They arrived home put their coats and bags away and went into the front room where they found Katie sitting on her own watching the television
"Hello" said Gordon and Jill as they made their way in
"Hi, mum, dad I'm sorry about earlier I think I've made it worse" replied Katie clearly upset
"Don't worry we've known there's something she's not saying" replied Gordon sitting next to her and putting an arm around her,
"Where is she" asked Jill
"She hasn't come out of her room all afternoon" replied Katie
"Right we're going to get this sorted once and for all" said Gordon
"Well let's not go in all guns blazing" replied Jill
"Well what do you think we should do we've been patient up until now" replied Gordon
"I know but we don't need to push her away now, why don't you start on dinner I'll go and see if she'll talk to me now she's had time to calm down" replied Jill
"O.k. but if she doesn't then we do it my way" replied Gordon
"Agreed" said Jill giving Gordon a peck on the cheek she then made her way upstairs,
Ash was led on her bed listening to music when she heard a knock on the door she switched off the music just as Jill opened the door
"Can I come in" asked Jill
"Of course" said Ash
"Look we need to talk or your dad's going to start asking questions" said Jill sitting on the bed next to her
"What do you want to know" asked Ash
"Well let's start with earlier on shall we" said Jill pleased that they were starting to get somewhere
"I told you I was fine I just dropped the tea towel that's all I just wish people would listen and not stick their noses in where it's not wanted" replied Ash
"O.k. we're just trying to look after you because we love you" replied Jill
"I know but it just feels like everything I do is being watched and reported back, and I can't do anything right at the moment" replied Ash trying to bite back the tears that were so close to coming Jill could tell this so changed the subject
"So what have you done this afternoon then" Jill asked
"I've done some drawing then I felt tired so I just listened to some music" replied Ash glad for a conversation that seemed a bit more normal
"How was work" she asked Jill went along with the conversation knowing this was what Ash needed at the moment
"Ohh you know the normal, patients, ward round and paperwork" replied Jill
"Speaking of which I need to change you dressings tonight before you go to bed" Jill added
"O.k." replied Ash. Gordon then came up the stairs with drinks for both of them he knocked on the door that was slightly ajar
"I thought you could do with some drinks" he said handing Jill both drinks
"Thanks" replied Jill and Ash. Jill also gave Gordon a nod which he knew meant that they were talking
"Right well dinner will ready in three quarters of an hour" he said while leaving them to it
"O.k. we'll be down in a bit" replied Jill. After Gordon had gone Jill broke the silence
"So what did you want to talk to me about" she asked while handing Ash a glass
"Thanks" said Ash taking the drink
"It doesn't matter now" she added putting the glass down on the bedside table. Jill thought maybe it had been too soon to ask that question but she decided to push the matter anyway
"Why not" Jill asked for a minute Ash didn't know what to say
"Look you know what ever you say can stay between just us" said Jill
"I know, it's just" said Ash pensively
"It's just probably for the best if I don't tell you" said Ash
"I don't understand you we're asking to talk yesterday what happened today to make you change your mind" replied Jill
"Nothing" lied Ash
"Don't lie to me I know when you're lying" said Jill getting frustrated
"I don't want to cause anymore pain that's all" replied Ash
"Sweetheart, if you need to talk about it no matter what pain it will cause I'm here for you" said Jill
"But if I tell you it will never be the same again" replied Ash
"Yes it will" replied Jill
"How do you know you can't promise it" said Ash tears starting to fall
"Ash sweetheart, it will be o.k. I promise" replied Jill wiping away the tears
"But if I tell you, you're treat me differently I know you will" sobbed Ash
"It can't be that bad" replied Jill giving Ash a cuddle
"I promise I will do my very best not to treat you any different" Jill added
"I tell you what why don't we have this conversation tomorrow, we could get the others to go out so we have the house to ourselves" Jill said concerned that Ash thought this bad enough she felt she couldn't tell them
"O.k." replied Ash "Right let's wash your face then go downstairs" said Jill getting up Ash followed she was really tired the tiding up she had done earlier had really taken it out of her
"Are you alright" asked Jill concerned
"Yeah, I'm just tired I think I done too much today" said Ash
"Well it's an early night tonight then no reading" said Jill "O.k." said Ash she didn't have the energy to argue. Once she had washed her face they made their way downstairs
"Just in time" said Gordon carrying some plates through followed by Katie. They all sat down together
"Ash about before I'm sorry" said Katie
"I'm sorry too" replied Ash
"So what are you doing tomorrow Katie" asked Jill
"I haven't got any plans why" replied Katie
"Ohh no reason I just wondered" replied Jill.
They spent the rest of the time making small talk; Ash had hardly eaten anything which didn't go unnoticed by Jill
"Ash are you sure your alright" said Jill
"Yes I'm fine just tired" replied Ash
"Well can you try and eat a little more for me then" replied Jill
"O.k." replied Ash she did manage to eat a little more but not enough to stop Jill from worrying,
Gordon and Katie had gone into the front room, Jill was in the kitchen tiding up Gordon's mess leaving Ash alone in the dining room she got up and went to the kitchen
"I'm sorry mum I can't eat anymore, I'm going to go on up to bed, goodnight" said Ash
"That's alright, I'll be there in a minute" replied Jill.
Ash then went upstairs she didn't even bother to say goodnight to Gordon or Katie she just went straight upstairs, she was just sat on her bed she hadn't even started getting ready for bed when Jill came up with her doctors bag
"Are you alright if I do these now" asked Jill seeing Ash hadn't even got ready for bed yet
"Yeah, no problem" replied Ash starting to get undressed Jill could see she was having difficulty so decided to give a hand, Ash didn't even try to stop her which wasn't like her she was normally very independent. After Jill had changed the dressings and they had managed to get her into pyjamas she tucked her in
"Goodnight sweetheart" Jill said giving her a kiss on the forehead
"Night mum, thanks" replied Ash.
Jill left the door slightly ajar if Ash needed her tonight was going to be the night she thought, she made her way downstairs she found Gordon and Katie still in the front room
"Where's Ash" asked Gordon
"She's in bed did she not say goodnight to you" asked Jill
"No" replied Katie
"Well she was very tired I think she's done too much too soon" replied Jill
"Speaking of which would you two mind giving us a little space tomorrow" Jill added
"No of course not, I was going to meet some friends anyway" replied Katie
"I could always go in to work and do my paperwork" replied Gordon
"Great thanks" replied Jill sitting next to Gordon.