chapter 15

Catherine was determined not to allow ian's return to work after the Christmas holidays get in the way of the new life she had planned for him.
She woke him early with his appetite enhancing smoothie. As usual, he was reluctant to get his fat arse out of bed, but he could not blame her for any hangover. That was all his own doing.
She Gave him plenty time to get out of his pit, but he still had not done it after twenty minutes! Just as well she had allowed him extra time this morning.
Reluctantly, he showered and shaved. He put on the suit that Catherine had bought him at Christmas. It was far too tight! He could not do up any of the buttons. He could not go to work like that!
Luckily, she had bought some bigger sizes as well. She had pushed the. To the back of the wardrobe 'just in case'.
The size 38 waist trousers fit comfortably. Only a month ago he had been wearing size 30. Woah! That was too much! He'd gone up four sizes! How had that happened?
Today he was going to have to make some changes. He was going to get fit and shed his extra poundage. He was determined to do it!
He noticed how much effort it took him to get out of the house. He was breathless by this time he reached the car. He hesitated. He usually walked to work, it was not far, just a mile or so, but it was a gentle slope all the way. If was going to have to keep stopping to catch his breath, he was going to be late!
He opened the car door and drove the short distance. He was hungry by the time he arrived. His morning smoothie no longer filled him up. He'd have to ask Catherine if she could make him something else quick, easy, healthy, yet filling instead.
He was ten minutes early because he had driven to work. The smells from a bakery over the road lured him in. Oh! Their window looked to tempting! Oh! He could not decide which of the sugary sweet creamy confections he would have. He knew he should not even have one, but he was so hungry and they looked so lovely! He bought a dozen. He said they were a treat for his office staff.
He retreated back to his car, got in and ate every single cake himself!
Feeling guilty, yet satisfied, he got out of the car and dusted the tell tale pastry and sugar crumbs off his new suit then made his way to his office.
He thought he had made it there as usual, but even strangers in the lift noticed he was significantly bigger. They consciously looked straight ahead so as not to stare. As he walked into his outer office, every head turned and welcomed him 'good morning', but once he had gone, their mouths dropped open in shock. Gossip started as soon as he closed his office door. They had all put on a few pounds over Christmas as they had overindulged. How much more that their boss indulged to gain so much weight so quickly? It was not just unseemly, it was disgusting!

Ian turned on his computer. He read a few emails. He had a large tray of post to go through, but he just wanted to look up something on the Internet first. He had come across a boss in his computer game at home, who was particularly difficult to kill. He wanted to know what kind of strategies other people had used, or did he had to go back and level up a bit more. He discovered he had missed a crucial big chunk of the game out because he had forgotten to talk to someone in town! He was going to have to go back to a previous saving point and do that part again. He made some notes on a bit of scrap paper. He found a YouTube video that explained where he had gone wrong and laid things out in simple terms.
He was suddenly distracted by the intercom going off. He had been expected in a meeting five minutes ago, what was he doing?
Quickly, he closed down the site and rushed to the board room. On the way, he noticed he was getting hungry again. He passed the vending machine. Surely one bar of chocolate would not hurt?
Wow! Bonus! Two for the price of one! He thought as the machine spat out the bar he had chosen and another that had been stuck. He ripped the wrapper off the first one and stuffed the whole thing in his mouth. He chewed as he walked, dropping the wrapper on the floor behind him. He left the other bar in his pocket for later. He swallowed the last of the caramel, nougat and nut bar covered in milk chocolate, but the temptation of the second bar was too much. He stood at the door, tore off the wrapper, with no regard as to where he disposed of it and stuffed the entire bar into his mouth. He chewed frantically until he could swallow at least some of it, then he entered the room.
He kept his mouth closed, sucking on the toffee and nougat left in his mouth. He nodded to the chairman in acknowledgement and took his seat at the table. He smiled at the other members of the board, but he did not dare show open his mouth or they would see his chocolate stained teeth.
The board members knew he had put a bit of weight on before Christmas, which was so unlike him, but now it looked like his weight had ballooned over the holidays. His new suit could not hide the new paunch he was sporting. Even with that hidden under the table, he looked more podgy than before.
The chairman cleared his throat. Ian had distracted everyone long enough. Being late was one thing, but it looked like he was still finishing his breakfast off too!