“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 Laura was about to meet Ben and whatever either of them might say, she would never believe it. Oh shit!
Typically, Bella could see the funny side of the situation as she waited for Ben to turn up. What he was likely to make of it, though, God only knew and she couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. Walking into the saloon bar of The Lamb was child’s play, by comparison. While Laura was freshening herself up, after the drive down from London, Bella was furiously trying to think of the best way to play things. On reflection, she didn’t want to leave Laura alone in the house if Ben and her went off somewhere but, on the other hand, if she came with them it would spoil their time together. Perhaps I should just strangle her now and hide the body, she thought. “Oh, what a bloody disaster,” she muttered, just as the doorbell rang for the second time that morning. As she got up to answer it, Bella saw her sister at the top of the stairs so she hurried to the lobby and opened the door. Ben stood there happy and relaxed under a firmly-held golf umbrella obviously looking forward to the day ahead.
“Hi!” Bella said, over-enthusiastically, and before Ben had a chance to say anything, she added “Laura’s here,” in a flat monotone. His smile faded as though it had been switched off at the wall and the sparkle went out of his eyes. “Think up a reason for your visit,” she advised him, out of the corner of her mouth, sensing that Laura was approaching. His eyes narrowed, not understanding, then a slight raising of his eyebrows accompanied by an almost imperceptible nod of the head indicated that he’d caught on. Within an instant, his face changed, lighting up into a broad smile.
“Laura, isn’t it?” It was well done and Bella breathed an inward sigh of relief. “I remember you from the reading of the will.” Laura’s suspicious glance shot from Ben to Bella and back again as she stood at Bella’s shoulder. “Bella mentioned that you might be here, when I said I’d be coming down.”
“You always take an interest in the relatives of deceased clients then, do you? Funny that I haven’t heard from you.” Ben noticed Bella’s mouth tighten and realised what he was up against.
“It’d be nice if I could come in, don’t you think? It’s not very pleasant out here!” Unseen by Laura, he winked at Bella.
“Of course, Ben, sorry!” Bella apologised, stepping back and forcing her sister to move. “Would you like a tea or coffee, perhaps?” He collapsed the umbrella and put it in a corner of the lobby.
“Whatever you’re having, will be fine. The place has certainly got that lived in feel now,” he said, looking around him as Bella disappeared towards the kitchen.
“It’s probably Cora’s little touches,” she said, over her shoulder. Ben and Laura were left standing together in the lounge and an awkward silence developed between them.
“Couldn’t wait to see how your sister was getting on here, eh?” It was a simple question aimed at breaking the ice but only succeeded in bouncing off Laura’s thick skin.
“Not at all!” Laura replied, icily, her face taking on a tight, shrewish look. “I couldn’t believe it when I heard he’d left her this place. God knows what they used to get up to together but it doesn’t take an Einstein to figure it out, does it. He was obviously very grateful!” Ben was shocked and appalled. The two of them were virtual strangers and it was not the sort of remark he would have expected. Bitterness oozed out of her like toxic waste and her body language spoke of tension and aggression, someone to be very wary of. Someone you wouldn’t want for a neighbour. Or a sister, he thought, grimly.
“That’s a very serious accusation to make, Miss Foxton,” he said, carefully. She gave him a look that indicated she cared little for what he thought.
“Typical of a solicitor. You’re all words. You make a business out
of words, twisting and turning them to shape lies into truth or weaving fact into fiction to suit your purpose. You’re no different to her,” she sneered, nodding towards the kitchen. “I know what went on between the two of them, so don’t talk to me about accusations!” How do you make conversation with someone like that, Ben wondered, wishing like hell that Bella would come back. Fancy having to put up with a sister like Laura.
“And why have you really come down here Mr…?” Laura asked, as she seated herself in an armchair.
“Hollingsworth,” Ben answered, about to continue speaking but Laura got in first.
“She’s inherited the cottage, so what? It’s no longer any business of yours, is it?” Ben gave her his best disgruntled client smile.
“Hollingsworth, Hope & Mitchell is an old-established firm. It’s been in existence nearly eighty years with a reputation based on personal service…”
“So you thought you’d personally service my sister, did you?”
“Laura, cut it out!” Bella’s angry voice took them both by surprise, as she returned from the kitchen. “If you can’t keep that mouth of yours under control then take it back to London.” She set the tray down on the coffee table and Laura abruptly got to her feet.
“I can see I’m not welcome here. I shall go and take a look round the village. I’ll leave you two lovebirds to it.” Turning her back on them both, she went to the lobby and let herself out, slamming the door behind her. It was still raining heavily and she hadn’t taken her umbrella. Ben got to his feet and took Bella in his arms. There were tears in her eyes and she was trembling with emotion. He kissed her lightly on the cheek.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Ben,” she apologised, trying not to cry. “You didn’t deserve that.” He gave a wry laugh.
