chapter 25

Carolyn was not happy. It looked like she was going to cry.

"I can't have missed the target!" she stated in disbelief and then turned to me. "I trust you," she said fluttering her eyelashes. "Can you check the scales?"

"You have never allowed me to know your weight," I said, though not unkindly. "So I don't know what gain you should have made."

"It's all on Doctor Locke's tablet," replied Carolyn, smiling at me. I could almost see the hope in her face; after all, I had always told her that I would give her anything she wanted.

I shrugged at Carolyn walked round to look at the scales, and stepped back in disbelief. I knew she had been over-eating; I knew that she had gained a lot of weight, yet although I could clearly see the thick layer of fat on her arms and legs and the way her stomach stuck out, swollen and bloated, I had not realised just how obese she had become until I saw that pointer, just short of three hundred and twenty two pounds.

I looked at Abigail and asked exactly what the target was. In response, the doctor held up a finger indicating that I should wait while she fiddled with her tablet. I assumed this was to find Carolyn's records, but when she handed me the table, there was and a message on the screen.

"Tell her that she is two pounds under target," it read. I glanced up at Abigail and her face was quite dark and menacing. I looked from the doctor to Carolyn, who had an expression glowing with anticipation and I literally did not know what to do. I looked at the dial on the scales again, but only to give myself time as both Carolyn and Abigail were watching me expectantly. It was only for a few seconds, but it felt like forever as thoughts bounced around my mind. If I did as the doctor asked, Carolyn would feel that I had betrayed her, and rightly so! However, even if I did say that Abigail had lied, what good would it do? Carolyn was in no position to make demands and I would no doubt be sent home if I seemed to oppose the doctor's plans. If that happened, I would never see Carolyn again, so to my shame, I smiled sadly and shook my head.

"I am sorry," I said to Carolyn. "Doctor Locke is right. You just have not gained enough weight this week."

"Well, I will eat more next week," whined Carolyn. "I'll eat whatever you want!"

"Well, yes you will," Abigail said as she poked Carolyn's large belly. "But I am afraid that we be because you just won't be able to stop yourself. In fact, I bet you are hungry right now!" As if on cue, Carolyn's stomach rumbled. Abigail laughed and opened the door showing the kitchen table laden with the usual huge breakfast. I could see that Carolyn was trying to resist her hunger, but the smell of the bacon was just too tempting. She waddled through to the table and sat down filling her plate with, for her, a small portion. It would still be a full meal for me!

"Awww! She's trying to eat less," Abigail whispered to me as we watched from the bedroom. She used a patronising tone, as if talking about a kitten.

"Well, perhaps she will start to lose weight now... Although, I don't think she will ever get her figure back!" I replied.

Abigail laughed at me, and I felt embarrassed. She noticed my red glow and gently touched my arm.
"You are so naïve," she said. "I like it; it's sweet." She raised her eyebrows as she smiled at me, but I just nodded and turned back to watch Carolyn. Abigail tutted.

"Katherine knows how to deal with this," she said with a sigh, and she was right. Katherine looked at Carolyn's plate and frowned.

"Are you feeling alright?" asked the housekeeper. "You only have a small breakfast! I hope you are not coming down with something." She fussed around feeling Carolyn's forehead and trying to put more food onto her plate.

"I am fine," replied Carolyn. "I just don't feel like eating so much."

"Nonsense!" scoffed Katherine. "We've got to keep you nice and full, otherwise you'll just waste away!" Once more, she tried to slide extra sausages onto the plate, but Carolyn would not allow it, pushing the housekeeper away.

Katherine nodded sympathetically and pulled out a chair so she could sit next to Carolyn. The housekeeper took her hand and started speaking softly; I could not hear what she was saying, but Carolyn was nodding and occasionally rubbing her belly. Once or twice she made a smoking motion with her hand. Katherine then stood, whispered something into Carolyn's ear and patted her belly.

"I know what will make you feel better though," said the housekeeper more loudly as she looked around, "but don't tell Doctor Locke as I am not supposed to give you this. There is only a limited supply and you have already had your quota." She pulled a small bottle out of her bag and poured Carolyn a mug of the pink fruit juice. I found my mouth watering as I watched it cascading into the cup, which surprised me considering the amount of time since I last had some. I looked at Abigail who shrugged. She did not seem affected by the same desire, but she did appear to have a higher tolerance to it than me. It was also clear from her puzzled expression that she had made no such restriction on the amount Carolyn could have.

Of course, Carolyn did not know what was in the juice, nor had she realised just what effect it had. Soon after drinking it, Katherine refilled the mug and as Carolyn became more chatty and relaxed, she began eating the breakfast without thinking, allowing Katherine too keep refilling her plate, over and over again.

Finally, most of the breakfast was gone and Carolyn was struggling to finish the last of a stack of pancakes, swimming in butter and dripping with syrup. Only then did she seem to realise just how much she had eaten and she slammed her fist onto the table.

"Whatever is the matter, dear?" asked Katherine as she cleaned away the empty dishes.

"I was planning to cut down on what I ate," replied Carolyn, pouting as she looked at the last few bites of pancake. It was clear she wanted to finish them despite her protests, and her gluttony soon overcame her willpower. Katherine waited until Carolyn pushed the empty plate away before she spoke again.

"Doctor Locke has treated you appallingly," said the housekeeper. "You feel down and angry and that's ok. In fact, it's perfectly natural! So this is not a good time to try to start a diet! Instead, you should give yourself a few days; take some time to get over it and just enjoy yourself. If you try to restrict yourself now, you are setting yourself up to fail." Carolyn nodded in agreement.
"In fact," continued Katherine, "you should treat yourself." She placed a large box on the table in front of Carolyn and opened it to reveal two dozen fresh doughnuts, each coated with different icing.

"I can't eat any more at the minute," sighed Carolyn. "I really need a cigarette!"

"I am afraid I can't give you cigarettes," replied the housekeeper. "But these will take your mind off the craving. It will keep your hands and mouth in use too, and that is part of beating the addiction. You don't need to eat them all in one go; just when you want a cigarette. It will help you overcome the desire to smoke." Katherine smiled to herself as Carolyn reached into the box and began munching on a chocolate coated doughnut. Beside me, I heard Abigail give a relieved sigh. I looked at her and she gave me a strange shrug and a smile of melancholy pleasure. I asked her what was wrong, but the answer I received really shocked me!

"Well, Carolyn's fattened up nicely now," said Abigail sadly, "and from what we have just seen, she is going to keep on over-eating. She's ready for the finishing cages, so you should take the next few days to say goodbye to her."

"What do you mean?" I was wide-eyed with disbelief.

"I told you. Once our visitors are fat enough, they get auctioned off and shipped out. Carolyn will be no different. I was really hoping I would have longer with her though." I looked from Carolyn to Abigail unable to comprehend that this amazing journey was really going to end soon.

"There is nothing you can do," said the doctor giving my arm a gentle squeeze. "Just enjoy your last few days here and make sure you over-feed Carolyn at every opportunity. I know you like that!"

Ignoring my embarrassment and disappointment, Abigail slipped out of the house unnoticed, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Now, I really did need a plan!