I plucked the strings on the guitar, feeling more relaxed. Maybe everything could be perfect? Maybe this was my happy ending? But then didn' t happy endings only happen in Disney films? I thought back to September, when I'd first met Ed, when I didn't know him at all. He was just a cute, talented musician that was overplayed on the radio. Running into him had been a coincidence or had been fate? My savant ability had driven me to intervene, to resue Sky and then Ed's feelings for her and driven him to rescue her. In that moment, he'd just been a stranger and then hours later, he was my soulfinder, wanting to know more about me.

'A dangerous plan, just this time

A stranger's hand clutched in mine.' I sang as the lyrics came to me, my fingers playing chords. I scribbled the notes and lyrics into my songbook.

He'd turned up on my doorstep in Brighton, my tiny flat that I adored. And he'd taken me to the Sea Life Centre. We'd laughed together and then I'd Skyped Willow when I was home, denying that it was a date and admitting I was scared. I'd been cheated on by a guy who decided I wasn't pretty enough, that a model was better looking. I'd been left broken-hearted by a guy wanting to date his female best friend. And then there was Rich, the man who filled my nightmares, his body over mine as I cried out for him to stop. Yet for some reason, I'd given Ed a chance and I'd let myself fall in love with him.

'I'll take this chance, so call me blind

I've been waiting all my life

Please don't scar this young heart

Just take my hand.'

I scribbled the lyrics down and chewed on my pen, looking out at the beautiful garden in front of me, filled with trees. It would be beautiful in the spring, with the flowers out. I imagined Ed twirling me around the garden as he had done at his video shoot the day before.

'I was made for loving you

Even though we may be hopeless hearts just passing through

Every bone screaming I don't know what we should do

All I know is, darling, I was made for loving you.'

I paused, writing down the chorus neatly before I forgot it. I sang it again as I wrote it.

'New song?'

I froze at the sound of Ed's voice. I turned my head and saw him stood in his Batman pyjama bottoms, a hoodie over his bare chest and slippers on his feet. 'Sort of. It's nowhere near finished.'

'Can I hear it?' He asked, sitting down beside me.

'It's not very good.' I said, blushing and biting my lip. 'I'm not sure what comes next.'

'Then let's hear what you've got so far.'

I looked up at him and realised he wasn't going to stop until I played it, so I took a deep breath and started to play the chords, my notebook propped up in front of me reminding me of the lyrics. It was a little more country than my most recent songs, but being in Nashville had influenced me. I sang, focussed on the swimming pool so that my nerves didn't get the better of me and then I looked at him as I finished, waiting for him to say something.

'It's really good.' He said with a reassuring smile. 'Different to some of your other stuff but I really like it.'

'It's a shame that I just can't seem to finish it.'

'May I?' He said, signalling to my songbook. He picked it up and hummed the notes I'd scribbled down, tapping the rhythm with the pen. 'Hold me close through the night

Don't let me go, we'll be alright.' He bit his lip in concentration and then continued. 'Touch my soul and hold it tight, I've been waiting all my life.' He looked up at me. 'What do you think?'

It fitted perfectly. The same notes as the first verse and the lyrics were beautiful. 'I think that's it.' I said with a smile.

He scribbled them down in the songbook and then continued. 'I won't scar your young heart

Just take my hand. And then back into the chorus?'

I nodded as he passed me back the songbook. I wrote down the lines of the bridge that had come into my mind;

Please don't go, I've been waiting so long

Oh, you don't even know me at all

But I was made for loving you.

'Well, Mr Sheeran, I think we've just written a collaboration.' I said as I scribbled down the end of the song.

'Relationship goals once again.' He said with a playful smile. 'Ah, I didn't upload that photo with the caption I said I would!' I watched as he selected a photo which had been taken the day of the shoot. We were dancing, our foreheads rested together. Then he typed in the caption he'd said he would;

#relationshipgoals #meeran #led

I watched as it uploaded to Instagram and automatically to his Facebook and Twitter. 'Technically, you said you'd write that as the caption for your next post. There's a Christmas picture and a picture of you with Graham since then.'

'But it doesn't work if it isn't a picture of us, smarty pants.' He said, kissing my nose. 'Now come on,' he nudged my knee and pointed at the songbook, 'from the top.'

I loved singing with him and the cheeky looks he gave me as he sang, his eyes looking deep into my soul. Our voices complimented each other and the harmonies sounded wonderful. 'I was made for loving you.'

'It's like watching the soppiest film ever.' Willow's voice said as we finished singing. We turned to face her in the doorway and laughed.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing as we had a busy night ahead of us. We had a simple dinner, pasta, as we knew there would be nibbles at Taylor's house for the party. Before Nina arrived, I quickly had a shower to freshen up and to reset my natural curls. I was going to meet one of my inspirations that night, which was pretty scary, especially as she was one of Ed's best friends and I knew she looked out for him. I turned up the temperature of the water and sighed as the hot water trickled over my naked body, relaxing my muscles. I washed out the conditioner as shut off the water, grabbing a white fluffy towel and drying myself off. I wrapped the white towel around my body and stepped out of the bathroom. I closed the bedroom door and walked over to the mirror, running my fingers through my wet hair.