“I’ve heard worse,” he confessed. “Is she always like that?” Bella nodded.
“Mostly. When she’s around me, anyway. Some people find her quite nice, would you believe?” She gave a little laugh.
“Takes all sorts,” Ben replied, exhaling forcefully. “Anyway, ignoring your sister, how are you. You’re looking fantastic!” Bella gazed into his eyes, touched by his compliment. Suddenly, she was awfully glad to see him.
“Thanks, Ben,” she said, quietly. “It’s really good to see you, thanks for coming.” She kissed him lightly on the lips and he pulled her to him, with a sense of urgency, but Bella held herself back. “No, please Ben, not now. I’m still pretty upset by Laura. Just give it time, eh?” He held her away from him, gripping her arms.
“I’m sorry. That was thoughtless of me. It’s just that you have such an effect on me!” He looked like a little boy who’d been told to take his hand out of the biscuit tin.
“Not the same effect my sister has, I hope!” Their laughter lightened the mood and they parted to sit down and drink their coffee. Now that Laura had departed they could at least be themselves.
“Do you wish you hadn’t come now?” Bella said, after a while, referring to the presence of her sister.
“Are you joking? I’ve been looking forward to it for days. Just the thought of seeing you again. I’ve missed you, you know.” It sounded like the truth but she couldn’t confess to feeling the same, not now, however much she was pleased to see him. But, now that he was here with her, she couldn’t deny she felt attracted to him.
“So, what are we going to do with our day?” She badly needed to change the subject and lighten the atmosphere. Laura had provided her with enough emotional drama for the time being.
“What are the options?” Ben enquired, not wanting to lead the conversation.
“Well, we could be really nasty and take off somewhere” There was a mischievous grin on her face and she was nodding at him, vigorously.
“You mean simply lock Laura out so that she’ll have to go home?” he said, incredulously.
“I didn’t ask her to come down and she’s the last person I want here. What do you say?” Unable to stop himself, he burst out laughing.
“I think it’s a great idea. Let’s go!”
Ben felt the same sense of relief at getting out of the cottage that he’d experienced previously. For some reason, Laura seemed to embody the strange feeling that the place seemed to evoke, as if she were an extension of something metaphysical. He had left the decision as to their destination up to Bella, as the idea had been her suggestion, and she had suggested they head in the general direction of Wareham and Swanage, on the coast, and take it from there. Once they were away from the cottage and heading south-east towards the Dorset coastline even the day looked like it was cheering up now that the malignant presence of Laura was absent. Gradually they began to relax and get to know one another once again, with Ben at the wheel and his passenger keeping an eye on the map.
“I thought it might be nice to go up to Studland, it looks as though its perched right on the cliffs.” Bella suggested.
“Mm. Good idea,” Ben concurred. “There’s a pub there…”
“There would be!” she interjected, with a short laugh.
“As I was saying. There’s a pub there and we could have lunch after a walk along the cliff path. How does that sound?”
“Brilliant! Just the sort of thing I feel like doing, today.” She turned to face him. Let‘s make a pact not to mention Laura again, so it doesn’t spoil our day! Ok?”
“That’s fine by me!” he agreed, grateful for the opportunity to put her out of his mind. The less he had to do with that woman as far as he was concerned the better.
By the time they got to Wareham the day had improved still further with every indication that it would remain fine. Ben had made the suggestion that, in the afternoon, they pay a visit to Corfe Castle with its striking stone houses. They could perhaps go and see the old monument then have a stroll through the town and have afternoon tea somewhere. Bella thought it a wonderful idea, particularly as it meant they weren’t likely to get back to the cottage until late in the day and Laura would be long gone. With her sister consigned to no more than a nasty memory, for the time being, Bella’s thoughts turned to Ben and just what his intentions might be. The way she was feeling right at that moment if he’d have said let’s stop the car and go frolic in the hay she probably would have done. She’d simply have to hope he wasn’t a mind reader. Neither of them had felt the urgency to speak for a while, content that they had the rest of the day to themselves now.
“What are you thinking about?” Ben asked, giving her a quick glance. “You’re not usually this quiet.” He looked again, eyes lingering this time, taking in her long, slim legs, the curve of her breasts and the wild mane of hair, longing to reach out and put a hand on the thin, silky fabric of her dress and feel the smooth flesh of her thigh underneath.
“You wouldn’t want to know,” she answered, unable to look him in the eye. “How about you? You’ve not exactly been talkative either. What’s on your mind?” The opportunity was too good to miss.
“Alright, you asked for it.” He kept his eyes on the road ahead running his tongue across his lower lip before he spoke. “I was thinking about putting my hand on that lovely leg of yours.” A small shiver ran up the inside of her thigh like a miniscule electric shock to a place she didn’t want to think about. She reached out for his hand placing it on the top of her leg, just inches from 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.
The Knapthorne Conspiracy Page 20