An hour later, Kian and I were still sitting by the bar, chatting away. I couldn’t believe it. He was a really nice guy.

‘Georgina was saying that you were filming this afternoon…?’

‘Yeah. For our video.’

‘What, a single?’

‘No, the second long-player vid. It’s the home town bit, and they’re doing the Sligo end this week, and then Nix and Bry next week. It should be out in a couple of months.’

‘Cool, I’ll start saving my pennies.’

‘If you’re lucky I’ll get you a free copy! You might even be in it.’ He pointed across the room. There were two guys with a camera and mic.

‘I didn’t even notice it! I must be going blind!’

‘Must be all the beer!’

‘Hardly, I haven’t even had a pint! Unlike some other people!’ I grinned and glanced at the three empty pint glasses next to Kian, and the half-full one in his hand.

‘You’re probably starting to think that all the stories about the Irish are true!’

‘Only the ones that say you like to have a good time! Anyway, the Scottish are almost as bad!’ I smiled and changed the subject. ‘So, do we get to hear you sing tonight?’

‘Yeah, quite soon actually. We used to do it later, but most of the time we’re in too bad a state by then to sing! We’re doing four of the songs from the new album, and two from the last. Should be about half an hour’s worth.’ Kian looked down at his watch. ‘I suppose I’d better go and warm up with the rest of the guys.’ The other four had disappeared five minutes earlier.

‘Okay. Good luck, not that you need it.’

‘Thanks. Save my seat?’ He patted his stool, and looked at me.

‘Yeah, ‘course. See you later.’ I half waved as Kian disappeared off into the next room. Within half a second Liz and Rachel had arrived on the stools next to me.

‘Have you not seen me trying to tell you to go to the bathroom?’ Liz’s eyes were shining.

‘No. Sorry.’

‘What’s with you and Kian?’

‘We were just talking.’

‘For an hour and a half?’ Liz and Rach looked at each other, obviously not believing me.

‘I guess. There’s nothing wrong with that. And you two have obviously had a good time without me!’

‘Yeah, but we aren’t going to be going home with one of the band at the end of it!’

‘Nor am I!’

‘Whatever.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous. We were just talking. He’s a nice guy.’

‘Hmm, yeah, a single guy too.’ Rachel tried to hide her smile.

‘What’s that got to do with anything?’

‘You mean apart from the fact that he’s been eyeing you up all the time you’ve been talking!’

‘You have a very overactive imagination! I’d have noticed.’

‘Maybe if you weren’t so busy flirting right back at him!’

‘How could you two tell? You were at the other end of the room!’

‘Y’know, body language! And does that mean you’re not denying it?’

I blushed. ‘Well, who wouldn’t? It’s not as though anything's going to come from it!’ Before they had chance to answer, the music was switched off, and the guys came onto the little stage, only a couple of metres away from us.

In the middle of the first song, one called ‘Forever’s Too Long’ off the new album, Liz gave me a jab in the ribs and whispered into my ear. ‘Kian’s watching you.’ I looked up at him, and caught his eye. He smiled at me, and looked away. I blushed again. Maybe I should have been born pink. It would have saved me the trouble of blushing.