Richard was sitting in his favorite chair waiting for Audrey to finish dressing after their shower. Looking at his watch he realized that his mother and Henry would be here soon.
From the bedroom, Audrey heard the phone ring and Richard's increasingly loud and angry replies.
She quickly put her blouse on and made her way to the living room. Richard was still on the phone so she sat down on the arm of his chair as he finished the phone call.
"Richard? What's wrong darling?"
"Its nothing really, just a manager who thinks he knows better than I do, one of the old boy network. It'll all be sorted out by next week."
Audrey sighed "They're not all like that darling, Uncle Grevel had the old school tie but he was a true gentleman."
"I know Audrey, it just seems no matter what I do or how much I'm worth some people just see a Czechoslovakian immigrant and not a successful businessman."
"Richard." She said running her hand up his neck and into his hair, her fingers raking through his dark locks causing him to close his eyes at her soothing touch, "That's only a few people"
"It seems like a lot more." He sighed her touch relaxing him.
"Do you know what I see when I look at you? I see my handsome, incredibly sexy husband, the man I love above all else, my best friend and the love of my life".
"You are the love of my life to darling, I love you" he whispered, Audrey smiled and began to massage his shoulders.
"And I love you. You once told me you were proud of your background don't let other people views change that."
"I am proud I just," he begins but stops unable to voice his feelings.
"Richard I want our children to know their heritage, to be proud of it like their father is" She said working on the tension she felt beneath her fingers.
"I seem to remember you not being too keen on foreigners when I first came to Grantleigh." He teased.
"Yes well, that was before I knew you. Since then you've shown me how wrong I was and besides you are not a foreigner you are British, my British gentleman." She said pushing on his shoulders turning him towards her, then with both her hands on his face, leaned forwards and kissed him.
"And you darling are my beautiful English Rose." He said pulling her onto his lap.
She kissed him again winding her arms around his neck.
"We should stop, they'll be here soon" he mumbled against her lips. But they didn't stop, lost in their own little world they don't hear the door open.
"Bedrich, we're..." Maria stopped when she saw her son and Audrey locked in a passionate embrace.
Richard and Audrey broke apart at the sound of Maria's voice.
"Maria, Henry," Audrey said still perched on Richard's lap.
Maria and Henry both tried to contain their laughter at the guilty look on the younger couples faces although Maria was now used to finding her son and his wife like this.
"I'm sorry we forgot the time we'll be ready to go in a minute" Audrey said still sitting in Richard's lap their arms around each other.
"Don't worry my dear we will wait downstairs, the car will be another five minutes" Maria said leaving the room with Henry close behind her.
As soon as the door shut both Audrey and Richard broke into laughter.
"I'm sure she has radar she catches us all the time, still it is rather thrilling" Audrey said smiling at him.
"You are an incredible woman Audrey DeVere"
"If you say so darling," she said straightening his tie.
"We better go you know Mother wants to get to selfridges before they close" Richard sighed.
"Come on then" she said getting up and walking towards the door.
Richard rose and put his jacket on taking her hand as they left to meet Maria and Henry.
They had wandered through the men's section with Maria and Henry for the last half hour. After Maria had found the perfect shirt and tie for Henry she and Audrey had moved on to the ladies section sending Richard and Henry off to the food hall to pick up a few things.
"Over here Henry I want to pick up some crystallised fruit for Audrey, it's her favourite" Richard said pointing to the sweet section.
"Oh perhaps I should get Maria something, what do you think she would like?" He asked looking at the array of sweets.
Richard smiled, he knew his mother's sweet tooth well "I would say you can't go wrong with Turkish Delight"
"Right, now have we got everything the ladies wanted?" Henry said picking up a large box of Turkish Delight.
"Yes I think so." He said as they approached the Wines and Spirits Section "I think we should get this for us though don't you?" Richard said holding up a bottle of whiskey.
"What a capital idea my boy," Henry said patting his shoulder.
They paid for everything and then waited for Audrey and Maria to arrive. Richard noticed the frown on Henry's face and began to worry something was troubling him.
"Is something the matter Henry?"
Henry shook his head "No, it's...Actually, Richard, I've been meaning to ask you something, you can say no, I would completely understand"
Richard was intrigued "What is it Henry?"
"I don't know if your mother told you but during the war, I was in the Commandos" he explained
Richard nodded "Yes she did mention it"
"Well my regiment was one of the first to land on the beaches on D-Day" Henry continued
"I didn't know that"
"The thing is I've never been back to Normandy, couldn't face it you see but now I'm older I want to go back visit my friends who didn't come back, there is a service there on the 6th June"
Richard remained silent letting Henry gather his thoughts before he continued.
"But I don't want to go on my own, I was wondering would you come with me. I know it's a lot to ask"
Richard put his hand on Henry's shoulder "Henry you are the most decent, honourable man I know and I would be proud to accompany you to Normandy"
"Thank you Richard I...thank you"
"You're welcome. Now let's go and find Audrey and Mother before they buy the whole shop"