Alice Parker & the Curse of Fate

by Nicola Palmer

  ‘You’ll find out soon enough. And I think you’ll be impressed.’

  ‘You won’t need that cleaning job for much longer, then,’ said Alice.

  Hugh grinned. ‘Actually, I’ve already handed in my notice. I’m planning a business venture of my own.’

  ‘Hmmph. I’ve heard enough,’ grunted Thomas.

  Grandad leaned back in his chair and cleared his throat loudly. ‘Alice, would you go and find Ralph, please? I’m afraid it’s my turn to come clean next.’

  Chapter 14

  Something Else in Common

  Alice knocked on the door of Ralph’s family’s living quarters. Christina opened it.

  ‘Ah, Alice! I am so happy you are OK. Your friend, Hugh, was very worried this morning when he arrived in the village. I am glad Ralph could help him find you.’

  ‘Er, yes, thank you,’ replied Alice. ‘Is Ralph here?’

  ‘Of course, come in. He is in his room. Just knock on the door. I am sure he will be pleased to see you!’

  ‘I doubt it,’ said Alice under her breath. She tapped on his door apprehensively.

  ‘Wer ist da?’ was the grumpy response.

  ‘Me. Alice.’

  There was an awkward pause while Alice waited and tried to look optimistic in front of Christina. Thankfully Ralph opened the door.

  ‘Er, hi. My grandad’s here,’ Alice began.

  Ralph turned his nose up. ‘I know. I am avoiding him. I have nothing to say to him.’

  ‘I don’t blame you. I feel like that too. But I think he wants to explain things. He came here especially to see you.’

  ‘Oh. You had better come in.’

  His room was not at all what Alice had expected. In contrast to the ornate style of the rest of the village, Ralph’s room was very plain. No silk wallpaper, no antique furniture or oil paintings. The walls were pale blue emulsion, his furniture simple and modern. A few carefully selected items were laid out on the top of a chest of drawers. Alice was drawn to them instantly. They were the only clues to his personality in this room.

  ‘I call it minimal,’ said Ralph. ‘I am not interested in fancy decoration. I get bored with seeing it everywhere else.’

  ‘I suppose you do, living down here all the time,’ replied Alice.

  ‘I cannot wait to go to college and leave here. I just cannot relax. I cannot invite friends from school or throw a party. We have to use the address of our old house for mail, even though it is being rented at the moment. Luckily Dad knows the family and they let him collect it twice a week. You do not realise how lucky you are, Alice. You have the best of both worlds.’

  ‘Hmmph. Sometimes it feels like I have the worst of both.’ She picked up one of his many school trophies for running and admired it.

  ‘Embarrassing, really,’ admitted Ralph. ‘I have to slow down to a fraction of my speed at school, otherwise I would give the game away.’

  Alice turned to face him. ‘Listen, I want to thank you for helping us today. For helping me rescue Thomas, I mean. The Hermann thing backfired, though.’

  ‘I know. But our intentions were good. It nearly worked too.’

  Alice shrugged her shoulders. ‘If your catalyst ability is so powerful, why didn’t you just help Thomas to open the gate at the top of the plinth?’

  ‘It would have taken him much longer to run down the stairs and get out. Plus, the opportunity to embarrass him was too good to miss. Did you see his face when he had to hold on to me? I know he does not like me.’

  ‘Oh, don’t worry about him. Thomas doesn’t really like anyone. It’s nothing personal.’

  ‘It does not matter now, does it? Your dear friend Hugh is here. I almost wish I had not told him where you were,’ said Ralph dolefully, sinking down on to his bed.

  ‘How did you know we were at Hermannsdenkmal anyway?’

  ‘I did not know. It was a lucky guess. You had thought about me briefly so I knew that your location was Detmold. Then you mentioned sightseeing. Anyway, Hugh told me you were in danger, so I had to help.’

  ‘He’s not my friend, you know. I don’t even like him! He’s ...’

  ‘Often on your mind. I know that.’

  ‘No! Well, yes but not in a good way. A while back I was scared of him and with good reason. His ability is mind control and it’s terrifying. If I’m honest, that’s why I pushed you away. Your ability reminded me of him and it freaked me out. I’m sorry. I really am. It’s not your fault.’ Unable to look Ralph in the eye, Alice turned her gaze back to the objects on the cabinet. There was an old bear, a few model cars and a fork bent in to a peculiar shape. But one item sent a shiver down her spine. To anyone else, it was an uninteresting lump of dull brown rock. Alice recognised it instantly.

