good to see you back, hope you had a great holiday

cath

Yup. Truly nuts! Glad you're back. I can see you down there ickleails!!!!!

Lazy I know, but I think Joy says it all!!

I am about as much rested as i could get from sleeping on a deflated air bed in a tent during torrential rain and gale force winds with a dog who is a scaredy cat and who snores- big time.... despite that i had a wonderful time seeing my brother and his family....


The next day Sue and Lucy banged on Tara’s front door armed with boxes of chocolate, cookie dough ice cream and candy; The essential recipe of comfort food.

Earlier that afternoon Lucy had answered a phone call from one distressed Tara and into between the sobs she had managed to hear ‘he’s a fool’ and ‘how could he’. As soon as she heard these she knew who the ‘fool’ was. Only one man could have such an impact on Tara and make her weep down the phone line. As soon as she had hung up she dialled Sue’s blackberry and relayed the situation to her. Sue who was snuggled up watching a film on a wet Saturday afternoon at her boyfriend’s place, passed the information onto her other half and watched as he hung his head and shake it from side to side. And now the two of them was standing in the dripping rain waiting for the door to be opened to them.

Each of them took in a sharp breath upon seeing the dishevelled form of Tara as she stood in the doorway. Looking up thru her red eyes her swallow skin was streaked with the remnants of tears. Their arms were soon vacant of the bags and were filled instead of the warm body of Tara, creating a Tara filling of a hug sandwich. Feeling the solid arms of her friends she allowed the tears to fall once again.

“I am so stupid” she moaned into their shoulders.

Feeling the vibrations Sue looked up at Lucy and watched as Lucy mouthed Tara spoken words.

“You are not stupid,” answered Lucy firmly.

Chewing her bottom lip Tara nodded her head and said, “I am” as she pulled away from them.

“Why do you think that?” asked Sue gently.

Sniffing she wiped her nose on the crumpled tissue that was clutched in her hand,

“Because I fell head over heels in love with Mr Wrong and I didn’t even see it coming.”

She hastily wiped the tears away from her chapped cheeks as she headed back to the sanctuary of the couch where she pulled the throw up to her chin again. The other two followed on and Lucy headed over to grab some spoons while Sue hauled the ice cream out of the bag.

As the sweet ice cream melted in their mouths sending sugar rushing thru their veins Sue dared to ask the question that had been on her lips for a while now.

“Tara are you sure Bobby is Mr Wrong?”

Spoon in midair with ice cream melting over the edges, Tara stared in astonishment at Sue.

“Of course” she spluttered, “I mean he had Darcy- he loves Darcy”

“But without talking to him you cant be 100% sure now can you?” Sue said.

Coughing Tara said, “talk to him. I am so embarrassed you are lucky if I can even look at him on Monday. No matter how much I want him to be Mr Right I have to face facts. This is real life, not my dream world. Bobby Manning does not and will not ever love me.”

As she coddled back into her throw the two ladies shared a look of distress and shared pain for their friend.

tara go talk to the man

cath

But he does love you, he does!!!

PS - Is Sue's boyfriend Jack??!!

Tara - talk to Bobby - methinks you will be very surprised!!!

Joy

Oh pobrecita Tara. She is blessed to have two great friends armed with comfort food.

Bobby, you fool, you broke Tara's heart!!



Ails, I'm sorry the conditions for your trip weren't perfect but visiting family is fun and I hope you were still able to relax somewhat.

too much angst!!!!!!!!! Will one of them please talk to the other...

I wasn't sure if anyone else remembered the comment about Sue's boyfriend amidst all the angst!

From his position on the couch he took aim and fired the foam ball thru the air where it landed squarely in the centre of the hoop that was attached to the back of the door. It lightly bounced and rolled away under the dresser covered in photos. Feeling dejected he sat there staring at it not able to will himself to move. A knock at the door finally made him move. Grunting he heaved his wearily body from the mould of the chair and headed over to the door where he could hear Jack shouting his name. Unlocking the door he turned on his heels and went back to his couch. Letting himself in Jack walked over to the slumped form of his best friend. Tossing his jacket over the chair in the corner eh sat down on the oak coffee table in front of Bobby.

