Jill who had been sat on the other side of the table leapt up and ran round the table
"Ash sweetheart what is it" Jill said.
Gordon who was already sat next to her got up
"It's the pain" Ash winced
"Right I'm taking a look at you no arguments" said Gordon picking her up.
"Mum" Ash screamed in pain
"It's alright I'm right behind you" said Jill holding her hand
"Jill the medications in my bag" said Gordon.
Jill nodded and moved towards the front door where the bags were, getting the medication she then went to the kitchen and got a glass of water. When she reached the front room Gordon had managed to get her on the sofa and was trying to calm Ash down and find out where the pain was. Ash who was trying to get comfortable, tears streaming down her face.
"Here you go take these" said Jill giving the tablets to Ash along with the water. Ash split some of the water as she was shaking from the pain
"Sorry" she managed to say through gritted teeth
"It's alright sweetheart" said Jill whilst sitting down on the sofa beside her and stroking her hair away from her eyes. Ash lent in to her mum
"It really hurts" she blubbed
"I know it does" said Jill.
Gordon who stood at the end of the sofa said "Ash where does it hurt".
Ash pointed to her tummy Jill and Gordon looked at each other then Gordon said
"Ash I know it hurts but I need you to lie down"
"Why" asked Ash
"I just need to check that's all" said Gordon
"It's alright sweetheart" assured Jill
"Is this the pain you told us about and is this the worst it has been" asked Gordon
"Yes" said Ash
Gordon checked her tummy Ash winced when he pressed on the right side
"Sorry Ash" he said then looking at Jill "She's tender and there's some guarding"
"Right" replied Jill
"What does that mean" Ash asked while looking from her dad to her mum trying to read their faces for a sign any sign.
"It's probably nothing but we've got to check it out" said Gordon she could tell he was lying but didn't have the strength to argue
"Right I'll get the car ready" said Jill
"I'm so sorry" said Ash
"You've got nothing to be sorry for" replied Gordon.
They could hear Jill on the phone to the royal telling them what was happening and what they would need ready when they got there, she had already moved the cars around. Gordon got Ash into the back of the car
"Mum" Ash said
"Yes, she's coming" replied Gordon
"Jill come on" he shouted
"Yes I'm just coming I was just checking everything was switched off" Jill replied running out the front door and slamming it behind her
"I'll drive you sit in the back with Ash" said Gordon as she made her way to the car
"Yes alright" replied Jill. On the drive in Ash had grown more and more uncomfortable
"It's alright we're nearly there" Jill said soothingly.
They pulled up outside Gordon got out quickly running round the car to where Ash was trying to get out the car but every movement brought on a stabbing pain. Ash was biting back the tears trying not to show how much pain she was in but she could barely move. One of the hospital porters came running out with a wheelchair
"The rooms already for you" he said to Gordon
"O.k. thanks" said Gordon while getting Ash into the chair.
As they rushed into the hospital Jill was handed the notes but she didn't look at them until she had ordered all the tests she needed and Ash had been taken to x-ray.
Jill was pacing up and down all of a sudden she said "Gordon look at this"
Gordon who was away with his own thoughts said "What's that"
"Ash's notes it shows she mentioned the pain the night of the operation and that it's to be expected and they prescribed more pain-relief" said Jill then added while looking further down "It's the same every time she mentions pain"
"No wonder she didn't say anything, she didn't know anything was wrong because no-one else was worried about it" said Gordon
"But I should of realised something was wrong" replied Jill
"We both should of but there's been a lot going on" said Gordon giving Jill a hug then he added "Stay here, I'm just going to make a call"
Jill was left alone she repeatedly went over the notes and replayed the time she had spent with Ash wondering why she hadn't picked up on it sooner. She wasn't alone for long before she heard the nurses bring Ash back. She made herself busy she didn't want Ash to see how worried they were, it would only make it worse and knowing Ash the way she did she knew she would be feeling guilty enough already.
"Hi mum, where's dad?" Ash asked.
Jill turned round to face Ash who was in slightly less pain and had more colour in her cheeks they smiled at each other
"He's just gone to make a call, he won't be long" replied Jill
"Can we go home now I'm feeling much better" asked Ash she didn't have to wait for a reply she knew by the face Jill had pulled as soon as she had mentioned the word home it was not possible
"Not until I've got the results back and besides we've got to wait for dad" replied Jill.
Meanwhile Gordon was sat at his desk in his office trying to get through to the specialist hoping he could shed some light on the situation. When he finally got through he was told to order the tests Jill had already ordered and if they all came back looking normal then unfortunately it looked like nerve damage in which case there's nothing more they can do only try and make it more bearable.
It was one of the risks of the operation but there's nothing to say the damage hadn't been done before. And there's nothing to say it wouldn't go away given time. Gordon thanked him for his help. He then pulled himself together and made his way back to his wife and daughter he decided not to say anything about the conversation he'd just had until the results came back he didn't want to discuss it in front of Ash and that would be the only time without her knowing something was up.