'Humans seem to make things very complicated' said Hortensia as she caught Archibold rolling his eyes as they watched a pair of young humans walk through the woods.
'Courting is supposed to be fun, looks like they have forgotten how to even hold hands!'
'Poor things' said Hortensia as she smiled at Archibold who was looking rather splendid in a new cornflower blue waistcoat that matched his eyes. 'We are so lucky Darling Archie, we have so many precious things that make life wonderful!'
'Right' said Archibold popping a mint humbug into his mouth 'lets go play hide and seek with them, lets give them a day to remember!' and with that he leapt off and hid behind a splendid fir tree.
'Ooo play time' and with that Hortensia straightened her apron and running across the path of the two humans called out 'Boo!' and then 'Lovely day for a walk!'
Archibold started laughing so much he almost forgot to throw a pine cone at Hortensia for her to catch. 'Here' called out Hortensia and threw the pine cone into the air, 'would you like to play catch with us?' She winked at them as their mouths fell open and they slithered to the ground in a messy heap.
'Here, have a humbug, very good for shock' said Archibold as he held out a tiny bag of sticky sweets.
Somehow the young girl found herself holding out her hand as a tiny, weeny mint humbug was thrown into the palm of her hand. 'Its true!' she gasped.
They sat in a daze as Archibold and Hortensia started playing catch with the pine cone. 'Here you are, you have a go....' Slowly they began to throw the cone back and forth to the laughing gnomes, 'Ah' thought Hortensia 'once they can play together then love will blossom!'
Soon the amazed pair found themselves leaning into each other as they gently they fell asleep right there in the middle of the path.
'Ah well, Hortie, that was fun, they'll be much better off now!'
Hortensia smiled as she and Archibold began a little, special song all about tenderness and kindness, playfulness and gentleness. 'Soon they'll wake up and it all will be a dream....'
' 'Except' said Archibold 'they'll know that they're in love!' and with that the laughing gnomes ran off home for elderberry tea and a scone or two or perhaps even three!
