Alice Parker & the Curse of Fate

by Nicola Palmer

  ‘Run!’ she shrieked. ‘Now!’

  Startled, Thomas abandoned his drink and followed Alice as she dragged him away from the cafe and past dozens of disgruntled people as she jostled her way through the crowds. She didn’t stop until they had nearly reached the far side of the market. A loud bang made her turn around. It sounded like an explosion and was immediately followed by screams and shouting. A short distance away the sky lit up as fire engulfed one of the canopies. Alice was shaking but it wasn’t the cold. It was fear.

  ‘I ... I can’t believe it!’ spluttered Thomas. ‘It’s the cafe! How did you know? DID you know, Alice?’

  She shook her head miserably. ‘No. But I guessed – and just in time, it seems. There was something funny going on with the lights. Wherever you’ve been, the light above that tent became brighter. I realised that it must be some sort of signal.’

  ‘Oh, come on! The star as the guiding light? Leading someone to their target, you mean? That would be pretty twisted at this time of year!’

  ‘And who do we know with a twisted mind?’ said Alice quietly, her voice quivering. ‘She knows we’re here, doesn’t she?’

  ‘I doubt it. It might look that way but I just don’t see how it’s possible. Unless Sarah has blabbed.’

  ‘She wouldn’t! No way! She knows the reason we came here. She wouldn’t do anything to put us in danger, you know that.’

  ‘So how else would Isabella find out?’

  ‘You tell me!’ fumed Alice.

  They wracked their brains in silence, having been directed out of the market and across the road by security guards. Blaring sirens signalled the arrival of a fire engine, two ambulances and several police cars as hundreds of people poured out in to the street. This enchanting setting had now been transformed into chaos and panic.

  Her eyes glued to the scene, Alice was relieved when the fire was put out swiftly. Miraculously no one appeared to have been badly hurt. How would she have felt if they had? She was convinced it was an attempted attack on her and Thomas, no matter what he thought. That bright light had definitely been following Thomas around the market, and in Alice’s mind there was no way that explosion could be a coincidence.

  ‘I think we should head back,’ said Thomas. ‘There’s no point staying here. I don’t think they’ll re-open the market tonight.’

  ‘No ... please, not yet. I’m not sure I’m ready to face Grandma.’

  ‘So don’t tell her. If it happens to be in the newspaper, we’ll say we had already left when the fire broke out. Besides, I still don’t think it’s anything for us to worry about.’

  Alice shook her head. ‘You’re wrong. But you might be right about not telling Grandma.’

  ‘Fair enough. Come on, we’ll get another hot drink on the way home, since we had to abandon the last ones. I was enjoying that punch as well!’

  Alice shuddered when she thought about it. If she hadn’t been there with him, it might have been the last drink Thomas ever had.

  Chapter 4

  The Similar Stranger

  ‘So, another nice trip today?’ asked Brigitte as she passed a plate of cheese around the breakfast table. ‘Which attractions would you like to visit?’

  ‘Actually, I was hoping Grandma might show us some of the less ... um ... touristy places,’ replied Alice, nudging Grandma’s foot under the table.

  ‘Oh, I could take you to a few places I liked when I was your age,’ said Grandma with a twinkle in her eye.

  ‘You could try,’ chuckled Brigitte. ‘But you will be disappointed. Your favourite little shops are now a multi-screen cinema. And you remember that coffee house where your boyfriend used to take you? It is a sushi restaurant now!’

  Grandma turned up her nose.

  ‘Grandad used to take you to a coffee house here?’

  ‘Er, no. Not him,’ mumbled Grandma, blushing.

  ‘Anyway, we are going to visit Barbara today, are we not? She will be disappointed if we cancel.’

  Grandma pulled a face. Clearly she was not bothered about visiting her cousin, Barbara.

  ‘And tomorrow Matthias will be here,’ Brigitte continued. ‘He has offered to take us all out for lunch.’

  Matthias was Brigitte’s son; a huge man with a long, silvery pony tail and a wicked sense of humour. He was a dentist, but Alice had always thought he didn’t look like one.

