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

whole thing. You know, Alfie, my dream and everything.” She sat down opposite him with a glass of wine. “And seeing how I like it so much down here I thought to myself, ‘So what if there are some things that don’t seem quite right and some odd people around? Should I really worry about it?” Bella was about to continue but he spoke out before she had a chance.

“So you’re saying that everything you told me, about how you had this feeling about the place and, correct me if I’m wrong, how you were more than a little concerned about it, has changed and now you’ve decided that you’re not going to be concerned about it at all. It doesn’t make sense!” Bella sighed and looked slightly anguished. How, she wondered, could she try and put him off without either appearing rude or a bit odd. There was no denying what he was saying was right but she could hardly tell him straight out that she rather he didn’t dig around any more. To try and haul Kyle back in now, once he’d been unleashed, would only make him more determined to carry on, she was sure.

“You know what it’s like Kyle, surely? There must have been times when you’ve  told someone about something that’s been bothering you and then had second thoughts about having told them? Just the act of telling someone else makes things seem better sometimes, and that’s how I feel now. Sure, it’s interesting to discover the Flint’s have a sister but I’m certain it’s no more than that. If you want to try and prove me wrong, then go ahead but I don’t want it to spoil our weekend. Can you understand that?” Kyle’s face was like a blank screen and it was difficult to read what was going through his mind. There was nothing in his look, in response to her words, that gave any indication as to what course he would pursue but she knew he would have made a decision before he replied.

“And neither do I. I’ve been looking forward to it so much.”

The subject was forgotten as Kyle indicated he was ready to eat, not realising until he had finally relaxed just how hungry he was.

“Ok!” Bella replied, brightly and finished off her wine before getting up. “If you’d like to sit yourself at the table, it’ll be about five minutes.” As she started for the kitchen, Kyle called after her.

“It certainly smells good, whatever it is!” The fact that she hadn’t found his news of interest annoyed him, particularly as she had got him interested in the first place and he’d pulled one of the researchers off another job to look into it. It was not in his nature to stop something he had begun and Bella’s attitude made certain that he’d carry on and see if he could turn up anything else, making sure to keep her happy in the meantime by keeping Bella’s name out of it. Only a considerable amount of will power, on his part, had prevented an argument but he was not going to destroy the opportunity of sharing Bella Foxton’s bed. At that moment he would have sworn black was white, if that was what she wanted. Why did women always have to be so up front about their emotions he wondered, mystified. It was so easy to tell them what they wanted to hear, especially if it made them happy. And it usually did, he conceded, with a grin.

“What are you smiling about?” Bella asked, as she came from the kitchen carrying a plate in each hand, her hands protected by oven gloves.

“Oh, nothing really. Just thinking who would have thought we’d have ended up like this after the way we met…”

“Accidentally, you mean?” Bella put in, and they both laughed, as she put the plates down. “Be careful, the plates are hot,” she warned him before returning to the kitchen. In no time at all their meal was on the table and she had poured wine for both Kyle and herself. As they began to eat, the conversation was light-hearted and easy at first, a casual smokescreen for the slight nervousness and unmistakable undercurrent of sexual tension that both of them were experiencing. But it wasn’t long before the alcohol started to work its magic, relaxing nerves, easing tension, and stimulating the appetite of desire. Whereas each of their faces had been open and friendly at the start of the meal, giving no indication of their innermost feelings, by the time they had reached dessert, it was a different matter. The mood had changed perceptibly and their eyes met frequently now. Eyes with looks full of promise. Eyes that asked, and answered, unspoken questions of each other. They talked softly now, sometimes intensely, all the time knowing where the evening was leading them and getting closer and closer to that moment as time ticked by. It was after ten when Bella looked at her watch.

“Coffee and brandy, ok with you?” Kyle nodded, in response to her question. “The meal was excellent, thanks. Do you want a hand with those things?” he asked, as she began to clear the table.

“No, it’s alright, thanks. “It’s actually nice to be able to do it for someone. Makes a change. You go into the lounge and make yourself comfortable.”

“Now I know that wasn’t the cat you served up for dinner, so what have you done with it?” He was looking around the room as she put the tray down on the coffee table.

“Kyle! As if I’d even think of doing such a thing! If you must know,” she said, passing him his coffee, then a brandy, “I’ve shut Ubix out of the house so you’ve nothing to worry about.” Kyle gave a genuine sigh of relief as she seated herself alongside him on the sofa.

“And Cora Flint doesn’t have a spare key? She’s not liable to suddenly appear at any minute?” Bella turned