My Lips Are Sealed

         Millicent sighed and recrossed her legs for the gazillionth time. Is that a run starting in my stocking? When did that happen? Who else has noticed it ? She raised the china cup to her mouth and sipped, but nothing wet her lips.

         Her new neighbour, Alice, sprang to her feet grabbing the empty tea pot.

         "Ta. It won't be but a minute love. I'll put the kettle on. Try a bickie. Just baked them this mornin'."

          With a squint, Millicent surveyed the cookies displayed rather fancifully on a white crocheted doily. What kind of a name is that for a cookie? And she keeps repeating cuppa. At first, I could have sworn she said couple. Come over to ours for a cuppa. I was so confused. A couple of what? And she's a widow. There is no us, or ours.

         She plastered a bright smile on her face when Alice swept in with a steaming tea pot nestled in her hands.

         "There, that's lovely then. Where were we? Nothin' like a proper chin wag, eh?"

         Millicent hesitated, but then nodded her head. Hadn't Mama always said it was better to go along?Is she speaking English? Look at me, Mama. I'm trying to be polite.

         "Gor, I'm knackered. That's the last of 'em put to rest. Bloody great boxes. Movin' innt nothin' to sneeze at. Lordy, my chums didn't half wail when I decided to cross the pond."

         Millicent tried to look suitably impressed as she restrained herself from slurping the hot beverage.

         "Pond?" she queried.

         "The Atlantic itself. It's my grand adventure. How long have you been here?"

         At that moment, Millicent sputtered. It was most unfortunate. The black tea had not quite cleared her throat.

         "Oh, I've always been a Canadian citizen. Never took no notice of ponds."

         Alice roared with laughter.

         "No, this neighbourhood. How long have you called this area home?"

         "Oh, I'm beginning to believe I've been here forever. Others have come and gone over the years. The things I've seen and heard."

         Alice hitched her kitchen chair closer. "Do tell."

         I suppose I set myself up for that. What must she think of me? She'll be believing I'm the nutty busybody.

         Setting her delicate bone china cup back onto its saucer, Millicent cleared her throat. For as long as she dared, she fussed with the wrinkles in her skirt. When she looked up, Alice stared with one eyebrow kinked in a tell-me-all position. A half smile curved her lips.

         "It can't hurt her now, Florence I mean. Bless her, but she lost what little marbles she had after the Covid. Many nights I discovered her wandering the streets in just her nightie and barefeet. We're sitting in her old kitchen. She used to prefer coffee. Now she was a gossip. Anything happened and she was all over it. The scandals and secrets are safe with her now."

         "Ah, Florence was doolally. Me Nan went that way. Bugger of a blight that Alzheimer's. Nan fell right off her rocker. More tea?"

         Millicent reached to the cloth-covered table and spread one hand over her cup.

         I cannot wait to return home for some good, strong coffee.
This tea stuff has gone right through me. My bladder is screaming bloody murder. I should wrap this up and beg off our visit.

         "Thanks for your hospitality, but I really must be going. Now, where did I put my house keys?"

         Her hostess shrugged and stood up. Between the two of them they searched on and under the table. There were no pockets to rifle.

         "Drat. I must've forgotten them at home. There's nothing to do, but go through a window. "

         "Hold up, I'll bring a torch."

         Millicent objected. "What? I don't need a club with flames. It's dark out, true, but a simple flashlight will suffice. Thank you."

         Alice had already rummaged through a drawer and she waved the flashlight before Millicent. Together they tramped across the street and approached a ground floor window. It protested and squealed, but Millicent was determined and increasingly desperate. Heeding nature's urgent call, she thrust her head and upper body into the yawning opening while Alice steadied the light source. Her forward momentum stalled. She shimmied and wiggled. No matter what she tried, Millicent was good and stuck.Have I lost my damn mind? What am I doing climbing in a window in the dead of night? Who is going to witness this? Are my underthings exposed?

         Alice shoved from the rear and Millicent grunted. With a final valiant push that required far more knowledge of her person than Millicent liked, she fell sprawling into her darkened house.

         Chuckling, Alice whispered, "I'm gaspin', but no worries. My lips are sealed." (788 words) (Her Story Prompt 22 AND Her Story Prompt 31.)