An unexpected outing.....

Archibold was very worried, though excellent at making bread, he wasn't particularly gifted at cooking - and most importantly given his current predicament - Hortensia was! Uncle Humperdinck had brought around several of Aunt Mildred's tasty stews and soups which had been very gratefully received by the whole family, but now the responsibility was on his shoulders. ' Nothing for it Harriet, we will have to go over to Stephanotis's and ask him for some of his dried mushrooms, he won't mind, might even give me a few tips for my stew!'

Archibold and Harriet were ready to set off through the frosty forest, they were both bundled up against the cold with Harriet carefully strapped on to her Father's back. 'Don't be too long Darling, I've put a baked potato in your pocket to keep your hands warm.' Of course to you and me, the baked potato was very small indeed - in fact one of the teeny weeniest new potato you have ever seen - took up all of Archibold's pocket! Hortensia was in her rocking chair by the fire, her poor foot resting on a foot stool, Archibold smiled at her, ' not to worry Darling, just you rest up, mushroom stew for dinner!' and with that Archibold set off.

Hortensia sighed, resting up was proving a real challenge, ' I suppose I could start chopping a carrot to help '. She hopped over to the table and set to chopping, she had nearly finished when there was a loud knock on the kitchen door and Stephanotis suddenly rushed in. ' Hortensia my Dear, we've had a wonderful idea! We've brought the sled and as I've made a giant pot of stew we've come to collect you and take you out for dinner!'

Hortensia instantly felt thrilled, ' truth to tell, Stephanotis, I've been a bit desperate for a change!' Soon she was nestled in fluffy blankets in the sled with Baby Harriet in her arms while Archibold and Stephanotis pulled them through the golden light of the snowy dusk. ' How kind of you, how kind of you,' Hortensia felt the best she had felt in ages, ' what fun, dinner at Stephanotis tonight!' Archibold and Stephanotis smiled at each other, Hortensia had been noticeably glum since she had broken her foot, ' looks like your idea has worked Stephanotis! What a relief for her to be out and about again, not good for gnome to be stuck indoors for too long!'

Stephanotis smiled, he was relieved too but was secretly worrying if his stew would be tasty enough for his unexpected guests.