tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77759720010555347012024-03-05T17:36:24.055-08:00Manchester My Manchester (www.philmartinbooks.co.uk)Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-60615862848208406162013-11-06T08:32:00.003-08:002013-11-06T08:32:49.470-08:00Panic on the streets of Manchester<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUB5F2NZGLiOeeTXX8KpI8BinRqgwfAZtIyWOFiPORshT-hqozteogxhilLbEEbCxcM3Y2uZi3fuh87VE68mD5r9t8ZWiKXznFRbiE8E5iLehMN821zBPudaqprcBtnVM0Zx8gIou-44/s1600/MancRiotMain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="557" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUB5F2NZGLiOeeTXX8KpI8BinRqgwfAZtIyWOFiPORshT-hqozteogxhilLbEEbCxcM3Y2uZi3fuh87VE68mD5r9t8ZWiKXznFRbiE8E5iLehMN821zBPudaqprcBtnVM0Zx8gIou-44/s640/MancRiotMain.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">With his
hands down his pants, keeping ‘em warm,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Black
trackie in his socks like a uniform,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Mooching round
town looking ten men with his clones,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Listening
to gangster shite on moody mobile phones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">“Alright
ar kid you ‘avin’ it?” He’s got the shameless patter,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Just waiting
for the dibble’s lights so he can shout out scatter,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">“You’ze
buzzin’ yet,” I hear him say, “tonight is fuckin’ mint,”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">“The
streets are ours,” he prattles on, “it’s payday for the skint.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Another
window crashes in; the looters all steam through,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Another
jean store ransacked in a fleeting second or two,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Rush it,
rush it, deal with it, they’re kicking out the glass,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Then
pulling at each other to make sure that they get past.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">To make
sure their greed gets in the store, there’s nothing they won’t lift,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The
carnage quick yet organised, their larceny is swift,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Shouts and
screams and whooping prove the sadness in the air,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Detached
from our society, they really couldn’t care.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Sirens
shriek like rape alarms but pilferers don’t mind,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">They’re
out to get their hands on anything that they can find,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Little
shops are smashed up too; it’s not just the big chains,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Swarms of
looting locust swoop, sending business down the drain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">An
off-licence on Portland Street has had its guts ripped out,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Its owner
standing shell-shocked, too scared to scream or shout,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">His family
business ruined as the marauding mob moves on,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">They just
can’t see the savagery in the crimes that they’ve just done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Shop after
shop is ransacked; streets crunch with broken glass,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">No rioting
Rangers fans are here and there’s been no IRA blast,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">An evening
of pure madness but we’ve got our own to thank,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Coz every
single one of them was probably born a Manc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Going on and
on for hours, no tough tactics are used,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Market,
Portland, Oldham Street systematically abused,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Yet the
looters don’t look downtrodden, or like they need to eat,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">They drip
designer branding on their hoodies and their feet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">There’s
young girls amongst them too, they really have no shame,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Posing for
the film crews for their five minutes of fame,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">There
isn’t any argument or statement they want to make,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Not
fighting for a movement, they just came here to take.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">And to
cause panic on the streets of Manchester, the looters tore us apart,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">But in the
weeks that followed we saw true Mancunian heart,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The social
sickness of that evening will always probably fester,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">But the
true people of this town will always heart Manchester.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-19749184784572208992013-11-06T08:31:00.001-08:002013-11-06T08:31:38.676-08:00Mancunian way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54d7D84RJ-Ps_Mlz5emhiUvcBWyb_-8jvzfCgTDqt0JstfINRrQWoG277pWoHOvhBb08IF7kqNUNSERTFehykF6VMTRZx8m4SQCYQh1X8itzHDjHx69LvU36lbnWNI46ZM6VyHCx2rh4/s1600/MancunianWay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54d7D84RJ-Ps_Mlz5emhiUvcBWyb_-8jvzfCgTDqt0JstfINRrQWoG277pWoHOvhBb08IF7kqNUNSERTFehykF6VMTRZx8m4SQCYQh1X8itzHDjHx69LvU36lbnWNI46ZM6VyHCx2rh4/s640/MancunianWay.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">We’ve
never been a city to stand back, give up or groan,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">We’ve
never needed vigils or a soapbox on which to moan,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">If things
ain’t right we’ll fix it, no matter what they say,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Job’s a
good un, sorted, safe, is the Mancunian Way,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Maybe you
don’t believe me, and think that I am blagger,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">But throughout
our Manc history we’ve demonstrated this swagger,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">I don’t
just mean the attitude, I woun’t form it on that basis,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">I don’t
just mean the walk ‘n’ talk of Stone Roses or Oasis,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">I don’t
just mean this feeling that Greater Manc is the best,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Coz everybody
loves their town if you put that to the test,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">But there’s
certain times in history that really do define,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The people
of this fine city that I class as mine,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">It’s
written in the history books, way back two centuries when,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Our cotton
trade was suffering until we made ‘em think again,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">We’d
blossomed as producers but could never be a port,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The
seaside was too far away was the common thought,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Until one
Manc said hang on lads, I’m nobody’s fool,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">We’ll
bring the coast to Manchester and cut out Liverpool,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">You can’t
do that, it’s not allowed, derision from Scouse lips,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">But Manc
defiance found a way and built a canal for those ships,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">With a
little innovation they got what they had planned,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Little land-locked
Manchester; third busiest port in the land,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">So yeah
there’s still an attitude and our young ‘uns might walk daft,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">But behind
our swagger is creation and honest, hard, Manc graft,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Coz
through the annals of history, Manc’s just wouldn’t be thwarted,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">And that’s
the real Mancunian way, top one, nice one, get sorted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-3193772697938169372013-11-06T08:30:00.001-08:002013-11-06T08:30:16.094-08:00Pillar of strength<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKcyob0ZBml78Er3hzPrwCRp-vVWTyz41uxcytSyyTCXBdVtWz3QI8Al5xeLrQ8snN3B3FVOJWJRe8HWAOfOaa2E3RR49d1jmG1CaQFPcGcrb4c3LFfc148iXfZmzgcxtlJ5e8w4S-Lw/s1600/PillarBox.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKcyob0ZBml78Er3hzPrwCRp-vVWTyz41uxcytSyyTCXBdVtWz3QI8Al5xeLrQ8snN3B3FVOJWJRe8HWAOfOaa2E3RR49d1jmG1CaQFPcGcrb4c3LFfc148iXfZmzgcxtlJ5e8w4S-Lw/s320/PillarBox.JPG" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Chargrilled,
burnt out buildings spewing up their insides,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Carcasses,
stripped of all their meat, spilled guts, missing their sides,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Contorted
concrete confetti, showered in shards of glass,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Roofs
ripped away like cardboard by the power of the blast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The
streets all strewn in debris; the end of the world has come,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Battered,
tattered, shopping mall, society undone,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Girders
bent in agony, the bridge to Marks and Sparks,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Is hanging
from the rafters which are nearly blown in half.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Exploded
and imploded, sirens pierce the city air,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The streets
are scorched and scolded; rescuers stand and stare,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">For as the
smoke has cleared and the dangers gone away,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">A symbol
of Manc stubbornness comes firmly into play.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Standing proud,
still bold and loud, puffing out its chest,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Is an
unscathed red pillar box, Manc defiance at its best,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Devastation
on all sides, destroyed and torn apart,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">But like
that bright red letter box they’d never take our heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The fabric
of our safety lay unravelled in destruction,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">But rising
from the ashes came Manchester’s reconstruction,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">And just
like that little post box protected every letter,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">They’d do
their job, rebuild our town and make Manc even better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-58190283299976422272013-11-06T08:24:00.002-08:002013-11-06T08:24:18.233-08:00Manchester-On-Sea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4yQ8uFPGH9niiDnAtAjtjFlrXkCx_Tx8h3nGVRmD2LVVaQqLM-oQyZUYpAAQo7sDniwgpKq1AgcINicHiSp4IHymqEYRAxDHN5nV-rzZJcfU-8wYNtQTJ5HnphCXrNKDLtJ7OVJtfgU/s1600/ManchesterOnSea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4yQ8uFPGH9niiDnAtAjtjFlrXkCx_Tx8h3nGVRmD2LVVaQqLM-oQyZUYpAAQo7sDniwgpKq1AgcINicHiSp4IHymqEYRAxDHN5nV-rzZJcfU-8wYNtQTJ5HnphCXrNKDLtJ7OVJtfgU/s640/ManchesterOnSea.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Manchester’s
got everything; just two things let it down,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">We haven’t
got a beach a point made by Ian Brown,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">But even
if we did have one, few cities are wetter,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">So here’s
what I would propose to make Manchester better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Firstly
dig The Pennines up; they’re blamed for our bad weather,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Chop them
down, they pop our clouds, and then it won’t rain ever,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Next let’s
pop to Liverpool and I say this with a wink,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Because legend
says the Liverbirds can make their city sink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">So set
them free and watch them fly and watch the waters reach,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Warrington
and Saint Helen’s giving Manchester a beach,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">We could
build ourselves a promenade and a Golden mile to boast,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">And new
nightlife would soon spring up on our manufactured coast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">But if we
had a beach to bathe and it rarely ever rained,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">It wouldn’t
just be our life styles but our attitudes that changed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">We’d all
wag work so we could take advantage of our beach,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">We’d lose
the swagger from our walks and greatness from our reach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">We’d lose
the creativity that makes our city great,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">And the
talented amongst us all would all just go to waste,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">We’d be
too busy basking in the utopia we’d made,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">We’d be
too lazy sunbathing to bother getting paid,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Just like a
Spanish stereotype we’d always put things off,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Tomorrow’s
good, today I’m spent, at hard work we would scoff,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">And if we
lost our downpour too, our parks would lose their green,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The price
of water would go up, as the reservoirs fall lean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">So even
though we moan and curse and begrudge our city’s weather,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">I’m still
not sure whether beaches would be better altogether,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">So I’m not
sure that we should change dynamics near and far,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Let’s
leave The Pool and hills alone; we’re better like we are.</span>Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-27013360815864539492013-08-15T09:55:00.002-07:002013-08-15T09:55:34.541-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTL1Qp1wRk1BQSW1i80UgvpjyYhRrH8j42BlRUMbHAnIf0DTqEmd9fM5jyeqR-nCCmV1UC5xHcVFoJGPVb6zs6_ETnFGve4b7UzzZYAam5fWLEJrxVm1fqEw554f8pXDVaE3mo-idp7E/s1600/LittleGirlLostAdOut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTL1Qp1wRk1BQSW1i80UgvpjyYhRrH8j42BlRUMbHAnIf0DTqEmd9fM5jyeqR-nCCmV1UC5xHcVFoJGPVb6zs6_ETnFGve4b7UzzZYAam5fWLEJrxVm1fqEw554f8pXDVaE3mo-idp7E/s640/LittleGirlLostAdOut.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The Little Girl Lost trilogy is now available at amazon kindle<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">CHILD No. 3</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;" /><a href="http://amzn.to/xsDmpa" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xsDmpa</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">FEMALE No. 2</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;" /><a href="http://amzn.to/Wh5BST" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/Wh5BST</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">TARGET No. 1</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;" /><a href="http://amzn.to/14mypK3" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/14mypK3</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Child No. 3</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Having exposed lie after lie told by her foster parents, Amy Walker sets off on a mission of self-discovery to unearth exactly what they have kept buried from the world.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After journeying from her Manchester home to the shanty towns and palaces of Morocco, more untruths lead her back to London and a dark Chechen underworld, where she discovers she was third on a coded, list of stolen children.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As Amy gets closer to unearthing her truth, she disturbs it, alerting the gang to her existence. Her truth will do anything to stay hidden. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Child No. 3 must be silenced. Little girl lost must never be found.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<div class="reviews" id="rev-dpReviewsMostHelpful-R3DFZ0CV2YR127" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful</div>
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<span class="swSprite s_star_4_0 " style="background-image: url(http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/common/sprites/sprite-site-wide._V146303782_.png); background-position: -43px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline-block; height: 13px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 65px;" title="4.0 out of 5 stars"><span style="left: -9999px; position: absolute;">4.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> <a class="txtlarge gl3 gr4 reviewTitle valignMiddle" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R3DFZ0CV2YR127/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B005IRNYVM&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=341677031&store=digital-text" style="border: 0px; color: black; cursor: pointer; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 0px 3px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: middle;"><strong>A really good start and now I'm looking forward to the next one!</strong></a><span class="gry valignMiddle" style="color: #666666; vertical-align: middle;"> <span class="inlineblock txtsmall" style="display: inline-block; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">4 Oct 2012</span></span></div>
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<span class="gr10" style="padding-right: 10px;"><span class="txtsmall" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="gry" style="color: #666666;">By</span> <a class="noTextDecoration" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/pdp/profile/A2X0I3PRG8GHL4/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp" style="border: 0px; color: #996633; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Best Books To Read</a></span> </span><span class="gr8" style="padding-right: 8px;"><span class="c7yBadge TR-4" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: dashed; border-top-width: 1px; color: #004b91; font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.5px; padding: 2px; text-transform: uppercase; white-space: nowrap;">TOP 100 REVIEWER</span></span></div>
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<span class="inlineblock formatVariation" style="display: inline-block;"><span class="gr3 gry formatKey" style="color: #666666; padding-right: 3px;">Format:</span><span class="formatValue">Kindle Edition</span><span class="gl7 gr7 gry" style="color: #666666; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;">|</span></span><span class="inlineblock avpOrVine" style="display: inline-block;"><span class="orange strong avp" style="color: #e47911; font-weight: bold;">Amazon Verified Purchase</span></span></div>
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I have literally hundreds of books at any one time in my `to read' list. It's normally a mixture of my long time favourites, some newbie's and some self published stuff. Child Number 3 written by Phil Martin was a self <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Child-Little-Girl-trilogy-ebook/dp/B005IRNYVM/ref=pd_sim_kinc_2#" id="_GPLITA_1" in_rurl="http://i.tracksrv.com/click?v=R0I6MjA3OTc6MTE1MDpwdWJsaXNoZWQgYm9vazoyZDY3MTFhNzQ3MzNkNmFlMjBhMGQ1ZmY5ZjI4YTU0MDp6LTE0OTAtMjUzMTIyOnd3dy5hbWF6b24uY28udWs6MTAyODc6MTE3MzkyYjk5NjRlMGZlNDhkMGUzZWEwMTE0NDVkMjA" style="border: 0px; color: #996633; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="Click to Continue > by CouponDropDown">published book</a> and the synopsis sounded right up my street. Like most books or authors I haven't read before I always hope they will be great and thankfully Phil Martin's most certainly was. Amy Walker is the main character in this rather dark book and we are introduced to her life and the fact that she has been very aware of the fact that she was adopted from a very young age. With her father having passed away and he mother being ill, Amy is insistent on finding out more about her birth parents.<br /><br />Once she has completed medical school, she follows leads on her birth after being told by her parents that she was adopted following the death of her birth parents following a coach crash in Tuscany. What starts out as an innocent search turns into something much more sinister. Amy starts to uncover lies about her birth which leads her down a very dangerous path.<br /><br />The character of Amy is very likeable, and although maybe not anything other than ordinary she is likeable. As a reader you empathise with her need to find the truth. It's also got a more authentic ring to the story as the path she chooses to take is led by her need for information. It means that the more danger she approaches, the more inquisitive she gets. The story starts in Manchester where Amy is living but before long sees her visiting the shanty towns in Morocco and uncovering links to the Chechen underworld.<br /><br />The story grabbed my interest and to be quite honest kept it up throughout. The nearer it got to the end the more tense things were. This book only annoyed me towards the end. Obviously being part of a trilogy meant that the ending had me annoyed that I didn't have the next book to read immediately. Thankfully that can be remedied in a matter of days in this case. For a self-published debut novel I thought it was absolutely brilliant. Not quite a 5 star read but a solid 4, and one that made for an unusual and very engaging read. Can't wait for the next one and to be frank priced at £1.32 on Kindle it's a bargain to boot!</div>
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<div class="reviews" id="rev-dpReviewsMostHelpful-R1GSF15T1KOEOL" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-top: 30px;">
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful</div>
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<span class="swSprite s_star_5_0 " style="background-image: url(http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/common/sprites/sprite-site-wide._V146303782_.png); background-position: -30px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline-block; height: 13px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 65px;" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><span style="left: -9999px; position: absolute;">5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> <a class="txtlarge gl3 gr4 reviewTitle valignMiddle" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R1GSF15T1KOEOL/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B005IRNYVM&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=341677031&store=digital-text" style="border: 0px; color: black; cursor: pointer; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 0px 3px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: middle;"><strong>sensational... fact! start to finish</strong></a><span class="gry valignMiddle" style="color: #666666; vertical-align: middle;"> <span class="inlineblock txtsmall" style="display: inline-block; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">8 Dec 2011</span></span></div>
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<span class="gr10" style="padding-right: 10px;"><span class="txtsmall" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="gry" style="color: #666666;">By</span> <a class="noTextDecoration" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/pdp/profile/A2B1AHRK845RO2/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp" style="border: 0px; color: #996633; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Mr Stuart Davenport</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="inlineblock formatVariation" style="display: inline-block;"><span class="gr3 gry formatKey" style="color: #666666; padding-right: 3px;">Format:</span><span class="formatValue">Kindle Edition</span><span class="gl7 gr7 gry" style="color: #666666; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;">|</span></span><span class="inlineblock avpOrVine" style="display: inline-block;"><span class="orange strong avp" style="color: #e47911; font-weight: bold;">Amazon Verified Purchase</span></span></div>
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This book is true "can't put down" thriller. For those that enjoy a fast paced, well articulated and fascinating storyline, this book is a must.</div>
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<a class="cr-btn btn-sec border-one rounded-standard" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/voting/cast/Reviews/2115/R1GSF15T1KOEOL/Helpful/-1/ref=cm_cr_dp_voteyn_no?ie=UTF8&target=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY28udWsvZ3AvcHJvZHVjdC9CMDA1SVJOWVZNL3JlZj1jbV9jcl9kcHZvdGVyZHI&token=76D4E9F2E3C95CDB9BD5E4348B2D7693656E1B70&voteAnchorName=R1GSF15T1KOEOL.2115.Helpful.Reviews&voteSessionID=278-3900456-6098606" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.117647) 0px -2px 2px inset; -webkit-user-select: none; background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(top, rgb(249, 248, 246), rgb(228, 225, 219), rgb(218, 213, 206)); border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(182, 178, 170); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.117647) 0px -2px 2px inset; color: #996633; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; outline: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: rgb(248, 248, 237) 0px 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; zoom: 1;" title="No"><span class="btn-small txtsmall" style="color: black; display: block; min-width: 23px; padding: 1px 6px 2px;">No</span></a></div>
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<div class="reviews" id="rev-dpReviewsMostHelpful-RLUD8XE076S14" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-top: 30px;">
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful</div>
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<span class="swSprite s_star_5_0 " style="background-image: url(http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/common/sprites/sprite-site-wide._V146303782_.png); background-position: -30px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline-block; height: 13px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 65px;" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><span style="left: -9999px; position: absolute;">5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> <a class="txtlarge gl3 gr4 reviewTitle valignMiddle" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/RLUD8XE076S14/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B005IRNYVM&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=341677031&store=digital-text" style="border: 0px; color: black; cursor: pointer; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 0px 3px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: middle;"><strong>A great read</strong></a><span class="gry valignMiddle" style="color: #666666; vertical-align: middle;"> <span class="inlineblock txtsmall" style="display: inline-block; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">8 Jan 2012</span></span></div>
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<span class="gr10" style="padding-right: 10px;"><span class="txtsmall" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="gry" style="color: #666666;">By</span> <a class="noTextDecoration" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/pdp/profile/A2GVL8IHTB8JC9/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp" style="border: 0px; color: #996633; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">CAFCNW</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="inlineblock formatVariation" style="display: inline-block;"><span class="gr3 gry formatKey" style="color: #666666; padding-right: 3px;">Format:</span><span class="formatValue">Kindle Edition</span><span class="gl7 gr7 gry" style="color: #666666; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;">|</span></span><span class="inlineblock avpOrVine" style="display: inline-block;"><span class="orange strong avp" style="color: #e47911; font-weight: bold;">Amazon Verified Purchase</span></span></div>
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A fast moving, gripping adventure made more interesting for me as it covered areas I have lived in i.e. Manchester, Greenwich and Barcelona. Couldn't put the book down and completed it in three days - a highly recommended read.</div>
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<a class="cr-btn btn-sec border-one rounded-standard" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/voting/cast/Reviews/2115/RLUD8XE076S14/Helpful/-1/ref=cm_cr_dp_voteyn_no?ie=UTF8&target=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY28udWsvZ3AvcHJvZHVjdC9CMDA1SVJOWVZNL3JlZj1jbV9jcl9kcHZvdGVyZHI&token=4B28D2F91C660E510C0EF113E51114E4E2BD7BAB&voteAnchorName=RLUD8XE076S14.2115.Helpful.Reviews&voteSessionID=278-3900456-6098606" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.117647) 0px -2px 2px inset; -webkit-user-select: none; background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(top, rgb(249, 248, 246), rgb(228, 225, 219), rgb(218, 213, 206)); border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(182, 178, 170); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.117647) 0px -2px 2px inset; color: #996633; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; outline: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: rgb(248, 248, 237) 0px 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; zoom: 1;" title="No"><span class="btn-small txtsmall" style="color: black; display: block; min-width: 23px; padding: 1px 6px 2px;">No</span></a></div>
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful</div>
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<span class="swSprite s_star_5_0 " style="background-image: url(http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/common/sprites/sprite-site-wide._V146303782_.png); background-position: -30px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline-block; height: 13px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 65px;" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><span style="left: -9999px; position: absolute;">5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> <a class="txtlarge gl3 gr4 reviewTitle valignMiddle" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/RKA55DV7J56ZU/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B005IRNYVM&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=341677031&store=digital-text" style="border: 0px; color: black; cursor: pointer; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 0px 3px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: middle;"><strong>Exhilarating!!</strong></a><span class="gry valignMiddle" style="color: #666666; vertical-align: middle;"> <span class="inlineblock txtsmall" style="display: inline-block; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">21 Nov 2011</span></span></div>
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<span class="gr10" style="padding-right: 10px;"><span class="txtsmall" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="gry" style="color: #666666;">By</span> <a class="noTextDecoration" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/pdp/profile/A269LUR7X9CTRA/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp" style="border: 0px; color: #996633; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Shazzzy</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="inlineblock formatVariation" style="display: inline-block;"><span class="gr3 gry formatKey" style="color: #666666; padding-right: 3px;">Format:</span><span class="formatValue">Kindle Edition</span><span class="gl7 gr7 gry" style="color: #666666; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;">|</span></span><span class="inlineblock avpOrVine" style="display: inline-block;"><span class="orange strong avp" style="color: #e47911; font-weight: bold;">Amazon Verified Purchase</span></span></div>
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<div class="drkgry" style="color: #333333;">
Child No3 is a thrilling read. Exciting, fast paced plot twisting and turning revealing more shocking truths as the story of Amy unfolds. Couldn't put it down!!! Fantastic!!!!</div>
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful</div>
