They had decided to drive to London a few days earlier than planned so Richard could attend a board meeting at Cavendish.
Maria and Henry were to follow by train the day before the investiture at the palace. Now sat in the car outside the Manor with Audrey, Richard leaned out of the window to talk to his mother.
"Now mother you know which train you're to catch?"
"Yes, stop fussing Bedrich"
"Don't worry Richard, I've got all the details here" Henry said tapping his jacket pocket.
Smiling Richard nodded "Right well we better be off then"
"Drive carefully Bedrich"
"I will mother don't worry, see you in a few day" he said before driving off.
"Are you excited about going to the Palace darling?" Audrey asked him.
He nodded "Yes...and a little nervous if I'm honest"
"There is no need to be nervous...don't worry darling everything will be fine" she said resting her hand on his thigh, her fingers tracing circles on his knee.
"Besides you are going to look incredibly handsome in your morning suit"
Richard smiled, then a thought occurred to him, "You know I never did ask but why didn't you want me to wear a morning suit at our wedding"
"Because I thought it was too traditional and I wanted something more modern"
"I don't understand you love old traditions"
"I still do but I wanted our wedding to reflect both of us, besides you have shown me that sometimes trying new things can be better than sticking to the old"
He reached for her hand on his thigh entwining his fingers with hers.
"And you my darling have taught me that in order to embrace the future we must respect the past"
When they got to their London flat Richard unloaded the car while Audrey telephoned Maria to let them know they had arrived safely.
Richard wondered into the kitchen looking for something to eat but when he opened the fridge door he found it was empty.
Meanwhile in the living room Audrey was still on the phone to Maria "Of course it's fine for Henry to stay over, you don't have to ask...don't worry I'll take care of Richard...Yes see you in a few days, goodbye"
Putting the phone down she smiled to herself, it was nice to see Maria so happy with Henry. Wondering what was taking Richard so long she called out to him.
"In the kitchen" came he's reply.
Audrey came up behind him wrapping her arms around his waist as he stared into the empty fridge. When she saw there was no food her stomach rumbled.
"Let's go to one of your supermarkets darling, it'll be fun" she said resting her chin on his shoulder.
"Good idea and at least this time you won't be bouncing any checks on me" he teased turning in her arms, his hands coming to rest on the small of her back.
Audrey tightened her hold on his waist, "No darling, this time you're paying" she said running a hand down into his back pocket and pulling his wallet out holding it up in front of him.
Richard laughed "Oh I adore you" he sighed kissing her soundly.
Walking down the supermarket aisles Audrey picked up what they wanted while Richard pushed the trolley. They had nearly finished when they came to the chilled section where Richard picked up a pack of Scotch Eggs.
"Not those darling" Audrey said taking them from him and putting them back.
"But I like scotch eggs"
Audrey looked horrified "How on earth can you like something so disgusting"
"Oh they're not that bad, quite tasty actually"
"I don't know how I can be married to a man who likes scotch eggs" she said in a huff walking off.
Richard was puzzled by her outburst but followed after her "Audrey…Audrey…"
Still ignoring him she walked up the next aisle until finally Richard caught up to her and touched her arm.
"Audrey," she still refused to look at him.
"Darling…come on it's just scotch eggs nothing worth having an argument about...Look if you feel that strongly about it I wont eat them again, "
She finally turned to face him and smiled, Richard wanting to keep her smiling had an idea. "How about I cook for you tonight?" He suggested
"I didn't know you could cook" Audrey said surprised.
Richard shrugged "I can't, well I mean not really but I do know how to make spaghetti Bolognese."
"Where did you learn to do that?" She asked genuinely interested.
"After I left Grantleigh I wasn't really sleeping very well so most nights I ended up in front of the television. Mainly I watched the news but one night there was an Italian cooking show on. Thats where I learnt it" Richard explained.
"Oh darling," she whispered cupping his cheek.
"So...are you going to let me cook for you?"
Audrey draped her arms around his neck and nodded "Indeed I am but I will take care of dessert"
Richard arms encircled her waist as he cocked an eyebrow. "Mmm I hope dessert is what I think it is" he said his lips brushing against hers as he spoke.
"Well you'll just have to wait and see won't you" she whispered capturing his lips in a soft kiss.