Chapter Five
‘The All Ireland Dancing Rounds’
Over the coming months Nancy and Richard met up every Friday in Clancy's and after the dance had concluded for the night, instead of returning to Portlaw she would return to Richard’s house for the weekend. Every Monday morning Richard would run her back to Portlaw in his car and deposit her outside her door. As for Lucky the cat, she accompanied Nancy on her weekend outings.
After a number of months it became apparent to all and sundry in Portlaw that Nancy and Richard were an item. Each Friday around 9 pm, Nancy would be collected by a taxi at her door. She’d be dressed to the nines for a night of dancing and would be seen carrying her cat holder which contained Lucky. Every Monday morning Richard would drop Nancy and the cat back in William Street and after providing the street with a good eyeful, they’d kiss before he returned to Kerry.
After a number of months it became apparent to all and sundry in Portlaw that Nancy and Richard were an item. Each Friday around 9 pm, Nancy would be collected by a taxi at her door. She’d be dressed to the nines for a night of dancing and would be seen carrying her cat holder which contained Lucky. Every Monday morning Richard would drop Nancy and the cat back in William Street and after providing the street with a good eyeful, they’d kiss before he returned to Kerry.
“Dirty stop out,” Nancy heard one of her neighbours whisper.
“What I can’t understand is why the need to take the black cat with her every weekend?” another muttered in suspicious tone adding, “Unless....unless it’s a witches coven she attends, dressed to kill!”
Her next door neighbour Bridie tried to get it out of her a few times as to what she’d done or got up to over the weekend, but Nancy merely replied, ”Oh nothing much lass. A bit of this and a bit of that,” she’d merely reply.
“The only bit of what she’s up to is a bit of ‘how’s your father’ if you ask me,” Ned Lowe said to his wife jokingly.
“Don’t judge another’s book by your cover,” Bridie replied.
Although there was nothing but the occasional nagging thought and bit of doubt to lead Bridie to believe that her Ned had been unfaithful again, she had never forgotten his unfaithful dalliances; particularly the fling he'd had with the young gypsy girl who’d fathered a child by him. And occasionally, to ensure that he would never take her for granted again, she’d remind him forcibly that she hadn’t forgotten his broken marriage vows. Every time she looked at the disjointed nose on his face, it reminded her of the other two children he had fathered outside wedlock to different lovers.
“What I can’t understand is why the need to take the black cat with her every weekend?” another muttered in suspicious tone adding, “Unless....unless it’s a witches coven she attends, dressed to kill!”
Her next door neighbour Bridie tried to get it out of her a few times as to what she’d done or got up to over the weekend, but Nancy merely replied, ”Oh nothing much lass. A bit of this and a bit of that,” she’d merely reply.
“The only bit of what she’s up to is a bit of ‘how’s your father’ if you ask me,” Ned Lowe said to his wife jokingly.
“Don’t judge another’s book by your cover,” Bridie replied.
Although there was nothing but the occasional nagging thought and bit of doubt to lead Bridie to believe that her Ned had been unfaithful again, she had never forgotten his unfaithful dalliances; particularly the fling he'd had with the young gypsy girl who’d fathered a child by him. And occasionally, to ensure that he would never take her for granted again, she’d remind him forcibly that she hadn’t forgotten his broken marriage vows. Every time she looked at the disjointed nose on his face, it reminded her of the other two children he had fathered outside wedlock to different lovers.
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Over the coming months the couple decided to enter for the ‘All Ireland Ballroom Dancing Trophy’. It had been a long-dreamed of wish that Richard had held in past years of someday lifting the trophy, but after his wife’s condition had worsened and he had to leave his work and cut back on his dancing, all such dreams were quickly abandoned.
Now however, he was back in the running with a partner whose dancing abilities and ballroom accomplishments were every bit as great as his own. His abandoned dream could now be realistically revived and this pleased him more than any other single thing possibly could. It was like having access to the child he had never managed to previously bring into the world.
The contest had a number of stages to be successfully negotiated and the starting heat involved winning the championship at county level. The contest final would be held in ten weeks and much practice would be required beforehand. Nancy and Richard practised every Friday Night at Tralee and every Saturday and Sunday in Richard’s home. Indeed they practised so much that often their nightly routine at bedtime would amount to little more than a quick kiss before hitting the pillow.
