I have never been much of a dancer. Anyone who saw Judy Murray's performance on Strictly some years ago would have an idea of my style. I have been asked to dance by insistent men in the past "Of course you can dance, you look like a dancer.” Minutes later, “Shall we go to the bar?"

Some people undergo a personality change when they hit the floor. A very staid man who once asked me to dance at a party threw all inhibitions aside, and started doing some kind of raunchy Chippendales routine, much to my alarm, while his young children gawped in horror. To give him his due, this was certainly not Dad dancing as we know it.

Last year I started dancing at home on my own, and if I say so myself I found I have a natural talent, a real sense of rhythmn and movement when I am not being watched and feeling self-conscious. The dog charity Christmas party would normally find me sitting having a gossip and drinking, but last year I decided to display my artistry. As always with these events, the women greatly outnumber the men. The latter tend to huddle together for safety, but I think they just need a bit of encouragement .

I approached my friend's husband. "You dancin ?" Now everyone knows the time-honoured response is a cheeky "You askin?"  Instead I got "No!" The other few men thought it hilarious. I told my friend and she said I was lucky, when she asked him he said "**** off". To be fair to Spock, he was a good sport and joined in, doing a rather unusual routine he devised for himself.

The inevitable group of females of all ages took to the floor. I really enjoyed it, a few times I was the only one there.

Yesterday I said "I am really looking forward to dancing again this year, it was fun wasn't it?"

At this Spock sprang from his chair and struck a John Travolta pose, one hand on hip in a camp manner, the other pointing to the ceiling.

"What's that supposed to be?"

"That's you dancing at the party last year. You looked a right prat." 

Of course I could not let that go. I did a good imitation of his startled robot dance, elbows jabbing like pistons.

And we're off.

I don't care if I look daft, I got the dancing bug and I like it.

Are you a wallflower, or do you get out there and shake that money-maker with the best of them?

Val

A Moodscope member