Monster Belt - Chapter 11 Back on deck, in a sheltered corner, he zipped up his fleece and stretched out on a sun-lounger, remembering her expression when she'd slapped the slim school exercise book with its flower stickers and teenage girl's doodles into his hand. 'Read it then,' she'd challenged, only he hadn't. Not then. He recalled how she'd picked it up hastily from the sofa or table, he'd forgotten which and how she looked embarrassed and he'd made a joke about packing up her entire room, curtains and all and she'd blushed. He thought it a teenage girl's diary. He hadn't known her very well back then. Back then, he had merely a gut feeling that he wanted to know her better. Not in the habit of delving into people's personal lives, he didn't look up profiles and distrusted rooting around in scribbled down emotions, so had pushed the bright, flimsy book into a space between boxes in the boot of the car. Since then however, he'd come to realise that she hid something that bothered her deeply and now they were on the boat and the purpose of their trip about to start in earnest, he didn't want any surprises. She'd told him to read it; she must want someone to know.