" Beth, it seems you have not been eating properly and have become quite run down. That's probably the reason why you became constipated and also developed the chest infection .

I feel the best course of action is to give you a general top up on all the essential nutrients you're low on. I can give you a series of injections now and absorption is much quicker and more effective this way as the doses available by intramuscular injection are higher than you can get in oral supplements"

Beth sat on the examination table, frozen to the spot with nervous apprehension. She was watching his lips moving as he spoke but all she managed to take in was the ominous phrase 'series of injections'. Although she was a big girl, her fear had remained since childhood and the thought of getting any shots always filled her with dread. She began babbling, trying to find anything to say that would get him to change his proposed treatment plan.

Although Ben admired her efforts to convince him not to give her the shots, he largely ignored her plaintive pleas and was already clattering round the room, opening various drawers and cupboards in speedy efficiency, steadily loading the wheeled trolley with all that he needed.

Finally he was ready. He placed a stainless steel bowl on the trolley at the side of the couch and Beth eyed it in horror.

There was not less than SIX evil looking hypodermic needles in the dish. On the trolley there was also the yellow sharps box, a jar of cotton wool balls and a bottle of surgical spirit, along with all of the necessary vials he planned to inject.

"Right then, let's get this over with shall we? I know it's not your favourite thing Beth but you're smart enough to know you need this so the sooner we get it done, the sooner it will be over.... I will be giving you six injections in total, two will be in your upper arms, two will be in the top of your thighs and the last two will be given in your bottom......"