Sickened, Alice pushed him away. This was too much for her to bear.
‘What’s wrong?’ he whispered, panic-stricken. ‘Have I done something to upset you? If so, I am sorry.’
Alice shook her head. How could she tell him that his peculiar mind-reading ability reminded her of Hugh? Aargh! She didn’t have to tell him. He would be reading her thoughts about him right now, and realising that they were mixed up with memories of someone else. Here was this incredible boy, declaring his feelings, and she had ruined it all by thinking about a weirdo like Hugh. He had a lot to answer for. Mind Magician indeed. He’d certainly messed with her mind.
‘I’m so sorry, Ralph. You’ve done nothing wrong. I’ve just got a lot going on at the moment.’
‘So it would seem,’ he replied, visibly disheartened. ‘Perhaps I should go. You know how to contact me if you need me.’
‘Thanks,’ said Alice sheepishly. ‘It might be best if you leave before someone hears us talking.’ She stood up to open the window. ‘Oh, no! It’s snowing heavily! You’ll never be able to fly in this!’
‘I was going to run back anyway. It will be faster.’
Alice pulled a face as she realised she would have to walk through the apartment with Ralph to let him out.
‘Fine. But keep quiet. Please.’
He followed Alice silently to the door. Carefully she turned the key but paused when the door creaked as she opened it.
‘Just go!’
‘Will I see you again?’ hissed Ralph from the landing.
‘I don’t know. I’m sorry.’ Alice closed the door softly and leaned against it with a sigh of relief. She liked Ralph. But his mind reading ... ugh! It made her skin crawl. He could hear all this too! How could she stop him? Oi, Ralph! Stop listening! He couldn’t help his ability and he was clearly nothing like Hugh. But it had stirred up insecurities Alice had tried to forget, and she had enough to worry about already.
*
‘Well?’ asked Thomas at breakfast time. ‘How’s Hugh?’
Alice slumped down next to Grandma at the kitchen table. ‘I haven’t spoken to him. He’s gone to New Zealand for a month, so he can’t help even if I did want him to.’
‘Don’t worry,’ said Grandma. ‘We’re on the move today. Brigitte has arranged for us to spend a few days in Detmold with our old friend, Ingrid. It couldn’t have happened at a better time.’
‘Oh. Where is Brigitte?’ asked Alice, mid-yawn.
‘She’s gone to buy Ingrid a present.’
‘Good! Listen, I’ve got some bad news, although it’s a bit late now, I suppose. Isabella has been watching us ever since we arrived here. She was actually on our flight. Lucinda told me last night.’
Thomas snorted. ‘You’re joking, right?’
Alice shook her head.
‘How did that happen? I mean, how were we stupid enough not to notice her?’
‘I don’t know. But it really was just coincidence. She was on her way to find Lionel.’
‘Coincidence or not, it’s stinking bad luck on our part,’ said Grandma.
‘I bet she couldn’t believe her luck!’ said Thomas. ‘She’s probably watching this apartment now, or paying that bloke to do it for her. They’ll follow us to Detmold as well. We’re trapped in here!’
‘No, we’re not,’ replied Grandma. ‘There’s another way out. In the basement, in the communal laundry room, there’s a small flight of steps leading to a metal trapdoor. That trapdoor opens onto the street at the back of the building.’
‘You never said before!’
‘I didn’t know until early this morning, when I offered to do Brigitte’s laundry. If she drives off on her own this afternoon, Isabella won’t bother to follow her. We’ll be waiting round the back.’
‘Mmm. I suppose it’s worth a try,’ replied Thomas. ‘But I think we’re using playground tactics against a psycho.’
Alice shrugged her shoulders. ‘Can you think of another option? Unless you want to kill again, of course.’
‘ALICE! That’s not fair. And it’s certainly not an option,’ Grandma warned her.
‘Why am I always in the wrong? You cause all the trouble, yet I’m usually the one who gets us out of it!’ Thomas banged down his coffee mug and stormed out of the kitchen.
