He laughed horribly. “Not important to you, Val, but it’s plenty important to me. Do you even care? I mean, I know you’re crying, I can see the tears, but they’re not tears for me. You’re crying because you feel bad. Those tears are about you, because everything is about you. It always is, isn’t it? The world revolves around you, because you’re just that selfish.”

“I didn’t want to hurt you.”

“I don’t think it even occurred to you that I would be hurt. It never even entered your head. You’re obsessed with yourself, you know that? You always have been, but I’ve been OK with it, because I was obsessed with you too. How stupid am I, huh? Boom, just like that, I’m cut off and now I can see the whole thing. You’ve never done anything for anyone else. You’ve never inconvenienced yourself purely for someone else’s benefit. The rest of us have. It’s what makes us good people. You? You’ve saved the world, but you’re not a good person. I don’t know what you are.”

“Fletch, please—”

“Please what? Please stop making you feel bad? Oh, wow, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t realise I was ruining your day. Maybe you should run back to Caelan… maybe he can comfort you.”

Valkyrie shook her head. “It’s not like that.”

“Oh, so you’re not dumping me for him?”

“I’m not dumping you for anyone.”

“Does he know this?”

“I couldn’t care less what he knows.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.”

“Listen, you can stand there and insult me all you want, but the fact is, this has been coming for a while.”

“And yet it’s the first I’ve heard about it.”

“Of course it is, because you haven’t wanted to hear about it.”

“Ah, right. OK. I get it now. Basically, I should have seen this coming, yeah? I should have seen the signs, and realised what was about to happen?”

“Yes,” she said.

“So in a way, when you think about it, all this is my fault.” Valkyrie looked away and sighed.

“Which makes perfect sense,” he continued. “Because you can do nothing wrong. Because you can never be selfish or self-centred because the fault always has to lie with someone else. I am really stupid, Valkyrie, and I apologise.”

“Don’t be like this.”

“Don’t be like what?”

“Don’t be so bloody childish. Don’t sulk. Don’t feel sorry for yourself. Your girlfriend broke up with you. Fine. It happens all the time. Grow up and move on.”

“Like you, you mean. Because you’re so mature, taking everything in your stride, accepting any and all responsibility that comes your way. That’s you, isn’t it? Little Miss Perfect?”

“I never said I was perfect.”

“But my God, do you think it.”