‘Yes, but he doesn’t know we’re going anywhere. I haven’t told anyone apart from Sarah.’
‘Keep it that way,’ warned Thomas. ‘I’d like to live a bit longer.’
Alice glanced at him anxiously. ‘If something did happen to you ... do you think ... would you be able to ...’
‘No. There’s no way I could bring myself back to life. That’s impossible, Alice!’
Of course it was. It was stupid of her to ask. Then again, Thomas had thought it would be impossible to bring Imogen back from the dead ... until he succeeded.
*
The next morning Dad drove Alice, Thomas and Grandma to the airport, making sure they arrived in plenty of time for their flight at 6.00 a.m. Alice had not relished being woken by her alarm in the early hours, but she had chosen that flight in the hope that they would not be seen leaving the house. It felt strange, knowing that her parents were glad they were going. Of course, there was a very good reason for that, but Jack, Mr Flavel and Benedict were the only ones who looked miserable when she waved goodbye. An Irish Wolfhound, a tame fox and a white pigeon would miss her terribly. And Alice would certainly miss them.
‘Give my love to Brigitte!’ Grandad had joked, clearly delighted that he was avoiding his sister-in-law.
‘We’ll invite her back to stay with you,’ teased Thomas, ‘for a month!’
‘You dare!’ replied Grandad, scratching his beard – a tell-tale sign that he was worried.
‘Keep safe! Promise me you’ll look out for each other,’ pleaded Mum as she hugged them before they left.
‘They always do,’ Dad reminded her. ‘At least we can be sure of that.’
*
Although the flight was only an hour and a half, it felt like an eternity to Alice. While dealing with her fear of planes and trying to keep herself calm to prevent her wings erupting, she was continually looking around for Isabella. She couldn’t decide which would be worse; her wings making an appearance in a packed aircraft or finding that Isabella was on board. If she thought about things rationally, the latter was highly unlikely. Alice had kept watch all the way to the airport that morning, and no one had followed their car. It was more likely that Isabella was on her way to Switzerland, having screamed at her father until he relented and told her where to find the grotesque statue.
It didn’t help matters that Thomas had a window seat, which happened to be over a wing.
‘Uh oh! Was that crack there when we left?’ he asked, his face pressed against the window.
‘What! Where? Show me!’ Alice squealed.
‘Don’t be daft,’ said Grandma calmly. ‘He’s just winding you up.’
Thomas was snorting with laughter. ‘I really don’t know what your problem is. If there was an emergency, you’re probably the only person on board who could save herself! You don’t even need a parachute!’
‘That may be true. But I can’t just open a door and shout, ‘Me first!’ If my wings burst out in here, I’ll get stuck in the gangway!’
‘If you eat all the German food you’ve been talking about, it won’t be your wings that get stuck.’
Alice leaned back in her seat and groaned. ‘Couldn’t you have sent him somewhere else?’ she asked, nudging her grandma.
‘No, my love. I don’t think they’d have him.’
*
They touched down in Berlin nearly forty minutes later than scheduled. Several other airports had been closed due to snow, causing a queue to land at Berlin Tegel. Alice was not impressed when their plane had to circle several times and wait its turn. As far as she was concerned, the less time spent in an aircraft, the better.
‘At least it looks nice and festive here,’ she said happily when her feet were finally on solid, snowy ground. ‘It actually feels like Christmas!’
‘I doubt Brigitte will be full of festive cheer after waiting this long. We’ve still got to get our suitcases,’ said Grandma.
Thomas watched from a window inside the terminal as the luggage from their plane was stacked on to a trailer. He spotted their suitcases easily near the bottom of the pile, since Grandma always tied a blue ribbon around the handles.
‘What are you doing?’ asked Alice as Thomas screwed up his eyes. Three suitcases flew off the trailer and repositioned themselves on top of the pile. ‘Oh, I see! Nice one!’
Grandma was delighted when their suitcases were the first to appear on the luggage carousel. Thomas put them on a trolley and they hurried to the exit to find Brigitte. Behind them groans of dismay rang out as all the carousels in the room suddenly ground to a halt.
‘Oh, dear! Weren’t we lucky?’ chuckled Grandma.