Shit. I jumped, holding my towel tightly around myself as Ed walked out of the closet carrying a pair of jeans and a shirt.

He swallowed as his eyes scanned my body. 'Sorry... did I...scare you?' He said, his voice uneven.

'I didn't realise you were in here.' I said, my cheeks turning crimson.

'I was just grabbing my clothes for later as I know you girls are getting ready together.' He said, biting his lip, something which I'd not seen him do before. The doorbell rang. 'I should get that.'

And then he was gone. I put on my underwear and robe in the bathroom, paranoid that he was going to walk back in again, and then I carefully blow-dried my hair, scrunching the curls. There was a knock at the door and I wondered if Ed was coming back. 'Come in!'

'Let's get this party started!' Willow called as she opened the door, Nina at her side carrying a dress bag and a bottle of wine. I felt somewhat disappointed.

'So why did Ed answer the door looking like a naughty school boy?' Nina asked with a raised eyebrow, closing the door behind her. 'And why do you look so flushed?'

'I don't look flushed, do I?' I said, looking at myself in the mirror. My cheeks were still a little pink.

'Oh my god, something happened, didn't it?!' Willow said, her eyes wide. 'Did you two-'

'No!' I cut her off. 'And keep your damn voice down.'

'So are you going to tell us?' Nina said with a wicked smile, opening the bottle of wine. She poured me a glass and handed it to me.

'I didn't think he was in here and I walked out of the bathroom... in just my towel.' I said, cringing. 'And he just looked at me.'

'I'm not surprised.' She laughed as I sipped at my wine. She handed a glass to my cousin. 'And just wait until he sees what you're wearing tonight.'

'Poor guy.' Willow said, plugging her iPhone into the docking station. Fifth Harmony's 'I'm Worth It' filled the room. 'Now help me decide what to do with my hair.'

I was impressed that within an hour we were all ready to go, despite fussing over our hair and make-up. Nina was in charge of make-up and nails, as it was her job, but she didn't seem to mind. She seemed quite happy sharing tips as she applied expensive stuff to our faces.

Willow slipped on her new shoes and twirled in a circle, the first to be completely ready. 'Think Scott will like my look?'

'Absolutely!' Nina and I chorused. My cousin was wearing a bodycon, lilac, satin dress, with a sweetheart neckline. It fell halfway up her thighs and there was purple and silver sequinned detailing around the waistline, adding curves to her figure. She was wearing silver stilettos and her hair was pin-straight. With her silver sparkly make-up, she looked like a superstar.

Nina's shoulder-length ombre hair was also pin-straight and she was wearing a light gold strapless skater dress, which showed off her naturally tanned skin, with killer black platforms. She had fierce cat-eyed make-up which brought out her hazel-coloured eyes. 'Think it's obvious that I'm just a make-up artist?'

'Just a make-up artist?' I frowned. 'You're practically famous!'

'Hardly!' She scoffed. 'But hey, go ahead and tell people that and maybe I'll meet myself a nice man at the party.'

I laughed, slipping on my shoes. Done. I looked at myself in the mirror. My hair hung in loose curls and my eyes stood out with the same make-up I'd had for the video shoot a few days beforehand. My dress was a tight, short bodycon dress covered completely in tiny blue and gold sequins. It was gorgeous. I was wearing gold platformed heels with it and a gold clutchbag. I'd added my necklace and earrings from Ed too, because I was desperate to wear them out.

Willow wolf-whistled at me and I laughed. 'Come on girls, get in, let's take a picture. It will be one of the last photos of 2015!'

We squashed together and posed, all of us pouting. 'I'm getting good at this.' Willow said with a smile. 'Just as well, Luce, I needed to catch up with you.' She looked at the photo we'd just taken. 'Nina, girl you're a pro.'

'I've been pouting since I was born.' She winked.

I quickly uploaded the picture to Instagram; 2015, you're going out in style xoxo

Then I realised that Ed had tagged me in the photo he'd uploaded that morning. I looked at it and my heart skipped a beat. It was a cute and natural picture. And it had over two hundred thousand likes on it. I looked at the comments and smiled.

Omg they're just the perfect couple #meeranforever

I need my own Ed Sheeran in my life please

Why am I not her?! She's so lucky

I was lucky. Very lucky. Nina took some snaps on her phone and we tidied up the bedroom. Willow took her things back to her bedroom and Nina and I tiptoed onto the landing, trying to hear the conversation downstairs.

'I can hear beer.' Nina whispered to me and I raised an eyebrow.

'How can you hear beer?'

'The clinking against teeth.' She said with a knowing smile as Willow appeared behind her. 'Right girls, let's link arms and make a grand entrance. I'll go in the middle.'