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<span class="swSprite s_star_5_0 " style="background-image: url(http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/common/sprites/sprite-site-wide._V146303782_.png); background-position: -30px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline-block; height: 13px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 65px;" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><span style="left: -9999px; position: absolute;">5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> <a class="txtlarge gl3 gr4 reviewTitle valignMiddle" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R1FJKQZ5I9VXCX/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B005IRNYVM&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=341677031&store=digital-text" style="border: 0px; color: black; cursor: pointer; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 0px 3px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: middle;"><strong>Gripping</strong></a><span class="gry valignMiddle" style="color: #666666; vertical-align: middle;"> <span class="inlineblock txtsmall" style="display: inline-block; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">30 Sep 2011</span></span></div>
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<span class="gr10" style="padding-right: 10px;"><span class="txtsmall" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="gry" style="color: #666666;">By</span> <a class="noTextDecoration" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/pdp/profile/A1GISXBZUARKR1/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp" style="border: 0px; color: #996633; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Efficient Baxter</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="inlineblock formatVariation" style="display: inline-block;"><span class="gr3 gry formatKey" style="color: #666666; padding-right: 3px;">Format:</span><span class="formatValue">Kindle Edition</span></span></div>
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I liked the synopsis so tried out the first couple of chapters for free. Wow! It was totally gripping, with fully rounded characters and a plot that shifts at some pace. I devoured the free chapters and instantly downloaded the rest. Highly recommended.</div>
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful</div>
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<span class="swSprite s_star_5_0 " style="background-image: url(http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/common/sprites/sprite-site-wide._V146303782_.png); background-position: -30px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline-block; height: 13px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 65px;" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><span style="left: -9999px; position: absolute;">5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> <a class="txtlarge gl3 gr4 reviewTitle valignMiddle" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R2YIGFIDZ2MOSB/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B005IRNYVM&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=341677031&store=digital-text" style="border: 0px; color: black; cursor: pointer; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 0px 3px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: middle;"><strong>excitement from start to finish</strong></a><span class="gry valignMiddle" style="color: #666666; vertical-align: middle;"> <span class="inlineblock txtsmall" style="display: inline-block; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">23 Feb 2013</span></span></div>
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<span class="gr10" style="padding-right: 10px;"><span class="txtsmall" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="gry" style="color: #666666;">By</span> <a class="noTextDecoration" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/pdp/profile/A2MRZ3I0CA2O1D/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp" style="border: 0px; color: #996633; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">kittycat 2000</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="inlineblock formatVariation" style="display: inline-block;"><span class="gr3 gry formatKey" style="color: #666666; padding-right: 3px;">Format:</span><span class="formatValue">Kindle Edition</span><span class="gl7 gr7 gry" style="color: #666666; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;">|</span></span><span class="inlineblock avpOrVine" style="display: inline-block;"><span class="orange strong avp" style="color: #e47911; font-weight: bold;">Amazon Verified Purchase</span></span></div>
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After the death of her adoptive parents Amy Walker decides to find out more about her origins but meets obstacles at every turn. Her search leads her and her best friend Caroline to the shanty towns of Morocco and the murky world of Chechen gangsters.She soon realises that she has walked into more danger than she ever could have imagined.<br /><br />This is a real action thriller which begs to be read in one sitting. The epilogue does a marvellous job of whetting the appetite for the next instalment in this exciting story which thankfully has already been released. The only flaw in the book was a few spelling and grammar inconsistencies, nothing that a good proofreader couldn't put right.</div>
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful</div>
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<span class="swSprite s_star_5_0 " style="background-image: url(http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/common/sprites/sprite-site-wide._V146303782_.png); background-position: -30px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline-block; height: 13px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 65px;" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><span style="left: -9999px; position: absolute;">5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> <a class="txtlarge gl3 gr4 reviewTitle valignMiddle" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/RV167KQFZZ05W/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B005IRNYVM&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=341677031&store=digital-text" style="border: 0px; color: black; cursor: pointer; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 0px 3px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: middle;"><strong>Couldn't put it down</strong></a><span class="gry valignMiddle" style="color: #666666; vertical-align: middle;"> <span class="inlineblock txtsmall" style="display: inline-block; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">25 Dec 2012</span></span></div>
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<span class="gr10" style="padding-right: 10px;"><span class="txtsmall" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="gry" style="color: #666666;">By</span> <a class="noTextDecoration" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/pdp/profile/A5GK37DW8X29Y/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp" style="border: 0px; color: #996633; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Soton Sam</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="inlineblock formatVariation" style="display: inline-block;"><span class="gr3 gry formatKey" style="color: #666666; padding-right: 3px;">Format:</span><span class="formatValue">Kindle Edition</span><span class="gl7 gr7 gry" style="color: #666666; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;">|</span></span><span class="inlineblock avpOrVine" style="display: inline-block;"><span class="orange strong avp" style="color: #e47911; font-weight: bold;">Amazon Verified Purchase</span></span></div>
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<div class="drkgry" style="color: #333333;">
Amazing couldn't put it down! Loved the story line! Looking forward to the sequel :0)<br />Looking forward to reading more from Phil Martin</div>
</div>
</div>
Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-48287709623260231362012-05-29T10:09:00.001-07:002012-07-10T09:46:03.166-07:00The pop-up culture<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iCrZ0y2J7lcq83VLuexDMnCi2MSJ8aXgDn4ox6ZP1obaEnfidglpBaj1Wvcxvz27H6N467Df8mupprEVo92tk51JsbGXxl1klDtZCyEwnJD67R8UoLDCFdx_6QMLGUPI5ncRWPpOfKk/s1600/PopUpYachtClub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iCrZ0y2J7lcq83VLuexDMnCi2MSJ8aXgDn4ox6ZP1obaEnfidglpBaj1Wvcxvz27H6N467Df8mupprEVo92tk51JsbGXxl1klDtZCyEwnJD67R8UoLDCFdx_6QMLGUPI5ncRWPpOfKk/s320/PopUpYachtClub.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigh7ipTeRseZzlfAAy5qchVeg8A8SI3h3cziUk0K3UHpK0VE4wBdvc16kyVN04kWtSPl1Idt-hiviMMNOmkLZ72ZK848xe_0P9B5eItiDoKD3sl7Rrq7O6o6vIvNCWpVMpH7WTQJLdfE0/s1600/PopUpBeach2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigh7ipTeRseZzlfAAy5qchVeg8A8SI3h3cziUk0K3UHpK0VE4wBdvc16kyVN04kWtSPl1Idt-hiviMMNOmkLZ72ZK848xe_0P9B5eItiDoKD3sl7Rrq7O6o6vIvNCWpVMpH7WTQJLdfE0/s320/PopUpBeach2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The pop-up culture<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
pop-ups are popping up all over town,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like
seasonal treats to flatten our frown,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A
viable business for just a few weeks,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cashing
in quickly as popularity peaks<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here
today but long gone tomorrow,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No
downturn in trade, no financial sorrow,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They
spring up and clean up as the new thing in town,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then
only next month they’re ripping them down.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A
symbol perhaps of a throwaway generation,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
there’s no time for boredom with this seasonal creation,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because
the pop-ups bring us what’s out of our reach,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFtJcx5D8qGT7_fyVRQiFQ4MHNxChAuaECKMlXMWBpWchDNgTfYEjyJqNqNIagGijPELLrDzAYxxftNQf78TI7oHviBhC_wp9GEuoq6tnBmD8c_CYqOd0JS99EydxPfEOQyuPSLnxOXI/s1600/PopUpScreen+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFtJcx5D8qGT7_fyVRQiFQ4MHNxChAuaECKMlXMWBpWchDNgTfYEjyJqNqNIagGijPELLrDzAYxxftNQf78TI7oHviBhC_wp9GEuoq6tnBmD8c_CYqOd0JS99EydxPfEOQyuPSLnxOXI/s320/PopUpScreen+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like
granting Manchester a white, sandy beach.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bringing
deckchairs and buckets and spades to hand,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Offering
Mancs the chance to sunbathe in the sand,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bringing
everything that’s coastal to Castlefield,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
leaving us sun burnt, red-faced and peeled.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So
the seaside popped up without any sea,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JxPZLPcY7Y5DDNP0wBzw64rhP0XAHVf6WfSuJQh27ShZTElW-eTr9mRZYYLyyyCqKv_S0ofDt-Wnq_9iOaIYVGUIKRqcpa_PJgRzifuVAFp23h0iiCauxcfYJSwpuAhCEtrV8Css85c/s1600/PopUpScreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JxPZLPcY7Y5DDNP0wBzw64rhP0XAHVf6WfSuJQh27ShZTElW-eTr9mRZYYLyyyCqKv_S0ofDt-Wnq_9iOaIYVGUIKRqcpa_PJgRzifuVAFp23h0iiCauxcfYJSwpuAhCEtrV8Css85c/s320/PopUpScreen.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
yacht clubs popped without boats admittedly,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bowling
and skating both popped up and went,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whilst
the pop-up cinema was just heaven sent.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
North Pole popped too but it wasn’t that cold,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
that 1930s tea room was far from old,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
Moose Bar had grizzlies but no moose turned up,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpnWSyEmsF3kthghnhTAXUnf_ne73qB7tGxKdsXYlTFWzPHMEeIXPsZt1OExIxZEal2ygR3FlkixK69sMgbdkz35qZwS_Q7yBz6RuY8-kE1dy9gxoH7TVEtN5c_P2v_LUOqHPyA4HFk4/s1600/PopUpBowling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpnWSyEmsF3kthghnhTAXUnf_ne73qB7tGxKdsXYlTFWzPHMEeIXPsZt1OExIxZEal2ygR3FlkixK69sMgbdkz35qZwS_Q7yBz6RuY8-kE1dy9gxoH7TVEtN5c_P2v_LUOqHPyA4HFk4/s320/PopUpBowling.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whilst
we loved pop-up menus and the grub they served up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because
pop-ups bring us some escapism,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A
break from the norm promoting hedonism,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So
let’s ask for pop-ups dripping in cool,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like
a pop-up, city centre swimming pool.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFG1EKxCdX4SEp2Z9yEqXNrRRj8zjFIcsAkmY0xTohzLgDg5pWYV5LGlQTigd4mFiW1YCqljkhnu5elouMwQId9VxA7-0axhoKjW4ATvF_Xq1F0oNCpuiqZOe4wt08G44L2qczt5rMfQ0/s1600/PopUpIceSkating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFG1EKxCdX4SEp2Z9yEqXNrRRj8zjFIcsAkmY0xTohzLgDg5pWYV5LGlQTigd4mFiW1YCqljkhnu5elouMwQId9VxA7-0axhoKjW4ATvF_Xq1F0oNCpuiqZOe4wt08G44L2qczt5rMfQ0/s320/PopUpIceSkating.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or a pop up space bar like <span class="st">on
Tattooine,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span class="st"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With Star Wars characters from that very
scene, <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or a pop-up racetrack based on Monaco,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or a temporary roller blade music disco.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Wimbledon pop-up so folks could compete,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whilst pop-up archery would be pretty neat,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A pop-up bungee would be a win win,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZj47dijJb8cRpogFY_K32We-XZ-t7CpuppFo-WfueLRrFib03_jjCPHHDChwUEoBUdzcfUmM4jAHA7fBNASoVoFfHXiWlyRXi0rBLhvsnQbiix9M_NgeR-anUGIcIC5OyXWR9OBpA7t8/s1600/PopUpNorthPole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZj47dijJb8cRpogFY_K32We-XZ-t7CpuppFo-WfueLRrFib03_jjCPHHDChwUEoBUdzcfUmM4jAHA7fBNASoVoFfHXiWlyRXi0rBLhvsnQbiix9M_NgeR-anUGIcIC5OyXWR9OBpA7t8/s320/PopUpNorthPole.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or a pop-up campsite with a festival thrown
in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pop-up skydiving of the indoor sort,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two pop-up pirate ships and the battle they
fought,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pop-up guns on a shooting range,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There’s so many pop-ups still to arrange.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But this is the pop-up I’d most like to see,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8loGzz4xWOMRd7wN6eIYLPC-3ttwG6aO_kH_zn7fu0D2Ku15SBk3xiVUgqsd6H9WNFuKK0JCvOJoh-6PHWZqMG9tWQht4LXGoem6Y6yUBsle4O32nlZhlV-KdjX-ycCpycMK2J6cTgHo/s1600/PopUpMooseBar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8loGzz4xWOMRd7wN6eIYLPC-3ttwG6aO_kH_zn7fu0D2Ku15SBk3xiVUgqsd6H9WNFuKK0JCvOJoh-6PHWZqMG9tWQht4LXGoem6Y6yUBsle4O32nlZhlV-KdjX-ycCpycMK2J6cTgHo/s320/PopUpMooseBar.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A pop-up so grand it would be legendry, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They’d talk about it from near and from far,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And they’d all have to see it, coz it’s so
slightly bizarre. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because
even if it is horribly fake,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let’s
have a glorious pop-up lake,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Straight
from Lake Como or Bellagio,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7f8SwMKfcEROuVOZz9r97sMt18Zk9eJ7NGU26Uue1JhurEd34EXqIoa7MMryo6VC5LvqYLpLIwzaDUYZNXIvmD5EpAy9dxVV6sJScdGMjJKk1Hs_tqal87lrpXPuXpsroZsE_TQXDuP4/s1600/PopUpRestaurant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7f8SwMKfcEROuVOZz9r97sMt18Zk9eJ7NGU26Uue1JhurEd34EXqIoa7MMryo6VC5LvqYLpLIwzaDUYZNXIvmD5EpAy9dxVV6sJScdGMjJKk1Hs_tqal87lrpXPuXpsroZsE_TQXDuP4/s320/PopUpRestaurant.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A
great lake for bathing Mancunians to go.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With grassy shores to take in the shine,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And pool parties daily as folk drink and dine,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In trendy lakeside restaurants and bars,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we all enjoy a life that’s not ours.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On boats and on yachts that are moored in the
bay,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtSianrJVCwAfNRp4vJb8UOfjexul6AetCDkeHs4QhS34a9kWgSBEEcnAlMpyWOSI19aDbXeOKkykuSUddSeJg6vz2j2LEqNMw9shFMz9lxZ_SjJpfskhRvbGJ37Wl6RPOwFA8hwdpCQ/s1600/PopUpTeaRoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtSianrJVCwAfNRp4vJb8UOfjexul6AetCDkeHs4QhS34a9kWgSBEEcnAlMpyWOSI19aDbXeOKkykuSUddSeJg6vz2j2LEqNMw9shFMz9lxZ_SjJpfskhRvbGJ37Wl6RPOwFA8hwdpCQ/s320/PopUpTeaRoom.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With bikini’s and speedos the attire of the
day,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ultimate pop-up but still a flat pack,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So let’s ask pop-up people could a pop-up do
that?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">Copyright©2012 by Phil Martin</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">All rights reserved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;"></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">buy my books on Amazon</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">CHILD NUMBER THREE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xsDmpa" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xsDmpa</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">THE ATTACHED </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xjsKgp" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xjsKgp</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">KILLING DOVES </span><a href="http://amzn.to/ysy4ip" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/ysy4ip</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"> </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">STRIPPED BARE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/wbfoYn" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/wbfoYn</a>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size: small;">
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span>Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-87891738967331445702012-05-18T07:04:00.000-07:002012-07-10T09:46:16.638-07:00The recorder player<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0jMaCfeFURWq43ZV5ZRURm7zYSHROd8ZMlIrESlyQUHF2Fmo3Ni_mmwQdlrV2lOHCKu-A6X2LKYc8ZPlOc_avlh-FxiEkD0pErg4ndC09W4XhmshodeGQYTJZpqgewhvuV8uoOVdhtQ/s1600/RecorderPlayer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0jMaCfeFURWq43ZV5ZRURm7zYSHROd8ZMlIrESlyQUHF2Fmo3Ni_mmwQdlrV2lOHCKu-A6X2LKYc8ZPlOc_avlh-FxiEkD0pErg4ndC09W4XhmshodeGQYTJZpqgewhvuV8uoOVdhtQ/s640/RecorderPlayer.jpg" width="440" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The recorder player</span></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A well-spoken
gent, mild mannered and with grace,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yet
his is the most iconic of Manchester's homeless face,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because
he sits everyday on his Market Street throne,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In
all kinds of weather, without a grumble or a groan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His
work ethic crafted from when Britain was great,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He
clocks in every day and not once is he late,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He
sets up in the morning as the workers flood in,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
grafts all day long until the late even-ing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until
the workers go home and they pass him once more,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In
the hope that they'll flick some change to his floor,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To
pay for his bedsit, to pay for his tea,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To
pay for his rizla and rolling baccie. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His
lips might be sore but they play all day long,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As
his recorder kicks out its crescendo-ing song,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
notes runaway like pleas in the air,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can
you pay for my breakfast or my daily bus fare?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can
you help an honest man as he strives every day?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To
cough up enough coins to just pay his own way?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So
he can pay for his supper and pay for his bed,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
pay for the roof that goes over his head.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For
years he’s been playing, politely every day,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In
the hope that you’ll pass some spare change his way,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So
flick him a couple of pounds as you pass,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
fumble internally at the questions you’d ask.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like
where are your family, does nobody care?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How
did society fail to leave you playing there?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
he doesn’t mind, his good mood never stops,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He
just continuously plays as you look round the shops,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As
you get on with your day and he drifts from your mind,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His place on these streets is eternally defined,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because
you’d miss his music if it wasn’t there,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If
his notes weren’t floating on the Mancunian air.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
don’t feel sorry for our recorder player is proud,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of
the music he makes and his continual sound,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
even though more care would be heaven sent,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He's proud his recorder playing keeps him independent. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
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</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">Copyright©2012 by Phil Martin</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">All rights reserved.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">buy my books on Amazon</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">CHILD NUMBER THREE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xsDmpa" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xsDmpa</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">THE ATTACHED </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xjsKgp" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xjsKgp</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">KILLING DOVES </span><a href="http://amzn.to/ysy4ip" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/ysy4ip</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"> </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">STRIPPED BARE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/wbfoYn" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/wbfoYn</a>
</div>
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size: small;">
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-35684725075271807452012-05-17T15:38:00.000-07:002012-07-10T09:46:43.052-07:00Moving the ghoul posts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvb6vEUo-mxoMt7peD04MMSE4ouA1xSGE2eGwIFIc5QbRJit9TeyQDcfITmmAMCK1lP1Nny6Il-ciGKDvzQ4PVBTKd74cJkHuc5vXY-Z36mtvkWfnL9cTSTyej1QJT06-rd9NIzxeFk4/s1600/ShakespeareFire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvb6vEUo-mxoMt7peD04MMSE4ouA1xSGE2eGwIFIc5QbRJit9TeyQDcfITmmAMCK1lP1Nny6Il-ciGKDvzQ4PVBTKd74cJkHuc5vXY-Z36mtvkWfnL9cTSTyej1QJT06-rd9NIzxeFk4/s640/ShakespeareFire.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Moving the ghoul posts<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If
you struggled with the Shambles, then this’ll really test yer,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coz
they moved The Shakespeare pub up here, all the way from Chester.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Way
back in the twenties, they moved every pillar, every post,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
legend even has it that they even moved a ghost.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because
a teenage girl still haunts it, or at least they claim,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That
she appears on the staircase all alight and all in flames,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They
say she’d ignite the candles that would fill the bar with light,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
dropped one on her floaty dress and set herself alight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
if you think this ain’t true, there’s another side to hear,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
chef, they say, had his wicked way and forced himself on her,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To
cover up his evil crime he set the girl alight,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
she came back again to haunt him, burning oh so bright.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He
couldn’t cope with seeing her, so he hung himself in there,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A
beam still has the rope marks from where he kicked the chair,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Haunted
for his heinous crime with only one thing left to do,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hang
himself and join her… haunting The Shakespeare too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">Copyright©2012 by Phil Martin</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">All rights reserved.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">buy my books on Amazon</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">CHILD NUMBER THREE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xsDmpa" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xsDmpa</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">THE ATTACHED </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xjsKgp" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xjsKgp</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">KILLING DOVES </span><a href="http://amzn.to/ysy4ip" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/ysy4ip</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"> </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">STRIPPED BARE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/wbfoYn" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/wbfoYn</a>
</div>Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-85956774028455723322012-05-17T12:49:00.000-07:002012-07-10T09:46:53.266-07:00Let's talk busts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3uupY64HVR1AJWDO2r79empZDZ8Xg-wiZ3o-_D_z_r19FYMZhqpfu9zrC9322-pNIkI754eC8os68ZezDKWQ1v69wpjnYnuk1u2qhlqgQYPC0lKXZ6EhxQ5XQiNxS6bYms5Idty6Kzs/s1600/Busts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3uupY64HVR1AJWDO2r79empZDZ8Xg-wiZ3o-_D_z_r19FYMZhqpfu9zrC9322-pNIkI754eC8os68ZezDKWQ1v69wpjnYnuk1u2qhlqgQYPC0lKXZ6EhxQ5XQiNxS6bYms5Idty6Kzs/s640/Busts.jpg" width="524" /></a></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let’s talk busts<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have
you heard what the son did, what about the daughter?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She’s
a proper little chatter box, can’t even hold her water,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They
split up; he cheated, and then got back together,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then
he ran off with the vicar’s son, you’re kidding, well I never.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This
stays strictly between us so keep it under your hat,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
I really had to ask her, is there any truth in that?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I honestly
shouldn’t tell you this; it’s not like me to blab,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
you know she likes to gossip and can’t control her trap.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I
hear that’s not the only thing that THAT one cannot close,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another
young un on the way, that’ll keep her on her toes,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep
her off her back more like; she lived with three blokes just last year, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She
couldn’t, well she shouldn’t, but I wouldn’t put it past her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So
HE said, then SHE said, well what the Jeff do I know?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honestly
don’t trust that one; she’s a gossiping little so and so,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did
he really? He can’t have, you’re joking, fancy that,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m
glad we get to meet like this and have our chitter chat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m
really glad we get to push our visionary intelligence to one side,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For
half an hour every day, because I really couldn’t abide,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If
we didn’t get to chat like this and put the world to rights,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m
not so sure our intelligence would hit such dizzy heights.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
always speak in hushed tones because our secrets mustn’t shatter,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
public mustn’t ever hear us and our endless nitter natter,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shush
don’t speak so loudly, one of them’s coming over,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So
close your mouth, stare straight ahead and give them the cold shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">Copyright©2012 by Phil Martin</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">All rights reserved.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">buy my books on Amazon</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">CHILD NUMBER THREE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xsDmpa" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xsDmpa</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">THE ATTACHED </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xjsKgp" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xjsKgp</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">KILLING DOVES </span><a href="http://amzn.to/ysy4ip" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/ysy4ip</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"> </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">STRIPPED BARE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/wbfoYn" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/wbfoYn</a>
</div>Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-21912468568211561182012-05-15T09:43:00.003-07:002012-06-06T07:22:55.251-07:00Staring out our Stan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQWOsBLsH2y_LhZkiqO7X4A4s0S98Zel7XDDqqc1D7fr3LanrgsyoZ1pYpvfnJW12MHFh4VQ7t8pD2AwVWWubwS0JdKGLMihBQhWW-vwg7gjFLMG-lpcMOoJF2cxEMcQV7hyphenhyphenAlGXQUoI/s1600/Stan2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQWOsBLsH2y_LhZkiqO7X4A4s0S98Zel7XDDqqc1D7fr3LanrgsyoZ1pYpvfnJW12MHFh4VQ7t8pD2AwVWWubwS0JdKGLMihBQhWW-vwg7gjFLMG-lpcMOoJF2cxEMcQV7hyphenhyphenAlGXQUoI/s640/Stan2.jpg" width="406" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Staring out our Stan</span></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stand
back in amazement; take pictures on your phones,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coz
you’re looking at our city’s most impressive set of bones,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seventy
million years in age, a tyrant lizard king,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A
prehistoric relic, Stan’s our oldest ever thing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Forty
foot long, standing tall, showing off his teeth,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You’re
either daft or over brave if you stand underneath,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coz
only one Tyrannosaurs is more complete than him,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
he has the most complete skull our world has ever seen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One
hundred and ninety nine bones, seventy per cent complete,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They
even found fifty eight teeth with which he used to eat,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
if you stand face to face, alone, with our Dinosaur,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You
can almost see him moving and can almost hear him roar.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You
can almost see his eye balls move in his huge eye sockets,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Go
on, I dare you, stare him out; you’ll be the one to stop it,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coz
