Alice Parker & the Curse of Fate

by Nicola Palmer

  ‘Oh, Alice,’ said Thomas, simmering a little. ‘If that’s really what Isabella read, Aunt Jennifer must have got it wrong. There’s just no way. It’s not possible.’

  ‘I should hope not,’ sneered Ralph. ‘Are you really stupid enough to marry this creep in the future? Oh, hold on! Perhaps this head injury is worse than it looks!’

  ‘I was about to work on that,’ said Thomas, ‘but I got distracted.’

  ‘It is possible,’ maintained Hugh as he approached Alice.

  The colour drained from her face. ‘Keep away from me!’ she squealed.

  Hugh stepped back with a pained expression.

  ‘Just tell me,’ pleaded Alice. ‘How many years from now ... allegedly?’

  ‘Fifteen years, if you must know.’

  ‘Well, fifteen years is another lifetime to you, Alice,’ said Grandma gently. ‘I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I just followed the shouting. I’m so glad you’re all right, my love. I was worried sick when I heard all the commotion.’

  ‘Oh, great. Now everyone has heard this ridiculous story. I bet you’ll all have a good laugh about it, too,’ moaned Alice.

  ‘Of course not. But a lot can happen in fifteen years,’ said Grandma.

  ‘Pff! If it is true, I can’t face the next fifteen years. It makes me feel ill just thinking about it.’

  ‘Well, Hugh looks ill with worry,’ Grandma pointed out. ‘I don’t think he’s enjoying this public humiliation any more than you are.’

  ‘I don’t want you to hate me, Alice,’ he mumbled.

  ‘Head’s fixed,’ interrupted Thomas. ‘Not that you even noticed, Alice. Just scratches and bruises otherwise. You’ll live.’

  Alice glanced at the forlorn Hugh, cursing herself for beginning to feel sorry for him. ‘I’d really like to go home, Grandma,’ she said quietly. ‘Where’s Brigitte?’

  ‘Oh, mourning the fall of that great lump of metal. She was more concerned about Hermann than her niece and nephew! When he fell, we thought it was an earthquake! Although when I realised what had happened, I knew you were in trouble. Where’s Isabella? Did Hermann finally finish her off?’

  ‘Sadly not,’ replied Thomas. ‘I think she got away again.’

  ‘It certainly will not be cheap to clear up this mess,’ said Ralph as they emerged from the trees.

  They had to walk around Hermann’s metal corpse lying on the ground. Alice couldn’t prevent a few tears flowing at the sight of this magnificent, giant warrior, lifeless once again. Only this time, his eyes were closed. How on earth would they explain that?

  ‘We should hurry up and get out of here,’ warned Thomas. ‘We don’t want to answer any questions.’

  ‘You might have to if Isabella drops you in it,’ said Grandma.

  ‘She can’t. It was a battle of abilities. Besides, it was her who made him fall. I just made him come to life.’

  ‘Well done you!’ said Ralph with a smirk. ‘Hey, what about the man with the beard? Where did he go?’

  Alice stopped in her tracks. ‘He was close to me before I crash-landed. We were over there somewhere.’

  Marking the spot where she pointed was Hermann’s gigantic head in its winged helmet.

  ‘Lukas?’ called Alice, running towards it. She hunted all around for any sign of him. ‘Are you here?’ she called.

  ‘Ja und nein,’ came a faint reply.

  It was definitely him; she recognised the voice. Again she searched the perimeter of Hermann’s head. This time she stumbled across a lifeless foot in a brown leather boot. It was sticking out from beneath the edge of Hermann’s helmet.

  ‘Oh my life! He’s dead!’ She fell to her knees and stared at all she could see of Lukas. ‘You should never have got involved with Isabella Rowbottom,’ she murmured.

  ‘I know,’ replied Lukas.

  By now the other four had joined her. Grandma covered her eyes. Thomas looked ashen.

  ‘Why are you talking to a foot?’ asked Ralph. ‘Oh ... of course. I remember.’ He stared at what remained of the unfortunate Sinwip. ‘Nasty. But if you play with fire, you get burnt.’

  ‘You’ve done it again, haven’t you, Thomas? You’ve killed again,’ said Alice, stony-faced.

  ‘Hold on a minute, that’s a bit ...’ protested Thomas.

  ‘Actually this is my fault, Alice,’ interrupted Ralph. ‘I suggested that Thomas should make Hermann move, and I helped him achieve it. He could not have done it without me; his ability is not strong enough.’

