The Bed You Make, Chapter 4b
“It's filling up pretty fast.”
Ned Ashton paused in his preparations to take a look. Apparently, word had spread among the Outback regulars that rocker Eddie Maine was scheduled to do an unannounced performance at the popular eatery that night. “All except for those two front tables,” Ned noted. “Let me guess… The family has decided to attend?”
Emily nodded. “One of the tables is for Grandfather. The other one is for Alexis and Nikolas.”
Ned lit up at the mention of Alexis' name. The two had grown increasingly close over the past months – much to Edward Quartermaine's great dismay. “Alexis is coming? She didn't mention it.”
“Nikolas asked her to come.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” Emily understood her cousin's surprise. A rift had occurred between Alexis and her family nearly one year earlier. Whatever the cause, it had been sufficient to cut Alexis out of the Cassadine family circle. “She sounded really hopeful when she called L&B and asked us to save them a table tonight.”
“That's great.” Ned went back to his preparations for that night's performance. But not before slanting a sly grin Emily's direction. “So…just which table will I find you at when I look out into the crowd?”
Emily blushed. “I'll be at the table with Grandfather, of course.”
“Of course.”
Emily slipped out into the restaurant. It was abuzz with cheerful conversation and growing anticipation. And that was the part she liked best about Ned's impromptu performances. Somehow everyone in the restaurant felt like part of a big gathering of old friends.
A stir at the doorway alerted Emily to her family's arrival. Her grandfather was already in fine form, complaining half-heartedly to Mac Scorpio about the kind of clientele the Aussie restaurant owner allowed inside the Outback.
“Stop fussing, Grandfather.” Emily hurried over and took the old man's hands. She tugged him to their table and made him sit in the chair that would put him front and center of the intimate little stage. “There,” Emily declared. “Now you won't miss a thing.”
