Chapter Two
Sweet Way To Die
All I need is a little love now and then, but some chocolate will do for now.
Lucy Van Pelt
"Hi, somebody sent me this… I'm pretty sure as a joke…" He started to a man who looked like he was dressed for a night at the opera, rather than work.
"You must be Mr. Stokes." He gushed, as though Nick was some long lost friend.
"Um, yeah." Nick said uncertainly.
"Well then let's get started." He said.
"Wait, get started with what?" Nick took a half a step back.
"With the chocolates." He stated as though it should have been obvious.
"I'm sorry I don't… What?" Nick was completely at a loss.
"Oh, no sorry my mistake. I assumed you'd know. I suppose though that would undermine the whole surprise part…" He laughed.
"We craft chocolates. Well dessert cater, for major events would probably be more accurate. Ball's, fundraisers, so on…." He said rolling his hands.
"We also sell small portions in the store here and occasionally for extremely valuable clients we cater to them." He said gesturing to the store and people filling glass display cases.
"So the person who arranged this, you deal with him a lot." Nick asked.
"Not this store or myself personally… No… one of our store's in Europe referred him."
"Europe?"
"Florence, I've never been in the same room with him myself. He arranged it through them." Nick's disappointment drew a small sigh, who the hell was this guy.
"So ready to start now?" He asked seemingly back on track.
"Start?" Nick still wasn't with it.
"Chocolate, that's why we're here. Do try to keep up my dear boy." Nick smirked as he was lead from the main floor.
"Now this can be a little full-on so don't be afraid to call for a breather." Nick almost laughed out loud.
"Overwhelming chocolate?"
"Famous last words Mr. Stokes."
3 hours later and Nick suddenly had a better grasp of what he'd meant. Champagne Truffles, Raspberry praline, macadamia caramels. Milk chocolate, dark, white… Nick felt a little dazed like he was about to slip into a diabetic coma. Small tumblers were given between fillings and cases to cleanse the palate. It was slightly acerbic with a vague citrus flavour, to Nick though it mostly tasted like water. He sipped the last glass trying to settle his protesting stomach.
"So did we have fun." Joseph asked clapping a hand over his shoulder. Nick swayed precariously.
"You know my wife had that same look on our 30th anniversary." He chuckled handing Nick a brightly coloured paper bag with metal handles.
"What's this?" Nick asked.
"Selection of the chocolates you picked out." Joseph said. Nick peered inside, selection ha. It was a rectangular tray, 30 by 25cm, with 5 layers. That was little more than a selection.
"After today I don't think I could even look at another chocolate." Nick swallowed.
"My wife said that same thing… Not a chocolate left in the house that night when I got home." Nick smiled slightly and shook his head. Okay so it was fun and cute. Nick was really flattered, but still just not that way inclined.