‘I wouldn’t call it luck,’ admitted Thomas. ‘I just thought it might help reduce the queue when we leave the car park.’
Grandma shook her head in disapproval but Alice could see she was smiling. Brigitte was not known for her patience, especially in the chaotic city traffic. Alice was convinced that at the age of eighty, she must be the oldest example of road rage in Europe.
As they stepped out in to the snow, a small person who was waving frantically pushed her way to the front of the waiting crowds.
‘Erika!’ she called, holding on to her green woolly hat as she rushed to embrace Grandma. ‘Thomas, Alice, wie geht’s? Herzlich willkommen wieder!’ She patted them on the back and led everyone towards her car.
‘Wie war die Reise?’ she asked.
‘Gar nicht schlect,’ replied Alice without thinking.
Thomas rolled his eyes. ‘Careful!’ he whispered.
‘Sorry! I mean, the journey wasn’t bad at all, Tante Brigitte!’
Brigitte pursed her lips. ‘Please do not call me aunt. It makes me feel old. Your German seems very good now, Alice! Better than your grandmother, I think! But you can speak English here. You know I like to practise!’
‘Of course my German is a little rusty,’ protested Grandma. ‘I’ve been living in England for over half a century. You were an English teacher, that’s cheating!’
They set off in Brigitte’s old Volkswagen Golf. It was funny to think that just three years ago Alice only knew a few words of German, yet now she was fluent in the language. Super-intelligence had its perks. But Thomas had a point; she would have to be careful not to be too clever in front of Brigitte.
Thomas fidgeted uneasily in his seat.
‘Are you looking around for Isabella as well?’ hissed Alice.
‘No. I’m wondering if she can feel the pedals in those ridiculous sheepskin boots! Never mind Isabella, Brigitte’s driving is making me nervous!’
‘I know! But she must know what she’s doing – she’s survived this long.’
*
In the five years since Alice and Thomas last visited, Brigitte’s apartment had not changed at all. She still had a tropical aquarium in the lounge, which Alice loved, and several animal hides displayed on the wall. Alice didn’t like those at all, but she knew Brigitte only kept them because they had belonged to her late husband, Dirk. Although it was dated inside, the apartment was in a vibrant location near the bustling Kurfürstendamm shopping area, situated above a bakery. Unfortunately Alice always felt hungry from 5.00 a.m. when the aroma of fresh bread wafted upstairs.
Thomas liked the fact that it was opposite the entrance to the U-Bahn. He thought Berlin’s rail network, both under and over ground, was amazing compared to London. Not that he would admit that in Brigitte’s company. She always argued that Berlin was the best city in the world.
‘Don’t get any ideas about tearing across the city tonight,’ warned Grandma with a meaningful look. ‘Let’s just have a rest and get settled in, shall we?’
‘Ach, schade,’ said Brigitte. ‘How boring you are these days Erika! Tomorrow morning we will all go out, OK?’
‘Fine,’ scowled Grandma, wishing her sister understood why she was on edge.
‘Definitely!’ beamed Alice, having travelled with the car window open to take in the smells of the n
earest Christmas market. Caramelised nuts, pancakes and Bratwurst were at the top of her ‘to eat’ list.
‘I will make Eintopf for dinner,’ said Brigitte. ‘Stew! Then we have a good detective film on television this evening.’
Thomas glanced at an unfinished jigsaw puzzle on the table and sank down with a sigh in Dirk’s old armchair. ‘Wow. All this excitement is too much for me.’
Chapter 3
Guiding Lights
After a peaceful evening and a good night’s sleep, Grandma seemed calmer and agreed to leave the apartment and have a stroll around the neighbourhood. But she still wouldn’t let Alice and Thomas out of her sight.
‘Isabella has a lot to answer for,’ complained Thomas as they browsed the stalls of a Christmas market near the memorial church. ‘We can’t even go to the toilet without Grandma asking where we’re going. I feel like a child again!’
Alice didn’t answer. She was too busy hopping from one foot to the other, her eyes wide with fear.
‘What? Have you already had an overdose of sugar?’ asked Thomas. ‘I thought that was impossible for Finwips!’ he added in a whisper.
Alice pointed down at the ground, the colour draining from her cheeks. ‘I think it’s happening again.’
