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

a scarf at the neck and their make-up erred on the heavy side.  They could have been related but were, more than likely, just neighbours, their menfolk either at the bar or playing darts. At the feet of each of them was a solid-looking large, black handbag, no two of them exactly the same but near enough in size and shape to each other to conform to the required standard. Bella had the eerie feeling that she and Ben were like time travellers who had entered another dimension.

“Still feel the same about wanting to get out of London?” They had taken their drinks to a vacant table at the end of the bar, on the right-hand side of the room and there was a look of mild amusement on Ben’s face as he put the question.

“What, just because of this place?” Although Bella knew he was obviously poking fun at her she was in no mood to be taken lightly and his attitude annoyed her. “If anything, Ben, it strengthens my resolve. I don’t expect you to take me seriously because you obviously don’t understand and I’m certainly not going to be put off by something as immaterial as the atmosphere in here. Rupert left me that cottage for a reason and it’s given me the opportunity to rethink my life. Not many people get that chance, do they Ben?” She held his gaze, her eyes sparkling. The rhetorical question was directed at him and he knew it. There was a challenge implicit in her words and the silence was charged with a physical potency generated by the mutual attraction that existed between them. His flippant remark had been meant as a harmless jibe, nothing more, but he had underestimated her feelings only to have the tables turned on him.

“Come on, Bella, it was meant as a joke! Obviously in poor taste, it would seem.”

He looked apologetic but she was not about to let him off the hook. He had needled her and now she was determined to get under his skin and get him to react. There was no denying she felt physically attracted to him and it would be easy enough to enter into an affair but she wanted to find out more about him, after all, she had known him for what? All of four days. In her experience it had never been easy to get a man to talk about his feelings honestly and openly but this was Bella at her most dangerous, for once she had set her mind to something it was rare for her to give up, and she didn’t believe in treading softly.

“Would you ever think of leaving your wife?” Ben looked at her in astonishment.

“What on earth made you say that?” He stared, in disbelief, at the grin on her face.

“Just wanted to see how you’d react. Reading between the lines I’d say that you’d given it some thought, not unlike most men in your situation.” The baited hook had been left for him to swallow. It would be a start.

“And what is my situation,” the two words were heavily emphasised, “as you put it?”

“Why don’t you tell me, Ben?” The level of conversation in the background had diminished considerably as ears pricked up and heads turned in their direction. “Why were you so keen to come down with me to see the cottage? It wasn’t necessary for me to see it immediately, after all.” The words were hardly out when he went on the offensive.

“Bella, this is preposterous! It seemed like a good idea to get you down to have a look at it as soon as possible. I’m Rupert’s solicitor. I’m sure that’s what he would have wanted…”

“And there was no ulterior motive on your part?” Ben was saved from having to put words to the lie by the arrival of the food they had ordered. It was brought over from the bar by a slightly overweight man of medium height and indeterminate age dressed in crumpled grey trousers and a bright, multi-coloured pullover worn over a white shirt. When he had taken the small cane baskets from the tray and placed them in front of the couple, along with their cutlery, Bella thanked him for his trouble but, instead of leaving, he stood there grinning.

“I’m Alfie,” he said, introducing himself with boyish excitement and holding the tray flat against his chest. “I works here.” They both smiled at him sympathetically as the landlord called out, from behind the bar.

“Alright Alfie, you can go round and collect some glasses, now. Let them get on with their meal.”

“Nice to meet you,” Alfie said, with a shy smile, and turned away.

“Poor man,” Bella remarked, when he was out of earshot. “At least he adds a bit of colour to the place.” Ben watched him return to the bar but his thoughts were concerned with Bella’s recent comments.

“If I were to be honest,” he began, quietly, picking at his food and not looking at her, “I’d have to say that I have considered leaving Tina.” The confession made, he raised his head and studied her face. “I’ve never mentioned that to anyone and I’m not even sure why I’m telling you.” It was obvious that he was finding it difficult. “And while I’m baring my soul,....” he leaned forward so that he could talk even more quietly, and then looked around to make sure he wouldn’t be overheard. “I have to admit that when I saw you on Thursday, you took my breath away, and I had to find a way to see you again.” It felt as though a weight had been lifted from him, now that the pretence was over with, but he was unsure as to how Bella would respond. With a sigh, he sat back, a look of resignation on his face. “So, you’ve got what you wanted, the truth…

“What I want, Ben,” she said, decisively, interrupting him, “is to keep my life as simple as possible.