"Where's Tom" asked Jill
"He went off" said Katie
"What happened this time" asked Jill expecting it to be between Tom and Katie
"It was me, sorry" said Ash
"What have you done now" said Jill as she sat down, she didn't mean for it to sound as harsh as it did but she was feeling really, tired
"Nothing" replied Ash defensively
"Katie, can you take me back now, I've had enough" said Ash
When Katie didn't move
"Please" pleaded Ash trying her best not to cry
"Yes, of course" said Katie, quickly getting up and wheeling Ash out
"Mum, what is it what aren't you telling us" asked Jonathon
"Nothing, why do you ask" replied Jill
"Well, you've just bitten Ash's head off for nothing" replied Jonathon
"I'm just tired, and worried about telling her, was I really that bad" asked Jill
"No, she'll come a round, so what do you have to tell her" asked Jonathon
"Nothing, it's not important, why has Tom stormed off" asked Jill
Jonathon knew he would not get the answers he wanted so told Jill the whole story of what happened after she had left, including the words he and Tom had, had when they had walked off to get drinks
Jill got up
"Where are, we going" asked Jonathon
"It looks like I have an apology to make, then I need to talk to Dad and we need to have a little chat with someone" replied Jill
They walked into Ash's room, where Gordon and the Doctor were already deep in conversation with Ash, they took their seats and listened in
"All your results seem fine" continued the doctor
"So, when can I go home" asked Ash
All she wanted was to be at home in her own room with her own stuff and to have a little space again, she felt a little over crowded and being constantly watched wasn't helping with her memory
"Well you need to be able to do the stairs unaided, but once you have done that, I see no reason why you can't go home" replied the doctor
"Can I give it a go now then, please" asked Ash
"Ash" started Jill but she knew by the look Ash flashed her that she would not listen to her right now
"I don't see why not" replied the doctor
"Dad, can you come" asked Ash
"Yes, and Mum" replied Gordon he would not have missed this for the world
Ash, nodded she got up and slowly made her way to the door, this was the furthest she had walked for a few days but surprisingly, she didn't feel that bad,
The doctor was explaining to Ash on the way to the stairs what she would need to do
"What I need you to do is use the handrail on the side it would be at home" said the doctor
"Okay, how many times" asked Ash
"Just once, up and back down" replied the doctor
"Just take your time" added Jill as they reached the stairs
Ash put her hand on the rail and froze, she was having a flashback of the accident, Gordon put his hand on her shoulder which made her jump
"It's alright, sweetheart, you don't have to do it" said Gordon
"Yes, just walking all the way here was a big achievement" added Jill
"It's fine" replied Ash, she then put her foot on the first step and swiftly made her way up
"Right take your time coming, back down, it's going to be harder as you will have to use your right arm to grip the handrail" said Gordon
Ash nodded and did as she was told, she crossed her right arm in front of herself so she could hold the rail, she then slowly started to descend she stopped a few steps down as she remembered something else
"Ash, what is it do you need help" asked Gordon
Ash didn't answer
"Ash, honey, I'm coming to help you" said Jill clearly worried, just as Jill stepped onto the first step, Ash came around, she stumbled, but managed to regain her balance
"This wasn't such a good idea, give me your hand" said Jill
"No, I can do this" said Ash defiantly, she didn't let go of the handrail and carried on to the bottom of the stairs
"What happened" asked Gordon
"Can we talk about it later" asked Ash
"We would, like to know now" replied Gordon sternly
"I had a couple of flash backs, but it's the first time I've been on the stairs since" replied Ash tears starting to form
"It's alright, sshhhh" said Jill taking her into her arms, Ash let out a sob
"Sshhh" said Jill again trying to sooth her while gently rubbing her back
"Well I'm happy to discharge you" said the doctor, feeling slightly awkward
"Thank you" said Ash in between sobs
"Right, let's go back and tell the others" said Gordon
They walked back in silence
"Don't worry you can try again tomorrow" said Katie, seeing Ash had been crying and worried looks on their parent's faces
"No, she won't, she managed it" said Jill
"So, why the long face is it Tom" asked Jonathon
Ash shook her head
"What, about Tom" asked Gordon
"Ash, I'm sorry I snapped, I'm just tired" said Jill to Ash
"It's okay" replied Ash sitting down
"We had better, go and have a little chat" said Jill to Gordon
"Right, we won't be long, can you help your sister pack, and then we can go" said Jill as she and Gordon were leaving the room
"So, what happened why the tears" asked Katie
"I'd rather not talk about it" said Ash reaching for her bag
"What are you going to wear" asked Jonathon helping to empty the cupboard
"The clothes I came in with I suppose" said Ash
The other two looked at each other
"What" asked Ash
"They had to be thrown away, after the accident, they had to cut them off you" said Katie nervously
"Okay, well maybe Mum's brought something" said Ash optimistically
"I'll go and check" said Katie