Notes on chocolate: ‘Sweet nostalgia in childhood wrappings’

So many people are in this phase right now, dealing with bereavement, clutter and memories. We know none of us live forever but the child in us wishes they could. I’ve found old chocolate-centred confetti from various Italian bomboniere (like gold for us as children instead of the usual almond version), attached by mini veils to all manner of mementoes of every stage of a person’s life from birth to marriage… but strangely not death. That’s not celebrated with an ornament and a sugared treat. Maybe it should be.

It’s hot here, I miss my country air and the trees that are so kind with their shade. We need treats.

I’m not a fan of keeping chocolate in the fridge – indeed, the experts say you shouldn’t. It can lead to blooming, which is harmless but can change the texture and taste. But we’ve been keeping Birley’s Candied Chocolate Orange (£25.95) in the fridge at the moment and the wonderful snap that ensues, followed by the juicy candy orange, is a good way to enjoy chocolate in this heat, as we stick another label on things saying “charity” or “recycling”.

On the Birley website, look at its chocolate boxes (from £19), packed like the Central line in rush hour with inclusions such as sesame or matcha-lemon, or the usual but more usual but no less wonderful milk chocolate and hazelnuts.