it’s alright being cocky… millions of years after his death,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
you wouldn’t last a second if Stan took just another breath.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Copyright©2011 by Phil Martin</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">All rights reserved.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">B</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">uy Child Number
Three http://amzn.to/xsDmpa</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-48524680681304549942012-05-15T09:40:00.000-07:002012-07-10T09:47:02.730-07:00Manc’s many brothers and sisters<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxJo-bSU43qa_N-hH-5TSsoFQ33rHRY34kklAuNzWjjmsS1Z_IkzO7Ex5GYy_bL_W8mT9uB5Ilrwi5swGy_e3Jcxky7mQuJy4AnCnr_qZaWJcHxNfGe-nipgo6dNaqMlDDBP-tor4gOY/s1600/Lincoln&Manchester.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxJo-bSU43qa_N-hH-5TSsoFQ33rHRY34kklAuNzWjjmsS1Z_IkzO7Ex5GYy_bL_W8mT9uB5Ilrwi5swGy_e3Jcxky7mQuJy4AnCnr_qZaWJcHxNfGe-nipgo6dNaqMlDDBP-tor4gOY/s640/Lincoln&Manchester.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Manc’s many brothers and sisters<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></u></b></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As
a small provincial city punching way above its weight,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There’s
a hundred thousand reasons why Manchester is great,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’d
be surprised if you’ve not heard of us, more so if you’ve missed us,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coz
this fine city called Manchester has many brothers and sisters.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now
this you might find staggering coz we sound like a world great,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
there’s thirty one Manchesters just in the United States,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To
put this in perspective and quantify this conundrum,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
States has just five Liverpools and eight named after London.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There’s
many other Manchesters, you should believe me if you can,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because
Manchester has name sakes in Bolivia and Suriname, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All
over the world, far and wide, I’m not trying to fake yer,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There’s
even towns called Manchester in Canada and Jamaica. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Australia
has two great lakes named after this town of mine,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New
Zealand has a homestead in the mountains you will find,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gibraltar
has a football club; South Africa has six farms,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There’s
a farmstead in Zimbabwe too, all carrying our Manc charm.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
really? Why so many Manchester’s, spread so far and wide?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why
so many namesakes linked to this town where I reside?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">United’s
fame came far too late, though that’s got my brain spinning,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coz
we dominated like the reds when it came to the world’s linen?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We
made ninety-eight per cent I hear… almost the one and only,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is
this the reason why Manchester will never ever be lonely,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe
the world would think of us whilst resting in its bed,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whilst
dressing in its cotton clothes, or towel drying its head.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whilst
laying out its table cloth, or pulling back its curtains,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I
guess we’ll never really know and never truly be certain,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
add to that our politics as we battled for free trade,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Free
thinking and free Manchester and the progress that we made,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See
Mancs supported Lincoln and everything he fought for,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
signed allegiance with him during America’s civil war,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Synonymous
with their president… as he abolished slavery,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linking
the name of Manchester to freedom and to bravery. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Their
blockades stopped raw materials causing the Cotton Famine,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Forcing
suffering and poverty but still they wouldn’t damn him,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Their
support would never waver as he strove to make life better,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
he thanked the folk of Manchester with a Presidential letter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Backing
Abraham Lincoln saw Mancs become their foes,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
to honour this they built a statue on the street of Brazenose,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A
brave new world was forming with Manc ethos at its heart,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Freedom,
free trade, freedom of speech and for all a fresh, new start.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So
maybe our cotton workers took the name with them,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When
relocating to America where they looked to start again,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coz
you CAN take the folk out of Manchester, it’s true I’d never joke,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
you’ll never take the Manchester out of fine Mancunian folk.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">Copyright©2011 by Phil Martin</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-7750492662616468242012-04-30T02:39:00.000-07:002012-07-10T09:47:11.965-07:00Industrial Evolution and the Manchester Moth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-Mh1oamybGMkXUMAPbwsVaqGjTipPwufTcp1v0sCQhW4T71LwVZxkYUhQ0BuNRWF_OT4pwwqQWz4_vpoCHr0Pm6M_-LQjkx4TaBPVjlu2r-jaaVgGk_CtsCdSTpCLt7yD9zJS3y7UCg/s1600/ManchesterMoth2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-Mh1oamybGMkXUMAPbwsVaqGjTipPwufTcp1v0sCQhW4T71LwVZxkYUhQ0BuNRWF_OT4pwwqQWz4_vpoCHr0Pm6M_-LQjkx4TaBPVjlu2r-jaaVgGk_CtsCdSTpCLt7yD9zJS3y7UCg/s640/ManchesterMoth2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Industrial Evolution and the Manchester
Moth<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So
many things happened here in the industrial revolution,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
one of the lesser known facts, is a quirk in evolution, </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because
something was born in Manchester to raise a global query,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pitching
Devine intervention against evolutionary theory.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coz
the conditions here in smoggy Manc when we made our cloth,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saw
a ‘survival of the fittest’ with the once white, peppered moth,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
soot-filled, dank conditions saw it change its colourings,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
a black version of the moth evolved with camouflage on its wings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At
first they thought this change was due to the moth not being clean,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A
survival of the dirtiest but no, the change was in its genes,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
peppered moths stood out from the soot and so were eaten first,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
black ones became survivors with its colourings immersed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They
say this evolution took less than fifty years,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
led to bitter fallouts between evolutionists and their peers,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just
fifty years after this with the Clean Air laws now passed,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Darwin’s
evolution struck again and the black moth wouldn’t last.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You
see it stood out far too much on a lichen-covered tree,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like
a dark but visual beacon saying come and eat your tea,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It
somehow changed its wings again, to stop this predatory attraction,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So
there it is in black and white, Manchester’s evolution in action.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">Copyright©2012 by Phil Martin</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">All rights reserved.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">buy my books on Amazon</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">CHILD NUMBER THREE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xsDmpa" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xsDmpa</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">THE ATTACHED </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xjsKgp" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xjsKgp</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">KILLING DOVES </span><a href="http://amzn.to/ysy4ip" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/ysy4ip</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"> </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">STRIPPED BARE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/wbfoYn" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/wbfoYn</a>
</div>Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-55449071275188242612012-04-29T09:50:00.003-07:002012-07-10T09:47:21.281-07:00China in my Town<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh1HRjsSHoIqD0Mgz16orB2mKOym120Q1oNyrv1h7lhyCH2pj_6NR4i6Y4QmjgCEkc8Zh2jYxEK7BjXGLQAKNRQYN2A8Nj3EE9-c2wXjXoEIHvqa4yLGSEkX3VfnUipgiSglajDGF3IQ/s1600/ChinatownNewYear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh1HRjsSHoIqD0Mgz16orB2mKOym120Q1oNyrv1h7lhyCH2pj_6NR4i6Y4QmjgCEkc8Zh2jYxEK7BjXGLQAKNRQYN2A8Nj3EE9-c2wXjXoEIHvqa4yLGSEkX3VfnUipgiSglajDGF3IQ/s640/ChinatownNewYear.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">China in my Town<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It
always makes me hungry; it kicks out many smells,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There
isn’t one Far Eastern dish that this place doesn’t sell,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chinese,
Thai, Malaysian, Nepalese, Korean too,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Japanese,
Cantonese, Pekingese, all served up for you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Noodles
by the bucket load, sushi on conveyor belts,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
mark my words you won’t be leaving feeling thin and svelte,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sweet
‘n’ sour, OK sauce, spare ribs and crispy duck,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
there’s more than food to China Town if you wanna take a look.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coz
this ethnic enclave’s been delivered straight from the Orient,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Second
biggest China Town in England, third on our continent,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dragons
decorate its archway, made by craftsman from Peking,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
it boasts everything Far Eastern you could possibly be seeking<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like
oriental gift shops with cats nodding constantly,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
Chinese lucky hanging charms bringing prosperity,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lucky
dragons, Chinese fans… lanterns and parasols,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Golden
Buddha’s, Lucky pigs and matching couple dolls.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three
legged frogs and wind chimes or even a flying horse,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bamboo
flutes and long life turtles for Feng Shui of course,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chinese
Sci-Fi gift shops, popular culture like never before,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sweet
bakery concoctions that are bound to make you phwoar. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An
explosion of karaoke bars if you want to sing-along,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
special little pharmacies that’ll make your love last long, </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over
spilling Oriental markets… with live lobsters in, </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With
many different food types that I bet you’ve never seen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So
many cultural novelties for passers-by to see,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like
lovely Chinese pensioners… practising Tai Chi,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They
stretch on the pavilion by the side of the archway,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not
giving a Feng Shui what passing folk might say.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mobile
phones shops, computer stores, art shops and not forgetting,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That
the Chinese have a penchant for every type of betting,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like
on football and the horses and if you’re feeling plucky,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There’s
casinos brimming over with Chinese called Mister Lucky.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A
Thai massage? A professional one where they don’t roll you over,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
there’s naughty parlours round here too, if that’s the thing you go for,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It
bustles just like Hong Kong’s streets; so much is going down,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It
really is the embodiment of China in our town.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
here’s a word of warning, I’ve just one more thing to say,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please
recognise your limits at the help-yourself buffet,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coz
even though it says that you can eat all that you can,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
all-day Chinese Buffett has beaten many a big man.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
food is so delicious and no-one holds you back,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
folk can only blame themselves if it’s self-control they lack,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because
over loading your digestion can temporally disable,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Leaving
folk asleep in restaurants with their heads slumped on the table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">Copyright©2011 by Phil Martin</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">All rights reserved.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">buy my books on Amazon</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">CHILD NUMBER THREE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xsDmpa" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xsDmpa</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">THE ATTACHED </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xjsKgp" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xjsKgp</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">KILLING DOVES </span><a href="http://amzn.to/ysy4ip" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/ysy4ip</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"> </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">STRIPPED BARE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/wbfoYn" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/wbfoYn</a>Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-26981864503667869942012-04-29T05:38:00.001-07:002012-07-10T09:47:28.716-07:00Shenanigans in Brannigans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKJVvrL-fZ9xV7IejDWv3-yJ-NRaJcF-jWLJLIdiM9hcLoJas6x9kgJAnuekGz-QOzIwGwotAviE9qherMmo4BPzS-CY-MICFkC6cUBDtueK0izE_v8AQuBxa9PWshIDVj_jy4bMnbZg/s1600/BrannigansHaunted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKJVvrL-fZ9xV7IejDWv3-yJ-NRaJcF-jWLJLIdiM9hcLoJas6x9kgJAnuekGz-QOzIwGwotAviE9qherMmo4BPzS-CY-MICFkC6cUBDtueK0izE_v8AQuBxa9PWshIDVj_jy4bMnbZg/s640/BrannigansHaunted.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shenanigans in Brannigans<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></u></b></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If
you’re a fan of spooky stories and spiritual shenanigans,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You’ll
know Manchester’s most haunted is right above Brannigans,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You’ll
know the spirits on the optics aren’t the only ones in there,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coz
it’s haunted by the clergy men that used to meet upstairs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
staff that used to work the bar said invisible hands would touch ‘em,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whilst
customers would complain that unseen things would push ‘em,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Down
the stairs, knocking… their pint glasses to the floor,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So
they sent in paranormal teams… in an effort to explore.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They
said the lights flashed on and off even when the bar was packed,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They
claimed glasses would float up, then to the floor they’d smash,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They
said that there were cold spots and that gusts of wind would blast,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
claimed to hear the patter of tiny kids feet running past.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So
they conducted a spooky séance to see what they could see,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
uncovered an evil spirit who called himself Godfrey,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They
think that he did heinous things that no one could condone,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
found out that his spirit was anything but alone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For
upstairs above Brannigans there was a church for Methodists,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
something untoward took place; they think he killed two kids,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They
say they haunt the boozer too, Philip and Elizabeth,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
have recordings of them crying, centuries after their sad death.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
more spirits are up there coz Godfrey wouldn’t repent,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So
three clergy ghosts are said to guard him so they can prevent,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More
wrong doing on his part…they won’t let him move on,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
they’re angered by our drinking and the drunken goings on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So
if this bar reopens and it gets to closing time,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
the bouncers say it’s time to go, never whinge or whine,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don’t
go down for one last wee in case you get locked in,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
get punished by the clergymen, for your drinking is their sin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">Copyright©2012 by Phil Martin</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">All rights reserved.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">buy my books on Amazon</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">CHILD NUMBER THREE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xsDmpa" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xsDmpa</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">THE ATTACHED </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xjsKgp" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xjsKgp</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">KILLING DOVES </span><a href="http://amzn.to/ysy4ip" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/ysy4ip</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"> </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">STRIPPED BARE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/wbfoYn" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/wbfoYn</a>Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-65450166638029248042012-04-10T09:37:00.000-07:002012-07-10T09:47:36.848-07:00The pubs that move<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxFZ0KUySmqkNnKL_ZrQeNraUl0rFZSpGqCBQajplO4iZoGUflK9_-vLsdSUT5e_0B9Enywg-339N-uiVnfU3KeAtY6i-dBEOw_M0gs_htK4Cp75VvQgrINgi5pgfZ3KdSaoaBAbRlfg/s1600/ShamblesSquareTrainers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxFZ0KUySmqkNnKL_ZrQeNraUl0rFZSpGqCBQajplO4iZoGUflK9_-vLsdSUT5e_0B9Enywg-339N-uiVnfU3KeAtY6i-dBEOw_M0gs_htK4Cp75VvQgrINgi5pgfZ3KdSaoaBAbRlfg/s640/ShamblesSquareTrainers.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></span></u></b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
pubs that move<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes
when I’ve had a few, and just can’t get my bearings,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I
end up lost on some back street, under my breath I’m swearing,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m
sure it’s here but now it’s gone, I feel like such a loser,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Standing
blankly on the street coz someone’s moved the boozer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s
must be here, it has to be, pubs simply cannot move,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s
not like something tiny or like something you can lose,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
guess again in Manchester, where rules don’t resonate,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where
the pubs are known to up their sticks and sometimes relocate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If
trying to map a boozer then really heed advice,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coz
the Wellington and the Oyster bar have moved not once but twice,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One
the oldest pub in town once from a Medieval Street,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
both twice moved completely just like they’d both grown feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For
when they built the Arndale, to make the area neater,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They
had to raise these boozers up by just over a meter,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
then again when the bomb went off in nineteen ninety six,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They
had to lift those buildings up and move them both in bits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They
had to move them brick by brick, each piece of timber, every tile,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It
really was a mammoth task and took them quite a while,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They
stood side by side for all those years but now form Shambles Square,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three
hundred meters, up the road, winched up and through the air.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They
moved ten thousand pieces of each pub through the air,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Replicating
tobacco stains and signs of wear and tear,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">So
when you don’t know which pub is where, don’t take drunken gambles,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
don’t rule out the pubs that moved or the story of the Shambles,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Protected
medieval history from an era long ago,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If
you’ve never seen the Shambles then I suggest that you should go.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">But
please don’t trust your instinct and get a map that’s up to date,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Coz
if those pesky pubs have moved again you’ll end up being late.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Copyright©2011 by Phil Martin</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">All rights reserved.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">buy my books on Amazon</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">CHILD NUMBER THREE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xsDmpa" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xsDmpa</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">THE ATTACHED </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xjsKgp" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xjsKgp</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">KILLING DOVES </span><a href="http://amzn.to/ysy4ip" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/ysy4ip</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"> </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">STRIPPED BARE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/wbfoYn" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/wbfoYn</a>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-38603419426432252122012-04-05T04:49:00.003-07:002012-07-10T09:47:45.327-07:00The highest point in Manchester<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWWGsf7-LgQJxB1w63aNzbfZDAN93Yr1brERKPGQ_iMckA4u2C-9v4RNdDzGUnJEOqmhn3srGz149rebSbwCgraEe1MJr-q9z9CmDTuseMfX63XPEilxeRXKaFqvmh36w6par9gUXkzc/s1600/HeatonParkDome2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWWGsf7-LgQJxB1w63aNzbfZDAN93Yr1brERKPGQ_iMckA4u2C-9v4RNdDzGUnJEOqmhn3srGz149rebSbwCgraEe1MJr-q9z9CmDTuseMfX63XPEilxeRXKaFqvmh36w6par9gUXkzc/s640/HeatonParkDome2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">The highest point in Manchester<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
highest point in Manchester and this might not seem real,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Isn’t
high up top some skyscraper or on the Manchester wheel,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">It
isn’t on Old Trafford’s roof although that’d be a lark,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">It’s
positioned on a hilltop in good, old Heaton Park.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Because
the earl of Wilton, from many moons gone by,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wanted
an observatory tower somewhere way up high,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Somewhere
to use the telescope he’d bought from London town,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">A
place to watch the planets and the stars all move around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">So
he built a small rotunda room of columns to house his treat,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">A
tiny little domed-roof house with built-in fire for some heat,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">A
little lantern on its roof made sure the light was ample,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Delighted
with his hilltop house he called it simply The Temple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Children
find it magical, a tiny round house on the hill,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Artists
like to paint there to accentuate their skill,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">It’s
higher than City Tower, the Arndale and the Hilton too,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">So
if you ever need the higher ground you know just what to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
city dances on the horizon in a blurry, summer haze,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Providing
the perfect backdrop to think how to change your ways,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">An
ideal place for being thoughtful, so if you need to be reflective, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Join the Earl up high
in his Temple to think and gain perspective.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">Copyright©2011 by Phil Martin</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">All rights reserved.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">buy my books on Amazon</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">CHILD NUMBER THREE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xsDmpa" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xsDmpa</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">THE ATTACHED </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xjsKgp" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xjsKgp</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">KILLING DOVES </span><a href="http://amzn.to/ysy4ip" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/ysy4ip</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"> </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">STRIPPED BARE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/wbfoYn" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/wbfoYn</a>
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<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-65833942286673353522012-04-03T07:20:00.001-07:002012-07-10T09:47:54.014-07:00Alpine Al<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUnGDtao1BXbFF69BaNQCWU8JHcPGSrgTHt9xkiK44wagQPwkskQoY3xYtdEdWKllvecrHlcVRjBW_O76NaAoC8l2ONSOuXBHHyAEUMq-GR_MDkE63d-jm4jixH5fEhNKFM2xpzdlxB5g/s1600/173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUnGDtao1BXbFF69BaNQCWU8JHcPGSrgTHt9xkiK44wagQPwkskQoY3xYtdEdWKllvecrHlcVRjBW_O76NaAoC8l2ONSOuXBHHyAEUMq-GR_MDkE63d-jm4jixH5fEhNKFM2xpzdlxB5g/s640/173.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJSdigpyaejLq0u-XBCuFpS8Ivi79CjUNPlj7F2H37a12p0Bu7U3S6v_dLEJpjiwPbWN80c56jY6TxmBYNzWJvaqhE0FiZttJlek186LUwWVcdHeWN8bB-D4MOqRwTeftjl-gsVJ9WC8/s1600/172i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJSdigpyaejLq0u-XBCuFpS8Ivi79CjUNPlj7F2H37a12p0Bu7U3S6v_dLEJpjiwPbWN80c56jY6TxmBYNzWJvaqhE0FiZttJlek186LUwWVcdHeWN8bB-D4MOqRwTeftjl-gsVJ9WC8/s400/172i.jpg" width="313" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></span></u></b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alpine Al<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Can
anybody tell me why he’s perched up there?</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">With
his alpine dress and his unwavering stare,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sitting
on a window sill, high up in Piccadilly,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sunbathing
‘n’ chilling’ even when it’s wet ‘n’ chilly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">He
looks just like he’s resting from chopping up some wood,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Like
he’s laid down his axe as soon as he possibly could,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">So
that he can take a breather from his alpine work,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">But
still he looks down on us with a casual, knowing smirk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Because
he knows the reason, even if historians don’t,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Of
why this building was designed… so Alpine-ly bespoke,</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">It’s
written on his chiselled face but he’ll never give a clue,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">He’s
the architect’s secret and won’t reveal himself to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">A reference
or a symbol or maybe just a quirk,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Is
there even a real reason for his Mona Lisa smirk?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1CcA7nXDkiN0RcjNKTBA3ethk7mctJoc6CSQJCMfbflkYybYLaDjhnf_jT7Wk3qAdiiJGqKNlBxG1kxZOcAZ0EyaLOw9Y0oMHMsqki8xjmpoqxs8syCoFHTS8D2tsOBAdgktrof024A/s1600/175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1CcA7nXDkiN0RcjNKTBA3ethk7mctJoc6CSQJCMfbflkYybYLaDjhnf_jT7Wk3qAdiiJGqKNlBxG1kxZOcAZ0EyaLOw9Y0oMHMsqki8xjmpoqxs8syCoFHTS8D2tsOBAdgktrof024A/s400/175.JPG" width="266" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">A
riddle to solve maybe, in the reason for his being,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">But
have you even noticed this Alpine man I’m seeing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">His
brother sits up there too, perching way up high,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">But
still no one can quite detail the real reason why,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">With
their square cut hats and long, curly, flowing hair,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">They
