She couldn't sleep without him, her thoughts drifted back to a few weeks ago just after he had come home from the hospital, "I can't sleep without you darling." He had told her, at the time she thought he was joking but laying in their bed without him she now understood how he felt.

She wondered if he was sleeping in another room or if he was still up. It had been such a stupid argument, he had made a decision about something on the estate without consulting her. When she found out she had confronted him and had said some very hurtful things.

She had accused him of trying to take over, then told him to remember who owned the Manor. She would never forget the hurt look on his face. He hadn't even fought back with words of his own instead he had apologised telling her he wouldn't do it again. But she was to fired up and had told him he wasn't welcome in their bedroom tonight before storming out of the moment the door shut she had regretted what she had said. The funny thing was she agreed with his decision she just wanted to be consulted first.

But she had as usual gone on a rant and now she was alone all she wanted to do was apologise and be held in his arms.

Rising from the bed she pulled on her robe and went in search of her husband. He wasn't in any of the bedrooms so she went downstairs. The light was on under the door of his study so she gently pushed the door open.

He was sitting in his chair, his head resting on his arms on the desk, a glass and a half empty bottle of whiskey next to him. She had never seen Richard really drunk before, he had been a little inebriated when he came back from his stag night with the brigadier but nothing like this. To know she had caused him to seek solace in the bottle pained her greatly.

"Oh Richard" she whispered

Going to him she gently ran her fingers through his hair until he stirred and opened his eyes, slowly raising his head.

The moment he saw her he started to apologise again slurring his words "Aud, Audrey...I...I'm sssorry...I sshouldn't..."

She stopped him continuing his apology by placing her hand over his mouth "No darling I'm the one who's sorry, I over reacted and I said some awful things. I didn't mean any of it"

Richard said nothing he was doing his best trying to keep his eyes open.

Seeing that her husband was very drunk and not taking in what she was saying she decided they could talk more about this tomorrow right now she needed to get him to bed.

She took his hand "Come on darling, come to bed"

"But I thought..." Richard whispered

Audrey shook her head, "I was wrong darling, now please come to bed"

Richard stood slowly swaying slightly as he got to his feet, Audrey not wanting to take any chances of him falling over put her arm around his waist and grabbing his hand wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

They made their way slowly up the stairs, when they reached the bedroom she pushed it open and then managed to sit him on the bed. She removed his shoes, unbuttoned his shirt sliding it down his shoulders then helped him stand and remove his trousers.

Now in just his boxers she manuvered him under the covers and turned out the light.

Audrey got into bed and snuggled up to his back wrapping her arm around his waist. They would talk in the morning and she would tell him how sorry she was but for now at least she was happy just having him here with her.

The next morning Richard felt like there was an axe in his head opening his eyes he moaned. He hadn't been drunk like this in years and now he remembered why, he hated feeling like this.

Hearing her husband stirring Audrey went into the bathroom to get him an aspirin. She sat on the side of the bed holding out the glass and medication for him to take.

Sitting up he took them from her draining the water he put the glass on the bedside table.

Audrey reached for his hand entwining their fingers "Richard, Darling, I am so sorry about what I said yesterday none of it was true I don't know why I said it"

Richard squeezed her hand "It's alright, I should have talked to you first before making a decision"

"No darling it's not alright I want you to be involved with the estate, to take an interest, make decisions. When we married I made sure that you became joint owner of Grantleigh because I want us to be equals in everything. I trust you darling, this is your home"

"Audrey, my home is wherever you are darling"

She had tears in her eyes at his words and threw her arms around his neck hugging him to her "Oh darling, I love you so much, I couldn't sleep without you last night"

"I'm sorry I got so drunk" Richard mumbled into her neck.

Pulling out of his embrace Audrey smiled "I think you had a good excuse darling, although I think you should stay in bed today you're in no fit state to go to the office I'd be worried about you all day."

"Will you stay in bed with me darling?" Richard asked hopefully

"I think I can be persuaded" Audrey chuckled

Standing from the bed she dropped her robe revealing she wore nothing underneath. Richard took in the beautiful site of his wife's naked form.

Smiling at his reaction she swiftly pulled the covers off the bed. Richard sat in his boxers waiting to see what she was going to do next.

Getting on the bed she straddled him, he wrapped his arms around her waist then flipped them over settling himself between her legs.

Richard brought his lips to hers in a slow languid kiss as he began grinding into her with only the thin fabric of his boxers separating them. He ended the kiss and looked into her eyes, seeing her love for him shining there but also he thought he saw a hint of disappointment.

"Is it alright like this Audrey you did say I could choose next time darling" he questioned

Audrey ran a finger down his cheek "I did I just thought you'd be more adventurous"

"Oh I will be darling this is just for starters I intend to make love to you multiple times today" he said capturing her lips in a heated kiss.

As Mrs Poo walked past Richard and Audrey's door she heard a loud knocking noise coming from inside. She knew they had argued last night and wanted to make sure they had talked and sorted out whatever their argument was about. She was just about to see if everything was alright when she heard a loud moan followed by Audrey's voice.

"Oh darling...don't stop...more"

Mrs Poo moved away from the door a blush colouring her cheeks, it seemed as if her son and daughter in law were, how did the English say, 'at it' all the time. Still she thought, at least they had made up after their argument. As she went downstairs she thought as long as they kept to the bedroom she didn't care, she may even be a grandmother sooner rather than later if they kept this up.

Brabinger was just coming up the stairs with breakfast for the couple when he saw Mrs Poo come around the corner.

"I would leave it for a little while if I were you Brabinger," she said as she passed him a smile on her face.

Knowing exactly what the old woman meant Brabinger smiled and turned to go back down the stairs.