They drove home in silence, meanwhile at the Ormerod house
"Dad when are they coming home" asked Jonathon impatiently
"They shouldn't be much longer now" replied Gordon
"But you said they would have been home an hour ago" replied Katie
"I said should be, you know how things go" replied Gordon
"Why, don't you start playing a game" added Gordon
"How long until dinner, I'm starving" said Tom
"We can eat as soon as they get back" replied Gordon
"Okay are you going to play dad" asked Katie
"No, I'm just going to check on dinner" replied Gordon
"Somethings not right" said Jonathon once Gordon had left the room
"But, what can we do" asked Tom
"I don't know, but it's not like mum to be late, without phoning and dad's clearly worried" replied Jonathon
"Let's just do as dad suggests and play the game, give them space they have more going on than they are saying, and Ash is keeping secrets from all of us" said Katie
"But it's not like we've been there for her" replied Jonathon feeling guilty
"I know and we are going to change that starting tonight" replied Katie
They could hear a car, Tom got up to look
"They're here" he said
They all looked out the window, while Gordon went to the front door and opened it waiting, just as Jill parked her car
Ash looked out the window and saw the others watching, and her dad stood at the door, all she wanted to do was walk the other way, Jill must have sensed this
"Ash, can you carry these in for me please" she asked handing Ash her bags, Ash looked at her
"I've just got to get something out of the boot" added Jill, Ash nodded and took the bags from Jill, she then walked towards the house
Jill pretended to go to the boot and when Ash had reached the door Jill shut it and locked her car
"Sweetheart" Started Gordon
Ash walked straight past him, without saying a word, she placed Jill's things and hers where they usually went then made her way upstairs
Gordon had waited for Jill
"Just give her time" said Jill
"I know it was stupid, but I had her best interests at heart" he said
"I know you did, but you have to see it from her point of view" replied Jill
"I just want what's best for her, for all of them" replied Gordon shutting the door
"It's going to take time" replied Jill
"Can we eat now" asked Tom
"Yes of course" replied Jill
"Ash, dinners ready" shouted Gordon
Ash didn't want to see any of them, let alone sit having dinner with them
They let the others get their food and when there was still no sign of Ash
"Ash, dinner" shouted Gordon
"I'm not hungry" shouted Ash back
"Well, you can still come down and sit with us" replied Gordon
"No" replied Ash
"I'm not asking, I'm telling you" replied Gordon
"Gordon, leave her, let me talk to her, go and have yours" replied Jill, making her way upstairs
Ash could hear someone coming upstairs, so moved and sat in front of the door
Jill knocked on her door
"Go, away" said Ash
Jill tried to open the door
"Sweetheart, it's me please let me in" pleaded Jill
Jill tried the door again
"Please leave me alone" replied Ash
"Look, I just want to check you are okay, but I can always send dad up instead" replied Jill, she was worried Ash was going to be like this, at least before they could keep an eye on her from a distance, but now she had locked herself in her room and there was no way of forcing their way in without hurting Ash
"I'm fine, really" said Ash hoping that was going to be enough
"Let me in then" replied Jill
Ash looked at her desk, she had left the paper she had written on open on it, she hoped she could get to the desk before her mum saw her and hide it, she knew she had no chance if it was both of them
"What's going on up there" shouted Gordon
"Everything's fine, be down in a minute" said Jill
"Do, I need to come up" asked Gordon
"No" said Jill
"Ash, let me in now" said Jill
Ash had heard all of that, she knew she had no choice but to let Jill in now
"Okay, one second" replied Ash, she got up and to the desk in time to open a book over the piece of paper
"Right, young lady, what is this all about" asked Jill
"I don't want to see anyone; I just want to be left alone" replied Ash
"But, you need to eat" replied Jill
"I'll come down, when they go out" replied Ash
"Sweetheart" said Jill
"Don't say it" said Ash interrupting Jill
"You don't have to sit with us, please come down and eat your food" said Jill, looking around the room for any sign of what Ash was trying to hide from her but she couldn't find one
"I'll make sure the others stay away" said Jill, hoping that would persuade her
"That's it, if I have to come up there and get you" started Gordon
"You promise all of them" said Ash, Jill nodded
"Okay" said Ash, knowing she didn't have a choice, but at least this way she didn't have to sit with them
Jill led the way down, Ash following they got their food, then Ash stayed in the kitchen on her own, she started to eat her food
She overheard Jill telling the others to give Ash some space and when they had finished their food, only Jill was to go in the kitchen
"But that's not fair, we haven't done anything wrong" sulked Katie
"Neither has Ash" replied Jill
"So, why doesn't she want to see us" asked Jonathon