'Is this a good idea?' I said as we linked our arms together. 'My track record with falling over isn't ideal.'

'We'll be fine, Luce.' Willow said from the other side of Nina.

We walked down the staircase slowly until we reached the landing. Then we walked, as if we were a girlband, into the living room. I wanted to shout out 'pose' and do some silly pose, but I knew that ruined our entrance.

Nina laughed, wickedly, as Ed and Scott's simultaneously choked on their beer. She winked at Willow and I before turning off the television. 'I'm not sure about you gentlemen, but us ladies are ready to go and party.'

We walked to Taylor's as it was a few houses away from Ed's house. The air was cold and I was glad that I'd brought a jacket. It was just a shame my legs were freezing.

You're very quiet. I said into Ed's head as the five of us walked along in silence. His thumb stroked the back of my hand as we walked hand-in-hand.

You look so... sexy. You're driving me insane.

My mouth tilted upwards at the corners. Sorry. Should I go home and change?

If you do that I'm going with you.

I bit my lip and looked over at him. His eyes were burning into mine.

'Isn't it this house?' Nina called out, breaking our stare.

Ed nodded. 'Yep, this one.' He pressed the buzzer at the gate and waited for a response. A fuzzy voice sounded from the other end. 'Hey, it's Ed.' The gate buzzed open and we followed him inside, up the long footpath.

It was probably rude to gawp at people's houses but I did it anyway. There were three properties nestled behind the bushes, all with white slat walls, large windows with shutters and a grey roof. The front of the main building threw me off as it looked like a sorority house with its greek-temple architecture, complete with columns and pillars. Ed knocked on the door whilst the rest of us gawped like idiots and I made the effort to pick my jaw up off the floor quickly. The door opened, and there stood the tall and slim Taylor Swift in white high-waisted shorts, a sequin silver crop top and sparkly silver heels. Now why didn't I look like that?

'Hey!' She said to Ed, pulling him into a hug. 'Don't leave it so long next time!'

'Sorry.' He apologised as the hug ended. 'Taylor, this is Lucy.'

'You're even more gorgeous in person!' She said in her country accent, pulling me into a hug. 'I can't believe he didn't let me meet you sooner!'

'It's great to meet you.' I said, really meaning it.

'And this is Willow, Lucy's cousin and her boyfriend Scott.' Ed continued.

Taylor pulled them both into a hug, surprising them. 'It's so nice meeting you all. Come on in!'

I tried my best not to be phased by the glamorous house with its polished walls and floors and spiral staircase as we followed Taylor to where the party was happening; her kitchen and one of her reception rooms. We reached a giant living room where people were playing Rockband, a few I recognised as Victoria's Secret models with their tiny, pretty bodies. I also recognised Abigail, with her curly red hair- Taylor's childhood best friend. Then Calvin Harris walked into the room and I tried my best not to be starstruck. He was the most famous DJ in the world and he could make or break your career, I was sure of it. He kissed Taylor's forehead and then walked over to join us.

'Ed, mate, how's it going?' He said, shaking my boyfriend's hand and giving him a 'man hug.'

'Alright, Adam?' Ed replied with a smile. Of course, Calvin Harris wasn't his real name. I remembered reading that in a magazine article at some point. They started having a catch-up and I fiddled with the hem of my dress, nervously.

'Boys.' Taylor said, rolling her eyes. 'Come on, let's go and get a drink.' She grabbed my hand and led me into the kitchen, which was just as fancy as the rest of the house. 'What would you like?' She asked, pouring herself a rum and coke. 'I've got rum, vodka, wine, coke, lemonade, beer...'

'Vodka lemonade would be great.' I replied. She poured in some vodka and then she opened the fridge, pulling out the lemonade and topping up the rest of the class. 'Thanks.'

She clinked her glass against mine and we each took a sip of our drink. 'So I love your first single.' She said with a friendly smile.

'Thank you so much.' I said, surprised Taylor had just complimented me.

She squinted at the clock on the wall. 'I'd better get some food ready.'

'Want some help?'

'Sure.'

As we prepared the food, we spoke and laughed like old friends, which was crazy. The alcohol in my system was stopping my nerves and I was comfortable talking to her and we moved the finished nibbles onto plates and into bowls.

'So how are you liking Nashville?' She asked as she pushed cheese and pineapple onto cocktail sticks.

'I love it.' I replied as I carefully placed the cupcakes onto the cake stand, trying to alternate the colours.

'Good. I hope you'll come back and visit more often?'

'Of course.'

'I was wondering what you'd done with my girlfriend.' Ed said, leaning against the doorframe with his arms folded. 'I see you're working her hard.'

'You know me, I like making my guests work for their food.' Taylor said with a laugh as she washed her hands. 'All done.' She dried her hands carefully on a towel and smiled. 'You're only in here for the food.'

