The Belle Of Belfast A love story of great courage heroism and bravery

If this were a fairy story, it would begin with once upon a time, but there are no fiery dragons or wicked witches, Cinderella slippers or seven dwarfs. Instead, a love spell is cast which transcends all earthly boundaries. Heroism which can only be measured by that which is felt by the heart, and a dream that really does come true. The story is written in Belfast dialect and set in the Catholic district of the Falls Road post World War II and tells how the stunningly attractive, feisty, and fearless Isabelle McKitterick meets champion Irish dancer Jack Kennedy. The attraction is instant and electric and they fall head over heels for each other. They are the vogue couple that turn heads everywhere they go and soon decide to spend the rest of their lives together, despite objections from Isabelle's mother. However, their planned engagement is abruptly and unexpectedly stopped in its tracks and Jack leaves for Canada with the argument between them unresolved. The events that follow sees Isabelle marry a man she doesn't love and catapults her into a life of abuse and danger. With Isabelle turning 70 and time running out, Berny decides to find Jack Kennedy and clear her Mammy's name.

Anne-Marie Foster was born in Belfast and moved to England during the 1970s to escape the troubles in Northern Ireland. The second eldest of six children, Anne-Marie has dedicated this book to her mother who survived a life that would have sent many a one to the Purdysburn Asylum. This is her first book.

Dedication 5 Introduction 9 Prologlue 10 PART 1 – BELFAST 1931 13 On Maggie 15 Growing Up 21 Family Entertainment 28 The Gaeltacht And Ardscoil 38 Isabelle Meets Jack 56 The Engagement 71 The Long Wait 77 Meeting Harry 82 The Proposal 93 Married Life 96 The Missing Letters 101 The Real Ghost 104 The Birth 108 Jimmy-Paddy 113 PART 2 – RATHCOOLE 1960 121 A Good Move 123 A Child’s Playground 126 The Glorious Twelfth Of July 129 A Protestant State For A Protestant People 131 Church-Going People 140 Never Cross A Gypsy 145 Getting The Rations 148 Burnt Hair And Getting The Cane 151 Bunk Beds 158 A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing 160 Angels Watching 163 Buttercups And Daisies 167 The Secret Drawer 179 The Big One 181 The Dancing Years 185 Unearthly Warnings 190 The Day The Dancing Stopped 194 PART 3 – ANTRIM 1971 205 Starting Over 207 Sunday Bloody Sunday 213 PART 4 – ENGLAND 1973 221 We Arrive In England 223 The Boat People 227 The Silver Jubilee 231 The Black Dog 235 Fallen Angel 238 The Neighbours 241 Axy And Boots 245 Almost Electrocuted 249 The Grog 251 A Sober Life 258 The Social Worker 261 Canada 264 Alcoholics Anonymoyous – The Tenth Step 267 Pandora’s Box 271 The Big Day 277 Heart To Heart 284 Bless Me, Father 288 Epilogue 289 Glossary 295 Acknowledgments 296