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but he just couldn't help himself.
    Todd successfully negotiated the area without incident, mainly because he refused to make eye contact with the people therein. He chanced a look at the reception desk and saw Tessa smiling in his direction. Todd's heart gave a slight lurch at the sight of her and he nodded a greeting as she buzzed him through to the front office.
    "Hi Todd," Tessa smiled walking up to him, "How are you, did you come to get some Tessa loving?"
    "Of course Tessa, you know how much I love to see you." Todd replied. "Listen Tessa, there's a bowling tournament tomorrow, you coming along to cheer us on?"
    "Bowling?" Tessa asked, "Like a green, men with pipes and white trousers?"
    "No, ten pin bowling, on wooden floors, men and women in normal clothes, having a drink and enjoying the moment. We're quite good you know."
    "How good?"
    "It's the semi-final so good enough. Come on, I'll teach you how to play. You never know, you might like it." Todd sensed Tessa was uneasy about the invitation.
    "Candace will be there, it's not just men," he reassured her.
    "I'll check my shift pattern and let you know." Tessa relented, "What day is it?"
    "Sunday - tomorrow," Todd replied.
    "Ok darling, let me get back to you." Tessa began to walk away from Todd as a new customer arrived at the counter. Todd watched her well rounded buttocks jostle with each other as they sashayed to the counter. He felt a stirring in his loins mixed with a strong apprehension about taking things further. Todd's experience amongst the lads in the police service meant he knew if he was to pursue a relationship of any kind with Tessa he would be mercilessly ribbed about her size. He had already heard her being called Fatness and other such derisory words and just didn't feel up to being in a position where he should have to jump to Tessa's rescue. He needed to put all his energy into finding Mandy Thomas's killer; maybe after that he would give his own life a chance.

Chapter Five
    Tracy Green grew up with her alcoholic mother on the Fern Bridge Estate. Born on Valentine's Day, she was dearly loved by her mother, Karen. Unfortunately for Tracy, however, love was not enough to keep her clothed and fed. Karen was a slave to alcohol and crack; so much so that at least two thirds of her benefit money was squandered on Big Value beer and three rocks before it ever made its way into Karen's purse. Tracy's dinners consisted of Big Value French fries, along with the cardboard like fish fingers which came in packs of fifty at the Big Value store. Her only beverage was water and clothes were stolen from the black bags which were often found lying where people would leave their castoffs meant for the poor and needy in third world countries.
    Although Tracy's mum could not lift herself out of the lifestyle she had fallen into, she never shirked on the one thing she could give Tracy for free - love. Tracy had always been clean, her teeth were perfect as free dental care was made good use of and her clothes, although sometimes threadbare; were washed if not ironed. Tracy grew up in a world where people lived for Benefits Day and wanted nothing more from their lives than a roof over their head and a good drink when they could afford it. Karen's ambitions rubbed off on Tracy and when she left school, sans qualifications, at sixteen, Tracy settled into a routine of sleep, Jeremy Kyle, cheap lager and weekly raids on the clothes bank.
    After about a year and on a rare night out to the local pub with her mother; the now seventeen year old Tracy Green met the love of her life; Paul Anderson. Paul was the complete antithesis of Tracy, full of ambition to rule the world, make a fortune and become somebody; Paul had already successfully inveigled his way into the world of glamour modelling as a talent scout. On the night he met big busted, green eyed, pouting Tracy, pound signs flashed before his very eyes.
    Paul Anderson swept Tracy off her feet, taking her to her very first