  For once, Thomas didn’t argue with him.

  ‘Besides,’ Ralph continued, ‘Isabella killed Lukas. She made Hermann fall. We only intended him to get her. And I do not remember you trying to stop us.’

  Alice was seething with rage. He was right, of course. She certainly wasn’t going to step in and save Isabella this time.

  ‘Someone’s coming towards us,’ hissed Hugh. ‘I suggest we walk away from the corpse. The Sinwip one, I mean – not Hermann.’

  ‘It’s Brigitte,’ said Thomas. ‘And she doesn’t look happy.’ Quickly, he snapped a few branches off a nearby bush and used them to conceal Lukas’s foot. Then they all hurried to meet her.

  ‘This is a tragedy!’ she wailed, shaking her head in despair. ‘Such a terrible loss for Detmold and Germany.’

  ‘Mmm. We’re fine though, thanks,’ replied Thomas.

  ‘Everywhere you go there is disaster!’ she continued angrily, waving her finger at Alice and Thomas. ‘Your family is cursed! Cursed I tell you!’

  Hugh was clearly irritated by her melodramatic outburst. ‘It’s not a curse,’ he said firmly. ‘It’s just fate. Who is this repugnant woman?’

  Alice smirked. ‘Grandma’s sister.’

  ‘Oh. Well, I’d be grateful if you didn’t invite her to our wedding,’ he said in a low voice.

  Ralph looked daggers at him.

  Alice pulled a face when the word wedding passed his lips. ‘I doubt she’ll be around in fifteen years anyway.’

  ‘I wouldn’t bank on it. Old battleaxes seem to live for ever.’

  ‘Who are those two boys?’ Brigitte asked Grandma, pointing rudely at Ralph and Hugh. ‘Trouble, I suspect.’

  ‘Quite possibly,’ said Grandma in a subdued tone. ‘Can we go before the police arrive, please? I can’t face anything else today. I need a lie down.’

  ‘Fine. A sensible idea for a change.’

  Back at the car park, Ralph sat in the passenger seat of his mother’s campervan and slammed the door without saying goodbye to Alice.

  ‘Oh dear. It seems I’ve upset someone,’ commented Hugh.

  ‘Don’t you always?’ moaned Alice. ‘Don’t forget, I’ll be reading up on the facts when I get home.’

  ‘Please do. Goodbye for now.’ He left Alice grimacing as he took his place beside Ralph and started the engine. As he drove off he wound down the window and blew a kiss. ‘I’ll send you the dry-cleaning bill for my coat!’

  ‘What an unpleasant character,’ commented Brigitte. ‘Only his mother could love him.’

  ‘Oh, I don’t know about that,’ said Thomas. ‘I bet she has her doubts.’

  Chapter 13

  A Shocking Transformation

  By the time they returned to Berlin it was nearly dark. Still shaken up by the Hermann incident, Brigitte ran herself a bath and announced that she was having an early night. No one complained. Exhausted, Grandma lay down on the sofa and closed her eyes.

  ‘That poor man, Lukas,’ she sighed. ‘What a horrible way to go – Sinwip or not. What will happen when his body is found?’

  ‘It won’t be,’ Thomas assured her. ‘Hugh said he would inform Sinwip village in Berlin. They’ll arrange to remove it from the scene somehow.’

  ‘Oh, good. I keep forgetting that Hugh’s a Sinwip lately,’ replied Grandma with a yawn.

  ‘I don’t,’ replied Alice promptly. ‘As if I could marry one! It’s a ridiculous idea. Apart from that, I can’t stand him.’ She flopped down in Brigit
te’s chair and stared in to space. There was something she couldn’t get out of her mind. Hugh had changed somehow. His eyes were not the same as they used to be. No longer were they cold and cruel, their dark green depths concealing a web of secrets. When she looked up at them today they were caring and kind, a warm shade of green. In fact, his face wasn’t quite as off-putting as she remembered. It used to be pale, gaunt and angular – much like the rest of his body. But now he looked ... well, healthier. Annoyed at herself for beginning to see him in a positive light, her face twisted in to a scowl. Perhaps she was imagining it.

  ‘Penny for them!’ chuckled Thomas.

  ‘You really don’t want to know. Listen, I think we should go to Finwip village. I need to speak to Ralph.’

  ‘I agree. I think you should end it with him.’

  ‘Don’t be stupid!’ roared Alice, colour rising in her cheeks. ‘There’s nothing to end. There’s nothing going on.’

