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Back in September, as you may or may not recall, the Observer reported that Lowdown Lloyd Grove's Daily News contract was for two years, not the previously reported three, that it was set to expire that month, and that the paper likely wouldn't keeping him around. The two-year anniversary came and went, and Lloyd remained at the News.

But now it's six months later, which puts us within spitting distance of the three-year mark. And that makes this report — from a smart, trusted source who generally knows of what she speaks — of more than just passing interest. In our inbox last night:

This is on solid authority there have been multiple sighting at Elaine's of two unlikely journos breaking bread... Lloyd Grove and Col Allan...

With Lloyd contract rumored to be expiring in the next several months... rumor is Col is laying the foundation for a play at Lloyd... with Post on it continuous upswing... Allan is in an even better position than usual to poke Zuckerman in the eye...

Indeed it would. Plus, the addition of Grove would finally — finally — make the Post a real gossip player.

UPDATE: "I have never dined with Col Allan," Lloyd emails to say. "I have drunk with Col Allan — as I do with all sorts of people (it might shock you to know who) in the course of doing my job."

Earlier:
 The Lowdown No More?
Every Word the 'Observer' Writes Is a Lie, Including 'And' and 'The'
Lowdown Stands Tall