I spent the next 2 hours replying to all the letters that gave snail mail addresses. Everyone told me I was mad, but I knew I had to do it. I wrote 43 letters. I finished just before Shane was ready to go back to the hotel for the evening before the concert.

‘Finished yet?’ I nodded. ‘Thanks.’

‘What for?’

‘Well, I always want to reply, but I just can’t find the time. I guess they’ll have to make do with a letter from you instead!’ He grinned.

‘Cheeky! So, what are the plans for tonight?’

‘I dunno. We haven’t got that long really. By the time we’re back at the hotel we’ll only have just over an hour before we have to leave again. D’you wanna just stay here?’

‘Nah, I’d rather go back. I need to get some kip - something’s been keeping me awake for the past few nights!’

‘That’s weird, I haven’t slept too well either. Coincidence?’ He smiled again.

Back at the hotel, we hung out and watch telly in Shane’s room. Bryan was running around trying to plan the party for the next night, after the last UK concert. He came running into the room.

‘You are coming, aren’t you?’

‘Yeah, sure Bry. Someone has to make sure you don’t end up on a flight to God knows where!’ Shane was teasing him, after an unplanned trip to New York after Bryan’s last night out.

‘Ha ha ha. Very funny, I don’t think. Harriet - you coming too?’

‘Definitely, wouldn’t miss this for the world!’ That was true. I couldn’t begin to imagine what they would get up to. ‘Can Karina and Nancy come too?’

‘Yeah, I’ve already seen them. They’re up for it too. Listen, I’ve got to go. Shane, the cars are coming 20 minutes early, so you need to be ready.’

‘Why so early?’

‘I dunno. Some surprise at the venue.’ Bryan left as I tried to hide my smile. I knew what was going on, as did Georgie.

‘Harriet,’ I obviously hadn’t hid it very well. ‘what’s going on?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘Yes you do.’

‘Okay, I do know, but I’m not telling you!’

‘Oh, go on!’

‘I can’t! I promised, and anyway, you’ll find out soon enough. I’m sure you’ll like it.’

We arrived at the SECC just after eight, like we’d planned. Georgie and I ordered the guys to wait in their dressing rooms, whilst we checked that everything was falling into place. When we saw that it had, I went back to let the guys know what was going on.

‘Guys, please shut up!’ They were all rolling around on the floor of the dressing room. Boys will be boys. ‘Please, shut it!’ Slowly, they got up, and looked at me expectantly.

‘Well?’ Shane never was very patient.

‘You’re going on stage early.’

‘Why? I thought we had some surprise.’

‘You do, but you have to go on stage early, so we can do the surprise later.’

‘Drop us a hint.’

‘No! Be patient!’

‘Shane, patient? You must be joking!’ Bryan laughed.

‘Patience is a virtue, possess it if you can, for it’s seldom in a woman and never in a man!’ I grinned, and Shane rugby tackled me onto the sofa.

‘Watch it you!’

I giggled. ‘Okay, okay. Look, you’ve got to get ready! You’re due on in about 10 minutes, and I’ll be killed if you mess this up!’

‘Mess what up?!’ Shane wasn’t giving up.

‘I’m NOT telling!’ I left before I gave in and let something slip. As I closed the door, I heard them all crash back down onto the floor. I sighed.

By some miracle, the guys got on stage on time. The fans all knew what was happening, as someone had gone on stage to warn them after the last support act had finished, so they were all buzzing. The guys guessed that the fans knew after the first two songs. But neither Georgie nor I said anything.

The guys went on stage to sing their finale, and just as Kian was about to introduce their new single, someone came out of the shadows at the edge of the stage, and the crowd erupted.

‘Sorry, Kian, could I just interrupt you there. I have something I need to say before you go on.’

The guys all seemed to realise who it was at the same moment, and it was just as well it was only Kian’s mic that was switched on at that moment, because he seemed to be the only one able to hold his tongue.

‘I dunno if you’ve heard about the new programme I’m doing - This is Your Musical Life. Well, anyway, you’re my first victim!’ Michael Aspel pulled the famous Big Red Book out from behind his back. ‘Westlife, This Is Your Musical Life!’

Somehow, the guys managed to pick their jaws up off the ground, and they sang their last two songs, and made it off stage. Shane came across to me,

‘And you knew about this?’

‘Georgie told me a couple of days ago. It’s been killing her being the only one that knew. You’re not angry are you?’

‘No way. Just shocked. They’re going to record it one of the days we’re in Dublin.’ Shane looked down at his feet, and then said. ‘Will you come on it with me? We’re allowed to pick the person that comes on first.’

‘You want me on first?’ I was amazed. ‘But Shane, what about your Mum? If it wasn’t for her, there wouldn’t have been a Westlife.’

‘Maybe so, but you’re the most important person in my life now.’ I nodded quietly, and took Shane’s hand as we got onto the bus. Less than a week after meeting Shane for the first time, he told me I was the most important person in his life. I smiled at the thought, and for the first time ever, I had no worries.