Ash was not asleep, she was pacing up and down, muttering to herself, how could she have been so stupid, she was supposed to bring the family together, and in trying to protect them she was causing them more upset, if only sister would leave her alone, and maybe Jill was right it would be easier when the others have left and it's just the three of them
Ash heard the others making their way up and looked at the clock it was already nearly one o'clock. I'll have to go to sleep soon, if I have any hope of mum agreeing to tomorrow, at least I will be out of the house, she can escape easier from the others if they were out, but how could she sleep with all these thoughts, she got ready for bed and decided to listen to some music.
She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow, she was back at the site, she was talking to Tom, she was watching her dad, why was he so worried, normally he was so calm and in control, but something was different.
She woke with a start, it was nearly six o'clock her parents would be up soon, she turned over and tried to get back to sleep but she wasn't having much luck, so she decided to read, she switched on her light and opened her book, just as she did she heard her parents alarm go off, and then them moving around, getting ready, she could hear them talking to each other, but she couldn't quite make out what they were saying but she guessed it was about her and what happened yesterday, she stayed completely still straining to hear, she could make a few words every now and then, she heard her name being mentioned and sister's, then Gordon raised his voice, great thought Ash, I'm going to be in so much trouble
Meanwhile in her parents' bedroom
"Gordon, keep your voice down, you'll wake the Kids" said Jill
"I know, it just makes me so mad, that she calls our little girl stupid" replied Gordon
"But Ash, was rude back to her, she will have to apologise" replied Jill, hoping Gordon would help her to get Ash to apologise
"Well, from what you have told me, she was sticking up for all of us" replied Gordon
"Yes, but we didn't bring them up to be rude" replied Jill
"Okay, Ash can apologise, once sister has apologised to her" replied Gordon going into the en suite
Jill looked at him
"So, why are you so insistent that she apologises" asked Gordon
"You, don't think sister will apologise do you" he added
"I know she won't" replied Jill, but Gordon could tell there was more to this
"What are you not saying" replied Gordon
Jill looked at him
"Come on out with it" said Gordon, he knew if she was this worried it must be serious
"Well, it's not the first time sister has called her stupid" started Jill
"That's why we have to stop it, before she starts" started Gordon
"She already is" interrupted Jill
"What, do you mean" asked Gordon
"Well, there was the other day at work, I heard her a couple of times once in my room and then in yours, and then there was last night, before we got called out" said Jill
"That's why you wanted to stay" replied Gordon
Jill nodded
"And I think that was what she was muttering to herself, when we found her in the study" said Jill
"Right that is it, she is to have no contact with her, she has had her last chance, even if I have to talk to Niall myself" replied Gordon, he had finished getting ready and was going to make his way downstairs, he noticed Ash's bedroom light was on, he didn't say anything to Jill
"I'll go on down and start on breakfast" said Gordon
"Okay, I'll be down in a minute" replied Jill, going into the en suite
Gordon left shutting the door behind him, he then tapped lightly on Ash's door
"Come in" said Ash, putting her book down
"How are you feeling" asked Gordon
"I'm fine, sorry for last night" replied Ash
Gordon could now see what Jill had been telling him, Ash was blaming herself for everything, even though she had no way of controlling it
"It's fine really, I was just going to get some breakfast, do you want to join me" asked Gordon, he wasn't expecting Ash to say yes, but he didn't really know what else to say
"Okay" replied Ash, getting up and grabbing her dressing gown, she then followed Gordon downstairs
Ash waited for Gordon to fill the kettle he flick it on before she asked him
"Dad, can I ask you something" asked Ash
Meanwhile Jill had finished getting ready, she was going to check on Ash, but as she opened her door, she could see Ash's door was open already, as Jill made her way to the stairs she could hear Gordon talking
"Of course, you can" replied Gordon, filling up three cups
"Am, I in trouble" asked Ash, it wasn't what she wanted to ask but she could hear Jill making her way downstairs
"No, what makes you ask that" asked Jill as she made her way in
"I heard you this morning, I am very sorry for everything" replied Ash
"Right, well what have we told you about listening in" said Gordon
"It's not like that, I didn't hear everything, just a couple of names" replied Ash
"Well, what makes you say you did anything wrong" asked Jill
Gordon placed the drinks on the table, while Jill had grabbed the cereal and put some toast on
"Stupid, stupid, stupid" muttered Ash
"Ash" said Gordon, warningly, he looked at Jill, she was right, this had gone on for too long
"Well, it's not like I've done anything right at the moment is it" replied Ash
"You have got to stop being so hard on yourself" replied Jill, sitting down once everyone had something to eat in front of them
