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

destructive influence. What she would desperately like to do was either get her sister out of her life completely or come to some accommodation whereby they could have a reasonable relationship. Knowing Laura, it seemed neither option was a realistic possibility. The woman appeared to thrive on antagonism, an attitude that was totally alien to Bella. How anybody could spend their lives upsetting people and continually be at odds with everyone around them was a mystery. In Bella’s experience, one of the most rewarding aspects of life lay in socialising and making friends and it was a constant source of wonder to her that she and Laura were actually related at all. How could two people, so disparate in their make up, have been the progeny of the same parents? They were the human equivalent of an oxymoron, a conjunction of contradictory elements that was one of the bewildering things about human nature.

Ubix rubbed itself lovingly against her ankles, distracting Bella but at the same time reminding her of the pleasures of love and affection. The cat allowed itself to be picked up, which had only been a recent development in their relationship and Bella’s thoughts turned to Ben, as she stroked Ubix and was rewarded with a deep, throbbing purr.

“So, puss, what’s going to happen with Mr. Hollingsworth, today, hm?” Ubix raised its chin and Bella tickled it, affectionately. She found herself looking forward to his visit very much now and thought that they might take a drive somewhere for lunch thereby reducing the risk of a scene with Laura.

“Don’t you go attacking him like you did that nice Mr. Lucas, eh?” The cat pricked up its ears as if understanding what Bella was saying. “I won’t be able to have any men in the house if you carry on like that. Are you jealous, eh, is that what it is?” she said, whispering in its ear. “You must be a tom cat, after all.” Putting the cat down, she stretched her arms wide and yawned while looking at the clock.

“Heavens, it’s after half-past-eight, already! I’d better go up and shower or I’ll have a queue at the door before I know it.” The potential for discord was forgotten as Bella flew up the stairs to get herself ready, excited at the prospect of going out with an attractive man. All in all it had been a good week and she had earned herself the right to a bit of fun, and Ben had proved that he could be good company. The fact that he was married still concerned her, especially now that she had met Kyle. Was it just that he had a wife or was there something else that was ringing alarm bells about Ben Hollingsworth? Right at that moment, Bella Foxton didn’t give a hoot.

An hour later the wind had strengthened causing a further deterioration in the weather. The trees were performing a frenetic ballet in tune to the fierce gusts and drops of rain began to spatter against the windows. Bella shivered as she felt the temperature drop and looked around for a sweater to throw over her shoulders. Not for one moment had she previously thought about what the weather might be like for the weekend, having got use to the warm sunny days of late. Thunder rumbled ominously overhead as the doorbell rang and Bella, who had been in her bedroom, made her way downstairs. It was dark enough to warrant switching some lights on, which she did before opening the door. Laura stood there as a flash of lightning lit the skies overhead with its crackling brilliance and booming thunder followed almost immediately. It was as if she had colluded with nature to orchestrate her own arrival.

“Well I hope your animosity is not going to extend to leaving me out here!” She stood, alone, holding an open umbrella very tightly, close to her shoulder to stop it from turning inside out in the wind. Bella stood back, saying nothing, and let her enter.

“Where’s your friend?” Bella asked.

 “Maggie was asked to do a wedding, at short notice, to help out a colleague,” Laura replied, shaking out her umbrella in the lobby.

“I didn’t think she did that sort of work, any more.” Maggie was a freelance photographer who generally worked on assignment.

“Oh, does it matter?” Laura’s testiness surfaced immediately. “She couldn’t come. I’m here. End of story.” Bella groaned, inwardly, recognising it was going to be a long day.

“When do you have to leave, then?” she asked her sister, making no attempt to disguise her own truculence. Laura always did this to her, having the effect of bringing Bella down to her own level so that they ended up like a couple of verbal bare-knuckle fighters sparring with one another.

“Come, come, Arabella! I’ve hardly got inside the place. I’m not likely to turn round and go, after 30 minutes, am I?” The sadistic grin slowly left her face as she began to take stock of her surroundings. “Very nice,” she murmured, walking through into the lounge. “We have done well for ourselves, haven’t we? Aren’t you going to show me around then, sister dear?” Much against her will, Bella took Laura through to the kitchen where they peered out at the storm-lashed garden.

“Don’t think you’re staying the night, Laura, and that’s final,” she stated, in no uncertain terms, as they climbed the stairs to the first floor. Her sister feigned a look of hurt indignance.

“That’s a very hospitable attitude to take with your own sister. I wouldn’t worry yourself though,” she said, raising her chin in haughty defiance. “There’s only so much of your company I can take and I realise you’ve a friend coming to stay. I wouldn’t want to get in your way. I so loathe threesomes.” Is that what she thought, Bella realised, horrified. That whoever was arriving was going to spend the night. If it had have been Jane it wouldn’t be so bad but any moment now