Ash was slowly starting to wake she had gripped Jill's hand and was not letting it go but then Jill was not going to let go either, the boys had run back when they heard the news and some of the other staff members including Lizzie had congregated in the corridor outside the room not wanting to be the last one to be told she was finally awake.
Gordon got up and went to the door
"Right, let's all get back to work, I will let you all know when you can all come and see her, but right now we have other patients to deal with" said Gordon he then waited until they slowly left he then went back in and sat on the end of the bed and to let Ash know he was there he gently squeezed her leg just above her ankle
Ash's eyelids fluttered but it was a further half an hour before she fully opened them, that was when the others started their barrage of questions
"How are you" asked Katie
"Can you remember anything" asked Jonathon
"Can you move your legs" asked Tom
None of them gave her time to answer she just look from one person to the next and was trying to take the mask off with her other hand
"No, sweetheart keep it on for a minute" said Jill gently placing her hand on the mask
"Right you lot give her a little time she has only just woken up" said Gordon to the others while Jill was sorting Ash out
"I tell you what why don't you three come with me" said Matron getting up
"But" started Tom
"That's a good idea and when you come back Ash will be ready to answer all of your questions" said Gordon butting in
"Okay, see you in a bit Ash" said Katie as she left
"I don't see why we have to go" said Tom
"Just do it, mum and dad need a little time" whispered Jonathon to Tom
"See you later" said a sulky Tom
"Do you want anything" asked Jonathon
"No thank you, sweetheart I think we have everything" replied Jill
"Okay see you soon" said Jonathon shutting the door behind him
Ash was left with her parents and the doctor
"Right Ash I'm just going to check your eyes is that okay" asked the doctor
Ash went to say something but her throat felt so sore so she just nodded instead
"It's alright your throat will be a bit sore for a little while" said Jill as if reading her mind
Ash squeezed Jill's hand that she was still holding to let her know she understood
"Right that seems to be all fine, I'm just going to listen to your chest" said the doctor
Gordon got up so that the doctor could do his job, Ash's eyes followed him
"It's alright dad's staying he's just giving the doctor some room" said Jill
"Yes, that's right I'm still here" said Gordon moving to stand behind Jill
"That all seems clear, so we can take that mask off for now" said the doctor taking the mask off Ash
Gordon moved back and was sat on the end of the bed again
"Right I just have to ask a few questions" said the doctor
"Do you want a drink" asked Gordon
Ash nodded, Gordon poured a glass of water from the jug sat on the table and then put the glass with a straw up to Ash's lips
"Okay, only little sips" said Gordon
Ash did as she was told she was glad Gordon was holding the glass because that meant she didn't have to let go of Jill's hand
"Enough" asked Gordon
"Yes, thanks" said Ash weakly it also sounded a little hoarse
"Your welcome, just say if you want some more" replied Gordon
"Right Ash do you know where you are" asked the doctor
"In the Royal" replied Ash
She answered all the doctor's questions and they were happy everything seemed fine they all left her to rest
Jill and Gordon went off to talk to the kids and Matron, they found them in the kitchen
"Mum" said Katie
"It's alright, sit down please" said Jill also sitting down
"We have left her sleeping for a minute, because we need to talk to you" said Gordon
"Sounds serious" said Jonathon
"We don't want a repeat of earlier that's all" replied Jill
"We all want to know the answers but, we have to take it slowly" added Gordon
"It is all looking good for now, she can feel her legs but we don't know if she can stand yet it's still too soon" started Jill
"How is she" asked Katie
"She seems fine her throat is a little sore so try not to make her talk too much to start with" replied Gordon
"What does she remember" asked Jonathon
"We haven't gone into that too much, but she can remember some bits and pieces" replied Gordon
"Like we said she just needs time so no rushing her, she is going to get tired quickly so don't go getting her upset" added Jill getting up
"When can we see her" asked Katie
"You can go back now, but not for too long" replied Gordon
"Are you coming dad" asked Jonathon
"No, I'll be back a little later, I've got some patients to see this afternoon and a few phone calls to make" replied Gordon
"What about you matron" asked Katie
"No, you don't need me as well, tell her I'll see her later" replied Matron
They made their way to Ash's room expecting her to be asleep after what their parents had said but she was trying to pull herself up into a sitting position
"Ash, do you need a hand" asked Katie
Ash shook her head she wanted to do this by herself but the pillow kept slipping down
"Wait there" said Jonathon looking out the door and seeing Jill coming down
"What's wrong" asked Jill quickening her pace
"She's trying to sit up" replied Jonathon
"Ash, sweetheart, what are you doing" asked Jill
"She was trying to sit up before we got here" replied Tom
"That's okay isn't it" asked Katie
"Of course, it is" replied Jill going over and helping Ash
"She didn't want our help" replied Tom
"She may not have wanted it Tom, but she needs it" replied Jill
"Is that better" Jill asked Ash who was now in a more comfortable position
"Sorry mum, Ash" said Katie and Jonathon
"Me too" said Ash she then smiled
They sat in silence for a few minutes thinking of things to say that wouldn't upset Ash or Jill. It was Ash who broke the silence
"Mum" said Ash
"Yes, sweetheart" replied Jill
Ash pointed to the glass of water, Jill knew straight away what she wanted
"There you go" said Jill picking it up and giving her the glass,
Ash smiled as if to say thank you, once she had finished Jill took the glass back and placed it on the table
Tom was feeling awkward and kept glancing to the door hoping someone would come through, Ash had noticed and so had Jill
"Tom, can you go and see if your dad got hold of everyone for me" said Jill
"Okay" said Tom getting up and leaving as quickly as possible
"Don't mind him he's in a mood with Katie" said Jonathon
"Why" asked Ash
