Richard knew she wasn't in bed before he opened his eyes, rising to his elbows he saw Audrey sat on the side of the bed staring into space.
He sat up moving closer to her "Darling? What's the matter?"
Audrey turned her head slightly looking at him over her shoulder "Nothing darling, go back to sleep"
He placed a hand on her shoulder "Audrey please, talk to me"
"I can't sleep, I keep seeing that gun pointing at you and all I can think is I could have lost you today" she sighed
"I know darling, I feel the same if anything had happened to you I...I " Richard threw his legs over the other side of the bed facing away from her putting his head in his hands.
Seeing him move Audrey clambered across the bed coming up behind him wrapping an arm around his chest and one across his stomach her chin resting on his shoulder "But we're both safe and together that's all that matters darling"
Richard chuckled "Here I was trying to comfort you and you end up comforting me"
"That's what happens when two people love each other like we do darling" she said holding him tighter.
"I love you Audrey"
"I love you to darling, now let's try and get some sleep"
The next morning Richard found himself in the great hall with his mothers friend Henry. He'd just come back from abroad and had been to see Maria when he bumped into Richard.
"I'm so sorry I didn't phone you to tell you about Mother Henry it's been so hectic here the past few days I just didn't think, I really am very sorry"
Henry shook his head "Don't worry Richard your mother explained everything, I'm sorry about your Uncle"
Richard let out a breath "Thank you, I, I'm really not sure how I should feel, I didn't really know him but just for a while I felt somehow closer to my father"
Henry placed a hand on Richard's shoulder "Grief is a very personal thing my boy everybody is different. But if you ever want to talk or if I can help in any way I am here for you"
"Thank you Henry"
"Anytime my boy anytime" Henry said as he gave him a final pat on the shoulder.
"Now where is that lovely wife of yours"
"She's on the phone to her friend Marjory, she'll probably be another hour at least" Richard chuckled
"You will stay to lunch won't you mother would like it...I would like you to" Richard asked
"Yes if you're sure its not to much trouble" Henry nodded
The conversation moved on to the motorised wheelchair currently being used by his mother to get around the manor more easily.
"Maria is very quncle in that wheelchair isn't she, I nearly had to run to keep up with her"
"Yes, poor Ned got in her way this morning and nearly got a broken ankle of his own" Richard laughed.
"Perhaps we should get her some learner plates" Henry chuckled
They both started laughing and didn't notice Maria come up behind them.
"And what are you two laughing at" Maria asked
Richard and Henry both turned around with guilty looks on their faces "Nothing Mother, Nothing Maria" they replied at the same time.
"Bedrich go and ring for Brabinger in the drawing room, I will be taking tea in there today" Maria said manuvering her wheelchair around Richard and Henry indicating they should follow her.
They were joined by Audrey and spent time talking about Henry's holiday and what had been happening at home since he'd left. The conversation naturally turned to Frank.
"Will there be a service of any kind?" Henry asked
"No the security services don't want any attention so they are taking care of everything" Richard replied
"And you didn't want to be there?"
"No Henry I didn't" Richard paused "The last few days have shown me that family, real family is the people you love and who you love back. Not just people who are bound by blood"
Richard reached for Audrey's hand "And I have all the family I could ever want right here in this room"
"Not all the family Bedrich, I am still waiting to become a grandmother" Mrs Poo said sternly
"We're working on it Maria" Audrey said smiling as she looked into her husbands eyes. "We're working on it"