They arrived home Jill and Ash followed Gordon's car onto the drive. Given the choice Ash always would choose Jill's car this was because Ash had always been closer to her mum they had some of their best chats in the car alone and also because she had a better taste in music. Gordon had got out the car and opened the front door when he came back to help Jill with the bags
"How are we doing?" he asked
"O.k. I think a little sore it was a bit bumpy and uncomfortable" replied Jill
"Well let's get you in and comfy" said Gordon smiling at Ash.
Although she didn't like to admit it the journey had taken more out of her then she would like to admit. Jill followed Ash into the front room they got her on the sofa and put the television on
"Do you want anything? Dinner will be ready in about forty minutes" said Jill
"No I'm fine thanks" replied Ash
"Well you can have your dinner in here on a tray" said Gordon
"No" replied Ash "No special treatment please" she begged.
They were never allowed to eat in the front room they had to eat all their meals at the dining room or kitchen table. Jill and Gordon left her to get settled
"Just shout if you need anything" said Jill as she reached the doorway
"O.k. thanks" said Ash who was already starting to feel her eyelids getting heavy. About fifteen minutes later when the dinner was in the oven Jill went to check on Ash who was sound asleep looking uncomfortable on the sofa so she gently removed her shoes and put her feet up, found a blanket and put that over her. She then went to find Gordon who was finishing some notes in the study. She stood in the doorway for a minute then walked over and handed him the glass of wine she had poured for him
"How is she" he asked
"She's sound asleep" replied Jill "Dinners going to be about half an hour" she added and then left him to it she didn't even wait for a response. Jill then set the table ready and then went and sat in the front room being careful not to wake her. She then sat down in the chair and switched the television off and picking up a medical journal from the coffee table.
Twenty five minutes later she got up to check on dinner which was ready she called Gordon who went and woke Ash up. Jill was bring the last plate through as Ash made her way to the table Gordon was just behind her because she seemed a little unsteady. As she sat in the chair she winced. The pain was starting to get unbearable although she wouldn't let on. They had been sat at the table for ten minutes Jill and Gordon had just about finished and were deep in conversation.
Ash had only eaten half and for the last five minutes been pushing food around her plate when all of a sudden she asked "Please may I be excused" Jill and Gordon both looked up
"Yes of course you can, is everything alright?" asked Jill seeing Ash had hardly touched her food and was looking rather pale
"I'm fine just a little tired" Ash lied "Goodnight love you" she added.
"Yes goodnight, love you too" replied Gordon
"I'll be up in a minute to make sure you've got everything" said Jill.
"O.k." said Ash she didn't have the energy to tell her not to bother as she made her way up stairs she could hear Jill and Gordon talking they were really worried about her, how could she put their minds at rest she was already hiding the pain from them.
Jill and Gordon decided to give her a few minutes to get herself sorted this would be the first time she had been in her room since the accident they cleared the dinner table and done the dishes. As they were washing up
Jill suddenly said "I'm really worried about her I think there's something that she's not telling us"
"We can only hope she'll tell us in her own time if we push her to hard who knows what will happen" replied Gordon
"I know you're right but I can't help but worry" replied Jill
"Well all we can do is let her know we're here and you never know maybe the others being here might help, she might even talk to one of them" said Gordon.
"Yes you're right, we need to be as normal as possible" said Jill. When they had finished Jill made her way upstairs with a glass of water and some pain killers. Ash was already in bed trying to read
"Ash sweetheart, here you are" said Jill handing over the tablets and water
"Thanks" smiled Ash
"Is everything alright, do you need anything else" questioned Jill
"Yeah I'm fine just tired, no I don't think so" replied Ash
"Well you know where we are if you do, any time" replied Jill taking the glass and the book and putting them on the table, she then gave her a kiss on the forehead
"Goodnight, sweetheart" Jill said
"Night mum" replied Ash Jill made her way out switching off the light as she went she closed the door but left it slightly ajar so they would be able to hear if Ash made any sound.
She made her way back downstairs and found Gordon on the sofa who was watching the news he had made them both a cup of tea
"She's in bed, I've given her some medication" said Jill as she sat next to him, Gordon put his arm around her and she leaned in and put her head on his shoulder, it wasn't long before they went up to bed they too were tired as they hadn't had a proper night's sleep since that fateful day.
They made their way up quietly so not to wake Ash as they made their way past they poked their heads in to check on her it was a great weight off their minds to have their little girl back safe in their house they were never going to let her out of their sights again one of them was going to know where she was every minute of the day.