Grace took a minute before telling Jacob about the crash.
"Everything happened in slow motion...mum was taking me somewhere for dinner to cheer me up...you were quite scary while you were shouting yesterday." Grace told Jacob.
"Sorry firecracker." Said Jacob hanging his head.
"Mum noticed the car behind...She called the driver an idiot...I think he must have been drunk or distracted...I could see him swerving all over the road." Said Grace. "She kept an eye on him...looking between the road and the mirror...she looked worried...when the other car pulled out to overtake us mum slowed down to let him get passed quicker...but he just kept swerving...at one point I thought he was going to smash into the side of us...mum slowed down some more but it was to late, the man in the other car pulled over into our lane and clipped the front of mum's car...it made us spin round and round." She told Jacob.
"It looks like you've both been quiet lucky..." said Jacob.
"It was because of mum I've only got a couple of scratches and bruises...while the car was spinning she put her arm across my chest to try and hold me still...I think that's how she hurt her shoulder...the scariest part was when I felt the car falling into the ditch...mum bumped her head and it felt like ages before she woke up."
"You've been very brave princess." Offered Jacob giving Grace a genuine smile.
"Thats what mum said...I had to reach my phone and call the ambulance because mum couldn't move her arm...I don't know what happened to the man in the other car...a policeman told mum he'd crashed into a tree further up the road." Continued Grace. "What will happen if mum's broken her leg? Will she have to stay in hospital?"
"No...she'll be able to go home today I should think...she'll probably need a lot of help with things though." Explained Jacob.
"We can help her, can't we?" Asked Grace.
"Well...yes...I'd be happy to help...but I'm not sure she would accept it from me...I'll certainly offer." Said Jacob.
The pair continued to talk until Charlie returned with Connie. "Mum!" Said Grace leaving her bed to give Connie a tentative hug.
"Hey sweetheart." Smiled Connie.
"Is it broken?" Asked Grace pointing to Connie's swollen ankle.
"I'm afraid so...not badly but I'll be out of action for a while." Winced Connie as Charlie helped her onto the bed.
"Its ok, Jacob said he would help out..." Smiled Grace.
"I'll go get someone to pop that shoulder back. " Said Charlie heading for the door.
"Don't you dare bring that woman in here." Connie shouted after Charlie's retreating figure before turning to Jacob. "And don't you even think about defending her!" She told him pointedly.
"I won't...Connie...look...I'm sorry...for...Well, everything...for shouting, for pushing you, especially for saying that I hated you...really don't...I didn't mean it...I was lashing out...I know I have no right to ask...but will you forgive me?...please..." begged Jacob. "I realize now what Elle's been up to...turns out your not the only stubborn one round here."
"I can't do this now...I can't think straight...we'll talk later...just...no more arguing..." Connie insisted as Charlie reappeared with Dylan.
"Right Mrs Beauchamp, are you ready for this...we can give you a little sedation-" "Entonox will be fine!" Demanded Connie.
"I'll take Grace out..." Offered Jacob knowing that seeing her mum in pain would be upsetting.
"No!" Connie blurted out. "Stay...Charlie, would you mind?"
"No problem...come on Grace."
After Charlie and Grace had gone Jacob moved round Connie's bed. He turned on a gas canister and passed Connie the mouth piece.
Dylan gave Connie a few minutes to inhale some of the gas and air before he felt around at her shoulder.
"Just do it Dr Keogh...Don't beat around the bush."
Connie growned in pain as her shoulder was manipulated back into place.
"Right...all done...I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that it'll ache for a few days..." mumbled Dylan.
"No...thank you Dr Keogh." Said Connie trying to get comfortable in bed.
"How you feeling now?" Asked Jacob returning the entonox back to its rightful place.
"Better...thanks...tired...Its been a long night." Said Connie giving him a small smile.
"You rest...I'll take Grace for some breakfast...if that's ok with you." Checked Jacob.
"Erm...I guess...if she's ok with that." Said Connie yawning.
By the time Grace returned back to the hospital Jacob had her smiling happily. Walking into the room where they'd left Connie they were surprised to find her sat up in bed with a brace round her ankle.
"I was beginning to wonder where you'd got to." Smiled Connie looking at Grace.
"Jacob took me for breakfast and then home for some fresh clothes...we brought you some clothes to." Beamed Grace, she leaned in and whispered. "Dont worry I got your underwear!"
Connie chuckled. "Thank you sweetie." Looking over Grace's shoulder she addressed Jacob."Thanks..."
Putting the bag of clothes on the end of the bed Jacob gave Connie a nervous smile. "No problem...do you need a hand?" He asked motioning to the bag.
"I can manage..." Said Connie equally as unsure as Jacob.
"Right...Well...I'll..." he pointed to the door. "I've got the day off so...I'll hang around...in case you need anything..." Jacob cleared his throat. "...I'll erm...see you later." He mumbled before leaving.
Leaning on the wall outside Connie's room Jacob took a steadying breath.
"I wonder if that'll bring her down a peg or two." Said Elle walking up to Jacob.
Jacob's face turned to thunder. "Why the hell would you even think about saying something like that!" He growled.
"It was just a joke Jay...calm down." Smiled Elle.
"Well I didn't find it very funny! They could have died...you know what...stay away from me...because of you I could very well have ruined everything with the love of my life!" Jacob started moving away but then stopped. "I really don't know what your end game is Elle but keep me out of it...your not the person I remember!" With that he left Elle stood there gobsmacked.