I crossed the street with a crowd of tourists, and I stood in awe as I stared at the palace. As the queen’s official London residence, it was heavily guarded, and was so large that it frightened me. We passed through the golden gates and got closer. It was even bigger up close. I took several pictures, including a handful of the royal guards.
Sam went on a search for food while I thought about my plan for Caroline. It would take place tomorrow night at the London Dungeon.
Tomorrow was going to be a very big day.
22
Sam and I walked into a lobby that looked like it could’ve been in a grand hotel in Washington DC. The floors were white marble with speckles of gray. The wallpaper was textured velvet. I wanted to touch it, but I figured that was a big no-no.
We followed the tour guide up a set of stairs on one side of the lobby; a matching set of stairs climbed up the other side. They wrapped around toward the center and formed a balcony on the second floor to what the tour guide called a state room.
I stopped to look at a gigantic painting of a ship and the ocean. I wondered if it was one of the ships the explorers had taken as they’d set out in search of the New World. It was really bizarre to think there was a time when people didn’t know America existed.
“J.J.?” Sam asked.
“What?”
“The group is leaving us. Come on.”
I didn’t realize that I’d stopped walking. I glanced behind me for one more glimpse of the painting before catching up with the group. The tour guide described the value of the queen’s collection of gowns, many of which had been sewn by Daphne. “Today Daphne’s daughter, Sophie, makes clothes for the royal family sometimes, and Daphne’s granddaughter, Rose, is learning the family trade. Both Sophie and Rose frequently visit the palace to have tea with the queen, and to fit her gowns.”
We stopped at a state room, which looked like a ballroom—a very grand ballroom. It was fit for a queen to entertain guests and host ceremonies. The floor was adorned with an oriental rug; the ceiling was high and carved in elaborate designs. In the front of the room there were three steps leading up to a platform on which two thrones sat—actual real thrones. Behind them was a long heavy red curtain. My parents would love this, so I sent them a picture. Of course, there were tons of security people and one of them was in the picture too. I figured it would help them think I was safe.
At the end of the tour I checked my cell phone messages and found one from Liam. He said he would pick me up whenever I was ready to leave. He said I shouldn’t rush. I guess Caroline had told him to fetch me. I needed a chauffeur in Wilmington, Delaware; I really did.
• • •
Liam gave the horn a light tap when he saw us among the crowds of tourists lingering in front of the palace. It was a long ride out of the city. We dropped Sam off, and I went back to the manor house. Liam said, “Miss Caroline is home, lying down. She said she left sightseeing early due to a terrible headache.” He didn’t sound like he believed it. “She explained that Sam was accompanying you. Mr. Gordo and Ellie went home. Mr. and Mrs. Littleton are at a government function tonight, and I made you a shepherd’s pie for dinner.”
“Thank you, Liam. I’m hungry and tired.”
The evening was quiet. Caroline was in her room and I didn’t see her. I was alone for the first time in a few days, and I actually enjoyed the quiet.
Before I went to sleep, I double-checked my plan to pull an awesome and memorable prank on Caroline. It certainly wouldn’t be a quiet day tomorrow.
23
The next morning I slept until nine o’clock. I felt well rested for the first time since my arrival in London. It was my second-to-last day in England.
On my way down a massive hallway, I passed Mr. Littleton’s home office. It sounded like he was in there. I wanted to introduce myself, but I didn’t want to interrupt.
As I debated whether or not to go in, I overheard him talking on the phone. “Daphne’s, Incorporated, released its quarterly earnings today. Profits were down for the eighth straight time. Tell the police commissioner that . . .”
The rest was muffled like he was moving around while he talked on the phone.
Interesting. While Daphne’s dresses were remarkable, the store was having money problems. I also wondered what Mr. Littleton’s job was that he was talking about Daphne’s profits and a police commissioner.