"Well, it's not is it" replied Ash
"Your mum is right" started Gordon
"Any way we were talking about sister" interrupted Jill, she could tell, they would keep going around in circles otherwise
Ash knew they were not telling her everything, but she didn't want to start a fight
Gordon looked at Jill, Jill nodded telling him to continue telling Ash
"We've been talking and we both need you to apologise to sister for being rude" started Gordon, he stopped to take a sip of his drink
Ash was going to say something but stopped herself when she realised he hadn't finished
"We also both know she isn't going to apologise to you for how she has been treating you, but you are going to be the bigger person" added Gordon
Ash was thinking about it
"Sweetheart, we don't like the way she is speaking to you, and you are anything but stupid" said Jill
"Ash, I am also going to speak to sister and your grandad" said Gordon
"Why" replied Ash panicked that she had done something wrong
"You have done nothing wrong, but we don't want you seeing sister until she stops calling you stupid, and I need to tell grandad before sister" said Gordon
"Can you tell him I tried" said Ash
"Sweetheart, he will know, we will make sure, you have done nothing wrong" replied Gordon, he looked at the clock
"Right we had better be going soon, I will phone him from work" said Gordon getting up and putting his things in the sink, he then left the room
"Sweetheart, it will be alright, I promise, we are here for you" said Jill
Ash wished she could believe it, but she knew sister all too well, she would never give up
"So, you know you don't have to go today" said Jill changing the subject, as she cleared the table
"I know, but I promised, and it will be fun" replied Ash
Jill wasn't so sure, but she didn't want to dash Ash's hopes
"So, dinner tonight, what do you fancy" asked Jill, starting to wash up
"You don't have to worry about that the others are doing it" replied Ash
"I know they are" replied Jill
"But they don't know what I'd like so asked you to find out" replied Ash, taking the tea towel and starting to dry up, now she was thinking maybe this wasn't such a good idea
"Who else is coming" asked Ash, before Jill could say anything
"I think they asked Nan and Matron" replied Jill
"Well then it needs to be something lighter, like fish, don't you think" replied Ash
"I think you are thinking about everyone else again" replied Jill
"Maybe I am, but we can have what ever I like for dinner during the week, but you taught us to be respectful of others and sometimes that means putting them first" replied Ash
Jill had finished washing up and stopped to look at Ash, she could tell Ash was thinking about something
"Which, is why I will apologise to Sister, but I need you and dad there" said Ash, she felt she wasn't strong enough on her own and she could never tell what she was going to say or do
"That goes without saying, I don't think dad will leave you two alone together for a very long time" said Jill
Ash finished drying up and hung the tea towel back up
"Which means you may not like it, but you will probably be seeing a lot more of us, and maybe Nan and Matron will be around a lot more too" said Jill, she was worried how Ash would take the news
"Okay, but I can still have friends around" said Ash
"Of course, you can" replied Jill
"Jill, we really must get going" said Gordon, from the hallway, he had heard most of the conversation and was glad Ash seemed okay with it
"Right Ash, you can call us at any time" started Gordon
"Remember to tell the others when you've had enough and want to come home" added Jill, Ash only had time to nod before they continued
"And remember to take it easy" added Gordon
"We, will see you at lunch time" added Jill
"Okay, see you later" replied Ash
"Are, you ready then" Gordon asked Jill
"Well, I was really hoping to have a word with the others, but I'll just have to scribble them a quick note" replied Jill, she could see Gordon really wanted to get going, normally she would have said he could go on and she would meet him there but they were leaving her car for the kids
Ash could sense Jill needed a little time
"Dad" started Ash
"Yes" replied Gordon
"You, know how it's just us three tomorrow night" started Ash, Jill took this opportunity to run upstairs and finish getting ready
"Yes" replied Gordon
"Has, mum asked you yet" asked Ash, trying to stall for time
Gordon remembered Jill, mentioning something to him but before he could answer Ash carried on
"Well mum was on about having a girly night, but I would rather just watch a film with both of you, is that okay with you" asked Ash
"Of, course it is" replied Gordon, slightly relieved that was all it was, he could tell Ash needed a cuddle
"Come here" said Gordon, Ash went to Gordon and cuddled him
"Everything is going to be alright, trust me" whispered Gordon
"So, what film do you want to watch" asked Ash
"I'll leave that to you and mum" replied Gordon
Jill had finished getting ready and had written the note which she left on the kitchen table, she had also heard most of the conversation
"Ready" said Jill, Gordon let Ash go
"See you later" said Jill to Ash
"Bye" replied Ash, giving them both a kiss on the cheek, Jill pulled her into a hug
"Just, remember what we have said" said Jill as she let her go and followed Gordon to the car
Ash stood in the doorway and waved goodbye before shutting the door and going upstairs to get ready