Toad in the Hole by Paisley Ray Read Free Book Online Page A

out and opened GG’s door. Resting her hand on top of the doorframe she stepped back to look at the stone shadows cast on the landscape and dimly-lit lead glass on a first floor conservatory. “It’s been twenty years since I’ve been here.”
    “Shall I check us in?” Edmond asked.
    “They know we’re coming. Callahan confirmed everything.”
    When I stepped outside the air smelled of salty earth. Edmond disappeared up a small flight of stone steps, while Callahan began to pile our luggage on the curbside.
    A PTT—Parental Telepathy Transmission—ticked across the Atlantic and I knew this place would not meet my father’s approval. “A castle with gargoyles and people dressed for a burlesque show. Where are we?” I asked.
    Quite pleased, GG rattled, “The Oakley Court. It’s passed through a handful of owners, and became most famous for being used as the set of The Rocky Horror Picture Show movie.”
    “So that was the Creation character in gold shorts?” Travis mused.
    GG waved a hand. “I believe so.”
    “Are they filming a sequel?” I asked.
    “Not that I’m aware of. Our stay coincides with the annual convention. They have a screen out back, and die-hard fans in full costume role-play along with the film. I thought you two would get a kick out of the festivities. We were lucky enough that some guests cancelled their reservations at the last minute and I was able to move our travel plans up a day. Have you seen the movie?” GG asked.
    Travis stuttered, “Um, I may have.”
    I slid out of the car and worked a kink out of my neck. “Horror’s really not my thing.”
    “It’s Sci Fi. After tonight you may change your mind,” GG said.
    Having traipsed across miles of London tourist attractions, dodging Ahmed, and navigating the underground, I wasn’t at my best. Inhaling deeply, I tilted my chin up. “The air smells fishy.”
    My grandmother slid a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “The Oakley Court rests on the bank of the River Thames.”
    Returning with room keys, Edmond passed a set to me and another to Travis. Mine said three hundred ten and Travis’s, I noticed, was three hundred twelve. If my dad were here, he’d have put us in separate buildings.
    “If you two are hungry, they’re serving a buffet in the banquet hall,” Edmond said.
    “Will you two join us?” I asked.
    Edmond’s eyes met GG’s. “We’ll be down for a pint.”
    “What about our bags?”
    “Callahan will see that they are placed in your rooms.” GG seemed distracted and I guessed the break-in rattled her more than she’d let on. “I have a few phone calls to make. I want to check in with your father, let him know we’ve settled into another hotel.”
    GG’s glance caught mine and lingered for a beat. I knew she’d forgo telling Dad that our rooms had been ransacked and whoever did it was probably looking for the brooch. He wasn’t a fan of her having gifted me a fine piece of jewelry crafted by one of the oldest London jewelers. If he knew that our hotel rooms had been broken into, he’d fly over here and personally haul our tushies back home.
    Inside the lobby, a mahogany staircase with intricately carved banisters and green floral carpeted steps lay just beyond an alcove with a corner desk concierge and a check-in station. This hotel was more like a house—a big one.
    “We’ll set off to Asprey Jewelers tomorrow morning at nine,” GG said before moving off toward our rooms.
    I looped my arm into Travis’s. “I’m starved, what about you?”
    He scowled and spoke from a corner of his mouth. “Why didn’t you tell her?”
    Moving down an oak-paneled corridor, we passed what could only be a member of the band Kiss, in fishnet stockings and leather. The generous amounts of hair on his chest and back made me think he was of Italian heritage. While I gawked, Travis reached out a hand. “Dr. Frank N. Furter, well done.”
    In passing, Frank N. Furter slapped Travis’s back. “Thanks,