Caroline and Mrs. Littleton were in the kitchen sipping tea and flipping through magazines. They sat as far apart at the table as they could possibly be. “Well, good morning, sleepyhead,” Mrs. Littleton said. “All the fun catches up with ya, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, it did.”
I looked at Caroline, who was staring out the window. I could feel the tension between us like I could feel the grumbling in my belly.
“Caroline’s headache is all gone, so y’all can have a day filled with sightseeing. Where do you still need to go?”
“I was thinking we would go to the Royal Mews, and tonight I made reservations at the London Dungeon.” I swear I saw Caroline’s eyes roll back in her head. “I have a feeling it’s going to be a very memorable night.”
I had an extra bowl of cereal they called muesli. “Are you ready to go to the Mews?”
Caroline said, “It’ll probably take a while for the others to get ready, a few hours at least. Maybe we can go later.”
I ignored her and fixed my lipstick. Liam pulled up in the driveway and parked near the front door. He walked around the black car and opened the door for Gordo, Sam, and Ellie.
“What were you saying?” I finally asked Caroline, putting my lipstick back into my purse. She just gave me a dirty look and went off to grab her bag.
Mrs. Littleton said, “Well, I think it’s great for you to get an early start on the day.” She walked over to her bag, which looked fancy. She took out several bills and handed them to me. “Today is my treat. Y’all go to the Mews, have lunch, and do the Dungeon thingy. This should cover it.”
I tried to protest, but she said, “Nonsense. You’re our guest, and I haven’t treated you to a thing yet. Have fun!” She put her purse away and headed toward the hall. “Just remember to text the pictures.” She winked at me.
“No problem,” I said, and thanked her. I looked at the bills in my hand. What a normal person would’ve seen as a few hundred pounds, I saw as my ticket out of spreading poopy fertilizer.
24
We took the train into the city. Sam asked me, “Did you tell them your idea to nab Sebastian?”
“What idea?” Caroline asked.
I explained it. “You think it’ll work?” I asked.
“Unlikely,” Caroline said.
“We need to create a website,” Sam said. “Can you do that?” he asked Gordo.
“I guess. People do it all the time,” Gordo said. “A few hours at an Internet café, and I could probably figure it out. It can’t be rocket science.”
“Couple of hours?” Ellie guffawed. “Seriously?”
“I think,” Gordo defended himself. “I’ve never done it before.”
“Well,” Ellie said, “I have. I could do it in twenty minutes. Piece of cake.”
“Did you say cake?” Sam asked. “Great. Now I’m hungry.”
I asked Ellie, “You know how to create a website?”
“Sure. I have one.”
“You have a website?” Caroline asked. “How come you never told us?”
“I didn’t think you’d be interested.”
“What kind of site?” I asked.
Ellie took the iPad from Sam and touched the screen. “Elly’s Inventions and TC Ideas and Stuff.”
“What’s ‘TC’?” I asked.
“ ‘Totally cool,’ ” she said. “I need to update the name.” She tap-tap-tapped, and presto! It read: “Ellie’s Inventions and TC Ideas and Stuff.”
“I give trendy ideas to people all over the world,” Ellie continued. “Where do you think the idea for glow-in-th
e-dark socks came from? Dyeing white cats purple? All my ideas that are now being done everywhere. A website is powerful.”
Sam added, “You are full of surprises.”
“I’m officially impressed,” Gordo said, and he bowed down to her. As he stood himself back up, he saw the screen in the front of the train. “Check out the telly,” Gordo said.
“Top news story today. An attempt has been made on the Crown Jewels,” Cole the reporter said.
Skye said, “Cole, this is major. And I understand there is some connection to the Daphne’s heist, is that right?”
“There is,” he said. “Investigators believe the equipment stolen from Daphne’s was used in the attempt. In addition the security cameras at the Tower of London were temporarily redirected so they couldn’t capture the robbers’ image. However, they missed something.” The telly showed a blurry image.
