Hot

“I’d like to have a cup of hot tea,” Prunella said, patting her hair net into place. “Hilda, put your crossword down and tell the waitress what you’d like.”

Hilda took her reading glasses off and let them dangle around her neck on their chain – a memento from their mother, who died in her rocking chair after watching an episode of Ironside. Mama had always had a crush on Raymond Burr.

“I’ll have a small glass of sherry, please, and thank you, my dear.”

“Hilda, you’re drinking? Oh, well ... oh, well, then I’ll have a very modest glass of dry white wine. Miss, what would you recommend?”

The waitress recommended a chablis. Hilda giggled a little, “Oh, let’s live a little on the wild side – I’ll have a glass of wine, too. Make it, make it –“ she glanced over at Prunella and burst out laughing. “Make it a Dubonnet over ice!”

“Oh, sister, listen to this scandalous talk! Oh, let’s make a splash of it then. I’ll have a beer!”

Hilda covered her mouth with her eyes. “Mercy, dear! Oh, waitress, if my sister’s having a beer, what would go well with it?”

The waitress said a sidecar would suit her just fine.

“Oh, nonsense ... let’s have something with a little kick.” Hilda rolled her eyes back and opened her mouth wide, wide open. “Let’s make the Dubonnet over ... over gin!”

Prunella gasped, but then she pursed her lips, look to the left and then looked to the right. Finally she whispered. “I’ll have an Absolut vodka martini. Very dry, very chilled, with two olives. And don’t be stingy, baby.”