Now however, he was back in the running with a partner whose dancing abilities and ballroom accomplishments were every bit as great as his own. His abandoned dream could now be realistically revived and this pleased him more than any other single thing possibly could. It was like having access to the child he had never managed to previously bring into the world.
The contest had a number of stages to be successfully negotiated and the starting heat involved winning the championship at county level. The contest final would be held in ten weeks and much practice would be required beforehand. Nancy and Richard practised every Friday Night at Tralee and every Saturday and Sunday in Richard’s home. Indeed they practised so much that often their nightly routine at bedtime would amount to little more than a quick kiss before hitting the pillow.
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Nancy and Richard entered the County Kerry heats of the ‘All Ireland’ dancing competition. They needed to get through and win this heat in order to compete with all the other Irish county winners for the 'All Ireland Trophy'. They knew however, that victory in Tralee would be no push over as there were another few couples who would give them a good run for their money.
Tralee is situated on the northern side of the Dingle Peninsula and is the largest town in the County of Kerry. For many years it had prided itself upon producing three 'All Ireland' winners and a number of finalists in ballroom dancing.
For six long weeks, the couple practised and practised and practised, until they were satisfied that they were able to readily reproduce a standard of dancing step that was high enough to win the heat. They practised all five Latin American dances and selected the Rumba as their speciality.
Tralee is situated on the northern side of the Dingle Peninsula and is the largest town in the County of Kerry. For many years it had prided itself upon producing three 'All Ireland' winners and a number of finalists in ballroom dancing.
For six long weeks, the couple practised and practised and practised, until they were satisfied that they were able to readily reproduce a standard of dancing step that was high enough to win the heat. They practised all five Latin American dances and selected the Rumba as their speciality.
On the opening evening of the contest in County Kerry, Nancy and Richard proved to be on top form. Their months of slavish practice had paid off and apart from one other couple, contestants Number 13, they seemed highly favoured to emerge as winners.
‘Number 13’ were excellent in their Samba and both Nancy and Richard sensed that they had been pipped at the post in that dance round. However, in the other four dances, the couples were given equal scoring points in the Cha Cha Cha along with the Paso Doble, and Richard and Nancy won out in their strongest dance, the Rumba. There was only the Jive remaining between the two lead couples to decide the overall heat winner.
‘Number 13’ were excellent in their Samba and both Nancy and Richard sensed that they had been pipped at the post in that dance round. However, in the other four dances, the couples were given equal scoring points in the Cha Cha Cha along with the Paso Doble, and Richard and Nancy won out in their strongest dance, the Rumba. There was only the Jive remaining between the two lead couples to decide the overall heat winner.
Just as jazz had helped to shape the evolution of Latin music and dance, it had also proved fundamental to the evolution of swing dancing, which later became known as Jive. If Latin dances are closely related to each other, then swing is their second cousin. All five Latin American dances are related to jazz through their African roots. What made Nancy and Richard love Latin dances was the subtle pulse and swing that animated the music. It was simply impossible to hear the sound and not feel alive.
During her dancing years with her husband Sam, the couple were to prove extremely good together performing the Lindy Hop; a forerunner to what became called Swing and the Jive.
In Lindy Hop dancing, Nancy and her husband could move in perfect synchronisation to an elliptical pattern in which the basic step is 1, 2, triple time, 1, 2, triple time. Different styles emerged and ultimately the Lindy Hop developed into variations of swing dancing. America seemed to lead the world in this evolution on the dance floor. The three main types of swing that emerged most liked were known as the East Coast Swing, the Triple Swing and the West Coast Swing; the latter of which became the most popular.
During her dancing years with her husband Sam, the couple were to prove extremely good together performing the Lindy Hop; a forerunner to what became called Swing and the Jive.
In Lindy Hop dancing, Nancy and her husband could move in perfect synchronisation to an elliptical pattern in which the basic step is 1, 2, triple time, 1, 2, triple time. Different styles emerged and ultimately the Lindy Hop developed into variations of swing dancing. America seemed to lead the world in this evolution on the dance floor. The three main types of swing that emerged most liked were known as the East Coast Swing, the Triple Swing and the West Coast Swing; the latter of which became the most popular.