*
Grandma’s ‘playground tactics’ appeared to work. The Parkers shared one large holdall by packing minimal clothes. Thomas had thought it would give the game away if someone saw Brigitte loading her car with four bags. After making up a feeble excuse about calling at a shop nearby before leaving, Alice, Thomas and Grandma slipped out through the basement and waited two streets away. Grumbling about the inconvenience, Brigitte finally collected them and they set off for Detmold.
For Alice the four hour journey was exhausting, as she scrutinized every vehicle travelling behind them in an attempt to decide if they were being followed.
‘Sit down and turn around!’ growled Brigitte on several occasions. ‘What is wrong with you, child?’
‘Yes, what is wrong with you, Alice?’ mocked Thomas. ‘Are you missing Ralph already? Or do you need the toilet? Your constant fidgeting is really annoying.’
‘Alice doesn’t travel well, lately,’ Grandma informed Brigitte. ‘She gets a bit ... agitated.’
‘She will have to learn to calm herself and stop being silly,’ replied Brigitte in her usual unsympathetic manner.
Thomas smirked as Alice looked daggers at the back of her aunt’s head.
Having expected an apartment in town, Alice was pleasantly surprised to learn that Ingrid owned a farm on the outskirts of Detmold. They would be staying in an old farmhouse surrounded by fields of cattle. Strange though it sounded, Alice felt better in open spaces recently. She had felt trapped in the tall buildings of Berlin and was glad to get away from the city.
Ingrid’s house did not disappoint. From her bedroom window Alice had a breath-taking view across snow-covered countryside, only interrupted by smoke rising from the chimney of the only other house for miles. That also belonged to Ingrid and was inhabited by her farm manager and his family.
‘Not a bad place at all!’ Alice said to herself, smiling as she saw two Border Collies tearing across the yard towards the house.
‘My thoughts exactly!’ agreed Grandma, appearing in the doorway. ‘We should have come to visit Ingrid years ago! I think we’ll be all right here, don’t you, my love?’
Alice nodded. ‘I hope so.’ They definitely hadn’t been followed; she had been absolutely sure on the quiet country roads leading to the farm. At least she could relax a little tonight. She sank down in to the cushions on the old rocking chair in the corner of her room, and began to reply to a text message that Sarah had sent that morning.
How’s it going? she had asked.
Didn’t start well but things are looking better typed Alice. ‘Fingers crossed, anyway,’ she said aloud.
*
Ingrid certainly made them feel very welcome. A rotund lady with a ruddy complexion and cropped grey hair, she must have spent several hours baking before they arrived. She served plum cake and apple strudel with coffee that afternoon, along with spiced Spekulatius biscuits.
‘She’d make a brilliant Finwip,’ Alice whispered to Grandma.
‘I thought you’d like her! I can’t believe so many years have passed since we last met up. It must be ten years ago, at Brigitte’s seventieth.’
‘Well, don’t leave it so long next time!’
‘No! Always you are all welcome!’ Ingrid assured them. ‘I am very happy you visit!’
‘Thanks for organising this, Brigitte,’ said Thomas, helping himself to a second slice of strudel. ‘It was a great idea.’
‘Of course it was. So, tonight we eat and rest, then tomorrow perhaps you will show Alice and Thomas around the farm?’ Brigitte asked Ingrid.
‘I would love that!’ she beamed. ‘Do you like horses? I have three.’
‘I like all animals,
’ replied Alice, stroking Ingrid’s dogs, who had not left her side since they met her.
‘Well, Maxi and Morritz seem to like you,’ observed Brigitte. ‘I have never been fond of dogs.’
‘I knew there was something strange about her,’ said Alice under her breath.
*
After a wonderful home-cooked evening meal, Ingrid led them to a living room upstairs. It was a spacious room with a wood-burning stove, three sofas covered with knitted blankets and patchwork cushions, and a large television.
‘I like this!’ declared Thomas, immediately choosing his seat opposite the television. Maxi and Morritz leaped on to the sofa next to him and lay down. ‘Oh! Nice of you to join me.’
Ingrid explained that this was the warmest room in the house in winter, and she would sit in there with the dogs every evening after dinner.
‘I’m not sure I’d like to live alone in the middle of nowhere,’ admitted Grandma.
‘Oh, I am not alone! I have my dogs and Heinrich is just over there,’ replied Ingrid, pointing to the house several fields away.
