For almost the whole time Esther, Sandra and Robert were at the hospital an awkward silence hung heavy over them. Sandra was trying her best to get her head around Robert's revelation she could see why he did what he did, partly I mean she wasn't a parent so she wasn't as readily to forgive as the others. It was the fact he had lied to them that hurt her the most, his lies had put Gerry in a critical condition and all of them in danger.

Sandra went into see Gerry first, given Esther the golden opportunity to speak to Rob alone.

"Why won't she talk to me Esther?" He sighed.

"Well it is a lot for her to take in, she is still in shock over what has happened to Gerry and she hasn't slept in days" Esther tried.

"It's because I didn't tell her isn't it, she blames me for this and she is right to do so." He pressed his forehead up against the window into Gerry's private room looking down in despair at the damage he had caused.

"Hey, this is not your fault, you were not to know how dangerous that man is, now come on. Sandra is stubborn but she will come round" Esther rubbed his back with affection; she was good at comforting people.

"Thank you for being so nice and understanding Esther" he smiled he hadn't really gotten to know Mrs Lane, he had heard a lot about her but he hadn't really spent much time with her before now.

"Not at all, now I am going to ring Jack, check Brian is staying out of trouble, you go and see Gerry and be easy on Sandra."

"I will thank you."

"Oh for heaven's sake!" Sandra heard Esther call as she went outside in search of her. "Right well I better pick him. Well they have taken him off the ventilator and his breathing has improved greatly but he hasn't come round yet so there is no news on if the surgery has been a success. Okay Jack I will be there as soon as I can. Bye."

"How's Jack?" Sandra asked.

"Oh, I didn't see you there; gosh you gave me a fright. Well Jack's fine but it turns out Brian thinks he has solved these cases and the police station called to say he had gone there with a woman called Ginny. I've got to go and pick him up; do you and Robert want to come now?"

"I just came to say, it's Gerry he's stirring. Doctor Sharma is in there with him now; I don't think it will be long before have news."

"Okay, well I best be going are you and Mr Strickland going to be alright, I suppose I better tell him that they are looking for Tobias, Brian has convinced them that he is dangerous."

"What, what's happened?" Robert asked.

Esther explained in a flap as she didn't really understand the full picture.

"Can I come with you please; my kids could be in danger!"

"Of course, of course, Sandra do you still want to-" She didn't need to finish her sentence as Sandra nodded. Call me if anything happens." She said looking at Rob.

"I will, you do the same with Gerry."

"Of course, drive safe."

Sandra watched through the window as the Doctors and nurses slowly brought Gerry round. She could see he had his eyes open as was making more than eye contact with the female staff.

"Blimey it takes more than that to keep you down, Gerry Standing" She muttered to herself smiling.

"Miss Pullman? Mr Standing is awake and responding nicely, the operation was a success."

"Thank you so much Doctor Sharma, can I?"

"Yes, of course, he is rather tried so don't ware him out."

"I won't" she beamed and headed into his room.

"Boy am I glad to see you" he wheezed.

"Not as much as I am, I can tell you, I thought you had bloody well gone and left us."

"Not a chance Guv."

"How you feeling?"

"Bloody rough, I can tell you."

They shared a little giggle.

"Do you remember what happened?" Sandra ventured.

"Yeah, one of that Allesbury's hit men attacked us and kicked me to the ground."

There was a knock on the door it was one of the nurses accompanied by two uniformed police officers.

"Mr Standing the police are here to take your statement regarding the attack, is it okay if they do it now?"

"Excuse me but he has just woken up and is very tired" Sandra began.

"Miss this is rather important and it won't take too long" one officer said.

"Gerry are you sure you are up to this?"

" Yes matron, now go and get a coffee or something." She smiled. It was wonderful to have the old Gerry Standing back. How long would that thought last she wondered.