Who is Gerry Clay from Cloudstreet and what is their importance?

Gerry Clay opens a shop near Cloudstreet with the intention of giving it some competition. Over the course of the novel, we see Gerry develop a relationship with Dolly Pickles, and with whom he has an affair (Gerry is married). Unfortunately, he does not realize that he is doing more than cheating on his wife..... he is cheating with another man's wife, as well as carrying on an affair with the competition. Oriel Lamb successfully drives Gerry both out of business and out of town. he does, however, attack and physically beat Dolly before leaving.