A customer has asked for a chocolate box with a filling we don't normally make, and I keep working out the cost before I have even asked for the deposit. Last time I trusted a payment screenshot and we ended up with an unpaid order, so I know exactly why the rule is there. Still, when I type please wait until payment is confirmed, I read it back as if I'm accusing this new person of something. My father would just check the account and move on. I have the message ready, with the price and the collection time, but I've added thank you twice. One of them can go, surely, it's a business message only.

After tasting fillings at the bakery all afternoon, I came home hungry but even the smell of dinner seemed sweet to me. My mother had made rasam, nothing to do with chocolate, and still I had that thick coating on my tongue, so I drank water before eating and the first mouthful tasted mostly of pepper. Actually it was very nice, sharp enough to make my nose run a little. I ate standing near the stove until she told me to take a plate and sit properly. By then I could taste the tamarind as well, and I wanted another helping. My hair still smelt of cocoa when I bent over the bowl, that part takes a wash to get rid of.

The new girl who helps us pack the chocolates brought me a small packet of sweets to say thank you for teaching her the labels. I was so pleased I opened it there itself, then felt a little silly because everyone could see how pleased I was. Usually helping someone means staying late and telling myself it's fine, so having her remember it without my reminding her felt very sweet. She said she had chosen the ones with less sugar because I taste chocolate all day. That small bit made me happier than the gift, I think. I saved two for my grandmother but I wanted to tell her the whole story first.