'That and a whiskey.' He said, playfully. I stood back and checked the cupcakes, pleased with how they looked. I put my finger in my mouth and sucked off the blue frosting I'd accidentally got on it. Ed bit his lip as he watched me and I blushed, turning to wash my hands in the sink.

'Here you go.' Taylor said, handing Ed a drink as I washed my hands with soap. Was it hot in the kitchen or was it just me? I just hoped that Nina's shine-proof foundation did what it was supposed to do.

I dried my hands on the towel. 'Need a hand carrying this into the other room?'

'Ed, your girlfriend is incredible. Hold onto her.' Taylor said to my boyfriend with a smile, before turning to face me. 'That would be great.'

As soon as we put the food out, people starting munching away, clearly hungry from consuming alcohol. A few extra people had arrived, I noticed, including Sam Smith, who was chatting to Ed and 'Adam' Calvin Harris.

'Willow!' I heard a familiar voice call out. I turned in time to see Selena Gomez embracing my cousin. 'I had no idea you would be here.'

'Blame Lucy.' She said, jokily as I walked over.

'I've just heard you on the radio.' Selena told me, kissing me on the cheek. 'I'm glad things are finally working out for you.'

'Me too.'

'Sel!' Taylor said, pulling her friend into a hug. 'I didn't think you'd make it in time?'

'I managed to postpone that magazine interview.' Selena replied. 'I didn't want to miss another epic Taylor party. They're talking about how to throw a Taylor Swift-esque party on Buzzfeed.'

I wondered how accurate they were. I looked around the room; Twister was going on in one corner, Rockband had been replaced by Mariokart and there was a photobooth too with all kinds of crazy props. It was definitely the craziest party I'd been to but I loved it. Adam stood by the iPod deck with his iPod and then the place was alive with music. Abigail put Mario Kart on mute and pulled up a girl I didn't recognise, dancing to the song as it started.

'I don't like it, I love it, love it, love it, uh oh

So good it hurts

I don't want it, I gotta, gotta have it, uh oh

When I can't find the words, I just go,

I don't like it, no, I love it

I don't like it, no, I love it. '

The Flo Rida and Robin Thicke remix, probably Adam's own, encouraged more people to dance and my cousin pulled me over to a space on the makeshift dancefloor before I could stop her, twirling me around and dancing as we laughed. Life was good.

'Okay, everyone needs to squish in.' Taylor instructed an hour later, as she set up her phone on a tripod on the mantelpiece. She was trying to take some photos of all of the guests together, which wasn't too hard as there were only about eighteen of us. Nina pulled me in towards her as we all squashed together. Then Taylor ran over to take her place. We took quite a few photos before she was happy and then the music was back on, if not louder.

'All the girls on the block knocking at my door!

Wanna know what it is make the boys want more!'

'I love this song!' Taylor cried out, grabbing my hand and singing the first few lines to me. 'Is your lover playing on your side?

Said he loves you,

But he ain't got time...

Here's the answer.

Come and get it

At a knocked down price.'

I sang back to her, doing my best girlband impression. 'Full of honey,

Just to make him sweet.

Crystal balling,

Just to help him see

What he's been missing.

So come and get it,

While you've still got time.'

Then we sang together, grabbing the inflatable microphones from the photobooth.

'Get your boy on his knees

And repeat after me, say

Take a sip of my secret potion,

I'll make you fall in love.

For a spell that can't be broken,

One drop should be enough.

Boy, you belong to me,

I got the recipe

And it's called black magic.'

By the second verse, all of the girls joined in and we sang into microphones, cucumbers, hairbrushes and anything we could find as the boys pretended to ignore what we were doing. It was hilarious.

'Another drink?' I asked Taylor as the song ended.

'Please!'

I turned to Willow to offer her a drink but she was too busy dancing with Scott, all loved up. Bless her. I walked into the kitchen, surprised I'd managed to keep my heels on. They were surprisingly comfy. I opened poured out some vodka for myself and then some rum for Taylor, before opening the fridge to grab the lemonade and coke. I jumped as I felt hands on my hips.

'Having fun?'

I smiled and turned into my boyfriend's arms. 'I certainly am.'

He kissed me softly at first, before making it more passionate, pushing me against the kitchen counter. We both pulled back, breathless, before anyone could walk in. I bit my lip, feeling hot and flushed as Ed ran a hand through his ginger hair. He grabbed the bottle of whiskey and pulled himself a drink, so I finished making mine and Taylor's drinks. Then we headed back into the party.

'You're a star!' Taylor said as I passed her the drink. 'Come on, let's get in the photobooth!' She grabbed my hand before I could stop her and we posed in feather boas and tiaras. 'I am so glad Ed met you! You're so good for him.'

'Thank you.' I said, not sure what else to say in response. She snapped a few photos as we made silly faces.

'I mean it, you know? He's so happy. I've never seen him this happy.' Her face was serious. 'Oh my god, how is it nearly midnight already?' She kissed my cheek and disappeared, making me laugh.

