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