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

allowed herself the luxury of staying under it for longer than usual, wallowing in the pleasure of being clean from top to toe. Much to her annoyance, as soon as she got out Bella felt the urge to go to the toilet and blamed it on the coffee as she seated herself. One of the things she had been meaning to get looked at was the toilet cistern, an ancient device of dubious heritage that made a noise like a rampant steam engine as it refilled. She stood up with a sigh and pulled the chain, the resulting hiss and roar amazing her, as always. Briefly, Bella thought she’d detected a new noise, no doubt signs of further deterioration, but whatever it was the effect had been only temporary and she put it out of her mind.

Out in the back garden of Willow Cottage, Kyle Lucas froze as the sound of the breaking window was much louder than he’d anticipated. His arrival in the van had attracted no attention and he’d left it parked next to Bella’s car with its rear doors open. He was on a high, the adrenalin pumping, as he trod softly across the drive making for the front door, all the time talking to her under his breath as she urged him on with lewd obscenities. She couldn’t be far away now and the thought of her naked body beneath him, squirming and struggling was sufficient to arouse him and he grinned in the knowledge that there’d be no repeat of before. The door had been locked so he’d gone around the back then heard the sound of the shower through the barely-open bathroom window. It was going to take courage to break in but the thought of her in the shower, only yards away, gave him all the impetus he needed. Perspiration lined his brow as he drew his arm back, the large stone gripped firmly in his hand, but he had hesitated before taking the final step and sending it through the window. Hearing the toilet flush was like a signal and, without a second thought, he had launched the rock on its way.

Coming out of the bathroom, dressed in a clean robe and with a towel wrapped around her wet hair, it was impossible for her to avoid looking up the hall towards the doorway of the small bedroom. In doing so Bella rekindled the feeling of apprehension that had disturbed her the night before, only this time it was much stronger. Something was telling her that she wasn’t safe in the cottage, that she should get out without delay. Panic seized her, instantly displacing the tiredness and lethargy of moments earlier, as she dashed into her bedroom desperate to lay her hands on anything she could wear. To her horror, the sliding wardrobe door had stuck in its runner and the more she pushed the more firmly it became wedged. Immediately she began to perspire as her heart started to pound. Her jeans and skirts were in there! Suddenly her hand slipped and she caught a fingernail, breaking it.

“Oh, fuck it!” she cried out loud, in desperation. “Come on, open, damn you!”

“Now what sort of language is that for a lady?” She whirled around, terror flattening her against the wardrobe doors as her eyes locked onto Kyle Lucas and the large kitchen knife in his hand.

“Kyle…” It was all she could manage to say and it came out as a small, strangled sound bringing a smile to his face.

“What’s up, Bella? Not frightened of me are you?” Her heart was beating fit to burst and she had never been so scared in her life. The thin material of the robe began to cling to her where she was wet with perspiration and she could see the effect it was having on him, his eyes greedily feasting on the sight of her breasts and stomach.

“What do you want?” If that wasn’t the dumbest thing she’d ever said, she knew it had to come close and shut her eyes, momentarily, in an effort to try and think clearly. Kyle laughed at her words derisively, his intention blatantly obvious and she nearly wet herself as he lightly ran a finger along the kitchen knife’s razor-sharp blade. His face took on a sympathetic look.

“Poor Bella!” He spoke quietly, soothingly, in the way one might talk to an injured animal. “Are you frightened I’m going to hurt you?” Kyle began to advance towards her holding the knife out in front of him and Bella started to shake. Even though she was gripped by indescribable fear, an image of Frank Allsop trying to get the cigarette to his lips came to mind and she, giggled nervously. This is your half-brother, a voice screamed in her head but her jaw was trembling so badly she couldn’t even speak, let alone yell at him. Then he was in front of her, the knife under her nose, and he could smell the fear on her. Kyle put his face close to hers, their noses almost touching then she shuddered, involuntarily as she felt the feathery touch of his hand between her legs. Clamping her lips and eyes shut, she tensed as his fingertips moved up and came into contact with the firm roundness of her breast, moving on to softly tease the nipple. Bella wanted to scream, to scream like she’d never screamed before but she knew it would be useless. There would be no-one to hear her and she finally broke down at the thought.

“Now come on, Bella, we’re friends aren’t we? What are you crying for? Just be a good girl and do as you’re told and you won’t get hurt.” Had Patrick said the same words to Ruth Flint, before strangling her? It was like the past had come to life, she realised. Was it her meddling with the past that had brought this upon her, a case of history repeating itself. Like father,