Ash went back to her room and got changed and made her way down, just in time to put the dinner in the oven which was a good thing as the boys had taken Matron outside and clearly forgotten about it.
Katie came down not long after her
"Anything else" Katie asked
"No, go and enjoy yourself" replied Ash
They both went outside
"My don't you both look pretty as a picture" said Matron
"You don't think it's too much" asked Ash
"No, not at all, your mum will like it that you have gone to all this effort" replied matron
They sat there chatting for a few minutes
"Does, anyone need a drink?" asked Ash looking at her watch, knowing she would have to put the vegetables on
No one wanted a drink so Ash went in and switched the vegetables on and then ran upstairs to see if it was dry yet. It was so she put it in the frame and took it down and put it in the study so Matron could have it at the same time.
Meanwhile Katie was telling Matron about what had happened earlier, Matron seemed to agree that giving it to Jill was the best solution.
Ash was still in the study when she heard one of the cars pull on to the drive, she made her way out shutting the door behind her and made her way back into the kitchen.
Ash was still in the kitchen checking on things when Jill and Gordon made their way in talking about their day
"Hello" shouted Gordon, shutting the door
"Hi, dad" said Ash popping her head around the door
"What's going on?" asked Jill
"Where are the others?" asked Gordon before Ash could reply to Jill's question
"We have cooked dinner, they are outside and Matron is here as well" replied Ash
By this time Jill had put her things away and made her way into the kitchen she was looking in all the pots and pans
"It smells lovely" said Jill
"Mum, dad if it's alright I've asked Matron to stay" asked Ash
"Of course" replied Gordon
"What's it all about" asked Jill intrigued
"It's to say thank you for all you have done and sorry for everything" said Ash
"Sweetheart" replied Jill giving her a hug
"I do have to ask you something though" said Ash
"Yes" replied Jill a little worried
"I haven't got any drink to go with the meal" said Ash
"I should hope not" replied Jill, jokingly
"No, not for me for you" replied Ash
"I think I've got some in the cupboard" replied Gordon
"Thanks dad" replied Ash
"Right let's go outside with the others" said Gordon
Jill and Gordon went to make their way outside
"Come on" said Jill
"I'm just going to stay here" said Ash
"Are you alright?" asked Gordon
"Just a bit achy, I think I may have pushed it a little hard" replied Ash
"Right, let me take over, tell me what needs to be done" replied Jill
"There's nothing to do for ten minutes" replied Ash looking at her watch
"Well you are not to do anymore let us take it from here" said Gordon
"Sorry" replied Ash disappointed
"Sweetheart" said Jill going over and giving her a hug
"I know" said Ash
"Know what" asked Jill
"This proves, I won't be able to get a job" said Ash
"Well, let's talk about that later" replied Gordon
Ash looked at them both, they must have an idea she thought, they were actually trying to help her, she was shocked and happy at the same time that they actually thought so much about her and were starting to trust her again. What had changed their minds they were dead against the idea this morning.
Jill and Gordon made their way outside and were talking to the others, Ash had stayed inside she went into the dining room to check everything was still alright then came back into the kitchen the back door
"Right if everyone can make their way to the dining room" Ash shouted
Gordon had made his way through to the dining room and then went through to the kitchen
"The table looks lovely" he stated
"Thanks dad" replied Ash
"What can I do?" he asked
"Can you get drinks for everyone" asked Ash
"This looks amazing" said Jill
"I just hope it tastes alright" replied Ash
"It will, right if you take these" replied Jill handing Ash two plates
Ash nodded and took the plates through to the dining room closely followed by Jill and Katie
They all sat talking over dinner when they had all finished Ash went to clear
"Thank you for a lovely meal" said Matron
"Yes thank you, you have all made gone to a lot of effort, the table is lovely, and the beautiful flowers, who thought of them? And you all look wonderful" said Jill
"It was all Ash" said Jonathon
"That's not true, we all did it" said Ash
"No, we just helped make it possible, you did all the hard work" said Katie
"Well, thank you all of you" said Jill
"You didn't have to go so much trouble" added Gordon
"Yes, I did" said Ash starting to pick up plates
"What I mean is I wanted to say thank you for, well for everything" said Ash taking a pile of plates out
"Mum, dad while she's not here, we had a letter delivered by hand from sister" said Tom
But before anything else could be said Ash came back in the room
"Who's for tea or coffee" Ash asked unaware of what was going on
They all said what they wanted and Ash went back out with the rest of the plates
"Where is it" asked Gordon
"Upstairs in my room" replied Katie
"Right well I take it she doesn't know" replied Jill
"No, we thought we would tell you first" replied Jonathon
"Right, well we will sort this out later, I'm just going to give her a hand" said Jill
Not waiting for a response she left the room and went into the kitchen. Ash was pushing herself through the pain. She was stood over the sink nearly in tears when she heard movement behind her
"Sweetheart" said Jill
"I'm fine" said Ash turning around and giving a weak smile
"Thank you" said Jill
"Mum, what's going on" Blurted out Ash
"Nothing" replied Jill
"Really, cause the others have been acting strange since the person at the door" said Ash
"What person, when?" asked Jill
"There was a lady at the door, who asked for me" said Ash
"They haven't said anything" lied Jill, but she could see how this was eating at Ash
"I'll have a word with them" said Jill
"Thanks mum" replied Ash
Ash turned back to the sink "OUCH" she said
"What's wrong? Sit down" said Jill
"I'm fine, I just turned too quickly" said Ash
"Will you do as you are told and sit down" said Jill forcefully
Ash did as she was told and sat down
"Tom, Katie, Jonathon" shouted Jill
They all came in
"Now, I don't care who, one of you is going to make drinks, one is going to wash and one is going to dry" stated Jill
"Yes, mum" they all replied and set to
"Ash, you are going to talk our guest" added Jill
Ash nodded and went through to Gordon and Matron
"What's up" asked Gordon
"Nothing, I just feel like I've failed" said Ash
"Why" asked Matron
"Well, I should be doing that" said Ash pointing to the kitchen
"No, everyone has to help, besides you have done too much already" replied Gordon
Ash knew they were right but it didn't make her feel any better