Alice Parker & the Curse of Fate

by Nicola Palmer

  ‘Isn’t it a horrible thought, old boy?’

  Jack whined and rested his nose on her shoulder. He sat up when a knock at the door startled them both.

  ‘Alice!’ called Thomas. ‘Turn the T.V. on, there’s something on the news you should see! At least we can’t get the blame for it!’

  Alice dashed over to her television. Convinced that the story was going to be about Hermann, and the suspicious circumstances of his fall, her hand trembled as she gripped the remote. But a different German landmark flashed up on the screen; the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

  Just a few minutes earlier the Quadriga had disappeared from the top of this world-famous monument. The life-size bronze statue of a chariot drawn by four horses, driven by the Roman goddess, Victoria, had simply vanished. The statue, positioned high above the city, was a symbol of peace. The people of Berlin were furious. But they were also baffled. The Brandenburg Gate was constantly monitored by CCTV and footage provided no answers. One moment the Quadriga was there; the next it had gone.

  ‘Wow,’ breathed Alice. ‘That’s weird.’

  It was indeed. Some people who were interviewed believed it was a hoax – a trick organised by a famous magician as a publicity stunt.

  A thought suddenly flashed in to Alice’s mind. Hugh! He had been working on translocation for a while and he did seem excited about something. Would he really have moved something as big as the Quadriga in full view of everyone?

  ‘If he did, he’s insane!’ she muttered, shaking her head.

  ‘Quite possibly,’ replied a voice over her shoulder. Jack growled ferociously, apparently staring at nothing. Alice jumped up from her bed in alarm.

  ‘Who’s there?’ she called out, trying to hide her fear.

  ‘Very funny,’ said the familiar male voice.

  ‘Hugh? Where are you? Stop it! I don’t like this, I can’t see where you are.’

  ‘What? Really?’

  Jack followed a scent over to the full-length mirror on Alice’s wardrobe.

  ‘Oh, blast!’ Hugh’s voice blurted out. ‘I really thought I’d perfected this! I’ve finally managed to translocate myself instead of an object, but I’m not visible! Back to the drawing board. Mind you, this could be useful.’

  Alice felt his hand touch her head and recoiled.

  ‘Ugh! How dare you turn up in my room like this! Don’t ever do it again! You could drop in any time and I wouldn’t know. That’s just creepy.’

  ‘He would,’ said Hugh, as Jack continued to hover around his feet, growling. ‘But I promise not to do this again. I thought I’d surprise you.’

  ‘You did that all right! In case you haven’t worked it out, I don’t like surprises like that.’

  ‘Noted.’

  ‘So what do you really want?’ Alice sat down on her bed. ‘I suppose you’re responsible for this?’ She nodded at the television, which was still showing news coverage of the Brandenburg Gate.

  Hugh chuckled. ‘Yes. But don’t worry, the Quadriga is quite safe. It must have been found by now, so you’ll hear about it shortly.’

  Alice groaned. ‘If you had to practise, why on earth did you choose something so important? And so visible!’

  ‘I was trying to move something significant. I just wanted ... I wanted to show you what I can do,’ said Hugh, sounding slightly pathetic. ‘I wanted to impress you, I suppose.’

  ‘Most people buy flowers or chocolates,’ remarked Alice.

  ‘You wouldn’t be impressed with either of those.’

  He had a point. Alice tried not to smile and turned her face away from where she suspected Hugh was standing.

  ‘I assume you’ve consulted your books already. Your miserable face gave it away when I arrived. I wish I’d never told you, but you would have looked it up anyway. I don’t want to make you sad. Quite the opposite.’

  ‘Well, leave me alone, then!’

  ‘All right. If that’s what you want.’ He paused for a moment. ‘Can’t you see I’m a different person now?’

  ‘I can’t see anything, you idiot.’

  Hugh laughed out loud. ‘Sorry! I didn’t think. I’d better go. Have a good Christmas, Alice. Try and enjoy yourself.’

  ‘Pfff! Easy for you to say! What have I got to celebrate? A future with you? The fact that I give off some sort of radiation? Or the prospect of Lionel and Isabella plotting their next move?’

  ‘Well you needn’t worry about them,’ replied Hugh. ‘Lionel has gone away.’

  ‘Where?’

  ‘Well, he was being exhibited in an exclusive art gallery in Berlin – but not any more.’

  ‘Really? Oh, what have you done? Tell me!’

  Jack headed over to the window. From the creaking floorboards Alice knew that Hugh had wandered over there first.

