Sky Pirates

Chapter 67

Mildred knew the routine. Their lives would be chaos for a few weeks while Uncle Parker was home. She took her time undressing, bathing, and putting on clean clothes

A few days. All these new people, or most of them, would be gone, dispersed into the body of England. Uncle would visit London, but have no playbills or ticket stubs or stories to share upon his return.

Mr. Gilbert would dine with Uncle Parker. The two drinking one or even two decanters of brandy while stories of the latest escapades were shared. Mildred used to try and listen in, but not any longer. The smoke. The hushed tones. The eyes of the servants upon her crouched in the hall outside the library. Just to hear war stories elaborated.

For now, she would only answer questions as they were asked. All else would be placed on hold. That's how it worked, for these few weeks, maybe six, that their uncle would be in the household.

Then, in the dark of night, because that's usually how it happened, a messenger arrived and Uncle Parker kissed her forehead and say good-bye. She'd not had a moment alone with him this time; she hadn't shown him the letter from her father about Willoughby; she hadn't talked about the crate of things sent home by her father. How could that be if her father truly was dead?

Mildred wound the rabbit and watched it march across her desk. What would become of all those dwarfs?

The End...for now...