Surely 'by 'in this context means 'not later than' so you should be all right.?

Jayne,
I hope that you get in under the wire. This one could put you in the winner's circle.

Fortunately, Jayne, I don't fancy my wife's friends or sisters, and I've never had a secretary - at least, not in the sense "employed".

As for the date, I should have thought that any time today would be OK. After all, they didn't say "before the 14th".

Thanks, fellas. I expect you're all probably right in that I'm not too late, especially as our US friends are hours behind us; it's not far into the 14th over there yet.

(I especially hope that you're right, Doug! Thanks :))

Oh, and Brian... I'm glad to hear you're not a bad boy.

Jayne

Hah! Chance'ld be a fine thing!