  ‘Ah! The lady doth protest too much, methinks.’ He ducked to avoid a newspaper that Alice hurled at him.

  ‘All right, just be honest with him, then. He deserves that, at least. He’s obviously smitten, poor kid! I’d hate to be a teenager again, lovesick over a strange girl like you.’

  ‘Well! Who are you to preach about relationships? Anyway, I’ve got fifteen years before ... you know. Assuming it’s true, which I doubt. Ugh! Come on, get your coat, let’s go.’

  ‘Be careful,’ warned Grandma without opening her eyes. ‘Thomas, don’t forget the key Grandad gave you for the hidden gate at the palace. The main gate to the gardens will be closed at this time of day. And don’t destroy any more tourist attractions, please. I like Berlin just as it is.’

  ‘When did she become so laid-back?’ asked Alice as she and Thomas hurried down the stairs of the apartment block. ‘I noticed earlier. She didn’t even seem shocked at what happened in Detmold.’

  ‘She’s not laid-back, Alice; she’s shattered. All this is too much for her. I’m afraid she’s just given up.’

  *

  When the glass lift arrived in Finwip village Torsten was delighted to see them.

  ‘Ah, the perfect time!’ he beamed. ‘You have guests! They wait for you in the lilac living room. I shall take you.’

  ‘We have guests?’ queried Alice. ‘Why?’

  ‘That is not my business, madam!’ replied Torsten.

  ‘I dread to think who we’re going to find,’ she muttered.

  ‘Don’t be daft,’ said Thomas as they made their way through the palatial rooms once again. ‘I’m sure they’re very careful who they let in here.’

  ‘Indeed we are,’ Torsten assured him.

  Nevertheless Alice held her breath as he showed them in to the splendid lilac room. Sitting opposite each other, talking amicably were Grandad and Hugh. Her mouth fell open.

  ‘Well, well!’ began Thomas. ‘Isn’t this cosy?’

  Alice could tell he was trying to conceal his shock. Hugh stood up when they entered the room, and Grandad had his arms outstretched to welcome them. But a hug was the last thing Alice wanted.

  ‘What’s going on? What are you doing here?’ She glared at Hugh. ‘And how did you even get in here? What have you done?’

  ‘Thanks for the vote of confidence,’ retorted Hugh. ‘For the record, I’ve done nothing wrong.’

  ‘Oh, I doubt that very much!’

  ‘He’s telling the truth, Alice,’ said Grandad. ‘Please, sit down, my love. We need to talk.’

  Alice shook her head and folded her arms defiantly. ‘I came here to speak to Ralph.’

  ‘Funnily enough, so did I. But that can wait for a few minutes.’

  ‘Ooh, this could be interesting!’ smirked Thomas, choosing a comfortable chair.

  Reluctantly Alice sat down too.

  ‘We’ll talk about you first, Hugh.’ Grandad paused to scratch his beard, wondering how to formulate what he wanted to say. ‘When Hugh contacted me to ask how to access this village, I told him without hesitation.’

  ‘WHAT?!’

  ‘Note that I only told him how. I told him about that statue by the lake, but it still had to scan his hand and identify him as a Finwip.’

  ‘So how did he manage that?’ demanded Alice.

  ‘Quite easily. He is a Finwip. He’s one of us now.’

  Alice gawped at him. Thomas guffawed and slapped his knees.

  ‘Brilliant! Is this a German version of April Fools’ Day, only in December?’

  Grandad frowned. ‘Before you say any more, Thomas, stop and think for a moment. You haven’t worked in Nona’s laboratory for a while, have you? I believe she told you she was working on a highly sensitive project, which she needed to complete on her own. Well, that project is sitting here. She’s been working with Hugh, trying to find a reason for his transformation from Sinwip to Finwip.’

  His face like thunder, Thomas stood up and approached Hugh. ‘You?’ he spluttered in his face. ‘You have been working with Nona in our village? What’s wrong with your own village, your own Sinwip scientists?’

  ‘Well, when I realised something was wrong, I knew I couldn’t approach a Sinwip for help. Can you imagine their reaction if they’d carried out tests and found out that I’d changed? Besides, I can’t get in to Sinwip villages any more. Their access systems are based on retinal scanners and they reject me now.’

  ‘I knew your eyes were different!’ Alice blurted out.

  Hugh smiled. ‘Glad you noticed.’

