Ray had returned from Wales

He sat on the corner of Poland Street

Opposite the Town Hall

It was Jazz Week in Market

And he watched as various Swing contests

Moved towards their lively conclusions

Earlier he had purchased an autobiography

Of Alfred Henderson the famous snooker player

Which had been signed by the great man himself

As well as many other notable snooker players of the time

Tish Tankerton Willie Smith Tim Carr Jones and many others

The book which had cost him three pounds was in a poor condition

It was in cardboard box with a couple of snooker rests and some tired chalks

There was also a batch of letters from Alfred to a woman named Maureen Smith

Which detailed his lonely travels around Post War England before he became famous

As he looked at the contents of the box and listened to the lively music

Ray realised that he had lost the keys to his place of employment

But he did not care as he hated his job in Wales and would not return

Annie Potts who had been a friend at school came up to him

And asked him to dance with her as her partner had not arrived

Ray said that he could not dance although he would do his best

This was good enough for Annie who had no thoughts about winning the contest