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

asked, sounding more than somewhat astounded. An instant replay of Samuel’s earlier words ran through her mind. ‘You are definitely sure you wants to ‘ear about all this?’ Unnoticed by Samuel, who was deep in thought, a shiver made her upper body tremble and she shook her shoulders as if trying to shake free of the sudden feeling of apprehension which had gripped her.

“Your father used to call himself Rupert's General Manager and play Mr. High-and-Mighty when he turned up down here." He had Ruth's immediate attention.

"How do you mean?"

"Acted like he owned the place, like 'e was better than us folks. So diff'rent to 'is brother. To give you the 'onest truth, if everythin’ was goin’ your dad’s way ‘e were about bearable, Miss Foxton. But woe betide anyone who got in his way if they weren’t! An’ then there was ‘is drinkin’. Tended to get a bit hobnoxious when ‘e’d ‘ad a few, did Patrick but ‘e ‘ad a couple of cronies in the village who were ‘appy to suck up to ‘im.” Seeing the look on Bella’s face, Samuel had to say something. “I’m sorry, Miss. I know them’s ‘ard words to ‘ear but I did try to warn you.” She forced a smile, realising this couldn’t be easy for him, either.

“It’s alright, Samuel. I never really knew my fa…Patrick, you see, but he’s still family and that’s why it hurts.”

“I don’t thinks you could ever get away with callin’ a girl sweet, these days,” the landlord of The Lamb said with a grin. “But that’s exactly what Ruthy Flint was. There weren’t a nasty bone in 'er body. Even when she were a bit older she were like a little ray of sunshine. She were everyone’s favourite. Do anythin' for anybody too.” Looking at Bella he could almost read what was going through her mind. “You wouldn’t think so to look at Cora, now, would you?” She raised her eyebrows, smiling at him in agreement. Bella was feeling a bit tense, in expectation of finally finding out what had happened to the girl, and forced herself to try and relax but her palms were moist and her heart had begun to pound.

“So, what happened to her, Samuel? Where is she?”

“Settle yourself, Miss Foxton, now, please. This tale ain’t goin’ to improve for the rushin’ of it.” Her unease was affecting him now but he dared not show it. He would have loved another cup of tea but knew there was no way he could ask. Bella sagged back into the chair, taking a couple of deep breaths. As she did so, Ubix slunk down the stairs, wary of the stranger. Stretching his body long and low, ears back against its head, the cat ran for the kitchen. From where he sat, Samuel had been unable to witness the performance and remained ignorant of Ubix’s existence.

“You knows a bit about the ‘istory of the Flint family now, how they used to live ‘ere, in Willow Cottage, and what ‘appened to Alfie an’ all.” The mention of Alfie’s name stirred her memory.

“Talking of Alfie, Samuel. Is what you told me about him, his accident and so on, true?” A guilty look appeared on the face of Samuel Handysides and his shoulders dropped, like he had suddenly been punctured and the air had rushed out of him. A shaft of sunlight beamed through the window, illuminating the area where Samuel sat and the light made his eyes suddenly sparkle. It seemed as if he were having difficulty in speaking. Bella was overwhelmed by a great rush of pity for the man although she had no idea what was going on in his head. At that moment he just looked so utterly forlorn.

“You needs to know the full story. That’ll explain everything.” He couldn’t look her in the eye immediately and fumbled in a trouser pocket for his handkerchief. “Sorry ‘bout this,” he apologised and blew his nose while she waited for him to continue.

“Your notion about Alfie was right and I’m sorry I ‘ad to lie to you. We’ve always told the same story an’ no-one’s been any the wiser.” Samuel had recovered sufficiently to carry on but knew the hardest task of all was still ahead. “As I said, Ruthy Flint were a lovely young thing. Back then she would ‘ave been in her early twenties if I’m rememberin’ rightly. This particular day started much as any other but come the time it ended, I’m a-tellin’ you, there’s never been a day like it, before or since and I ain’t a-wantin’ to see the like of it again!” Bella began to feel uncomfortably warm and wished she could strip off her sweatshirt but she was wearing nothing underneath. Besides, she had no intention of distracting Samuel.

“Your father was in right early that mornin’. Just had the one drink and left.  When he came to the village, he only stayed around for two or three days at most, checking on things for his brother. Funny thing was, ‘e were about the last one out the pub the night before.”

“What did Patrick actually do?”

“Kept an eye on all the properties, see if there were any maintenance or repair work to be done. An’ ‘e talked to the tenants, see if they ‘ad any problems. Not that it did them much good if they ‘ad,” he added. “I’d ‘eard talk ‘e was involved with the book-keepin’ too but I don’t know.” From Samuel’s attitude it was obvious that he didn’t think much of Patrick. “Anyways, ‘e stayed for maybe an hour or so, could ‘ave been less, an’ I found ‘im a bit abusive so I left ‘im to it ‘cept for when I ‘as to serve ‘im. Then, for a Wednesday, it started to get…”

“Hold on, Samuel. I’m sorry to stop you but why is it that I get the feeling there’s something you’re not telling me about Patrick?” He could plainly see that she was