Summer Pudding

Whilst I was at University I had a part time job in small seaside boutique. I earned my wages wrapping peoples purchases in pink tissue paper standing next to the draughty door which led to the much colder North Sea. I loved this shop. It sold everything from clothes to piggy banks, candles to jewellery, dream catchers to furniture. It was crazy. You could barely get around the rooms and you definately couldn't see the walls nevermind put stock out. It really was an eccentric little place with things peering around every corner and flowers bursting from every available space in the front garden of the shop. It even smelt of the sea. I had two loves working in that shop: Broth and summer pudding candles.

I was paid in cash every Sunday and on the really cold days would rush to the cafe next door on my 10 minute lunch to grab some 'proper northern broth' in a polystrene cup with a plastic spoon, bread roll and a sachet each of salt and pepper. I'd then rush back and sit huddled on the sink in the back to eat it (it was so crampt the stock had spread to the 'staff' area too!). I still crave the stuff every winter.

One of the best bits of the job was the discount the owner would give staff on stock. At least once a fortnight I would return back to my shared flat having spent too much of my wages on unnecessary trinkets and the like but the best thing I ever bought (aside from a ring my husband stood on!) was a Summer Pudding candle. They really do smell like you could eat them and they last for weeks! I only remembered them this week when my sister asked what I wanted for my upcoming birthday: It definately makes the list. Try them yourselves-honest, they make your mouth water!