Alice had one last look out of the window, peering in to the darkness before Ingrid closed the curtains. She had been glancing outside, searching the landscape ever since they arrived, but so far she had seen nothing suspicious.
Thomas could see that she was still nervous. ‘Try and relax. It’s OK.’
Alice did her best and stretched out on a sofa, wrapping herself in a blanket. She tried to concentrate on the film that Ingrid put on for them. Not that she could hear it, since Grandma, Brigitte and Ingrid were nattering away throughout, catching up on ten years of gossip. Just before it finished, a loud bang made everyone jump. Alice screamed.
The television had gone off and the room was plunged in to darkness. The wood burner provided the only flickering light.
Alice jumped up from the sofa and ran to Thomas. ‘It’s happening again, isn’t it? She’s here!’
‘Who is here?’ asked Brigitte.
‘Shh! Don’t be silly, Alice. It’s just a fault with the television,’ Thomas reassured her. He stood up and switched on the lights. ‘See! No power cut, the T.V. has gone off, that’s all.’
‘This is annoying,’ groaned Ingrid, looking rather embarrassed. ‘But the television is quite old. I must go to town and buy a new one tomorrow.’
‘I’ll help you choose one, if you like,’ Thomas offered.
‘Thank you. Sorry everyone; no more television tonight!’
‘What a shame we are not closer to Berlin,’ said Brigitte. ‘I am sure Matthias could fix it. He is very good at repairing appliances.’
‘He’s had plenty of practice on people’s teeth,’ replied Thomas.
‘I’ll go and make us some tea,’ said Grandma. ‘Will you come and help, Alice?’
Reluctantly Alice followed her grandma downstairs. She knew she was going to get told off for over-reacting. But she couldn’t help it. She was on edge all the time. She clattered some mugs noisily on to a tray and searched for the sugar bowl.
‘Aren’t you going to say something?’ she asked.
‘No, actually,’ said Grandma calmly. ‘I just thought it would be better if you left the room before Brigitte or Ingrid asked any more questions.’
‘Oh.’ Alice kicked herself when she remembered what she had shouted out in fear. ‘I hope Thomas can think of an excuse if they ask him.’
‘I’m sure he will, my love. He has an excuse for everything.’
Chapter 8
A Flaming Disaster
Luckily for Alice no one mentioned her little outburst, and after a hot drink she managed to sleep peacefully through the night. She had Maxi and Morritz to thank for that. Ingrid allowed them to sleep in Alice’s room since they clearly adored her, and she felt much safer in their company.
The following morning, after a hearty breakfast, Ingrid took everyone on a tour of the farm. It was a sunny, frosty morning – perfect for a brisk walk – and Alice was glad of the opportunity to clear her head in the fresh air. The dogs bounded across the fields in excitement, as if showing off just how much space they had to run free.
‘Jack would love it here!’ enthused Alice.
‘Don’t get any ideas,’ warned Thomas. ‘We’re not driving to Germany with him in the car! That journey down to Arcanum Cove was bad enough!’
‘Your enormous animal would not be welcome in my apartment either,’ Brigitte informed her.
Alice pulled a face. ‘Are you sure you two are sisters?’ she asked Grandma.
‘Shh! You’re starting to sound like your Grandad!’
Hearing a text message alert, Alice reached in to her pocket. Ralph wanted to know if she was OK. She had tried not to think about him since they arrived at the farm, by making herself focus on other things. She did not want to reveal her location but this message would spoil that – Ralph was on her mind now. What a sneaky move!
Fine thanks. Nice place. Hope to do some sightseeing soon x
She felt sure she could have replied to Ralph by thought, but preferred the conventional method. After much consideration she removed the kiss before sending the message. It was too much, she thought. Some people, like Sarah, put kisses on the end of messages to everyone, but it didn’t feel right to Alice.
At the end of a long walk admiring the fields in the winter sunlight and Ingrid’s impressive flock of two hundred sheep, they stopped at the stables on the way back to the house. Ingrid introduced them to Heinrich, who was feeding the horses.
‘These are my three beauties!’ announced Ingrid proudly, stroking the noses of her horses who were observing their visitors with interest. ‘Would you like to ride while you are here?’