"I don't know, but we need to respect her wishes, and I need to regain her trust" replied Jill
"I don't like this" said Gordon
"Neither do I, but we need to do this for her" replied Jill
"So, what have you got planned for this evening" asked Jill trying to change the subject
"Well I told them you would help them pack" replied Gordon
Jill just looked at Gordon, after all he had said about helping them he had suddenly changed his tune, forgetting she had said it
"I know, what we said, but they have tried, and they have tidied up" said Gordon
"Alright" replied Jill
"Thanks mum" said Jonathon and Katie
Ash meanwhile had eaten most of her food and thrown the rest away, she then filled up the washing up bowl and was going to start washing up, when Jill came through the door with a load of plates
"What do you think you are doing" asked Jill
"Nothing" replied Ash
"It doesn't look like nothing" said Jill
"I was just putting these into soak" replied Ash
"I hope that was all" replied Jill
"Yes, good night" replied Ash, she was going to leave but Jill had already put the plates down, and managed to grab Ash's arm before she could leave
"Hold on, aren't you forgetting something" asked Jill
"What, no" replied Ash looking around
"Yes, you are" replied Jill, pulling her into a hug and kissing her forehead
"I love you, don't you ever forget it" whispered Jill, sensing something was wrong
"Love you too, goodnight" replied Ash, knowing it was early but not wanting to be around anyone, Ash tried to wriggle free, but Jill wasn't going to let her go that easily
"What are you going to do" asked Jill
"I'm going to read, why" replied Ash
"Before you go to sleep, can I check your dressing" asked Jill
"There's no need it's fine" replied Ash still trying to get free
Gordon had come along to help Jill with the washing up
"What's going on" asked Gordon
"Nothing, night" replied Ash
"Ash, please" pleaded Jill
"It doesn't sound like nothing" replied Gordon
"Okay" replied Ash
"I'll bring you a drink up" replied Jill, letting her go
Ash left the room
"What's that all about" asked Gordon
"She's just tired, she did a lot today" replied Jill, knowing Ash would hear them
"She'll have to take it easier tomorrow" replied Gordon
"As if she will listen, to anything we have to say" replied Jill
"I'll make her" said Gordon
"And do what exactly" asked Jill
"Mum, dad where's Ash" asked Katie
"She's gone to bed, she's tired" replied Gordon
"So now would be a good time to ask then" asked Jonathon
"Ask what" replied Jill
"Let's go into the front room with these drinks and talk" replied Gordon
"I've not got long, if you still need help with packing" replied Jill, not really wanting to do the packing, but wanting to check on Ash, she couldn't shake this feeling
"Mum, dad, we want to make Ash feel special" said Katie
"I don't think this is such a good time" replied Jill
"See, what did I say" replied Jonathon
"Please just give us a chance to have our say" replied Tom
"Okay, you have ten minutes" replied Gordon knowing they were trying
"Okay, so we know we haven't been there for her and it's our last day here until Christmas and we want to make her feel like she is one of us" replied Katie
"Yes, I know you do but" started Jill
"But we need your help, with what we can and can't do" interrupted Tom
"As I was about to say, Ash is not going to want to do anything" said Jill
"Well, then dad can make her" replied Tom
"No, definitely not" replied Jill
"He, was only joking" said Gordon
"Weren't you" he added
"Of course, sorry" replied Tom
"Maybe we could keep it simple, a nice meal and a game, but only if she wants to join in" replied Jonathon
"I tell you what, if you really want to do something give her space, I will talk to her and see if she will but don't get your hopes up" replied Jill
"What are you doing tomorrow" asked Tom
"We are both working" replied Gordon
"Where's this going" asked Jill
"Well, we could all meet you for lunch" said Tom
"And maybe we could do a bit of shopping" added Katie
"Meet friends at the beach, have a little party" added Tom
"I thought this was supposed to be about Ash" said Jill
"It is, she would be there as well, then when you finish, you could pick us up" said Katie
"I see" said Jill, getting the real reason, they were using Ash for a free ride home
"And then we come home and have a lovely meal, play a game" replied Tom, none the wiser
"We could invite nan and matron" added Katie
"Now, hold on a minute, this is getting a bit much" said Jill
"But it is for Ash" said Katie
"Yes, and Ash would not like all the attention" replied Jill
"Yes, and who is going to do all the work, we can't, and it sounds like you aren't" added Gordon
"All of us" replied Katie
"Right, well let us see" said Gordon knowing they wouldn't give up
"Well, time's up who's first" asked Jill
"I will" said Jonathon
"Let's go then" said Jill, getting up and placing her cup on the table
Jonathon followed they went upstairs in silence, Jonathan waited until they were in his room. Jill opened the case; he had started it in fact he had done most of it
"What do you need my help for" asked Jill, not really understanding
"Mum, Ash is alright isn't she" he asked