That was the ice breaker the other two told Ash all about the arguments that had happened between Tom and Katie and how Tom had caused an argument between Gordon and Jill
"It wasn't that bad" said Jill giving the other two be careful what you are saying looks
Ash had a faraway look in her eyes as the story brought back some memories
"Ash" said Katie concerned
"Mum, what's wrong" asked Jonathon
"Ash" said Jill gently squeezing her shoulder
"I'm fine, it just it sounded familiar" replied Ash
"Well they are always fighting" replied Jonathon earning himself a playful hit from Katie
"Or maybe she could hear us" said Katie saying what the others were thinking
"Right that's enough of that for today" said Jill shutting that conversation down not wanting to push Ash too hard
Ash had that faraway look again they guessed they would be seeing that a lot in the next few days while triggers brought things slowly back until they all finally clicked into place
When Ash snapped out of it she turned to Jill
"How's your head" she asked
"I'm fine, just a little cut" replied Jill
"And the man" asked Ash
"He's fine as well, he's recovering on the ward" replied Jill not wanting to go into too much information for now
"I could do with a drink, does anyone else want one" said Jill changing the subject
"Yes, please" replied Jonathon and Katie
"Ash" asked Jill
Ash shook her head she was aware that she had upset Jill by what she had just asked her but she didn't know why
Jill got up and made her way out she met Gordon in the corridor
"How's it going" he asked
"Is Tom with you" asked Jill trying to change the subject again because she could feel the tears coming
"No, I sent him home, so" replied Gordon
Jill started walking towards the kitchen
"She gets this faraway look and then she remembers things" said Jill
"Like what" asked Gordon
"Well when they were talking about the Tom and Katie argument, she said it sounded familiar" said Jill
"What else" asked Gordon
"Nothing" replied Jill
"Jill, I know you, what else" replied Gordon
"She asked how my head was, and about the man" replied Jill
"Sweetheart it is not your fault, plus it is good that she can remember somethings so soon" replied Gordon taking Jill in his arms, as she finally let the tears fall
Jill wiped her eyes
"Do, you want a drink" Jill asked Gordon
"Yes, please, take it in, I've just got to put these back, then I'll be right there" replied Gordon
Gordon left Jill to take the paperwork back to reception
Once Jill had made the drinks, she had made one for Ash as well if she didn't want it then someone else could drink it. She made her way back to the room she could hear laughter coming from inside, it sounded like Jonathon was telling Ash a story of what had happened at the party the other week
"Katie, could you move that please" said Jill as she came in to put the tray down
"Now I know you said no, but I made one anyway" said Jill to Ash
"Mum" said Ash as Jill was handing the others their drinks
"Yes" replied Jill turning to look at her
"I'm sorry" replied Ash
"No sweetheart, I'm sorry" replied Jill taking Ash's hand and giving it a squeeze
Before anything else could be said Gordon came in
"So, which one's mine" he asked
"That one" replied Jill pointing to a cup
"Thank you" replied Gordon taking the cup and sitting down
"Busy day" asked Ash
Gordon started explaining about his day about half way through Ash had that faraway look again
"Is that it" he asked
"Yes" replied Jill
"Then she snaps out of it" asked Gordon
"Yes, just carry on with what you were saying" replied Jill
Gordon carried on talking about his day just as he was finishing Ash snapped out of it
"Do you want your drink" asked Jill
"Yes, please" replied Ash she took the cup and then started to cry
"Sorry" she added as Jill wiped her tears away
"Hey, there is nothing to be sorry for" replied Jill
"It's going to be a bit strange, until it all comes back" added Gordon
Ash took a sip of her tea, Jonathon started telling Ash another story from the party, Ash was glad they were there, she finished her drink, Gordon and Jill could tell she was getting tired
"Right that's enough for today, let's give Ash some space" he said taking the tray of drinks
"We will all see you tomorrow" he added persuading the others to leave as well
"See you later" said Katie
"See you soon" added Jonathon
"Bye, and thank you" replied Ash
"Mum, are you coming" asked Jonathon
"No, I will see you at home, I'm going to stay a little longer" replied Jill
"Okay" replied Jonathon
Once they had left Jill turned back to Ash
"Right let's get you comfier" said Jill making Ash lay down
It wasn't long before Ash fell asleep, Jill sat there for another hour she then decided that was enough, if the nurses needed her they would phone and they could be back, she left instructions with the night shift, it was nearly half nine when she finally left, she pulled up on the drive at home exhausted all she wanted was a nice bath and to go to bed.
Gordon who had been upstairs saw her pull up and started running a bath for her, he met her in the hallway
"Alright, love, your bath is running, so go on up and I'll bring you a drink" said Gordon
"I do love you" replied Jill taking her coat off and giving Gordon a kiss then going on up
Jill was so tired she almost fell asleep in the bath it took all her energy to stay awake, when she got out and went into their bedroom she saw her drink on her bedside table and it made her smile, she picked it up and went off in search of Gordon.
Gordon was in the study, finishing off some paperwork that he should have done that afternoon
"Thank you" said Jill making him jump
"You're welcome, you should have stayed up there, I won't be much longer" replied Gordon
"Can I help with anything" asked Jill
"No, it's all done" replied Gordon tidying the pile of paperwork up and placing it in his bag for tomorrow
"Let's go to bed" he added taking Jill's hand and leading her upstairs
Jill went straight to sleep the minute her head hit the pillow and didn't wake until the alarm went off, meanwhile at the royal Ash had, had a restless night every time she closed her eyes she had flashbacks but they weren't in any sort of order and she was getting frustrated with herself.
The nurses had asked her if she wanted either of her parents but she had told them not to bother them, they looked like they hadn't slept much in the last few days, one night was not going to hurt her, she knew they would be upset so she had even asked the nurses not to mention it to them when they arrived in the morning.