“A quick diaper check before I let you loose,” the woman says, sticking a finger down the back of Laura’s diaper. “Ooh, yeah, you’re wet.” The woman goes to a bathroom in the back of the car and lays Laura down on a changing table. Before Laura can hide the dice case and wallet, the woman removes her romper. “Huh? What are these?”
“Mine,” Laura blurts out. The woman frowns.
“Well, they aren’t safe for someone your age.” She huffs. “Terrible parents letting their toddlers board trains alone and play with choking hazards,” she mutters to herself. “Your daddy can pick it up when he picks you up, okay?”
“But-”
“No buts, sweetie,” the woman says shortly. She removes Laura’s diaper, wipes her down, and tapes on a fresh one. “There!” The woman pulls Laura’s romper back up. “All done!”
Laura is picked up again and brought into the main area of the car, then deposited on the floor near some toddler toys. She watches helplessly as the woman pockets her wallet and dice case. The woman instructs a young boy about twelve or thirteen to get her if Laura needs anything. The boy nods and then goes back to reading his book.
The woman leaves the car. Laura tries to think about what to do. She needs the dice, but getting them might be difficult.