  ‘Where did you get this from?’ she blurted out, pointing at it.

  ‘What, that stone? Oh, my mother gave it to me years ago. I have always liked it. I am not sure why.’

  ‘But where did she get it from?’

  ‘Er, I think she said it was a gift from an English man. A strange gift, I thought. But then you English are strange! Why are you interested in that old thing?’

  Alice’s head was spinning. It was all beginning to make sense now. No wonder Grandad had been avoiding the subject of Ralph.

  ‘You need to get rid of that stone,’ she said firmly. ‘But first, you need to see my grandad. Please. He’s waiting.’

  Ralph groaned. ‘I really do not want to. But if it is that important to you ...’

  ‘It is. And it will be for you as well.’

  Reluctantly Ralph accompanied Alice to the lilac room. He nodded briefly to Grandad but turned sour when he realised Hugh was present.

  ‘I appreciate you coming to see me,’ began Grandad. ‘I owe you an explanation. You too, Alice.’

  ‘I don’t think I need to hear it,’ she said bluntly. Ralph looked at her in surprise.

  ‘Just one question,’ she said, facing her grandad with an interrogating glare. ‘Did you give one of those stones to Christina?’

  Grandad scratched his beard uncomfortably and looked down at the floor. ‘I might have known you’d work it out.’

  ‘It wasn’t difficult. I’ve just seen it! Why? Why did you do it?’

  ‘I gave Christina that stone long before I realised what they can do,’ confessed Grandad. Ralph seemed perfectly normal as he was growing up, so I tried not to worry.’

  Alice tutted. Hugh concealed a smile with his hand.

  ‘Listen, Alice, I gave that stone to Christina over twenty years ago! When she was a teenager she presented me and your grandma with a piece of the Berlin Wall when it came down in eighty-nine. We were touched. So the next time we came to Berlin I brought her a piece of my stone from the Wips in Arcanum Cove. It was only a small piece that had broken off, but I told her it was something special. At the time I had no idea how special, did I? It was only last year, when Ralph discovered all his abilities, that I realised I was to blame. Again.’

  ‘How are you to blame for my abilities?’ asked Ralph, thoroughly confused. ‘And how is a piece of stone relevant?’

  ‘Oh, this is brilliant!’ sniggered Hugh. ‘We have something in common, Ralph! In fact, we’re almost family! Isn’t that nice?’

  ‘Are you sure you’ve changed?’ asked Thomas, who had listened in silence to Grandad’s confession. ‘Only, it sounds like you still enjoy making people squirm.’

  The smile disappeared from Hugh’s face. ‘I was only having a bit of fun. Sorry.’

  ‘I don’t need to hear the story about the stones again,’ said Alice tearfully. ‘I’ll be waiting for you in the library, Ralph.’

  ‘I’ll come with you,’ said Thomas. ‘Ralph and Grandad should have some privacy while they talk.’

  ‘Oh, er, of course,’ mumbled Hugh, jumping to his feet hastily.

  When Alice and Thomas wandered in to the library, Hugh didn’t follow them.

  ‘Aren’t you joining us?’ Alice called after him.r />
  Hugh turned around in surprise. ‘No, thank you. I’ve got some late-night Christmas shopping to do. Have a safe trip home, Alice. And let me know what you discover in your books!’

  ‘I can’t. I ... I tried to call you a few days ago but I seem to have the wrong number.’

  ‘Oh, I had to change it – I was getting so many vile messages from Isabella. I’ll send you my new number. I must say, I’m flattered that you tried to get in touch.’

  ‘Don’t be,’ replied Alice. ‘It was a desperate measure.’

  ‘Ah. Well, I’ll be off, then. Goodbye, Alice. Or should I say Auf Wiedersehen? Actually, don’t tell me. You’ll only hurt my feelings!’

  Alice rolled her eyes and began to walk away. ‘Idiot!’ she muttered.

  *

  When Ralph appeared after his conversation with Grandad, Alice was surprised to see that he looked happy. Far from being angry or disappointed that his multiple abilities stemmed from a powerful stone, Ralph was relieved.

