Mina was already halfway across the mint-and-berry tram car when the little bell at the next stop gave its bright tinny ring. She loved being first to notice things, so her bright eyes swept the floor, the windows, the brass rail, the seat straps—everything at once. That was how she saw the problem: Tobin’s delivery sack had a loose tie, and one round bun had rolled free. It bumped under a bench, then nudged the tram door just as a warm gust slipped through the crack.
The bun puffed up with the wind and wedged itself against the latch.
Outside, the tramline was humming along above the cloud banks, and the car gave a small shiver as it leaned toward the next bend. Tobin stepped forward with one strong hand already out, but Mina could see three things at once: she could grab the bun before it caused more trouble, she could call Pippa from the snack cart and ask for help, or she could dash to the door handle and try to keep the latch from clicking open. Each choice would pull the little ride in a different direction, and the bell at the stop was still ringing.
What happens next?
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