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

“When you said…” she began, then thought better of it. “Never mind. Yes, I was married once,” she said, instead. “I was young. It was a mistake. That about sums it up.”

“Any kids?”

“Good god, no! The marriage hardly lasted long enough for conception to take place let alone a pregnancy!” There was shocked amusement in her voice and it was impossible for him not to be infected by her laughter.

“What’s so bad about having kids? You sound as though the thought appals you.” Inadvertently he had stumbled across an anomaly in her life that she thought about more often than she would care to admit.

“Funnily enough, I’ve never wanted kids.” Out of the blue she felt close to tears. Damn this time of the month she cursed to herself. A raucous noise, the sound of ducks having an altercation on the water, caught her attention and she looked away. Making the best of the opportunity she searched for a tissue in her bag then blew her nose, softly.

“I’ve always enjoyed the company of other people’s children.” She sniffed, gently, a couple of times. “But I’ve never had a maternal twinge in my life. Weird, eh?” When she glanced at him there was a look of concern on his face.

“You ok?”

“Just a bit of sinus. I’m a martyr to it this time of the year.” Bella dabbed at her nose with another tissue. “I often wonder whether it’s got anything to do with my own childhood…” Kyle raised an eyebrow “…my sister and I were the best of enemies.”

“Go on,” Kyle said, expectantly. It was obvious he wanted to know more. Over the next ten minutes Bella gave him an edited version of her life story.

“So that’s how you came to be at the cottage?” Bella stretched her arms wide, closed her eyes and turned her face towards the sun. Kyle watched her, his eyes roaming over the soft contours of her upper body, his imagination working overtime.

“Hmm,” she murmured, lazily. “Oh, I could sit here all day quite easily.” He picked up on the comment immediately.

“Why don’t I go and get us a coffee and you can tell me all about the country life.” Bella opened one eye and focused on him.

“Do you hear me arguing?”

Chapter Seventeen

For someone who had acquired a new-found interest in cloud formations Bella was enjoying the fact that it was one of those rare occasions where there wasn’t a cloud to be seen. The sky above resembled a magnificent light blue canvas of infinite depth. Suspended within it, the lustrous jewel of the sun, dazzling in its intensity, radiated heat across some ninety three million miles. Kyle had spotted a collection of sun umbrellas, leaning against a wall, when he returned with the coffee. They had been placed there the previous evening when rain had threatened and not been put out again that day. As much as Bella loved the sun and its warmth she agreed the umbrella was a good idea. The shade had created an atmosphere of intimacy between them and they huddled beneath its welcome cover as though they were lovers embroiled in an adulterous affair. She played at stirring her coffee, seemingly mesmerised by its surface, before she spoke.

“If I find some of this difficult to explain, just bear with me, ok?” she raised her head slightly to look at him and there was an air of vulnerability about her which drew a sympathetic smile in response. It appeared to Kyle that she was uncertain of where or how to start.

“Is it village life that’s so different?” he suggested, impatient to hear about it.

“Not exactly. That’s over-simplifying it. Some of the villagers are characters, as you’ve seen, but it’s more to do with Willow Cottage itself.”

“How so?” Bella looked thoughtful, not replying immediately, giving herself time to get her recollections straight in her own mind.

“It’s a combination of things I guess. I suppose the best place to start is at The Lamb, the local pub. The first time I visited the cottage I went with my uncle’s solicitor. When we went to the pub, for lunch, we got a cool reception from the locals and I had the distinct impression it was in some way connected with Willow Cottage. Let me tell you also, Kyle, that the place is a total anachronism. It’s like the pub’s clock stopped about thirty or forty years ago while the world outside moved on. Quaint, some people might call it. It reminds me of that old tv series, The Avengers. They were always coming across weird places and strange people.”

“John Steed and Emma Peel.” Kyle volunteered. “Patrick Macnee was Steed and Emma Peel was played by…?”

“There were several, I think. Diana Rigg comes to mind.” Bella looked a little annoyed at the interruption, needing to concentrate on what she was saying. “Anyway, there was also a mentally-handicapped chap who helps out in the pub.” A memory stirred her, lighting up her eyes, and she spoke rapidly, with enthusiasm. “You’ve met his sister, Cora Flint, the big woman who came to the cottage.” He thought back, then placed the name and the woman.

“Ok. I remember.”

“Well, this chap is her brother and he’s also tied into the history of the cottage. The Flint family used to live there but more of him later.” Bella took a sip of her coffee before continuing. “I also feel that Cora’s involved in some way and, don’t laugh, I felt quite intimidated by her at first. Would you believe she travels around in a pony and trap? Brings my gardener along with her every Thursday.” She saw the amused look on Kyle’s face. “And I thought the pub was strange!”

Kyle was a good listener, absorbing everything Bella told him about her experiences at Willow Cottage without further interruption. He heard about the arrival of the cat, the flowers in the room, the details of her recurring dream and the incident with Alfie, at