  ‘I am just glad I am not a freak!’ he admitted. ‘For the past few months I thought I was, and I know my parents were secretly worried. Now I know that I belong to an exclusive club! Although I can’t say I’m pleased that Hugh’s a member.’

  ‘None of us are,’ agreed Thomas. ‘But I’m afraid we can’t do much about it.’

  Ralph pulled a face. ‘Can I ask a question? Your books, Alice, where your old aunt describes your future ... are you tempted to make some of them untrue? I mean, if I could see my future and there were parts I did not like, I would try my hardest to change things.’

  ‘I’ve thought about it, believe me!’ replied Alice. ‘But it doesn’t work like that. My destiny seems to be inescapable. I call it the curse of fate.’

  ‘I do not believe that. Fate is not a curse, but prior knowledge of it might be. I think those books are the problem. You could end up using them as instructions and living your life accordingly. Even if you think you are not.’

  ‘Not true! I can think of one event already that I will NOT allow to happen. That’s if it really is written down.’

  ‘We shall see,’ said Ralph. ‘So, one day left in Berlin. What are you going to do?’

  ‘Have one last German breakfast, then pack,’ replied Thomas. ‘We leave at midday, so we don’t have much time left here at all.’

  ‘Oh.’ The disappointment on Ralph’s face was unmistakable. ‘So I will not see you tomorrow then?’

  ‘Sorry mate,’ grinned Thomas.

  Ralph blushed.

  ‘No, you won’t,’ said Alice hurriedly, wishing her own face wasn’t burning. ‘We’ll say goodbye now.’

  ‘Should I leave the room or turn my back?’ asked Thomas.

  Alice ignored him and turned to Ralph. ‘Thanks for all your help. I’m glad we met at last. And ... I hope to see you again.’ Awkwardly, she tried to shake hands.

  ‘Ach, do not be silly!’ beamed Ralph, giving her a hug. ‘Of course we shall see each other again. And we shall keep in contact all the time. Remember, you only need to think of me and ... ’

  ‘I know.’ Alice’s eyes were stinging but she refused to let them well up in front of Thomas. She certainly did not want him to know how she felt. It was bad enough admitting it to herself and knowing that Ralph was reading her thoughts.

  ‘You could always come and visit us,’ suggested Thomas, to Alice’s surprise. ‘Not that you need to improve your English, but ... you know. If you’d like a change of scenery. Our house isn’t as posh as this, though!’

  ‘Thanks!’ said Ralph, astonished by Thomas’s offer. ‘I might just do that! Will you say goodbye to my mother before you go?’

  ‘Yes, you must,’ said Grandad as he approached them. ‘And when you get back, please tell Grandma that I’m here. I’ll stay here tonight and meet you at the airport tomorrow. I managed to get a seat on the same flight home as you. I don’t fancy arriving at Brigitte’s unannounced! I left home so quickly – it was a spur-of-the-moment decision. But I’m glad we’ve straightened things out.’ He patted Ralph on the back. ‘You all look as though you could do with a good night’s sleep.’

  ‘You are right there,’ agreed Ralph. As they walked to his family’s quarters he whispered to Alice. ‘Promise me you will not worry about Isabella from now on. You do not need to, I can assure you.’

  Alice raised an eyebrow. How could he be so sure? It was impossible not to worry where Isabella was and what she would do next. But she nodded anyway. ‘I’ll try.’

  Chapter 15

  The Unknown Power

  Christina insisted that everyone make themselves comfortable while she prepared drinks. Alice sat next to her grandad, who still looked troubled despite claiming he felt better for getting everything off his chest.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ she asked while Ralph and Thomas initiated a game of living-room-football with Daniela.

  ‘Truth be told, I’m kicking myself,’ admitted Grandad gloomily. ‘I’ve changed the course of people’s lives; you, Thomas, Ralph and little Daniela. I feel it’s my fault this poor family is hiding under ground. I might as well have put a curse on them.’

  ‘Not so,’ replied a man who emerged from Christina’s kitchen. Alice and Thomas stared in amazement.

  ‘Matthias! What the ... what are you doing here?’ exclaimed Grandad.

  ‘Fixing the cooker,’ he replied with a wink.

  ‘No, I meant ... er ... down here in this village.’

  ‘I spend my free time here. My life is fantastic now, thanks to you!’

