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

loves the light and the textures in the countryside  around her and, to be honest, I would imagine that England holds the wrong sort of memories for her.” Thinking of her mother, Bella realised, somewhat guiltily, it had been over a year since she had last seen her. Ben was quite happy enjoying the moment, pleased to be in her company and not feeling the immediate need for conversation. It was Bella who eventually broke the silence.

“My brother, Liam, left to go to America then Laura came back here…”

“She was the one with the gingery, red hair, the other day?”

“You noticed, did you?” Bella said, with a smile. Ben chose to err on the side of decency and refrained from commenting. “Yes, that was her. There were the three of us kids. I came back when I was eighteen, did a bit of modelling and promotion work then got into public relations through a contact of Rupert’s.”

“He certainly has looked after you then.”

“Uncle Foxy was the Dad I never had…”

“I beg your pardon?” Ben interrupted. “Did you say Uncle Foxy?”

“I always called him that,” she replied, defensively. “Ever since I was a kid.” She affected a look of being really hurt. “Didn’t you ever have a pet name for a relative?”

“I can think of one or two,” Ben answered grimly. “But I couldn’t repeat them to you. I don’t know you well enough!”

Bella entertained Ben with a condensed version of the early part of her life, as they waited for their sandwiches to arrive. They were both very much at ease in each other’s company and not in a rush to leave the pub. She explained to him the rift between Laura and herself but didn’t mention her sister’s recent visit and then recounted the tale of her short marriage and how she had taken up writing shortly afterwards. Finally, she told him how Liam had died, from Aids, only last year, after he had been living in New York and working as an account executive for an advertising agency. Bella had managed to get across to see him before he died, just one month short of his fortieth birthday. The barman brought their sandwiches over and Ben followed him back to the bar, to get another round of drinks. It occurred to Bella, that it had been a very long time since she had talked about herself like this, to anyone, and Ben was a certainly a good listener. She pondered over the fact that he was married and was surprised to find that it bothered her. It wasn’t as though having an affair with a married man would be a new experience for her. She could remember vividly the husband of one of her mother’s friends, in Lucca, making love to her when she was still a teenager for what girl ever forgets losing her virginity? And she had had affairs with married men since, not that she made a habit of it, but couldn’t recall any great degree of soul-searching. So why did the prospect of an affair with Ben, if there was going to be one, bother her so? Was it that he was indirectly associated with the family? Or maybe it was because she was suddenly in the public eye. Before she could explore any further possibilities he was on his way back with the drinks and she used her imagination to shut out the niggling worry.

“Penny for ‘em!” he said, putting the drinks down.

“I was wondering what you’d look like with no clothes on,” she replied, her eyes holding his, searching his face for a reaction.

“I can show you, right here, if you wish,” he replied, setting the drinks down.

“I don’t think that’ll be necessary, Ben, thanks.” There was a look of stunned amusement on his face as he sat down.

“Are you always so direct?”

“You asked me what I was thinking. I told you. When I first saw you I admired your athletic build. You’ve obviously looked after yourself and it shows.” She raised her glass to him. Cheers!” Not used to a woman speaking her mind in such a way, he found it refreshing but, above all, exciting. It brought to mind memories of when Tina had stimulated him in the same way, a willing and innovative partner, passionate and energetic in her love-making. But that had ended after the first baby and they had never recaptured their early enthusiasm in bed. They were still communicating then and had talked it over with their GP who recommended a psychologist who specialised in sexual problems. Ben had tried to be supportive, understanding and, most of all, patient but to his everlasting frustration he found that the less Tina wanted to be involved in any form of sexual activity the more his urge for sex increased. There had been so much guilt attached to his first affair but slowly he came to enjoy the illicit thrill of clandestine liaisons. Only once had Tina come close to finding him out and he had reacted like a nicotine addict trying to give up smoking. So unnerved was he by the experience, and what he possibly stood to lose, that he swore he would never stray again. Until the next time, of course. Sex occurred between them now with about the same regularity as an oil-change for the car and with about as much excitement. Thinking about his marriage, he knew that he needed the security it provided and how good it had been for his career. There was no question that he loved his children, dearly, but Tina? What did he honestly feel for her now? Over the years she had become compulsively materialistic and, as his income had increased, so had the size of their debt. On an impulse, he tried to count off, on the fingers of one hand, how many times they had moved in the past ten years.

“What are you up to?” Bella, who had been quietly watching him, enquired.

“Oh, just