sit there all year and down towards the pavement stare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">They
look down at Mancunians as they rush to and from the station,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Admiring
the town of Manchester from their place of elevation,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Two
little men of secrecy; maybe Austrian or Swiss,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Perched
up so high in Piccadilly, they’re so easy to miss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Yet
branches of juicy apples decorate their home,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Is
this the clue, I wonder, into which, that I must zone,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">But
I know my stab into the dark will just bring disapproval</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Was
this once a manufacturer of Austrian apple strudel!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Maybe
it was a fruit factory, a warehouse to store apples,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">But
still there is no historic proof and still my mind it grapples,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Questions
abound of who… what, why, where and when,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Can
anyone unearth the mystery of Manchester’s alpine men?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">There’s
no link with the building to their place of birth,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">But
there must be a valid reason at least to prove their worth,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">To
prove… once and for all, why the builder went to the trouble,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">To
set Alpine Al in stone so intricately and then to set his double.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">But
now I’ve done my research and there’s still nothing to say,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">To
explain why the rooftops are inhabited in this way,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">But
somebody must know the reason and I don’t care how silly,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">I
need an explanation for the roof top men of Piccadilly?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">Copyright©2011 by Phil Martin</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">All rights reserved.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">buy my books on Amazon</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">CHILD NUMBER THREE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xsDmpa" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xsDmpa</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">THE ATTACHED </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xjsKgp" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xjsKgp</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">KILLING DOVES </span><a href="http://amzn.to/ysy4ip" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/ysy4ip</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"> </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">STRIPPED BARE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/wbfoYn" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/wbfoYn</a>
</div>Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-13781913149447541062011-12-24T08:31:00.000-08:002012-07-10T09:48:05.411-07:00The magic of the markets<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtpdpoQ-SHXwvnS-sRcL6Osps9RNvVF1GDfJT_Awj6YgmhVfDDcyx-Tz-7VgTjM9wLBaDEwy208YepkbWdik9smuZuE_GHU30mWn24zvLztbwD6GUDeQg5lKBpjIUEI1qTBvBDHr45d4/s1600/Santa%2527sLittleHelpers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtpdpoQ-SHXwvnS-sRcL6Osps9RNvVF1GDfJT_Awj6YgmhVfDDcyx-Tz-7VgTjM9wLBaDEwy208YepkbWdik9smuZuE_GHU30mWn24zvLztbwD6GUDeQg5lKBpjIUEI1qTBvBDHr45d4/s640/Santa%2527sLittleHelpers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The magic of the markets</span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">I live
just round the corner and walk past it every day,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But I’ve
never seen them build it; it springs up when I’m away,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">An empty
square to log cabins, stored on a million shelves,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But who
exactly builds them up? Is it Santa’s team of elves?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Do they
sneak onto the squares at night and build it whilst we doze?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">In Albert
Square and St Annes too and all down Brazennose,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Do they
build them up in seconds, a whole village out of oak,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">With
Zippie shining merrily up high as Rudolph sings to folk,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">A hundred
elves all beavering, fixing roofs and walls,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Then
filling up the goodies on the Christmas market stalls,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The only
thing they don’t need magic for is the market going folk,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But then
one day it’s gone away, not even a puff of smoke,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The elves
have done their work once more and the markets disappear,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Leaving
the merry folk of Manchester full of Christmas cheer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">Copyright©2011
by Phil Martin</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">All
rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">buy my books on Amazon</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">CHILD NUMBER THREE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xsDmpa" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xsDmpa</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">THE ATTACHED </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xjsKgp" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xjsKgp</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">KILLING DOVES </span><a href="http://amzn.to/ysy4ip" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/ysy4ip</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"> </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">STRIPPED BARE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/wbfoYn" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/wbfoYn</a>
</div>
<br />Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-30403821188344908312011-12-23T03:18:00.000-08:002012-07-10T09:45:51.195-07:00The Manchester Man<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUiiC1IwHswX6wxjYQ-r0YVY6PRGfQkjLUJb2WYm_uSf6ZtNUkoH7Qb40J6hGDcmfYG7ptFsT0GDe2a4QdsAiEeYysKIeKtiIXfGikShSuRe2PMTwvGdL7nypGrhHg1I1oSrormOBbjvw/s1600/Wilson4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUiiC1IwHswX6wxjYQ-r0YVY6PRGfQkjLUJb2WYm_uSf6ZtNUkoH7Qb40J6hGDcmfYG7ptFsT0GDe2a4QdsAiEeYysKIeKtiIXfGikShSuRe2PMTwvGdL7nypGrhHg1I1oSrormOBbjvw/s320/Wilson4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Manchester Man</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">If ever
there was anyone who should stand in Albert square,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Encapsulated
in bronze glory, raised eyebrow ‘n’ floppy hair,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Pompously
proud in statuette, for evermore for what he’s done,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">So us
Mancs could pay tribute to our Tony; Anthony H Wilson.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">A post
modernist before his time, he changed the way we party,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">A house,
indie and punk pioneer despite being cultural and arty,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He ripped
up London’s rule book and made music relocate,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Pimping
all the local bands and making Madchester resonate!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">With ‘blooded
minded determination’, for better or for worse,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He
campaigned to make Manchester the centre of the Universe,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">In his
quest for local talent, he set up nightclubs to unearth,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The best
bands around, then signed the deal in blood to prove his worth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He brought
embryonic punk rock, to a shocked audience on TV,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And a
conveyor belt of new bands through his label Factory,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He helped
foster a new sound, one so Manc could lead the way,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And made
Manchester cool again, standing tall with lots to say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Factory
took on the giants but hated commercialisation,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He didn’t
want a sales team, and didn’t care for amortisation,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Factory
was just a platform to show off Manchester’s best,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Bollocks
to corporate profit, in this city he’d invest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUyaU05PsxooTieMIc9twTJ1YxI1WSLykdFTaifawxsNA2ffB1g9ElU49fgsobL2B23TauBYazykMAoRb_AL0MbPzy2lmH4vHAE1W6NuCc6RttLBhM6993bi03HaBdjON-AunqN0sE14/s1600/hacienda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUyaU05PsxooTieMIc9twTJ1YxI1WSLykdFTaifawxsNA2ffB1g9ElU49fgsobL2B23TauBYazykMAoRb_AL0MbPzy2lmH4vHAE1W6NuCc6RttLBhM6993bi03HaBdjON-AunqN0sE14/s200/hacienda.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">His Hac
would rule in club land but would spin out of control,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But his
influence was everywhere; it was just the way he’d roll,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">In
politics and broadcasting, in journalism and the arts,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">His
passion always Manchester, it’s where his swagger starts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The Hac
was an iconic noose but Wilson wouldn’t crack,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Never in
it for the money, always giving something back,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Blue
Monday’s sleeve was priceless; every single lost some pence,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Aesthetics
over commerce, creative spark v common sense.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdQTvd7nFNhh06CJTZ0whB6mVvHR3P7zgitG9kWECyu98FdeCKMloUsaJfGAkkrfIgFiEwXYp5MGcpKJ3kxi7Ksw1imw885wyyqTbSP4ZyCZAYIHTwU6fNzhc5gdeJ__Md6dKg03J070/s1600/Wilson5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdQTvd7nFNhh06CJTZ0whB6mVvHR3P7zgitG9kWECyu98FdeCKMloUsaJfGAkkrfIgFiEwXYp5MGcpKJ3kxi7Ksw1imw885wyyqTbSP4ZyCZAYIHTwU6fNzhc5gdeJ__Md6dKg03J070/s200/Wilson5.jpg" width="153" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Corporately
rebellious, Wilson didn’t curb his views,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Politically
outspoken yet they let him read the news!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">They famed
him for his insight and his naughty news ad libs,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He’d
rather tell it how it was than spout us corporate fibs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He worked
on World In Action, After Dark and other shows,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He hosted
The Other Side of Midnight, What’s On and So It Goes,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">They let him
loose on the Politics Show, so he could air his views,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But I
liked him best locally when he read the North West news.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He
epitomised Manc attitude, he’d rather walk alone,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Aware of
everyone and everything but preferring the home grown,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He riled
them all and made his point often causing himself strife,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But all
the while he tickled himself with the ridiculousness of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4DSNCU5jeCJO6vQbGPM7sbwcGf77LocRX4-6RDh4HfxgTQtF8yBz3MfDXVDlGn_ZYIfu-WUw-0NwKsLgXRNxbjFkkCmdKiM0Fvj99LL8QyMK_VH6Bmiau0OXfVUi-LQFsKDTMZECCRs/s1600/Wilson6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4DSNCU5jeCJO6vQbGPM7sbwcGf77LocRX4-6RDh4HfxgTQtF8yBz3MfDXVDlGn_ZYIfu-WUw-0NwKsLgXRNxbjFkkCmdKiM0Fvj99LL8QyMK_VH6Bmiau0OXfVUi-LQFsKDTMZECCRs/s200/Wilson6.jpg" width="191" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">So a
presenter and a journalist but culture was his heart,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Yet even
in his life story, he claimed just a minor part,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He wound
them up the right way; when told he was bold and brash,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He called
himself ‘Anthony H’ so he’d sound even more
flash.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">His
arrogance was rousing whilst his quotes were heaven sent,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Like not
owning a record label but a human experiment,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He said
that some make money and some make history,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">His own
words sum up his life, nothing short of an epiphany!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He claimed
Ryder and Shakespeare were a chip off the same block,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Then he
brought us In The City coz he wanted Manc to rock,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He
campaigned for <span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white;">regional assembly and ‘The Necessary Group,’<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQorDT7bXiIpX5KwPrLEs9IbM71LIwqznwFR7UvJX9cqW3cnq-3zwk88Ix818y_YvxuAHsiIb0nWHDXrcIwMPG6cDF-xdqAozj9LMhW8aSskg50Xw5kRdrJ06Adu8Wj27-AmbV5bBhHU/s1600/Haciendafac83.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQorDT7bXiIpX5KwPrLEs9IbM71LIwqznwFR7UvJX9cqW3cnq-3zwk88Ix818y_YvxuAHsiIb0nWHDXrcIwMPG6cDF-xdqAozj9LMhW8aSskg50Xw5kRdrJ06Adu8Wj27-AmbV5bBhHU/s200/Haciendafac83.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He
designed a flag for the North West but what was his favourite coup?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">I’d say
promoting Manchester and all that it bestows,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Coz he
wanted folk to notice us and he wanted to impose,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Our city’s
culture on the south and all around the world,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">So the
proud flag of his Mancunia could be defiantly unfurled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He had a
point on everything but his views would never bore,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">His
overflowing civic pride was a nice, heroic flaw,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He said we
do things differently here in rainy Manc,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Where he
helped to shape our history; we’ve got his ilk to thank.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">For
lauding our creation and our creative streak as well,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2OZ8u4jR3k8z9-j_lA7Kf40SdPaZA30dR4fUq4ib9uLUpRp_k5b0v93xqMZl1F5kH8SlgaLvKpQ8zr0HWQoIXO5cdzvx4EQNjzGeTmjVi0hNOPPgBPXmO3-HjZtLz8S1ica1SVebykc/s1600/WilsonHeadstone3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2OZ8u4jR3k8z9-j_lA7Kf40SdPaZA30dR4fUq4ib9uLUpRp_k5b0v93xqMZl1F5kH8SlgaLvKpQ8zr0HWQoIXO5cdzvx4EQNjzGeTmjVi0hNOPPgBPXmO3-HjZtLz8S1ica1SVebykc/s320/WilsonHeadstone3.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And
pushing Mancs to the front if they had a skill to sell,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">See
our Tony was a helper of people with a craft,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But
even at his funeral he had to have a laugh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Coz
everything was</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"> referenced; his
coffin FAC 501,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">His
headstone carried a quote to remind us now he’s gone,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">That
people drop from history; every year it is the same,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But
the influence of the truly great will eternally remain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">His
quote is taken from a Manc book, of which<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white;"> he was a fan,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But sorry Toe, forget Jabbez,
you’re the Manchester Man,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">You’ve done as much as anyone
in the post industrial age,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">To put Salford and Manchester
back on the front page. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">So I’d
like to see you cast in bronze from your barnet to your boots,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">So Mancs
can always celebrate the heritage of their roots,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Coz you
fought to put our cities on the international stage,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Doing
similarly to those statues from our great industrial age.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">I’d really
love to see you standing next to Albert in statue,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">So I could
nod to you with civic pride coz I love your Manchester too,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">I’d like
for you to pontificate over the Square for years to come,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAMktuM_0vVr76LlqWdD6lTZhdafuNKzXMUMf7Kkuu6vxY7oNnhhCt6yat2s4eU4R7uzLyatBSLIjbu5d51bp0sVpvcxiskhjUkz2QweJJ2Pgr3iVQbHn8PtPq2KIKfJJEFVNx7bXDBA/s1600/WilsonHeadstone2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAMktuM_0vVr76LlqWdD6lTZhdafuNKzXMUMf7Kkuu6vxY7oNnhhCt6yat2s4eU4R7uzLyatBSLIjbu5d51bp0sVpvcxiskhjUkz2QweJJ2Pgr3iVQbHn8PtPq2KIKfJJEFVNx7bXDBA/s320/WilsonHeadstone2.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">So over
the Centuries, Mancs won’t forget, the work that you have done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">It’s
important they acknowledge you so then they won’t forget yer,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">A
revolutionist of the modern age, Tony Wilson, Mister Manchester.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8pt;">Copyright©2011 by Phil Martin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8pt;">All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-27719499788765879772011-12-22T13:33:00.000-08:002011-12-23T01:59:30.441-08:00A city of firsts<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHv0s5C0-a-NAXVRVW9olwNdEysR19zykqFIrpQUuOonkvqDSRdfPAUnpJPZXhnInT5qFxI2lqv8r6rUyx309ptp_oKcLb5TUn2uKlbsnm3SY0KDxhOY870Eu7E3MDM04URdwGelSRIos/s1600/ManchesterFirsts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHv0s5C0-a-NAXVRVW9olwNdEysR19zykqFIrpQUuOonkvqDSRdfPAUnpJPZXhnInT5qFxI2lqv8r6rUyx309ptp_oKcLb5TUn2uKlbsnm3SY0KDxhOY870Eu7E3MDM04URdwGelSRIos/s640/ManchesterFirsts.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A city of firsts </span></span></u></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">“What
Manchester does today, the world will do tomorrow,”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Before
your eyebrows hit the roof and your fod begins to furrow,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiGlfUDp8R4iPCkyL2L1NBBzDdG-CGBUso532f6zDiitfGziBO8phEDgoKJMdchS4bnz0qUymUG-VbTz2T1tj2cwwq49Q9FW4DBTMN-7RHLowCK8MBXvN-MisxrnonXm9cFxhefKmt60/s1600/ManchesterFirsts1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiGlfUDp8R4iPCkyL2L1NBBzDdG-CGBUso532f6zDiitfGziBO8phEDgoKJMdchS4bnz0qUymUG-VbTz2T1tj2cwwq49Q9FW4DBTMN-7RHLowCK8MBXvN-MisxrnonXm9cFxhefKmt60/s640/ManchesterFirsts1.jpg" width="178" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">There is a
lot of truth in that, see, this city led the way,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And in
many revolutions our inventions came into play.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Some of
them are whacky and some of them are weird,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">A treasure
chest of Manc heritage now around the world revered,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">For
example did you know, we had the world’s first vegetarian?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">We built
the first public library and the first sshh librarian? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But I guess
the rain that made us was focal way back then,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And our
obsession with this water would make us reign again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Coz our
ancestors built the first canal the UK had ever seen,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And they followed
this up by building the </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">first mechanical submarine!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Then the country’s first steam boat and first steam
powered mill,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Would spur industrial revolution, when Mancs just couldn’t
stand still,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The Flying Shuttle, the Spinning Jenny and the Spinning
Mule,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Were invented here in Greater Manc under industrial rule.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">It’s true to say at that time we had ideas above our
station,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Like launching the world’s very first, passenger railway
station,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ninety eight
per cent of the world’s linen came from our cotton boom<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Which
forced us to build back then, the world’s biggest trading room,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The shock
city of that century, once those cotton wheels got spinning,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And that
legacy lives down under where Manchester still means linen,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">In Sweden and
in Germany, corduroy’s known as Manchester velvet,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">So if you
still think we’re insignificant, it’s probably time to shelve it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The first purpose
</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">industrial estate sprang up in Trafford Park,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">We had the very first retail shop owned by Marks and
Sparks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">We invented
the commuter town in Alderley Edge and Sale,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Whilst the
whole basis of atomic theory from this town would hail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">See, the
atom was discovered here and later it was split,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
elements derived from the work Dalton would submit,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Colour
blindness, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">obstetrics and the study of the weather,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Were developed here
in Manchester, my goodness, well I never!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Thermodynamics,
Henry’s law, the categorisation of the Joule,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">A hotbed for new
scientists, Manc was no-one’s fool,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Industrialism
drove the way but new technology was nearing,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">With our Jo Whitworth becoming the daddy of precision
engineering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30fk7lVilu5iuoeb4O5Xkc1ZPaVY_PG6uC85MmUR-WZLNndA6Nsese4HEg0xvzY3ZxlCwsb00v9XYw42IVnSfE2bDESUarVjGluqUA7dxqrmAky643yT33M5u4Y_Nh3U1d5oACpKW9V8/s1600/ManchesterFirsts2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30fk7lVilu5iuoeb4O5Xkc1ZPaVY_PG6uC85MmUR-WZLNndA6Nsese4HEg0xvzY3ZxlCwsb00v9XYw42IVnSfE2bDESUarVjGluqUA7dxqrmAky643yT33M5u4Y_Nh3U1d5oACpKW9V8/s640/ManchesterFirsts2.jpg" width="176" /></a><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">It was here they first launched microfilm and the micro-photograph,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And the first lonely heart advert, which could make you cry
or laugh,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Coz in the 1700s Miss Morrison placed AN ad in the paper,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">She was looking for a husband, it seemed a harmless funny
caper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But the authorities would disagree they frowned and they
were glum,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And they locked up our poor Helen in a lunatic a-sy-lum,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But then followed women’s movements, like the Suffragettes,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Who battled for the female vote and the equality they
would get.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The first post modern political movement would fight for
a free trade,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Lowering the cost of bread and the prices that folk paid,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Years later the</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> first meeting of the TUC was held in town,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Having
formed itself in Salford at the pub called The Three Crowns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Manchester
was also where Britain’s first aeroplane was designed,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And
between this city and Southport was the first scheduled airline,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Pilots of
the first transatlantic flight, went to school around here,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Whilst a
Manchester built aircraft was the first to fly to Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">So many
different industries where Manchester played a part,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">We also scored
some firsts in the celebration of fine art,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">We had the
first professional orchestra, our world renowned Halle,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">We’d host the
first international art expo... in our gallery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Back
to the rainy weather the effect of which was blatant,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">See
rainy Manc was where a Mackintosh filed
for his patent,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">We led the way
with reservoirs and municipal parks,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The first Nuclear Free City, the first Urban Heritage Park.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">It’s been a
meeting place for many, a point we should rejoice,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Because Manchester
was where Mister Rolls meet with Mister Royce,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
football league was set up here in eighteen eighty eight,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">So
many firsts and records broke; at least one team was great!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
first to play and win in Europe, United were a rebel,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
first to win two doubles and the first to win the treble,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Whilst
City are the only team, and this should make them proud,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">To
attract more than eighty four...thousand fans into their ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
world’s very first computer was developed at our Uni,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtGGqcQSJ4dOvDrZprhNfbjeaf9KboLE7xag8vJ7KnBV4uSZVpzQJ8OUDlyoT88CB9imiRQUQ7lUX9OT94OjKJBAqc-Q0MLzWVba-WUm1m4wCaZYh9NX9vN0Xzva6fiBeiNofZfDfZYA/s1600/1999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtGGqcQSJ4dOvDrZprhNfbjeaf9KboLE7xag8vJ7KnBV4uSZVpzQJ8OUDlyoT88CB9imiRQUQ7lUX9OT94OjKJBAqc-Q0MLzWVba-WUm1m4wCaZYh9NX9vN0Xzva6fiBeiNofZfDfZYA/s200/1999.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Whilst
Greater Manc gave birth to the world’s first test tube baby,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Recently
our scientists got </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">the Nobel Peace prize for graphene,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">For inventing the thinnest
material the world has ever seen.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Top
Of The Pops was launched here, I bet that was a treat,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Whilst
we’ve got the longest running soap in Coronation Street,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">They
changed the course of clubbing with the infamous Hacienda,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And
rocked the charts with Madchester, a near decade long, global bender.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOw1UGuoLTchHf54F1cOus2baN6DrskW4AyvCqpyGzCXi_2FTnNficy2mreAhrNQRVFb1y6swZ5sV-Q5LfSaGYJJFUhEJ_LPnWed-xDuUOTRxvSUeAYA8wgEa8_SRC-3pIfiD38EBCCFY/s1600/Heart+manchester.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOw1UGuoLTchHf54F1cOus2baN6DrskW4AyvCqpyGzCXi_2FTnNficy2mreAhrNQRVFb1y6swZ5sV-Q5LfSaGYJJFUhEJ_LPnWed-xDuUOTRxvSUeAYA8wgEa8_SRC-3pIfiD38EBCCFY/s200/Heart+manchester.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">We’ve
served up Vimto from the bottle and Boddingtons from the keg, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
Manchester Tart, Betty’s hotpot and now the Manchester Egg,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Whilst
England’s football kit was made by a company down the road,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">So
Manchester made England’s skin until Umbro was sold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">We
boast the only national daily to come from a provincial city,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And
if you add all that little lot up, we sound quite revolutionary,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Because
remember...we’re not a capital, no treaty here was signed,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But
we’re known all around the world and on Mars I think you’ll find. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">So
sure ok, it rains alot and the sun ain’t our best friend,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But
it’s harsh to say that nothings ever happened round your end,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">So if you think it’s boring here you should open up your eyes,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Because
the list of firsts for this city far outweighs its size.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8pt;">Copyright©2011 by Phil Martin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8pt;">All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8pt;">Manchester-based crime novels/thrillers by me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
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ebook/dp/B006NXD2M6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324429234&sr=8-1</span></a><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8pt;">The Attached just $1.99 (for i-tab, smart phone, PC, MAC or
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 8pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Child-Number-Three-ebook/dp/B005IRNYVM/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321268694&sr=1-2">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Child-Number-Three-ebook/dp/B005IRNYVM/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321268694&sr=1-2</a></span><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-57514798247301008852011-12-21T08:36:00.000-08:002012-09-12T04:50:23.731-07:00It could have been us<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivocv1Pjpf3VxWKoqZaLZDW7ywYkKaIsjDXT550iG5YvkVOqZt5UwhOii6lzqS-d9ND2Tw3UgfiPTjIrCE_sAjB9B3tySbH94TjLtM8l3EpFkNBKzGf8ZiLK_vodZwLvuKMhk9uwsUU0o/s1600/McClair2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivocv1Pjpf3VxWKoqZaLZDW7ywYkKaIsjDXT550iG5YvkVOqZt5UwhOii6lzqS-d9ND2Tw3UgfiPTjIrCE_sAjB9B3tySbH94TjLtM8l3EpFkNBKzGf8ZiLK_vodZwLvuKMhk9uwsUU0o/s640/McClair2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It could have been us</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfk0n01hY2H_BEznsG3bHt8Q_Tcg0OYWqTRSp9RNHfYI77YJzmS8RzQVrTK6wI-UZyZG1WcTe_iukk1HShdnJiyFe-KXVNFFVxumL4bVIY1OeCtmh4Z5Mj5XeoJEd9i0-yd4IXBfoFVQ/s1600/brian.mcclair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfk0n01hY2H_BEznsG3bHt8Q_Tcg0OYWqTRSp9RNHfYI77YJzmS8RzQVrTK6wI-UZyZG1WcTe_iukk1HShdnJiyFe-KXVNFFVxumL4bVIY1OeCtmh4Z5Mj5XeoJEd9i0-yd4IXBfoFVQ/s200/brian.mcclair.jpg" width="147" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">United
