It was half seven on a Friday night and the start of the summer holidays, Jill is busy packing; the children were going to stay with her mum and dad for a few days. This was the first time all the children would be away at the same time, the older three had been excited for days and had been asking how long all week. Aisling who is the youngest at only four years old and had never stayed away from home without her parents before doesn't know what to expect so isn't as excited.
Jill's been packing for the last hour trying to cover for every eventuality even though they were only going to be around the corner and could always pop in for anything she had forgotten. When she was happy with what she had done she took the bags downstairs and then went out into the garden where the rest of them were playing football. Gordon left them playing and joined Jill at the table "All done" he asked "I think so can't help thinking I've forgotten something" replied Jill "I wouldn't worry their only round the corner" replied Gordon "I know but anyone would think they were going abroad the way their carrying on" replied Jill nodding over at the children "Yes they are a little excited" joked Gordon, he then looked at his watch it was nearly nine o'clock "Right kids time for a bath then bed" shouts Gordon "Ohhh" groaned the kids "Just a little longer please" pleaded Jonathon "No, it's already late" replied Gordon. Jill had already gone up and started running the first bath when it was ready she made her way to the garden "Right who's first" asked Jill no-one moved "Now" shouted Jill still no-one moved "Who ever goes first, I'll read a story to" added Jill for a minute no one moved then Ash ran over and took her mum's hand "Right let's go then" said Jill. A little while later Jill had left Ash to choose the story while she went down to tell Gordon the bath was ready for the next one. After much persuading they had all the children bathed and bedded although it wasn't going to be a quite night.
Jill and Gordon were downstairs with a glass of wine planning the next few days when there was a loud bang from upstairs, they both went up to make sure everything was alright to find Katie, Tom and Jonathon all playing around in Tom's room "Right all of you bed now, if any of you get out of bed again, you won't be going tomorrow" shouted Gordon "Sorry dad, mum" replied Tom, Katie and Jonathon as they made their way to their rooms. Aisling made her way out of her room "Mummy" she said sleepily rubbing her eyes "It's alright sweetheart, let's get you back to bed" said Jill taking Ash by the hand and leading her back to bed. The rest of the night went without any more trouble.
Early morning and everyone was awake, Jill went down to get the breakfast things ready while Gordon got the kids dressed. Gordon was the last to make his way downstairs Jill was already doing her best to stop the squabbling "Right Tom, Katie you sit here, Jonathon you here" said Jill, she then handed them their cereals and drinks. Gordon came in and sat down next to Jill after getting his breakfast, "Right if your finished go and brush your teeth then you can play outside" said Gordon. The three oldest children bounded upstairs chattering away, Aisling still hadn't finished her drink and sat quietly once finished she made her way slowly upstairs as she reached the top of the stairs and made her way to the bathroom the other three came pounding out knocking her over and carried on down the stairs Gordon had finished and were making their way upstairs "Careful, slow down" said Gordon. Jill was doing the dishes "Why's Ash crying" Jill asked poking her head round the door "I don't know" replied Gordon "Where is she" asked Jill "She wasn't with the others" replied Gordon "She must still be upstairs" replied Jill making her way up the stairs "What's going on here?" asked Jill "Mummy" said Ash while running towards her "They pushed me and I banged my head" said Ash while rubbing the back of her head "Well I better take a look then" said Jill scooping her up and carrying her to their room. Gordon came in after not hearing anything from either of them for awhile "Everything alright" he asked Jill as he made his way in "Maybe this isn't such a good idea" replied Jill "Why not" asked Gordon "Well the others have managed to knock Ash over and she's banged her head" said Jill "Well they won't be here for a few hours let's just keep an eye and see how it goes" said Gordon "O.k." said Jill "Don't forget your suppose to be taking it easy" said Gordon "I know, I could I forget" replied Jill a little frustrated "Right let's get your teeth brushed then young lady" said Jill picking Ash up "You're not supposed to be lifting anything heavy" said Gordon trying to take Ash from her "I'm alright" replied Jill "You have to be careful you've only been out a couple of days and your ribs still won't of healed" replied Gordon "Mummy" said Ash she could tell something wasn't right and was worried "I'm alright darling" said Jill to Ash brushing her hair away from her eyes Jill then turned to Gordon "We'll talk about this later" "I'm just trying to look after you" replied Gordon "I know" smiled Jill she then added "Just stop fussing, I'll ask if I need your help" She then carried on to the bathroom and proceeded to help Ash brush her teeth who was starting to get sleepy. Meanwhile Gordon had gone back downstairs and was finishing the dishes Jill had started "Gordon" Jill shouted "Mummy my head hurts" cried Ash "I know sweetie, Gordon" said Jill "Yes" Gordon shouted from the bottom of the stairs "Can you bring one of our bags up please" said Jill carrying Ash back to their room. Gordon grabbed a bag and made his way upstairs "What's the matter" he asked "Ash is complaining her head hurts and it's getting hard to keep her awake" responded Jill "Right let's take a look then" replied Gordon staying as calm as ever. He checked her pupils which seemed fine, he then checked the back of her head where he found a small bump "Mummy" screamed Ash "It's alright sweetheart" said Jill soothingly "Sorry Ash" said Gordon "Well it looks like a small bump on the back of the head but both pupils are equal, we'll just have to keep a close eye" said Gordon to Jill "Thanks" said Jill "Right let's go downstairs Nan and Grandad will be here soon" said Gordon taking Ash's hand and going out the room he turned to speak to Jill to find she was still on the bed "Are you alright" he asked concerned "Yes, just a little tired" replied Jill "You go on I'll be down in a minute" she added "Mummy" said Ash "Yes mummy will be down in a minute she just needs to finish getting ready" said Gordon smiling at Ash. Ash looked a little worried she could tell something wasn't right "Right come on Ash I need your help we need to get drinks ready for everyone and I need you to tell me where mummy keeps the biscuits" said Gordon "O.k." said Ash who was only too happy to help.