Take me when I'm young and true Was it me or was it you? Take me when I'm not so strong Why has it taken you so long? Take me when you feel I've gone I always knew I could be someone Take me if you think you're right Do it now before it's light

Noel has always regarded himself as better than the average bloke on the street. Well. Not always, but at least since he reached adulthood. Why? Because. He pulled himself out of the hole he was born into. A council house in Burnage, Manchester. Brought up poor, and Irish, and weak compared to his peers. And to top it all off like a cherry on a Sundae- An abusive, good-for-nothing, drunk off a father always rearing to lay heavy hands on someone and walk out the door. His only beacons of light then, were his mam and his brother Paul, one year older. Because they were trapped in the same house, too.

Until the day their mam got them out. Sick of the lying, the cheating, the screaming, and having to patch up herself and her boys and praying for the best- she took the lot of them and their things while the old fella was in a beer induced hibernation, and left him with nowt but a spoon. And moved them into their own council house, to live a normal life. Things got better.

Mostly. Because Noel was already 18 by the time that had come about, and had a ton of bad habits he'd picked up to cope with shit. Drugs, drink, strangers in clubs, the works. And it all ruined him up so much, he'd dropped out by 16. But the one good vice he had? Music. He was obsessed with music. Listening, writing, playing- all of it. It was that love of music that got him hanging around all the hot spots for it in Manchester. And got him his job touring as a roadie with The Inspiral Carpets. A job he was good at for once, mind you. And gave him opportunities for all that bad shit he loved, and to experience more music, in loads of ways. Never 'joined a band', really. But he didn't need to. Because a life a part of music in any way, made him happy.

But after your 20's, the life of partying on the road with madlads and being off your face in dark rooms with music so loud it gives you tinnitus starts feeling a bit drab. So Noel 'retired' gracefully, with an excellent severance check from his buds in the band, and the label they were on. And he went back to Manchester. Got in touch with old Mr. Sifter (or his son, really. Because the original Mr. Sifter passed away 5 years previous), the owner of the record shop Noel treated like a second home growing up, and asked about buying the place, at least partially. Wanting to own it, help run things. Keep the new kids in the city well versed in good tunes. And so he did. Now at 35, he was doing something real nice for himself and his community. Something that made him feel proud. Keeping up to date on the New music released, hosting listening parties at the store to get people interested in classics and up and coming stars, just having a grand time. Even getting a flat close enough to his Mam's house, and Paul's to visit when he had the time (could be arsed). Things were perfect.

And then, Noel found out about Liam.