Page 55 of Fling

‘I’m going to give you an assignment for this week.’

‘A reading list and homework?’ Colin sighed.

‘Don’t be so immature, Colin,’ Tara said, slapping his arm.

‘Don’t worry, your assignment is simple. It’s to have a romantic date night. Colin, imagine you’ve lost something in the past and so you’re building a time machine to get it back. It’s not about living in the past. It’s about bringing the magic of the past back into the present.’

Colin didn’t like Dr Burke explaining it to him as if he was a child, but admittedly her metaphor did actually inspire some excitement.

‘OK,’ he conceded. ‘But how do we bring the past into the present?’

‘By watching a very important film,’ Dr Burke said.

‘If you say Mamma Mia, I will set myself on fire,’ Colin said.

‘The film I’m referring to is your wedding video,’ Dr Burke elaborated. ‘So many people record wedding tapes then let them gather dust for the rest of their marriage. People don’t realize that nostalgia is a powerful aphrodisiac. I want you to see on screen the people you used to be. The couple you used to be.’

‘OK, that’s doable,’ Colin conceded.

‘After watching your wedding video, I want you both to make love. Not as a way of getting pregnant like you’re both used to, but rather as a way of expressing your love for one another. Even if you don’t feel incredibly in the mood, be open to seduction. Sex is sometimes like a skydive. You might not always feel like making the initial jump but, once you land, you’re glad you made the leap. Your bedroom should be a safe space where you can both share your fantasies with each other.’

‘OK, that makes sense,’ Tara said, keeping an open mind.

‘And finally,’ Dr Burke said, ‘I don’t want either of you to start an argument between now and our next session. If at any point you find yourself on the verge of a row, count to ten and let it go. I’ll be checking back in on this next time we meet. Do you think you can both do that?’

Tara and Colin looked at each with a hopeful smile.

‘Yes,’ they said in unison.

Chapter 19

As she prepared for her romantic evening with Colin, Tara found herself troubled by something Dr Burke had said. She didn’t feel she could share her fantasy with her husband because it didn’t involve him. It involved Jack and their illicit online romance. She hoped Dr Burke’s suggested strategy would help reignite the flame, but was there really a way of reliving the physical rush of first love?

Back then, Colin was the bad boy who had tempted her onto his motorbike, but now Jack was the forbidden fruit she couldn’t resist. Perhaps Colin had made a point about women dividing men in their minds. Like she had said in her pitch for Fling, she had found Mr Right but she found herself lusting for Mr Wrong.

But Tara had stood Jack up without offering him any explanation. She knew she should have been feeling guilty for almost cheating on her husband but she found herself plagued with guilt for ghosting Jack. She couldn’t stop thinking of him, standing out in the cold, waiting for her to arrive. The image tormented her. Had he moved on already or did his thoughts still linger on her, the way hers did on him?

She tried to tell herself that she and Jack were just ships passing in the night, yet her gut was telling her to grab the wheel and sail after him, even if it was into uncharted waters. There must have been some kind of meaning behind the synchronicity she felt when they matched. It had to be more than just a coincidence. Her brain and her gut were divided against one another, each one trying to steer her in opposite directions.

But still she knew she couldn’t save her marriage and have an affair at the same time, and she wasn’t going to choose a man she’d never met over her partner of eighteen years. That would be completely off the wall, even for a Gemini.

For now, at least, she had to extinguish her burning desire for Jack and channel all her energy into reigniting the spark with Colin. And to do that, she had to pour her heart and soul into date night.

Everything was set. They had ordered a delivery from their favourite Chinese takeaway, bought an expensive bottle of Malbec and rooted out their wedding video in the attic. Colin dished out the food as Tara uncorked the wine. They were both determined to make sure everything went perfectly. After all, their marriage depended on it.

‘OH FOR GOD’S SAKE!’ Colin yelled out of the blue.

‘WHAT?’ Tara yelled back.

‘They forgot the bloody prawn crackers,’ he sighed.

‘Jesus, Colin. You frightened the life of me!’

‘This happens every time! You know what, I’m going after the delivery guy,’ Colin said, heading for his jacket.

‘Colin, he’s probably long gone on his scooter by now.’

‘Well . . . then I’m calling them,’ he said, taking out his phone.

---