Laura tries to think, but comes up short. She shakes her head.
“No.”
“Well, at least I figured something out for myself. I think I can squeeze you into my plan,” Mason says.
“What plan?” Laura asks.
“I don’t need an adult to be there when we arrive, since I’m thirteen. But since I was going to need a ride to the magic shop, I texted my friend Ben and told him that my nephew needed a ride. I gave him the address to the shop. He’ll be taking me there from the train station.”
“Me?” Laura asks timidly.
“I can tell him that my niece ended up coming along with. He can take both of us to the shop.” Mason frowns thoughtfully. “And as for dealing with the people who know we didn’t know each other at first…the woman who brought you on board is the only person who knows that, and I overheard her say that she’ll be getting off at the stop before ours. So, all we have to do is pretend to be siblings and go over to Ben at the station. How does that sound?”
“Good!” Laura chirps. She’s relieved to have made an ally in the same difficult situation. She sits on the floor. Mason hands her her items.
“Here. One sec, I’ll grab my things, too.” Mason goes back to where he had been sitting, grabs a small bag, and comes back to Laura. He sits next to her. “We can spend the ride together.” Laura nods gratefully.
“Hope no bad happen.”
“Yeah, me too,” Mason says softly.