SP Shorts @SPShorts

Valkyrie watched Broadchurch with baited breath. As the credits rolled before the verdict was given, she screamed. Unprompted sparks flew.

Tanith often had nightmares about her time as a remnant and Sanguine's girlfriend. No matter how hard she tried, she could never forget.

Valkyrie entered her sister's bedroom to find her holding a tiny flame in her hand. Alice shrieked; it vanished. "You didn't see anything."

"So... New Year tomorrow." Valkyrie said as she got in the Bentley. "Yeah." "Is this the year you'll take back your family crest?" "Maybe."

Valkyrie stole up behind Skulduggery whilst he was meditating and, slipping his fedora off, gently pulled the Santa hat onto his skull.

Skulduggery still couldn't bring himself to love Christmas, but he had certainly learnt to appreciate it again because of Valkyrie.

"Describe Ghastly." Skulduggery told the mortal boy slumped against the wall. "Besides ghastly?" He managed, gulping. Ghastly grinned.

Valkyrie tried zipping up her black jacket that Ghastly Bespoke had made, and sighed when it wouldn't budge. "And he can't make another..."

"AHA!" Valkyrie yelled victoriously, wriggling out from under her bed. "What?" Skulduggery said, puzzled. "My 2007 Doctor Who annual!" "Oh."

Tanith opened her wardrobe and peered at her collection of leather jackets. She sighed. "None are the right shade of brown for this top..."

"Teachers give us too much work!" Valkyrie whined. Skulduggery folded his arms. "You've got a reflection to do it for you." "Yeah, but..."

Ghastly swung a leg over Tanith's motorbike and started the engine. "You sure?" she asked warily. "Yeah. Hop on!" She did; they roared away.

"Please, Steph!" Alice whined. Valkyrie shook her head. "I don't want to go Trick or Treating." "Skulduggery?" "Sorry, but no." "Meanies!"

Valkyrie looked at the pumpkin she'd carved and smiled. "Have you ever worn a pumpkin as a head?" she asked innocently. Skulduggery groaned.

Ghastly promised to cook steak for Tanith as a date. The problem was, he didn't have a clue how to. "Guess I should learn..." he mumbled.

Fletcher still felt guilty about Stephanie. He'd been there as she was murdered and could do nothing to save her. Some boyfriend he'd been.

Solomon Wreath walked calmly up to the gleaming Bentley. The window nearest him wound down to reveal Valkyrie, who smiled. "How's death?"

"What's this?" "It's a stick." "Amazing. Why have you given me it?" "It's your Christmas present. I promised I'd get you one." "Oh my god."

It felt odd to see him back again. Suit on, hat on, skull cocked slightly to the left - he was smiling. "Hi, Valkyrie." "Hi, Skulduggery."

Valkyrie glared at Skulduggery, her arms folded. "Just once, I'd love to have a plan." "We always have a plan - just not always a good one."