He’d been up all night, but she was the one who was tired. Not for the first time, Valkyrie found herself envying his lack of a need for sleep. She had once loved sleep, had looked forward to being swallowed up by her slumber every night, but now sleep was something she chased. It was a furtive little animal that, even when caught, wriggled and scratched to free itself. And, of course, it brought with it the nightmares.

They arrived at a door like every other door on this small street, and Skulduggery knocked.

A small woman answered, a smile on her well-fed face.

“Lillian Agog?” Skulduggery asked, extending his hand for her to shake. “Skulduggery Pleasant. This is my partner, Valkyrie Cain. We spoke on the phone. How do you do?”

“I’m doing fine, Mr Pleasant,” said Lillian. “Come in, the both of you. Please excuse the mess. I’ve been rushed off my feet lately. Rushed right off them.”

Skulduggery stepped in, and Valkyrie stepped in right after him. It was a very tidy house. Lillian led them into the small living room that smelled slightly of must and contentment, and they sat side by side on the couch.

“You must think I’m awful,” said Lillian, going straight to the fireplace, “living in squalor like this. Squalor!”

“Not at all,” Skulduggery said.

“You’re too kind, Mr Pleasant! Too kind!”

Lillian clicked her fingers, summoning fire into her hand, and tossed it on to the bundle of sticks and rolled-up newspaper in the hearth. Once the fire was roaring, she sank into her armchair, her eyes bright. “Now, don’t think me rude, but I’d heard you didn’t have a face.”

“Ah,” Skulduggery said, and his façade flowed away, revealing the skull beneath.

“Marvellous,” said Lillian, staring in wonder. “Simply marvellous. Do you ever get cold?”

“I’m sorry?”

“You don’t have any skin or anything. I’d imagine you’d get very cold this time of year.”

“I don’t actually feel the cold. It’s one of the advantages of being a skeleton.”

“Imagine that,” Lillian breathed. “You know, I’ve never spoken to a skeleton before. I’ve spoken to plenty of people, plenty of them, but never a skeleton. I’ve talked to tall people, and you’re quite tall, but I’ve talked to taller. And short people. Big people and small people. All kinds. But never someone like you. I bet you get asked all kinds of questions, don’t you? About death. About what happens after. Is there a heaven?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know. Lillian, we’re here to talk to you about Richard Melior.”

“Richard, yes,” said Lillian. “Lovely man. Just lovely. Oh! My manners! They seem to have abandoned me! Would either of you like some tea?”

“No thank you,” said Valkyrie.

“Coffee, then? I’m sure I can make you some coffee.”