Road was heaving; I stood on the half way line,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">I dreamt
of FA glory, that trophy would be mine,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">It was just
a quarter final but it meant so much back then,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">I’d
watched the boys in 85 and craved cup victory again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">It meant a
lot to everyone, the lads were going barmy,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Everyone
was singing ‘on the march with Fergie’s army.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But Forest
had a handy team and hit us on the break,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Come on
United equalise, for FFF Fergie’s sake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">We piled
on the chances but the ball just woun’t go in,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But then
we had a corner and I knew we could still win,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZFOgcp0NCreqDZdro1a4u_IkeesydYPQ-hlf-H8LCIXduvxhxdbLQndbND17UIQvnG-aI3SU0e2s8sxMAXZ-NgAe6o_QRaxCpWOY-Xg7yydH7y9g29WaHm2WDhb1hoBkZUU_-0FRjFA/s1600/hodge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZFOgcp0NCreqDZdro1a4u_IkeesydYPQ-hlf-H8LCIXduvxhxdbLQndbND17UIQvnG-aI3SU0e2s8sxMAXZ-NgAe6o_QRaxCpWOY-Xg7yydH7y9g29WaHm2WDhb1hoBkZUU_-0FRjFA/s200/hodge.jpg" width="149" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">United
Road was surging, to see I had to dodge,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">As Brian
McClair’s overhead was cleared by Stevie Hodge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
Stretford End went wild; it must’ve crossed the line,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But the
referee disagreed and then he blew full time,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">United fans
were raging, at least ten thousand fought,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
trouble lasted ages, all over the fore court.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">My heart
was devastated, couldn’t believe that we’d gone out,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">We would
have beaten Liverpool, of that I had no doubt,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">So fast
forward to April and the day of that sem-i,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">My young
mind disliked both those teams due to jealousy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrpKhAD-Y0tkDdgSkCYMiYFN6irlYADL6vKD8ZmNCq43TUZpjA1-B_St69a-Gtp3sedrhidJPLl7y6Heygpqt2MP_314sDN8Z4uMOvE1FMgrkDPhSdUvifYyHIfrurYArTPKKLZtf21c/s1600/bruce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrpKhAD-Y0tkDdgSkCYMiYFN6irlYADL6vKD8ZmNCq43TUZpjA1-B_St69a-Gtp3sedrhidJPLl7y6Heygpqt2MP_314sDN8Z4uMOvE1FMgrkDPhSdUvifYyHIfrurYArTPKKLZtf21c/s200/bruce.jpg" width="148" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">That day I
sat in K-stand, Derby’s Goodard skinned Steve Bruce,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Then
Hillsborough news filtered through and two morons gave abuse,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The rest
of K-stand turned on ‘em and shout-ed the morons down,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And an
uneasy, eerie silence engulfed everyone in the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The news
that some supporters died, slowly filtered through,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The game
had lost significance; no one knew quite what to do,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The match
day buzz had disappeared as we waited for the bus,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">If Brian
Hill had given that goal, it really could’ve been us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">It could
have been your brother or you sister that had perished,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Maybe your
dad or just a friend but someone that you cherished,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">I had some
friends on my Manc street who followed Liverpool,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">They
celebrated every goal on the fencing as a rule.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ev1D709iYeEKSMb6HRY0tFxq9HVLQ2rA-1eH7rTqosYtyZRWPMVHQXdD1o37uLKFKHYM-BEZJ4UJt60txszwJjmm9tR371iHnEousIp9W3xB36MBdMDYmp8aYLZqG7aXFYQsfeX7E4A/s1600/Goddard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ev1D709iYeEKSMb6HRY0tFxq9HVLQ2rA-1eH7rTqosYtyZRWPMVHQXdD1o37uLKFKHYM-BEZJ4UJt60txszwJjmm9tR371iHnEousIp9W3xB36MBdMDYmp8aYLZqG7aXFYQsfeX7E4A/s200/Goddard.jpg" width="148" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">I wondered
if they had got out, I feared that they had died,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">It wasn’t
until the evening that I learned that they’d survived,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">They were
singing on the fences at just gone two o’clock,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But sensed
it getting too busy and moved over a block.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">I’ve been
to Anfield many times, the rivalry’s intense,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But you’d
miss them too if they weren’t here, so show some commonsense,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Coz as
much as you hate Liverpool, we share a lot with them,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And few
teams had the followings that we both had way back then,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">I went to
Hillsborough that very year, when Choccy scored a brace,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Twenty six
thousands reds rocking; our support was really ace,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNd-bnRCNT8kwSRhsDnQkdPC92yV3PI_NDl_NM1YkZhY6-A9FZcqTiR_7EULTfixI90AXsT1zCPa0k6CIVxX7NeAighV71vpx_gT-NK9SPrx9zaRx-5UzlYpgEmh2Ge2kQFw9ZCqxQTA/s1600/Hillsborough_Stadium%252C_Sheffield.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNd-bnRCNT8kwSRhsDnQkdPC92yV3PI_NDl_NM1YkZhY6-A9FZcqTiR_7EULTfixI90AXsT1zCPa0k6CIVxX7NeAighV71vpx_gT-NK9SPrx9zaRx-5UzlYpgEmh2Ge2kQFw9ZCqxQTA/s200/Hillsborough_Stadium%252C_Sheffield.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But if
we’d beat the Forest, and the ref had give that goal,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">It could
have been those very fans that that fateful day had stole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Because we
travel in our numbers just like Liverpool,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And when
we’ve got those numbers, there’s mob mentality rule,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Our aways
are far from saints, let’s not kid anyone,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">So would
the same thing happen if it was us that day that’d gone?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Maybe
there was pushing, I don’t know I wasn’t there,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">A few folk might have gibbed in but I really couldn’t care,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4MsKn1lS1fcaDw11rU2LWq7VCmFva5epTJGFLoPiDSQUEhxdPqD_eMTx30WS0w-caCU27uooyQbQ8UbiYXQxA9wRW4NdUP6yhMGddDJUu8ziSIEmUz_1CFRJKCL4ow_5DKy7sVsE-_Y/s1600/FlowersOfManc2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4MsKn1lS1fcaDw11rU2LWq7VCmFva5epTJGFLoPiDSQUEhxdPqD_eMTx30WS0w-caCU27uooyQbQ8UbiYXQxA9wRW4NdUP6yhMGddDJUu8ziSIEmUz_1CFRJKCL4ow_5DKy7sVsE-_Y/s320/FlowersOfManc2.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Coz we woulda
turned up without tickets, we woulda turned up late,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">We would
have gone into the ground if the cops opened those gates?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ninety six
innocents were taken that tragic day,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But United
in the Leppings Lane might’ve acted the same way,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">We
would’ve tried to get in, in time for the opening goal,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">See it
wasn’t down to surging fans but lack of crowd control.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">They
couldn’t control the numbers that turned up for that sem-i<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But just
coz it needs controlling don’t make that crowd guil-ty,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And alleviate
at one end and cause a problem at the other?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Why
couldn’t those in control... communicate with each other?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Two pens with
space, one pen full but no way those fans could know,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And once
you’re though those turnstiles there’s only one way to go,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Those
fences should've been opened way be-fore three o-clock,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">They
should've ripped down the lot before the game was stopped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Read their
stories, research their lives and never act the fool,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrNhUvkWBLFNDWG3aoWez-Db0FDJOXLOPdasqiqlS7YlMzQwOtLUBQPX3BaXrkzNDVR2GM2N3tNiAcdWSLvdqM_lW9dplcwck2c8yvRi2EYZDnh5mPHi_lavIqN0r43CscnlolxE4O7A/s1600/Babes6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrNhUvkWBLFNDWG3aoWez-Db0FDJOXLOPdasqiqlS7YlMzQwOtLUBQPX3BaXrkzNDVR2GM2N3tNiAcdWSLvdqM_lW9dplcwck2c8yvRi2EYZDnh5mPHi_lavIqN0r43CscnlolxE4O7A/s200/Babes6.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Coz the
only real difference was their love for Liverpool,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Too many
questions and few replies, two decades plus now on,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And still
no answers for those fans about what really went on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Think back
to that poor bloke, who lost both his teenage daughters,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">If you
still can’t find that sympathy, you’re heartless and you’re soulless,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Look at
the innocence in their photos and make it personal,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And if
this tragedy don’t hit you hard, it says all we need to know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">So next
time when it’s April and it’s semi-final day,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Forget
about the Munich chants and the shite they used to say,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnee95ND3ZxBy_EnsWAU6V_rBn4ggaBwRY5fg_v3NvS4F0FdM8E7nmhIl_CwKgojM1h50Ecb1TNubPPtJ5teHG3D-E_vrhJMdkJ7yPWAOMD2HU2vg-FOmOX8NHKSoMrMN3-diYG15xsrk/s1600/Babes4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnee95ND3ZxBy_EnsWAU6V_rBn4ggaBwRY5fg_v3NvS4F0FdM8E7nmhIl_CwKgojM1h50Ecb1TNubPPtJ5teHG3D-E_vrhJMdkJ7yPWAOMD2HU2vg-FOmOX8NHKSoMrMN3-diYG15xsrk/s320/Babes4.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The ones
that died were innocents, fathers, sons and daughters,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">So
remember the respect... that our own tragedy has taught us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">In whole
we’ve been respectful but this is my regret,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">That
future generations... of United may forget,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Of what
just really happened and who it happened to,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And that those
innocents of Hillsborough could’ve been me and you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">See all
those people out there who abuse on the internet,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">You never
knew this tragedy, otherwise you’d not forget,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But you say 'this' because they say 'that', who cares where it starts,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Abusing about these tragedies says just what’s in your hearts.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">So by all
means don’t like Liverpool, keep the rivalry intense,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But show
respect for stolen souls, coz let’s make no pretence,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">If our
love for Man United had taken us there that fateful day,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">We’d be
demanding our own justice for the ones that passed away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">R.I.P. 96 (justice for football fans) R.I.P. The Manchester Flowers</span>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: 8pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 8pt;">Copyright©2011 by Phil Martin</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8pt;">All rights reserved.</span></div>
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Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-46377486431057050522011-12-20T17:10:00.000-08:002012-07-10T09:48:36.655-07:00The tiniest tavern in town<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpSfI5c7QkD3bE5UlOjHXUGXoX6sLOCB1jD2g4Ii2ZUYVUtphLEH2e2RvFl-rJAXuc26FLcE5oICap1QY-293aYsNkHkW1hOsNRNktSlzxqDurSRv_SwIzHYmjknr4Pc_P6zlTKtx3gA/s1600/PortlandStreet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpSfI5c7QkD3bE5UlOjHXUGXoX6sLOCB1jD2g4Ii2ZUYVUtphLEH2e2RvFl-rJAXuc26FLcE5oICap1QY-293aYsNkHkW1hOsNRNktSlzxqDurSRv_SwIzHYmjknr4Pc_P6zlTKtx3gA/s640/PortlandStreet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dMWmMc5empMgaDHpIpxTdlyeShNPzUK5hOij7JCT5zcFArVDn4fdFLfYqBmsXU11yRTfKw0pmpIU2noT2EkRHwiDEButlHH5sAI6Z_i_8a-HcvSTBrUCG24B_9eIstRPRaNotA4j1Lc/s1600/CircusWall1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dMWmMc5empMgaDHpIpxTdlyeShNPzUK5hOij7JCT5zcFArVDn4fdFLfYqBmsXU11yRTfKw0pmpIU2noT2EkRHwiDEButlHH5sAI6Z_i_8a-HcvSTBrUCG24B_9eIstRPRaNotA4j1Lc/s320/CircusWall1.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The tiniest tavern in town</span></span></u></b><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Like a
Victorian game of Tetris where the buildings din’t land neat,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Lies the
higgerldy piggerldy architecture of Manchester’s Portland Street,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Yet secreted
in this skyline of roofs that just don’t blend,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Lies a well
brewed Mancunian treasure, a perfect hidden gem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">“Squeeze
in, shuffle in, there’s room for just two more,”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">It’s
staggering how many drinkers squeeze through that tavern’s door,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Just room
for thirty people and still I’ll sit on someone’s knee,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Yet
thousands of folk stare back at me from every place I see,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Their
eyes, their eyes are everywhere, bearing down on me,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Thousands
of folk all staring back and smiling relentlessly,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Everyone is
happy yet none of them speak or change their pose,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrSdyq0MwL7LaYr4KqAFPAsxguaq1IDE-HRpOeNBjNAXix2FA6f3dHM8IJ8mJHJkaAJ9nUdhH-Pq5XYnZTlcdfIOjnvJrS64GkxR7hI3RyRJfI7aDXiJJUFDUo6r-i_qfVTKfwQZ4raU/s1600/CircusWall2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrSdyq0MwL7LaYr4KqAFPAsxguaq1IDE-HRpOeNBjNAXix2FA6f3dHM8IJ8mJHJkaAJ9nUdhH-Pq5XYnZTlcdfIOjnvJrS64GkxR7hI3RyRJfI7aDXiJJUFDUo6r-i_qfVTKfwQZ4raU/s320/CircusWall2.jpg" width="239" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Generations
of drinkers, or just the famous ones I suppose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Coz the
smallest pub in our city has the biggest welcome in the world,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Where
every drinking celeb in town is proudly unfurled,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">A real star
gazer’s paradise, a celebrity stalker’s passion,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">With boozer’s
faces stuck to the wall in time honourary fashion,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">This
boozer’s five-a-side team would beat any on the planet,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">It’d win every
week down at the Pitz until they’d have to ban it,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Coz Bestie’s
there of course he is, along with Franny Lee,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Keano,
Parker, Robson... Nobby and Paddy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But it ain’t
just the footballers who’ve had a pint in this tiny bar,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">From Tony
H to Muhammad Ali they’ve come from near and far,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Actors
like Ray Winston, musicians by the score,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">It’s a
near infinite list of celebrity and I don’t want to bore. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But this photo
wall of famous folk spans every generation,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCnxWpwzoX4WCrrjO9AUg7oFQiGeQ9FQyn9uicycXc2DBT3aMC8ssTdZqqnPYFImQQsPZW215FBHlRE5p8iL_jBa0rsokpjnGRdnNn9mtABj3CO4UZ8Xrd_ON9yz71FzXygvCkLsnbDE/s1600/circuswall3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCnxWpwzoX4WCrrjO9AUg7oFQiGeQ9FQyn9uicycXc2DBT3aMC8ssTdZqqnPYFImQQsPZW215FBHlRE5p8iL_jBa0rsokpjnGRdnNn9mtABj3CO4UZ8Xrd_ON9yz71FzXygvCkLsnbDE/s320/circuswall3.jpg" width="264" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Whilst two
football teams lie side by side without any altercation,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Two tiny
rooms, a tiny bar, your mates’ll never lose yer,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Just lose
your inhibitions in Manchester’s smallest boozer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">It used to
be the meeting place for all the acts they used to have on,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">When 18th
century circus folk would drink in the Circus Tavern,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Coz there
used to be a big top close by on <span style="background-color: white;">Chatham
Street,</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">So this
tavern was where trapeze artists and lion tamers’d meet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The clientele’s
still colourful and will always have a tale,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">As the bar
maid and the drinkers pass down your real ale,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">It floats
though the crowd and to your seat, no room to be nervous,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">There’s
really no more intimate pint than the one the Circus serves us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Its size makes
this place special as I feel like I belong,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">As drinkers
huddle together... forming just one throng,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ABO-1V2kNb6TMVykyMRxittuRoA6q7F2dgCIbr40UBkYC24kkzmWIz00zKsSVJshb2pTqiIIDOtT5EBPL6DcBQJSCa8ihW2SJhoc0585kJvQp9bxy6_RNXe6LDEw90XSxF6Q0iu25oc/s1600/circuswall4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ABO-1V2kNb6TMVykyMRxittuRoA6q7F2dgCIbr40UBkYC24kkzmWIz00zKsSVJshb2pTqiIIDOtT5EBPL6DcBQJSCa8ihW2SJhoc0585kJvQp9bxy6_RNXe6LDEw90XSxF6Q0iu25oc/s320/circuswall4.jpg" width="239" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">One chat, one
conversation and just one subject matter,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Every
opinion is invited as the regulars natter and natter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But with
all the faces on the wall it really makes me think,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Since
opening time in 1790, how many folk have bought a drink?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Since the
days of that long gone circus and cries of roll up, roll up<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">How many
folk have squeezed in here for an intimate, friendly sup?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">A hundred thousand
drinkers? A million, probably more,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">I’d like
to see every single face stuck onto their photo wall,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Coz a staggering number of drinkers have crammed into that tiny space,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">They'd need every inch in this city if they printed every face!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8pt;">Copyright©2011 by Phil Martin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8pt;">All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">buy my books on Amazon</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">CHILD NUMBER THREE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xsDmpa" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xsDmpa</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">THE ATTACHED </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xjsKgp" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xjsKgp</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">KILLING DOVES </span><a href="http://amzn.to/ysy4ip" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/ysy4ip</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"> </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">STRIPPED BARE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/wbfoYn" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/wbfoYn</a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmD10DqYmsMhsiwPAI1u0PWESpwTuSPDB_X78U0HwrMJI3T3qpnBHJ3RXWm2G0XT7L_oF4CX0IcC0Hr5uykcUquIwaBhALiQe-c_PEJMguSCDMnsfBddPsOCE-RgLlbSDloVkpOyS-Oc4/s1600/circus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmD10DqYmsMhsiwPAI1u0PWESpwTuSPDB_X78U0HwrMJI3T3qpnBHJ3RXWm2G0XT7L_oF4CX0IcC0Hr5uykcUquIwaBhALiQe-c_PEJMguSCDMnsfBddPsOCE-RgLlbSDloVkpOyS-Oc4/s640/circus.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-5639545335639076562011-12-19T15:48:00.000-08:002012-07-10T09:48:48.930-07:00The greatest save at United<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PxdAe5kHXcs8hxgEK31cao00r6hRgKmLaFoJ8Avf5zFyRZzxoybksJAyPwCOTILooEOOxfiAl3Si9uPCh_FYC8Ttsw_Z7gvwRLOEHLn-AQailj-b9ZsteNW4R4zLVTxj9pUlSeFZDQk/s1600/Bailey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PxdAe5kHXcs8hxgEK31cao00r6hRgKmLaFoJ8Avf5zFyRZzxoybksJAyPwCOTILooEOOxfiAl3Si9uPCh_FYC8Ttsw_Z7gvwRLOEHLn-AQailj-b9ZsteNW4R4zLVTxj9pUlSeFZDQk/s200/Bailey.jpg" width="200" /></a><b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The greatest save at United</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Bailey’s
save v Brighton to keep us in the cup,</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Stepney’s reflex
to Eusebio’s volley quite close up, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Schmeichel’s
saves at St James’ or Vienna in ninety six,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Edwin’s Moscow
penalty palm, it always has us split.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9M7YWHcGIZd8APlTkjAv4S6KBz9J0kc3SkPVGSmh2xUBg_ZzaoHlgbwuEV1Si_oFRNIj5TZoo3h2JuzHNvttZRMSjS6fil5ajocG73lt9cCi2fg2g5_8BCSw5Cxw1cp5eJZHhggJJtwg/s1600/VanDerSar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9M7YWHcGIZd8APlTkjAv4S6KBz9J0kc3SkPVGSmh2xUBg_ZzaoHlgbwuEV1Si_oFRNIj5TZoo3h2JuzHNvttZRMSjS6fil5ajocG73lt9cCi2fg2g5_8BCSw5Cxw1cp5eJZHhggJJtwg/s200/VanDerSar.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1CRk3ZQ4_AIh3ObUJ_3-561gXm47aTW6uZ8yqAoyPdGBZN-RJvrOHDJpFGPGBfifExZ8nq_DEae8pbRgBdNUP0-bgA8LypSsXSWCu_1g8kQCqEZdL3gV4bLmVD133YBYveupa7dUdmI/s1600/Stepney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1CRk3ZQ4_AIh3ObUJ_3-561gXm47aTW6uZ8yqAoyPdGBZN-RJvrOHDJpFGPGBfifExZ8nq_DEae8pbRgBdNUP0-bgA8LypSsXSWCu_1g8kQCqEZdL3gV4bLmVD133YBYveupa7dUdmI/s1600/Stepney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1CRk3ZQ4_AIh3ObUJ_3-561gXm47aTW6uZ8yqAoyPdGBZN-RJvrOHDJpFGPGBfifExZ8nq_DEae8pbRgBdNUP0-bgA8LypSsXSWCu_1g8kQCqEZdL3gV4bLmVD133YBYveupa7dUdmI/s200/Stepney.jpg" width="140" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTXH1tRj0C0vb_HVunW02N9l-ewPW20rThCdd2bAzbFtvizLzuyCzl-TTZ-MRgXu_YpGRwnF_lwmmPkDSOIhRg7nVGsv_lAS8TUrYlEZa8WPHWu3xy1zfUeK0ncAe6jb7itcC8dzJf7w/s1600/Schmeichel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTXH1tRj0C0vb_HVunW02N9l-ewPW20rThCdd2bAzbFtvizLzuyCzl-TTZ-MRgXu_YpGRwnF_lwmmPkDSOIhRg7nVGsv_lAS8TUrYlEZa8WPHWu3xy1zfUeK0ncAe6jb7itcC8dzJf7w/s200/Schmeichel.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But our
greatest save in history didn’t come from a gloved hand,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But a
businessman eighty years ago, who gave us thirty grand,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Without
that cash injection we would have gone I swear,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And would
have all been city fans, a thought I cannot bear,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Coz way
back then in thirty one with our future in dire straits,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">They couldn’t
pay the players and couldn’t generate the gates,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">then
this Salford businessman said he’d find a way,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">To build United
up again, starting with the players’ pay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cv5QcrX3jnLiU8V9aEL8RPuVkMtur-AIVMx4bYcPIJu9h7JCS9AR5CxwVw6zhyphenhyphen8cmb6NEmBuwuufP77aGRQ4I3AHixiDISmz8J0AHtHhXVA_5g_b0eggifA49ZhiGGKJBz8EzMdE238/s1600/The_Cliff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cv5QcrX3jnLiU8V9aEL8RPuVkMtur-AIVMx4bYcPIJu9h7JCS9AR5CxwVw6zhyphenhyphen8cmb6NEmBuwuufP77aGRQ4I3AHixiDISmz8J0AHtHhXVA_5g_b0eggifA49ZhiGGKJBz8EzMdE238/s200/The_Cliff.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He
supported the club financially as guarantor to the bank,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He stopped
us going bankrupt but we’ve got him too to thank,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">For
setting up the youth team so future players would be free,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Coz back
then skint United couldn’t afford the transfer fee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Our Junior
Athletic Club was where future stars would come from,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He bought
a rugby ground, the Cliff, to train our young players on,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWr6en7yiZwuXNR_kXDXcaw_Atf73AiI8XFs6Qd1MyejzqS8qblK0mK6FblZkI8fTd5p2vrMaXRzHEp1E-uEfhIx67HE8GvtV87cFiVYycsOQpHAjy6J3GdlDoyV5AEowq5yuG5CUuLFo/s1600/JamesGibson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWr6en7yiZwuXNR_kXDXcaw_Atf73AiI8XFs6Qd1MyejzqS8qblK0mK6FblZkI8fTd5p2vrMaXRzHEp1E-uEfhIx67HE8GvtV87cFiVYycsOQpHAjy6J3GdlDoyV5AEowq5yuG5CUuLFo/s200/JamesGibson.jpg" width="123" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Then he
got the train to stop at Old Trafford on match day,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">To drive
up the attendances so the club could pay its way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">When those
German bombers wrecked us, HE fought for the cheque,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">To metaphorically
build us up again, quite literally from that wreck,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ten years
away from Old Trafford but still an important entity,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">This man
would bring us home again and give us back our identity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And then
it was his master stroke to look at Liverpool and City,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And employ
their former player the great, legendary Matt Busby,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">As manager
of our football team, in 51 he won the cup,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But then his
employer passed away, this great saver of our club.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He died
before we won the league again in fifty two,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But I hope
you know our history was all because of you,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">A
different path, a different route, and United were extinct,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And the
history we’d never know would be concise, brief and succinct. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">So who was
he, this great man, who started everything we know?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Should we
sing his name from the rafters... next time when we go,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">To Old
Trafford to see United, a club that might not exist,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">If this
businessman from Salford hadn’t promised to persist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He shares
his name with Colin... Terry and Darren too,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But this
Gibson did more than any United player could ever do,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He stopped
us from going bankrupt but didn’t quite stop there,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">James
Gibson became our chairman, a chairman that would care.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">There
might have been another way for our club to carry on,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But he’s
the one who made sure... our United wasn’t gone,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">So next
time you’re on Matt Busby Way over the railway track,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Feel free
to pat your gratitude on our James Gibson’s plaque.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8pt;">Copyright©2011 by Phil Martin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8pt;">All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
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<br />Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-496308384288576112011-12-19T12:32:00.000-08:002012-04-03T07:35:12.555-07:00BOOK: Killing Doves<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-YyGAefAu03fOfENA88TBEK9FzKJllbzHfLnUBzw8yAPPURbWgo1QTlI9uIuGMOnNbypseNdRkuwrMG0xqgthD9MM6CficbkyjUUqKNEMydFuSYriOPh0pwz4MqngS0B9IqbHMXZVgQ/s1600/KillingDoves9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-YyGAefAu03fOfENA88TBEK9FzKJllbzHfLnUBzw8yAPPURbWgo1QTlI9uIuGMOnNbypseNdRkuwrMG0xqgthD9MM6CficbkyjUUqKNEMydFuSYriOPh0pwz4MqngS0B9IqbHMXZVgQ/s640/KillingDoves9.jpg" width="451" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Killing Doves- Synopsis</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Manchester has a new serial killer; one that only cares
about staying out of prison long enough to finish off every gangster in town.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Pete Wyatt is a nineteen-year-old
trainee hairdresser funding styling school with what he convinces himself is small
time, drug dealing in a Manchester nightclub.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">His
money-making scheme sends him deep into the shadows of the Manchester drugs
trade where he witnesses a gangland execution that will change his life
forever. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Suddenly every crook in town wants
a piece of him. Tortured by the pain of what unfolds, and let down by the
courts, he promises to exact his own revenge, risking his job, his life and
every relationship he’s ever forged. As his hairdressing career takes off he
realises he is perfectly positioned to deliver retribution. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
A double life emerges. During the day he styles in a camp city centre salon, in
the evenings he cuts the hair of the wives and girlfriends of the men he wants
to kill most, priming them for information. At night his alto ego hunts down
those who have wronged him. His mission is to bring down one of Manchester’s
leading crime families. His sacrifice is the normality of his own existence. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">But with success comes suspicion;
the spate of unusual deaths is no coincidence. Manchester’s underworld has
spawned a vigilante but who will stop him; his girlfriend, the police or those
at the top of his list<span style="color: #333333;">? </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Nightclubs, gangsters, drugs and one normal clubber’s thirst
for revenge after the three collide to change his life forever. Killing Doves
is nineties Manchester at its naughtiest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Prologue</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGP4anQ6vboycqGzmbVi7x6J_A8bJzAtcCvJvIX31qUpxnHY1CGj6OJeCqJcVx13iuRIzu0vp7lKYB8gpzJFMATH5dOUcs0oIHwNJ6JlM9qnKSH4nuOK3BzAYWOK4m5Bs8iBMEA2_o4ug/s1600/KillingDovesiPhone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGP4anQ6vboycqGzmbVi7x6J_A8bJzAtcCvJvIX31qUpxnHY1CGj6OJeCqJcVx13iuRIzu0vp7lKYB8gpzJFMATH5dOUcs0oIHwNJ6JlM9qnKSH4nuOK3BzAYWOK4m5Bs8iBMEA2_o4ug/s320/KillingDovesiPhone.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>It was the bullets that
changed everything. Manchester and Salford had spawned an ugly
sister; Gunchester, and I was sat at the blood and guts end of the delivery,
dripping in the gory stench. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>Madchester was still in
full swing but the boundaries had blurred; Indie had merged with acid house and
rave ruled the roost whilst gangsters ruled the doors and the pills.
