They had arrived at the forest Jill and Gordon had decided that they would bump into less people they knew than if they had gone to the beach.
Jill got out the car followed by a rather stiff and down beaten Ash how's this fair they had promised not even twenty four hours ago to treat her more like the others and now they had just taken it away. She was expected to keep her promises, but they could promise what they liked only to take it away again.
"Right you lot off we go" said Gordon
Ash went to grab a bag out of the car
"I don't think so" said Gordon he then added "The boy's and I are coming back for this stuff" before slamming the boot shut and locking the car
Ash stood there annoyed she folded her arms
"You look just like your mother when you do that" said Gordon
Ash just walked away from him and went over to join the others
"Can I help with anything" Ash asked the others
"Yeah you can help with these" replied Tom handing over a few blankets
"No, you don't" said Gordon putting his bags down and taking the blankets
"It's only a few blankets" whinged Ash
"Yeah dad" said Katie
"You are not to carry anything down" replied Gordon
"And I told you to stay with one of us at all times remember" he added
"I was I was with these" replied Ash
"Yeah dad she was with us and it's not like we were that far away from you" added Jonathon
Once they had all got to the spot that they liked and Gordon and the boys had come back with the rest of the stuff and had their picnic the three older ones had been allowed to go off for a walk. Ash had sat on a blanket as far away from her parents and matron as possible and was doing her best to ignore Gordon.
"What was that all about by the car" asked Jill to Gordon
"I was standing firm and not letting her push the boundaries" said Gordon
"It was a bit forceful though" replied Jill
"No she has to learn we have to learn to trust her" replied Gordon
"I agree with Jill, you did come on a bit strong especially when she was with the others" added Matron
"And don't forget I was there when you promised to treat her more like the others" added Matron
"Yes we said we would try" replied Gordon
"Well how does it look if you can easily break a promise" said Matron
"Why should she believe anything you say" said Matron after a short pause
But before anything else could be said the others came back
"Did you enjoy your walk" asked Jill
"Yeah it was good" they replied sitting down
Ash had taken along her music and sketch pad she got these out of her bag not wanting to hear any more of the conversation and be reminded of what she had missed out on she wished she had asked to stay behind now at least she wouldn't be feeling so miserable.
The boys had started to kick a ball around, Katie was sat talking to Matron about what she had been up to, Gordon was falling asleep in his chair and Jill had been sat there watching Ash thinking what to say to try a still make this day work out well for everyone she went and sat next to Ash. Ash took off her headphones.
"Ash, what are you drawing" asked Jill
"Nothing really, I'm not really in the mood, I was just doing it so no one would bother me" replied Ash
"Would you like me to leave you then" asked Jill
Ash shrugged her shoulders and then replied "You can do what you want"
"Is it really that bad" asked Jill
"If I had known it would be like this, I would've asked to stay at home at least there's more to do" replied Ash truthfully
"It can't be as bad as all that" replied Jill
They sat in silence for a few minutes and when Ash hadn't said anything else
Jill asked "would you like to go on a walk with me"
Ash just nodded they got up and Jill went and told Matron what they were doing
Half an hour had past and Jill and Ash were still not back from their walk in truth they had found a little area and were sat talking openly and truthfully to each other
Meanwhile Gordon had woken up and was wondering where they had gotten to the weather was starting to turn cold and he wanted to make a start on getting back home
"Did they say where they were going, or how long they were going to be" asked Gordon while packing some of the stuff away
"No they didn't but I'm sure they won't be that much longer" replied Matron
"Which way did they go" asked Gordon
"That way" pointed Katie in the direction they had gone
"Right well if they're not back by the time I'm back from putting these in the car I'll start looking for them" replied Gordon getting up and taking the picnic basket
"Dad do you want me to take anything" asked Tom
"Yes you can bring those" replied Gordon with a nod towards a pile he had already made
Between them they managed to carry everything apart from a couple of chairs and blankets when they came back and there was still no sign of Jill
"Right I'm going to look for them" stated Gordon
"Give them five minutes they are probably on their way back" replied Matron
"Alright five minutes" replied Gordon sitting back down
Meanwhile Jill and Ash were on their way back after Jill had looked at her watch and realised that the time had flown by and it was getting close to the time in which Gordon wanted to leave to get home. Jill didn't want to leave she was starting to get Ash's trust and starting to get an understanding to the way Ash had been feeling and what had been going on all these years with sister Brigid and looking back on it there was a few times they could of stopped it but they just thought she was being a normal child and had forced her to still go along but she also could see now why Ash had always stayed close to them when she was around, but that hadn't helped because they couldn't see it, it was always easier to see things clearer when you look back on them with a different perspective.
Gordon was getting restless when he saw them coming in the distance
"Right everybody they're here, let's get going" He said picking up a blanket and folding it
"Where have you been we've been waiting you knew what time we were leaving" said Gordon quietly to Jill
"Sorry Gordon but something was a bit more important besides you could've gone on and we would have caught you up" replied Jill
"Sorry Dad it was my fault I" started Ash before Gordon interrupted "Right let's get going"
"Gordon" said Jill angrily as he was walking away
"It's alright mum" said Ash following Gordon
"No it's not alright" stated Jill
Ash grabbed Jill's arm and looked her in the eyes
"Mum please, no more arguments because of me, please" begged Ash
"It's alright, it's not your fault" replied Jill
They had fallen behind the rest only matron was with them now
"Come on hurry up" shouted Gordon not looking behind him
"Mum" said Ash
"Yes" replied Jill
"I need to stop" replied Ash
"What's wrong" asked Jill
"I'll be fine in a minute I just need to..." replied Ash falling to the ground