"Where, are the others" asked Matron getting in the car
They let Matron sit in the front which meant Jill got in the back with Ash
"Don't ask" replied Jill
"That bad" replied Matron
"Let's just say, it wasn't their finest work" replied Jill
Matron knew something must have happened after she had talked to Jill last night as she hadn't mentioned anything then, but she didn't know what, she also knew Jill would talk when Gordon wasn't around
"So, how are you" Ash asked Matron
"I'm fine, now that I've caught up with all the paperwork, you know what Lizzie's like with the filing" replied Matron with a chuckle
"Yes, all these years and it hasn't really got any better" replied Gordon, as they pulled into a parking place as near to the path as possible
"Right Ash, remember what we said yesterday" said Gordon turning around to face her
"Yes, dad" replied Ash
They all got out of the car, Ash went around and stood near Jill, while they got what they needed out of the car, there wasn't that much seeing as the others weren't there yet so Jill and Gordon managed it all between them. Ash stayed near Jill all the way down to the beach,
Once they had found the spot, Ash sat on the blanket, while Gordon went off in search of three deck chairs.
Gordon arrived back with the deckchairs, which he let Jill put up as he always struggled with them
They all got settled Gordon had pulled out his paper and had started to do the crossword, While Jill and Matron were chatting
"Is everything alright, with Ash, she looks very tired" asked Matron
"We had a little incident last night" replied Jill
"Is that the reason the others aren't here" asked Matron
"Probably, they are feeling rather guilty, and they know how disappointed we are with all of them" replied Jill
"So, did Ash not want to stay with them" asked Matron
"We, didn't give her a choice, and after what happened, it probably wouldn't be such a good idea" replied Jill
"Mum" said Ash
Ash had pulled out her book and her music and was trying to get comfy, she was finding it difficult and it was only until now that she realised she hadn't taken any pain relief that morning, she knew she had thrown some in her bag
"Yes, sweetheart" replied Jill
"Can, I have a drink please" replied Ash
"Yes, of course, would everyone else like one" asked Jill
Once Jill had handed everyone their drinks, she got back to talking to Matron, but she was keeping a close eye on Ash, Matron was right she did look very tired and she was a little pale
"So, what happened last night" asked Matron
Jill told Matron the whole story of what happened last night, even telling her about the conversation she had, had with Ash
"Well, that's normal with siblings, they all think one is better than the other" said Matron after she had listened
"That's exactly, what she said, but why not tell us what they did, it's not like the others would do that if it had happened to them" replied Jill
"Well, what with everything that's happened, I think she's scared of upsetting too many people, or being the cause of more arguments between you all" replied Matron
"So, what you're saying is that if she took the blame, then the others wouldn't get told off, but we would be angry with her" replied Jill, just then she looked at Ash, who was just taking some pain relief now her drink was cool enough
"Well, yes instead of all five of you angry with her, only two of you would be" replied Matron
"One second" said Jill to Matron
"Ash, are you alright" asked Jill
Ash nodded as she swallowed her drink and put her headphones back on
But she knew that both Gordon and Jill were keeping a watchful eye on her
"Sorry, matron where were we" said Jill
"I think she took the blame, so you all wouldn't hate her" said Matron
"We, don't hate her, we're upset she couldn't tell us the truth" replied Jill
"Does she know that" asked Matron
Jill thought about it, she hoped that they had made it clear to her, but maybe they would have to tell her again later
They had been there a couple of hours when the others turned up
"Hello" said Jill
"Hi mum, dad matron" replied Katie
They sat down near Ash
"Hi, Ash" said Katie
"Hi" replied Ash taking her headphones off
"How are you" asked katie
"We are very sorry" added Tom before she had a chance to answer
"It's fine, honestly" replied Ash trying to get comfortable
"Are you alright" asked Jonathon
"What, is it what's wrong" asked Jill, hearing their conversation
"I'm fine, just a little stiff, stop fussing" replied Ash standing up
"So, have you had the cake yet" asked Katie
"No, we were waiting for you" replied Ash
"So, what is for lunch, I'm starving" said Tom
"You're always hungry" replied Jonathon
"Well, seeing as you are all here" said Jill, opening the hamper
"Mum, do you mind if I go for a wander" asked Ash
Jill looked at her worried, she had seen her take pain relief not that long ago but before Jill could say anything
"What did we tell you earlier" said Gordon looking up from his paper, Ash didn't say anything she just turned and was going to sit back down
"You, know what I'm feeling rather stiff, I could do with going for a walk as well" said Matron winking at Jill
"Yes, I could do with stretching my legs, Ash would you like to join us" asked Jill
Ash nodded, she was glad Matron was here she always seemed to have a way of making everything work out, she wasn't the only one Jill was also thanking her lucky stars Matron was there
"How long are you going to be" whinged Tom
"Well, I'm sure they won't be too long, you can wait until they get back" said Gordon, picking up his paper again
"You, can start without us, just don't eat the cake" said Jill
She was trying to keep the peace, she knew all too well that Gordon wouldn't have a minute's peace if they weren't allowed something
"Well, we won't be long, Ash are you ready" said Jill
Ash nodded, and that was it they went off in the direction of town and the royal, before they were even out of sight the others were already tucking into the sandwiches Jill had prepared that morning
"Leave some for the rest of us" said Gordon far from impressed with their behaviour
"Sorry, dad we haven't had anything all day" replied Jonathon
"Well, whose fault is that" replied Gordon, wishing he had gone with the others, now he knew why Jill had said they could start without them, she had been thinking of him
"So, how is Ash really" asked Katie, they all looked and Gordon waiting for him to answer
"Dad" said Tom
"What" replied Gordon slightly annoyed
"How's Ash really" asked Katie again
"She's fine, a little tired and uncomfortable, so don't go pushing her too much" replied Gordon
"So, what happened yesterday after we left" asked Jonathon
"We, are not talking about this here" replied Gordon, folding his paper, he then stood up
"Right I think I might go and see if I can catch them up" he added, not waiting for a reply