The Valkyrie by Charlotte Vassell Page A

opened it up displaying all of her gowns. She rummaged
through all of those beautiful silks and taffetas until she found a
strapless white dress with giant black embroidered flowers which
she pressed into Bea’s arms. “This is perfect. It goes with your
exquisite eyes” Liberty had only just noticed Bea’s eyes for the
first time and got a little embarrassed. She had been trying very
hard to not read into her new comrade’s future as she often thought
others might find it rude, particularly when after a few drinks she
tells them that their future husband is going to have an affair
with their sister. This was why she frequently wore sunglasses in
inappropriate places, well that and the fact that like Glory she
was probably on a come down. Liberty found it very difficult when
meeting new people not to view their future, it was an instinct to
her, but when she looked into Bea’s eyes all she saw was a muddle.
Bea’s future was all over the place with nothing set in stone, so
muddled in fact that it was impossible to glean anything of real
interest. Liberty had never come across anyone quite like this
before.
    “Thank you,
it’s lovely.” Bea smiled before innocently asking “What makes you
happy Liberty?”
    “You’re getting
deep there kid. What makes me happy: the smell of wood smoke from
the fire on a day that cold you don’t want to go outside, so
instead you stay in and watch the crap films that the mortals make
about love. Never tell anyone that by the way, I’ve a reputation to
uphold. What makes you happy?” Liberty was still befuddled.
    “I don’t know
yet.” Bea said with an earnestness that startled Liberty “Do I have
to wear make-up tonight; it feels like a step too far?”
    “Sorry?”
Liberty asked as she pulled out a pair of shoes for Bea to borrow
as well.
    “I’m not that
kind of girl.”
    “You don’t have
to wear make-up if you don’t want to. Do you want to borrow some
pearls? All water nymphs should wear pearls.” Liberty said as she
went over to one of her jewellery boxes and selected a beautiful
string that her mother had given her as a birthday present. From
within the house Liberty and Bea heard a raucous laugh. Honour’s
voice carried across the landing.
    “Oh come on
Glory that is not how you shower. And close the sodding door.”
Honour said walking into Liberty’s room looking marginally
scandalised.
    “What was she
doing? And with the door wide open too. I knew there was going to
be a reason why she wanted a power shower.” Liberty said
amused.
    “Thankfully no
it wasn’t that. I walked into the bathroom for my hair brush and
Glory was just standing there nude, meditating under the running
shower like it’s a waterfall. Her left arm was hanging out of the
side because she’s got a lit fag and a glass of merlot in the other
that was slowly filling with water spray as she occasionally took a
sip. She’s getting worse. We’re going to Hell in a handcart.”
Honour laughed.
    “Hell with two
‘L’s or one?” Liberty asked slightly shaken by Honour’s choice of
words after her chat with her father that afternoon.
    “Fire and
brimstone…” Bea said.
    “Right well
it’s half five so I’m going to go get ready for Valhalla.” Honour
said.
    ***
    Glory had been
vaguely aware of Honour interrupting her shower, but she hadn’t let
it bother her in her quest for inner peace. Once the time had come
she turned it off, got out and grabbed a green towel. She stood in
front of the mirrored cabinet, wiped the mist off with her hand and
peered at her face. In a possible reaction to what she saw she
opened the cabinet and swallowed a pill or twenty. Shutting the
cabinet door she again was confronted by herself, by her noble
brow, plump mouth and desolate eyes. Glory went back to her room
where she proceeded to make herself ‘decent’ for Valhalla. After
changing into a pretty dressing gown and having dried her hair she
picked out a soft yellow fish tailed dress in a