Now, Nancy was so pleased that she had been in at the start of the evolution from Lindy Hop to Jive and despite the many years he had spent as a dance instructor, Nancy could teach Richard a few variations on the more conventional steps that the judges saw on the floor.
When the dance off for the Jive section arrived, Nancy and Richard strutted their stuff to perfection. The crowds cheered and cheered to the rafters as they were declared the winners of the heat and emerged as the representatives for County Kerry in the ‘All Ireland Final’ that would take place in six weeks.
When the dance off for the Jive section arrived, Nancy and Richard strutted their stuff to perfection. The crowds cheered and cheered to the rafters as they were declared the winners of the heat and emerged as the representatives for County Kerry in the ‘All Ireland Final’ that would take place in six weeks.
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The couple now practised like they’d never practised before; spending virtually the whole of Saturdays and Sundays, often with fifteen hours daily practice at Richard’s home.
Three weeks into their practice, tragedy befell them. During one particularly tricky step routine after having been practising that Saturday for eleven hours, Richard lost his footing and fell to the ground. As he laid there in obvious discomfort, the look of pain etched across his face suggested that he’s really harmed himself. He was initially unable to move from where he fell for forty minutes and only then, he managed to do so under extreme crippling pain down his lower back to his waistline and left leg.
An emergency trip to the local hospital revealed that he had damaged his back in the fall and had a prolapsed disc. An X-ray revealed that his slipped disc had prolapsed in the lumbar part of his spine and that the large size of the prolapsed strongly suggested that it could have gone any time during recent years.
Three weeks into their practice, tragedy befell them. During one particularly tricky step routine after having been practising that Saturday for eleven hours, Richard lost his footing and fell to the ground. As he laid there in obvious discomfort, the look of pain etched across his face suggested that he’s really harmed himself. He was initially unable to move from where he fell for forty minutes and only then, he managed to do so under extreme crippling pain down his lower back to his waistline and left leg.
An emergency trip to the local hospital revealed that he had damaged his back in the fall and had a prolapsed disc. An X-ray revealed that his slipped disc had prolapsed in the lumbar part of his spine and that the large size of the prolapsed strongly suggested that it could have gone any time during recent years.
Later examinations were to reveal that it was very serious and that no short term treatment was likely to cure it. For the moment Richard was advised to take the prescribed pain killers and to lay still in bed without over-energising or exerting his back movements.
The consultant told Richard that it is not clear why some people developed a prolapsed disc, but in his case he had a weakness in the outer part of the affected disc and his sudden twisting movements of years of dance and the recent fall had exacerbated it.
“I’m afraid that if the pain persists after a couple of months, the only option will be surgery where we can cut out the prolapsed part of the disc, but as with all surgical procedures there are naturally risks,” Mr Leavy. “As for your dancing, I’m afraid that such is now out of the question. It will be simply impossible to to dance again at competition level, even providing the surgery is successful and produces no surprises.”
The consultant told Richard that it is not clear why some people developed a prolapsed disc, but in his case he had a weakness in the outer part of the affected disc and his sudden twisting movements of years of dance and the recent fall had exacerbated it.
“I’m afraid that if the pain persists after a couple of months, the only option will be surgery where we can cut out the prolapsed part of the disc, but as with all surgical procedures there are naturally risks,” Mr Leavy. “As for your dancing, I’m afraid that such is now out of the question. It will be simply impossible to to dance again at competition level, even providing the surgery is successful and produces no surprises.”
“What about manipulation. Could the disc be manipulated so that it would enable me to dance one night more in the final heat before I retire from the ballroom floor?” Richard asked.
“I’m afraid that any manipulation by a physiotherapist or a chiropractor would be only advisable after a successful operation, but you would still be unable to dance. The best we can hope for is to get you back walking in the long term with a lot of rest. Put all thoughts of ever dancing again behind you!” the consultant added.
“What about an osteopath? Might such a person be of help?” Richard asked.
“You’d be well advised to stay away from such quacks if you don’t want to risk being unable to walk again,” the consultant said angrily. It was clear from the tone of his response that he had not been one of the medical profession yet to accept the work of the osteopath as a complimentary worker in the health field.
