Once Gordon had left and Jill had finished filling in Ash's notes and had given her the paracetamol, she sat down, she grabbed Ash's hand and with the other rubbed Ash's cheek
"I'm so sorry I asked you that baby girl, I know you would never do that, but you have really been worrying me lately, I just wish you would say whatever it is that you are keeping from us, we can help you, nothing is ever that bad, please trust me" said Jill, she wasn't sure if Ash could hear her but she needed to say before she went mad, where was Matron when you needed her she thought
She was just going to get up but before she did Ash squeezed her hand
"Sweetheart, it's alright, I'm here" said Jill reassuringly, but now wondering what Ash had heard
Ash had heard it all, she knew that her mum's concerns were true, but how could she break her mums heart, before she could think of anything else the doors opened
"What has she done now" asked Sister
"Ash, has done nothing wrong, it's an infection, I'm just waiting for results to make sure, but" started Jill
Sister had stopped listening, she was reading her notes
"Why, was she here this morning" interrupted Sister
"That is none of your business" said Tom
Jill looked over to the door, she had not heard them enter, she gave them a warning glance
"Yeah if Ash had wanted you to know, then she would have told you" added Katie
"But I saw her earlier with Rob" said Sister
Gordon looked at Jill, she suddenly looked so tired of all of this, Jill now understood how Ash was feeling, she was always in the middle of all of this
"And I told you, Ash was asking Rob questions, and I was there the whole time, then for your information she spent the rest of the day helping me with the stocktake, which is what you were supposed to be helping with" replied Jill, thinking why do we have to justify ourselves to you
"So, when is she going to ask me questions" asked Sister
"Why, would she ask you" asked Jonathon
"Because I was there" replied Sister
"So, were we, but she hasn't asked us, she will if she needs to, but my guess is she would ask dad before any of us" replied Jonathon
"But, I might know something, he doesn't" replied Sister
"Really, like what" asked Tom
"Kid's stop it" said Jill warningly
"I don't have to prove myself to you" replied Sister
"No, but you expect Ash to" replied Katie
"Katie, what have I just said" said Jill
She could only see this ending up one way, little did she know that Ash was listening to all of this feeling even more guilty, this just proves it, they would all be better off without me, she thought, mum can't keep going with all these arguments
Just then the doors opened
"Hello Sister" said the nurse
"Hello" said Sister
"Sorry, I've got the results" said the nurse, feeling like she had walked into the middle of something, Sister went to take them, but Gordon got there first
"Thank you" replied Gordon
He pulled them out of the envelope and tried to have a look, but Sister was blocking his light
"Do, you mind" said Gordon, going over to the light box instead
"It, all looks normal" said Gordon, after taking a look at them
"That's good" said Katie
"Isn't it" asked Tom, seeing the look between his parents
"Do, you want to have a look" Gordon asked Jill
Jill got up and went over to have a look, Gordon was right it did look normal, even the air from earlier had dispersed
"Let's have a look again at her side" said Jill, worried she had missed something earlier, it could be difficult to tell because of the bruising
"Kid's, can you give us some space please" said Gordon, trying to get to the side of the bed
"What, can I do" asked Sister
"Nothing, we've got it all under control" replied Gordon
Ash was starting to wake up, when Gordon pulled the plaster it really hurt
"OUCH" said Ash, groggily
"Sorry baby" said Jill rubbing her arm
"No, it all seems fine" said Gordon, Jill breathed a sigh of relief
"So, what is causing it" asked Jonathon
"Just give us some space" replied Gordon angrily, Jill looked at him
"Sorry, I didn't mean" said Gordon apologetically
"It's fine, why don't we make drinks" replied Jonathon
"Yes, that's a good idea, thank you sweetheart" replied Jill
"Ash, do you want one" asked Katie
"She's still a little tired, best not" replied Sister, speaking for her which annoyed not only Ash but everyone else
"Yes, please" replied Ash
The three kids left
"Ash, we are going to ask you a few questions" said Gordon
While Jill, was going back through the notes
"Do, you mind if it's just us" Ash asked Sister
"No, of course not, but I'm sure they are better at this than me" said Sister getting the wrong idea
"No, I mean mum and dad" replied Ash
"Of course, silly me" said Sister, she got up and shot Jill a glance, which didn't go unnoticed by Ash
"Mum" said Ash
"It's fine, baby girl" replied Jill, knowing everyone was on edge
