"Big, bold and brave" - "J-17". 'I'm fat,' I hear myself saying. I look in the mirror. My face has gone hot and red; I feel like i'm going to explode. 'I'm fat.' It sizzles under my skin, puffing me up, pushing me out, making me massive.

Weight has always been a big issue in Carmen's life.

Not surprising when her mum is obsessed with the idea that thin equals beauty, thin equals success, thin equals the way to get what you want. And somehow her daughter is going to be thin. When her mother sweeps her off to live in the city, Carmen finds her old world disappearing.

With everything to gain and absolutely nothing to lose.

Carmen starts to ask: if she were thin, very thin, could it all be different?