‘Get a move on Nancy! The taxi’s here and we’ve got to go!’ I was getting impatient now. Karina rolled her eyes at me.

‘I’m coming, I’m coming.’ Nancy came running down the stairs, her bag leaving odds and ends strewn along the way. ‘See, I told you I’d be ready in time!’

‘I’ll believe that when we get to the airport!’ Even though the three of us had only met the other day, we already felt like we’d known each other forever. Nancy, Karina and I were staying at a hotel in Glasgow, so we could spend our time searching for Westlife whilst they spent the week playing the SECC. They were due to be flying in within an hour and we were off to the airport.

‘Ready?’ Karina looked at Nancy who was still throwing things in her bag, and then at me, and we both burst out laughing.

‘What?’ Nancy looked up.

‘Nothing. Come on, let’s go.’ I was practically pushing the two of them out the door of the hotel.

Luckily, the traffic wasn’t too heavy and we arrived at Glasgow airport with plenty of time to spare before their plane was due to land. We found the right arrivals area, and took a seat. After a few minutes, a group of three girls came across.

‘Are you here to see Westlife?’ The girls were even younger than I was. I glanced down at my WFU badge, pointed to it and nodded. ‘Are you in WFU?’ They looked confused.

‘Yeah. Karina here is the owner of WFU! It was all her idea.’

‘Oh wow. We’re all members too - that’s how we got to know each other!’ I looked at Karina and smiled.

‘It looks like WFU’s working then! Bringing Westlife fans together!’ I still remember when it started only 3 years ago, and now it’s got over 1000 members. Amazing really.

‘Listen,’ One of the girls spoke to me quietly, ‘do you mind if we stay with you? It’s just we’ve never met them before, and we’re all a bit nervous.’

‘No, of course not!’ The mother in Nancy became obvious. ‘I’ve never met them either! Karina’s met them loads, and Harriet’s met Bryan and Nicky about 4 times each, but I’ve not met any of them either! So, who’s your fave?’

It turned out that they were all mad on Bryan. We chatted to them for a while, until we noticed that the flight had landed and that they’d be coming through soon. We walked across to the gate. I was amazed that there was only the six of us there to welcome them. I double-checked that I still had the WFU message books with me. When I did the first one I didn’t imagine that two years later I’d be regularly collecting 600 messages!

A tall, dark man came out of the exit, wearing sunglasses, and we all immediately recognised Mark. I went across.

‘Mark, hi! How are you?’

‘Good thanks! Tired, but good.’

‘How’s the tour going?’

‘Really well. Have you seen it yet?’

‘No, not yet, but we’re,’ I signalled to Karina and Nancy to come across, ‘going to every night whilst you’re here! So, since we’re no further back than the third row, you’ll be seeing a lot of us!’

‘Cool.’ Mark seemed so sweet. I remembered the message books.

‘Hey, wait a sec. I’ve got a WFU message book for you.’ It didn’t need anymore explanation. They were used to getting chunky parcels from us through the post. I delved into my bag. ‘Here’s your one.’

‘Wow! Thanks.’ He gave me a peck on the cheek, and Nancy took a piccie as I handed it over. ‘These things get heavier every time!’

‘That’s cos you keep getting more fans! Listen, where are the rest of the guys? I want to give them their ones too.’

‘Just coming.’ And as he said it, the rest of Westlife wandered through the doors.

‘Harriet! Karina!’ Bryan and Nicky called out to us. We had met them the most, and when we first started we had written to them all via Bryan. The two of us went across to say hi, leaving the three girls to chat to Mark.

‘Bry, Nicky, this is Nancy. From Cali! She’s the one that sends the letters 5 or 6 pages long!’

‘Nancy, hi!’ Nicky gave her a kiss. I gave Karina Bry’s and Nicky’s message books to give to them, and went to see Kian and Shane.

I tapped Kian on the shoulder. Both he and Shane turned round. For the first time, I looked straight into Shane’s eyes, he looked right back at me, and we held the stare for what seemed like eternity. I blinked all of a sudden.

‘Hi.’ I said shyly. Shane was still staring at me. ‘I’m Harriet. I’ve got something for you, from WFU.’ I pulled out the two remaining message books and handed them to Kian and Shane.

‘Oh, you’re Harriet!’ Kian gave me a hug. ‘As in Harriet of the message books!’

‘The very same! They get bigger and bigger every time!’

‘I know! We have to read them all remember?’ We laughed, but Shane was flicking through his book, and he kept glancing up at me.

‘Do you mind if I get a piccie of you with the books? To send to the people who contributed?’

‘Nah. That’s cool.’ I handed Kian the WFU sign I’d made. He and Shane took one end each, held up their books and smiled for the camera. Shane still hadn’t spoken to me. I was starting to feel uncomfortable because he was looking at me so much.

Nancy, Karina and I wandered through the airport, chatting to them. The place was almost deserted. The other three girls had left after they’d had piccies and autographs, since they had to get home. We exchanged e-mail addresses, and I promised I’d write.

I ended up walking next to Shane. Finally he said, ‘Sorry I haven’t said much.’

‘Much?’ I laughed. ‘You haven’t said anything!’

‘Sorry.’ He was staring at me again.

‘Are you okay Shane?’

‘Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry, I didn’t catch your name.’

‘Harriet.’

‘Yeah, right. Do you and your mates fancy coming and getting a coffee with us? We were going to head straight for the hotel, but it’s quiet here, and we’re all in desperate need of caffeine!’

‘Yeah. Cool, thanks. Where are you staying, if you don’t mind me asking?’

‘At the Devonshire Gardens. Do you know it? Is it nice?’ My jaw was on the ground.

‘The Devonshire Gardens? That’s where we’re staying too! All week, cos we’re here for the shows! KB, Nancy, guess what?’

‘What?’ Nancy and Karina both looked at me.

‘The guys are staying at Devonshire Gardens too!’

‘Really?’ Karina couldn’t hide her happiness. ‘That’s cool.’

20 minutes later, we were sitting in Costa Coffee. All of us were on our second cups. It was only 7.30 and all of us had been up for 2 hours. Bryan was on good form though.

‘D’you fancy sharing our ride back to the hotel then? Since we’re all going back to the same place!’

‘Yeah!’ I leapt at the chance to spend more time with Shane. Ever since we’d started talking, we hadn’t shut up, and we were getting on like old friends. ‘But, do you have space in the cars?’

‘It’ll be fine! We can always squash up.’ Bryan laughed.

Just before 9 o’clock, we pulled up outside the hotel. We all went inside, but after they’d dropped their bags off, the guys were off to the venue. Just as they were getting into their cars, Shane pressed a piece of paper into my hand.

‘Call me later,’ he said, before he climbed into the car and they were whisked away.