Bell, Book, and Scandal

Months before, when Jane had broken down and bought a new computer, she had also bought a house plan program. The majority of her plot took place in an old rambling mansion perched on a cliff and backed by a village where a few of the scenes played out. She'd used the program to make a floor plan of the house and a map of the village as well. It was what had really inspired her to make a serious attempt to finish the book. This packet included copies of both the floor plan and the village map.

The editor was reading a book when Jane came into the meeting room a few minutes early.

The editor looked up and said, 'You must be Mrs. Jeffry.' She stood up, leaned over the table, and shook Jane's hand. 'I'm Melody Johnson.'

'I know you are,' Jane said with a smile. 'Felicity Roane told me to be sure and see you. She thinks very highly of you.'

Melody Johnson appeared to be well into her forties, beautifully groomed, and casually, but stylishly, dressed. She wasn't what Jane thought of as 'New Yorkish.' She could have been a neighbor of Jane's.

'And I of her,' Ms. Johnson said. 'Let me see what you're clutching in your hand with a death grip.'

Jane laughed and handed over the folder.

Ms. Johnson flipped through the pages and said, 'A very nice presentation, Mrs. Jeffry.'

'Please call me Jane. It scares me when people call me Mrs. Jeffry except if they're salespeople.'

'And I'm Melody,' the editor replied as she continued to examine the manuscript. 'Oh, house plans! And the layout of a village! I love books with relevant illustrations. These are very good. Would you be so kind as to bring us both soft drinks while I skim the outline?'

Jane was over the moon. She could hardly make her legs work right as she headed for the snack table. She picked up two plastic cups of ice-cold Coke and dawdled, watching as Melody Johnson read the outline.

When Melody looked up, Jane crossed the room and set the drinks on the table.

'Have you finished this book?' Melody asked. 'Or is this what you plan to do?'

'I've finished it,' Jane said. 'At least I thought I had before I came to this conference. I've already heard some advice I might want to incorporate. It's just a couple of paragraphs added and a few deleted or moved. I think the book would be better with them.'

'I'd like to read the sample chapters in peace and quiet, then go over the outline again. And I want to know, after I do that, what you're planning to change. May I keep this overnight and meet with you again tomorrow?'

Jane said, 'I'd be grateful.'

'No promises, mind you. I think well of what I've seen so far. But I'd like to know more about the proposal before we discuss it. Would you mind giving me your room number?'

Jane managed to nod agreement without kissing the woman's feet. She all but floated out the door and went in search of Shelley.

Eleven

jane was frantic to find Shelley and tell her all about her interview. She finally discovered Shelley sitting in the bar with Felicity. They each had a glass of red wine in front of them and were sharing a bowl of potato chips and a bowl of guacamole.

'Have you two been hiding from me?' Jane asked.

'Didn't you receive my message?' Shelley asked. 'What do you think a cell phone is for?'

Jane pulled her phone out of her purse, looked at the little screen, and asked, 'Is that what this little envelope thing means?' and added as the bartender passed, 'A big glass of iced tea, please.'

'The object, Jane,' Shelley commented, 'is to leave the phone on so you know when someone calls.'

'I have been,' Jane said, 'but not when I'm in a seminar, and certainly not when I'm talking to an editor.'

'Okay. You're right,' Shelley said. This was something she rarely admitted to. 'How did it go?'

'Wonderfully. She's a grown-up. She took the time to really read through the outline and a bit of the first chapter. I've given her a copy of the house plan and the village map, and she said she loved books with things like that.'

She'd spoken calmly but what she really wanted to do was jump up and down with glee and hug everyone in sight. She knew that kind of behavior would make her look like a fool, especially in front of a professional writer.

'Congratulations,' Felicity said. 'I knew you'd like her.'

'A bit early for congratulations,' Jane said. 'She also made it clear that she wasn't making any promises. I admitted I'd learned a few things here that I thought I might consider on a final pass. She's going to read the chapters and the outline tonight and contact me tomorrow about the changes I have in mind.'

Jane's drink arrived and the three women decided to sit at a table at the back of the bar to finish the discussion. They carted their drinks, book bags, purses, potato chips, and guacamole along with them.

When they were finally seated, Shelley pulled a box out of her book bag. 'Jane and I have a present for you, Felicity.'

'Why?'

Jane said, 'Because you've been very nice to us.'

Shelley had even had the box gift wrapped.

Felicity opened it and said, 'Oh, how sweet of

you both. It's a pin like Jane's.' She put it on her jacket and they all admired it.

'Now tell us in detail every word and every look,' Felicity said to Jane.

Jane did so.

'I'm glad to know you do know this might not work out,' Felicity said. 'Don't fail to go to your third interview. And would you make me a copy of your manuscript when you've made your final revisions? I'd really like to see the whole thing. If Melody Johnson doesn't take it for some reason, I might be able to make some other suggestions, if you'd like me to. Here's my card.'

Jane's jaw nearly dropped.

'Shelley, we should have gotten this woman a far more expensive piece of jewelry,' Jane said. 'I'd love to have your comments, Felicity. That's so generous of you.'

'Not really. I do like to help out unpublished writers if they've already had at least half a foot in a good door and show the right attitude toward what they're doing.' She added, 'Just so you don't tell any of the rest of the aspiring writers. I need to walk off this drink and brush my teeth or someone will start a rumor that I'm a lush,' she finished, getting to her feet.

Before Felicity could leave, one of the conference planners approached her and took her aside. Jane and Shelley watched as Felicity kept shaking her head and saying 'No.'

Finally she caved in to the planner's plea and

came back to the table and said, 'They've dragged me into the reviewers' panel. Zac Zebra has gone missing. He's not in his room. They've cruised all the meeting rooms and even the shops, and there's no sign of him. He lives nearby and they've even called him at home.'

'But you're not a reviewer, are you?' Shelley asked. She didn't really care much that Zac had left the