This isn't a stroke story. It doesn't contain lengthy vivid sex acts. It is multi chapters. It is wordy. It deals with cheating, infidelity and unknowing partners who find resolution in their own way. And no, they don't submissively 'go with it'. There are some violent acts portrayed none of which end in death or jail.
I'm not about favorites, story ratings. I do look at reader numbers. So, to the 100 people that read my stories - thank you, I appreciate it. Answers to commentators require honest answers but my real job makes life pretty busy all the damn time and I'm lazy. Any and all writing, spelling and punctuation errors are mine. Have a great day
'thongs or jandals' are flip-flops. (Oh, and yeah - thongs are also still thongs.)
'arvo' is afternoon.
'knob' name for someone distasteful, perceived stupid or disliked.
'Mate' is anybody you're talking to at the time through to very good friends. Mate is not gender specific.
'evils' is a harsh stare, sometimes with threat.
'to have (or not have) the nouse' means somebody has (or inversely doesn't have) the good sense, intelligence to understand the present situation.
'biff-o' to get biffed, tossed or thrown away.
Inner Circle: Australian made black rum.
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CHAPTER 01. Bad Things Happen to Good People.
Call it a case of blind luck. Thats my name for it. That she had chosen the exact same restaurant as I had was not a problem. She wasn't hiding her presence. The person she was meeting sitting patiently waiting for her. I recognized him when he stood, turned where I could see his profile. The actions of the two people thus far did not worry me.
What occurred after that point in time did. It was the very passionate greeting they gave each other that tormented me. It wasn't a kiss shared between life-long friends with loving partners who shared that very same friendship, it was a lovers connection.
Unfortunately my business partner sat to my immediate left, glimpsed the same interaction between the couple.
Why unfortunately?
Two reasons. Number one; the male character in this little drama happens to be his Father, Allen Dunning. My business partner being Brian Dunning. The woman wasn't his Mum Nicola.
The other reason it being an unfortunate incident, well for Brian anyway, has to do with both his reaction and subsequent response to what he observed. He also new the identity of the woman. Looking at the situation positively the fact that the client we were dining with was by himself left the chair to his right vacant and directly across from Brian.
The final prop in this sequence happened to be a bowl of the Chefs famous mushroom soup, well not the whole plate, just the mouthful Brian was about to swallow.
There was a moment of panic, mostly from the waiting staff as they hastily cleaned up the area with a profusion of apologies and a show of sympathy as they surrounded Brian and the table, both being hastily wiped clean. It was a curious situation, the staff departed complete with the bowl of rogue mushroom soup, the head of house offering our meals for free.
Our client lent over the table beckoning us closer so he could speak without being overheard, "I heard the Maรฎtre de tell one of the waiters to go tell the chef the mushroom soup was off the menu. I don't think you're the only one to have a reaction to the soup today Brian."
A recovering Brian and I looked at each other with knowing smiles,
'Yeah let's go with that then.'
So I guess that just leaves the identity of the woman Allen Dunning was entertaining? Well she just happened to be my Mother, Gayle Forrest, I'm Regan Forrest.
I'd forgotten about our fraudulent parents making eyes at each other. If we'd been sighted in the ruckus there'd be uneasy stares in both directions by now. Cliff and Brian were conversing over the main, although Brian was keeping an eye on the couple. I excused myself stating I had an incoming call and disappeared to the bar area.
My cell in hand I rang my dad, Mike. "Hey Reeg."
"Hey Dad Brian and I are off to lunch. I thought I saw mum going into Halloways. The Voyage restaurant not the hotel. We thought we'd catch up with her."
"Ah yes do it Regan, it'll give her a big surprise. Nicky will be there too they're meeting up for lunch, and she'll catch up with Brian too. Great stuff Reeg."
" Have you heard from Pam Dad?"
I may need my sister Pamela looped in with our little 'wandering Mum' problem.
"Yep, home end of this week. Dans' happy I think they've both gone a bit stir crazy away from each other. Sacrifices of the job though. You know how that goes Son. How's Kacey Reeg?"
"Yeah good Dad. Thats still a no to the grand-kid question. OK gonna go now I'll see ya. Brians giving me the evils, hungry I guess. I'll text mum now."
"OK Reeg. Enjoy yourselves. And Regan - thank you son."
"You're welcome sir. Love you Dad."
I stood staring at my phone. Forced myself to swallow hard.
'Get your head in the game.... NOW!'
I tapped out
'hey mum, saw you going into voyage, ur meeting nicky too? me and brian on our way out to lunch see you in a couple of minutes. reeg'
- send.
Try that one on Mumsie
.