"Mum, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to upset you earlier" said Ash a little breathlessly
"It's okay, really, I'm glad you felt you could tell us" replied Jill, she didn't like the fact that Ash's breathing still wasn't right, so she was getting ready to send her for an x ray
"Ash, how are you feeling" asked Jill
"Really achy" replied Ash, she was trying to get out of here before the others came back
"Well, that is to be expected, but I'm going to send you for an x ray" said Jill
"Do I need to, can't I just go home" asked Ash, she knew the answer just by the look Jill gave her
"Okay, but then I can go" said Ash
"What's wrong" asked Jill, knowing there was more to this
"Nothing, I just wanted time on my own" replied Ash
"Let's just wait and see what the x ray shows" replied Jill, trying to be diplomatic, she knew there was more to this but didn't want to push Ash
Ash knew she was worried not just about her pain, but also about what she was not telling them, but right now was not the right time to be having that kind of conversation
Ash went with one of the nurses for her x ray
Ash had been gone for about quarter of an hour, Jill was trying to keep herself busy, she had a couple of patients, but she still kept glancing at the clock, wondering where she was, it was another five minutes before Ash came back
"Sit back on the bed and wait for the doctor" said the nurse
Ash did as she was told, there was still no sign of Gordon or the others, so she watched as her mum looked after a couple of lads who had minor injuries. Jill looked over and gave Ash a smile, checking she was alright
Ash nodded, before getting her music and book out as she knew if Jill had her way she would be here all day
Jill finished with her patients before making her way over to Ash, just as the x ray results came through, Jill had a look at them, there was a little bit of trapped air, but no need for a chest drain, they would just have to keep an eye on it, Jill told all this to Ash
"So, is there anything I can do to help you, while I'm here" asked Ash
Jill thought about it, she didn't really want Ash doing anything, but she also knew Ash need something to take her mind off the ache, before she could say anything Katie and Jonathon came in
"Hi mum, Ash" said Katie
"Hello" said Jill
"How are you" Jonathon asked Ash
"I'm fine, in fact I was just about to help" said Ash looking at Jill
Jill knew Ash didn't want the others to know and that all she really wanted was everything to be normal between them
"Yes, everything is looking good, and she is staying to help me, but you should be getting home and getting on with what dad asked you to do" said Jill
"Well, he didn't leave a list, so we came to get it and check on Ash" said Katie, just as Gordon arrived
"So, what about me" asked Ash
Everyone stopped and looked at Ash
"Well, when do I get what I want" asked Ash
"Let's give her some space" said Gordon
"Why don't you take them home" replied Jill
"But, we want to stay" replied Katie
"Yeah we want to help" added Jonathon
"Well, I have spoken to them" said Gordon
Ash went to get up
"Where, do you think you are going young lady" said Gordon
"Well, if everyone else is getting to do what they want, then so can I" replied Ash, defiantly
"Gordon, let's take this outside" said Jill
"Ash, please, just wait here until I come back" pleaded Jill
Jill and Gordon stepped into the corridor, Jill told Gordon what had happened at home after he had left,
"I see" said Gordon
"What have you done" asked Jill seeing the look on Gordon's face
Meanwhile back in the room
"Ash, we are very sorry, please let us stay" said Katie
"Sorry, for what, you didn't cause this, I did" lied Ash
"Ash look, Dad told us, it's nothing to be ashamed of" replied Jonathon
"He told you what" asked Ash, starting to get angry
"Ash, I am sorry, If I had known, I would never have slammed my door" started Katie
"I don't believe this" said Ash, getting up and starting to pack her bag
Jill looked through the window to see what was going on, this didn't look good
"Yeah, and we wouldn't have been so noisy coming home" added Jonathon
"Is there anything we can do to help" asked Katie
"Yeah, you can all just leave me alone" said Ash, heading towards the door
"I thought they were here to help, so I told them" started Gordon just as the doors opened
"Ash" said Jill concerned, and as upset as Ash
"Leave me alone, I trusted you" said Ash
"Ash, don't speak to your mother like that" said Gordon
"Don't worry, I wont be speaking to any of you from now on" replied Ash, walking down the corridor
"Ash, get back here now" said Gordon, but she didn't listen
