chapter 4

Ian had one night and two days to recover before his next christmas party.
This one was not fancy at all. It was between members of the 'tea club' at work. It was a group of friends amongst his colleagues. It was held at a local hotel, not too far away that he could not get a taxi home. The surroundings had a worn corporate look about them.
Ian was there half an hour before the meeting time to get some drinking in beforehand. The alcohol loosened his tongue and made him feel more comfortable when the conversation started. He didn't mind getting embroiled in a good natured political debate, but he steered clear of more controversial subjects that could offend anyone.
The meal arrived. The starter was a choice between carrot and coriander soup, pate or prawn cocktail. He opted for the pate, served with melba toast and a bit of salad. He wished he'd gone for the soup instead as the pate was mediocre to say the least, but he still cleared his plate.
The main course was a full christmas dinner with all the trimmings with a choice of turkey or lamb for the meat. He chose the turkey, but wished he'd chosen the lamb when it came because the turkey had been cut from a commercially produced turkey roll to cut down on expense rather than from the real thing. The vegetables were good though and plentiful. boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, carrots, parsnips, brussels sprouts, turnip, cabbage, sage and onion stuffing, chestnut and hazelnut stuffing, Yorkshire pudding, cranberry sauce and pigs in blankets all served with a delicious gravy. Ooh, that was delicious! He ate the whole lot! He felt so full, he was not sure he could eat a dessert, but when the waiting staff were taking their orders he could not resist trying a bit of christmas pudding.
The pudding was served with a traditional brandy sauce. The first mouthful told him how rich and heavy this would sit inside his belly, but it was truly delicious, with a big alcoholic kick to it. He finished all of his portion and despite being so full, he finished someone else's as well! They had been sitting at the other side of the table and had only taken one bite of it before pushing it aside. It was a shame to waste good food when it was so delicious.
Ian leaned back in his chair. He felt truly stuffed! His normally flat stomach was now convex and pushing out against his clothes. He gave it a good pat, commenting to the table that he could not eat another thing. However, when the coffee arrived, he found room to squeeze in not only his caffeinated drink, but an after dinner chocolate mint as well, plus all the chocolate mints that anyone else did not want.
He was not one for dancing. He watched other people get up and make fools of themselves. He had no more room inside him for beer, but he finished off his wine and then started on some cocktails from the bar.
He arrived home at nearly two in the morning so drunk he could hardly climb the stairs. He woke Catherine up as he came in. She had to undress him and put him into bed.
She had no sympathy for him the next morning when she had to wake him only six hours later. He complained about his headache, he complained about feeling nauseous. Even the light and the slightest noise hurt his head and he had the most horrendous taste in his mouth. Even after brushing his teeth, he could still taste the stale alcohol.
She reminded him he had very little time to recover. He was out again that night for another Christmas 'do'. This time it was her works Christmas party. She wanted him on his best behaviour. He was not going to drink too much and show her up in front of her boss! All he had to do was sit there, keep quiet and look good!
Ian was very sluggish at work that day, as were the other members of the tea club. He longed for lunchtime all morning. Then he closed the blinds to his office and laid down for an hour on the couch. Feeling marginally better afterwards, he thought he might feel better with something substantial in his stomach, so he put away his sandwiches and made a rare trip to the staff canteen, where he indulged in a large quiche with chips. He was tempted by the syrup sponge and custard as well, but he reminded himself he had another party to attend that evening, another large meal, probably another hangover tomorrow as well. He was about to pay for his meal when he thought 'sod it!' And bought the pudding anyway.
He didn't have long to polish off his meal. He'd spent so long having a nap that he should have been back in his office and he had a meeting at two o'clock. He ate as quickly as he could. He really shouldn't have bought the pudding. He didn't have time... nevertheless, he'd not even started to digest the savoury part of the meal when he started on his pudding.
He sat back having engulfed the whole lot in less than ten minutes. He felt less nauseous now, but he felt very heavy and very full as he stood up. He adjusted his trousers and loosened his belt. He needed a bit of extra breathing room

The meeting was no more than an informal review of the year's performance. Just as well because Ian was not up to any formal presentations. He was very drowsy after his big meal. He could have done with another nap.

That night all he wanted to do was curl up into a ball and die. Instead, Catherine had him bundled off into the shower. The clothes he had to wear were all laid out for him. All he had to do was get ready. He swore to himself he was not going to drink too much tonight. He had another meal booked at the golf club tomorrow. Then he could spend all day in bed recovering in he wanted to.
Why, oh why had he not turned down some of these parties? Next week was going to be an absolute nightmare because this week was bad enough!

Of course, once he got out that night, he did not heed his own, nor his wife's advice! He knew very few of her work colleagues and found it easier to hide behind his wine glass. He tried to stay off the spirits though.
The meal was another three course affair. He had garlic mushrooms to start followed by beef wellington with loads of vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing and chipolata sausages. Then he had a slice of strawberry cheesecake, coffee and an after dinner mint.
Catherine had thought the beef was a little too rare for her liking and did not want to make a fuss, so he finished off her portion too. She thought the cheesecake was a little too sour as well, so he ate hers as well as his own.
Ian did not think he was being too greedy. Christmas was all about indulgence. Everyone ate too much and drank too much at this time of year. He was going to so many dinners, he knew he was bound to put a few pounds on, but, come the new year, he would soon work it all off when the days finally grew longer and the weather became warmer.

Ian thought he did well that night. Catherine had drank too much herself to congratulate him on his sobriety. He had to assist her to bed that night.