chapter 7

Ian was feeling no better the next day, or the day after that. Every morning it was getting more difficult to get out of bed. He felt grumpy most of the day. The rest of the day he was simply hungry.
One morning he noticed several spots developing on his chin. He immediately blamed his rubbish diet. He had to regain control, or he would start to lose his slim figure. The girls would not want him any more.
Every day he'd skipped the gym. He was full of excuses. He couldn't be bothered. He had no energy, he felt so full, yet he was still hungry. He broke more promised to himself that week than he ever had.
On Thursday morning he actually slept in for work. He'd never ever slept in, but he did that day. He had simply slept through the alarm. He arrived at work not just a few minutes late, but two hours late. He expected to get called into the office. Maybe his work was no longer up to standard. He would not be surprised if it wasn't. He was spending too long thinking and dreaming about food. However, no one mentioned anything about his lateness when he got into the office. He supposed they were being tolerant of him because he was new. If he did it again he knew his job was on the line.
When Friday arrived, he noticed his middle was less taut than it had been the week before. He was horrified! No way was he going to get fat! Tomorrow he had a day off. He'd go to the gym all afternoon and eat nothing. He was determined to get rid of his fat pad. He would starve himself. He just had to learn to ignore his belly's pleas.
He was going to run into work that day. He put on his running gear, but just as he was about he head outside, the weather changed for the worse. Ian did not want to get his hair wet. He went back in got changed out of his running clothes and put on his work suit. Disappointed, he put his workout clothes in his work bag, hoping that the rain would let up long enough at lunchtime for him to go for his run then.
But his day did not get off to a good start.
He was not too hungry at home. He was in a bloody bad mood though. He had a bit more time at home now he was not going running. He did not feel too hungry, so he made do with an apple for his breakfast.
He was not happy with anything. The rain, having to wait for a bus, standing on the bus because there were no seats left. Then when he did get a seat, he took an instant dislike to the person he had to sit next to. He hated their jacket, it was much too bright for such a dull morning. He hated the way they'd smeared the window to see out.
By the time he got to the office he was fuming. He banged and clattered as he got himself settled. He had a drink of water and made himself just sit for a few minutes, gathering together his thoughts before he opened his computer for the day. He knew there were not many appointments booked in for the day. Indeed both of the psychologists were going through a slack period.
As he sat back and took some deep breaths with his eyes clothes, he could feel his anger dissipating. Ahh yes, that was better! He turned on his computer and logged on, but he felt the first pangs of hunger begin.
He ignored them. He tried to convince himself he was not really hungry. He got up and had a little walk around the office. He drank some water. He thought that if he could fill himself up with water he could keep his hunger at bay.
He had no idea that there was a special ingredient in the water that was doing this to him.
By half past nine, he could no longer get himself comfortable. He was so hungry. He could not ignore it any longer.
Suddenly, he stood up. He could stand it no longer! He rushed over to the secretaries' room and shouted for them to watch over reception while ran to the bank.
He ran out of the door. He couldn't even wait for a lift, he ran down the stairs. He had no intention of going anywhere near the bank. Instead he headed directly to the bakery.
He came back with a carrier bag full of goodies, some of the, still hot from the oven. He tipped the contents of the bag onto his desk and started eating. No stuffing himself. This was no ordinary eating! He was so hungry he had to fill his belly as fast as he could. It did not matter about the taste. It did not matter what any one else thought about him, for once. He just had to satiate this overwhelming hunger inside him.
Half an hour later, he felt so much better. He leaned back in his chair. There were flakes of crispy pastry all down his front and on his desk. His belly felt full and tight. He loosened his belt one hole to give himself more room. He picked up the big flakes on pastry off the desk put them in his mouth. The rest he swept onto the floor.
Mmmm that felt so much better now.
But that was definitely it! He was my eating anything else that day! No! Absoulutely not! He'd consumed enough calories for the day already! He was definitely not going to have any more!