“I understand, Mrs Grimble,” said the boy, “It’s just that I thought you were talking about me, when you said you’d fallen in love. I was falling in love with you too.”

“I’m sorry I hurt your feelings, little boy. You’re a handsome one too, but I have special feelings for my Jack. I’m sure Alice will take a while to locate him and convey my message. Would you like to spend the night with me on my neck and then go out on a picnic tomorrow in my garden? I’d be happy to save you up and have you for dinner tomorrow night.”

“Yes thank you. I would like most of that very much,” said Bartholomew.

By now, Bunko had taught Miss Gulliver all of the methods that Gary had used to secure food supplies for himself in the great quantities that a full sized person from England was used to. Sometimes she would even wade out in the ocean and catch fish, but she was not truly satisfied, until she went out alone one day and discovered a second tiny kingdom called Blefescu. It was full of tiny people, some dressed as civilians, and others in raiment somewhat similar to that of normal sized Vikings.

She introduced herself to the king and made an announcement.

“From time to time, when I find the food on the Island of Lilliput to be not sufficiently satisfying, I shall come here and select one of your nicer young men to eat,” said Miss Gulliver, “The rest of you are free to go about your lives and enjoy yourselves.”

From then on, she made an occasional practice of reducing the population of Blefescu by one male at a time, and ensured that Bunko never came with her on such errands.

Alice waited two days, until Mrs Grimble had concluded her plans for Bartholomew, so that Jack would not be in any way jealous, as he would no longer have a rival for Mrs Grimble’s undivided affections. Then she went down the beanstalk, where Jack was on a rug at the bottom of the beanstalk composing love songs about Mrs Grimble, a habit he had kept up whenever he had the time:

“Oh stunning Mrs Grimble,

I’m little more than thimble.

When I recall your eyes,

I’d climb up to the skies,

If only such a trek

Won’t end up in your neck…” sang Jack.

“You must be Jack,” said Alice, “Mrs Grimble has told me all about you.”

Even though he had no idea of Mrs Grimble’s new feelings, it warmed Jack’s heart to know that she had been thinking of him.

“I guess you must have overheard how much she means to me,” said Jack, “I can’t play any musical instrument, but I’m good at writing words to other people’s tunes.”

“Well Jack,” said Alice, “Mrs Grimble is in love with you, and invites you to return to her castle as her boyfriend, rather than her dinner. You can be assured, that should you accept her offer, two gifted musicians will be provided.”

“Two?” said Jack, “I didn’t know that she shared Serena’s talent for the harp.”

“She doesn’t,” said Alice, “Serena’s new boyfriend is the Pied Pipe Eddy. He’s your size, and very good with the instrument of his namesake.”

“When did you find the beanstalk?”

“I found it from Brobdingnag,” said Alice, “I got there another way and came down to fetch you back for Mrs Grimble.”

“I guess you’re lucky she doesn’t eat girls,” said Jack.

“Actually I’ve acquired the ability to grow to her size when it suits me,” said Alice, “I’d be happy to head back up with you, but I’d like to find out where we are now.”

Jack led her into town and she soon realised that his town, although out in the country, was not impossible to be reached from her own. She now had two ways of travelling between her town and Jack’s.

The pair soon returned to Mrs Grimble’s castle. As soon as Alice had gone back to her own giant house next door, Jack embraced as much of Mrs Grimble’s lovely face as he could with his arms, pressing his face and shoulders against her lower lip.