"Gordon, remember; snacks and alcohol in the cupboard; quiches, dips, salad, soft drinks in the fridge; vol-au-vents and pie in the freezer." She paused, in her mad dash around the kitchen to glare at him as he smirked at her.

"I did help buy them, prepare them, and store them." He said, trying hard not to laugh at his wife's frenzied cleaning of the kitchen, whilst simultaneously attempting to help Tom prepare his breakfast.

"Gordon." She pointed the cereal box at him. "I'm only making sure, just in case I'm stuck at the hospital." She shook the box, as if to emphasize her words, only serving to send some cereal spilling to the floor. She sighed heavily, immediately dropping down onto her hands and knees with a thud, beginning to pick each piece up.

Gordon walked round to her, crouching down behind her, reaching round and gently taking hold of her wrists, halting her movements. "Relax Jill. Why's this bothering you so much?"

She sighed again, but allowed herself a moment to pause, leaning back into Gordon's embrace. "It's just... this is the first of time we've done something like this, I just want people to enjoy themselves. I want it to be perfect."

"It will be." He kissed her cheek. "People are coming for a party, not to scrutinise every speck of dust in our home."

"I suppose not." She conceded, allowing Gordon to lift her to her feet as he stood. She couldn't help a smile tug at the corners of her mouth as she thought over his words, the last two in particular; 'our home'. She still sometimes couldn't believe everything that had happened with their relationship.

"Sit." He voice interrupted her thoughts. He gently pushed her down onto a chair and handed her the cereal box. "Now eat your breakfast else we'll be late."

"Yes Dad." She mocked, grinning at him as he merely raised an eyebrow at her, turning to pour Tom's milk for him instead of retaliating.

The grin stayed as she surveyed her family, the word still sending a thrill through her. She didn't care if the party was perfect; what people thought of their home wasn't what was important. Times like this were the important things, and if they had many more times like this, that would be perfect.


She snuggled up to him, her hand resting upon his chest, feeling the warmth through the soft cotton of his shirt. His arm lay relaxed across her shoulder, his thumb stroking the top of her arm. She closed her eyes, sighing contentedly, allowing herself to relax though knowing very soon they'd be interrupted, the guests would soon start to arrive, and Katie and Tom were playing hyperactively in the garden, incredibly excited about the party.

Jill and Gordon had both- with some luck, and much dodging of Lizzie- managed to arrive home on time, giving them enough time to prepare for the party, and even ten minutes to relax together. Although this appeared to be a bad idea as the hectic week caught up with her.

"Jill..." He murmured, his free hand coming up to brush her hair from her face.

"Mmmm."

"Don't go to sleep."

"But I'm tired." She moaned, sliding down a little in her seat, tucking her head under his chin.

"People will start arriving soon." And sure enough, as the words left his mouth, the doorbell rang, causing Jill to release a groan and Gordon to chuckle.

"Ignore them."

Gordon laughed again, changing his hold on her, easing her off him to sit up, despite the resistance she put up. He stood up, bending to press a kiss to her head before winking at her and leaving the room. She heard the sunshine voice of Lizzie as Gordon opened the door, and she yawned and stretched, standing up and following the path her husband had taken.

"Hello Doctor Weatherill!"

"Hello Lizzie." She smiled, leading her out into the garden where Tom and Katie immediately pounced on her. Jill stood back watching the scene, glad the receptionist appeared happier. More guests entered the garden then; Alun, Samantha and Meryl, with Gordon right behind them carrying a tray of food. They shared a smile before the doorbell rang again, Jill going to answer it.

It wasn't long before the garden was full of guests, mostly consisting of hospital staff. Alun seemed to be in charge of the music, and stood next to the record player, flicking through her own and Gordon's records. Tables laden with food were placed along the perimeter of the garden, and guests drifted from them to the benches and chairs dotted around, or just stood in groups chatting. Katie and Tom darted between the staff, happily receiving the attention paid to them.

Gordon came to stand behind her, sliding his arms around her and resting his chin on her shoulder, his head resting against hers. She rested her arms over his, covering his hands with her own.

"Perfect?" He questioned quietly into her ear.

"Perfect." She echoed, leaning back against him.


She was still settled against him when a commotion to their right caught her eye. Samantha and Alun stood, supporting Lizzie between them. Samantha was uttering desperate words to Lizzie, though Jill couldn't make them out, but she could see that the receptionist appeared to be hyperventilating. "Gordon." She uttered, pointing in their direction, already moving from his arms.

