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

her groin, but kept her own firmly on top of it. Something deliciously exquisite was happening to her and, with his hand where it was, she was trying not to move. This was going to get out of control unless she did something.

“Where does Tina think you are today?” As if it had been a trigger, a subterfuge by some stage hypnotist, he took his hand from beneath hers in a sub-conscious reaction and put it back on the steering wheel. Bella shuffled around in her seat grateful for the opportunity to move.

“I don’t think her mind works like that.” His voice was flat, lifeless. “Tina tends to be very pre-occupied with what Tina’s doing. In fact I can’t recall her ever asking me what I’ve been up to when she gets back from being away.” It was a different person doing the talking when he spoke of his marriage, as if his energy had been drained at the thought of it.

“That must be very convenient for you!” Ben didn’t like the sound of where this could be leading.

“If you had an affair and she found out what d’you think would happen.” He took her hand even though they were doing over eighty and coming up to a sharp bend, according to the road sign they had just passed.

“Why do you have to talk about things like that?” The memory of it was still too close for comfort and he didn’t wish to be reminded. And why had the excitement of a few moments ago been covered by a thin layer of early frost? What was it with women? Ben couldn’t understand her, blowing hot and cold, unaware that she was longing for a man but beset by conflicting emotions.

“Because I want to know, that’s all. If we had an affair or,should I say, if we had an affair and she found out, what would you do?” He puffed out his cheeks, as much to give himself time to think as anything else. No different to most men, he hated being put on the spot.

“To tell you the truth, I can’t honestly say…”

“What sort of answer’s that?” she exclaimed, her voice rising. “I expected you to say that, naturally, you’d leave her for me and we’d live happily ever after!” This time she took her hand from his and put it on his leg, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Poor Ben, I’m not very nice to you, am I? Let’s forget it,” she said, leaning across and giving him a gentle peck on the cheek, “and make the most of the day.” Bella couldn’t know how relieved he was to hear her say it as he saw the turn-off for the pub. Why couldn’t she lighten up a little and just enjoy the moment without indulging in all the angst and the ifs and the maybes ? The problem was, though, the more she acted this way the more he wanted her and, for once, he wasn’t even sure if he understood his own feelings.

Laura had left the cottage seething with anger and bitterness only to find that she had forgotten her umbrella. To hell with it, she thought, I’m not going back to get it and have those two laughing at me. Puddles had formed in the driveway from the heavy rain and with the mood she was in Laura didn’t notice until she stepped in one, further displeasing her. By the time she reached the car, which she had left a little way from the cottage to give her room to turn, her hair had been flattened and there were signs that her make-up was beginning to run. In her eagerness to get inside she found she couldn’t make the key work and she steadily became more incensed.

“Shit!”  she screamed into the wind and the rain. “Shit! Shit! Shit!”  Finally, the key turned and she opened the door, literally throwing herself into the driver’s seat to get out of the rain. Of course it was all her sister’s fault. The weather, the umbrella, everything. Grabbing at the rear-view mirror she studied the damage inflicted on her by the elements and began to talk to herself as she undertook remedial action.

“The brazen bitch! Not content with having this place drop into her lap,” and, she had to admit, it was nice, “she’s having an affair with the fucking solicitor!” Spurred by ill-temper she flicked furiously at her hair with the fingers of one hand in an attempt to dry it. “I wonder if the bastard’s married?” she asked her reflection. “Must be!” Malicious thoughts crowded her narrow mind as all sorts of possibilities occurred to her and, suddenly, her day began to improve dramatically.

The Bankes Arms turned out to be an attractive 16th-century building built of local Purbeck stone in a stunning location overlooking the sea. From here it was possible to gain access to a track that led along the clifftops, to Swanage and beyond with some of the most stunning scenery in the country along the way. They set off arm-in-arm, like young lovers, Bella talking in an animated fashion about her experiences at the cottage and Ben happy to listen, savouring a freedom he rarely felt. The track never strayed far from the cliff edge, to their left, while on their right acres of tall grass swayed and whispered to the whims of the breeze. After walking for about twenty minutes the path climbed to a high plateau about fifty yards distant and, on reaching it, Ben took her hand and led her off the track to go as close as they dare to the edge.

“That’ll do!” Bella cried, a little nervously, holding him back. “It’s a bloody long way down there and I don’t think you can get return tickets!” Ben laughed and gave her a quick hug.

“I haven’t got a great head for heights,” he admitted, “and I know the edges can be quite unstable.” From where they stood atop the cliffs