'Right everyone, we're re-locating to the balcony upstairs.' Adam called out, turning off the music. 'Five minutes til midnight.'

The balcony upstairs was huge and took up the whole of one side of the house. We all headed up in our coats and blankets were piled up to help ourselves too as well. Fairylights had been wound around the railings and I looked into the distance with a smile.

'Music City.' Ed whispered, wrapping a blanket around the two of us.

'What a fantastic few.' I replied, looking out at the twinkling lights of the city. It wasn't too far away but the air was still so quiet. I was sure it would change in a few minutes time.

Taylor appeared with Abigail, carrying champagne flutes and champagne bottles, and Adam appeared shortly after, carrying a laptop showing a livestream of Dick Clarke's Rocking New Years.

'It's weird not seeing you on there.' Abigail commented, nudging her best friend.

'It's weird not being there, but it's nice to be able to celebrate properly with you all.' Taylor said with a smile, handing out the glasses as Abigail started to fill them. I held the glass carefully in my hand, surprised at how cold it was. The song on the livestream finished and some of the Victoria's Secret girls squealed. It was nearly time.

'This year has gone too fast.' Willow whispered from beside me.

'And I can't believe just how much has changed.' I said to her, squeezing her hand under my blanket. And it had; my dream of having a record deal and releasing songs had finally come true, I had an incredible boyfriend who loved me, Willow was now a proper report for her magazine and she had a decent boyfriend who I doubted would ever cheat on her.

'All for the better.' Willow said with a smile, obviously thinking of the differences just like I had been doing. This time last year we'd been sat at my parent's house drinking and laughing whilst playing silly DVD quiz games. Now we were at an A-Lister's party.

'10, 9, 8...' The countdown caught me by surprise so I quickly joined in. '7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1! Happy new year!' Ed's lips pressed against mine and I kissed him back as he wrapped his arms around me inside the blanket. We both pulled back with a smile and hugged everyone else.

'Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And days o' lang syne!'

We all smiled and joined in, singing together, but not necessarily the right words. 'For auld lang syne, my dear

For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet

For auld lang syne!'

The party finished soon after that, when we'd all finished our champagne, had a few final dances and we'd gone into the garden to celebrate the new year by posing with sparklers; I was glad I'd had plenty to drink by that point as we'd decided to pose without our jackets and blankets for the sparkler photos. Brrr. Nina had left ten minutes before us, catching a taxi back to her hotel in Music city with two of the Victoria's Secret girls.

'Thank you so much for the invite.' I said to Taylor as we got ready to leave.

'Get my number off Ed.' She said with a smile, pulling me into a hug. 'It was so great meeting you.'

'You too.' I smiled. 'And nice meeting you Adam.'

'Keep it up with the number one singles.' He said with a nod. Taylor hugged Willow and Scott and then hugged Ed.

'Catch up soon.' She said.

The walk back to Ed's house seems a lot quicker than it had on the way and I wasn't sure if that was because we'd all been drinking or if we were walking faster. I was impressed I'd kept my shoes on my feet the whole time and I hadn't fallen over once.

'Night, Luce.' Willow said, pulling me into a hug. Scott gave us a wave and disappeared up the stairs.

'Night, Wills. Happy new year.' I said, hugging her back.

'Night, Ed.'

'Sleep well.' My boyfriend said to her with a smile. Willow disappeared up the stairs after Scott, a smile on her face. I was glad she'd had a good night, because I definitely had. I looked over at Ed and realised he was looking at me the same way he had all night. Was it lust? Possibly. His eyes wandered down my body and then back up to my face again. He took a deep breath and so did I. 'Would you like a cup of tea?' He asked.

'I think I'm going to head straight upstairs.' I replied, nervously, biting my lip. I walked up the stairs, my legs wobbling. What the hell was wrong with me? I wanted to... definitely. I pushed open the bedroom door and walked inside, surprised Ed hadn't followed me straight away. Was he trying to control himself? Maybe he didn't want to...

He walked into the room with two glasses of water and placed them on the dresser as I carefully slipped my shoes and jacket off. He closed the door behind him and shrugged out of his hoodie, hanging it on the back of the door. Neither of us said anything for a moment. It was quiet. And then his lips were on mine, kissing me with more passion than he'd ever done before. His hands moved from my cheeks down to my hips and his tongue entered my mouth as my breath quickened. He pulled my hips closer to him so that my body was completely against his as he continued to kiss me. My hands reached for the buttons of his shirt and he stopped kissing me, resting his forehead on mine, his breathing loud. He didn't want to and I'd just made an absolute fool of myself.

I blushed with embarassment, looking down, but Ed lifted my chin with his finger so that I was looking at him. 'Hey, believe me, I really want to. You have no idea.' He said, kissing my forehead. 'But let's wait until we're both sober, huh? We've both had a lot to drink tonight.'

A perfect gentleman. Why hadn't I met him sooner? I could have saved myself a lot of hassle.

