our Mutual Friends
(the sequel to her second book).
    Ms Petkus is a member of JASNA, Doctor Watson’s Neglected Patients, The Wodehouse Society and Rocky Mountain Ki Society (she has a first-degree black belt in aikido but refuses to test for second degree because she’s old). She has been a reporter and a web designer but can now be best described as an unsuccessful author. Her friends derisively call her a kept woman. She is happily married. She watched Neil Armstrong walk on the moon live. She likes to make furniture and scale models, but is not very good at either.