We stood clapping and smiling as Ellen made her way into the private dining room, then hinting at the surprise yet to come we sang a slow sensuous version of Happy Birthday.
Ellen clapped while moving from guest to guest kissing us as her eyes filled with layers of tears and joy, each of us returned the kiss mine lingering, I whispered “ I love you” Ellen pulled me closer saying “ I know”.
Our party of six sat down while watching the Cacao Steward orchestrate the serving of the bowls filled with a liquid of deeply dark chocolate oozing in its thickness and warmth in front of each of us.
“Ellen” I said “we are having a chocolate tasting tonight, each bowl has a different chocolate and using brushes we will paint our lips having the person to our right taste the bouquet from our lips, then we will switch places with the person to our left repeating the tasting.”
I sensed Ellen gasp but she quickly regained composure asking “you mean we will each be licking from everyone’s lips tonight,” “indeed we will” I responded with a smile.
Observing all this was The Cacao Steward who was determinedly blase, her emotions professionally stuffed like a good truffle, she smiled at the joy of it all.
