Page 99 of Fling

‘What am I doing here?’ Colin snapped. ‘What the hell are you doing here with this creep?’

‘Listen here, buddy—’ Dick said defensively.

‘I’m not your buddy! Who do you think you are putting your hands all over my wife?’

‘COLIN, STOP TALKING!’ Tara screamed.

‘Oh I’m sorry, am I interrupting your little date? Your little dick appointment?’

‘Colin, I can explain. Please listen . . .’

‘Oh, I’m done listening. You think you can just make a fool of me, do you? Well, this dirtbag chose the wrong man to cross!’ Colin roared.

At this point, everyone on the terrace was staring at the spectacle Colin was making of himself. Several members in the crowd began taking out their phones and filming.

‘Who are you calling a dirtbag?’ Dick said, getting up off his chair.

‘I’m calling you a dirtbag! I saw you put your hand up my wife’s dress!’ Colin yelled.

‘When a woman wears a dress that short, she’s begging for a hand up it,’ Dick said unapologetically.

Colin took an almighty swing and punched Dick Mulligan square in the jaw, knocking him out and sending him flying back onto the table.

‘COLIN!’ Tara screamed.

The crowd let out a huge gasp but continued to record every second of the mess unfolding in front of their cameras.

‘When a man says things like that, he’s begging for a punch in the face!’ Colin said to Dick’s unconscious body.

Rory and Emily arrived on the scene, a moment too late.

‘Colin, stop, it’s not what you think,’ Rory said.

‘Oh yes it is. This is Tara’s dick appointment!’

‘IT’S NOT A DICK APPOINTMENT! IT’S AN APPOINTMENT WITH DICK! YOU JUST PUNCHED RICHARD MULLIGAN!’ Tara screamed.

‘Who?’ Colin said confused.

‘He was going to be the biggest client I ever landed. I’m not having an affair with him. This was a business meeting!’ Tara said, dizzy with rage.

‘Then why did he have his hand up your dress?’ Colin said, still dumbfounded.

‘He . . . well . . . I . . .’ Tara began. But she stuttered with anger. She was angry with Colin for storming into her meeting but she was also furious with Dick for his appallingly inappropriate behaviour.

Dick Mulligan regained consciousness and got up off the table. He was still dizzy and his nose was pumping blood.

‘Mr. Mulligan, there’s been a misunderstanding,’ Tara said, approaching him.

‘DON’T COME ANY CLOSER!’ Dick roared. ‘Don’t you or anyone at Insight ever contact me again.’ He turned to Colin with venom in his eyes. ‘And as for you, you ape! If I ever see you again, I’ll sue you for every cent you have!’

Dick turned around and stormed inside to clean his bloody nose.

Tara, Colin, Rory and Emily stood there in the wreckage, each of them at a loss for words.

‘Tara, I’m—’ Colin said eventually, knowing his words were feeble.

‘Don’t you say a word. Whatever hope you had of me forgiving you for cheating is now gone. What, was destroying our marriage not enough? You just had to derail my career too? Go home, Colin. Go home and pack your stupid bags, your stupid pub signs and your stupid motorbike,’ Tara said, practically frothing at the mouth with fury.

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