  ‘Lionel has gone home, Alice. He won’t bother us again,’ said Hugh calmly.

  ‘WHAT!? You’ve sent him back to Arcanum Cove? You stupid ... I’ll have to warn people!’

  ‘No, you won’t. He’ll never be found. I deposited him eighty feet beneath the sea bed, not far from the lighthouse.’

  ‘You translocated Lionel? Wow. That’s ... quite clever, actually.’

  ‘You’re welcome.’

  ‘Why don’t you translocate Isabella, then?’ said Alice promptly. ‘That might impress me. I think Antarctica would be a suitable destination.’

  ‘I’ve certainly considered sending her away. But then I thought about her poor parents. They’d be devastated if she disappeared without trace, as troublesome as she can be.’

  ‘Blimey! You really have gone soft.’

  Hugh exhaled loudly. ‘Anyway, I don’t know where she is. She’s not at her parents’ house and she’s not at her apartment.’

  ‘She’s definitely in London. Ralph told me. Somewhere in the City, you know, where all the banks are.’ Alice noticed an indent at the end of her bed as Hugh hurried over and sat down.

  ‘That can’t be good,’ he said solemnly. ‘Fabian’s laboratories are located there.’

  ‘Er, I think he’s dead. Isabella said ...’

  ‘He isn’t. He went to work at the Gherkin as usual this morning.’

  ‘How do you know that? Oh, never mind. If Isabella’s in trouble it’s her own fault for making contact with him again,’ said Alice coldly. ‘She deserves what she gets. I hope he does the same to her as he did to Benedict. Or worse. I’d like to see her peck at seeds with a beak.’

  ‘She’s a silly girl,’ said Hugh with sadness in his voice.

  ‘You’re not going to stick your nose in, are you? You’d better not!’

  ‘I wouldn’t dare. I’m more afraid of you than Fabian! No, I won’t interfere this time. When Sinwips try to outsmart each other it always ends badly. They never stop until they’ve had their revenge. I’m glad I’m done with all that now.’

  ‘So am I. One nutter less for me to worry about! For the next fifteen years, anyway. Mind you, you’re still insane.’

  ‘You certainly have a way with words.’

  ‘Well, I can’t believe you’ve pinched the Quadriga from Berlin!’

  ‘I’ve not pinched it. I simply translocated it to Hyde Park for a change of scenery. Don’t worry, I’ll send it back tonight.’

  Jack stopped growling. Hugh had left the room.

  Chapter 18

  Another World, Another Lifetime

  On Christmas Eve the people of Berlin awoke to find that the Quadriga had been returned to its rightful place on top of the Brandenburg Gate. Worldwide media had been flooded with images of the symbolic sculpture sitting in the middle of Hyde Park, but no one could explain its miraculous day trip. Apart from Alice.

  She confided in Thomas but no one else. Rather than being impressed he fell strangely quiet afterwards. Perhaps he was slightly jealous of Hugh’s new skill. Or the fact that he’d pulled off such a high-publicity prank. Either way, he hardly spoke to Alice until lunch time on Christmas Eve, when they were both drawn to
the smell of Dad’s mince pies baking in the oven.

  ‘So, has that smug git sent you a Christmas card by translocation?’

  ‘If you mean Hugh – no.’

  ‘Oh dear! Not making much of an effort, is he?’

  ‘Leave her alone, Thomas,’ said Dad as he rolled out another batch of pastry. ‘Let’s not talk about Hugh, eh? It might never happen. You know how I feel about those wretched books.’

  Thomas shrugged and grabbed three pies from the cooling rack before he left the kitchen.

  ‘I hope you’re right, Dad,’ sighed Alice. She passed Benedict a piece of pastry. He had been waiting patiently to sample the goods, having tapped at the kitchen window as soon as Dad put on his apron. In the colder months he spent very little time outdoors, preferring to keep warm in Finwip village or at the Parkers’ house.

  ‘Can you get me a whole one when your Dad isn’t looking?’ he asked.

  Alice nodded and carefully concealed a mince pie behind the fruit bowl on the table, so that Benedict could eat it out of sight. He attacked it greedily.

  ‘Seriously,’ continued Dad, ‘stop worrying about this Hugh business. Somehow, sooner or later most of us end up with the right person. You need someone clever, interesting, reliable and ... dare I say it – a bit unusual like yourself!’

  ‘Unusual? Thanks a lot.’

  ‘Sorry! Perhaps exciting would be a better choice of word. Or unpredictable? No, that’s not what I mean.’

  ‘This isn’t weird at all, is it? My dad attempting to describe my ideal husband when I’m only fifteen!’

