untitled

The diary

of Barb

She’s not gone,

she’s just selling hot

beverages from her

ee bike, artisanal coff

Issy Sampsonfi nds

of old copies of something called

Fifty Shades of Grey and a dog-

eared version of The Alchemist

in French.

Day seven

Don’t want to make a fuss, but

it’s strange that no-one’s found

me yet. I tried calling my parents’

house, but I think they must have

been out – probably searching

for Will. I tried flickering the

fairy lights on the Christmas

tree, but dad just called them

“f***ing typical cheap tat” and

chucked them all in the bin.

Starting to think I might be here

for a while, so I’ve been getting

to know the Demagorgon. And

you know what? Nice guy. We

don’t have loads in common: he’s

not a big reader, doesn’t really

have a sense of responsibility,

would probably shotgun a beer

if given one, he’s definitely more

outgoing than me ... but I think

we’re getting along, you know?

He’s always got time for a chat,

and has apologised for dragging

me from the diving board into

the Upside Down, which I

appreciated.

Think I saw someone else

down here recently – a small

girl with a shaved head in a

party dress? I was actually in the

middle of my snail-gel facial and

totally zoned out (self-care is so

important) so I didn’t speak to

her, but I’m sure she’ll be back.

I’ll catch her next time.

Day 49

Dear diary, sorry I haven’t written

for so long. I’ve been busy! I’ve

recently started a small business

selling my old high-necked

blouses and librarian-style

glasses on Etsy. The wifi is

slow, but that’s Indiana for you!

I also have my own artisanal

coffee bike – the only problem

being that the Demagorgon

scares the guy who delivers the

beans and insists on having his

flat whites with skimmed milk.

I mean, who does that? Keep

thinking about when Hawkins

High School had that special

assembly when Will went

missing. I’m positive that they

did the same for me. Because

it would be very weird if they

didn’t, right? Hope Nancy – my

best friend who was totally not

using me for lifts and as a cover

for going to Tuesday night parties

and shagging Steve - didn’t

spend too much of her allowance

making Missing posters for me.

I’m sure she’ll find me soon.

 Any day now

14-20 Oct 2017 guide 18

, neog t no s’ehS

toh gnilles tsuj s’ehs

Stranger

Things

Special