Alice Parker & the Curse of Fate Read Online Free

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