The Story of Our Lives: Do Dragons Really Fly?

In war, survival is everything – but the heart has a war of its own.
The Story of Our Lives – Do Dragons Really Fly? is a sweeping, emotionally rich family saga inspired by true events, tracing one woman’s extraordinary journey through love, loss, courage and survival across continents and generations.

Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Second World War, the story begins in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, before carrying the reader deep into the Far East – from colonial Hong Kong to the Philippines, Australia, and eventually home again. When Hong Kong falls to the Japanese Imperial Army, Constance- Philomena Briton, a young mother, is forced to make an impossible choice: remain and risk everything, or flee into the unknown with her children.

Under cover of darkness, guided by instinct, resilience and an unshakeable maternal love, Constance escapes through fear-soaked nights, dangerous seas and foreign lands. Along the way, she encounters extraordinary acts of kindness, profound cultural connections, and a mysterious Chinese Sea Lord whose presence will echo through generations.

At the heart of this novel lies a powerful metaphor drawn from Chinese belief: the dragon within. Not a creature of destruction, but a symbol of inner strength, wisdom and courage – the force that rises when life demands the impossible. As Constance faces war, separation, displacement and uncertainty, her inner dragon awakens, carrying her forward when hope seems fragile.

Spanning more than a century, The Story of Our Lives – Do Dragons Really Fly? is a richly textured tale of:

• Female resilience and quiet heroism
• Family bonds that endure across time and distance
• Cultural intersections between East and West
• The unseen threads that bind generations together

Told through vivid settings, intimate personal moments, and historical detail, this novel blends historical fiction with deeply human storytelling. Artefacts of memory – telegrams, postcards, letters of condolence, and stories handed down through family gatherings – weave the past into the present, reminding us how one woman’s courage can shape countless lives.

Heart-stirring, immersive and ultimately uplifting, Do Dragons Really Fly? is a tribute to mothers, survivors, and the enduring strength carried quietly within us all.