January 1st was our last day in Nashville and I knew I was going to miss it. I'd felt really connected to my granddad and I knew it was going to be hard to leave. I completely understood why he loved the place. The music history was incredible and everyone had been so nice. It was already around lunchtime when we woke up, so we spent the rest of the afternoon having a movie marathon wrapped in blankets on the sofa, joined by the ever-so mushy Willow and Scott or Scillow, as we were calling them behind their backs.

'So what are the plans for this evening?' Scott said, stretching out his arms dramatically.

'Hopefully something exciting. Our last night needs to go out with a bang!' Willow said with a grin, before kissing her boyfriend on the cheek.

'I've got an idea!' I said as it suddenly hit me. I remembered reading up about a place down in Music City. 'How does everyone feel about line dancing?'

'Line dancing?' Scott said, his eyebrows raised.

'We can't not line dance in Nashville! It'll be all fun!' I said with a smile, looking up at my boyfriend. 'We could wear our daisy dukes Wills.' I winked at my cousin as both of our boyfriends widened their eyes.

Ed sighed. 'Line dancing it is.'

I was sure line dancing would be good fun and it was a good opportunity to wear the cowboy boots I'd bought myself in the Nashville Boot Co. shop when I'd gone shopping with Nina and Willow. I'd never been anywhere that had sold proper cowboy boots so I'd splashed out on a gorgeous pair to replace the scruffy Primark ones I had at home. My new boots had a slight heel and were a light tan colour, with a cut-out heart in the leather on the front of each boot and embroidery and studs. They were gorgeous.

'How do I look?' Nina asked, appearing in the doorway. She was wearing denim shorts, a loose floral camisole and a tan leather jacket with the ankle cowboy boots she'd picked up in the town. Her hair was scooped back into a loose bun.

'Ready to roll... or whatever they say when you're going line dancing.' I laughed.

'You manage to rock any outfit, I'm so jealous Luce.' She said, looking at what I'd decided to pair my cowboy boots with. I'd opted for a pale pink vest lace bodycon dress, which fell about halfway above my thigh, and added some girlyness to my outfit. I'd added a tan-coloured belt around my waist to make it a little more casual. I left my hair down in loose curls and I'd made my make-up as natural as possible.

'Like you can talk. At least you have a thigh gap.'

She rolled her eyes. 'Come on, let's go. I'm ready to dance!'

Our venue for the evening was the Wildhorse Saloon and it was perfect; a huge room made up of three floors. The two-floor restaurant looked like a saloon from the western films, although it had horse sculptures around which were a little weird. Then there was the huge dancefloor below, which was already buzzing with people dancing. We tucked into some food in the restaurant first and then we headed downstairs to chill in the bar and let our food go down, as a country music group performed on the stage.

'Now this is proper Nashville!' I said to Willow as the boys headed to the bar to order drinks.

'I wonder if your granddad ever came here.' She said with a smile, looking out to the people dancing. 'I'm so glad I opted out of dessert. I just want to get dancing.'

'If he didn't come here it's a real shame. He'd have looked it.' I said, surprised at how I was able to talk about him without being upset. Maybe coming to his favourite place had helped.

'Here you are.' A beer was put in front of me and I looked up to see that Ed and Scott were wearing brown cowboy hats.

Willow and I looked at them and laughed. 'Trying to fit in?' My cousin said with a smirk.

'Or trying to hide and pretend we were never here!' Ed chuckled in response and I poked him in the ribs. 'I'm kidding!'

'If you can't beat them, join them, right?' Scott said, bending down to kiss my cousin.

'Here's to our last night in Nashville and our first day of 2016!' I said, interrupting them by holding up my beer bottle. We all clinked them together and took a sip.

I'd decided that I was only going to have one beer and not because my stomach was struggling from the night before. The fact was, I wasn't hung over at all and I hoped that maybe, just maybe, Ed was finding me as attractive as he had the night before.

'We've only got half an hour left of our line dancing tutorial tonight so if you want to join in, now is your chance!' A woman said over the tannoy. I didn't need telling twice.

I leapt to my feet and held my hand out for my cousin, just as she finished her beer. 'Shall we?'

We linked arms and headed to the dancefloor, which was busy but not too busy. Still plenty of room to dance. We found a space with a good spot of the stage and the familiar introduction of 'Footloose' started up. Willow and I grinned at each other excitedly as we started to copy the side-stepping.

'Been working so hard

I'm punching my card

Eight hours for what

Oh, tell me what I got.'

The move changed to a box-step and I started to sing along with Willow.

'I've got this feeling

That times are holding me down

I'll hit the ceiling

Or else I'll tear up this town.'

The pace quickened and I was surprised I was keeping up. I'd learnt a few moves at school, but I was surprised I could keep up with the rhythm without falling over. Maybe my boots were magic? Willow shook out her hair and shook her head as she danced perfectly; damn savant power.

