short story chocolate

‘We’re here, Becky,’ Joel says as he stops the car. ‘Take off the blindfold.’ He helps me undo it.
‘Wow.’ I’ve heard about this restaurant, but I’ve never been. It’s the haunt of celebs and ferociously expensive, for special occasions only.
In five years of being together, Joel has never surprised me. There have been no spontaneous outpourings of love, no unexpected bouquets of flowers. Every single year, Valentine’s Day has come and gone without me ever being whisked off to Paris on a whim. I don’t think he’s ever even done the washing up without me having to ask him first.
It’s our anniversary and, despite his shortcomings, I love him more now than I did then. The candlelight sparkles in his eyes and I smile adoringly at him.
Dinner is perfect and, as we’re enjoying a final glass of champagne, Joel slides a box of my favourite chocolates across the table.
‘For me?’ The cocoa-coloured package is bound with exquisite, rich brown ribbons which I undo without a moment’s hesitation. ‘This has been a fabulous evening,’ I say, breathlessly. ‘Thank you.’
He takes my hand. ‘I wanted to make it a night to remember.’
I turn my attention back to his gift. There are dark chocolate truffles made with the finest ganache, white chocolate mounds dusted with cocoa, milk chocolate rectangles sprinkled with vermillion. My mouth is watering just looking at them. ‘These look delicious. I’ve hardly got room for one after my meal.’ Who am I kidding? Already I’m wondering if I can get away without sharing them. ‘They all look so lovely. I don’t know which to try first.’
‘Try the champagne truffle,’ Joel urges. ‘It’s really very special.’
‘I know – ‘ I hum and hah a bit more. Then, I swoop on a white chocolate, devouring it in two bites. ‘Mmm. Delicious,’ I murmur. ‘Want one?’
Somewhat reluctantly, I proffer the box. He skirts the truffle then chooses the kirsch-soaked cherry enrobed in dark chocolate. I can live with that.
‘The champagne truffle looks nice,’ Joel says and there’s a slight note of panic in his voice. He clearly has his eye on it too. If I don’t eat it now then, I’m sure he’ll claim it as his own.
‘Lovely,’ I say and rescue it from his clutches.
‘Savour it,’ he warns.
Too late. It’s in my mouth. One bite and it’s gone.
Joel’s eyes widen.
Perhaps I rushed it down a bit too quickly as I start to cough. I grab my wine and take a hearty swig. That’s better. I cough more delicately now.
‘You’ve eaten it.’ He’s flabbergasted. ‘Just like that.’
‘Mmm. Gorgeous.’ My boyfriend is staring at me, mouth gaping. ‘What?’ I’m feeling self-conscious now. Did I really scoff down all that chocolate so quickly? ‘What?’
‘Come on,’ he says, gathering up my coat and my handbag. ‘We’ve got to get you to hospital.’ Joel manhandles me to my feet.
‘Hospital?’ He’s pulling me towards the door. ‘But I’m fine.’
‘There was a diamond ring in there.’ My boyfriend looks over his shoulder at me, an expression of fear on his face. ‘A big one. You’ve swallowed the thing whole.’
‘I have?’ Suddenly, I feel unwell.

I’m lying on a trolley in the A& E department, surrounded by sniggering nurses and doctors.
‘Can’t you cut me open?’ I ask. ‘Or give me a stomach pump?’
They laugh some more.
‘Turn me upside down and hit me on the back?’
The doctor can’t look me in the face.
‘You’ll be fine,’ he tells me.
‘You’ll be reunited with your ring in a few days time.’
‘Oh,’ I say as realisation hits me. That’s not good.
‘You can go home as soon as you’re ready,’ the nurse says and they leave me alone with Joel.
‘I’m sorry.’ I sit up and hang my head in my hands.
Joel pulls the flowery, brown curtain around us. ‘Now that you’ve eaten your engagement ring, does this mean that you’ll marry me?’
‘Yes,’ I say tearfully. ‘Just promise me one thing?’
‘Anything.’
He puts his arms around me and I let my head rest on his shoulder.
‘Promise me you won’t give me any more surprises.’

chocolate Joanne Harris

From the publisher:


Try me...Test me...Taste me...

When an exotic stranger, Vianne Rocher, arrives in the French village of Lansquenet and opens a chocolate boutique directly opposite the church, Father Reynaud identifies her as a serious danger to his flock - especially as it is the beginning of Lent, the traditional season of self-denial. War is declared as the priest denounces the newcomer's wares as the ultimate sin.

Suddenly Vianne's shop-cum-café means that there is somewhere for secrets to be whispered, grievances to be aired, dreams to be tested. But Vianne's plans for an Easter Chocolate Festival divide the whole community in a conflict that escalates into a 'Church not Chocolate' battle. As mouths water in anticipation, can the solemnity of the Church compare with the pagan passion of a chocolate éclair?

For the first time here is a novel in which chocolate enjoys its true importance. Rich, clever and mischievious, Chocolat is a literary feast for all senses.

Carole's Comment:

Joanne Harris is a fabulous writer who skillfully weaves the villagers’ secrets and troubles, their loves and desires, into this her highly-acclaimed third novel. I loved this book and thought the film was equally wonderful – not hampered by the voluptuous Juliette Binoche and the universally gorgeous Johnny Deppe. Yum, yum!

book chocolate

The Chocolate Lovers’ Club brings together four very different women with one thing in common: they can't resist chocolate.

From the publisher:

The Chocolate Lovers’ Club brings together four very different women with one thing in common: they can't resist chocolate. This is an irresistible novel for anyone who wishes they were a member! Lucy Lombard can't resist it - rich, creamy, sweet, delicious chocolate. For her there's nothing it won't cure - from heartache to a headache - and she's not alone. Sharing her passion are three other addicts: Autumn, Nadia and Chantal. Together they form The Chocolate Lovers' Club. They meet in their sanctuary, Chocolate Heaven, as often as they can, and with a cheating boyfriend who promises he'll change, a flirtatious boss, a gambling husband and a loveless marriage, there's always plenty to discuss!

Carole's comment:

How can I review one of my own books and be impartial? Well, I can’t! I loved writing this book – helped, of course, by the wonderful research, chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate! The members of The Chocolate Lover’s Club – Lucy, Autumn, Nadia and Chantal – became my best friends. So much so that I couldn’t bear to leave them! The sequel to The Chocolate Lovers’ Club – The Chocolate Lovers’ Diet – will be out in August 07.

From the reviewers:

News of the World - five star review

'One word of advice before you start this book - make sure you've got a big bar of chocolate next to you. This book is more delicious than the feuillantines that Clive serves up in his Chocolate Heaven boutique - and your mouth will be watering by the time you've finished the first chapter.

This book proves something that I have always believed, hardened chocoholic that I am. It doesn't matter if you're a career bitch (Chantal), a struggling single mum (Nadia), a do-good rich girls (Autumn) or a dizzy grily (Lucy), if you have chocolate then you can do anything.

This is serious chick-lit and it will make you believe in friendship and love all over again.'

Author, Elizabeth Buchan

'Kick off your shoes, sink back and enjoy an utterly delicious read.'

Author, Melissa Senate - See Jane Date and Love You To Death

'What a rich and satisfying novel about love, life and friendship, and, of course, chocolate. With one of the best breakup revenge scenes I've ever gleefully read!