  ‘Fine,’ agreed Grandma through gritted teeth. ‘We’ll go and see Barbara, but Alice and Thomas needn’t come. I’m sure you’ve got ideas of your own for today,’ she added with a wink.

  ‘We have indeed,’ grinned Thomas. ‘So don’t worry about us. Eat up, Alice, then we’ll go.’

  *

  Alice pulled a face as she realised they were entering the U-Bahn station again. ‘Oh! I’d hoped Finwip village would be within walking distance from here.’

  ‘It would take about half an hour. But I’m so cold I don’t fancy staying out in the snow any longer than necessary!’

  Alice wasn’t complaining about the snow – it was falling gently again now. Combined with the city’s Christmas lights and the log cabin market stalls lining the streets, the overall effect was a perfect festive picture. Though after last night’s narrow escape, Alice was hardly full of the joys of the season.

  ‘Some of this looks familiar,’ she realised, recognizing some of the buildings along their route.

  ‘Yes, last time we were in Berlin,’ replied Thomas. ‘Have you guessed where we’re going yet?’

  ‘No,’ admitted Alice, annoyed at herself. ‘I can’t imagine where the village might be.’ She continued to gaze out of the window, enjoying the singing and accordion playing of a busker who wandered through their carriage.

  ‘Give him some money, Thomas. He’s good!’

  ‘Maybe he is. But I didn’t ask to be entertained on the journey.’

  Alice tutted. ‘You can be so nasty sometimes.’

  They got off the train at Richard Wagner Platz and walked for a few minutes before Alice spotted a signpost.

  ‘It can’t be, can it?’ she asked, her eyes lighting up. ‘Are we going to Schloss Charlottenburg? Tell me the village is under the palace! Please!’

  Thomas laughed at her excitement. ‘The village is under the palace.’

  ‘WOOHOO! This is going to be the most amazing Finwip village! Hold on, we’ve been to the palace before with Mum and Dad,’ she realised.

  ‘That’s right. But do you remember how Grandad left us for a while? He made some excuse about going to buy a thicker pair of socks because his shoes were rubbing!’

  Alice thought for a moment. ‘I don’t remember. I do remember how amazing the gardens were, though.’

  ‘Good. Because that’s where we’re heading for!’

  A few minutes later they were strolling through the beautiful formal gardens of Charlottenburg Palace. Alice remembered it well; the round pool with a fountain, parterres of coloured gravel and rows of citrus trees outside the orangery. Everything was so immaculate she wondered where the entrance to the village could possibly be hidden.

  ‘Is it in the trunk of a tree somewhere, like our village?’ she asked.

  ‘No. Better than that!’

  They kept walking towards the lake.

  ‘Now, look for a statue of a boy with a dog,’ Thomas instructed her. ‘All Grandad said is that it would be near the lake.’

  ‘There!’ Alice ran over to a group of white statues. ‘This one’s holding a sheep, I think this is a goat ... here it is! A boy with a dog!’

  ‘That must be it. He looked all around to make sure no one was watching them. ‘Right, then. Place your hand on the dog’s head and count to five.’

  ‘This is a bit like the lion mechanism in Trafalgar Square, isn’t it? Are we waiting for an invisibility screen?’

  ‘Er, no.’

  Alice did as she was told and counted to five. ‘Now what?’

  ‘Now we have exactly one minute to reach that golden willow at the ed
ge of the lake,’ gabbled Thomas as he began to run.

  When they were standing beneath its weeping branches, many of which were dangling in the lake, they paused. They had scarcely caught their breath when bubbles began to appear in the area of water enclosed in this green, willowy cave.

  Alice stepped in to the shallow margins to take a closer look, glad of her waterproof boots.

  ‘This is weird,’ said Thomas. ‘I wonder why this tree still has its leaves when the others are bare for the winter?’

  ‘No, THIS is weird,’ said Alice, staggering backwards in fear. ‘What IS it?’

  As they watched, a large object covered in weeds and algae rose up out of the water just inches away from the bank. When it stopped moving and some of the weeds slipped from its surface, Alice could see that it was a transparent sphere, seemingly made of thick glass. A curved door opened silently, inviting them to step inside.

  ‘Don’t mind if I do!’ beamed Thomas, hopping in. ‘Hurry up Alice! It won’t wait for you.’