Thomas looked at the group of pigeons who were falling over each other around Alice’s feet. Every step she took, they followed.
‘Don’t be stupid! These aren’t special pigeons, they’re just hungry pigeons! It might help if you weren’t stuffing your face with a pretzel. You’re dropping crumbs everywhere.’
Alice promptly put her half-eaten snack in to her bag and wiped her face. After a moment the pigeons dispersed, disappointed that their meal had ended so abruptly.
‘See? Stop worrying. We’re safe here. And you can stop staring at every female wearing red. Yes, I’ve noticed! Do you really think Isabella would be seen in the same coat in winter as she wore in spring?’
Alice couldn’t help herself. How could she tell Thomas that she was more concerned about his safety than her own? He must know. He’d seen the sheer volume of books about her future. Perhaps he was putting on a brave face for Grandma’s sake. He could be quite thoughtful – occasionally.
A tap on the shoulder made her jump.
‘Bought you this!’ said Grandma. ‘And one for you, Thomas. Put them on now. I can’t believe you didn’t bring a hat and it’s snowing here!’
Alice put hers on immediately. It wasn’t the most attractive hat, with its woolly pompom and ear flaps, but at least it was warm. ‘Thanks!’
‘Er, yeah, thanks,’ mumbled Thomas. ‘These are hideous!’ he whispered to Alice. ‘You know why she bought them, though.’
‘Because it’s snowing.’
‘No, because she thinks we’ll be harder to recognise wearing these! Poor Grandma is still worried, even though we’re in a different country now. I suppose she feels entirely responsible for us, having persuaded us to come with her.’
‘Blimey! The cold must have affected your brain already. That sounded quite sensitive, for you.’
Thomas rolled his eyes. ‘She’ll relax soon, when she realises it was a good idea, coming here. Then she’ll loosen the reins with a bit of luck! I don’t want to be tagging along with the oldies all the time. We need to do our own thing.’
‘Well, if you want to tag along with a ‘youngie’ instead, you’ll have to open your wallet. I’m not cheap to feed. And I want to buy a present for Sarah.’
‘There’s always a snag where you’re concerned.’
*
As luck would have it, Grandma began to loosen the reins that afternoon. When the cold became too much for her, she agreed that Alice and Thomas could do as they pleased while she went for a coffee with Brigitte.
‘Now the fun starts!’ said Thomas, rubbing his hands together. ‘See that giant nutcracker figure over there?’
‘Don’t even think about it!’ warned Alice, looking up at the ten-foot-tall bearded monstrosity. She wondered how it was meant to be festive, when those staring eyes and menacing teeth could frighten any small child. ‘Not today, anyway. Maybe before we go home.’
‘You’re no fun, are you?’
‘Why don’t you do something sensible, like choose something nice for Ellie? Aren’t you missing her?’
Thomas shrugged his shoulders. ‘I’ve got a phone. Anyway, I’ll find something for her tonight.’
‘What’s happening tonight?’
‘We’re going to the famous Christmas market at Gendarmenmarkt. It’s supposed to be one of the best in Berlin.’
‘Oh! Grandma and Brigitte didn’t mention it.’
‘That’s because they don’t know. They won’t be coming with us.’
*
Sometimes Alice found Thomas’s arrogance infuriating. But on this occasion she was glad he was right. A day shopping in the biting cold wind and snow had taken its toll on Grandma and she had to admit she needed a rest.
‘Me too,’ agreed Brigitte. ‘But you youngsters can go and enjoy yourselves this evening. Will you be eating out?’
Alice looked at her grandma’s reluctant expression.
‘Come on, Erika, let them have some fun! What are you worried about? They are big kids now!’ laughed Brigitte.
‘Oh, all right,’ said Grandma. ‘But be careful. Where would you like to go?’
‘Gendarmentmarkt,’ replied Alice promptly.
‘Wonderful! You will love it, I know. You can always find something unusual there,’ enthused Brigitte.
‘That’s what I’m afraid of,’ muttered Grandma.
*
‘So when do we get to see Finwip village?’ asked Alice, as they waited in the U-Bahn station for a train.