Those little white pills were spreading their wings and dive bombing every serotonin
cell they could find. The illegal raves and the warehouses had
given way to the first origins of the city centre super club but The Hacienda
wasn’t the only joint in town. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The gangs were everywhere, rubbing shoulders with wide
eyed, loved up, sweaty clubbers, all too busy looking for their own personal
slice of euphoria to notice the threat. Few of them were ready,
willing or sober enough to take on board the evil legacy behind those little
white doves of peace. But then their own come downs could never hit
as hard as mine. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I knew my time would come, my resurrection, my second
coming, just not yet; patience, son. I had to wait, deep in the darkness
to be born again, rewired, reignited, reinvented, reenergised and wait, wait
patiently, silently, for this higher state of unconsciousness to release
me. Everything, every decision, every minute detail behind my
revenge was being lived out in this dark world, mapped out in the confined
depths of my mind. This was my dark rehearsal; a new world was ready to spawn
me and give me my retribution, feed my new addiction, quench my unquenchable
thirst to get even. My biggest fear isn’t in the danger that lies ahead but in
the void that might engulf me afterwards, such was the depth of my darkness. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>I was the happiest lad in
Manc before that night, before my life took on a completely new meaning before
the darkness took over. But I can’t blame that night for changing
me forever, or the gangs, it was the darkness.</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3">
<br /></div>
<h1>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Pills
‘n’ thrills ‘n’ bellyaches<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"> <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Part I<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">1. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">THE LEVEL, PICCADILLY, MANCHESTER, JANUARY 1991: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wyatt slammed his body against the metal handle of the
nightclub’s fire door and pushed out into the darkness of the back
alley. He froze for a second to get his bearings; eyes dazzled; bones
aching. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He was in way above his head. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The plastic carrier bag in his shaking hand bulged like an
unwanted pregnancy. But it contained the end of his life not the
start of a new one. He stuffed it deep into his jacket, zipping it
up to the very top, protecting it from the world. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Steam rose from the vents on the outside wall of the club as
the hot sticky air on the inside met the ice- cold, Manchester
freeze. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">In five minutes, the club would be closed down; everyone
inside would be a suspect. In twenty, it would be swarming with
police, sealed off as Manchester’s latest crime scene. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The shadowy figures at the top of the alleyway meant
trouble. They hovered near the entrance to the club, blocking his
only route out.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The three bouncers clocked him and instantly ceased their
banter. Normal clubbers left through the main doors, trouble though
the fire doors. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “Where do you think you’re going?” one of them
bawled. “Oi, I’m speaking to you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wyatt reached into the
pocket of his leather jacket and found some sanctuary in the small metal
cylinder full of ammonia. It was his only chance; his one saving
grace. He clutched it tightly. </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Look lads, take it easy,”
he said as a peace offering. </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">But he knew his words
meant nothing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’ve been out, had a good
night and now I’m going home.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Not through that door
you’re not.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The bouncer’s radio
suddenly crackled into life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Block all exits, lads,
block all exits.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“In fact you’re not going
anywhere, lad.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “I’ll take this little fucker,” another growled with a
scar that stretched from the corner of his mouth high up into his
cheek. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He smiled as he got to within touching distance then swung,
forcing Wyatt backwards, dancing on his toes. But the fists came back for
a second go, stunning Wyatt’s skull with a dull thud, spreading instant
numbness. The hands grabbed him, tightly around his gullet. He
froze, paralysed with the fear of getting beaten big time but then instinct
kicked in. Wrenching his arm free he placed the cylinder next to
the bouncer’s face, spraying him in his left eye as he attempted to launch a
head butt; a cloud of ammonia, a fighting chance. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The doorman lashed out blindly, hoping to make contact with
something, anything. Another spray and the
bouncer’s eyes were blinded; watering, streaming relentlessly. The other
two were on him in seconds, foaming at the mouth, obscenities pouring out,
threat after threat, falling on deaf ears. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “Fuckin’ this, fuckin’ that.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">A torrent of blows rained down forcing Wyatt to the floor; a
split second glance and a second of clarity. He reached for a stray
bottle, crashing it with almighty force on the head of one before launching it
into the face of another then burst through their huddled scrum.
The end of the street flashed by. Clubbers waiting to get in stopped
chewing their lips to stand open mouthed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wyatt heard the fire door burst open again; more doormen,
armed with bats and pieces of wood, an arsenal of wooden weaponry, plucked from
beneath the legs of the cloakroom girl at the first sign of a kick-off. <i> </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Despite the violence
served up already, the delivery of two sentences amidst the din of threats
chilled Wyatt’s blood. </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Fuckin kill him,” one of
the bouncers raged. “He’s just killed the boss.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">***</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">‘Music…. is the answer…. to your
problems.’ </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span lang="EN">It<b> </b></span>could
have been the sound track to Carla’s life. Dancing was her
life. If she wasn’t getting paid for it she would have been in the
club anyway, pulling the same moves, wearing the same clothes, just not getting
paid. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Carla danced on the podium in the V.I.P. section as the
music bellowed out but the lack of dancing in the V.I.P. made her feel as
exposed as a pole dancer in a strip club. She preferred the
atmosphere downstairs where everyone danced as energetically as her but trouble
was brewing on the door and she’d been sent up stairs for her own safety.
It was starting to kick off in The Level more and more. It was the
one aspect of the club that Carla hated.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Bring it on
girlfriend,” her friend Mica shrieked after just conning two unsuspecting lads
out of a bottle of Dom Pérignon. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">No one drank
it downstairs but up here, it was fair game.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Dazzled like
rabbits in the headlights of the finest chest they’d seen that night, they
desperately tried to play it cool. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mica was
slinky, mixed race with a gorgeous light brown complexion that men would do
anything for. She blew a kiss Carla’s way and licked her lips, raising a
sardonic glass to the two men before strutting her stuff over to a quiet
corner. She’d been Carla’s partner in crime for years.
Beckoned by her bezzie to sit and sample the fruits of her hunter, gatherer
skills, Carla jumped down from the podium and walked over to where Mica was
about to sit. A crowd of V.I.P. males sat open mouthed, staring at the empty
podium in front of them, then followed the dancer’s wiggle over to her
friend. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Carla rocked and she knew it. Blessed with the
ability to move her body in a way that complimented the music whilst giving
every lad in the club a hard on, she was the real deal; the downside was that
everyone wanted a piece; every gangster and wannabe hard man in there. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“So desperate to tell me about his job, like I give a flying
monkey’s toss,” Mica said, referring back to the Champagne
Charlies. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Carla adjusted her silver hot pants, which had ridden up
throughout the dancing, and her knee length white boots which had slid
down. </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">She’d had
enough of men. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Life had
always been on the edge for her and Mica. They’d never done normal,
never touched safe and never met sensible. Not that she’d admit it
out loud but their looks had seen to that. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Carla’s long
dark hair was accentuated on club nights by a hair piece which brought her pony
tail down to the bottom of her back. Her flat, toned stomach and
shapely figure were a result of her devotion to her dancing, her all over tan
testimony to her appreciation of sun beds whilst her long eye lashes came
courtesy of Rimmel. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmLz_aeWr_eqnrBRahRsJ-MWkD3tgt0fwE4XDRBrQnl6hKDb3PwaybgA450c5E-ULravMYdnGH5gI6syzmJJnovRDxg79YFCkoIEce_rl9MZxpMNMhAjULkktOgA-vvXhWlHLyl2Onrg/s1600/KillingDovesKindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmLz_aeWr_eqnrBRahRsJ-MWkD3tgt0fwE4XDRBrQnl6hKDb3PwaybgA450c5E-ULravMYdnGH5gI6syzmJJnovRDxg79YFCkoIEce_rl9MZxpMNMhAjULkktOgA-vvXhWlHLyl2Onrg/s320/KillingDovesKindle.jpg" width="217" /></a><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Coming from
where she did, her life was mapped out for her. A succession of bad
boys would woo her, treating her like a princess at first then ruling over her
like a dictator. Then there’d be a few slaps handed out if she
didn’t conform to their every whim or pulled a face whilst doing
it. Then she’d be dumped only for the next bad boy to come along
with the same routine, thinking he’d invented it. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The older
she’d got the naughtier the boyfriends had become. But there was
little that could intimidate either of these two, not anymore. Once
you’d danced with the devil, the doormen just didn’t cut it. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “I’ve
got to go back downstairs,” she said sipping on her glass of
bubbly. “They told me to take twenty minutes up here just to wait
for it to calm down outside.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“And has it?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I don’t know
babe. It’s getting worse every week.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The two girls
finished their champagne and then slinked their way down the spiral staircase,
leading to the main dance floor, already heaving with clubbers. As
they made their way onto the conveyor belt of human congestion, a group of
bouncers bullied their way through, dragging a near unconscious lad through the
crowds. His pony-tailed head lolled from one side to the other, barely
conscious. It wasn’t an altogether unusual sight. The
door ruled with an iron fist or an iron bar if you were really unlucky. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “I hate
seeing all that shit,” Mica mouthed. “Why can’t they just do it
outside so we don’t have to see?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Carla shook
her head at her friend’s comment. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I was kind of
thinking why do they have to do it at all, not why can’t they sweep it under
the carpet. Give it a few more weeks and the gangs will be in here,
ruining it for everyone.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “Yeah
well as long as it doesn’t go off tonight eh? I’ll be with the others,”
Mica said pointing to the group of girls that they always spent the before and
the afters of their night with. “Come and find us on your next
break.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Carla winked, pulled her hot pants up slightly and slowly
slinked her way towards the base of the podium, gracefully hoisting herself up
and moving in time to the music. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>Where Love Lives</i> reverberated around the
club. Oh yes, dancing was definitely Carla’s escape, her clarity
and definitively her life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The club was rocking. Happy faces smiled up at
Carla or else gurned themselves into oblivion. She didn’t like The
Level, she loved it; the people, the music, everything about it, but then she
saw him, like a ghost from her nightmares gone by, he flashed before her
eyes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The lights picked out his sharp, angular features once again
before the strobe effect hit another part of the crowd. Carla
immediately stopped dancing. He was surrounded by his men, the same
old faces from last time she’d seen him all those years ago. His
face looked gaunt and pale, yet angry. He was always angry; his
eyebrows furrowed into an aggressive point. He pushed his way
through the clubbers on the dance floor, lifting them off their feet until they
got the message and got out of his way. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Scott McFadden should have been in prison, yet here he was
bold as brass, forcing his way towards the exit. Then their eyes
met. McFadden’s piercing blue eyes locked onto Carla’s and didn’t
look like letting go. A smug smile crept onto his face making Carla
feel sick. He winked at the motionless dancer, pointed at her and
then mouthed the words ‘I’ll be back for you later.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">And then he was gone, swallowed by the sea of
clubbers. But his brief presence was enough. Carla keeled
over covering her mouth and retched as her stomach threatened to empty its
contents over the dance floor below. She scrambled down from the
podium, the grace slipping from her poise, and stumbled through the sea of
clubbers edging towards the ladies toilet where she retched again.
Mica appeared in seconds and held her friend’s hair out of the way with one
hand and stroked her back with the other. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>“</i>It’s McFadden, Scott McFadden,” Carla said sweating.
“I need to go home or back to yours so he can’t find me. Is that ok?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mica nodded. She knew what McFadden meant. It
was definitely time to leave. But as the two made their way out of the toilet,
something happened that neither of them had seen before. The
booming music scratched to a halt, every light in the club flashed on and the
dance floor flooded with police. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">***</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7gLD-dPUZdJsdyyJygV2N8fQzUBZi_2zbnPQREiiNzXqA8MKNrSGdai6lYNnaVlPEtCcM1bZvQL9qbRHiaOOEj6R7GzU1KGVSR61fUyLyESiJvWJ_QmZlI7m8-DgfLoCmi9CkE5ZF84/s1600/KillingDovesLaptop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7gLD-dPUZdJsdyyJygV2N8fQzUBZi_2zbnPQREiiNzXqA8MKNrSGdai6lYNnaVlPEtCcM1bZvQL9qbRHiaOOEj6R7GzU1KGVSR61fUyLyESiJvWJ_QmZlI7m8-DgfLoCmi9CkE5ZF84/s320/KillingDovesLaptop.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">There was no time for
explanations or second thoughts. Wyatt tore off into the night,
into the shadows of the Mancunian back streets, running for his
life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He pulled the bag from
inside his coat to ensure its safety, gripping his hand tightly around the five
video cassettes inside. Behind him, footsteps pounded the pavements
like an army on the march, thirsting for their war. </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The main road brought
pedestrians; face after face stopped and starred. His body ached;
his legs deadening as he ran. He glanced behind and saw three
bouncers charging down the main road. The pack had split, the
wolves could be anywhere. </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wyatt charged blindly
through the alleyways running away from the club, away from the train station
all the time and back towards town, over the unprotected expanse of Piccadilly
Gardens, through the bus station, Mosley Street, then the back streets again,
staying in the back alleys as much as possible. </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He heard shouting and
heavy feet hammering behind him coming from all directions. </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">They could be anywhere, he
thought. </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">To his left more
litter-filled back streets led into the maze of China Town’s back
alleys. They appealed like never before. He charged
into their anonymity, running alongside the restaurants. </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The bouncers were close.
The angry shouting came from all sides. Wyatt ground to a halt and bent
over to hold his stomach and the stitch that was splitting it in half. He
couldn’t outrun them; he could only hide.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Six giant bins outside the
backdoors of a Chinese restaurant offered refuge. He clambered
inside over broken cardboard boxes and remnants of rotting food.
The stench filled his nostrils. </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Still clutching the bag
with the video tapes in, he hauled down the bin lid and lay in a near foetal
position amongst the rubbish in the pitch black, holding his nose as it
adjusted to the pungent smell. His heart raced. He
tried to slow his breathing then rummaged into the cardboard boxes, burying
himself deep inside, not caring what his skin made contact with. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He heard the voices get closer and the footsteps stop.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Which way did he go?” one said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“There’s only one place that cunt’s going. He’ll be dead by
the morning.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Put the gun away.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “That boy’s just signed his own death
warrant.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Did you know his face?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Know his face? I know his fucking name.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">2. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Deep in the darkness of my temporary home, I hear siren
after siren. They stop and start, like at a drop off point, a
constant fleet of cop cars and ambulances pulling up and pulling
away. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I must have drifted. My body is in shock, my
head too. I’m shaking. I can’t remember the details. I lie
unable to move, too frightened to move. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">There are more sirens. I slow down my
breathing and force my mind to remember. It hurts but I have to
work out what happened. I remember the chase from the club, and the
bin, and I feel relief. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The darkness is the bin; it’s only the bin. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I long to open it, to feel the warmth of daylight shine
into my eyes but I know it’s too soon. It isn’t safe for me,
not yet. I have to stay here for now, protected in this dark
cocoon, protecting me from them, from what they did. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> I have to remember every detail, every conversation
but it hurts. It’s the faces I remember first and I know they’re to
blame; the gangsters. It floods back to me, the fucking
gangsters. I know them. Then I remember the drugs, my
brother and then the murder hits me. I’ve got to remember the
murder. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Voices break through my thoughts. I hear
panic then crying and soothing voices but I drift again. I remember my
mother, her soothing words and I feel safe again. I shut out the
distractions and fall deeper into the darkness, deeper into the bin, feeling
safer and safer. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">My thoughts are more lucid. I’m back in the
club before the murder. I’m working. I’m popular. I
know people and they know me. I look into my hand and see a small
white tablet. I’m not taking it; I’m selling it. The dance floor is
packed. It’s coming back to me. I have to lie still and
let my memory take control, guide me through. It’s like it’s
happening for the first time, so vivid. I drift and I remember.
</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">***</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Are you gonna sort me out or what?”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I don’t like the lad. He’s too pushy, too in
my face. I ignore him and choose to nod my head to the music
instead. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Are you dealing or not? My mate bought off you last
week. Come on man it’s the weekend I wanna get twisted.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I’m not a drug dealer. I tell myself that
again and again. Whatever I am I’m not a drug dealer. I
only sell to people I know and I’m not in it for the long
term. I make a small profit, just enough for my rent and to
get me through college. Knocking out isn’t the easy option, it’s my
only option. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The kid stares at me, all long floppy, unwashed hair,
fringe cutting into his eye line. I need to be careful.
People are paid just to keep watch. A gang land beating could
follow, nothing to do with the door and nothing to do with the
club. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">It was like the door’s own little eco system recycling
the drugs and putting them back where they belonged, back into the
system. The clubs knew how it worked. No edge, no real
atmosphere and you might as well be in one of the cheesy meat markets on the
other side of town, all fake glitz and fake chat up lines. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Forget it,” the kid says eventually. “I’ll
shop somewhere else.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He isn’t with the bouncers. I pull him back
by his arm. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“They’re a tenner each. What you after?” </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“A tenner?” the lad mocks but reaches into his pocket all
the same. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He wants three. I never carry.
That’s Smithy’s job. I wink three times at him. He brushes
past me; the sleight of hand unnoticeable. The kid
takes the pills and disappears into the dance floor. I pocket the money.
Done deal. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is Balearia at The Level, an up and coming Friday
night in Manchester club land, under the brick arches of Piccadilly train
station. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">My face fits. The gangs; Cheetham Hill,
Gooch, Doddington , Salford, they’ve all left it alone so far but I won’t be
alone for long. This was a short term project, the only way to fund
my NVQ in hairdressing. The lads take the piss but I don’t
care. I want out, I want out of it all, far, far away like some
idyllic dream but this is the first hurdle. Like I said, I’m not a
drug dealer. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The club is rocking. Smiling sweaty faces
intertwine with deathly wandering stares desperate for something to focus
on. I love this place. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">And then the force crashes into me from
behind. I turn my neck; two doormen. Spade like arms
grab my limbs. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“The more you struggle, the more we stamp on you when you
hit the deck. I’d settle this outside, my way, if I had the chance but seems
you’ve made yourself an admirer.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The promise seems full enough. My feet no
longer touch the dance floor but I know the deck beckons as they drag me
away. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">***</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The windowless room displays the same finished brickwork,
steel girders and vaulted ceiling as the club outside. The whole
room vibrates from the base booming, resonating through the desk and the
chairs, pulsating through the brickwork. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The collection of club flyers stuck to the wall bounce in
time to the base as if they too have been invited to the party. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">A flush of a toilet signals someone else is in the
office. The door flies open and a middle aged, unassuming man steps
out. I recognise him too. I’ve seen him outside the
club dictating who comes in and who has to disappear for another week. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “Welcome to my orifice,” he says in a broad
Mancunian accent. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">His dark suit is flamboyant, his hair greying whilst a
greying goatee beard gives him the air of a musketeer. He sniffs
hard and curses under his breath at the strength of the chemical cascading down
his nasal tract. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“It’s a small, tight hole that not many people get to
come in so you should feel pretty privileged.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He sniffs again before rambling on. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I love this time of night. You know when,
the clubs rocking. You lot out there on the dance floor don’t know
the work that goes on, the phone calls, the bookings, the promotions.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I’m confused by the club-obsessed attitude of the
promoter. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’m Dave,” he says introducing himself by pointing at
the lapels of his dark suit, overrun by the exposed ruffles in the love shirt
underneath. “But people who know me call me Disco Dave.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He throws a roll of toilet paper onto the
desk. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Clean yourself up lad,” he orders. “And I
apologise for the exuberance of my door staff. They’re attitude can
be very…protectionist.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He tells the bouncers to leave the room and then takes
his time explaining how he ran the night, glorifying ion each and every
detail. He picked the DJs, kept them sweet, picked the club decor,
kept that sweet, chose the staff, kept them sweet, sorted the security, kept
them sweet, designed the flyers, sweet, distributed ‘em, sweet. He
dealt with the dancers, the council, the brewers, the police, the cleaners and
of course the dealers. Disco Dave had mastered the art of what he
was best at, keeping people sweet. I’m almost beginning to like
him. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“And then
there’s you, Pete Wyatt, who I don’t ever remember agreeing to keep sweet,” he
says. “I don’t even remember inviting you down here
lad. So come, tell me, why are you dealing in my fucking club?”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">My response
has to be cutting, confident.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Because
where I’m from the streets aren’t paved with gold.” </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The promoter
laughs. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“That’s
right son. If they’re anything like where I’m from they’re paved in dog shit,
chip wrappers and the blood from last night’s kick off. Doesn’t
mean you can walk in here and half inch the gold on my dance floor though does
it? Who you working for?”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“My mam and
my kid brother,” I shoot back. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Cute but
mug me off again and I won’t call the lads off next time. Tell you what
son I’ll let you into a little Balearia secret shall I?”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The
promoter struts over to the second door in the room, opens it and beckons me
over. A near perfect six by four square wall of Toshiba televisions
stares back.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Closed
Circuit Television,” Disco Dave explains. “I’m a voyeur see, like to watch how
people enjoy the night I give them.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He
demonstrates the pan, zoom and tilt applications of his system on the crowd of
people at the bar. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“It weeds
out the bad seeds before they can cultivate,” he explains. “Nothing
grows in this club without me letting it.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">My face
suddenly fills one of the TV monitors. I’m talking to a blonde girl
who I’d sold to that evening. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Beautiful
isn’t she? She works for us. I think you can guess where I’m going
with this one.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I wonder
again what punishment lies ahead as I watch myself hand over the product.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“So I hope
you quite literally get the picture. We’ve been building up a right
little dossier on your misdemeanors whilst you’ve been building up a database
of contacts in here, been watching you for weeks. Now shall we go
and sit down.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">This was
the business end of the tour. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Now who do
you work for?” </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">There’s
niche point in lying.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I work
alone. It’s pocket money just to help out whilst I’m at college and
with my mam. I’m small time.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Disco Dave
looks at me from top to toe. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Ah such a
beautiful, heart warming story, drug dealing to help me mam out,” he says
patronisingly. “Well, you’re working for us now lad or rather my business
associates.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “I’m
not a dealer.” </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Of course
you’re not son,” the promoter shoots back. “Not in my eyes, my
bouncers’ eyes, the eyes of the Police or the eyes of every courtroom and
gangster up and down the country. I’m gonna make you, son.” </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The words
waft over me. I’ve already switched off. This career
path isn’t for me. I’m already planning my escape route out of
Manchester. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “Cocaine,”
Disco Dave says holding out a button bag. “It’s all about the
happy pills right now but don’t make any mistake about it lad, coke’s gonna
take over the party. Sure thing, it’s rife now but not to this crowd, not
yet. People are gonna need re-educating on this but one day this is
gonna be the drug of choice, the pharmaceutical of the
masses. And you’re gonna help launch it.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Disco Dave
sits back in his club promoter’s chair. He looks proud, as if he
was giving the ‘one day son this will all be yours’ speech to his first
born. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’m not
who you’re looking for,” I begin. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Forget
that son. You’re not who the police are looking for.
You’re not affiliated to any gang or estate. You’re off their
radar. What we can do is keep them off your back and the gangs
too. We’ll keep them all out of here letting you do what you do
best.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’ve got
no experience.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You’ve got
all the experience you need; unassuming, approachable, people like you.