  Dad chuckled. ‘I’m just trying to make you feel better, Alice! Forget all about it. When you find the right person in the future, you’ll know.’

  ‘Hmm. I don’t see how. I’m going back upstairs to wrap Sarah’s present. She’s coming round later.’

  ‘Well, I expect you’ll be gossiping for hours. You must have a lot to tell her about your trip to Germany!’

  ‘I must listen in,’ said Benedict. ‘I have a feeling it could be very interesting!’

  ‘Just try it!’ hissed Alice, attempting to clear up the crumbly mess he had made on the table.

  ‘I suspect my beak has been pushed out. And there I was thinking I’d be the perfect match for you!’

  Alice laughed. ‘Perhaps you are!’

  *

  Back in her bedroom she began to rummage in her suitcase for Sarah’s present from Berlin. But something caught her eye across the room. The pale winter sun was bouncing off an object on her desk, casting ripples of dancing light around the room.

  She approached her desk in wonderment, scarcely able to believe her eyes. The magical object before her was the giant snow globe from Gendarmenmarkt. Snow was falling gently on the wintry village scene. At the edge of a forest several houses huddled together, a warm glow in their windows. Children and adults were playing in the snow, a dog was catching a snowball and someone was dragging a Christmas tree out of the forest on a sledge. Waving from the bridge over the pond was Santa Claus, the sack on his back bursting with toys and gifts.

  Hugh must have seen the globe in her recent memories, bought it for her and translocated it. How long had he spent reading her mind before she woke up in the forest in Detmold? How dare he! And while she was unconscious, too! But as she sat mesmerised in front of the snow globe, Alice forgave him.

  Spotting a small brass dial, she wound it up and waited for the music. When the notes of O Tannenbaum rang out, the globe began to rotate, revealing another scene in the forest behind the houses. Hidden amongst the trees were three unicorns and two winged figures. The female, wearing blue robes, had long, blonde hair and magnificent butterfly wings. The male, dressed in black, had slender wings like those of a crane fly. Next to the globe was an envelope with her name on it. She tore it open and began to read the note inside.

  Dear Alice

  A small gift – and a confession. When I read Isabella’s mind a few months ago, I saw more than our wedding and inheritance. She was insanely jealous of our whole future.

  I hope it will cheer you up to know that we will be very happy. The village we love will be at the forefront of scientific research, taking Finwips and their abilities to new levels. Thomas will play a major part in these developments and work alongside us. (I’ll admit I find that bit hard to believe!)

  Our combined efforts to lead Finwip society in to the future will be incredible. But then I always knew you were destined for great things.

  I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year. Your future is not a curse of fate but a wealth of opportunity. Remember you always have freedom of choice!

  Hugh

  Alice felt numb. For a moment she stared at the snow globe in a daze, wishing she could transport herself to the perfect world inside it. Then she picked it up, carried it to her wardrobe and stuffed it behind some clothes on the top shelf. She closed the door and smiled to herself in the mirror.

  ‘Yes, Hugh. I do.’

  My Other Titles

  Alice Parker's Metamorphosis @ amazon.com

  Alice Parker's Metamorphosis @ amazon.co.uk

  Alice Parker & The Mind Magician @ amazon.com

  Alice Parker & The Mind Magician @ amazon.co.uk

  Alice Parker & The Secret of Arcanum Cove @ amazon.com

  Alice Parker & The Secret of Arcanum Cove @ amazon.co.uk

  Alice Parker & The Sound of the Silent @ amazon.com

  Alice Parker & The Sound of the Silent @ amazon.co.uk

  The Stranger in the Shed @ amazon.com

  The Stranger in the Shed @ amazon.co.uk

  One Strange Christmas @ amazon.com

  One Strange Christmas @ amazon.co.uk

  The Christmas Project @ amazon.com

  The Christmas Project @ amazon.co.uk

  If you would like to be informed when new titles are published, please send an email to nicolapalmerwriter@gmail.com

  About the Author

  Nicola Palmer lives in Warwickshire, England. She likes animals, chocolate, vegetables and coffee. One day she hopes to grow wings and live in an underground village.

  Unfortunately, Nicola doesn’t have a magic letterbox, but she can be contacted at:

  facebook.com/AliceParkersAdventures

  twitter.com/nicolalpalmer

  nicolapalmerwriter.blogspot.com

  If you have enjoyed reading this book, we would love to hear from you. You can share your thoughts via one of the links above, or, if you purchased the book online, reviews can be posted on the vendor’s website.

  Thank you!

  80