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

you’re wantin’.” Cora Flint held her arms folded across her ample bosom. “I’ll speak for ‘im as I knows him an’ I’d say there’s none better in these parts.’ There was no subtlety to Cora’s approach and Bella found her imperious manner quite intimidating yet she knew the woman had redeeming qualities. Perhaps it was her way with strangers and, if that was the case, only time would tell if her character would change.

“To be honest with you, Cora, I haven’t given the matter a lot of thought…”

“That’s what I reckoned, Miss Foxton and I told Joshua as much. Be a right shame to let that garden go, that’s what he said.” Bella wondered if Joshua had a voice.

“Look, it’s very kind of you…”

“That’s agreed then, is it? He can work Thursdays like I does, if you like, then I can bring ‘im along with me, like I just done.” Inwardly cursing herself for yet again giving Cora Flint an opening, Bella tried to hide her exasperation. Taking a deep breath to collect her thoughts she tackled the problem head on.

“Now, let’s just hold on a minute. You and I haven’t even come to a fixed arrangement yet, so why don’t you both come in and perhaps we can sort something out while you’re here” It wasn’t actually a scowl that briefly appeared on Cora’s face but the look certainly indicated her displeasure. For a moment, neither of her visitors moved, then Cora propelled Joshua Bodkin forward.

“As you say, then, Miss Foxton, let’s get the matter settled to your likin’ an’ we’ll all be the better for it.”

It didn’t take long to get matters sorted out and Bella had ended up by employing them both, to work on a Thursday, as Cora Flint had suggested. She complimented Cora on what she had achieved on her previous visit and she shuffled her bulk on the chair, self-consciously, but never smiled. If she was pleased at her employer’s satisfaction with her work, it didn’t show. It was obvious the woman was a good housekeeper therefore Bella didn’t insult her by describing her duties in detail but confirmed that Cora knew what was basically expected of her. She thought it would be a good idea if they went out into the garden so that she could show Joshua Bodkin what she wanted done. Knowing that rates of pay in the area would be fairly low, on an impulse she decided to pay Cora the same as her London housekeeper, with Joshua on the same rate. It was the only time she saw a reaction on her normally inscrutable features as one eyebrow arched in a demonstration of surprise. The gardener just continued to smile and Bella had to wonder if, as she had once heard Jane say, he was the full quid. Cora spoke on behalf of the pair of them, throughout, with Joshua Bodkin apparently happy for her to do so. Pleased with herself for resolving the situation with the woman, and now having a gardener as well, she mounted the stairs in a light-hearted mood leaving her two staff to get on with their work and itching to get back to hers. Ubix hadn’t bothered to come down and find out what was going on and she addressed the cat as she seated herself.

“Well, that was a good morning’s work. I’m feeling rather pleased about that!” What she didn’t tell the cat was how nice it felt to have some human company around.

The car didn’t arrive back until the middle of the afternoon and Bella was careful to get details of the garage and the man’s name for future reference. In turn, he double-checked the information about her insurance company and asked for her phone number, strictly for business purposes. He was only young, in his early twenties, with thick, wavy hair the colour of corn and a very pleasant manner about him. When she gave him a five pound tip for bringing the car back, he actually blushed, before thanking her profusely and getting into the vehicle they had left for her to take it back. After he had gone a careful inspection of the Alfa revealed that it was impossible to tell that it had been involved in an accident, just as Kyle had said. It had proved wise council not allowing her to look at the damaged vehicle. While she was outside it seemed prudent to walk around to the back garden and see what Joshua Bodkin had been up to, now that he and Cora had left. The lawns close to the house, which had been virtually unrecognisable as such, had been trimmed then mown and the gardens around the side weeded, with their edges now being clearly defined. It had made such a difference and Bella tried to imagine what it would all look like after a few weeks under Joshua’s stewardship. The prospect thrilled her and she began to realise the benefits of owning a house and garden, something that had never even crossed her mind before, when living in the city. A part of growing older, she asked herself, or just having the time to appreciate it, something that she was rarely blessed with in London. Filled with a sense of pride and well-being she felt inexorably drawn back to the room at the top of the house, to continue working.

Saturday morning found her in the grip of mixed emotions about the day ahead, as she stood in the kitchen making breakfast. Outside, she could see leaden grey skies which threatened rain, a far cry from the warm, balmy summer weather of the past few days. At times like these Bella would give herself a strict talking to, trying to get events into perspective in order to minimise any anxiety. There were so many positive things in her life that she couldn’t afford to let something like Laura’s attitude get to her. Easy enough to say but she was a very