I had brake pads and brake discs fitted a couple of years ago,
Halfords parts - Foolish I know.
The brakes squealed from start to finish, nothing unusual with them
according to the mechanic and a former mechanic family friend of mine.

Car was parked last fall, ran great then.  Went to start it today,
cranks great, no spark.  Disconnected a plug wire, inserted a plug,
grounded the plug on the valve cover, cranked, no spark.  Fuel pump
reset was in normal position.