‘Yes please!’ replied Alice enthusiastically. Grandma and Brigitte shook their heads. Thomas hesitated, not wanting to look cowardly.
‘Why don’t you do that while I go in to town with Ingrid?’ he suggested.
‘Ha! I might have known you’d prefer televisions to horses!’ laughed Alice. ‘Good excuse, though!’
Ingrid nodded in amusement. ‘Fine. Heinrich is here to help you, Alice.’
‘I won’t need help. Can I ride this one?’ She pointed to the horse nearest to her – a beautiful chestnut with a wild look in his eyes.
‘Sammy? No,’ replied Ingrid. ‘He is young. He is not ... how do you say ... safe to ride? Always he is lively and behaves bad!’
‘Ah! You mean he’s not broken in.’ Alice smiled to herself, determined to ride that unruly horse.
Thomas rolled his eyes. ‘Great. I suppose you’re planning to do a spot of horse whispering.’
‘I shall enjoy this!’ said Grandma cheerfully, nudging Alice.
‘What? Going in to town to look at televisions?’
‘No! I’m staying here to watch you ride and have a break from Brigitte.’
*
When Ingrid, Thomas and Brigitte returned from the shops, Grandma was waiting in the kitchen.
‘Where’s Alice?’ asked Thomas.
‘Where do you think?’ Grandma nodded towards the window.
Sammy was walking calmly around the yard, Alice sitting proudly on his back. When she spotted everyone in the kitchen, she said something to Sammy in hushed tones, who promptly sauntered over to the back door.
‘This is incredible!’ murmured Ingrid. ‘How did you ...’
‘Alice is very good with animals,’ interrupted Grandma. ‘She spoke to him for a while and made friends with him. Then she asked Heinrich to saddle him up. Sammy didn’t protest at all!’
Ingrid stared at Alice with an expression of wonder and confusion.
‘Your sister is very odd, Thomas,’ remarked Brigitte.
Thomas did not reply. He was already upstairs unpacking the new, even bigger television he had chosen.
‘Ach, diese Familie!’ Brigitte grumbled to herself.
*
That evening they all settled down in front of the new television. Thomas took control of the
remote, as if it belonged to him but fortunately Ingrid didn’t mind. She had dug out a box of old photographs and was rummaging through it to find some of Grandma and Brigitte when they were young.
‘Guck mal!’ she called to them, chuckling at a photo in her hand.
Brigitte turned her nose up at the sight of the three of them wearing swimming costumes, sitting next to a lake.
‘Good grief!’ gasped Grandma. ‘The date’s on the back – 1959! We were still at school!’
‘Actually, I was not,’ Brigitte corrected her. ‘I was teaching then.’
‘Blimey!’ whispered Thomas. ‘There’s an Ancient History lesson going on over there!’
Alice curled up with the packet of cinnamon stars that he had bought for her in town. Maxi and Morritz sat at her feet drooling, then squeezed themselves between her and Thomas on the sofa. Alice had enjoyed her day and had even managed to push Isabella out of her mind for a few hours. Perhaps this trip to Germany wasn’t so bad after all!
‘Careful!’ warned Thomas. ‘You almost look happy!’
‘Happy but tired,’ yawned Alice, resting her head on a cushion. ‘I need sleep, not T.V.’
‘Sleep then. There’s nothing worth watching at the moment anyway. Even if there was, I wouldn’t hear it over all that squawking!’
Alice closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep in spite of the shrieks of laughter coming from Grandma and Ingrid. Brigitte didn’t seem quite as enthusiastic about embarrassing photos. But then, thinking about it, Alice couldn’t imagine her getting excited about anything.
For a couple of hours Alice dozed peacefully, her feet kept wonderfully warm by the dogs. But she woke up with a start for no apparent reason. She sat up and looked around the room.
‘Hey, Thomas, can you smell something?’
‘Oh, you haven’t, have you?’
‘No! I’m being serious. I think I can smell burning.’
‘I can’t.’
Alice continued to sniff the air anxiously. After a moment the dogs jumped off the sofa and ran to the door of the living room, barking in alarm.
Alice Parker & the Curse of Fate Page 6