Story 64
The cake box by the counter
Nadia learns the surprise cake is ready while she can still catch the bus that passes the cafe.
The cake was meant to be a surprise, which made the collection time awkward.
Nadia had promised to be home early. She also needed to cross town, collect a cake, and get it through the front door without her brother noticing. When she placed the order at the cafe, she joined the small PingRoom room they would use for collection.
At four, Sam finished decorating the cake. He checked the order, put the cake into its box, and set it on the shelf behind the counter. Then he tapped their Quick Ping: “Your cake is boxed and ready to collect.”
Nadia saw it before getting on the bus. She took the route that passed the cafe, with enough room on her lap for the box.
Her brother called as she got off near home. “Just picking something up,” she said, which was true. Sam had even tucked the candles under the string.