"So, you said the other day, your side has been aching more, can you tell us more about it" asked Jill
"It's just the same pain, but more persistent and more often, is that what's causing this" replied Ash
Jill and Gordon looked at each other, Ash could tell that they weren't convinced
"Is there anything else" asked Gordon
"I don't think so" started Ash, she then had that faraway look that they had all gotten use to over the few weeks
Jill went back to the notes, while Gordon was mentally thinking of the injuries that she had come in with that day
"There, is one thing, but it's" started Ash
Jill and Gordon stopped what they were doing and looked at Ash
"No, it's going to sound stupid" she added
"No, it won't even the littlest thing can help us, no matter how stupid you think it is" replied Jill
"Well the last couple of days, my arm has been really itchy, and I don't remember my leg being like it" replied Ash
"Gordon, can you remember, were there any cuts on her arm" asked Jill, quickly turning the pages, trying to find the right place
"I don't know, I mean she was covered in cuts and grazes" replied Gordon
"Gordon think" said Jill
"Yes, she had that cut that needed stiches in theatre" added Jill
"So, what now" asked Ash
"We cut your cast off, clean the wound and put a new cast on" replied Jill
Just then the others came back with the drinks
Jill and Gordon did what they had just told Ash, it was the source of infection, Gordon wrote out a prescription, while the others had their drinks
"When can we go home" asked Ash, seeing the others looked tired
"Not, for a couple of hours yet, we've got to wait for that I.V. to go through" replied Jill
"Why, don't you all go on home, I can make my own way later" replied Ash, feeling guilty that they were all there, but also not wanting to left on her own with her parents because she knew they would want to talk
"I know, why don't we play a game to pass the time" said Katie getting up
"Guys do you want to help me" she added, knowing her parents still needed time with Ash
"I'll come" replied Tom, Jonathon didn't reply
"I'm just going to get this made up" added Gordon, grabbing the prescription, knowing Jill wanted to spend time with Ash alone
Ash didn't want to be left alone, so she looked at Jonathon and pleaded with him
"Jonathon, can you clear up the cups please" said Gordon
Jonathon looked at Ash, as if to say sorry, she nodded to say she understood
Jill waited until they had left
"I'm sorry baby" said Jill
"It's not your fault" replied Ash
"I should never have asked you; I know you never would" replied Jill
Ash didn't know how to respond; she was thinking of doing just that but she didn't want them to know that
"It's fine I understand" replied Ash
"Please, let me in, help me to understand what is going on" replied Jill
"I need time" replied Ash
"I know, but promise me, you will not shut me out" replied Jill, she was starting to cry
"Mum, what's wrong" asked Ash
"Nothing, don't worry it's just me being silly" replied Jill
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you, I guess, I've been beating myself up trying to find the right words, it's been killing me that I'm breaking your heart, every time I do something, it's always the wrong decision" replied Ash
"You, have nothing to be sorry for, we've not made it very easy" replied Jill
"Mum, it's not your fault, please don't blame yourself for anything" replied Ash, she thought she would say more, but stopped herself from saying too much, luckily the others came bounding through the door
"Hey, we could only find this" replied Tom, holding the snakes and ladders up
"What's wrong" asked Katie, seeing Jill had been crying
"Nothing, it's just me being silly" replied Jill
"I'll, just go and find where dad has gotten to" said Jill, not waiting for a response
"Mum" said Jonathon
Jill didn't respond, she just left
"What was that all about" asked Jonathon
"You, know what mums like" said Katie
"It's all my fault" said Ash
"Why, do you say that" asked Katie
"She thought I'd" started Ash, not able to say it but Katie nodded knowing she understood but the boys didn't they just started setting up the board
"And because I don't want to talk to them, because I can't make mum choose between me and dad" added Ash
"I've always found mum very good at keeping secrets" replied Katie she could see Jill and Gordon stood just outside the door listening in
"But I've ruined it all" replied Ash
"You may feel like that now, but trust us you haven't" replied Katie
"Come on less talking, more playing" said Tom
"Okay, you can go first" replied Ash
Katie could see Ash was thinking about something
"Ash what is it" asked Katie
"It's nothing" replied Ash, now she knew she should talk to Jill, she had figured somethings out, she would test to see if Jill told anyone else