“Is that one of the ghosts that supposedly live in the Tower? Cole, are you telling us that the spirits tried to steal the Crown Jewels?”
“Although that would be an interesting story, that’s not what I’m saying. This is a reflection from one of the mirrors that tell you if someone is approaching from around a corner in the narrow corridors. Seems one of the thieves was unknowingly captured in the mirror’s image,” Cole said.
Skye asked, “Do the police think the ‘Daphne’s Duo,’ as the pair of girls in the Internet video are now referred to, are responsible?”
“The girls are among the suspects in this failed attempt,” Cole said.
“So what’s next?” Skye asked.
“Video analysts will cross-check visitors from Daphne’s with the Tower of London and see who visited both sights over the last few days. We can expect this to be a very long list of suspects, Skye.”
“Long indeed. Thanks, Cole.”
“That’s incredible,” Gordo said.
I added, “And we were just there.”
25
The Royal Mews were the queen’s riding stables and were part of Buck-P. I’m actually not crazy about horses. They scare me a little. I only picked this place because I’d seen the Internet café yesterday.
We walked through the tour of the Mews, which showed us both old and new motor cars and horse-drawn carriages. The horses were often out in the country training and resting, but today they were here in London, so that was kind of a big deal to the people who fancied horses.
As we were leaving, a straight-faced royal guard approached us. “Pardon me.”
Regardless of the beret and postage-stamp glasses, I thought for sure we’d been identified from the Internet videos. From the expressions on everyone else’s faces, they thought so too.
“Are you Caroline Littleton and company?”
“Nope,” Caroline said, looking at her feet.
The guard didn’t believe her. “Miss Littleton, your father has arranged a VIP tour for you and your friends.”
“VIP?” Ellie asked. “Ha-ha-ha! I said ‘pee’!”
“We just finished our tour,” Caroline said.
“A trail ride is a unique experience reserved for only very special guests.”
“Wait a minute,” Gordon said. “Your dad can pull strings with the queen but can’t get you a meeting with Daphne’s daughter?”
I was still stuck on this VIP thing. “Like, a ride on one of the queen’s horses?” I asked. “Shut up!”
The guard looked confused. “That won’t be necessary. You can talk whilst you ride. Please follow me.”
“Is he serious?” I asked.
“Quite,” Caroline said. “You know how to ride, right?”
“Ride a horse? Of course.” I let out a little awkward laugh. “That rhymes.” Hopefully I covered up my nervousness.
“Good. Then you won’t embarrass me,” Caroline said. I figured there was a high possibility that I would embarrass her.
We followed the guard, who delivered us to a stable helper. Gordo walked next to me. “You’ve never ridden, have you?”
“Shh,” I said. “How’d you know?”
“I think you rhyme when you lie.”
“I do?”
“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone,” he said, and pretended like he was locking his lips.
“What am I gonna do?”
“You don’t have many options. I say, ‘fess up or fake it’?”
“I think ‘fake it,’ ” I said.
“Me too,” Gordo said.
“Stay between me and Sammy. These horses are really well trained. They should just stay in line.”
“And if they don’t?”
“How far could they go? This place is all fenced in and protected by the royal guard.”
I said, “That doesn’t make me feel better.”
“Just keep your eyes on me. I’ll help you.”
“Okay.”
Sam came over. “Is this totally boss, or what?”
“Saddle or paddle, that’s what I always say,” I said.
Sam looked from me to Gordo. “Oh, bloody mess. She doesn’t know how to ride, does she?”
Sam saw right through me. “I am going to fake it,” I said. “Gordo said it will be fine.”
“All-righty. Good luck with that,” Sam said. “Make sure you tighten your helmet.”
We walked to the stables, which were clean, like just-mopped-and-dusted clean. The groom, which is what they called the stable helper, got us on the horses. I was behind Gordo and in front of Sam. I handed the groom my phone and asked her to take a few pictures of us.