Bobby nervously lifted his eyes and immediately lowered them, knowing that deep down he could not hide anything from Jack. Jack just stared at him in thick silence. After about 10 minutes of this Bobby finally spoke.

“Say something will you?”

Jack shrugged, “why I have nothing to say”

“Then why are you here and not with Sue?”

“I think you know why!”

“What then!”

“Darcy!” was all that Jack said.

Bobby gave a dry laugh that got caught in his throat.

“Bobby I definitely don’t want details,” he shudders “but I do want you to be honest”

“But…”

“No buts. Just do it. What have you got to lose?”

“Everything” he said quietly

“Just compare that to what you have to gain and let that spur you on. Just do something”

“What?” he asked with pleading in his eyes. “I” he stuttered “don’t know how to make this better. She saw me and I saw the pain in her eyes. I caused that pain. I don’t deserve her”

“Maybe but why don’t you let Tara decide.”

“I don’t know if I can face her.” He hung his head.

“Well why don’t you try a letter to begin with” suggested Jack.

“I don’t know the first thing about letter writing.” Confessed Bobby “ and I don’t want to make it any worse and knowing me I probably would”

“Well that is why guys like us know a man like Myles”

“Myles!” he said with a cocked eyebrow.

“Well it is a start,” said Jack.

“Yeah” he sat leaning his head back on the cushion and staring at the ceiling.

“Jack how did you know?”

“Let just say a little birdie told me” Jack said moving to the chair from the table.

A little birdie told him, heh?? Was it a little "S" birdie???

Joy

Okay, Bobby, make it right.

Ack, Bobby, we all make mistakes. But there's room for forgiveness and a second chance especially with someone as sweet and precious as Tara.

let's just skip the letter writing and send bobby over here to kiss her senseless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ok i realise that would miss the point of the challenge but it sure would skip the painful scenes of myles writing tara a letter........ would she even understand the long words he'd use?? would bobby understand them????

fab post i love it

cath

Totally. What if Tara realises that Myles wrote it and that screws it up for Bobby and Tara!!!!???? If this is not your plan, then DON'T LISTEN TO ME. REPEAT, IF THIS IS NOT YOUR PLAN THE DON'T LISTEN TO ME!

Jenny

Sunday afternoon

Bobby reluctantly approached the door of Myles Leland the third and rapped on it.

Myles opened it wearing khaki pants and a light blue polo shirt. “Manning what do I owe the pleasure?”

Slumping down Bobby exhaled loudly, “I need your expertise so to speak”

“Pardon?” asked Myles letting Bobby in.

“I need your help”

“Really. Interesting and in what way can I help you?” Myles asked with a grin as he led Bobby into his sprawling living room.

“I need to write a letter and I ain’t good at the whole letter writing business. Can’t express myself well on paper.”

“Or indeed with spoken language” added Myles. “So take a seat and tell me about what sort of letter you want to write. Is it business or pleasure? Perhaps a love letter” he teased.

“Sort of a sorry letter mixed with a love letter,” said Bobby blushing.

“So then it is to the fair Agent Williams,” said Myles knowingly.

Bobby head snapped and he spluttered “aaaa”

“I am Harvard educated and Quantico trained and above all I have an eye for the fine details in life. You two are just as bad as Sue and Jack for trying to hide your feelings.”

“Oh” he said in reply.

“Sometimes the matter of amore is best dealt with in person but if you insist on participating in letter writing then I will help as much as possible.”

“Thanks mate” he replied somewhat blushing.

“So what is it you want to confer?” Asked Myles picking up his pad and pen and poising the writing tool above the paper.

Closing his eyes he wanted the ground to open up right beneath him and swallow him whole, he couldn’t quite believe he was discussing the matters of his heart with Myles of all people. ‘Come on mate don’t be a chicken’ he told himself.

