Brian and Gerry had a considerably better time next door. The homeowner was a woman called Elizabeth Warden and her brother, an Emmet Hawksworth lived with her due to losing his house in a very bitter divorce. There was no treading on eggshells, fearing that they would brush up against the walls. They all enjoyed a nice cup of coffee and Elizabeth had no worries about spilling it as without a domineering Hyacinth her nerves were intact. Emmet had enjoyed the conversation with an excited Brian about famous composers and telling him all about his amateur operatic society. Brian explained that he was disappointed they weren't closer as his wife Esther, had a lovely singing voice and would enjoy the society very much. Of course the thing Emmet Hawksworth enjoyed the most was informing the UCOS boys all about Hyacinth and her 'funny father.'
"Oh isn't it obvious, it is bound to be him, last week her sister came around when the Bucket's were out and it turned out their father had dug a trench in his own garden and kept a poor old dear prisoner as he thought she was a German, how many of those nutters are there around?" Emmet scoffed.
"Emmet, you can't say that, you don't have any evidence that Hyacinth's father was involved n this, but it does sound familiar, I have to admit" was his sister's response.
"Actually there are quite a few people of a certain age that played their part in World War Two that have been reported to behave a little... oddly shall we say" Brian began.
"Hmpf a little oddly, you clearly haven't met the old devil." Emmet scoffed.
"Well because post traumatic stress disorder wasn't really commonplace back then there has been no help provided to our veteran war heroes, there's been a whole book published on it." Brian explained.
"Oh, well you still ought to pay him a visit, and then you will see what I mean." Emmet sighed, sipping the last of his coffee.
"Does Mrs Bucket's father wonder off a lot?" Gerry asked.
"Oh yes, so I believe, not a week goes by without Hyacinth's family stopping by to ask her to help try and find him before he does any damage to himself or someone else. But she only seems to help if she really has to." Elizabeth explained.
"Would you describe him as unstable?" Gerry asked, in hope of getting a bigger picture of the man who was fitting nicely into the frame.
"Well I wouldn't say unstable as such, I think he is a bit mixed up by the sounds of things bless his soul. I don't think they can always get his medication right but Hyacinth doesn't really like to talk about it as she worries it will affect her reputation."
"Oh come off it Liz, the man needs serious help." Her brother added.
"Well thank you very much for your time, you have been very helpful" Gerry said placing his china cup on the tray that sat on top of the coffee table "Come on Brian" Gerry said getting to his feet.
"Not at all" Liz replied showing them to the door.
"Can I ask you something?" Emmet pondered.
"Yes, of course" Brian asked pulling on his 'lucky coat.'
"Have you been round to see Her Majesty next door yet?"
"The Gov'nor's there now" Gerry replied.
"Oh she won't like that one bit" Emmet laughed "at least you two got off lightly" he said as he watched them walk down the drive.
"Goodbye" Liz said waving; she stayed outside the house as the officers leaving Hyacinth and Richard's home were also leaving.
She watched the blonde woman drive away; Elizabeth assumed she was the Detective Superintendent Gerry had been telling them about. As soon as the car disappeared out of sight her neighbour emerged.
"Oh hello Elizabeth, just some old friends popping in, she is very high up in the Metropolitan Police you know, she was in the area and promised to pop in and see us." Hyacinth said not wanting Elizabeth to now the real reason Sandra had come visiting.
"Oh really" her neighbour said politely.
"How funny, you see two of our friends from the Met's Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad have just been to visit us" Emmet said never being able to turn down an opportunity to wind up Mrs. 'Bouquet.'
"Oh really, how funny" she said braving a false smile "do excuse me" she said looking more than a trifled worried as she fiddled with her string of pearls that were around her neck.
"Goodbye Hyaca-" Elizabeth managed before her neighbour had bolted back indoors.
"Whatever next" Emmet muttered as he and his sister retreated back inside.