The Enemy Within

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‘Tea?’

‘That would be lovely, thank you.’

It was nice to have company, whatever the circumstances. Beatrice Slater poured a cup of Earl Grey into one of her best bone china tea cups and handed it to the young man perched nervously on the edge of her sofa.

‘Would you like some milk and sugar?’

‘Black is fine, thank you.’ Martin Palmer patted his already expansive waistline and smiled sadly. ‘My mother has had me on a strict diet for almost a month.’ He made a face. ‘I’m supposed to cut out the dairy products wherever possible and have lots of green vegetables.’

‘I see.’

‘She thinks I need to lose almost four stone.’

‘Gosh, that’s a lot, isn’t it?’

Palmer stared morosely into his tea. ‘What she doesn’t understand is that I’m big-boned, just like my Dad.’

‘It’s an ambitious target,’ Beatrice agreed. ‘How are you doing, so far?’

Martin grinned sheepishly. ‘Depending on which scales I use, I’ve either lost one pound or gained two.’

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