Jill took her daughters hand only this time it was different her daughters hand squeezed back "Ash, sweetheart" Jill said slightly shocked she stood up and bent over her bed and with her free hand brushing her hair away from her face.
Matron came in with a tray of drinks followed by Gordon who had just finished with the last patient and was hoping for five minutes peace. Jill turned around towards the door with a smile and tears streaming down her face "She squeezed my hand, she squeezed my hand" she said joyfully
"That's great" replied Gordon and Matron. Matron then added "I'll give you some space"
"No stay, please" pleaded Jill
"Well if you're sure" replied matron
"Yes" said Jill a little too quickly
Gordon then pulled up the spare chair and they sat with their drinks talking and waiting they didn't have to wait long before Ash started to wake up.
Aisling started to wake up slowly confused staring at the ceiling not knowing where she was her back hurt and her leg felt heavy it was only when the familiar voice of her mum letting her know she was in the royal that she started to relax a little. Then panic set in as she realised how much trouble she would be.
It was Gordon who spoke first "So what do you think you were doing young lady" Aisling didn't reply she didn't know how to put it without hurting them
"Well were waiting, we've got all day" said Gordon it wasn't like him to be like this he just couldn't understand why she had done this and wanted her to know how stupid she had been.
Jill gave Gordon a look which told him to back off she had only just woken up after all. "Well if we're not going to get anywhere I'm going to let everyone know she's woken up, I'll find sister Brigid as well" said Gordon they all saw the look of horror on Aisling's face as he mentioned her name. Gordon and Jill quickly glanced at each other both worried then Gordon made to go out
"I'm so sorry" sobbed Aisling Gordon turned around gave a smile and walked out it was a while before Jill and Matron could calm her down. Half an hour after Gordon had left he returned "I'm sorry Ash, it's just you scared us we just want to help" apologised Gordon
"Did you get hold of them" inquired Jill
"Yes their all glad you're awake and they're be down soon" replied Gordon.
Then before anything else could be said Aisling blurted the whole situation out about how it had all started when sister Brigid had seen her the day before talking to a couple of Jonathon's friends and then the day in the office when she had started ranting on that she was just like her mum and that if she carried on that why she would end up the same way pregnant with a baby she doesn't want with a man who's a no good lying father and that none of this would of happened if she was living with her and how she was going to take her away for the whole of the summer holidays.
"I thought I had disappointed you and you didn't want me so I thought I would save you the bother and leave earlier, so I bought my ticket then sat in the all night cafe near the station when it was time to leave I saw sister Brigid so I ran the other way she followed shouting and that's all I remember" She said with tears streaming down her face.
The adults just sat shocked no-one had expected this "I'll give you some space, I'll come and see you tomorrow" said matron "And get some rest" she added with a smile.
Jill followed her out and shut the door behind them "Thank-you matron for everything"
"I'm just glad I could help now go back in she needs her mum and remember if you need anything you know where I am" replied matron but before Jill could go back inside sister Brigid came running around the corner
"Is it true she's awake" she asked
"Yes" replied Jill then matron stepped in "she's very tired and needs to speak to her mum and dad, I'm sure you can see her tomorrow" she said while taking sisters arm
"Why didn't anyone say I haven't seen her since she's been here" replied sister Brigid
"Well she needs her rest and one more day won't hurt" said matron while leading sister Brigid back the way she had come. Matron turned her head to see Jill mouthed thank-you then take a deep breath before entering the room.
Gordon had managed to calm an exhausted Aisling down who had just dozed off.
"It's been a long day" said Jill
"Yes" replied Gordon "Let's go home she won't be awake until morning" he added they both kissed their daughter goodnight.
Back at home they were both sat on the sofa with a glass of wine trying to make sense of everything that had been said but it only left them with more questions.