  ‘You’ve lost me,’ murmured Grandad. ‘I’m afraid you’ll have to explain.’

  Matthias sat down on a footstool; a comical choice of seat for such a huge man.

  ‘So ... last year my life changed – for the better. I think I even saved lives this week. At the television tower I stopped the restaurant rotating. Not you, Thomas. Excellent effort on your part, though.’

  Thomas looked miffed. ‘Are you saying you’re one of us?’

  ‘Indeed!’ confirmed Matthias proudly. ‘Since September. Quite late in life for the metamorphosis, I believe. I am over fifty!’

  ‘That’s it!’ Alice realised. ‘I knew there was something different about you. It’s your eyes!’

  ‘I still don’t see what this has to do with me,’ said Grandad. ‘I mean, I’m delighted you’re a Finwip, but ...’

  ‘Energy transfer,’ interrupted Ralph. ‘Matthias changed after staying with you for a week.’

  ‘WHAT?!’ spluttered Grandad. ‘Finwips aren’t contagious, you know! How did you come up with that far-fetched theory?’

  ‘I didn’t,’ replied Matthias.

  ‘I did,’ said Christina as she carried in a tray of hot drinks and Lebkuchen. ‘It is not a theory. I can see it. That’s my ability.’

  ‘See what exactly?’ asked Thomas.

  ‘I see a special kind of energy – Finwip energy, you could say. It radiates from the body and I see it as a glow.’

  ‘So we all have that, then?’ asked Alice.

  ‘We all have a little,’ explained Christina, halting the football game by glaring at Ralph. ‘But last year I noticed yours was much stronger than usual, John. Then just a few weeks later I visited my dentist, who I noticed immediately had become one of us. He was telling me about his holiday in England with his uncle John ...’

  ‘And you suspected I was responsible?’ said Grandad defensively. ‘You think this energy transfer piffle is my fault too? Not just the stones?’

  ‘Oh, the stones radiate a lot of this energy. I saw it in the piece you gave me. That is why I passed it on to Kat. So if anything, I am to blame for his multiple abilities.’

  ‘Can you see my glow, Christina?’ asked Thomas with scepticism.

  ‘Very clearly. Kat’s has also become stronger lately. But the most powerful Finwip energy source I have ever seen is here in this room sitting opposite you.’

  Everyone stared at Alice, who had been listening in bemusement to
Christina’s explanation of her ability. Startled, she looked around at the puzzled faces.

  ‘Me? What ... what are you talking about?!’

  Christina knelt down in front of her and gave her a hug. ‘You have many abilities Alice, I know. But you have not realised your full potential. The energy radiating from you suggests you are capable of so much more.’

  Alice’s eyes grew wide. ‘I am?’

  ‘Your Finwip energy is so plentiful, it transfers to others. Normal humans are immune. But some potential Finwips never reach the stage of metamorphosis, for whatever reason. I believe that was the case with Matthias, until your grandfather transferred the energy from you.’

  ‘This doesn’t make sense,’ said Alice, shaking her head. ‘You’re saying it’s actually my fault Matthias has become a Finwip.’

  ‘Well!’ began Thomas, raising his eyebrows at Alice and Grandad. ‘I don’t think we should let you two out of the house. You just can’t help causing trouble! I take it Brigitte doesn’t know?’

  ‘Do not say a word, please!’ begged Matthias. ‘This would destroy her! She knows I have changed somehow. I have seen her staring at you all; she can see the similarity in our eyes, I am sure of it.’

  ‘But she hasn’t asked you why your eyes have changed colour?’ queried Alice.

  ‘I do not think she wants to know the truth. My mother is deeper and more sensitive that she seems.’

  ‘And the shocks keep on coming!’ chuckled Thomas.

  ‘So what now? What does this mean? What do I do about it?’ flapped Alice.

  ‘Absolutely nothing,’ replied Christina reassuringly. ‘You continue just as you are.’

  ‘I ... I just don’t get it. Why me?’

  ‘I wish I could tell you.’

  ‘We already know you’re important, Alice – important enough for Aunt Jennifer to know that you would be born, and for her to feel the need to document your life in detail,’ said Grandad.

  ‘And I’ve always known she was an odd one,’ added Thomas. ‘Though I didn’t know she was giving off radiation!’

  Alice contemplated Christina with suspicion.