“Ah, a USB,” Valkyrie said. “How quaint. Half an hour, you say? I’ll be right back.”

“Leaving us so soon?” her mum asked.

“Just going to pop over to Fergus and Beryl’s and say hi.”

Her parents stared at her.

“Why?” they both said at the same time.

Valkyrie laughed. “You’re funny.”

As she left the house, she heard her dad say, “No, seriously, why?”

She took the short cut across the beach. The tide was out and the sky was grey. A few joggers on the sand. Some people walking their dogs. She didn’t know why she wanted to see her aunt and uncle. Some part of her just wanted to talk to them, to connect with them in some way. It was probably because of Gordon. She’d lost her favourite uncle for the second time and she was, what? She was grieving?

Valkyrie stopped walking. She was grieving.

Tears came to her eyes, but she wiped them away angrily. No. No crying. She’d cried enough. She’d deal with her loss later, when she had the luxury of time. She’d deal with it the same way she was going to deal with the guilt she felt over the things she’d done as Darquesse. She’d deal with it alone, without anyone around to see it. She walked on.

When she got to Fergus and Beryl’s house, the car was gone. She thought about just turning round and going home, but knocked on the door anyway, and Carol’s reflection answered.

“Hello, Stephanie.”

Valkyrie looked at it. “Hi. Are Fergus or Beryl home?”

“I’m afraid not.”

“Crystal?”

“She’s out. With her boyfriend. She has a boyfriend now. He doesn’t treat her very well.”

“I know what you are.”

Carol’s reflection looked at her without expression. “What do you mean?”

“You’re not her. You’re not Carol. You’re her reflection. The real Carol is dead.”

“And you’re Darquesse.”

“No. I’m not.”

“Stephanie came over and told me what happened. Valkyrie allowed you to take over and now you’re free. Valkyrie’s gone and Stephanie has assumed her rightful place as daughter and sister.”

Despite herself, Valkyrie smiled. “Is that what she said? Her rightful place? Yeah, that sounds like her. What was the last thing Stephanie told you?”

“She came over about two weeks ago,” Carol’s reflection said. “She told me she’s been helping Skulduggery Pleasant track you down. She couldn’t wait for it to be over. Are you going to kill us now?”

“No. God, no. I’m not going to kill anyone. I’m not Darquesse. I’m me again, I’m Valkyrie. But Stephanie … she died.”

The reflection’s expression didn’t change. “Oh. I’m very sorry for your loss.”

“Yeah, you look it.”