Monster Belt - Chapter Nine .......She was learning how to gauge him, but one chapter barely scratched the surface; she needed more. She could already see their differences, being brought up in a bone achingly cold moorland village turned you inwards, whilst he, growing up on a white sanded, skin bronzing island, exposed every shade of emotion. 'I don't believe in the Mere Monster,' she said, 'I'm sorry, I know you do, but you didn't grow up in Hawksmoor and everyone there knows it's a myth.' 'Why are you here, then?' he refastened his bag. 'I need to earn some money.' His silence spoke volumes. He didn't like talking about money and she'd mentioned it twice now; about how he funded his travels and now her own state of affairs. She didn't know why you shouldn't talk about it but she knew people didn't like it and that made her awkward. 'What about the monster in here?' Harris reached over and gently touched her forehead. She jumped as if she'd had an electric shock.