"Is everything alright" asked Gordon as he made his way in
Ash nodded
"I'll just start taking these out" said Ash, wiping her eyes and picking the plates and cutlery and making her way out
"Jill, what's going on" asked Gordon
"To, tell you the truth Gordon, I know as much as you, I just wish she would talk to me" replied Jill, frustrated, she turned and filled up the coffee pot before refilling the kettle
"She will, did you know she was going to say that to sister" asked Gordon
"I, knew she was upset with her, I think that was what she wanted to talk to us about before, but then things got in the way, and she thought it wasn't important enough to bother us about, and that she had time" replied Jill, close to tears
"Jill" was all Gordon could say before, Jill interrupted him
"I, let our baby girl down" said Jill, not realising Ash, had come back in for the cake
"No" said Ash before turning back around and going back to the others
"Ash" called Jill, but Ash didn't stop
"Jonathon, could you go and get the cake, I'm struggling with it" said Ash, pointing to her cast
"Yeah, of course" replied Jonathon going in
By this time Jill had filled the teapot, and between them were trying to balance everything
"Just in time, you can take this" said Gordon passing Jonathon the cake
"Okay, is every thing alright" asked Jonathon
"Yes, it's fine let's go and have this" replied Gordon
They made their way outside, the kids had all moved chairs Ash had sat between Tom and Katie, Katie was sat next to Matron, Jonathon sat next to Tom, which left two empty chairs next to each other, someone had already removed the chair that had been occupied by sister
Gordon and Jill took their chairs, Jill was now sat next to Matron.
Jill looked at Ash who was staring at a spot on the table, doing her best to control her anger
"Right, who want's some cake" asked Gordon
They all replied yes please, so Gordon got cutting
"This looks really, good" he said, while handing out the plates
"Thanks" mumbled Ash as she was handed hers
They were sat in an awkward silence until Katie finally broke the silence
"So, I need to go into town tomorrow, anyone want to come with me" said Katie
"Sorry, Katie I have to work, another time though" replied Jill
"So, do I" added Gordon
"Tom, Jonathon" asked Katie
"No chance, we are not spending the day shopping" replied Tom
"Anyway, we are meeting the guys in the afternoon" added Jonathon
"Ash" asked Katie
Ash had not forgotten what Katie had said in the car earlier today and was hoping Jill or Gordon would say something to get her out of it, but when they didn't
"Sorry, already got plans" lied Ash
Katie could see that Jill and Gordon looked shocked at Ash's statement
"Really, what" asked Katie
"Just, stuff, you're not the only one with friends" replied Ash
"Yeah, sorry Ash I didn't mean it to sound like that" replied Katie
It worried Jill that Ash was being so secretive, it wasn't like her to keep things from her, she could understand Ash not telling everyone else, but why didn't she know that Ash had plans.
"Dad, can I have some more cake please" asked Jonathon
"Yeah, can I have some as well" asked Tom
"Of course, anyone else" replied Gordon
"No, thanks I had better be going soon" replied Matron
Jill looked at her watch
"My, goodness is that the time, I'll give you a lift home, whenever you're ready" replied Jill
"Mum, can we get a lift" asked Katie
"Yes, as long, as you are ready, when matron is" replied Jill
"Can you wait five minutes" asked Katie
"You'll have to ask Matron" replied Gordon
"Yes, that's fine, take your time" added Matron
"Thanks" replied Katie getting up and running inside
"Five minutes" shouted Gordon after her
"So, where are you going tonight" asked Gordon
"We're just meeting up and seeing what happens after that" replied Tom
"Well, stay safe and stick together" said Jill
"Yes, mum" replied Tom
"Well not too late tonight" replied Jill
"Of, course not" replied Jonathon
"Well, I had better make a start on the washing up" said Jill
"No, Ash and I can do that while you take the others, can't we" replied Gordon
Ash nodded, she knew she was going to get a talking to and that there was no way out of it
"Right, let's get going" said Jill, seeing Katie in the kitchen
"Bye, Matron see you soon" said Ash getting up and taking a pile of plates into the kitchen
"Bye, Ash" replied Matron
"Bye, Matron thank you" said Gordon
"Bye, don't forget just be there for her to talk to" replied Matron parting her words of wisdom before she left
They left Gordon collecting the rest of the things before joining Ash in the kitchen
Ash had already started filling the sink when Gordon entered the kitchen
"Right, I'll wash up" said Gordon
"Okay" said Ash moving out the way and picking the tea towel up
"Ash" said Gordon, ohh God here comes the lecture thought Ash
"Yes, dad" replied Ash
"Your, mum and I are worried about you" started Gordon
"Don't be I'm fine, really" replied Ash
"Look, you know we are here whenever you want to talk, I know sometimes It may not seem like it" carried on Gordon
"I, know, but somethings I have to do for myself" replied Ash
"Okay, but just don't shut us out completely" replied Gordon
"You should be so lucky" joked Ash
"Now, that's sorted what have you got planned for tomorrow" asked Gordon
"Nothing" replied Ash
"Ash, you know the agreement we have, we have to know where, when and who you are with" said Gordon sternly
"I know, I'm not going anywhere, I made it up cause, I didn't want to go, and I didn't want all the questions" replied Ash
Gordon could tell she was telling the truth
"So, can I ask why, you don't want to go" asked Gordon
"Let's just say it was, something that was said, and now I know mum was right" replied Ash
"She is about most things, just don't tell her" replied Gordon, just as Jill came through the door
"Don't tell who, what" asked Jill
Ash giggled
"Nothing, we're nearly finished here, why don't you sit down with a drink and make the most of the peace and quiet" replied Gordon
"It's, still fairly early, do you fancy playing a game" asked Jill
"Okay, but nothing to taxing" replied Gordon
"Ash, will you join us" asked Jill
"Yeah, okay, what do you want to play" asked Ash
"Monopoly" replied Gordon, getting in there before Jill had a chance
"Right, monopoly it is, drinks?" asked Jill
"Tea, please" said Ash
"Tea's good" added Gordon
"Tea, all round then, well aren't you going to set the game up then" said Jill to Ash
"Okay, I'm going" replied Ash handing Gordon the tea towel
"Thanks' sweetheart" said Gordon
Once Ash had left them
"It's alright there is nothing to worry about, she's not going anywhere tomorrow, and I think she will talk to us in time" said Gordon
"So, why did she say she was" replied Jill, pouring the tea
"She, didn't say much just something was said, and maybe you were right" replied Gordon
"Right, let's go and enjoy the evening" replied Jill, feeling better
"Yes, she's a good kid, Matron was right we just have to be ready to listen when she's ready to talk" replied Gordon