For writer Alexandra Shulman, a recent spell of unseasonably warm weather triggered a surprising resurgence of her two-year-old desire to smoke. Shulman, who quit smoking at age 66 following surgery for colon cancer and a subsequent diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism, described the experience in her notebook.
She detailed how, after her health scares, she discarded all smoking paraphernalia, finding it surprisingly easy to remain a non-smoker for the following two years. However, during a warm evening spent outdoors with prosciutto and wine, she experienced a mental craving for a cigarette. Shulman noted that the habit had been more habitual than addictive for her, with evenings typically involving smoking after dinner while watching television or reading.
The torpor-inducing heat of the recent summer, which she described as potentially one of the all-time greats due to England's football performance and sunshine, reignited this persistent need. Although she did not succumb to the craving, Shulman acknowledged it as a stark reminder that the desire, though dormant, never truly leaves. She speculated that if she felt her days were numbered, she might permit herself to smoke on a summer night.
Shulman also commented on public reactions to the heatwave, expressing frustration with those who complain unnecessarily, particularly those with access to gardens and reasonably sized homes. She contrasted this with the valid complaints of individuals with ill health or those living in cramped conditions. She urged others to appreciate the precious time of reliable sunshine, anticipating a return to