'Now I gotta cut loose, footloose

Kick off your Sunday shoes

Please, Louise, pull me off of my knees

Jack, get back, come on before we crack

Lose your blues, everybody cut footloose.'

At the end of the song I felt hot and I was surprised what a good work-out line dancing was.

'This is one especially for you ladies.' The instructor said into her microphone as a familiar intro started up. 'Let's go girls.'

'I'm going out tonight-I'm feelin' alright

Gonna let it all hang out

Wanna make some noise-really raise my voice

Yeah, I wanna scream and shout

No inhibitions-make no conditions

Get a little outta line

I ain't gonna act politically correct

I only wanna have a good time

The best thing about being a woman

Is the prerogative to have a little fun.'

This song involved a lot of repeating the same moves, but facing each direction of the room, and I couldn't help but notice Ed was watching me intensely. Luckily, some of the moves were quite sexy and I performed them with my eyes completely on him. Would it work? I hoped so. When the song was over, Scott and Ed came to join and I was pretty impressed when Blurred Lines started to play. It was an unusual song choice but it really worked.

'Okay, we've got two more songs left for y'all and for these you're going to need a partner.'

I smiled. Perfect. 'Shall we?' I said, innocently to Ed.

'Sure.' He said, swallowing.

I recognised the song as 'Save a horse, ride a cowboy' and it started off with us stood seperately and I had to move my hips in time to the music. Easy. Then Ed had to reach for my hand and we had to two-step, something which I'd picked up quickly and I was surprised Ed had too. Then again, he'd had some dance training and he had good rhythm. He spun me around so that I was facing away from him and I had to shake my hips as I moved down to crouch on the floor and then back up again with another spin to space him. He bit his lip and the intense look was back. The dance pretty much repeated itself, adding in extra moves now and then and I was surprised country dancing could actually be sexy. The second song was a lot slower and simpler, a cooldown, and I felt pretty glad. I was boiling hot and I knew I would probably ache the next day.

'Right, I could sure do with a drink. Round's on me.' Scott said, clapping his hands together. 'Four beers?'

'Just lemonade please.' I said quickly.

'Me too.' Ed replied, watching me.

Willow looked between us, confused . 'Ookay.. well I'll have a beer. In fact, I'll come and help you.'

The tutorials had finished, but people still danced away on the dancefloor, some continuing their line-dancing moves and others improvising their own routines. I watched as they danced to Achy Breaky Hart. I started to dance and singalong, hands on hips as I did a simple step, but Ed grabbed my belt and pulled me into him, kissing me softly on the lips. As he slowly pulled back I became very aware that we were being watched. I turned to my side to see a young couple, a similar age to us, looking at us.

'I'm so sorry to interrupt, but aren't you that stand-in girl that played at the Bluebird the other night?' The guy said, his arm snaked around his girlfriend's waist.

'That's me.' I said with a smile.

'You were incredible!' The girl told me, her blue eyes sparkling in the dim light. 'Absolutely incredible.'

'Thank you.' I said, gratefully. But didn't they want to see Ed Sheeran? The incredibly famous guy stood right next to me, looking surprisingly cute in a cowboy hat.

'Can I have your autograph?'

'Erm.. sure.' I replied as she handed me a pen and a napkin. I wrote her a little message and handed it back to her.

'We'd love to hear some more country songs from you sometime.' The guy said. 'You're so talented.'

'It was great meeting you.' The girl added and then they were gone.

I turned to look at my boyfriend, who had a lopsided smile on his face. 'So they recognise me but not you? What on earth is going on?'

'Maybe you're just bigger in Nashville than I am.' He replied, a twinkle in his eyes.

'Here you go!' Willow and Scott reappeared and she passed Ed and I each a lemonade. 'Still don't get why you don't want another beer on our last night but whatever. Suit yourselves.' She clinked her beer against Scott's and they each took a sip as Ed and I shot each other a playful glance.

'You better take it from me

That boy is like a disease.'

Willow practically pulled my arm out of the socket, dragging me off my stool and onto the dancefloor. She loved a bit of Carrie Underwood and I did too.

'You're running, you're trying, you're trying to hide

And you're wondering why you can't get free

He's like a curse, he's like a drug

You get addicted to his love

You wanna get out but he's holding you down

'Cause you can't live without one more touch.'

I felt like I was in the 2011 version of Footloose, combining line dancing with something more sexy, moving my hips and adding a little shimmy. Willow joined in and I realised it looked suprisingly cool.

'He's a good time cowboy casanova

Leaning up against the record machine

Looks like a cool drink of water

But he's candy-coated misery

He's the devil in disguise

A snake with blue eyes

And he only comes out at night

Gives you feelings that you don't want to fight

You better run for your life.'

'We should get the boys to join in.' Willow said, signalling to our boyfriends; they were sat at the table on the edge of the dancefloor.

'I've got an idea.'

I see that look on your face

You ain't hearing what I say

So I'll say it again

'Cause I been where you been

And I know how it ends

You can't get away.'

