The Knapthorne Conspiracy by Malcolm Ballard (best english novels for beginners txt) 📕

was her longing for a man, but if he wasn’t Mr. Perfect, so what? Would a starving woman turn down the offer of food because it hadn’t been prepared by a cordon bleu chef, she asked herself. Ah well, it was no use wondering what might have happened if they hadn’t have been interrupted and besides she hadn’t been at her best either. Bella came to the conclusion that, overall, it hadn’t been a bad day at all and, if she were honest with herself, she was looking forward to seeing him again. She could only hope that he felt the same way about her and wondered when she would hear from him, suddenly remembering his gift of the gold Parker. He never had given her the book to sign. Perhaps he would bring it with him next time if there was to be a next time. But then he had shown interest in her interpretation of what had been going on around her, since arriving, so that might draw him back anyway. Only time would tell, she admitted, giving in to the urge to yawn. Becoming slowly more relaxed, her mind was like a tranquil pool and pleasant memories of the day bobbed to the surface, intermittently, as she fought to ward off the clutches of sleep and Ubix miaowed plaintively, seeking to be fed.

It was dark when she awoke feeling very drowsy and with no idea of the time. All she could think about was going to bed as soon as possible. The beginnings of a headache nagged at her as soon as she got on her feet and Bella knew she ought to have something to eat. The cat was nowhere to be seen. Obviously disgusted with her for going to sleep, she supposed, it had probably gone out hunting for its dinner. Stomach cramps snatched at her insides, causing her to gasp, as she made her way to the kitchen seeking out the mirror to see what she looked like. A pale, slightly drawn face stared forlornly back at her and she poked her tongue out at the sickly stranger staring back.

“Ugh!” was the only comment she could muster as she retreated to the fridge to get the milk. Good job Kyle can’t see me now, she thought, plucking the milk from the fridge door but before she could get to the cupboard for a glass, the phone rang.”

‘Ello?” she said, wearily.

“Bella, is that you?” She recognised Kyle’s voice immediately and willed the fog to clear from her brain but it was slow to react.

“Kyle!” Her surprise was evident. “Where are you?”

“At my mother’s. I was thinking about our conversation earlier. You know, about Willow cottage and everything…” As if  the sun had come out and burned off the mist her brain cleared immediately.

“Go on,” she encouraged him.

“Could you find out exactly when that bloke had his accident, do you think?”

“Alfie, you mean. Alfie Flint?”

“Yes. That’s him.” He went quiet for a moment. “Doesn’t have to be spot on, exact month, that sort of thing. Even if you could nail it down to a within a year or two, it would help.” Bella thought about it. Not too difficult a task as long as she didn’t make herself too obvious.

“You are interested then?” It was hard to keep the excitement out of her voice.

“Oh… maybe,” he answered, casually.

“And you don’t think I’m imagining things?”

“Well there’s only one way to find out, isn’t there?” An awkward  silence settled between them as if they were each searching for the right thing to say.

“Bella, I did enjoy today…”

“Me too,” she added.

“…and I’d very much like to take you up on your offer. How about the weekend after next?” he suggested, quickly, as though he didn’t want to give her too much time to think. Her mind was racing. Should she have invited him to stay? Was it the right thing to do so quickly? There were no other opportunities in the wings right now and, dammit, she needed some excitement in her life. ‘Go on, darling, say yes!’ Jane’s voice whispered.

“Yes!” Bella answered, emphatically, thinking she must ring Jane and let her know. No, she’d go up and see her instead, she decided. Work like a maniac this week, then go up to London on Friday. She’d make an appointment to get her hair done Friday evening.

“Way to go! Brilliant!” she whispered, with the phone away from her lips as she punched the air. Still feeling very much out of sorts, it was just the tonic she needed.

“Let me know if you can get that information. Otherwise I’ll try and get down on the Friday, if that’s ok, by about 7-o-clock.” Bella’s pulse was already racing at the thought, blaming the reaction on the time of the month. Why else would she be acting like a pubescent schoolgirl?

“That’d be fine. Now, that is Friday week, isn’t it? Just to make sure you don’t arrive and find me away.”

“Yup,” he confirmed. “Not the weekend coming but the one after.”

“Ideal! I’ll look forward to seeing you. And thanks for my day out.”

“Are you feeling any better?”

“Just tired. I’ll be fine after a good night’s sleep.”

“I hope so. See you soon, then.”

The moment Bella got into bed she wondered why she hadn’t come up sooner, it felt so good. She had brought a hastily-made sandwich and the glass of milk with her after having left some food down for the cat. Although she badly needed something to eat she also realised that it was tempting fate to have it just before going to sleep. If there was anything that was guaranteed to make her dream that was it but she was hungry enough to take the risk. In her sleepy state, after putting the empty glass and plate out of harm’s way on the bedside cabinet, she chose to review her time at the cottage and, all things considered, the move appeared to be working quite well. The book was