“I want to tell her that I am so sorry for making her cry.”

“You made Tara cry!” exclaimed Myles

“Yes I did and is not something I am proud about either. That I am a drongo who doesn’t use his brain half the time.”

“True”

Bobby raised his eyes and glared at Myles blunt statements.

“That, that I love her. I never thought I could experience such love. I always thought it was for books and movies but now I know that it exists because I am living it and if it feels this amazing when we are not together than I can’t even comprehend what it could be like if we were together. That is if she would take me after the mess I made….. That I would do anything to make it right. That all I want, no all I need is Tara. I know I am no match for her. I mean she is breath taking and funny and so intelligent it scares me. She has such an amazing heart and loving attitude. I know I don’t deserve her but I can’t help loving her.”

Myles dropped his pen onto the pad where it bounced and rolled.

“Bobby I really don’t think you need my help.”

“But….”

“If you pen exactly what you have just said to me then you will surely open Tara’s eyes to drongo man. For this letter to have impact you need to write it from your heart and in your style. If I were to do it then the purpose would be lost.”

“mmm”

“Why don’t I give you some stylish handmade writing paper and matching envelope?”

“Ummmm okay”

Myles hurried over to his antique writing desk that sat in the corner with it’s faded brown leather trimmings and delicately found some sheets of paper and an envelope.

“This stuff is much nicer than a legal pad and a self adhesive envelope.”

Bobby smiled as he accepted the gift.

“Why don’t you go home and make some notes on what you want to say before you delve in.”

“Yeah I will. Thanks.” Said Bobby standing up and walking to the day. Turning around he said, “This will stay between us!”

“My lips are sealed Koala boy”

Lovely. Just ahhhhhhhhh. Glad Myles is going to keep this hush hush, although it would be kind of nice to see someone being teased in the office beside Jack and Sue.

Jenny

i loved it, myles is so right bobby needs to use his own words and write from the heart

cath

Lovely Ails. And Myles is a good friend, even if he is annoying at times. He had good advice too: Bobby, your style isn't the fancy flowery stuff like Myles - just speak from your own heart!

Phew. I was afraid if Myles wrote the letter that Tara would start falling for him instead. Okay, Koala Boy, get to work on that fancy paper and write some mushy stuff.

This was a nice scene between these two. They really do seem to like each other more than they will let on.

Ails, I'm playing Summer Blockbuster catch-up now that my story is finished. I see you are earning your angst crown, again, quite nicely. I love you interactions between the teammates - the girls and Tara, Jack and Bobby, Myles and Bobby. They are all done so well and so true to their characters.

Well, I'm glad Myles made Bobby write the letter, it was a good idea!

It's nice of Myles to point out to Bobby that he really does have the words to tell Tara how he feels!!!

Now, go for it, Bobby!!!

Joy

AILS!! Where are ya hun?!

How long is it going to take Bobby to write that letter?!

kav

Must be a looooooooooong letter....

Work Work Work....fun fun fun....mmmmmmm

Monday morning rolled around with such speed that it caught everyone of guard. Tara reluctantly got up and dressed. She made the journey to work slowly, wishing that she could go back to bed with each mile covered. As she rode the elevator she tugged at the long sleeves of her light black jumper, which she was wearing despite the hot weather. She had an overwhelming urge to hide herself from the world and what better way to do than with a long black jumper. The only thing that could top it would be to be under her duvet in her bed. As she walked down the hall she heard her name being called. Turning around her pushing the tousled hair out of her eyes she smiled as Garrett approached her.

“Tara, your expert skills are required in white collar this week- at least. Would you mind?”

“Ummmm no” she answered secretly relieved.

“Thanks their computer guy is on parental leave at this time.”

