Audrey Monday is a character appearing in the episode The Maid in Splendour of the ITV crime drama Midsomer Murders.
Audrey was a family friend and secret mistress of Michael Bannerman, the owner of the Maid in Splendour bar. Michael always said he'd leave his wife for Audrey, but that was a lie, and Michael became a widower. Audrey and her daughter Bella Monday would still care for Michael and work in his bar. As Bella grew into a young woman, Michael grew obsessively infatuated with her instead, seeing her as more of a perfect image of Audrey he wanted even then Audrey ever was.
Bella was having an affair with Michael's son Stephen Bannerman, who was already married to Lorna Bannerman. Bella and Stephen were planning to sell the bar and use the money to escape to America, as Lawrence Haggard was looking to purchase the bar for property development. Michael was most furious about the affair, which Audrey told him once she found out herself, knowing he'd flip. he stalked Bella and Stephen to the cottage where he and Audrey had their trysts, intent on shooting Stephen then and there. Seeing Bella with him, Michael hesitated and left.
Audrey still wanted Bella separated from Stephen, so she later told Michael one night they were meeting at the cottage again. Audrey had given Michael her husband's shotgun around when he snapped over Bella and Stephen, hoping he'd use it in his rage. Unfortunately, they cancelled the evening, and a barkeep crushing on and harassing Bella, Jamie Cruickshank, went over to know who she was seeing. Michael was there with the shotgun and had been drinking, and the porch lighting was scarce enough that Jamie's face didn't show. As his parents bought him a coat and cap similar to Stephen's, Michael blindly chased Jamie out of the cottage and shot him dead by the lake. As Michael cared for Jamie, he was horrified to see his mistake.
As Michael didn't say a word and returned home, Audrey still saw an opportunity for Stephen to die. She overheard him and Haggard discussing a private meeting, and Audrey informed Michael. Michael stalked Stephen on his alley shortcut and told him to stay away from Bella. When Stephen laughed at him, Michael shot him dead too. Audrey was present with Bella when she was being questioned about the affair, and Audrey lost it enough to swear at and hit her daughter one second, then apologize to her the next. When Bella left the room, she admitted her affair with Michael and thought Stephen was no better than his father.
Audrey then took Michael out to the cottage and threatened to leave the village with Bella unless Michael married her. Michael refused, which devastated Audrey, as she finally got her answer as to why he hated the idea of Bella leaving. Michael rushed to Bella and took her to the woods, professing his attraction toward her. Audrey was horrified to her from one of his patrons this happened and went into the woods with the police to find them. Michael was near shooting himself, as Bella had refused him, and when Bella insisted they stay the good friends they've been, Michael had a heart attack, hallucinating Bella was Audrey.
Michael died from complications, Audrey being arrested and interrogated with her solicitor. She tried to deny the crimes best she could, but confronted with her emotions and dilemmas, she shakily admitted to her complicity. DCI Tom Barnaby had her charged as an accessory to murder accordingly.
Victims[]
All of the following who died were killed by Michael Bannerman at Audrey's manipulation
- Jamie Cruickshank - Approached at the old cottage in Hunter's Wood and shot twice in the back with a 12 gauge shotgun while wearing a cap similar to Stephen's.
- Stephen Bannerman - Shot in the chest with 12 a gauge shotgun.
- Bella Monday - Insulted, swore at, and slapped. Previously stalked her activities.