The next morning they had a late breakfast at a cafe down the road. Audrey had gone to talk to some people she knew at the cafe to see if she could find anything out about the mysterious man.
As she came back to their table she shook her head at Richard "They know the man by sight apparently he goes by the name Frank but they said he's not English, he has an accent they thought maybe Polish"
"Well that's something I suppose" he said reaching across the table and lacing his fingers through hers. "Thank you for helping darling"
They were interrupted by a waiter "Sir Richard there is a phone call for you Sir, you can take it by the bar just over there"
He still hadn't got used to being called Sir Richard, it had been announced at new year and they were going to Buckingham Palace in a few weeks so he could receive the honour officially, he thought perhaps by then he might be used to the title.
"Thank you" Richard said getting up from his chair, holding his hand out for Audrey to take they walked over to the bar.
"Hello...What!...is she alright...how bad...where...no...we're on our way...thank you" Standing by her husband Audrey saw his face change from happy to very upset.
Grasping his hand in both of hers she asked worriedly "Darling, what is it what's happened?"
"It's, its mother...she's...she's been in an accident...that was Brabinger he's at the hospital with her he said she's in surgery, we need to go home"
"Oh darling of course, I'll go pack our things you make the arrangements to fly home" Richard nodded.
Five hours later and they had made it to the hospital, as they entered reception Audrey squeezed his hand. Walking up to the desk Richard tried to remain calm "Excuse me, I'm looking for my mother Maria Polouvicka"
The nurse looked down at the list in front of her "Ah yes, If you would like to take a seat Sir the Doctor will be along shortly"
Richard thanked the nurse and walked towards the waiting area with Audreyat that moment Brabinger came around the corner.
"Brabinger, what happened? Where's mother?
"As far as I know sir she's out of surgery and resting, I don't know anymore about the accident other than what I told you on the phone"
Richard thanked Brabinger for staying at hospital with his mother and then Audrey sent him back to the manor with their luggage and instructions to get some rest after a tiring day spent at the hospital.
Audrey pulled Richard to sit down and wait for news, she held his hand between hers in her lap as they waited for the doctor, thankfully they didn't have to wait long.
A man in hospital scrubs approached them "Mr Polouvicka?" He asked
Rising from his seat Richard reached to shake the doctors hand "No actually my name is Richard DeVere but my mother is Mrs Polouvicka"
"Oh I see, Well I'm Dr Moore I operated on your mother"
Audrey rose standing next to her husband "How is she Doctor?"
"She's been very lucky Mrs DeVere?" When Audrey nodded the Doctor continued "very lucky indeed the car could have done a lot more damage"
"Do you know what happened Dr Moore no has told us anything"
"Oh I'm sorry I thought the police had spoken to you, well it seems your mother was hit by a car as she walked across the street, fortunately it was only a glancing blow."
Audrey squeezed Richard's hand in hers when she heard this. Dr Moore continued his explanation of Mrs Poo's injuries.
"Mrs Polouvicka has a broken ankle which I have set in surgery and will need to be in plaster for 4 to 6 weeks apart from that she has some bumps and bruises, I would expect her to be allowed home in the next few days"
"Can we see her?" Richard asked
Dr Moore nodded "Of course, I'll show you where she is if you'll follow me"
There was a policeman standing just outside the door to his mothers room, Richard thought this was unusual but was in a hurry to check on his mother. Opening the door to her room he gestured for Audrey to enter first.
Maria was shocked to see them "Bedrich, Audrey, what are you doing here? You are supposed to be on holiday"
Audrey smiled at the older woman as she walked to the side of the bed and took her hand.
"Brabinger called us Mrs Poo"
Maria shook her head "He shouldn't have done that I'm perfectly alright"
Richard came around to her other side sitting down on the bed "Mother you've been hit by a car, you have a broken ankle you are not fine"
"Oh don't fuss Bedrich" she said patting his hand
Richard looked at Audrey, she nodded for him to carry on "What happened mother?"