"Tell, me exactly what you told them" said Jill, Gordon was going to go after Ash
"No, give her some space, it took her real guts to open up to us, and you have told the others something she has asked us not to" said Jill
Gordon looked at Jill and then at the others before looking down the corridor
"So, you can tell me what you all have said, so I can try and fix this" said Jill
Ash had gotten as far as the conservatory, before starting to feel breathless, she looked behind her, they weren't following so she sat down to catch her breath
She was so mad it had taken a lot for her to open up and trust them, and they just threw it all back in her face, she was willing to tell them everything, but now she was having second thoughts, right now she didn't want to be around them, she didn't even want to stay at home, but where could she go, she was thinking about what to do
Rob had come in and was wanting to speak to Jill, but she looked busy, so he hung back
Meanwhile the others were all talking to Jill
"Do, you know what, I am shocked at all of you" said Jill, they just stood there looking at her
"Well, for one, she asked both of you not to come here, to do what dad had asked you to do, did she not" started Jill
"And you Gordon, we finally had her trusting us and talking to us, she asked you not to say anything, but yet you did" added Jill
"Sorry mum" said Jonathon
"Yeah sorry, if we had known we never would have said anything" replied Katie
"I'll make sure she knows, you never had anything to do with this" said Gordon
"It's too late" said Jill
"Anyway, this isn't going to help anyone, we've got work to do" added Jill, she saw Rob who caught her eye, who wanted a quick word
"What can we do" asked Katie
"You can try and find Ash" said Gordon
"No, you can go home, and wait for us there" said Jill
"So, which one" asked Jonathon
"Home" said Jill, looking at Gordon
"Yes, mum is right, go home, we just have to give her some space" said Gordon
"Right, I've just got to see Rob about a patient, see you at home" said Jill
"Bye, mum, sorry" said Katie and Jonathon
Jill left she went to her office with Rob, keeping an eye out for Ash on the way
Five minutes later Rob had been called out to an accident, Jill was making her way back down towards casualty
"Right, you two the bus will be here in five" said Jill
She could tell they felt bad for what they had done, and that Gordon had been trying to make them feel better
Ash had gotten stiff, and was walking through the garden towards the bus stop, when she heard Katie and Jonathon talking
"Dad, is in so much trouble for telling us" said Katie
"Yeah mum is so mad with him, I hope she can find Ash" replied Jonathon
"So, do I come on let's go home and pack" said Katie
Ash saw them waiting at the bus stop, so mum had nothing to do with it, but it didn't make any difference, she still wouldn't talk to them, she just didn't trust them to keep it a secret, she saw the others get on the bus and changed her mind, she wouldn't go home now, Ash saw the ambulance pull up it was Rob, she walked out towards the road
"Hey Ash" shouted Rob
"Hey, sorry about the other day" replied Ash
"So, what are you up to" asked Rob
"Nothing, I'm just going home" lied Ash
"Well enjoy your day" replied Rob
"Yeah, you too" replied Ash
Ash made it look like she was going to the bus stop, when they had gone inside, she went towards the beach,
Meanwhile inside
"Hey, doc" said Rob
"Hello, again Rob" said Jill
Rob handed the patient notes to Gordon
"You can handle this on your own" said Jill to Gordon, Rob could feel the tension between them
"Okay" replied Gordon
Jill left; Rob followed after picking up a blanket that had fallen on the floor when they had moved the patient
"Hey, doc hold up" said Rob to Jill
"Yes, rob what can I do for you" asked Jill
"I told you Ash didn't need to apologise again, so why did you make her" asked Rob
"What, when" asked Jill
"Just now" replied Rob
"Where was she, is she alright" asked Jill
"Yes, she was fine, she was going home, she was waiting at the bus stop" said Rob, following Jill outside
Jill was outside and looking around
"Where is she" she said to herself
"Maybe she got on the bus" said Rob
"No, the next bus isn't for another fifteen minutes" replied Jill, still looking up and down the street
Ash went down to the sea front just as it started to rain, she went into the little café, and got a drink, she sat at a table towards the back with her back to the door, it was really quiet in there today, probably down to the weather
Meanwhile at the royal
"Don't worry, we will find her" said Rob
"Where, does she normally go if she needs space" asked Rob