Now Jill, knew he was really worried and that he was using this as an excuse, when Jill hadn't answered
"I mean, I don't have to go, I can stay" he added
"You think Ash would let you do that, let alone your dad" replied Jill
"But" started Jonathon
"No, buts, everything is going to be fine, Ash is finding it difficult at the moment, yes, but we will get her through it, I don't want you worrying" replied Jill
"If I stay, I could help" replied Jonathon
"Is there another reason, you don't want to go back" asked Jill
"No" replied Jonathon
"Are you sure" asked Jill
"Yes, I'm sure, I'm loving it" replied Jonathon
"Then, that is your answer, if you are that worried about Ash, maybe you could call her at least once a week, tell her what you are up to" replied Jill
"Ash or you" replied Jonathon cheekily
"Hey mister, you're not too old, you know" replied Jill
"Sorry" replied Jonathon, passing Jill the last of the clothes
"But I do miss you all, If I could call you all every day I would" replied Jill
"I know" replied Jonathon, zipping up the bag
"I can't believe how the time has gone" replied Jill
"I know, I can't stop thinking about how we nearly lost her" replied Jonathon
"We, didn't, that's what matters, and we have to make the time we all have together all the more important" replied Jill
"So, you will, help us with tomorrow" asked Jonathon
"I can't make any promises, it will be up to Ash, and no one else" replied Jill
"Thanks, mum" replied Jonathon, giving her a hug
"Right, if you send your sister up, and can you make Ash and me a drink and bring it up when it's ready" said Jill
"Yes, mum" replied Jonathon
"Ohh and one more thing, can you get Katie to bring my bag up as well" asked Jill
"Why" asked Jonathon
"I just need to change Ash's dressing" replied Jill
"Okay" replied Jonathon
"And keep it quiet" added Jill
"Katie, your turn" shouted Jonathon, running down the stairs
"Okay" replied Katie
"Mum, needs this" said Jonathon, handing over Jill's bag, Katie looked worried
"It's okay, really" he added
"Mum" said Katie going upstairs
"I'm in your room" replied Jill
"Here you are" said Katie handing the bag over
"Thank you sweetheart" replied Jill taking the bag
"Right, so what have you done already" asked Jill, thinking not very much but she was wrong
"Okay, what is going on, first your brother and now you" said Jill
"What" said Katie
"Well, you both have pretty much packed" replied Jill
"Maybe, we want to spend time with you" replied Katie
"If you want to, then all you have to do is ask, I will always make time for you, you all know that" said Jill
"Yeah, but this way the others don't need to know" said Katie
"Know, what, what's wrong" asked Jill concerned
"Is, Ash alright" asked Katie
Not this again thought Jill, packing up the clothes as quickly as possible
"She's fine" said Jill
"Really, cause I'm worried, she keeps herself away from us all the time" said Katie
"Yes, she's fine, it's her way of coping with things" replied Jill
"Coping with what" asked Katie
"Well, I think she's been a little jealous of you three" said Jill
"Jealous, why" asked Katie
"Well you have been allowed to do what you like when you like, and she's been stuck with us, plus you all seem to have gotten away with a lot more because your dad's been more focused on her" replied Jill
"We, should have been around more" replied Katie
"It's not your fault, it's ours" replied Jill
"Yeah, but if we hadn't have gone out a lot, we could have given you and dad some time off" said Katie
"All we wanted was for all of you to have a normal holiday" said Jill, trying not to go into too much detail, but realising as soon as she had said it, that was the exact opposite of what they had done for Ash
"So, we have one chance to give Ash the holiday she should have had" replied Katie
"I will tell you what I told your brother, it will be up to Ash and Ash only, if she wants to do it then we will help, if she doesn't we all have to respect that" replied Jill
"Mum, I'm so sorry for what trouble, we've been" replied Katie
"Ohh, sweetheart, come here, no one is to blame" replied Jill, giving Katie a hug
Katie started crying
"Ssshhh" said Jill, gently rubbing Katie's back
"I'm sorry, I just feel like I've made it all worse" replied Katie
"No, don't ever think that, you've been a great help, especially when she was in hospital" replied Jill
Before anything could be said Jonathon interrupted
"Mum, drinks are here" said Jonathon
"Thank you, just put them here" said Jill making room for them
"Katie, what's wrong" asked Jonathon
Katie looked at Jill
"It's, just girly stuff" said Jill
"We were going to play monopoly if you're in" replied Jonathon
"Yeah, I'll be there in a minute, we've just got to finish up here" replied Katie
Jonathon left them to it
"Thanks, mum" said Katie
"Trust me, we all feel the same, we all need to stop thinking of what we could have done and move on" said Jill, zipping up the case and looking at Katie
"I know, it's not that easy, but if we don't then we will all drive each other away" added Jill
"Thanks, mum" replied Katie, giving Jill a hug and a peck on the cheek, knowing she was right
"Well, go and wash your face, and I'll be down as soon as I've checked on your sister" said Jill