It had been five days since the accident the other Ormerod children had been persuaded to go back as they all had important exams coming up and besides they would be back in two or three weeks for the holidays. Gordon had gone back to work as it was busy which meant the locum only had Jill's patients to deal with. He still spent every spare minute with his wife at their daughter's bedside. Today was even busier than normal there was a multiple car pileup on the main road in. Gordon and the locum had gone to the scene of the accident which left the new doctor on his own who was already totally swamped and unable to cope.

Jill was sat holding Ash's hand while reading a medical journal when there was a knock at the door "Come in" said Jill while looking up from the paper

"Sorry doctor we need your help there's been a bad accident on the main road and more causalities than we can deal with" said Lizzie in her usual chirpy voice

"I'll be right there" replied Jill while folding the corner of the journal so she knew where she was

"Sister Brigid said she would come and sit with Ash if you like" said Lizzie

"No. That won't be necessary we'll need sister on the ward" replied Jill

"O.k., she just thought you wouldn't want to leave her on her own"

"No I don't Lizzie" replied Jill

"How about I call Matron ask if she will come and sit with her she was popping in to look over the paperwork anyway" Said Lizzie thoughtfully

"That's a good idea thanks Lizzie" replied Jill with a smile on her face that had put her mind at rest matron was like one of the family and she knew Ash trusted her.

Matron still popped in from time to time as she was still a board member and they had given her one of the nurses flats for all the years service she had given the hospital. Jill and Lizzie made to go out the room and matron was stood there "Did someone say my name" she queried

"Yes matron" replied Jill then added "I'm needed and we wondered if you wouldn't mind sitting with Ash for me"

"No problem take as long as you need" replied matron

"Thank you" was all Jill had time to reply before the first stream of patients came through the door both her and Lizzie jumped into action. Matron turned with a smile and sat down.

It was an hour before matron saw anyone again it was Lizzie bringing a cup of tea it was the first time there had been a bit of a break. Matron sat there for about another three hours telling stories about the hospital and how it had changed over the years and some of the things the staff had got up to. She spoke fondly about the Ormerod family she had always thought of them as family and was very proud of them all. She was always touched when they invited her around for dinner or on family occasions.

Sister Brigid bust through the door "Oh sorry matron I didn't realise anyone was in here" she said shocked

"That's alright Jill asked me to sit here come in" replied matron

"No that's alright I was just going to check everything while I had five minutes" replied sister then added "I don't think Jill will be much longer anyway Gordon's just coming in with the last patient now"

"O.k. thank you sister" replied matron.

Sister Brigid was right Jill walked through the door forty five minutes later looking exhausted she sat in the chair next to matron

"Why don't you get some rest dear I'll stay a little longer" asked matron

"No I've asked too much already" replied Jill sleepily

"Nonsense" replied matron

"Well if you're sure a few minutes wouldn't hurt" replied Jill who fell asleep to wake half an hour later feeling refreshed.

"That's better" said matron "now you stay here and I'll get us a nice cup of tea and we can have that little chat" and with that she was out the door.