"The beach or the library" replied Jill
"But she won't have gone to the library, she got told off last time she went there, and it's hardly weather for the beach" replied Jill
"Well, let's head down to the front, she might have gone into a shop or something" replied Rob
"Just let me grab my coat and keys" replied Jill
Jill and Rob got into her car and pulled out of the royal, she drove down to the front, it was really quiet, there was only a few people out doing their shopping
"Wait" said Rob as they passed the café
"What" said Jill, beginning to think this was a waste of time
"Is that her" asked Rob pointing into the café
"Yes, thank god" said Jill pulling up
"What are you going to do" asked Rob
"I don't know, but all I care about is that she is alright" replied Jill
"Well, I don't know about you, but I could do with a drink" replied Rob, not waiting for Jill he got out of the car and went inside, he ordered two drinks
Ash had her head down, so she didn't see him come in
Rob made his way over to the table
"Hey Ash" said Rob
"Hey" replied Ash, not looking up
"Do, you mind if we sit with you" he asked
Ash looked around, there were loads of empty tables they could sit at
"I'd rather be on my own if you don't mind" said Ash
"Look we don't have to talk" said Rob
Ash knew he wouldn't take no for an answer, so nodded her head
"Thank you" replied Rob pulling out a chair for Jill
Jill walked over and sat down, she didn't say anything, neither did Ash in fact Ash just kept staring at the same spot on the table
Rob came back over with the drinks
"Here, you go doc" said Rob
Ash went to get up
"Don't go, you haven't finished yours yet" said Rob
Ash didn't say anything she went to grab her bag
"Sweetheart, please" pleaded Jill
"I'm so sorry, I had no idea he had done that, please don't shut me out" carried on Jill
"Ash, she's telling the truth, you should have heard the way she told them off" said Rob
Ash looked at Rob then at Jill, she did seem very angry
"How, did you know I was here" asked Ash
"Lucky guess" said Rob
"I told you, I was going home" replied Ash
"I knew, you had missed the bus, then when we went out and you weren't there I figured the beach or the library" replied Jill
"I'm not allowed to go to the library" replied Ash
"That's what she said, and what with the weather, we drove along here, and then saw you" replied Rob
"So, what part of I want to be left alone did none of you get" asked Ash
"Hey, Ash don't be like that" said Rob seeing this was upsetting Jill
"Like what how would you like it if you open up and tell the truth, then ask them not to say anything only for them to tell them anyway" asked Ash
"I promise it wasn't me" replied Jill, staring to cry
"Well, I don't want to talk to any of you anymore" replied Ash getting up
"Ash wait" pleaded Jill,
"Ash, stop" said Rob, Ash turned around
"At, least let us take you home" he added
"I don't want to go home; home is the last place on earth I want to be now they all know" replied Ash
"Ash, please give me a chance to make it better" pleaded Jill
"How, can I trust you" asked Ash
"Where are you going to go" asked Jill, concerned
"I don't care, anywhere but here" replied Ash
"No, please don't do this, let me take you somewhere, just so I know you are safe" said Jill
"No, because then you will tell the others, and they will come around and guilt trip me into going home for you" replied Ash
"Ash, be sensible, it's not as bad as you think, just give it time to cool down" replied Rob
"What do you know about it" asked Ash
"I know you are hurting not just your mum but yourself as well" replied Rob
"Well, you should have just left me alone when I asked" replied Ash
"Just, let her go" replied Jill, she knew there was no point in arguing
"Ash, just promise me, you will call me if you need anything, and remember I love you" said Jill
Ash didn't reply, she wasn't expecting it to go like that, Jill was giving her space she had asked for, she was expecting Gordon to come through the doors, forcing her into the car and then keeping her in his sight day and night until she had learnt her lesson, but it felt like Jill had just given up on her
Ash now had to think about where she was going to go, she stepped on to the pavement
"Aisling" said sister Brigid
Great that's all I need thought Ash, all she wanted was to go back in and apologise to her mum so she could make her go away, but she knew she had just broken her mums heart
"What are you doing here, in this weather" asked Sister
"Waiting for a friend" replied Ash, not wanting Sister to know that she had just had a massive argument with her parents and made herself homeless, the last person or place she would want to be with was her
