90p for 100g

There is nothing quite like buying sweets from my favourite sweetshop. It stands like a beacon on a busy road, its windows filled with those big jars containing every sweet conceivable. I step inside, and suddenly I am eight years old again, excitedly trying to read as many of the labels on the jars, struggling to choose before I get to the front of the queue.

There is brief inner battle over whether I should get something new and unusual or stick to an old favourite, and inevitably my nostalgic side takes over and I select 100g of strawberry bonbons. The big jar comes down and they rattle onto the old silver scales, sending up little clouds of pink dust into the sweet, musty air. I scoop out the change from my purse and hand it over in exchange for the little paper bag, the man at the counter smiles as if he understands the child-like excitement that has infused me. I open the door, letting the little bell ring.

I’m barely a few steps out of the shop before I pop the first bonbon into my mouth, the taste is sweet, sharp and full of nostalgia. It is the best bonbon I’ve ever had. I walk down the road, too happy to care about my ‘sucking on a sweet’ face.