November in Manchester

November in Manchester - Who's Who...

Here we unveil the characters who will appear in the "November in Manchester" social media project. Keep checking back as we add to the growing cast list...

PERSEPHONE

Persephone's life is remarkably similar to the one she enjoyed four years ago while studying at Manchester University. She views her undergraduate days as some of best ones in her life and sees little reason why she should change that. Regardless of the fact she has not been in possession of a valid student I.D card since 2005. While her degree certificate slowly gathers dust under a pile of unpaid utility bills, Persephone lives each day like it is the start of a new semester.

LEONIE

Leonie is one of Persephone's oldest, if not closest, friends; the pair met at university after Persephone drunkenly stumbled into the wrong bedroom during Fresher's week.

While Persephone decided to remain a student – at least in spirit – after she graduated, Leonie chose to embark on the next stage of her life. Now, at the age of 27, she holds down a respectable position as an account manager in a public relations firm. She remains close friends with Persephone, although finds it is becoming increasingly difficult to make conversation when alone in her company. Frankly, they just don't have that much in common any more.

REGINA

Regina, or Reggie to anyone who knows her for longer than five minutes, is James' closest friend. They met a lifetime ago; over a hastily arranged birthday party for one of Paul's never-ending portfolio of relatives.

Aside from their other halves, neither she or James knew anyone there. As their partners mingled with family, gossiping with aunts and uncles, James and Reggie had sat at a table in the corner. They made small talk over a wine-stained tablecloth and she took an instant like to the then student. Whenever Regina visits James she prefers to remember him as the man she met on that first evening.

PAUL

Unlike his wife, Paul took an instant dislike to James. He did to any man who came within a 5km radius of his sister. Still, when it became apparent that Samantha's new suitor would be around for the foreseeable future, he decided it would be best to get to know his brother-in-law-to-be.

Motivated by Regina's harassments, he arranged to spend some time with James in their local pub. As they staggered out at closing time, Paul had put his arm around James and drunkenly declared that he would punch anyone who messed his sister around. But that James was alright. Paul would later become the best man at James and Samantha's wedding.

Now, Paul and James maintain a strict relationship. They never go out alone and their talks always stick to the well-trodden territory of Manchester United, local bitter and the weather. Paul can never find the right words for any other conversation.

LEE

Lee is coming to the end of his time at university. His dissertation is looming, he has final exams in the summer and he is getting to the point in his life when has has to ask the question that has troubled millions of people in a similar position: What do you do with a B.A. in English? Sadly, the only person Lee knows to have pondered the answer is Persephone.

DARREN

Darren's infatuation for the employee named Persephone began three days after she put pen to paper on an employment contract.

Darren has convinced the young shop assistant that her life would be infinitely more satisfying with him in it. Although Darren possesses little imagination, his blunt attempt at courtship - flowers, chocolates and cuddly toys - has won the naïve Persephone over. He did not think to mention that he is married.

MELODY

Two years after a small latex tear resulted in the birth of her first child, Melody has found her life's direction in motherhood. Her world revolves around her son and, for the first time in her life, she is content. In the evening, she makes evening commutes and cross-country train travel slightly more bearable at the bar in Piccadilly Station. Despite his daily custom, she has yet to learn James' name.

JAMES

James is a man of routine. Between 9am and 5pm, his routine is work; filling meaningless numbers and figures into an Excel spreadsheet. Between 5:30pm and 11pm, his routine takes him to the train station; filling alcoholic drinks into his stomach until it is time to stumble home. During the weekend, James cleans his flat.

James wasn't always like this. He once had a partner, a smile and a life. Now, three years after Samantha's death, all he has is an existence.