  She followed him hastily and the door closed behind her. Within seconds more bubbles appeared on the surface and their journey beneath the lake commenced.

  ‘This has got to be the strangest lift ever,’ murmured Alice, peering out in to the murky lake as they plunged slowly through the water. ‘I’m not sure if I like it or not.’

  ‘I certainly do!’ replied Thomas. ‘Why are you whispering? If you’re afraid of startling the carp down here, I’m sure the lift has already done that.’

  Alice wasn’t in the mood for Thomas’s mockery. She was already on edge and was now experiencing the most peculiar sensation as they passed through the bottom of the lake. Everything went dark and just as she was about to panic, a light shone up from beneath her feet.

  ‘We’re nearly at the village, just a few seconds more, I think,’ Thomas tried to reassure her. ‘And I guarantee you’ll approve!’

  Suddenly the lift emerged from the dark earth and arrived with a smooth landing in a brightly lit chamber. Alice looked out in bewilderment. A man in a powdered wig, who reminded her of one of Cinderella’s footmen, leaned forward to open the door and offered his hand to help her step out.

  ‘Guten Morgen!’ he beamed. ‘Willkommen an Vingeldorf!’

  ‘Erfreut hier zu sein,’ replied Alice.

  ‘Er, hello,’ said Thomas awkwardly.

  ‘Ah, English! In that case, good morning and welcome to Finwip village! Most of us speak very good English here.’

  ‘I feel very inadequate,’ grumbled Thomas.

  ‘It would be rude of us not to,’ continued the butler. After all, history suggests that Finwips originated in England.’

  ‘I didn’t know that!’ exclaimed Alice. ‘That’s wonderful!’

  ‘Also the wretched Sinwips,’ he added with a wink.

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘I am sorry, I do not recognise you. Is this your first visit?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Thomas. ‘But you may know our Grandad, John Parker? He comes here every year.’

  ‘Of course! Oh, he has told me much about you! He is very proud of his grandchildren, you know. Please, follow me.’

  Alice looked around in astonishment as he led the way. This place was not at all how she had imagined it. Unlike the other Finwip villages she had been to, there were no bare stone walls or dark tunnels. There was no smell of damp in the air, no draughts or vibrations to make the lights flicker. The lights themselves were not the usual lanterns burning Finwip fuel, but exquisite crystal chandeliers. Dozens of tiny bulbs distributed the green-tinged Finwip light as a warm glow. It was a palace underground.

  Even Thomas was speechless as they passed through halls and chambers with the finest silk wallpaper, ornate painted ceilings and cabinets full of antique treasures. To Alice’s relief, they passed several other Finwips who were dressed in normal clothes or traditional Finwip robes to expose their wings. She had begun to wonder if everyone was expected to wear baroque style costume, although she couldn’t imagine her grandad in tights and breeches. What a hideous sight that would be!

  Finally they entered a room which seemed less formal than the others. There were no glass display cabinets or grand oil paintings, and Alice noticed a box of toys on a gilded chaise longue. At the end of the room, a woman with rather plain white butterfly wings was sitting with her back to them. She appeared to be reading to a small child. At the table a teenage boy was studying, surrounded by piles of books. He was by far the most good-looking boy Alice had ever seen. When he looked up from his work and smiled, Alice blushed and turned her face away.

  ‘Christina, we have visitors from England,’ announced the butler. ‘John Parker’s grandchildren are here.’

  ‘Thank you, Torsten,’ replied Christina, standing up to greet them. ‘I am delighted to meet you at last! You are very welcome here!’ She smoothed down her pink-streaked black hair and held out her hand.

  ‘You are Alice and Thomas, correct?’ she confirmed as they shook hands. Alice nodded. ‘Are you the leader of this village?’

  ‘With my husband, yes. We accepted the role as a family, since we live down here.’ Hiding behind her mother, the little girl peered at the newcomers with curiosity.

  Alice raised an eyebrow. ‘All the time?’

  ‘We have no choice until Daniela is older,’ Christina explained, stroking her daughter’s blonde curls. ‘She is too young to control her wings so we must keep her out of public view.’

  Alice and Thomas stared in disbelief.