You’re a salesman, no doubt. You sell it, we protect
you. And most crucially for you we protect those tapes of you from
falling into the wrong hands. You’ll get a three to five stretch
for what you’ve been knocking out in here....game over.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The club
promoter picks up my wad of cash and throws it at me. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“There’s
two lines laid out for you in the toilet, go and get that blood off your face
and have a free sample. Give me your professional opinion.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">There’s no
point arguing. I smile, nod in agreement and amble towards
the toilet door.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">This isn’t
my world. I don’t belong here. I run the tap and splash
cold water over my face then remove the bobble that ties my hair tight into a
small pony tail. I’m not doing the cocaine. This isn’t
the time for experimenting. I flick it off the toilet seat and then
hear the voices. They’re muted at first, friendly even, discussing
something trivial but then the tone changes. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I don’t
give a fuck what old man is behind you. He ain’t backing you up now is he?”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The
conversation moves on but I can’t distinguish the words. I hear
laughter though. The base from the club masks any slight sound I do
make but panicked shouting breaks through. My adrenalin surges.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I crouch
down placing my eye at the level of a hole where the door’s lock has been
smashed out. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">A giant of
a man is gripping Disco Dave from behind; a full arm around his neck, flanked
by another two men each holding an arm. His right hand is
outstretched on the desk. I recognise the man sitting opposite
him. He slams the point of a ten inch knife into the wood of the
desk in between two of Disco Dave’s fingers. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“It’s in
the safe,” the promoter says desperately. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“What’s in
the safe Dave, your brain?”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“The till
from the door. That’s what you want isn’t it. It’s all
there. The code’s three two seven four.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I don’t
care about your money you prick. What I want is gonna cost you a lot fucking
more. Now you might have seen this on Alien. A nice
little trick I learned inside.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The
knifeman pulls the blade out of the table and sticks it in the space between
two of the promoter’s fingers. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“It’s easy
like that but when you go faster and faster it doesn’t leave much room for
human error.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He
increases the speed of the knife trick, stabbing it randomly between the
outstretched fingers of the shaking club promoter until eventually the knife
nicks one. Disco Dave recoils in pain but the three men hold him in
place. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“What do
you want, what the fuck do you want?” he pleads. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The knife
man continues with his trick. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Of course
the guy that did this in the film turned out to be an android so there really
was no chance of human error. The rest of us Dave, we make mistakes
all the time. And let’s face it you’ve certainly made yours.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Disco
Dave’s scream fills the room as the tip of the blade lodges into the webbed
skin between his thumb and index finger. A trickle of blood runs
over the knife and onto the desk. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Oops, see,
that was my mistake. Shall we give it one more go?” the knife man says
smiling. “Oh fuck it,” he answers. “I can’t really be
arsed anymore.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Without a
word of warning the knifeman stabs Disco Dave’s hand again and again until the
blade lodges into the tissue between the tendons and deep down into the wooden
table. The screams are long and hard. His body bucks
and struggles, desperately trying to break the hold on it; his eyes wide,
streaming with tears. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “Your
first mistake Mr Disco,” the gang leader says with distain, “was fucking us
over at your illegal raves. Your second was giving
evidence. Your third was letting me get in here tonight, you
lemon. Scouse, get me the knife,” he demands. “Three
strikes and you’re out pal. You know how it works.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">One of the
gang grapples with the knife lodged deep in the desk but he can’t shift
it. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’ll do
anything,” Disco Dave says desperately.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“For fucks
sake Scouse, we’re on a fucking deadline here,” the boss snaps pulling out a
revolver and pointing it at the club promoter. “Fuck it let ‘em trace the
bullet all the way back to Russia if they like. That judge made an example out
of me, Mr Disco. Now I’m gonna do the same with you; an example to
the underworld. You don’t fuck about with the McFaddens. The boys
are back in town.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He repeats
his last sentence singing the chorus of a Happy Mondays song I know. My mind
shoots over to the video I’ve seen. Shaun Ryder fills my mind but then I’m back
in the room looking at the gun.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The gleeful
violence sickens me but I’ve recognised his name, McFadden. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I pull my
face away from the key hole. I can’t watch. A second
later three bullets are fired. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “Scouse,
get the till out of the safe then.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I hear
shuffling, then another voice.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Boss,
there’s a shit load of cash in here but an even bigger bag of coke.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The gang
laugh at their opportune find. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “Nice
touch, deserve a bit of a welcome back present from the prick after the four
years we’ve done for him it’s the least we deserve. Right get moving. We’ve got
a party to host.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I feel
sick. I hear the laughter, then the shutting of the safe, the
footsteps and the slam of the door, then realise I am alone except for the
lifeless body of the club promoter. I sit shaking slightly, needing
a few seconds to prepare myself for what I’m about to see. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The man who
was about to ruin my life has had his taken. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Blood seeps
across the floor. I step back fearing it might touch my boots and incriminate
me.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Disco Dave
sits with his head thrown backwards, thick claret splashed over the flyers
behind; the base still bouncing them; the club completely oblivious. I try not
to look but the hole in his face steals my eyes for a split second, the skin
peeled away by the power of the bullet. I retch at the sight, knowing I
have to get out; out of the club, out of Manchester, out of this
life. I edge towards the door before I remember the tapes, the CCTV
footage, the dealing. I have to get them. My own life
depends on it. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span lang="EN"><br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span lang="EN">3</span></b><span lang="EN">.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">It was a
rarity for Carla to see much of any Saturday morning but this one had seen her
surface at eight o’clock only a few hours after her head had hit the
pillow. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">No one had
felt much like partying last night. She sat on her sofa in her
dressing gown, next to Mica, flicking through the local news pages on Ceefax
and Teletext to try and confirm what had happened at the club the night
before. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “They
definitely had something to do with it,” Carla said. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“With what?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“The McFaddens
definitely had something to do with the shooting.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“What makes
you think that?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “Scott
had this look of anger on his face but he was happy too with like a smug,
aggressive grin all over his face.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">She looked at
her cup of tea. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“He looked
like he’d just done something evil, something he’d wanted to do for some time…”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Carla paused
slightly before deciding she would indeed finish her sentence. “…he
had the same look on his face last time I saw him.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mica reached
across to hug her friend but the phone jerked Carla up. The voice
that greeted sounded shaken, timid even. It was an old school
friend Claire Beckworth. Her sister was engaged to one of the
lesser associates of the McFadden firm. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Wayne was
round here this morning with his entourage,” Claire began, “asking
all these questions about you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Questions
like what?” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Just that
something happened in The Level last night and they needed to find someone.
They know you work as a dancer there and were hoping you might help. Said he
wanted to talk to you and was gonna call round.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“And you gave
him my address?” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Well I gave
him your mum’s address. I wasn’t sure if you were still there or
not but clearly you are. Sorry. It’s been a while.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I can’t
believe you did that Caroline. You should have spoken to me first.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I know but he
was very persuasive. You know what he’s like. But he
only wants to ask you if you saw anything. He’s just left mine
now. He didn’t even finish his brew just upped and left in a bit of
a rush.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I bet he
fucking did,” Carla said. “Thanks for the warning Caz but I really
wish you hadn’t given him my address.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">She slammed
the phone down and ran upstairs to get dressed. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Meesh, we’ve
got to go to yours, now,” she shrieked down the stairs as she frantically
rummaged through the clothes at the bottom of her wardrobe. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">She slipped
into her jeans whilst flicking through her wardrobe for a t-shirt and a fleece
top, tied the laces on her trainers, picked up her bag and ran down the
stairs. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Meesh, we’ve
got to do one. Get your shit together.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Carla ran into
the kitchen to get her coat. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Meesh I mean
now,” she shouted as she opened the door to the lounge. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The look of
terror on Mica’s face as she opened the door said all she needed to
know. Two men sat on the sofa slightly behind the
door. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Going
somewhere Princess,” said one of them. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">It wasn’t
either of the McFaddens but was just as bad. Everyone knew the gang on
the estate.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“We’d like to
have a quick chat with you first,” their main enforcer Tommy ‘the Tank’
Thompson added patting the seat next to him and grinning. “Now come
and get comfy. I don’t bite…unless you like it kinky.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">***</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The
darkness has lifted but I’m still in shock. I can’t remember the
details of my journey home. Maybe I’m on autopilot.
It’s early morning and my younger brother is asking me questions.
He’s innocent in all this. I have to protect him. I’ve
always protected him. I have the tapes but know they’ll be
coming. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You’re
gonna have to move back to mum’s,” I tell him. “I need to get out
of Manchester. I’m moving to live with dad in Ireland.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The news is
abrupt but it’s all I can do. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Chris jumps
out of his seat.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“No chance.
You can’t spring this on me no matter what’s happened.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">It pains me
letting Chris down. I’d promised to look after him after dad left
and I had. I’d followed him through every part of his life,
supported him, tried to be a brother and a father figure. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“So my life
is on hold all because some bouncers have battered you?” Chris says. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “There’s
nothing I can do. It won’t be forever. A few months max.” </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I glance
again at the bag by my side containing the tapes. I need Chris out of the way
so suggest a fry up and throw ten quid at him then. He’s angry but goes
to the shop anyway. It’s time to destroy the evidence.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">***</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “We know
you know him so you might as well just give him up like the good little bitch
that you are.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tommy
Thompson’s anger was surging into red. He paced around the tiny
living room getting vexed by the lack of information flowing his
way. He hated tiny spaces. They reminded him of his
prison cell. He also detested interrogating females; never felt at
ease getting physical with them. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I don’t know
who you mean,” Carla replied beginning to wish she did know who the man with
the pony tail was. “I don’t know any drug dealers in
there. I’m just a dancer.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Scouse bent
down to Carla’s eye level and put his nose up against hers. He was
much more comfortable with violence against women. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Time’s
ticking,” he said threateningly. “So one last time; he’s called
Wyatt, scrawny, stringy piece of piss, poncey pony tail, dealing dirty little
drugs in that club you dance in. Now where does the junkie, rent
boy live?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The girl
shrugged her shoulders once more. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’m gonna count
to three and then I’m gonna do something that you really ain’t gonna like.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">His nostrils
flared in anticipation of the violence. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Why don’t you
ask your psycho boss,” Mica cried out. “Rent boys are his thing
aren’t they?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thompson span
round and lashed out, stamping on the side table then grabbing Mica by her
throat lifting her out of her chair as she screamed. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“What the fuck
did you say?” he bellowed. “What the fuck did you call my boss?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I didn’t, I
didn’t,” Mica pleaded. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thompson threw
the girl back into her seat and forced his leather gloved fist into her mouth,
stretching her jaw and her lips as far as they would stretch. Her eyes
bulged as the skin in the corner of her lips threatened to split.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Pimping rent
boys is the same as pimping brass,” he snarled as his gloved hand stretched her
mouth. “They’re commodities and you don’t fuck
commodities. Now say shit like that again and I’ll slice your
pretty lips so far into your cheeks I’ll be able to get both hands into your
rancid mouth. And you don’t want to miss a trick on the street now do you?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “I know
who you mean,” Carla blurted out desperate to end her friend’s
humiliation. “The dealer, I did see him. But I don’t
know him. It’s just come back to me. The bouncers had
him. He looked beat up. They were dragging him through
the club, towards the office.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thompson
removed his hand from Mica’s mouth and wiped her spit on his jeans then turned
to smile at Carla. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“See, now
we’re getting somewhere,” he said snarling. “Maybe if I put my fist
in another part of your friend’s body, you might remember where he lives.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He leaned
menacingly over Carla placing a hand either side of her on the head of the
sofa. As he moved his hands to her throat, the door suddenly flew
open and another of the gang burst in. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“We’ve got the
address.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">***</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I’m lost in
the darkness again. I’ve forgotten what I’m doing. The
sounds don’t make sense anymore. I scrabble around and then find
it. The light switch. I flick it on to end my panic.
I’m in the lock up downstairs. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I need to
destroy the evidence and glance around knowing there’s a metal bin and gallons
of petrol in metal containers left behind by the previous owner. I
fill the bin with torn up newspaper and place the tapes on top then douse it in
petrol, throw in five lit matches and watch as the newspaper
catches. The crucial part of the evidence is destroyed in
seconds. It feels good. I grab two empty containers.
I’ll run upstairs fill them with water then run back down and put the fire
out. One last look at the smouldering evidence and then I reapply
the padlock to the door to avoid attention from passersby. I run
back to the entrance to the stairwell leading to the flat. The
light is on and the door is unlocked. Chris must be
back. I push the door open and see the contents of the shopping
bags spilled all over the floor. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">As soon as
I cross the threshold, a shape lunges from behind the door.
Instinct pushing me back but it’s too late. I make out the imposing
figure of one of the bouncers from last night just as the full force of his
forehead crashes against my nose. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“That’s for
the CS gas you sprayed in my eyes.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I stumble
from the power of the assault; consciousness ebbing away. The
bouncer pulls me up by the scruff of my shirt and head butts me again even
harder this time on the side of my head, right on my temple. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“And that’s
just coz I don’t fuckin’ like you.” </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Darkness
shrouds me. I’m in complete darkness again. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The
emptiness lasts longer this time. I grapple with the sounds around
me. They bombard me in the darkness. My brain is
struggling. I can feel the conflict. I hear
voices. I think I hear music; Stone Roses, but then the sounds
change as I slip away and fall deeper. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I jump back
into consciousness, slumped on the sofa. Chris is next to me; his
arms bound by duct tape and then wrapped around his ankles; his mouth too is
covered by the tape. He’s bricking it; eyes wide, beads of sweat
collecting on his forehead. I have to protect my brother.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I’m free to
move; neither my hands nor my legs are restricted in anyway. The
bouncer sits casually in the armchair, watching Saturday morning television and
slurping on a bowl of Cornflakes without a care in the world. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I hear the
voices clearly. Philip Schofield is interviewing Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer on
Going Live. I recognised their voices filtering through
immediately. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You
wouldn’t let it lie, you wouldn’t let it lie.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The bouncer
is roaring with laughter. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I see the
reason for his calmness, for my own relative freedom. Lying on the
armchair next to the remote control and a mobile phone is a gun, a chunky
revolver of some sort. I should have gone straight to the
police. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “What
do you want,” I say calmly sitting upright. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Jesus,”
the bouncer shouts, spilling his cereal and grabbing the gun. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He points
it directly into my face. His aggression quickly slips away as he
realises where he is and his complete control on the situation. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You scared
the living shite out of me,” he adds wiping spilt milk from the groin of his
jeans. “I’d almost forgotten you were there, you’ve been
sparkoed so long. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Look, I
didn’t do it, I swear,” I plead. “I didn’t kill your boss.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Who did
then?”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I look away
but the gun’s pointing at me. I’ve got no choice.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Do you
know the McFaddens?” I ask. “I saw them do it with my own eyes.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “As
if you’d have the balls to do it. Shame about Disco Dave though. I thought he
was alright, still if you fuck about with them sort, you’re asking for that
sort of shit.” </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He lowers
his gun and stretches out, looking as relaxed as he would in his own living
room.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Started
years ago this shit, way before your time,” he explains, matter of fact. “Dave
used to run illegal raves in Blackburn and Burnley. When they turned up he
should’ve just given up half the till. Silly fucker set up CCTV cameras at his
next gig, let ‘em come in, take the lot and then shopped ‘em to the dibble. No
one likes a grass, especially when it sends you down for four years. Anything
else you need to know before they get here?”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Before who
gets here?” I ask, not really wanting to know.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Mister and
Missus McFadden ,” came the reply as he looked at his watch. “Who do you think
got ‘em in the club? Jesus son, get with it. They won’t be long now.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">***</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hushed
voices and the patter of footsteps along the balcony outside signal the gangs’
arrival. Six imposing silhouettes ghost past the gaps in the blinds
of the living room window and stop outside the main door. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“They’re
here,” the doorman says mimicking the blonde girl in the film
Poltergeist. “Move even a muscle and I’ll shoot you both in the
head.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He gets up
and edges towards the door, keeping the gun pointing at us. His aim
constantly flicks between me and Chris as he backs away. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is the
bad time. I feel it approaching. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Meeting
this lot isn’t gonna be pleasant,” he says in a hushed voice before he slides
the key into the lock and turns it. “But nothing is with this lot.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“About
fuckin’ time Ash,” says the first man through the door as he flings it
open. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">A waft of
cold air comes in with him. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “Don’t
leave us standing on parade for all the old dears to see, know what I
mean. Fuckin’ curtain twitchers do my head in!”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I recognise
him as the man who pulled the trigger the night before, one of the
McFaddens. His evil dominates the room. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“It’s brass
bollocks out there,” he adds as he barges his way past the bouncer and into the
living room placing what looks like a tool box on the floor. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He blows on
his hands and rubs them as if to emphasise his point. Another five
well built men, all in black padded jackets follow him through the
door. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is
definitely the bad time.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I clock the
stocky ginger skin head with the Scouse twang but that’s it; the others I
haven’t seen before. They all share the same physique, shaved heads
and snarled expressions. They pile onto the rug in the middle of
the living room filling it both vertically and horizontally and stand surveying
the scene. None of them speak. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">McFadden is
standing still but bobbing slightly on his toes. Weasel like in his
appearance with sharp angular features, he looks manic as if he hasn’t
slept. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’m not
expecting introductions and handshakes Ash but for fuck sake man, fill us
in. Where we up to?” he says. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Stop using
my name,” Ash, the bouncer, replies. “I don’t need any of this
coming back on me.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Ain’t
gonna make any odds with these two, Ashley,” McFadden says grinning
sinisterly. “No odds at all. Now what have we missed?”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The bouncer
slips his gun into the front of his jeans. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“He saw
everything,” he says nodding at me. “Grassed you up as soon as he
could.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Proper
fuckin’ Jackanory aren’t you?” McFadden snarls at me. “Well I’ll
slice your fuckin’ tongue off for telling stories on me you prick. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He nods to
one of the gang. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Take the
coke and the gun into his bedroom. Stash it somewhere fuckin’
obvious with some pills. Under the bed or in his sock
drawer. Just make sure they’ll find it.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I cast my
eyes around the rest of the group. Adrenalin surges but I have to
remember everything about each of them., Every detail.
I recognise a man they called Johnny P from the murder. He is the
most powerfully built with a thick chin. Another looks like a fat
faced ladies man; skinhead number three, tanned complexion with straight white
teeth. He looks cocky, cheeky on a good day, but still powerfully
built. Another, Tommy they call him, looks like he couldn’t care less
what the females think. His hair is skinned to the
bone. His scalp shows signs of violence. His thick
eyebrows mask grey, almost colourless eyes. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">McFadden
comes towards me and kneels down meeting my eye level. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Now,
where’s my video tapes? he says quite calmly. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I choose
not to answer. McFadden chooses to eye ball me. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“We’re
going to need some music,” he says suddenly. “You got any nice
tapes or CD’s we can listen to? Any special requests lads?”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">It was the
bouncer who breaks the tension. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’m gonna
shoot off now,” he says. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Shoot off
where?” McFadden asks without breaking eye contact with me. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Just shoot
off, leave. This bit ain’t my bag, never has been. I’ve
done what you asked, delivered the dealer, so if you don’t mind. I’ll
take the payment and go.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Yeah I
fuckin’ do mind. I mind a lot. If I ask you a question
Ashley, you know better than to tit me off. Nothing tits me off more than
someone titting me off.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The bouncer
laughs nervously. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“If you
must know, I’m off to Burnley; third round of the cup today. I’m
taking the lad to see City. Magic of the cup and all
that. He’s dead excited.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I wanted
an answer Ashley not a fuckin’ commercial,” McFadden blasts back.
“But nice one for the dealer. If he’s got the tapes you can
consider your slate wiped.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The bouncer
mumbles his good byes and clumsily leaves the flat. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Oh Ash,
one more thing,” McFadden says. “Don’t be introducing that young
lad of yours to your little blue firm. United are gonna run you all
over the Moss next derby day and it would be a shame for you to see him get
beat black and ergh blue.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“He’s not
into all that,” Ash says uncomfortably. “His mum’s brought him up
too soft.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Use your
head and use your feet, woah, woah,” McFadden chants psychotically at the top
of his voice, smiling as if in his element, but staring at me all the
time. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I recognise
it as a fighting song down at United. He stamps his foot on the floor and
punches the air in time with the delivery of each word.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Yeah
whatever,” Ash says, scurrying through the door and off along the
balcony. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">McFadden’s
build isn’t as threatening as the rest of the gangs’. He looks five
foot eleven, toned but with none of the upper body bulk that the others
display. His eyes set him apart though. An
indescribable evil stares out of those narrow slits. He glares at
me whilst taking long, determined drags on his cigarette. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“So what
are you? The club promoter’s bitch?” he asks. “Some sort of retard
fucking court jester who lives in his toilet?”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The hatred
is building inside me, a hatred I’ve never felt before. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“We know
you were in there, cock end. We know you saw us and we fucking well
know you’ve got the tapes of us doing it, so do yourself favour, press
the de-mute button and tell us where they are.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I stay
mute. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You’re in
over your head lad,” McFadden threatens. “The only thing that can
even remotely ease the suffering heading your way are those tapes.
So give’em to me and we’ll leave you with a fighting chance.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I don’t
know what to do. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Do you
know who we are lad?” McFadden asked as his frustration surges. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I do but I
can’t work out from where. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“We’re a
nasty bunch of bastards when we lose,” the gangster adds.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">His words
again resonate as a football song but I know it’s time to speak. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “I
don’t know what tapes you’re talking about. Your mate, the bouncer, he doesn’t
know what he’s talking about either. He made it up coz he’s shit
scared of you. I wasn’t even there last night.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’m past
fuckin’ caring about where you were and weren’t last night,” McFadden
says. “All I’m bothered about are those tapes you ran off
with. Hold him down.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The fat
faced ladies man and Johnny P grab me, holding me still. The other
man Tommy grabs Chris, covering his mouth as he begins to cry for help. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “I
want those tapes,” he demands. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I haven’t
got any tapes.” </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Bull shit
you haven’t.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Walking
forward he holds his cigarette out in front of him. A sinister
smile spreads onto his pale face. He grabs my chin and then with no
warning thrusts the cigarette into my cheek. I scream as my skin
melts. It singes as McFadden twists the stub around until the
cherry burns deep into the cheek tissue under my eye. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I suggest
you start talking.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “I
destroyed ‘em,” I say, fighting the pain. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Of course
you did sunshine. You didn’t have any tapes a minute
ago. Now you’ve destroyed them. I need two glasses of
water and some music please maestro. Then turn this fuckin’ hole
over and find those tapes.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The gang
member nods and strides into the kitchen coming back with two glasses full of
water. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Get the
other one in the arm chair. I want them to see the fear on each
other’s faces,” McFadden orders. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is the
bad bit. Fear surges.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He reaches
into his pocket and pulls out a bag of pills. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“These are
mine,” he says. “Speed bombs. Pure amphetamine sulphate
crushed into a tablet form. Means it’s not cut with any of that
shit out there. Keeps you up for days, which in my line of work is
a fucking godsend.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He picks
out one of the pills from the oversized button bag, marvels at it, then throws
it down his throat, swallowing it without the need for any liquid. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“And these
are yours; doves, the strongest we’ve ever had, fresh off the boat this
week. They’re called Killer Doves but they don’t kill no one, not
unless you take too many and by too many I mean a massive fucking
overdose. Are you buying into the poetry kid? Dealer kills a
club promoter, steals his stash and then dyes from a drugs
overdose. What goes around comes around? Kind of ties up all the
loose ends doesn’t it? We didn’t plan on you being there last
night. But once you showed up, and stuck your beak in we thought
what the fuck. Why don’t we let him take the rap? Now,” he says
with anticipation, “open wide.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The fat
faced ladies man holds me still whilst Tommy sits on top of me and stretches my
mouth wide open. His fingers wrestle for control over my mouth but
he’s winning.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The
instrumental to Stone Roses’ I Wannna Be Adored plays in the
background. McFadden opens his pill bag wide whilst singing Ian
Brown’s vocals. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Do you
wanna be adored lad?” he said, plucking the first tablet out.
“You’ll adore anything with enough of these inside you…and I mean anything even
things you thought only the gays liked.”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He throws
it into my mouth and immediately scrabbles for a second one. The chemical taste
dissolves on the side of mouth making me retch but there’s no time for me to
force it out. I count another being forced down<span class="detailitemtext1"> my gullet, then lose count as more and more follow,
twenty maybe more. He clamps my mouth shut and stares into my
bulging eyes, inches away from my face. </span></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The pills lodge in my throat until I swallow; pill
after pill scraps down the lining of my throat, making my eyes bulge. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“There’s a good boy,” McFadden says patting me on
the head before turning his attention to Chris. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “I hope you’ve done these before,” he says
looking at Chris. “We don’t want any allergic reactions.”</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I finish gagging on the residue from the
chemicals. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“He’s fuckin’ sixteen,” I shout. “He’s
just a fuckin’ kid.”</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">A short, sharp punch in the face shuts me
up. McFadden forces the pills down my brother’s neck; the same
quantity. It’s gonna kill him. The guilt swamps me.</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Everyone’s different I know but I’d say in twenty
minutes you’re gonna be coming up quicker than a deep sea diver whose air just
ran out. And when things do start to get a little trippy for you
and your little bro, believe you me, you vagina, you don’t want us bunch of
hard pricks fucking around with you. Now where’s the fuckin’
tapes?”</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He’s psychotic. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I destroyed them, honest. I burnt
them.”</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Now why would you do that? Why would you go to
all the risk of stealing the footage of someone being murdered and then see fit
to destroy it with no one else seeing it. I mean, we were pretty
good back there. I’m sure you’d want to show off our talents.”</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Cause I was dealing in the club and the cameras
caught me,” I plead hoping the truth would get me off the hook. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Bull shit,” McFadden spits. “You’re
in bed with that fuckin’ grass and you’ve taken them to the police.
