Bedlam Chapter Sampler

“Sorry, dear, you’re just too cuddly to be scary.” “I am frighteningly cuddly,” he admitted. “But I’m sure I was dark, too, once upon a time.” “You were pretty dark that day you threw that guy through a window,” Valkyrie said. “That’s what I’m thinking of,” said Desmond, clicking his fingers. “I knew I’d done something cool.” “My cool dad,” Valkyrie said wistfully. “So are you going to read the diaries?” “I am,” he replied. “I will. I owe it to my granddad. It might even give me an insight into what you get up to, saving the world every single day.” “I don’t save the world every single day,” Valkyrie responded. “I take time off. I go for walks. I go to the gym. I train.” “Wait now,” said her mum. “Where’s the part in that schedule where you have fun?” “I have loads of fun.” “Do you have any friends? Do you go to the cinema? Go out for dinner? What about boys?” Valkyrie opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Her dad narrowed his eyes. “You’re hesitating. Why are you hesitating? It’s because we’re not going to approve, isn’t it? What is he? Is he a werewolf ? Is he a mummy?” “Dad...” “Is he a cannibal?” “God, no. Why would I go out with a cannibal?” “Love is blind, Stephanie. If you love someone, that means you’re willing to overlook flaws in their character, like cannibalism and being too pretty. Your mother possesses one of those flaws. I’ll leave it to you to figure out which one.” “Such a charmer,” said Melissa.

“I’m not dating a cannibal,” Valkyrie said. “ Are you dating someone?” her mum asked. Valkyrie nodded.

29