After I sent those photos to Mrs. Littleton, we waited to be led to the trail. My horse dug his big nose into anything he saw, while everyone else’s stood in line. “Pull up,” the groom said, but I didn’t know what to pull—my legs, the saddle, the horse’s mane. “Pull up,” she said again when the horse stuck his snout into a bucket of brushes, knocking it over.
I looked at Gordo, who demonstrated what it looked like to pull up on the straps that held a very uncomfortable-looking gadget on the horse’s face.
Gordo mouthed the word “harder” to me, and I pulled up as hard as I could. This beast was strong, but the tug made him lift his head and stay in line.
The groom and her horse slowly walked out of the stable. The five of us followed. I swayed from side to side on the strong black horse. The ground looked far away, farther than I thought it would when I’d been standing on the ground. I was a little scared, but it wasn’t too bad—I could do this, I could totally ride a horse. How hard could this be?
Then the groom kicked her heels into the sides of her horse. It began to trot. Caroline’s and Ellie’s followed. Gordo kicked his heels, and his horse took off. And mine started to go faster without me even kicking.
Someone yelled, “Ahh!”
When I realized it was me, I tried to stop, but my body jerked with each trot, and with each jerk I couldn’t help letting out a grunt. I held the saddle and reins for dear life.
My helmet bopped around on my head until it covered my eyes.
My horse ran faster and my body sagged off the saddle.
My left foot came out of its stirrup as I fell to the right.
I pictured myself falling off and getting trampled to death. Caroline would be beyond embarrassed, but I wouldn’t care because I’d be dead, and Ellie would have her fill of blood and guts until the sequel to Bloodsucking Zombies was released.
“Gordo!” I called. “Help!” Then, as if the horse could hear me, his stride began to break. The reins felt slightly looser in my hands.
“You’re okay,” Sam said. He and his horse were very close to me, trotting right by my side.
I moved my helmet out of my eyes.
“That was so freakin’ scary,” I said, out of breath and almost crying. “You’re like a cowboy. How did you know how to do that?”
“I’ve been around horses since I was little, so it wasn’t a big deal. I was watching you closely because I didn’t think faking it was gonna work.”
<
br /> “Well, it’s a big deal to me. I thought for sure that my insides were going to be stomped out. At least that would take the news coverage away from the videos for a while,” I said. “I don’t know what I was thinking to believe that I could just hop on and ride a horse. It was a bad idea.”
“I’m not going to disagree with you. I should’ve stopped you.”
“Thanks.” We approached the stable while the other kids were going down a path. “Did Caroline see?”
Sam and his horse casually led me back to the stables. “Not a thing,” he said. “I’m sure.”
26
We had to pull Ellie away from the horses. She kept kissing them and thanking them.
“It’s their job,” Caroline said. “You don’t have to thank them.”
Gordo said, “Besides, these aren’t the talking kind of horses. So they don’t understand you anyway.” He was teasing her, but I didn’t think she knew that.
“Let’s go across the street to the Internet café now,” I said. That was really where I’d wanted to go all along.
“Yes!” Sam said. “I’m getting a sandwich. Tuna. Possibly with bacon. Maybe soup, too.”
Gordo said, “You’re going to be a human trash compactor before long.”
“That day is not today, Gordo. You want soup too? And maybe we can share a little cheese plate, eh? You wanna?” Sam asked. I think he knew Gordo wouldn’t eat soup and a cheese plate.
“Maybe a cup of soup,” Gordo said. “If it has noodles.”
On our way Ellie asked me, “Where do you think they keep the talking horses?”
I said, “I don’t think Gordo was serious.”
“Why?” Ellie asked. “They probably have to keep them away from the crowds.”
And this is the girl who was going to build the website?
• • •
At the café we all got soup and sat at a big booth in the corner. Ellie stared at the café-supplied computer. “Now, what exactly do you want me to do?”
Lost in London Page 10