She just smiled as she turned around and walked back to the elevators. As she stepped into them Bobby bounced thru the doors of the staircase. Something made him turn to the elevators on his left as their metal doors slid over and for a brief second he saw Tara. At this minuscule sighting his heart jumped to life within him. He felt empowered and alive. As he stood there facing the closed doors the thought of where is she going entered his mind. As he pondered that question the doors reopened in front of him and out walked D whistling as he did so.

“Bobby you coming?” said D looking at Bobby with concern.

“Yeah sure mate.” He answered as he slowly turning around and walking away.

has he written the letter yet or has he been taking dithering lessons from Jack???????????

your faithful readers need answers

cath

Yes, how is the letter going???

Joy

I understand Tara's relief and all but dang, when will Bobby get his chance?

Yup. I think dithering lessons shoud be banned and replaced with fuzzy lessons for characters who refuse to cooperate with true love. Maybe we should make it compulsory!

Cath's right, we need answers ickleails!!!!!

Please??

Jenny

I hope absence makes the heart grow founder in this case, too.

More please hun

Bobby sat staring blankly at the paper before him. Even though he had dared to voice the words previously he was now becoming tongue-tied. This was not just any letter this was the one and only letter. If everything went as planned his life would be changed forever. Making a fist he tried to find the right words to express his heart, immortal sentiments that would be as powerful as a bulldozer. His day had felt like a century. Each hour he spent staring at Tara empty desk made the pain inside him swell. He no longer felt like a man but more like a mouse. His fear and rash actions had resulted in him being a fool. Here he had been sitting for the last three hours and his paper was still as blank as newly prepared sheets. Getting up he decided he needed to take a walk, perhaps fresh air would clear his fuzzy head.

Walking out into the warm night air where a cool breeze made it all the more comfortable he allowed his mind to wander again. It drifted back to the mojo gogo concert. He remembered watching as she sang her heart out. She moved with such grace and her voice was as sweet as an angel. She looked so gorgeous that night all dressed in black. In fact in his opinion he looked gorgeous in whatever she wore. He can’t remember another night where he had so much fun. He had laughed and danced with her. He felt so alive, in a way that he never felt with Darcy. With Darcy he was living with Tara he was alive. And that night when their stood on her porch and kissed, he had felt such a jolt of love that it scared him and the kiss was all too brief. The fear that consumed him made him act like a fool. His actions and words the next day was the only regrets he ever had. He knew it was not his heart talking but instead was the fear swirling within him. He knew he had a chance here to rectify the situation but yet the words were no longer there.

His feet stopped and he looked up and was shocked but yet not surprised as too where he stood. He looked at that porch and wished he could relive that moment again and make it all different. He could see Tara as she walked across her living room floor. From her gait he could tell she was tired perhaps more like exhausted. He wished he had the courage to bound right up to that door and proclaimed in a loud voice just how much he loved her. But he didn’t and instead he used the excuse that she appeared tired to walk away. In time he made his way back to his place and returned to his place at his desk. However during his walk back ideas and words were formed in his head and he now knew what to write. Picking up his pen he began….

Good, Bobby, tell her how you feel!!!

Joy

That was lovely Ickleails!!!!! Bobby, excuses are exactly that. Excuses!!!! Don't make up excuses, go to Tara and tell her exactly how you feel. that was lovely!!! How was your vacation IckleAils??? Hope you had fun!

Jenny

glad the walk cleared his mind

can't wait to read the letter

cath

Excuses, excuses! Well, I'll forgive you this time if Bobby if you're about to write a lovely letter finally telling her how you feel AND you actually give it to her!

The clatter of the mail falling thru the letterbox brought Tara sharply out of her trance that she was in on the sofa where she was neatly curled up in a ball. Sniffing she pulled the oversized sweater close to her skin and shuffled towards the door. Her slipper feet moved soundless across the wooden floor while her ashen face that was marred with the remnants of tears looked upon the pile of letters on the floor. Crouching down she gathered them up and clutched them to her chest. Steadily she made her way back to the safely of the sofa where she plopped down. Tucking her feet up beneath her she started to go thru the mail. One bill after another was tossed randomly upon the smooth surface of the coffee table. The junk mail was tipped immediately into the waste bin at the side of the sofa and suddenly she was left with one envelope. The scrawl was familiar; she turned the rough linen envelope over in her hands. She slipped a nail under the seal and prised it open. She gently tugged at the fancy folded paper inside and extracted it from its safety. She could feel it soft weight in her hands and she could smell the woody scent wafting from it. With curious eyes she unfolded it and laid it onto her lap where she began to digest it’s contents.