  ‘Oh dear!’ spluttered Thomas. ‘Alice is fifteen and she still struggles! She even released her wings on the London Eye a few months ago!’

  ‘Are you saying your daughter is a Finwip already?’ asked Alice, unable to take her eyes of Daniela. ‘How is that possible? She’s so young!’

  Christina shrugged her shoulders. ‘Perhaps because my husband is also a Finwip? We are not certain. Kat became a Finwip this year, at seventeen, but Daniela’s wings appeared when she was three years old. She is five now. Every time she is upset or annoyed, it happens. It was not safe to take her out above ground, so we decided to live in the village. We shall educate her here until we can return to our home and our normal life.’

  ‘Well, I’m shocked,’ admitted Thomas. ‘I mean, it’s incredible but ... so awkward for you. I’ve never heard of such a young Finwip. We thought Alice was young when she had her metamorphosis at thirteen!’

  ‘Ah, yes, John told us about that. Kat, come and say hello. My son has wanted to meet you for a while, Alice!’

  Alice could feel her face burning as this striking boy approached her. His jade green Finwip eyes were fixated on her, shining beneath his tousled black hair. She could hardly bring herself to look at him, so fierce was the heat in her cheeks.

  ‘So, we meet at last!’ he said, stuffing his hands in to his pockets. ‘Your grandfather tells me we have much in common.’

  ‘Does he? I mean, do we?’ Alice blurted out, relieved he hadn’t attempted to shake hands. Hers were so clammy she had been dreading it. ‘Is your name really Kat?’

  ‘No! My name is Ralph. Kat is just a family nickname – short for Katalysator. Catalyst in English, of course. I enhance the abilities of other Vingel – sorry, Finwips, when I am with them. That is one of my abilities.’

  ‘One of your abilities?!’

  ‘Yes. Like you, I have many.’

  Alice was stunned. For the past two years she had thought she was the only Finwip with multiple abilities – although strictly speaking, Thomas had two. Now here was another one like her. At that moment she couldn’t think of anyone better. But why had her grandad told him so much and yet never mentioned Ralph to her?

  ‘Well, don’t be shy, Ralph!’ insisted Thomas. ‘Tell us what they are. I’m sure Alice would like to know that she isn’t the only anomaly in Finwip society!’

  ‘Of course. You are not an anomaly, Alice. We’re the same. Your grandfather said so himself. I am fluent in all languages, as you see.
Super-intelligence is one of my abilities too. I have a photographic memory, I can run faster than a cheetah and I can fly. Also, if someone is thinking about me I can hear their thoughts.’ He flashed a smile at Alice as he said it.

  She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. This was incredible! And yet she wanted to turn on her heels and run. Never in her life had she been so embarrassed. On the one occasion she had actually found a boy attractive, he knew exactly what she was thinking! Even now as she mentally kicked herself! Aaaargh!

  ‘I wouldn’t like that,’ said Thomas. ‘You must hear nasty things sometimes.’

  ‘I do. But I try to ignore them.’

  Alice wondered who could possibly say anything unpleasant about him. She regretted it instantly when he beamed at her. What an infuriating ability!

  ‘So ... how does it work?’ she asked. ‘I mean, can you tell if someone is thinking about you even if they’re far away?’

  ‘Yes,’ replied Ralph. ‘It is quite hard to explain. When someone thinks about me, I can hear their voice in my head. I can sense their location too. The more they think about me, the more accurate I can be.’

  ‘Can you see what they’re doing as well?’

  ‘No! I can only tell the town or area that they happen to be in at that moment.’ He laughed at Alice’s obvious sense of relief. ‘Perhaps we could fly together sometime?’

  ‘Perhaps,’ said Alice, trying not to sound too keen. ‘Where do you fly?’

  ‘In the forest near the lake,’ said Ralph. ‘It would be nice to have company.’

  ‘Wonderful!’ beamed Christina. ‘Another Finwip who can fly, of a similar age too! I am so pleased.’

  ‘Another freak with too many abilities you mean,’ said Thomas under his breath. ‘Just what we need!’

  Ralph glared at him. Alice smiled as Thomas realised his error and bit his lip.