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

to start somewhere. Determined not to show any emotion, Cora bit into her lower lip, exercising steely self-control. Bella pressed on.

“Ever since I’ve come to Knapthorne, I’ve felt like a bit of an outsider. Almost as if I’ve not been welcome here. I don’t know what it is that I’ve done. Can you tell me, Cora? Do you know of anything that might explain that?” It was obvious to Bella that Cora Flint looked extremely uncomfortable, even in the protective surroundings of her own home. Her unwillingness to speak seemed to indicate to Bella that she was either wrestling with her conscience or simply just did not want to volunteer any information, for some reason.

“What is it, Cora? Why won’t you talk to me? I’m not an ogre, surely? I’d really like us to get on and I’d like you to continue…” Bella’s voice died away as Cora’s face crumpled, all semblance of self-control lost.

“Stop it! Stop it, d’you hear?” She was on her feet now, surprising Bella with the speed of her movement. A deep, bitter emotion contorted her face as she confronted Bella. “I’m tellin’ you nothin’. If you’m want to know anythin’, you go see Samuel Handysides, alright?” That said, she began to sob. A despairing, heart-wrenching sound that accompanied her as she turned away and hurried from the room.

Chapter Thirty-One

The interior of the Alfa Romeo was very warm when Bella got in so she opened all the windows, at the touch of a button, then let out a long, slow breath.

“Wow!’ she said, quietly, in amazement. When Cora had left the room she’d slammed the door behind her and Bella had got the not-so-subtle message but it was a few seconds before she moved, stunned by the woman’s reaction. As the effect of her sudden departure wore off Bella had got up from her chair, after putting her cup and saucer down, and quietly let herself out. Seated in the car with a welcome breeze ruffling her hair she pondered her next move. There was no choice, it seemed, but to go and see Samuel and talk to him. Was she wasting her time, she wondered. What if he either wasn’t prepared to talk, like Cora, or dismissed her concerns as the product of a creative imagination? And would he be right? Bella considered the question. No! Maria’s visit, and her mother’s mention of following her instincts, drove her on. It was almost as though she felt her mother was with her, by her side, and it gave her inspiration. Bella was certain she was doing the right thing. That being the case she turned the key in the ignition and the engine roared into life. Bella took it as a positive sign, smiling broadly as she slipped her seat belt on.

At least when she walked into the saloon bar of The Lamb now, Bella knew what to expect. The half dozen regulars in the room each in their own time turned to see who had come in then let their eyes linger upon her or chose to ignore her. A game of dominoes was in progress, she noticed, at a table by the front window while the other patrons drank at the bar. There was no sign of Samuel at first and Bella felt a little uncomfortable in the all-male company as she waited for him to appear.

“Your turn to buy, I reckon,” the man at the bar nearest her said. Bella wasn’t sure whether the comment was directed at her and chose to think it wasn’t.

“Looks as though she can afford it, right enough!” the man next to him replied. They all turned to face her and Bella felt her cheeks growing hot. At that moment Samuel appeared and she greeted him a little too loudly, grateful for his presence.

“Samuel! How nice to see you.”

“Miss Foxton. Ain’t seen you round these parts for a while.”

“Oh, I’ve had my mother staying, friends down, that sort of thing. You know.”

“Getting’ into your London ways, now, is it?” The men at the bar had turned away, their sport spoiled by the appearance of the landlord. “What can I get you, miss?”

“A gin and tonic please, Samuel. Can I get you a drink?” His rounded cheeks, hidden among the grey whiskers, grew even chubbier as he smiled.

“Well, that’s very good of you. I’ll have half a mild with you, if that’s alright.”

“My pleasure. Actually, Samuel, can I have a word with you, in private, if that’s possible?” He didn’t seem at all perturbed by her request. Maybe, she thought, the episode with Alfie had done some good, after all.

“Just let me get your drink and I’ll come round. We can sit at one of the tables over the back.” Bella looked in the direction that he’d indicated then crossed to the table and sat down. Right then, at that very moment, she felt as though there was an inevitability about what was taking place. Having started the momentum going with her visit to Cora, the dynamics of the situation meant that the sequence of events was beyond her control and the outcome lay in the hands of others. Cora had been just the beginning, the snowball at the top of the slope, immobile until Bella had given her a nudge. Rarely, if ever, in her life had Bella been so confident of what her instincts were telling her. But that didn’t mean to say she wasn’t nervous and, as Samuel brought their drinks over, she could only hope the relaxed smile she gave him masked the reality of her true feelings. He placed their drinks on the table, pulled up a chair and sat down.

“Thanks, Samuel.” The landlord smiled, waiting for her to continue, and Bella wondered what was going through his mind.

“You’re no doubt aware that Cora Flint works for me, one day a week,” she began. Samuel nodded, his face impassive. “Has done for most of the time I’ve been here. She’s an