‘My dearest and sweetest Tara,

I am so sorry for acting like such a fool. I know I am a Drongo. I have this bad habit of doing things without thinking and that was the stupidest thing I have ever done. Please believe me when I say there is nothing whatsoever between Darcy and I anymore. She means nothing to me. It is you who means the world to me. I was going to write down exactly how I felt but then I realized that I just couldn’t. I don’t want to write them I want to say them and I want to do that face to face.

Please meet me this Friday night at the feet of Lincoln. If you don’t come then I will accept what friendship we have left. I will understand if you don’t want to see me.

With all my love

Bobby xxx'



Tara sat there in stony silence. She felt frozen to the spot. If she had been at work then maybe she would never have read this letter in time, as it was already Friday morning. But due to the closing of a big case late the night before she was on a long weekend. Her hand started to shake and the paper trembled in her grasp. Could I really meet him? She asked herself. I am that brave? She chewed her lower lip when a strong voice broke thru her fears.

“You love him. Don’t waste this opportunity. Go and tell him!”

Tara jumped out off the couch. She was suddenly ready to face the day and all it was about to bring.

short but sweet the letter and i'm sure he will do more than tell her when he meets her

cath

I think Bobby did a good job on that letter (you too, Ails) and I'm so glad Tara is going to go meet him!!!

Joy

The first letter (the one he told Myles he wanted to write) was already perfect, but this is even better. Now GO TARA!!!!

Woohoo, Bobby actually wrote (and delievered!) a letter to sweet Tara! Now there needs to be some serious chit-chat Friday night so things can be restored between them. Hmmm, Lincoln could witness a really sweet reunion and maybe some kissing (what do you say Ails, will there be some kissing?!)

Dresses went to the left, shirts to the right and slacks and tops went in every direction.

“Arghhhh” shouted Tara as she crumpled onto a heap amongst polyester, cotton and linen. She tossed up into the air a selection of chiffon scarves as she fell back on a pile of jumpers.

“What do I wear?” she screamed into her hands as she plummeted her feet onto her bedroom floor. Wanting to look perfect for meeting the man of her dreams she was allowing the true meaning of the meeting slide to the side. With one hand still over her face she used her other one to rummage thru the mess in search of the phone. Finally finding it amongst the dressy tops and work shirts she pulled it to her ear. As she did this she hit speed dial and waited impatiently as it rang. With each ring she worried her lower lip more and more. Finally she heard the click.

“Help me!” she squealed.

“What’s wrong?” shrieked Lucy down the phone while waving Sue over frantically. Sue was by her side before Tara could start her next sentence.

“Clothes crisis!” she said desperately.

Lucy mouthed this to Sue who nodded her head and pointed at her bag and jacket in the corner.

“Don’t panic your fashion consultants are on their way” said Lucy as she nodded her agreement to Sue.

“Okay” said Tara in a pathetic voice. “I’ll see you soon.”

Lucy and Sue hurried out of the door with a poor Levi in tow.

While Tara flopped down and waited even more impatiently for her friends to arrive.

clothing catastrophe (sp?) Lucy to the rescue.

you love to torture us don't you. what about her date with Bobby?

i'm sure she could wear rubbish sacks and bobby would still fancy her something rotten!!

cath

Not knowing what to wear. That is a crisis, indeed.

Well, I like to see things from a sunny side...at least the letter got Tara into action! She's not as depressed anymore, AND she's calling in help!! I wonder if she'll tell Sue and Lucy who she is going to meet.....