Jill went in she heard voices in the kitchen on her way through she glanced in at the study the door was still open from when Ash had placed the papers on the desk she walked through to the kitchen to find the older three mucking around and the spotless kitchen now looking like a bomb had gone off
"Mum" said Tom shocked
"Sorry" said Katie spinning round and spilling orange juice
"Right clean this mess up now" said Jill
"Sorry mum we weren't expecting you to be home" said Jonathon
"Clearly" replied Jill
"Where is your sister" she asked
All of them shrugged their shoulders whilst starting to clean up
"Well it's a good job I'm here to keep an eye on her then" replied Jill turning back around
She went upstairs and found Ash sat up on her bed reading
"Can you come downstairs please" said Jill
"Why what have I done" asked Ash
"Nothing I just need to keep a close eye on you" replied Jill
"Why can't I stay up here then" asked Ash
"Because I can't keep an eye on you and do my work as well if you are up here can I" replied Jill
"All right" said Ash placing the bookmark and shutting her book
"Thank you sweetheart" replied Jill
Ash followed Jill downstairs and into the study Jill sat down and started on her paperwork while Ash sat opposite in the other chair and starting reading her book they sat like that in silence for half an hour. Jill was already nearly half way through her paperwork
"Mum" said Ash
"Mmm, yes" replied Jill looking up
"Would you like a drink" asked Ash
"Just let me finish this and then I'll make them" replied Jill
"No that's alright what would you like" asked Ash placing her book down
"A cup of tea would be lovely please" replied Jill
Ash got up and went to the kitchen and flicked the kettle on she sat down at the table and was staring out the window waiting when Jill came through talking to her
"Sweetheart, Are you alright" asked Jill
"Yes why" asked a puzzled Ash
"Well I was just talking to you" replied Jill
"Sorry what was it" asked Ash
"I was asking what you had planned for this afternoon" replied Jill
"Nothing" replied Ash getting up and making the drinks
"Why" Ash asked while handing Jill her drink
"Just wondered if you were going out that's all" replied Jill
"I can't I'm grounded remember" stated Ash
"Your dad didn't mean it he was just angry" said Jill
"Still I better not" replied Ash
"Well what are you going to do then" asked Jill
"I don't know" replied Ash taking a sip of her tea
"Drawing?" asked Jill
"No" replied Ash a little too quickly
"Why not" asked Jill
"I just don't want to" replied Ash
"Is there something you want done" she added quickly trying to change the subject
Before anything else could be said the other three came bounding in the kitchen
"We're off see you later" said Tom
"Bye" said Ash
"What time are you going to be back" asked Jill
"Don't know" replied Jonathon
"Can you phone and let me know please" replied Jill
"Yes mum" replied Jonathon
"Come on you two" said Katie
Before anything else could be said the telephone rang
"Ormerod residence Katie speaking" Answered Katie
"Hi dad yeah I'll just get her" she replied
"Mum, it's for you" shouted Katie
"Okay thank you who is it" said Jill taking the receiver
"Dad" replied Katie turning around and following the boys out the front door
"Hello is everything all right" asked Jill
"Yes everything is fine this end how about yours" asked Gordon
"I don't know" replied Jill
"Go on" replied Gordon
"Well she's quiet, not concentrating on much and staring in to space" replied Jill she thought she better not include the not drawing bit
"Probably tired if she was up that early" replied Gordon
"I don't know I think there's more to it" replied Jill
"Don't read too much into it, let her come to you if there is a problem" replied Gordon
"Easier said than done" replied Jill
"I've got to go, I'll speak to you later, love you" replied Gordon
"Love you too" replied Jill putting the receiver down and walking back to the kitchen
"Who was that" asked Ash
"Your Dad checking you were alright, I think you worried him this morning" said Jill
"I'm fine I promise" replied Ash
"Right I'm going to get back to my paperwork" replied Jill
"Do you mind if I go and stretch out on my bed" asked Ash stifling a yawn
"Of course not" replied Jill maybe Gordon was right this time
An hour later and Jill had finished her paperwork, she had put it in her car ready for later, she then decided to go and check on Ash as she hadn't heard any noise from her since she said she was going upstairs to stretch out.
When she reached Ash's room she noticed the door open she peeped inside to find Ash curled up asleep on top of her bed, Jill carried on to her room and grabbed a blanket from the top of her wardrobe she took it back to Ash's room she draped it carefully over Ash then quietly went back downstairs.
Jill had just sat down with a cup of tea and a medical journal when the phone rang
"Dr Weatherill" Jill said
"Hello Jill" said Matron
"Hello matron, what can I do for you" asked Jill
"Nothing, I just wanted to make sure you were okay, I popped in this morning and Gordon told me what had happened" replied Matron
"To tell you the truth, I don't know" replied Jill
There was silence between the two of them for a few seconds then Jill carried on
"I don't know if I'm reading into it too much, but something is telling me there is more to it"
"What does Gordon say" asked Matron
"He said not to push and that she might be tired but there's something niggling at the back of my mind" said Jill
"Well I think your both right" said Matron
"Sorry" said Jill slightly confused
"Well you have to trust your instincts but Gordon is also right if she is tired she won't be thinking straight and if you push her too hard she might, push you away even harder" replied Matron
"What would we do without you" replied Jill
"Well I remember a time when you didn't want my help" replied Matron
"I'm sorry" replied Jill
"Don't be sorry, we wouldn't be who we are now without the past" replied Matron
"Thank you for everything" replied Jill
Before anything else could be said there was a knock at the door
"Sorry matron I've got to go there's someone at the door bye" said Jill
"Bye and you know where I am" replied Matron
Jill put the phone down and went to answer the door, she looked up stairs there was no sound of movement from Ash
Jill opened the door
"Hello Mrs Ormerod, is Jonathon in" asked James
"No sorry James they left a couple of hours ago, I'll let him know when he comes back" replied Jill
"Okay, sorry to have bothered you and thank you" replied James
Jill saw him walk down the drive and then shut the door, she looked at her watch it was nearly time for her to leave she made lunch for the both of them and then went up to get Ash who was just waking up
"How are you" said Jill
"A little better" replied Ash
"Good, well lunch is ready" replied Jill
Ash gingerly got up from the bed and started to fold the blanket Jill stepped in and took the blanket from her
"Leave that come and have your lunch" said Jill
Ash followed her down the stairs and into the kitchen where Jill had already laid out lunch they sat there in silence neither wanting to upset the other more than they had too.
Once they had finished Ash got up and started to wash up their glasses and plates Jill grabbed the tea towel
"Right I've got to go into work now, but if anything and I mean anything no matter how small you phone me right away" said Jill
"Yes mum" replied Ash
"I mean it" replied Jill
"Yes mum" replied Ash
"Right well take it easy and I'll be back soon" replied Jill giving her a cuddle
"Bye mum" replied Ash following her to the front door she stood there waving until Jill was out of sight.