She crossed swiftly to the group, taking Alun's place, and together with Samantha, practically carried Lizzie to sit in one of the white iron garden chairs. She sat opposite, taking Lizzie's wrist and checking her pulse. "Just focus on you breathing Lizzie. Try and slow it... That's it, good girl." She broke her gaze from Lizzie momentarily to glance at Samantha.

The response she received was murmured softly, so she was the only recipient. "She overheard Alun. Dave, her husband, has gone and got another woman pregnant."

She sighed, poor Lizzie, she thought, it seemed she was finally getting over it only to be hit with more news.

"Lizzie! What's wrong? What's happened?"

Jill sighed again as Ken rushed to his daughter's side, and Lizzie recounted the news through gulping breaths.

"Water Lizzie. Just sip it slowly okay." Gordon joined the group and placed a tumbler of water in Lizzie's trembling hand. He straightened up, stepping to stand beside Jill and rest a hand on her shoulder.

Lizzie became calmer, but the upset was still there. Jill began to become quite concerned with some of this things Lizzie was saying about herself, things she wholly believed to be a product of the male dominated society. And it wasn't helped by Ken chipping in his take on the situation. "Who's going to want me now I've been dumped and divorced?" She finally cried, prompting Jill to take action. She took Lizzie's hand and stood up, glancing at Meryl and Samantha, tilting her head, indicating they should follow. She lead them to a table in a corner of the garden, underneath the blossoming apple tree, sufficiently secluded so as to provide them with some privacy.

Once they were all seated, Jill spoke. "Lizzie, you don't have to be defined by your relationships with a man. You're Lizzie in your own right, and you are the only person that matters from now on, okay."

"You will survive on your own, I promise you." Samantha was the next to speak. "Remember Lizzie, a woman need a man-"

"Like a fish needs a bicycle." Jill joined in. "Here, here!" She toasted the statement with Samantha, but one glance at Lizzie told her their words hadn't worked, confusion had now joined the upset. "Lizzie." She sighed, taking her hand, forcing her to look at her and absorb her words. "I know it's going to be hard, but you'll get through it. I think you're stronger than you give yourself credit for. And look, don't listen to your father, if you want to stay in your house, there are ways. You could take in lodgers."

"Really?"

She nodded, pleased Lizzie looked a little brighter. "Yes. You're fully capable of supporting yourself. You don't need a man for all that. My advice is, get your finances settled, then enjoy being single! Concentrate on yourself, do what you want to do."

Lizzie nodded. "Thank you doctor."

Jill shrugged, rising from her seat. "Come see me before you go, I'll lend you some books you might like to read."

Lizzie thanked her again, and Jill smiled her acknowledgement before wandering off to find Gordon. Lizzie's situation had once again made Jill realise just how lucky she was. She did need Gordon, just not in the same way Lizzie had been suggesting; it wasn't a need born out of dependency, it was just... a need to be with the man she loved, she supposed.


"Here you are Lizzie. Some bedtime reading." Jill placed a large stack of books onto the small garden table in front of the receptionist, smiling at her bewildered gaze. "Don't worry, I'm not going to test you. Just if you want them. They might help a little."

"Thank you doctor." She gathered the books in her arms and followed Samantha out the garden.

Jill glanced around the garden, devoid of guests, but full of dirty glasses. She let out a sigh and was about to make a start when Gordon whispered in her ear, making her jump.

"Recruiting her to the sisterhood were you?"

"Ha ha." She said sarcastically, scowling at his slightly mocking tone.

He grinned, taking her elbow and turning her to face him properly. "Perfect?" He questioned, echoing their earlier conversations.

"Well, apart from poor Lizzie's news." She sighed.

"Yes, well, it's never easy is it, falling out of love."

"Well I hope I never have to find that out." She replied.

"Well you won't, not if I've got anything to do with it." His voice was low, his eyes sincere, and she reflected again just how lucky she was.

"Right, well, talking about sexual equality, how about giving me a hand with these glasses?" She turned, but he took her hand, pulling back to face him.

"And how about we leave these 'till the morning." He took hold of her other hand, pulling her closer to him. "After all, we have a whole weekend apart to make up for."

She smiled, moving her arms around him and kissing him, deepening it as he slid his hands over her to her press against her back.

She had, unwittingly, received the short end of the straw, she reflected later as she lay in bed in her husbands arms. After all, he was to leave early in the morning, and she was going to left with all the glasses herself. But, after the previous couple of hours 'making up' for a weekend apart, she could safely say she'd wash a hundred glasses if that was to be her reward.