A Mancunian Trilogy — John Ludden

THE PROMISE: Dear Sir, My name is Hans Steiner. I am writing to inform you that recently my Father passed away and in his possessions, we found a notebook. (Please find enclosed.) We have reason to believe it was recovered off the Munich runway back in 1958, on the evening of that terrible crash which killed eight of your wonderful players, known as the Busby Babes. Such are the incredible personal details in this book I feel it only right to try and find out who this originally belonged to. If what is written in there is indeed true then I am in a state of joy. Could this truly happen? Do angels really exist? Are they coming back? Inscribed on its back cover is the name Tommy Doyle, 21 Collyhurst Road, Manchester. I was hoping in your position as head of communications at Manchester United football club you can find this person. If he is still alive? I can only apologise on my Father's behalf that he never originally returned this all those years ago. Why? I do not know. For him it was totally out of character. I can only hope that he thought it best to keep the details what is in this notebook a secret. As once read I am sure you will understand. Yours sincerely, and hopefully, Hans Steiner STARMAN: When reality hit home to nine-year old Charlie Baker from Manchester that there really is no Father Christmas, the world changes for the worst. Even his friend, The Man in the Moon who he waves goodnight at bedtime disappeared. The magic for Charlie has all but dimmed, a kid who lives for the stars, who dreams of far off planets and galaxies no longer searches the skies for the constellations. Grey clouds now blur all. Then comes the tumultuous events of 12th April 1961, when at just after 0700BST, Major Yuri Alexeyevich Gagarin takes off to become the first man in Space. Suddenly, Charlie Baker has a new hero! Life becomes even more exciting for Charlie when its announced the Starman is coming to Manchester. So, unfurls the tale as the little boy comes face to face with his idol and is given a gift from the Russian Cosmonaut that one day will make it to the moon. But there's so much more: whilst in space Gagarin witnesses something that he could never speak of on fear of being declared mad! As the years go by a chance meeting with American astronaut Neil Armstrong at the Paris air show in 1965, finally, sees Yuri come clean…. ‘‘Be advised there is a Santa Claus.'' DRAGONFLY: When two young British paratroopers from Manchester, Tommy Conlon and Colin Lindsay are reported killed in Afghanistan, strange events occur that shock all. So, begins Dragonfly: a story of love from beyond the grave. A magical tale that has its origins on a small island in the middle of Bogart Hole Clough, Moston and ends in a bloody fight to the death in the killing fields of Afghanistan's, Musa Qala. Only they come back, given a last chance to say goodbye Tommy and Colin go home. Former Army officer and now author James Pearson tracks down the characters involved including the Taliban commander who was present that very day the British soldiers refused to die. Witnessing with their own eyes the Afghans fled, all captured from above by a US Air Force drone. As Pearson digs more extraordinary details appear, a cover up begins at the highest echelon of government. People must never know, but already the genie was out of the lamp. The Dragonfly had flown……