The final straw

Nicky James, 36, from Crawley

Checking no one was watching, I sneaked up to the bakery counter. ‘There you go, love,’ the lady said, handing me a sausage roll. ‘Your favourite.’

‘Thanks,’ I said, shoving the warm pastry into my mouth.

Savouring the buttery taste.

I was only 5, but I loved food, especially pastries, and bread and butter sandwiches.

My mum Julie, then 31, tried to stop me eating so much, but it was lost cause.

I was hooked. As I got older, nothing changed.

I ate when I was happy, ate when