Alice Parker & the Curse of Fate (21 page)

‘
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
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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
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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

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