Vince

I try to do the gentlemanly thing and back out of her room quickly, but this has not helped matters. I only saw her for a second but she was so exposed, vulnerable, beautiful ... It takes everything in me not to go over to her and take her immediately.

"I'm sorry!" I call through the door.

"It's okay, you can come in now." I walk back in the room. She's still in bed, but she's wrapped the sheet around herself. She hasn't taken off last night's make up, and there are streaks down her face like she's been crying. I don't say anything, but I notice that there's something peeking out from under her pillow. I have the good sense not to ask about it yet.

"Happy birthday." I say, sitting on the edge of her bed. "How do you feel?"

"Shitty." She replies with a small smile. "What time is it?"

"9.30." I reply. "Sorry, is this too early?"

"No, no it's fine. Something smells good." It does. Drama's cooking up some bacon for a special birthday breakfast.

"You want me to get you some?" I offer.

"No, I'll get it." She replies.

"Good. Cos I wanna give you your present." I smile. Her face freezes.

"What? Seriously Vince, you've done enough. You shouldn't have got me anything."

"Well it's not even been 24 hours and you're already fitting so well into our little group. You deserve it." I stand up and wait for her to join me. She looks down for a second.

"Um ... sorry about the whole ... naked thing." Oops. I realize she's waiting for me to leave so she can get up and put some clothes on.

"Oh, no, I'm sorry. Seriously, you have nothing to be sorry for." I leave the room and shut the door behind me to give her some privacy. The boys are in the kitchen waiting for us.

"She's on her way in." I say, moving her present over to the table. "I accidentally walked in when she was naked." I can't help myself but blurt it out. Johnny and Turtle let out small whoops while E just freezes. It's usually Turtle or Johnny that brag about catching girls naked but it's all I can think about it.

"So what are the Brits like down there? Bush or smooth?" Turtle asks, tearing off some sandwich with his teeth.

"I didn't see down there." I reply, instantly regretting bringing it up. I pour myself a drink.

"So then you didn't see her naked." Johnny corrects me.

"Well, alright, but she was just in her panties." I reply.

"And?" Turtle prompts.

"Nice." I reply simply. He starts laughing and goofing around, sticking out his imaginary tits to Johnny, who glares at him and gets on with cooking the bacon. A few seconds later I hear footsteps and Orla walks in, wearing a bathrobe. I wonder if she's wearing anything under it, then try and divert my thoughts.

"Happy birthday!" E pipes up, and Johnny and Turtle joins in. She grins, as Johnny places a plate in front of her, with a candle stuck in her sandwich.

"Thanks guys."

"Make a wish." Johnny reminds her. She looks over at me for a second, then closes her eyes and blows out the candle. We talk about last night. She makes out like she's mortified that she sang karaoke.

"No way are you embarrassed, you didn't wanna get off that stage." E jokes with her. I appreciate seeing him treat her a little more normally.

"Yeah but did you see how many shots I did? All I wanna do when I'm drunk is sing. I'm amazed you got any conversation out of me." She responds, finishing her breakfast.

"Open your present." I pick up the big box and hand it to her. She looks at me.

"You really shouldn't have."