"Just don't shut mum out completely" replied Katie
"I promise, in fact when they come back, can you get us some drinks, give us some time together, then get dad to take you home, I need to speak to mum, finish what I was trying to tell her earlier" said Ash
"As long as you promise to spend the day with us tomorrow" said Tom, making the most of the situation
"You don't have to promise that" said Jonathon
"We, said we wouldn't pressurise her" said Katie to Tom
"Is that what you wanted mum to ask earlier" asked Ash
"Yeah, we've been feeling really bad for not being around and we've planned a day for you tomorrow" replied Jonathon
"Okay, I promise" replied Ash, which surprised them all
"So, what are we doing" asked Ash
"Now, that would be telling" replied Katie
"Can we do stuff out of the house" asked Ash
"It depends on what mum and dad say" replied Katie
"Can we change the subject now; do you have any fun stories from the other night" asked Ash
Jill and Gordon, knew they were not going to hear anymore from Ash
"I'll, just go and make some drinks" said Gordon
"I'll come and give you a hand" replied Jill
Katie saw Jill and Gordon leave
"Well, there is one story, but you can't tell them" started Katie
"No, you can't tell her that one" said Tom
"Why, not are you worried you will look like the fool" replied Katie
"No, it's just if mum and dad over hear we will be in trouble" replied Tom
"Okay, that one can keep until tomorrow" whispered Jonathon to Ash
"What are you two whispering about" asked Tom
"Just wondering where mum and dad have gotten to, I'm really thirsty" said Jonathon
Just then Jill and Gordon walked through the door
"Speak of the devil" whispered Ash to Jonathon
"Why, do you two keep whispering to each other" asked Tom getting annoyed
"They're not, don't make a scene" whispered Katie to Tom
Just as Jill put the tray down
"So, who's winning" asked Jill
"We've all won, one apart from Katie" replied Tom
Jill went to sit down, but before she did she went to place a hand on Ash's forehead, to check her temperature, Ash went to move her head away, Jill thought at least she is feeling better, but she didn't let her win, once she was happy, she sat down
"Ash, I'm sorry, I should never have told this lot, but I was only looking out for you" said Gordon
Jill looked at him as if to say, now is not the time
"Forget it, I'm sorry, I said somethings I shouldn't have" replied Ash
Jill and Gordon looked at each other, thinking that went a lot easier than they thought it would
Ash tried to move to get comfortable
"What is it what's wrong" asked Jill
"Nothing, I'm just getting a little stiff" replied Ash, still wriggling around
"Here, let me help" said Katie, helping to move the pillow
"Thanks, but I'm fine" replied Ash
"Just let us help while we can" whispered Jonathon
"Thanks" said Ash, once she had let them help her get comfy
"So, what has everyone got planned for tomorrow" asked Gordon, pretending he didn't know they had told Ash what they had planned
All four Kid's looked at each other, and then had the same thought, to wind their parents up
"Well, I thought I would go shopping" said Katie
"Yeah, and I'm going to play football" added Jonathon
"I was going to have a lazy morning, and then go to a party" added Tom
"I was going to stay in my room, I've got some reading to catch up on" said Ash
"Ohh, I thought you were spending the day together, what happened" asked Gordon
"We realised, why make other people happy, if it's not what you want" replied Ash
"But you are still meeting us for lunch" asked Jill, as puzzled as Gordon
Had they been spotted by the door listening in and were the kids playing with them, in one way she hoped so, but in another she hoped not
"What, spend time with you, or with our friends" replied Jonathon
"Friends" said all four in unison
"Well thank you very much, I would have thought at least one of you would want to spend time with us" replied Jill
"You will be home for dinner though, I trust" added Gordon
"Might, be I don't know yet" replied Tom, the Kid's were enjoying winding them up
They finished their game
"Yes, I won" said Katie
Ash was still restless
"Do you want to play another game" asked Jonathon
"No thanks" replied Ash
"No, dad do mind if you take us home, I'm pretty tired" said Katie
Ash looked at Katie and gave a small smile
"Well, let's tidy up first" replied Gordon
Ash packed the game away, then the three kids took the cups and game away
"Will you be alright, if I take them home" Gordon asked Jill
"Yes, we'll be fine, it shouldn't be too much longer now anyway" replied Jill
"Do, you want me to come back" asked Gordon
"No, I'm sure, you'll have your hands full with those three" replied Jill
"Come on dad" said Tom
"See you later Ash, mum" he added
"Bye" said Jill and Ash
"Right be good" said Gordon to Ash, Ash nodded before they all left