Alice Parker & the Curse of Fate Read Online Free Page A

was
irresistible. Some of the globes were musical and rotated to the
tune of Christmas carols. In some the snow fell in dense, white
flakes; in others it was simply a sprinkling of glitter. There were
so many different sizes – the smallest no bigger than a golf
ball. But Alice was transfixed by one particular globe in the centre
of the display.
    ‘ There’s
no way we could get that home!’ concluded Thomas. ‘Even
if we could afford it – which we can’t – it won’t
fit in your suitcase or hand luggage.’
    Alice sighed in
disappointment as he led her away, but she was quickly distracted by
the smell of food. ‘Hey, I wouldn’t mind a pancake
filled with cherries and marzipan! Can you do something to shorten
the queue?’
    ‘ No! It’s
too crowded here. It’s too risky. Go and join the queue and
get one for me! I’ll look for something for Ellie on this
stall while I wait. I won’t move until you’re back, OK?’
    Alice nodded and
headed off to the pancake stall. She wasn’t keen on crowds but
this place was so full of festive atmosphere, she
could make an exception. After pushing her way through hundreds of
smiling, dawdling shoppers she waited impatiently for her turn. The
aromas around her were tormenting her cravings. It was not easy to
fulfil her Finwip food requirements while staying with a normal
human. Brigitte would be appalled if she saw Alice consuming as much
fruit and sugar as she needed.
    When the pancakes
were finally ready, Alice decided to walk back to Thomas via the
steps of the concert hall, so she could take in the view of the whole
market. Plenty of people had the same idea, and were sitting on the
highest steps or leaning against pillars, wrapped up in their scarves
and hats. As she gazed across the striking display of star lights
above white canopies, one in particular caught her eye. It seemed
much brighter than the others – more a burning yellow light
than a gentle white glow. Alice wondered if there was a nativity
scene beneath it. Intrigued, she decided to take a look. Thomas’s
pancake would be cold by now anyway.
    As she got closer to
the bright star, she realised that it belonged to the stall where she
had left Thomas. How strange! When she tapped him on the shoulder
someone pushed past her rudely, knocking her off balance and nearly
making her drop his pancake.
    ‘ Verzeihung,’
mumbled the man before he disappeared in to the crowds.
    ‘ Let’s
move,’ said Thomas. ‘I fancy a drink when I’ve
eaten this.’
    Thomas ordered an
Eierpunsch, a sort of German eggnog and Alice chose a non-alcoholic
Glühwein. The cafe was busy and the only available chairs were
outside the tent, but Alice was glad to sit down and warm her hands
on her hot drink. Her eyes wandered from stall to stall, admiring
Christmas decorations, brightly coloured candles, hand-made toys and
gingerbread. Then she happened to look up at the roof of the cafe.
The star above them was bright yellow now! Just a few minutes
earlier it had been white. Before she could open her mouth to tell
Thomas she felt a sickening feeling in her stomach. She slammed down
her mug and grabbed his arm.
    ‘ 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