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

“Good, that’s settled then. You just let me know when you wants me to start.” She turned and was gone, leaving Bella as she had found her, open-mouthed and speechless.

“….and then she simply walked off. Can you believe it?” So incensed was she by Cora Flint’s visit that Bella had felt an overwhelming need to talk to another human being about it. At least, more human than Mrs. Flint. The one person that came immediately to mind, the only person who would understand the situation, was Ben Hollingsworth so she had got out his card and given him a call without another thought. Being the weekend, she had rung him on his mobile and, as soon as he had answered, Bella was so fired up she had launched into an account of what had happened, not giving the hapless man a chance to speak.

“I presume that’s Miss Foxton?” he enquired, when she had finished, trying to keep the laughter from his voice, and something in his tone immediately put Bella on alert. Her hand flew to her mouth.

“Oh, my God, Ben, I’ve been prattling on about that woman. Where are you?”

“Tina and I are just having drinks at the Country Club, before lunch.”

“She’s right there with you?” For some reason, she found herself whispering.

“Yes, but that’s fine. It’s not a problem. I could have been somewhere else, though…” What’s he talking about, she wondered, then remembered his phone call just before she had left London.

“Alright, don’t get smart! Just tell me, what am I going to do about this Flint woman?” Ben didn’t reply immediately and she presumed he was thinking it over.

“Your uncle had mentioned her…”

“What, was she on the list of Dorset’s Ten Most Wanted?” This time, Ben couldn’t help laughing.

“No, he spoke very highly of her. Apparently, she is very reliable and does an excellent job. It’s just that she’s a bit….

“Psychotic?” Bella suggested.

“Miss Foxton!” he chided, obviously using her surname for the benefit of his wife. “I think you’re being a little cruel. Rupert said that her bark was far worse than her bite. I mean, after all, she did bring you lunch…”

“By the look of her, it’s probably poisoned,” she interjected.

“Bella!” He exclaimed in an explosive manner, completing forgetting himself. “Don’t you think you’re over-reacting…”

“Ben Hollingsworth! Don’t tell me I’m over-reacting, again! We seem to have had this conversation before, I remember.” To anyone who didn’t know, it sounded like they were having a lover’s tiff, over the phone. She could imagine the look on his face and tried to picture what his wife was making of it all.

“Ok, look,” Ben said, after a moment, having got himself under control. “I don’t think you should make too much of it. Let things take their course and I think you’ll find out you’ve got nothing to worry about. She can just be a bit,” he paused, searching for the word, “daunting, according to Rupert.”

“It’s not the word I would have used,” Bella said, miserably. “That’s a bit like calling Hitler aggressive.” Ben gave up. He couldn’t win.

“I’m sure you’ll cope. Don’t forget your appointment.” She presumed he had to go.

“I won’t. And thanks for listening.” She rung off actually feeling better for having got the redoubtable Cora Flint off her chest. She glanced at her watch, wondering what the time was, then remembered it was up in the bathroom, where she had taken it off. The basket! It felt as though she hadn’t eaten for hours. What had the woman said? Bread, butter, ham. It had sounded wonderful.

There was far more, as it happened, occasioning Bella to revise her opinion of Cora Flint, somewhat. After the frightful woman had left, Bella had finally gone up and had her shower. There was no sign of the cat but Mrs Flint had probably scared that off too, she thought. Lunch was a feast, with ham, tomato, lettuce and cucumber, then there was an apple and a pear, doubtless from the garden, for dessert. The garden! With everything that had happened it had slipped her mind but she wasn’t surprised. The events of the last twenty-four hours had taken their toll but, she had to admit, it had been interesting. If that was the right word. When she had finished the meal, she sat back and thought about it all. Back to when she had come down with Ben, and her first impressions of everything, to her experiences of the past couple of days. She could have done without having had the dream, and getting up in the middle of the night, but there wasn’t much she could have done about that, though. It crossed her mind that she hoped she wasn’t going to dream about Cora Flint next. God forbid! Bella couldn’t help laughing, able to see the funny side of it now, then she leaned back and stretched, unable to stop herself yawning. Right, I must get myself organised, she told herself. Make a list of everything I’m going to need down here. Not that it’ll be much, she conceded, remembering also that she had to measure the room upstairs, before she left. Another thing that occurred to her was the possibility of getting a chest freezer, there was plenty of room for one in the laundry and then she could keep plenty of food on hand. Bella wondered where best it would be to go for her shopping. Blandford, she supposed. Or, where else was it she had seen on the map. Dorchester? Unsure, she would have to look at the map again but, before she went back, it would be a good idea to have a look at what the High Street offered in the way of shops. To the best of her memory, it was very little and bound to be expensive.

The garden had great potential, there was no doubting that, especially to someone who knew about gardening. The thought crossed Bella’s mind that perhaps she