"Guys I really don't wanna seem rude, I've had a fantastic evening it's just that, well," I said looking at my watch, which read 1.20am, "It's getting kinda late and I've got to go to work tomorrow while you guys can all lay in. I really, really appreciate you guys taking me out like this it's been fab, and well getting into the club and" I started to shout to be heard above the dance music that was starting up again. "THANX GUYS-I HOPE YOU MAKE IT REALLY BIG AND I'LL SEE YOU SOON I HOPE!" I didn't seem to be getting any response-the guys were well gone, well, well gone since Bryan had tried to hit on a girl explaining how famous he was going to be. She wasn't impressed to say the least! I made a mental note to remind him of that embarrassing scenario one day. I wasn't lying with what I had said. I really had, had a great evening. It was amazing I thought I was going to feel really left out-being the only girl amongst 5 drunken guys, but I didn't. I felt totally relaxed, and not out of my depth at all. They really were great with a fantastic future infront of them. I waved and gave them each a quick hug before leaving.

"Where's she going?" questioned Shane to Nicky.
"Oh probably just to the loo," answered Kian.
"Why'd she hug us good bye then?" said Shane puzzled.
"Oh you know how long girls take, she was just taking the piss outta herself," said Bry matter of factly.
"Yeah, yeah, that's probably it! She's mad she is!" answered Shane. They sat there for a few minutes before Mark who was the most sober of the lot gotup, "Nah, I don't think so mate-I watched 2 girls go in after her, and they've just come out. I think she's gone home."
"Nah mate," replied Bryan. "she didn't give us a hug good..." and stopped short remembering what Shane had said minutes beforehand. He sat there with a bewildered look on his face and then looked round at a table full of empty beer cans. "Yeah, I think you're right-she's gone home."

Mark leapt up, grabbed his jacket and headed for the exit.
"Where you off to mate?" called Bryan.
"To find Shelly," he replied exasperated with Bry's blindness.
"You going in the girls loos then mate-I think you may need more than a coat as disguise." answered Bry in a fit of giggles, soon joined by the rest. Mark turned round and shook his head, they really were outta it, no wonder Shelly had left. He quickened his pace and didn't stop until he had reached the exit. He stopped and looked around just in time to see Shelly climbing into a taxi.
"Shelly, wait up," he shouted running towards the cab. he got there just in time before it pulled away and quickly got in.
"Uh hi," I said.
"Look Shelly, I'm really sorry-I know the guys are out of it, but that's no reason to leave." he said breathlessly.

"That's not why I left-it's half past 1 Mark, and I've got to work tomorrow, I said goodbye-didn't you hear me?"
"Yeah, but the guys thought you'd gone to the loo!?!"
"The loo?" I said raising my voice, laughing. " Look Mark if they're that out of it, I really think you should get back to them-make sure they're okay."
"I'd much rather make sure you're okay," he replied. I felt touched, but still said, "Mark, I'm honestly fine, you need to get back to them, they need you much more than I do."

"Sorry to interrupt Miss-do you still require my services?" called the taxi driver.
"Yes, we won't be a minute-leave the meter running," I replied.
"No, they'll be fine, I'm following your advice and going home to bed. We'll share a taxi home."
"Yeah we could do Mark if we lived in the same part of the country!" I replied with the realisation that after tonight it was unlikely we'd see each other again.
"Nah, I'm not going home to Sligo tonight, I'll stay in a hotel somewhere in Dublin."
"The 'welcome' money from RCA is coming in handy then!" I joked.
"Yeah!" He simply answered.
"Are you okay?" I asked concerned.
"No, not really, look Shelly there's something I've got to say to you." He said looking at his feet.
"I know what it is Mark, and I really think it's best it's not said." I said sadly.