A fancy dress party. Not my sort of thing.

But sitting in alone again made me think twice. Everyone out there having a good time. Why not me too?

What can I wear? I know. My check shirt, old jeans. Rummage through the children’s old toy box. There it is, a toy gun and a small cowboy hat. A cloth round my neck. The final touch – Grandad’s old boots, complete with authentic spurs.

Look in the mirror. Not too bad for a last minute rush. Won’t win any prizes, but that’s not the point. It’s about getting out, being part of the old gang again, having fun like I used to.

A few odd looks on the bus. To be expected. It is a Thursday evening after all, and there aren’t too many cowboys around Glasgow, especially wearing toy-sized hats and making a clanking noise with each awkward step in ill-fitting boots.

My feet are in agony after the fifteen minute walk up the hill to the address in the West End. I can hear the music, the chatter, the laughter.

Doors open. In I go.

‘Stick ’em up!’ I shout. Everyone stops talking. Everyone looks at me. No-one is in fancy dress…

Continue reading: SPUR OF THE MOMENT – Iain Kelly