The Woman in Cabin 10: Chapter 6 Summary & Analysis

Lo enjoys a fancy shower in her cabin and thinks about the “obscene” cost of the cruise, wondering how one could stand “regular glimpses into a life no regular person would ever be able to afford.” Then she hears the bathroom door abruptly swing shut and begins to panic. She calms herself, refusing to be “that person” who panics over everyday occurrences.

Lo reassures herself that the slamming door was caused by the motion of the ship and continues to calm herself down. She also pours herself a drink from the minibar and instantly feels better. She emails her mother and best friend and finally, tearfully, manages to send an apologetic email to Judah.

Lo gets ready for the first evening of the cruise, dressing in a ball gown. As she puts on her makeup, she realizes that her mascara was in her stolen handbag. She hears a noise in the adjacent cabin and goes next door. She knocks three times, “then, as an afterthought, a final loud whack in case they were hard of hearing.” The knocks are answered by a surprised young woman in a ratty Pink Floyd T-shirt.

Lo asks if she can borrow some mascara, and the girl, flustered, gives her a tube and impatiently tells Lo not to bring it back, then shuts the door in her face. Lo is puzzled and thinks that the girl looked “even more a fish out of water” than she herself does. She finishes getting ready and heads to the cocktail lounge.