When Nancy and Richard heard this medical pronouncement delivered by the consultant, their hearts dropped. Nancy felt so much for Richard, knowing that securing the ‘All Ireland Dancing Trophy’ had to be once more abandoned by him. Richard was so shocked by the medical pronouncement that he essentially remained speechless and withdrew into himself.
“I’m afraid that any manipulation by a physiotherapist or a chiropractor would be only advisable after a successful operation, but you would still be unable to dance. The best we can hope for is to get you back walking in the long term with a lot of rest. Put all thoughts of ever dancing again behind you!” the consultant added.
“What about an osteopath? Might such a person be of help?” Richard asked.
“You’d be well advised to stay away from such quacks if you don’t want to risk being unable to walk again,” the consultant said angrily. It was clear from the tone of his response that he had not been one of the medical profession yet to accept the work of the osteopath as a complimentary worker in the health field.
When Nancy and Richard heard this medical pronouncement delivered by the consultant, their hearts dropped. Nancy felt so much for Richard, knowing that securing the ‘All Ireland Dancing Trophy’ had to be once more abandoned by him. Richard was so shocked by the medical pronouncement that he essentially remained speechless and withdrew into himself.
Richard was kept in hospital for observation and tests over the next three days before being discharged. Nancy agreed to stay at his home with him during the immediate time ahead. She daily administered the prescribed anti-inflammatory painkillers along with a muscle relaxant when the pain became too bad for him to endure.
After a week of nursing Richard in his home, Nancy arranged to go back to her home in Portlaw for a few days before returning to Kerry. Upon arrival back, the nosy neighbours were quick to notice her return. Looking her over, one remarked, “We haven’t seen you or your cat for the past three weeks. Been on holiday with your man friend have we, on a dirty stop out?”
Nancy didn’t even give them the satisfaction of a reply. She simply unlocked her front door and went in. As she entered the house she saw a letter on the floor and picked it up to read later.
After a week of nursing Richard in his home, Nancy arranged to go back to her home in Portlaw for a few days before returning to Kerry. Upon arrival back, the nosy neighbours were quick to notice her return. Looking her over, one remarked, “We haven’t seen you or your cat for the past three weeks. Been on holiday with your man friend have we, on a dirty stop out?”
Nancy didn’t even give them the satisfaction of a reply. She simply unlocked her front door and went in. As she entered the house she saw a letter on the floor and picked it up to read later.
When Nancy eventually got around to reading the unopened letter she was surprised to find it to be from a man she’d never before heard of; a James Mountford. Mr Mountford wished to speak with Nancy and indicated that he had information about her deceased husband that she might find highly interesting. He had seemingly found out where she lived and had visited her home on three occasions during the past two weeks, but had found the place empty. He intended to return every Thursday morning over the next month around 11 am in the hope of catching her at home.
“That’s tomorrow,” Nancy told herself adding, ”I wonder who he is and what this James Mountford wants?”
That night it felt strange not to be sleeping beneath Richard’s house roof. Since his accident, Nancy had slept in the spare room of Richard’s house as being alongside him in the same bed would have been too uncomfortable for him and too dangerous had he suddenly moved his spine. It felt good to be back under her own sheets for a night. Yet she still stretched out her hand from time to time to touch him as though he was beside her.
That night it felt strange not to be sleeping beneath Richard’s house roof. Since his accident, Nancy had slept in the spare room of Richard’s house as being alongside him in the same bed would have been too uncomfortable for him and too dangerous had he suddenly moved his spine. It felt good to be back under her own sheets for a night. Yet she still stretched out her hand from time to time to touch him as though he was beside her.
The following morning Nancy arose early and after a short walk for some fresh bread, milk and butter she had a hearty breakfast. It was only when she noticed that the time was 10.33 am when she remembered that Mr Mountford might be visiting in half an hour. Her thoughts moved to the possible purpose of this stranger’s visit once more.
To the very minute at 11 am precisely, Nancy heard a knock on her front door and went to admit her caller. As expected it was Mr Mountford.
To the very minute at 11 am precisely, Nancy heard a knock on her front door and went to admit her caller. As expected it was Mr Mountford.