"Well I could wait with you" replied Sister
"No, it's alright I'm sure you are busy" replied Ash
"Well, I was just on my way to the royal, but that can wait" replied Sister
"No, I'm sure it's very important, we can do this another time" replied Ash
Sister went to say something
"Here, come some of them now anyway" replied Ash, nodding towards a group coming in the distance
"Another time then" replied Sister, going to leave Ash to it
"Ash" said Rob opening the door, and shocked to still see Ash there
"Rob" said Sister Brigid
"Is this who you were meeting" asked Sister to Ash
Ash shook her head
"Right, you are coming with me now, we will see what Gordon has to say about this" Added Sister taking Ash's arm
"No, I am not going with you" replied Ash trying to break free
"Ohh, yes you are young lady" replied Sister
"No, she is not" said Jill, putting a hand on Sister's arm
"Jill, what are you doing here, does Gordon know about this" asked Sister
"Yes, he does" replied Jill
"Ash, Rob go and wait in the car, please" said Jill
Ash went to say something, but Jill gave her a look that said just wait in the car
"Yeah come on Ash" said Rob
"So, why are you all here" asked Sister
"We, were here for Ash" replied Jill
"So, why was I not invited" asked Sister, hurt
"She needed, to talk to someone about that night" said Jill
"She could talk to me, I was there" replied Sister
"No, before that" replied Jill
"Well, she talk to me anytime about anything" replied Sister
"And she will, come to you when she wants you" replied Jill
"If, that is all I had better get back" added Jill, walking towards the car
Rob was sat in the front; Ash was in the back but the seat was still pulled forward so she could get out
"Okay, so I will see you later" said Ash going to get out
"No, I don't think so" replied Rob putting the seat back so Jill could sit down
"Please let me out" pleaded Ash, now trapped in the back of the car
Rob looked around at Ash trying to calm her down
"Why, is Sister coming this way" asked Rob
"No, she's not" said Ash, thinking he was lying
Jill wound her window down
"Are you going to the royal" asked Sister
"Yes" replied Jill
"Could I get a lift" asked Sister
"I don't see why not" replied Jill
"Please, let me out, I'll walk home" said Ash
Rob got out the seat and hopped in the back with Ash, they drove to the royal in silence
Sister and Rob made their way in
Jill was still in the car with Ash
"Ash, baby girl please give me a chance" pleaded Jill
Ash could see how this was breaking her mum
"I just need time, but if it was you, would you trust me" asked Ash
"No, probably not, but please don't leave, just wait a couple of days, then they will be gone and what ever you tell me, if you don't want me to tell anyone else I won't" replied Jill
Jill turned around to face Ash
"Please" pleaded Jill
"Okay" replied Ash, how could she stay mad at her mum
"Right, I have to get a move on, I am so far behind with the stock take" replied Jill
"Can I help" asked Ash
"Of course, you can" replied Jill
"Mum, can we forget everything I said in the café, I'm sorry, I was just angry" said Ash getting out the car
"Say no more about it, let's not mention it to dad hey" replied Jill, knowing that was what Ash really meant
"Thanks mum" replied Ash
"Right, let's put your things in my office" said Jill, opening her door and grabbing her paperwork,
"Where do we start" asked Ash
"Let's start in the store room, it's alright you are with me" replied Jill, knowing she was worried about both being caught in the store room or being left with sister on her own
Ash and Jill worked together doing the stock take, they were not talking about anything else, but Jill was catching up with where she hoped she would have been at this time,
It was now lunch time when Gordon came along the corridor looking for Jill
"Jill" said Gordon
"I'm in here" said Jill from inside the store room
"It's lunch time, I'm off home, are you coming" asked Gordon
Jill looked at Ash, she could tell she didn't want to go home just yet
"No, I thought I might just grab something here and carry on, Ash has been very helpful but I'm still a little behind" said Jill
"Well, I could always stay and help" said Gordon
"No, need Ash is here, just go home and check the others are alright" replied Jill
"Well, remember to take a break, both of you" said Gordon
"Will do, see you later" replied Jill
Gordon left
"Right, dad is right, we do need a break" said Jill
"How much longer until we finish in here" asked Ash
"About ten fifteen minutes" replied Jill
"So, why don't we finish in here first" replied Ash
"Good idea" replied Jill, getting back to it