Chapter 44

Ally sees Megan just as she walks out the balcony door. She shoots Eric a quick panicked look and he quickly shakes his head to indicate to her that she does not need to be worried. Ally forces a smile and faces the front of the kitchen again. Ally is not sure if Rick saw that they notice him talking to Megan.

The judges and the organisers quickly handle the formalities. This time, though, the judges will judge the dishes in front of the last two remaining chefs. Ally and Eric take their dishes to the front and place them in front of the judge sitting in the middle.

There are three clean plates on the table and the judge sitting in the middle, divide each dish in three and places a portion of each in each plate. The judges try the two dishes and compare them against each other. Ally stands next to Eric, behind his workstation. There is a worried look on her face, but Eric cannot be sure if it is because she saw Megan or if she is worried about the outcome of the competition.

The judge