Now let’s move onto the main course.”</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He pulls out a needle from the tool box, along with
a tea spoon and a bag of brown powder. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“We’re not usually so creative in how we extract
our information, we usually just cut peoples’ fingers off. But
given that this is all geared up to look like a greedy overdose on your part…”</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“He’s my kid brother you sick fucker,” I
plead. “He’s got nothing to do with this.”</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Oh he can take the pain himself but he doesn’t
like his brother getting hurt. I think we just found ourselves an
Achilles heel. The more of my time you waste the more wasted your
kid brother gets.”</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Chris struggles as Johnny P grabs hold of his
arm. The gangster squeezes just below his elbow to force blood into
his veins. I can’t watch as McFadden jams the needle down the
length of a vein. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Oh look you’re brother’s just signed up to be a
smack head,” McFadden snarls. “And that’s all your
fault. It gets a lot worse from here on in so you might as well
talk. Scouse, chuck us the hammer and crank up the music.”</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">McFadden catches the tool and glorifies in its
application. He strikes me on the foot and against my pelvis
bone. He crashes the hammer down against my body maybe a dozen
times. I lose count as the pain cripples me. Chris is
sobbing and struggling and shaking his head. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">It’s horrible, terrifying. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “The ecstasy and the agony eh,” McFadden
mocks. “How are those pills lad, you feeling the love yet? What
about the smack, you dirty smack head?”</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Despite the pain, I feel the MDMA surge through my
system. The muscles in my legs feel strange and my stomach is
churning itself silly. I struggle to make out the face of the man
who has spoken. His angular features magnify and then minimise as
my focus flutters. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">McFadden paces over. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The pills are coming on too strong, numbing the pain
but sending my head west. I’ve never felt anything like it
before. The dose is too strong; blurred vision, fluffy even,
overpowering. Too much. My hearing wobbles as if
invisible ear muffs are stealing every fourth or fifth second of
sound. My vision flutters. My eyes are
wide. My facial muscles relax as my features drop as
one. The savageness of the real world morphs with one dominated by
the drug. With no warning I spew frothy sick down my front and onto
the two gangsters who are still holding me down. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Dirty fucker,” Johnny P spits, backhanding me for
his troubles. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “You’re sick… in the head,” I mumble</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Sick? Me? You ain’t seen nothing yet,” McFadden
spits. “You wanna see sick? Get his kid brother over that
chair. I’ll show you sick.”</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The men holding Chris down spin him round, and
push him face first into the chair, forcing him into a kneeling position.
</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Get his pants down,” the gangland boss
orders. “I’ll show you what sick is. This is your last
chance. Where are those tapes?”</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’ve told you, I’ve told you,” I beg.
“They’re gone. I set fire to them.”</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I briefly imagine the tapes burning away to
nothing down in the lock up and imagine the flames ripping through them,
melting them.</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Two of the men hold Chris down as the Fat faced
ladies man pulls down his jeans. This Is The One blares out from
the stereo, reaching a crescendo in time with the violence. Johnny
P cranks the tune up as loud as it will go. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You’ve tried to fuck me right over here kid, now
I’m gonna do the same, but with your kid brother. Let’s see if
watching this breaks you. Last chance, where’s my tapes?”</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’ve burnt them,” I scream as loud as I
can. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I struggle and scream the words again and
again. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">McFadden moves ominously over to Chris with the
hammer in his hand. He turns round to me at the last
second. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“This is your fault,” he bellows over the
music. “I want you to remember that as those drugs slowly shut your
body down. I want your last thoughts to be that you could’ve
stopped this happening, you could’ve saved your kid brother from this.”</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> McFadden crouches down on one knee and takes
one last look at me before ramming the handle of the hammer inside Chris,
forcing it in him, hitting it home with the palm of his hand.
Chris’ screams haunt me. I struggle but am held still, forced to
watch as my brother is sodomised with the hammer. McFadden
finishes by taking a kick at Chris’ nether regions. We both scream
over the music as it reached its own buildup. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“That’s your fucking fault,” McFadden shouts again
as he throws the hammer to the floor. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He strides over and punches me full in the
face. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You piece of shit,” he spits. “Time
to say goodbye lads. You’re being ‘e’ liminated.”</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ten more pills are administered with more force
than the first dose. I try to hold them in my mouth. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’m gonna fuckin’ kill you,” I spit struggling
for air. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Not if your drug habit kills you first,” McFadden
says laughing. “More heroin anyone?”</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The injection is administered to us both this
time. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I try to focus on the faces of the gang as they
laugh but they’re blurred. They come at me from all directions
before disappearing, replaced with another grinning face. I widen
my eyes struggling for some sense of normality. The room is full of
colours. Each of my senses is betraying me. Notes from
the music wobble and repeat themselves. The gangster, the boss, I
can’t remember his name, is shouting at me. His face is evil but
the words are lost. They bounce around the room under the din of
the Roses but make no sense. I feel a sharp pain in my
kidney. I’ve been punched again and am struggling to
breath. The room spins. The noise spirals.
It’s too much. I feel my heart racing, my limbs
deadening. I’m burning up as if I’m entering Hell itself. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The devil comes at me again. Small
horns protrude from his blood red head. McFadden. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Find the fuckin tapes,” he is raging.
</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The gang tear the flat to pieces. I
feel my body getting heavy. My feet, my legs, are no longer
mine. The deadening sensation creeps up my shin towards my
knee. My thoughts are no longer lucid. My mind picks
out the intro to Resurrection and I see Ian Brown pulling up the cushions from
the sofa next to me and hauling them to the floor. I try to fight
the hallucination but can’t. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The gang search in every conceivable part of the
flat, the fake ceiling panels overhead, the kitchen, the bathroom, nothing is
left unturned. But nothing is found. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Scouse runs back into the living room.
“Did you hear that?” he screams. “I heard sirens. Turn
the music off.”</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The gang stop in their tracks and silence falls on
the room. The sound of fire engines gradually filters through until
they dominate the air. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“What the fuck?” McFadden questions. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">One of the gang unlocks the door and runs out onto
the balcony. The sound of sirens floods the room. He
runs back in just as quickly. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“There’s a fucking fire,” he bawls.
“And I mean a fuckin’ fire. Downstairs in one of the lock ups.”</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">As he speaks a huge explosion rips through the air
as my fire, mixing with the petrol cans, surges. I imagine the roofs of the
garages ablaze with flames. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">As the sirens grow louder and the fire engines
suddenly appear, McFadden orders his gang’s retreat. He looks at us
slipping into drug enhanced comas, then turns on his heels, picking up every
last trace of evidence that they’ve been here. The gang are out of
the door in seconds, locking it behind them, and running down the
stairs. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><i><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">And then I slip, further than before, much
further, deeper into the darkness. I can feel my thoughts leave me
completely. The emptiness takes hold. The darkness is
everywhere. My last lucid thoughts are of McFadden, of his evil,
and then of Chris. This is all my fault. The guilt hits
me again and then there is nothing, no thoughts, no sounds, not even the
darkness. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The two firemen officers raced along the walkways
of the maisonettes, hammering on every door, screaming for everyone to
evacuate. Panicking residents streamed down the stairwell. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Most of the doors eventually opened.
Although one stayed firmly shut.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“It’s this one,” one of the fire crew said pulling
level with the main window.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He could feel the heat from the flames
immediately. He pressed his face up against the window and saw the cause; a
small metal bin on fire in the middle of the living room, had been knocked onto
its side. The flames had taken a hold of part of the carpet and the sofa.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “Shit, there’s someone asleep in there,” one
of the firemen shouted. “Try the door.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He barged his frame against the door and then took
several well aimed kicks at the lock, kicking and kicking until it eventually
splintered against the door frame. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The view through the flames stopped him from
bursting in though. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Jesus,” he mouthed. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">A murder scene starred back. A
television lay smashed to pieces in the middle of the room, two men lay, one
convulsing on the floor with a needle sticking out of his arm, the other
battered, unconscious at the bottom of the stairs. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Jesus Christ,” he added. “Get in here
John. Get in here quickly.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The fireman covered his mouth and ran over to the
boy on the floor and cleared his airways. He’d been sick and the
remnants of his vomit was blocking his throat. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“We need to get them out of here. Get over to that
other lad. Jesus what have they done to each other.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The younger boy shook; his whole body spasmed with
the needle bobbing about. The officer pulled it out and threw it to
the side of the room. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Fucking junkies,” he muttered. “Why
do they do this to themselves?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The fireman cradled the boy’s head as his eyes
rolled into the back of their sockets. Only the whites of his eyes
were showing. At the bottom of the stairs the older looking of the
two boys lay quite still. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He looked beat up, like he’d fallen from top to
bottom and hit every step on the way. Blood trickled from a head
wound. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“This one’s slipping away,” he shouted over the
burning flames. “I can’t stop it. Get over to the other one.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The fireman cradling the junkie’s head pointed
towards the stairs. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Is he still alive? Check him for needles.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">His colleague rushed over. There
were no needles or needle marks, just a serious head injury. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“He’s got a pulse,” he cried
out. “Right get them outside now. We’re going to need an
ambulance quickly before this whole place goes up. Get ‘em out and
then you get started on the flames. These boys haven’t got long.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Buy Killing Doves for $1.99 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">http://amzn.to/ysy4ip</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="detailitemtext1"><b><span lang="EN"><br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" />
</span></b></span>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><b><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Part II</span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><b><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">This Is How It Feels…</span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><b><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">4. </span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">CRUMPSALL, MANCHESTER, JANUARY 1991: He knew he
was alone as soon as his eyelids first fluttered back into life. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">As they slowly opened he became aware he was
sitting in an upright position in a hospital bed. The room was
bright white. Several fans blew wafts of cold air onto him, an
intravenous drip had been connected to the top of his left hand and a heart
monitoring machine beeped away in the background. A curtain
had been drawn around his bed but he could hear barely audible voices behind
it. His thoughts raced to his brother. He couldn’t
remember why but he knew Chris was in danger. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">As he looked at the drip and considered how best
to detach it, the curtain was suddenly pulled to one side and a young nurse
appeared yanking the curtain shut behind her. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Hello Peter,” she said with a muffled
voice. “Don’t you even think about pulling that drip
out. You just lie back down and relax.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wyatt could barely hear her, lip reading instead
but then felt the restriction over his ears and pulled off headphones; his eyes
following the lead to a CD player next to his bed. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The room was spinning slightly as Wyatt’s eyes
learned to focus again. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“We play you music,” the nurse
offered, “your favourite CDS and TV shows to stimulate your
senses.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Confusion shrouded his thoughts. Wyatt
tried to piece together why he was in the hospital bed. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Where’s Chris?” he demanded. “Where’s
my brother?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“He’s being well looked after. Now please, you’ve
got to sit back in your bed. How are you feeling?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Sketchy.” </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wyatt stopped to look at his hands.
His fists looked swollen. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I don’t remember what happened. Where
am I?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You’re in the intensive care unit at the Northern
General. We did kind of hope you could shed some light on what
happened to you,” the nurse said. “But don’t worry it will all come
back in time. You’re lucky to be here at all.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wyatt sat back in his bed; a cast starred back
from his leg. A numbing pain shot out from his pelvis.
Cinema reels of broken images ran though his head as if his editing department
had mixed up several films. Trying to retrace what had happened
made his head throb. He rubbed his eyes. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I don’t remember anything,” he said beginning to
panic. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You will. Just take your time. Here
let me take your temperature.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The nurse leaned forward and placed a thermometer
under Wyatt’s tongue. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “You were lucky those two firemen turned up
so quick,” the nurse said checking his body temperature. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">It was thirty seven degrees Celsius. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Good. Your temperature’s
normalised. There was a fire, do you remember that
much? They found you pretty much unconscious. If it
wasn’t for them you’d be dead.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">She tucked the covers up to his chest.
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “They found you at the bottom of your
stairs. It looked like you’d fallen down, hit your head... or been
assaulted. They think you’d taken ecstasy,” the nurse
said. “Did you take ecstasy?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wyatt looked blankly at her. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">McFadden’s face suddenly flashed into his
mind. McFadden. His mind raced as the torture came back to
him. He remembered the Stone Roses and felt nauseous. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“How long have I been here?” </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“They brought you in on Saturday
morning. You’ve been drifting in and out of consciousness ever
since. You’ve broken your leg along with several toes.
They also found a slight fracture to your pelvis but the worst thing was the
head injury. Do you remember falling down the stairs or being in a
fight?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Before Wyatt could reply the curtain was suddenly
pulled back again and a male doctor marched towards the bed. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“How are you feeling?” he asked with little of the
sympathy offered in the nurse’s tone. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“He’s just coming round,” the nurse
offered. “He’s still a bit groggy.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I asked the patient,” the doctor said through the
gritted teeth of a forced smile. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’m just coming round,” Wyatt copied
sarcastically. “I’m feeling a bit groggy.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“And well you should. That was quite a little
party pack inside you when you came in here. You’ve been
unconscious but responsive for quite a few hours. Can you remember
much about what happened to you?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wyatt shook his head. He had bits and
pieces but that was it. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Well take your time when you do put it all
together,” the doctor warned. “Dreams and reality can mix together
even in near coma states. It could take you a few days to remember
exactly what you’ve been through.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">All Wyatt felt was guilt. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“How’s Chris?” he asked, desperate to end the
guilt complex engulfing him. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I don’t think you’re ready for that yet, just you
concentrate on coming round yourself.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Is he dead? Is he fucking dead? Don’t fob me
off. I need to know the truth.” </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> The doctor took a deep breath. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="detailitemtext1"><span lang="EN">“Okay but calm down first. Your
brother’s not dead but he is in intensive care. He’s wired up to an
intravenous diazepam drip. His core temperature is peaking at
thirty nine degrees. </span></span><span lang="EN">His body is excreting water and salt at dangerously high
levels. <span class="detailitemtext1">If his metabolic rate surges
any further any number of his vital organs; his </span>heart, his kidneys, his
liver, are in danger of failing. We’re currently trying to
administer venous drainage from the brain and diuretics to stop him suffering all
manner of organ seizures, and we’re pumping him full of dantrolene in the hope
of managing the extreme hyperthermia and severe sepsis caused by his
multi-system disorder. Basically, in laymen’s terms, he’s close to
being in a coma and without<sup> </sup>appropriate invasive monitoring and
organ support he could die.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wyatt’s heart
machine picked up several beats. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Hyperpyrexia
can interfere with the blood’s clotting system and patients can bleed
internally,” the doctor continued. “He’s also at risk of
suffering a stroke which could lead to permanent memory loss or
worse. We’re considering inducing a coma. Mister Wyatt,
I hope you understand how serious this is. Your brother’s condition
has been deteriorating since he’s been in here. He’s fighting for
his life.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wyatt clenched
his jaw and ground his teeth on the news. Absorbing the information
was hard. It just had been a normal Friday night but now his
brother was on a life support system because of him, because of The Limit, yet
he couldn’t remember why. The guilt and his hatred for McFadden
mixed as one. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Can I see
him?” Wyatt asked. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“No but you
can confirm what drugs he did.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wyatt looked
at the strip light on the ceiling and shook his head. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Chris doesn’t
do drugs.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The doctor
shook his head. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Well I’m
afraid I’m going to have to tell you that he does. Heroin and
ecstasy to be more precise in incredibly dangerous quantities. You
could help him by telling us what quantities he took.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">A split second
image of being held down flashed into Wyatt’s mind. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I don’t
know,” he said. “Chris isn’t a rent boy.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Who said
anything about rent boys?” the doctor asked confused. “Do you know
how much heroin he injected or how many ecstasy tablets he took?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I don’t know
anything about heroin,” Wyatt said. “I can’t remember.
I remember ecstasy. I remember someone giving it me?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“How much?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wyatt looked
from the doctor to the nurse and then back again. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I can’t
remember. Twenty tablets, maybe more?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Twenty? You
pair of idiots,” the doctor remarked. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“We were
forced.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“What do you
mean by forced? Do you mean peer pressure,” the nurse countered. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I don’t know.
I can’t fill in the gaps,”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “What
about the facial injuries?” the nurse asked. “How did you get the
burn on your cheek?” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The torture
flashed back into his mind but made no sense. Wyatt felt his cheek
where a heavily padded dressing concealed the wound. That was real
enough. Again he shook his head. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The shock
pummeled him from every angle. He couldn’t cope.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Well if you
won’t talk, I guess we’ll just have to keep doing what we’re doing,” the doctor
said struggling to contain his anger. “Just for the record though,
your brother did take a lot of heroin and ecstasy, enough to kill himself.
It’s a drain on the National Health Service all this drug abuse.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The doctor
finished filling out the notes clipped to Wyatt’s bed. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You should
both be dead,” he added turning to leave through the curtained off
section. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I think that
was the idea,” Wyatt muttered.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The events
leading him into his hospital bed slowly slid into place. He
remembered the gang swamping his flat, being held down, the questioning and the
interrogation. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The doctor
stopped in his tracks. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Are you
saying you tried to commit suicide?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’m saying
I’m not a smack head,” Wyatt asserted. “And neither is my brother.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">It hit him
like a sledgehammer. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He remembered
everything, from being caught in the club to the torture and the force feeding
of the pills and the injections. Wyatt died inside then threw his
head back into the pillow. His deep sigh was born out of necessity
rather than for effect. He had to make a snap decision.
Then he remembered the gun, the murder weapon that had been planted, the
evidence against him. It would send him down, either six foot under
or at her Majesty’s. He couldn’t take that chance. He had to clear his
name. Those bastards had set him up.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“So are you
saying someone force fed you the drugs to kill you?” the doctor asked. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I don’t
know,” Wyatt said gambling big time. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He needed more
time to weigh everything up. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I can’t
remember a thing,” he lied. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">***</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wyatt knew his
mother had been stressing in the waiting room for the best part of the
day. She was overcome with emotion on hearing he was conscious but
their window together was small. Tests had to be carried out,
medical tests to assess the damage. She showered him with her love
but then came her questions; questions Wyatt could have answered but chose not
to. His claim of memory loss gave him some breathing space at least
but he knew this was all his fault and the feeling savaged him. It hadn’t
seemed real. He didn’t feel like he was doing anything wrong. He
remembered the smiling faces of the people he served up to. Throughout
his mother’s heartfelt interrogation his thoughts remained focused firmly on
one thing; this had nothing to do with Chris. He had to press
charges against McFadden but there was someone else he had to see first.
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Can you get
him to visit me?” he asked his mother. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Of course
Peter, I’m getting all your friends to visit you,” she replied. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“No mum, just
Smithy. I only want to see Smithy.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Smithy was
central to everything; his partner in crime; his partner in dealing.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The visit came
first thing the next morning. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Stress
dominated Smithy’s appearance. The big grey bags under his eyes
looked ready to burst whilst his pale, pasty skin looked like it hadn’t seen
the light of day for months. But his appearance was nothing
compared to his friend’s. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Jesus man,
look at the state of you. Are you alright? What’s going on mate?
People are saying all sorts.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I guess I
wouldn’t be in here, if I was alright,” Wyatt replied. “What are
people saying?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Smithy shrugged
his heavy shoulders and looked for a space to sit on the bed then looked at
Wyatt’s raised cast and opted for the chair by his side. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“That you took
some sort of overdose. Mate, I even heard you were
dead. I was trying to call you all Saturday morning to check you
were okay. I’ve even been to your flat twice. It’s all
boarded up.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’m being set
up,” Wyatt said abruptly, “for killing that club promoter; the one from the
Level.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Smithy’s mouth
opened but he didn’t say a word and just looked blankly around the
room. “I’d heard a rumour…”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I didn’t do
it, you muppet but I did see the prick who did. And he came looking
for me the next day with a tool box of torture and button bags full of
poison. But look, I can’t go into that now. I need you to
do something.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Smithy nodded
his agreement. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Anything,” he
said. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I need you to
go to my flat. I need you to use the spare key, break in whatever
it takes but get in there. There’s something in my bedroom I need
you to find.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He paused to
look up around the ward to make sure no one could hear. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Listen
Smithy, this is serious. That gang tried to kill me.
They killed the guy in the club and then they tried to kill me and our
Chris. They planted a gun and some coke in my bedroom, or maybe in
Chris’ room. I don’t know where it is but I need you to find it and
stash it somewhere where no one will find it.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Smithy had
trouble digesting the information. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You want me
to hide a gun?” he whispered incredulously. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Yes Smithy, a
gun. It’s got a handle, a trigger, a barrel and a bullet with my
name on it unless you can get it out of my flat. Can you go to mine
straight from here?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Smithy looked
up and down his friend’s battered body from the cuts and bruises on his face to
the blackened, broken toes sticking out of his cast. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Smithy it’s
not mine. I’m being set up. They’ve planted it for God’s sake. If it was mine,
I’d know exactly where to tell you to find it. Please I really need this,”
Wyatt begged. “I’m being stitched up big time. Chris is
on a life support machine.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Is he gonna
be alright?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I don’t know
but if you get that gun out of my house and somewhere safe he might have an
older brother to wake up to if he does pull through.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> “Mate, I
think you should talk to the 5-0.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Of course I’m
gonna talk to ‘em, you numpty but I want that gun out of my flat before they
send forensics round. I can’t risk them even thinking it was me who
pulled that trigger for one second. That gun being at my flat is
gonna send every cop car in North Manchester down that cul-de-sac.
Look mate, I’ve never asked anything of you before but I need this favour
calling in. Please can you just get it?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I guess I
can,” Smithy said as the shock and fear nullified his right to reply. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">***</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wyatt
complained constantly about the humiliation of the catheter until eventually
after two days of lying in his hospital bed he was given some crutches and
allowed to make toilet visits. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He still felt
like road kill. His body was weak; his head dizzy.
Every pace he took tortured the injuries to his pelvis and his
toes. He took minute, baby steps on his crutches and lent on the
wall of the corridor every ten yards to rest, mustering the strength to follow
the signs to intensive care, where he was eventually stopped by a passing
nurse. She reluctantly gave in to his pleas and walked with him the
short distance to where his brother lay motionless behind a glass screen, wired
up to all manner of medical drips and feeds. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’m afraid
this is as close as I can let you get,” the nurse said. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wyatt didn’t
reply, gazing instead at his younger brother. Apart from his pale
complexion he looked for all the world like he was sleeping
normally. He stood watching Chris for another ten minutes with
silent tears running down his cheek before another nurse ushered him back to
his own bed. He wouldn’t sleep though. Instead he lay
plotting and planning and praying. He didn’t care about being
labeled a grass; no one did this to his brother and got away with it. Tomorrow
would be a critical day both for his brother’s recovery and for his way out of
this madness. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span lang="EN"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Buy Killing Doves for $1.99 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">http://amzn.to/ysy4ip</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<br /> </div>Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775972001055534701.post-60111728189622699892011-12-19T01:41:00.000-08:002012-07-10T09:49:09.042-07:00Zippy’s burgeoning CV<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Zippy’s burgeoning CV</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwz3MwDs4yvPTg-7iRnUYn44fT86JWcLRMrZAPD6jbF2TdUvGuXQZgpGrljTp1pqalJMc4LPkgPNRvbNZzd5HuEWLV-IWcI_AYpeH-KoEOVVWnm3RfYQhY8QBSSlBsvj87BJlohmLEI0/s1600/ZippyXmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwz3MwDs4yvPTg-7iRnUYn44fT86JWcLRMrZAPD6jbF2TdUvGuXQZgpGrljTp1pqalJMc4LPkgPNRvbNZzd5HuEWLV-IWcI_AYpeH-KoEOVVWnm3RfYQhY8QBSSlBsvj87BJlohmLEI0/s640/ZippyXmas.jpg" width="426" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Since he
finished with Rainbow his face is everywhere,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Though you’ll
recognise him most from his role in Albert Square,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">But when
Christmas time is over and the snow begins to thaw,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Father
Zippy shows another side as a celebratory seeking whore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Coz he
doesn’t spend his summer in some storage park,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He travels
the world for starring roles where he can make his mark,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">If you
haven’t seen him anywhere else, then really perhaps you shoulda,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Coz he’s
famous in the Far East for his role as a giant Zippy Buddha.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">He’s known
to dress with bunny teeth and bunny rabbit ears,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">So a
gigantic Zippy bunny can bring us Easter cheers,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">At
Halloween a Zippy witch with a broomstick is for hire,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">On
fireworks night a Zippy Guy Fawkes is burnt upon a bonfire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Chinese
New Year is fun for him, it’s different every time,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">For as a
rooster, pig or tiger, Zippy always looks sublime,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And then
it’s off to Spain to take the bull by the horn,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Where a
Zippy bull is chased around by a Zippy matador.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">As a Zippy
sphinx in Egypt, there’s nothing he won’t do,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Down Under
he gets dressed up as a Zippy Kangaroo,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Zippy
bears in Canada, in Rome a Julius Zippy,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">In America
he stands tall as a Zippie of Liberty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">I guess I
think my point is, coz this is just all daft banter,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Why can’t
our Father Christmas look a bit more like a Santa?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Check him
out during the day if you don’t believe my whinge,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">They’ve
done away with rosy cheeks and turned our Santa orange!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8pt;">Copyright©2011 by Phil Martin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8pt;">All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">buy my books on Amazon</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">CHILD NUMBER THREE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xsDmpa" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xsDmpa</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">THE ATTACHED </span><a href="http://amzn.to/xjsKgp" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/xjsKgp</a><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">KILLING DOVES </span><a href="http://amzn.to/ysy4ip" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/ysy4ip</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"> </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">STRIPPED BARE </span><a href="http://amzn.to/wbfoYn" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/wbfoYn</a>
</div>Phil Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808630587919950182noreply@blogger.com0