Bedlam Chapter Sampler

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Valkyrie let herself into her parents’ house, went straight to the kitchen and found her mother reading at the table. “Oh, good God!” Melissa Edgley said, jerking upright. Valkyrie laughed. “Sorry. Thought you’d heard me.” Melissa got up, hugged her. “You don’t make a sound when you walk. I suppose that’s all your ninja training.” “I don’t have ninja training.” “Sorry,” her mum said. “Your secret ninja training.” Valkyrie grinned, and eyed the notebook on the table. “What are you reading that has you so engrossed?” “This,” said Melissa, “is your great-grandfather’s diary. One of several, in fact. Your dad found them in the attic, packed away with a load of junk.” “Ah, diaries,” said Valkyrie. “The selfies of days gone by. What are they like?” “They’re beautiful, actually. Beautiful handwriting and beau- tiful writing.” “So that’s where Gordon got his talent from.” “Well, he didn’t lick it off a stone.” Melissa hesitated, then looked up. “Your dad’s in the other room. He’s, uh... not in the best of moods.” “What’s wrong?” Melissa waved the diary. “He’s flicked through a few of these.

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