Jill tapped lightly on Ash's door
"One, second" replied Ash
It seemed like a long time but it was only a minute or two before Ash opened her door, Jill could tell she had been getting dressed, Ash sat at her desk and started trying to put her hair up but she was feeling really stiff this morning so wasn't having much luck, meanwhile Jill set about making the bed
"I'll do that in a minute" said Ash, there was no reply from Jill she could tell something was on her mind
"So, what can I do for you" Asked Ash, starting to get annoyed with herself, that she couldn't manage a simple task this morning
"Well, I don't really know what to say or do" replied Jill truthfully
"About what" asked Ash, confused, she turned to face Jill and winced
Jill had finished making the bed and looked at Ash
"Here, let me do that for you" said Jill taking the brush from Ash
Ash turned back around to face the mirror
"What's wrong" asked Ash, she had always been good, at reading her parents, a lot better than the others
Before Jill could say anything
"Is it about last night" asked Ash
Jill nodded
"It's Dad, isn't it" continued Ash
Jill fastened Ash's hair into a ponytail and then sat on the bed
"He said you heard everything" started Jill, trying to find the right way to start this
Ash turned around, she could tell this wasn't everything and that it was leading to something else
"Yes" said Ash staring at the floor
"I'm, sorry" replied Jill
"It's not your fault, I know it's mine" replied Ash
"No, it's not" said Jill
"Yes, it is, I'm so sorry, all I've done lately is cause trouble" replied Ash
Jill was not expecting this, she had come in here for help, and now she could see how Ash was blaming herself for everything, even though she wasn't involved
"No, last night was nothing to do with you, they were trying to get away with not keeping their promises, by pushing your dad's buttons, and it was working" replied Jill
"But if I hadn't have told you about what they had said then he wouldn't have been in a bad mood with them to start off with" replied Ash
"Ohh, believe me that has not even crossed our minds, this was all their own doing" replied Jill
"So, I really had nothing to do with it" replied Ash, slightly relieved, but then she looked confused
"Ash" said Jill seeing this
"Well, if I'm not in trouble for that, what have I done" replied Ash
"Well, you remember last night, dads upset with himself for frightening you" started Jill
"So, you need me to say sorry to dad" asked Ash
"No, nothing like that" said Jill
"So, what then" asked Ash, confused
"Sweetheart, I don't know" said Jill truthfully
Just then Gordon came upstairs to see where Jill was, if she didn't hurry up, they would be late
"Is everything alright" asked Gordon
Jill looked at Ash, who knew she didn't want him to know
Ash nodded
"Thanks, for helping me mum, but you had better be going you don't want to be late, especially today" said Ash
"Don't be so cheeky" replied Jill getting up and giving her a playful hit
"But you are welcome" added Jill going towards the door
Gordon followed Jill down to the kitchen
"Is everything alright" he asked concerned
"Yes, well no, she's blaming herself for last night, and I think she is struggling more than she is letting on" replied Jill, sitting down with her cup of coffee
"Do, you want me to talk to her" asked Gordon
"No, I will try again later, once she's had time to think about what we've just said" replied Jill
"So, what time is the meeting" asked Jill, changing the subject as she could hear Ash coming down the stairs
"It's been booked for half eleven, so hopefully it won't over run" replied Gordon
"Morning" said Ash as she entered the kitchen
"Morning, sweetheart" replied Gordon
"Dad," said Ash pensively, she continued before he could answer her back
"I'm, sorry about last night, I didn't mean what I said, I was scared yes but it wasn't you, you see I had this flashback and I guess it was just all the noise and I don't want you to feel bad, because it's my fault" said Ash, choosing her words carefully, while waiting for the kettle to boil
Gordon and Jill looked at each other and then at the clock,
Ash knew they didn't have the time to go into detail with this and that was what she was banking on
"Dad, I am really sorry, please forgive me" pleaded Ash
"Ash, I'm sorry too" replied Gordon getting up
Ash turned around and put her things down on the table, while Gordon put his things in the sink
"Ash" started Gordon
"It's alright, I know you are busy, we can talk later, I just needed you to know, I couldn't let you go without letting you know, it wasn't you, I'm sorry I didn't tell you last night" Interrupted Ash, sitting down
"It's alright, really" replied Gordon, who looked at Jill, who nodded her head towards Ash
They could tell she was struggling this morning
"Well, take it easy and I will see you later" said Gordon leaving the kitchen
Jill got up and started washing up, they stayed in silence until Gordon came back down
"Right, I'm off and remember take it easy today" said Gordon he didn't wait for a reply, they stayed in silence until the door shut, but Jill could see that what Ash had said had taken a weight off of his shoulders
Jill had finished the washing and drying up
"Thank you, sweetheart" started Jill, before anymore could be said there was a knock at the door
Jill went to open it
"Hello, Good morning" said Matron
"Morning, Matron, come on in" replied Jill
Matron followed Jill into the kitchen
"Good morning Ash" said Matron
"Morning" replied Ash, who looked at Jill, wanting an explanation, but not waiting for one she put her dishes in the sink and made her way upstairs
"I told Gordon this wasn't a good idea" said Matron
Jill made matron a drink and explained what had happened last night
"So, what are we going to tell her then" asked Matron
"The truth there have been too many lies" replied Jill
Jill made her way upstairs and found Ash, sat on her bed, she was upset she thought they were beginning to trust her, but it was all lies, they had brought matron into baby sit again
"Ash, can I have a quick word, before I go" asked Jill
Ash nodded; she could tell this hadn't been Jill's idea
