Stood in the middle of a rooftop bar, I put a small veiled headpiece on Niamh's head.

"I love it!" She squeals with delight, even though she can't see it. "Now everyone will know this party is about me!"

I laugh, more at her than with her, because everyone at the party is her guest - they already know. She looks beautiful, her hair perfectly styled in curls, her white dress flowy with balloon sleeves and a tight bodice.

"Do you reckon people will be bringing us gifts?"

"To your joint hen-stag?"

"Yeah?"

I shake my head, a small smile still on my face. "No, Niamh. But I reckon you won't have to pay for a single drink all night."

"Ah, well. That's even better. Oh! Look, there's Geraldine, I better go and say hello."

With that, she leaves me and rushes off to gush over Geraldine. I've never begrudged them their friendship, but that doesn't mean I don't hate it. Though they have had their fair share of fights over the years, usually about me, they seem to have gotten closer since I moved to London.

I watch them as they hold hands and hop together, talking low and fast. It feels like so much has changed but also everything is the same. Do we ever really grow up and leave school, or are we stuck in this perpetual loop of doing adult things whilst never feeling quite adult enough?

"So..." A voice next to me starts, I turn to see my sisters. "Fancy seeing you here."

"Oh my God! Hi! I didn't know you were coming!" I greet them, giving them each a hug.

"Where's boy wonder?" Shannon immediately asks, looking around the rooftop.

I nod to the bar where Ollie and Dan are, surrounded by a group of their uni friends. One of them is relentlessly saying, "I can't believe Dan The Man is getting married!" whilst rounds and rounds of shots are brought. I wince as I watch them knock the drinks back, as though it's apple juice.

I talk to my sisters for a bit more - nothing more than surface level. Then I do the rounds, greet people I haven't seen for years, engage in small talk. I talk to Niamh's parents, but every so often my eyes wonder back to Ollie.

Like a moth to a flame, I can't seem to help myself. His shirt is untucked, it's blue to match his eyes, the sleeves rolled up, perfectly hugging his muscular arms. His dark jeans fit him like a glove, rolled slightly at the bottom, with fresh white trainers on his feet.

Every so often I'll catching him staring at me too. Our gazes lock across the room and we'll hold the stare, just looking at each other. He talks to the people around him, laughs at their jokes, drinks when it's expected, but his attention stays on me more then mine does him.

Every time I feel him looking, my breath catches and my pulse hightens. He makes me feel like a giddy schoolgirl who doesn't know how to act right.

When he looks at me with a kind of heat, it flushes through my body and I have to drink water to try and drown it out. Sometimes, the look is too much, I have to will myself to look away before I combust there and then.

I focus on my duties, ensure Niamh's drink is topped up. I smooze and make people laugh. I let my sisters mock and ridicule, grateful whenever Cara thrusts a drink into my hands. She knows more than anyone I'm playing a part - acting my role. I'm introverted, really, but I'd do anything for Niamh.

Soon the music starts and everyone is drunk enough to dance. Nimah is really going for it, but I suppose tonight is the night for it. I sway next to her, letting the alcohol and music relax me. I laugh, and then my eyes crash and hold with Ollie's.

Separated by dozens of people, and feet, yet it feels like he's dancing with me, touching me. We soak each other in, even though we're not near each other. The energy exchange palpable and tangible.

"Are we going somewhere else?" Nimah shouts at me, "Somewhere a bit more nightclub-y?"

I break the eye contact with Ollie, and look down at my watch, "Yeah. In half-an-hour."

"Yes!" She squeals, her eyes already a little glazed, her right sleeve of her dress dangling down. "You're the best!"

I fix her up and send her back into the crowd. She's glowing, I don't think I have ever seen her so happy and there's satisfaction in knowing I helped her get there.

I step out of the limelight and into the shadows, watching the crowds, listening to the laughter. Everyone I've ever known and loved is on this bar except my parents. It's like my life, old and new, is colliding.

I'm happy when strong arms wind around my waist, I lean my head back against Ollie's chest.

"You know," He murmurs in my ear, "Every guy in this bar has checked you out."

I laugh, "No, they haven't. You're the only one insane enough to like me."

"That's not true, you look incredible. Did you know that?"

I feel light as a feather, "So do you."

We sway in time to the music, watching my friends, my sisters, feeling his arms around me. It's the stuff of dreams, I never would have wished this for myself, I couldn't have dreamt it. I didn't know life could feel like this and I don't want to move, to disperse the spell.

"I have to get everyone to the club." I say, my voice filled with regret.

"Mhm," Ollie says. "Let me hold you for another minute, then we'll round everyone up."

I breathe it in.

Him and his fresh, soapy, minty smell that seems to hit me right in the gut. Then I step out of his arms and start herding everyone off the rooftop and to the club.

I've booked us several tables with bottles of alcohol placed in ice buckets and shots to greet us on arrival. Everyone coos and aah's, but no one looks happier then Niamh, and that's all the satisfaction I need.

"Sinead."

I turn to see Paddy, he's pushing me backwards, cornering me into a booth.

"I really need to talk to you."

"I don't want to talk to you, Paddy."

He doesn't look like himself at all. Black bags under his eyes, face is gaunt. He looks ill.

"I don't think you understand, Sinead. I really miss you."

I laugh, but it's devoid of humour. "You miss having a substitute mother, but you don't really miss me. Actually, I don't think you cared about me at all."

"Of course I did! I was going to marry you."

I roll my eyes, "Any man can give a woman a ring their father has paid for, Paddy. It doesn't mean anything."

I feel the switch in him before I see it, the cold glare in his eyes, the tone I know that's coming whenever I do something that displeases him. His voice is harsh and bitter. "You're being a right bitch about this."

I want to be rude and cut him with my words the way he does me, but I know that will only make him more explosive. "I'm sorry you feel like that, but I have no obligation to entertain you anymore."

"Everything okay here?" Ollie's voice booms from behind Paddy.

I go to tell him it's fine and make my escape, but I don't get the chance because Paddy turns around and decks Ollie. It comes out of nowhere and is a blow so hard it knocks Ollie to floor.

"Ollie!" I scream, smashing past Paddy.

Ollie gets to his feet quicker then you'd expect with a punch like that, a bruise already forming under his left eye. Before a real fight can break out I sandwich myself between them.

"Neither of you will ruin tonight for Niamh!" I scream. My hands on both their chests which are rising and falling equally. I turn to glare at Paddy. "You need to fuck off. Now."

Paddy glares right back at me, a look of hatred deep seated on his face. It's so cold it makes me shiver. Then he spins on his heel and stalks away from us. I turn to Ollie, throwing a quick glance at the other guests but no one has noticed anything amiss.

"Are you okay?" I ask Ollie, my voice tender and eyes soft.

He raises his hand to his cheek, gently rubbing it. "Yeah. But, my God, what did you ever see in him?"

Despite myself, I laugh. "I really don't know."

Thankfully, Ollie laughs too. The anger dispersing from him as he looks at me, all that's left is adoration.

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