"I told that nice policeman, I was on the crossing when a car came down the road very fast and hit me"
Richard picked up her hand "Did you see who was driving?"
"No I did not. Now no more about that, did you have a good holiday? Audrey taught you how to ski yes"
Before he could answer Audrey jumped in "You would have been very proud Mrs Poo he didn't fall over once"
Grabbing his cheeks she pulled him to her giving him a kiss on the cheek "That's my boy, I knew you could do it. You were strong minded even as a little boy, a pair of skis is no trouble for you"
Seeing Mrs Poo give her a look that said she wanted to talk with her alone Audrey turned to her husband "Darling why don't you go and get your mother a cup of tea."
Rising from the bed Richard nodded "Oh yes, alright I won't be long"
Once Richard had left Audrey sat on the bed "What is it Mrs Poo?"
"Well firstly, I think it's about time you call me Maria don't you and second I didn't want to worry Bedrich but the car that hit me, it swerved deliberately over the other side of the road. I am sure it was aimed at me"
Audrey was shocked "Mrs Poo...Maria you have to tell Richard"
Mrs Poo patted her hand "You tell him for me my dear but wait until you get home"
Audrey nodded "Alright but he won't be happy you didn't tell him yourself"
"I'm sure he won't be very happy with me but you will find a way to bring him round" Maria chuckled.
After Richard had returned with the tea they chatted for a while about their holiday and also about the mysterious man they had encountered.
"Bedrich you might find some photos and other papers in my old trunk, why don't you have a look. My memory is not what it was, you may find something that will help. Now you two off you go, you must be tired from your flight and I need my rest"
Richard leaned down to kiss his mothers cheek "Are you sure mother you'll be alright, can I get you anything before we go?"
She shook her head "I'm fine Bedrich. Now off you go I will see you tomorrow"
When they got back to the manor they went straight to the drawing room where Richard poured himself a drink offering Audrey a glass she shook her head. He on the other hand needed a drink, he couldn't believe what had happened today.
Audrey's voice brought him out of his thoughts "Darling come and sit with me there's something I need to tell you"
She reached out to hold his hand as he sat down "I want you to try and stay calm alright" when he nodded she continued "when you went to get the tea your mother told me that the car that hit her did it deliberately, that it actually swerved to hit her"
Richard was shocked "But who would do that, why, wait that's why there was a policeman outside her door. The police think they might try again don't they. I need to be there, if something happens..." he couldn't finish his sentence, fear in his eyes at the thought of someone trying to hurt his mother.
He headed to the door Audrey close behind him she grabbed his arm stopping his progress.
"Richard wait, there's nothing you can do darling she's perfectly safe, the police won't let anything happen to her"
When he turned to face her she saw the moisture pooling in his eyes. Pulling him to her she encased him in her arms, holding him tight as the tears finally fell from his eyes.
Tightening her hold on him Audrey's mind drifted to a conversation she had with Maria just before their wedding "Bedrich keeps things bottled up Audrey, sometimes for too long then the dam breaks" that's what she had said. He had been strong since the phone call but now when it was just the two of them he had finally let his emotions come out.
After a few minutes his tears subsided but he didn't let go of her if anything he held her tighter, his face buried in her neck.
Finally lifting his head up he placed his lips next to her ear "I love you Audrey, I love you so much"
Running a hand through his hair she whispered "I love you too darling, remember as long as we are together everything will be fine."
Brabinger knocked on the door before he entered, he had learned since the couple had returned from honeymoon that it was safer to knock rather than just walk in as he used to after walking in on them in a passionate embrace more than once.
"I'm sorry to disturb you Sir but there is a gentleman wishing to see you, he was most insistent."
Pulling away from Richard, Audrey took his handkerchief from his pocket and dried his eyes, he smiled at her then turned to face Brabinger.
"Show him in please Brabinger"