#anna madeley

How it started - how it ends. Thank you Sam ❤️

Audrey perches near the phone, worrying her bottom lip as she wills the exam room door to open.  The knob suddenly turned, the door jerked open, and Siegfried startles, seeing her there. Audrey straightened and reached for his arm, placing her hand on the sleeve of his white lab coat. “Mr. Farnon,” she stepped towards him, “do you have a moment?”

Siegfried turned fully towards her and nodded.  “You’re a man of science,” Audrey began.

Siegfried relaxed and smiled, “I like to think so.”

Audrey hesitates and then pushes through. “Well, I’d like to conduct an experiment.”  She stares down at the floor, taking a deep breath.  She looks straight into his eyes, “but I need your help.”  She is losing her nerve, “when you have a moment.”

“Of course,” Siegfried motions to the open door.  “I just so happen to have time now.”

Audrey meets his challenge by stepping through the doorway, Siegfried follows close behind.  He shuts the door and locks it with a soft click. He moves toward the other door, “do we need any special equipment?” he asks as he locks the second door, then moves to the third and final door of the exam room.

“No,” Audrey is a little taken back by the locking of doors. “I think we have everything we need.”

Siegfried locks the last door, “well, I am intrigued.”  He is smiling at her now.

Audrey stares past him to the locked door. “Oh that,” Siegfried is shaking his head, “Jimmy is notorious for interrupting,” he explains.  “I would assume your experiment is meant to be conducted in a controlled environment.”  He raises an eyebrow, and she nods in agreement.

“Yes, well I think we should begin then,” Audrey states firmly.  Siegfried is leaning against the doorframe, his hands fidgeting with the buttons of his lab coat.  Audrey steps forward, “please come and stand here.”  She indicates a spot not far from her. Siegfried complies, still fiddling with his button. Audrey steps closer, “now stand still.” Siegfried stands a little straighter, but his fingers are still in motion.  “Stop that,” Audrey says a little more forcefully than she had intended. “Here,” she takes his hands into hers and places them on her waist. 

Siegfried’s eyes widen, “is the experiment starting?” He asks.

“Yes,” Audrey settles before him, “now shush.”  She looks up at him, “please,” she says softly. With that, she places a hand on each of Siegfried’s shoulders.  She lifts a little on her toes and presses her lips to his.

Siegfried remains motionless, More statue than human.  Audrey slowly steps back, “oh.”  She looks down at their feet. “Nothing,” tears threaten to fall.

Siegfried comes back to himself, “now wait.”  He steps towards her, “any good experiment needs to be repeated several times to insure consistent results.”

Audrey looks up at him questioningly, “I didn’t know that.”

“Well, you can’t be expected to,” Siegfried’s eyes twinkle at her. “This is probably one of your first experiments.”

Audrey nods, “well you are the scientist, after all.” Siegfried’s chest puffs a little as he nods. Audrey presses on, “how many times would you suggest we repeat?”  Audrey is worrying her lower lip again.

“I would recommend a minimum of three test.”  Siegfried is grinning from ear to ear, “for the best data.”  He places his hands back on Audrey’s hips. “That should give us enough to properly analyses the results.”

Audrey’s hands return to his shoulders, “here goes test number two.”  She lifts onto her toes again and immediately registers Siegfrieds grip tightening on her hips.  She presses her lips to his and they meld together.  Startled Audrey loses her nerve and backs away quickly.

Siegfried steps back too but does not lose eye contact. “I’d like to catalog the results for this test,” Siegfried looks to Audrey for approval.  She nods in relief. “I noticed a tightening of grip.” He looks for confirmation.  Audrey subtly nods and looks down.  “I also note a softening of lips,” Siegfried continues as he examines his buttons again. “Much more malleable.”

Audrey’s head jerks up, “not the word I would have used.” She is grinning now, “but I agree.”  She steps closer to him, “Shall we go again?” 

He returns her smile. “For the sake of science,” they say in unison. They are grinning at each other as they come together a third time.  This one is soft, tender and lingering.  Audrey relaxes into his arms, as Siegfrieds hand finds its way into the soft curls at the base of her neck.  When they reluctantly separate, Siegfried whispers, “would you like to give your analysis of the third test?”

Audrey leans into his shoulder, with a heavy breath she whispers, “perfect.”

Siegfried chuckles, “not very scientific.” He sweeps her hair away from her face, “but I have to agree.”  He leans back as Audrey looks up at him, “and what did we learn from this series of experiments, Mrs. Hall?”

Audrey wraps her arms more tightly around him, “that practice makes perfect.”

Thinking back on how the show dedicated a whole episode to emphasise how important Audrey Hall is to Skeldale, because she's literally always the one who gathers the flock.

Back to thinking of male actors who could guest star on ACGAS and be a nice screen partner for Anna Madeley in a brief storyline for Audrey:

*Rupert Penry-Jones