"Firstly, I want to thank you for what you said to dad, it really helped. And secondly Matron is here just to help us know that if you need anything, you have her here because we are going to be stuck in the meeting and wouldn't be able to help if you needed us" stated Jill
"But I don't need anyone" replied Ash stubbornly
"I know you don't, but it's just for today, I promise" started Jill
"Yeah, until tomorrow" muttered Ash under her breath, luckily Jill didn't catch it
"Well, I've got to get going, but I will see you later" added Jill
Ash just nodded
Jill made her way to her room and finished getting ready before making her way downstairs
"Bye, Matron, make yourself at home and see you at lunchtime" said Jill
"Yes, don't worry about us" replied Matron
Jill left, Matron went and sat in the front room and pulled a book out of her bag and opened it and began to read
Meanwhile Jill had reached the royal and was making her way in
"Morning Doctor" said Lizzie
"Morning Lizzie, give me five, then send my first in" replied Jill, picking up her pile of notes
"Yes, doctor" replied Lizzie
Jill, made her way to her office, she put her coat and bag on the rack and then sat at her desk she let out a sigh,
There was a knock at her door which pulled her out of her thoughts
"Come in" said Jill
The door opened she was expecting it to be her first patient but instead it was Rob
"Doc, do you have a second" asked Rob
"Yes, of course come in, what can I do for you" asked Jill motioning for him to take a seat
"Well, I just wanted to check Ash was alright after yesterday" started Rob
"What about yesterday" asked Jill
"She didn't tell you I talked to her in the storeroom" asked Rob
"No, she doesn't seem to want to tell us much at the moment" replied Jill
"So, what happened" asked Jill
Rob explained what had happened
"So, I think she feels like what ever she does of says is wrong, I don't want to get her into trouble, but I thought you should know" said Rob
"Yes, thank you, and I'm sorry for her behaviour, I will be having words with her later" replied Jill
"No, need, like I said she apologised, straight afterwards, I think I scared her, so as long as she is alright that is all that matters, right, I had better leave you to it thanks doc" said Rob, getting up and leaving
Before Jill could do or say anything Lizzie sent her first patient through
"Hello, take a seat" said Jill closing the door
"So, what can I do for you" added Jill
Meanwhile at the Ormerod house
Ash, was still angry and just wanted to get away and be on her own, but she also knew it wasn't Matrons fault either, it had just started tipping it down with rain, so escaping was out of the question
She found her book and music and went downstairs, it was peaceful until about twelve when the others had finally woken up and made their way downstairs, Matron had gone into the kitchen to see if she could help them out, while Ash had made her way into the study with out being seen or heard, she still wasn't up to seeing the others, they had made their feelings clear last night, even though they probably wouldn't remember
Mean while at the royal Jill and Gordon were just finishing up their meeting and were getting ready to go home
Matron had finished in the kitchen and had followed the others into the front room and was shocked when Ash was no longer in there, she thought maybe she had gone upstairs, she was looking tired, Matron thought she would give her space
"So, what are you doing here" asked Katie to Matron
"Katie, don't be rude, Matron is like family" replied Jonathon
"No, it's alright, I'm just here for your parents, Ash had a rough day yesterday, and what with your Grandad, they asked if I could help" replied Matron
"See I told you they had had problems with her" said Tom
Just then Ash saw Gordons car pull on the drive and both her parents get out; she could tell the others hadn't heard or seen them as they carried on
"Is, she alright" asked Jonathon, concerned
Gordon walked through the door and was about to shout hello but stopped himself and put a finger up to his lips for Jill to stay quiet as well, they stood in the hallway
"What are you sticking up for her for, she got us in trouble" replied Tom
"No, we got ourselves in trouble, by being noisy and late" replied Jonathon
"Well, I don't know the whole story, you will have to ask them, but it sounds like they had a good evening last night" replied Matron
"See, so it was us dad was mad with, you need to apologise" replied Jonathon
"No, because I am right" replied Tom
"Boy's, don't fight, this won't help anyone" replied Matron, thinking maybe this was the reason she was here and not for Ash at all
"No, not until he admits I'm right" said Tom
"Never" replied Jonathon
"I don't know what your problem is, but I don't want to be any part of it" added Jonathon leaving the room and going upstairs, he saw his parents stood there, they didn't look very happy at all
"Katie, you're with me aren't you" said Tom
"No, do you know what I think you are jealous" replied Katie
"Jealous of what, her" replied Tom
"Yes, because she has had more time with mum and dad than us and they are worried about her" replied Katie
"No" replied Tom
"You are, you don't like not being the favourite, and I will tell you something else, I'm worried about her, we nearly lost her twice and if we did it wouldn't just be her, we lost" replied Katie
"What do you mean" replied Tom
"They would never be the same again" replied Katie
"Right that is enough, Matron doesn't need to hear this" said Gordon walking into the front room
"Dad, I'm sorry for last night, it won't happen again" said Katie
"I should hope not, but you will have to apologise to mum and Ash" replied Gordon
"Yes, dad" replied Katie going to the kitchen, she could hear Jill in there
"Mum" said Katie
"Yes, sweetheart" replied Jill
"I'm sorry" replied Katie
"So, am I" added Jonathon, joining them
"Okay, go and get your sister for me" replied Jill
Katie went upstairs, while Jonathon helped in the kitchen
"When the kettle boils can you fill up the tea pot, I've just got to check on Tom" said Jill
"Yes, mum" replied Jonathon