  ‘But you called at Sinwip village today! You said you would inform them about Lukas,’ Thomas pointed out.

  ‘That’s true. I did. But I was lucky enough to find a Sinwip hanging around near the entrance. He didn’t want to speak to me; he realised I was a Finwip straight away. But when I mentioned the name ‘Lukas’ he changed his mind. It turns out that Lukas was a very intelligent, well-respected chap in their village. They despatched a team to retrieve his body immediately.’

  ‘Just as well,’ replied Thomas.

  ‘Oh, and you’re wearing an electronic tracker, Alice,’ Hugh added. ‘That’s how he and Isabella followed you.’

  Alice was dumbstruck. How was that possible? Lukas and Isabella hadn’t touched her! She racked her brain and tried to think of any opportunity he might have had ... then it struck her. Lukas had purposely bumped in to her at Gendarmenmarkt. Of course! He had been following them around the market for a while before he planted his tracking device. He made the lights glow brighter above the stalls where they were browsing so that someone else could observe their movements from a distance. Isabella!

  ‘Gendarmenmarkt! That’s when he did it! Before he started the fire. Why didn’t I realise? I’m such an idiot. The tracker must still be on my coat somewhere.’ She tore it off and searched all over it. Nothing caught her attention. Baffled, she ran her fingers over the entire surface of her coat until her nail caught on something incredibly small. No bigger than an ant, the tracker was the same shade of blue as her coat, perfectly camouflaged. When she removed it, four sharp teeth snagged the fibres of the fabric, and a minuscule red light was visible underneath. Alice placed it on the floor and stamped on it in temper. ‘Try and track me now!’ she raged.

  ‘Oh, I think Isabella will be otherwise engaged,’ continued Hugh. ‘The Sinwip I met asked if I knew who had killed Lukas. I told him Isabella Rowbottom was responsible. It didn’t go down well.’

  ‘How unfortunate for her,’ said Alice.

  ‘So,’ said Grandad, ‘Hugh is one of us now. Nona has confirmed it, so I hope you can accept it and put your differences aside.’

  ‘Physical changes are one thing,’ scoffed Thomas. ‘But this bloke is twisted and cruel. We know that from experience.’

  ‘Was cruel,’ Hugh corrected him. ‘You know we’ve been fighting on the same side for a while now. You just didn’t trust me.’

  ‘Are you surprised?’ asked Alice. ‘I still don’t trust you! I just don’t understand how your whole attitude can cha
nge so quickly.’

  ‘It didn’t happen that quickly. Even when I was at my worst, deep down I knew what I was doing was wrong. But I couldn’t stop. Brian kept pushing me, rewarding me for the awful things I did. The richer he became, the richer I became. I just couldn’t resist.’

  ‘But you did eventually,’ Grandad reminded him.

  ‘Yes, when I saw how Isabella was upsetting her father, arguing all the time because she was jealous of me. That’s when I walked away from it all and moved to London. I didn’t want that family to be torn apart because of me.’

  ‘What a moving story!’ mocked Thomas, pretending to wipe a tear from his eye. ‘But what’s the scientific explanation, Hugh?’

  ‘It’s quite simple, really. Nona’s tests revealed that I’m unstable, like my father. Don’t laugh! Yes, I’m officially unstable. The form I take depends on my environment and influences. And how easily-led I am, I suppose. I wasn’t a bad child. But not long after my metamorphosis, at the age of seventeen, I got caught up in Brian’s greed and wealth, and for a while I was hooked.’

  ‘Are you expecting us to believe that your physical traits can change as easily as your mind?’ asked Thomas incredulously.

  ‘No! My eyes and fingerprints took several months to acquire Finwip characteristics. Now I feel better altogether. I’ve even gained a bit of weight! Being nasty was hard work, you know. Exhausting, in fact. It quite literally consumed me.’

  ‘I thought you weren’t as scrawny as before,’ said Alice. ‘And your face isn’t quite as ugly.’

  ‘That means a lot to me.’

  ‘Have we cleared up this matter, then?’ asked Grandad impatiently.

  ‘No, we have not,’ said Thomas. ‘If he’s unstable, what happens if he reverts? We don’t want a Sinwip lurking amongst us.’

  ‘I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen,’ stressed Hugh. ‘I’m keeping good company these days, so I won’t be led astray! Besides, I haven’t got time to get in to trouble. I’ve been very busy with my research. I think I’ve made a breakthrough.’

  ‘A breakthrough in what, exactly?’ asked Thomas.