‘Tomorrow, hopefully. If Grandma can’t think of an excuse for us to go out without Brigitte, we’ll have to go on our own. It’ll be all right, Grandad told me how to get in.’
‘What! He wouldn’t even tell me where it is!’
‘He just wanted it to be a surprise for you. And it will be.’
‘Why don’t you tell me now?’
‘Because I want to see the look on your face when you see it! Ah, here’s the train. On the dot!’
A few minutes later, they arrived at Französische Strasse and made their way to Gendarmenmarkt. As they approached the market, Alice could see exactly why it was advertised as ‘Christmas Magic.’ Before her was the most enchanting scene she had witnessed above ground. Christmas in Finwip village at home was always magical, but this was spectacular. With child-like excitement she gazed at the masses of twinkling white fairy lights adorning every stall, restaurant and tree. Each stall was identical on the outside; a pure white tent with a pointed roof and a glowing star on top. Towering above these was an enormous Christmas tree, its branches drooping under the sheer weight of its own lights. On three sides of the market, creating a stunning backdrop, were three magnificent, illuminated buildings; the German Cathedral, French Cathedral and concert hall.
‘You like it, then?’ asked Thomas as Alice tried to take it all in.
‘I do! I’m so glad we came here. How did you know about it?’
‘Grandad recommended it.’
‘Typical! He finds all the best places wherever he goes!’ Alice stopped in front of a stall selling nothing but snow globes. She had loved them ever since she was a small child. There was something about those perfect wintry scenes captured in water and glass that was irresistible. Some of the globes were musical and rotated to the tune of Christmas carols. In some the snow fell in dense, white flakes; in others it was simply a sprinkling of glitter. There were so many different sizes – the smallest no bigger than a golf ball. But Alice was transfixed by one particular globe in the centre of the display.
‘There’s no way we could get that home!’ concluded Thomas. ‘Even if we could afford it – which we can’t – it won’t fit in your suitcase or hand luggage.’
Alice sighed in disappointment as he led her a
way, but she was quickly distracted by the smell of food. ‘Hey, I wouldn’t mind a pancake filled with cherries and marzipan! Can you do something to shorten the queue?’
‘No! It’s too crowded here. It’s too risky. Go and join the queue and get one for me! I’ll look for something for Ellie on this stall while I wait. I won’t move until you’re back, OK?’
Alice nodded and headed off to the pancake stall. She wasn’t keen on crowds but this place was so full of festive atmosphere, she could make an exception. After pushing her way through hundreds of smiling, dawdling shoppers she waited impatiently for her turn. The aromas around her were tormenting her cravings. It was not easy to fulfil her Finwip food requirements while staying with a normal human. Brigitte would be appalled if she saw Alice consuming as much fruit and sugar as she needed.
When the pancakes were finally ready, Alice decided to walk back to Thomas via the steps of the concert hall, so she could take in the view of the whole market. Plenty of people had the same idea, and were sitting on the highest steps or leaning against pillars, wrapped up in their scarves and hats. As she gazed across the striking display of star lights above white canopies, one in particular caught her eye. It seemed much brighter than the others – more a burning yellow light than a gentle white glow. Alice wondered if there was a nativity scene beneath it. Intrigued, she decided to take a look. Thomas’s pancake would be cold by now anyway.
As she got closer to the bright star, she realised that it belonged to the stall where she had left Thomas. How strange! When she tapped him on the shoulder someone pushed past her rudely, knocking her off balance and nearly making her drop his pancake.
‘Verzeihung,’ mumbled the man before he disappeared in to the crowds.
‘Let’s move,’ said Thomas. ‘I fancy a drink when I’ve eaten this.’
Thomas ordered an Eierpunsch, a sort of German eggnog and Alice chose a non-alcoholic Glühwein. The cafe was busy and the only available chairs were outside the tent, but Alice was glad to sit down and warm her hands on her hot drink. Her eyes wandered from stall to stall, admiring Christmas decorations, brightly coloured candles, hand-made toys and gingerbread. Then she happened to look up at the roof of the cafe. The star above them was bright yellow now! Just a few minutes earlier it had been white. Before she could open her mouth to tell Thomas she felt a sickening feeling in her stomach. She slammed down her mug and grabbed his arm.
Alice Parker & the Curse of Fate Page 2