We reached the boys and I pulled Ed to his feet, walking him onto the dancefloor. Then I returned to my dance routine.

'Don't even look in his eyes

He'll tell you nothing but lies

And you wanna believe

But you won't be deceived

If you listen to me

And take my advice.'

I took his hat and put it on my own head, dancing around him with my hand moving across his chest and then back. He grabbed my hand, holding it in his and his spare arm snaked around my waist.

'He's a good time cowboy casanova

Leaning up against the record machine

Looks like a cool drink of water

But he's candy-coated misery

He's the devil in disguise

A snake with blue eyes

And he only comes out at night

Gives you feelings that you don't want to fight

You better run for your life.

Run run away

Don't let him mess with your mind

He'll tell you anything you want to hear

He'll break your heart

It's just a matter of time

But just remember

He's a good time cowboy casanova.'

Ed turned me around so I was facing away from him.

'Leaning up against the record machine.'

I moved my butt against him in time to the music and then quickly turned back to face him.

'Looks like a cool drink of water

But he's candy-coated misery

He's the devil in disguise

A snake with blue eyes

And he only comes out at night.'

We continued to dance and then Ed pushed me backwards, holding me in place and I wondered if I was in for another swoop kiss. He gave me a teasing smile and pulled me back up.

'Gives you feelings that you don't want to fight

You better run for your life.'

I looked at Ed, feeling flushed, and his eyes looked right into mine, his breathing loud. The lights went on around us and I realised it was getting on to closing time.

'Are you ready to go?' Willow said, appearing at our side.

I took a step back from Ed, so that our bodies weren't pressed up against each other. 'Yeah, we're ready.'

The cab ride back to the house was quick and before long we were in the kitchen. I finished my cup of tea and stood up. 'Right, I'm off to bed.'

'Don't you want to watch a film with us? Our flight isn't until the afternoon remember.' Scott said with a smile.

'I'm still tired from last night.' I lied, yawning on cue.

'Sleep well.' Willow said, looking at me suspiciously. She always knew when I was lying, just like I knew when she was.

'Yeah, you too.' I said, taking myself upstairs before she could say anything else. I slipped off my gorgeous new cowboy boots and placed them on top of my suitcase. Then a familiar feeling hit me. My head hurt and my gut ached. Something bad was going to happen. But when? Were Scott and Willow about to break up?

'Hey.' Ed said, appearing in the room. He closed the door behind him and the feeling of lust was overwhelming. I desperately tried to push the bad feelings away. Everything was going to be fine. I didn't respond to Ed verbally. Instead, I walked over to him and kissed him hard on the lips, pressing my body against his. His hands moved to cup my face as he kissed me back. I ran my hands along his chest underneath his t-shirt and his breathing quickened. His hands moved down to my hips and he tried to pull my body closer. I reached for the bottom of his t-shirt and pulled it up over his head, breaking our lips apart for a second and then his lips came crashing down onto mine again. My nerves and the sick feeling were dissolving quickly and I was glad. I didn't want anything to ruin this.

Ed's hand moved to the zip of my dress as he continued to kiss me and he unzipped it, making it slide down to the floor. I was glad I'd worn matching underwear, a nice cream lace set. Ed looked at my almost-naked body, running his hands over the bare skin and my cheeks blushed. 'You're so beautiful.' He whispered, kissing me softly. I deepened the kiss again, running my hands over his bare chest and then slowly down to his belt...

I woke up the next morning feeling cosy and safe with Ed's arms tightly around my naked skin.

'Good morning.' He whispered, kissing my tiny tattoo and then my shoulder. 'How did you sleep?'

'Really well.' I whispered in reply. I turned over to face him and he pulled my bare body against his, running his fingers down my spine and over my bare bum. His lips crashed against mine and I wondered if we were going to have a repeat of the night before, which was fine with me. Then his ringtone sounded out on his phone.

'Ignore it.' He whispered, kissing me again and pulling my body on top of his. The ringtone stopped but started ringing again almost straight away. He groaned. 'This had better be good.' He reached for his phone answering it. 'Hello? Oh hi mum...' Awkward. I rolled off of him, embarrassed and he gave me a cheeky smile. 'What? No I haven't... Don't worry I'm still in Nashville... and Lucy is here. Yes we're fine... Oh my god... Yeah I love you too. Be careful... bye.'

I looked at his worried eyes. 'What is it?' He reached for the remote and turned on the small television sat on the dresser. 'Breaking News' ran along the bottom of the screen and there was a 'Live from London' sign.

'If you've just joined us we're here live in London where a hostage situation is taking place in a bank not too far from the Houses of Parliament. The suspects are a group of savants, people with super-human abilities, something which the USA president spoke of earlier this year in a press conference. Until now they seemed to be keeping to themselves but now they are calling havoc in London. There are at least twenty hostages thought to be inside Barclays bank and police are on the scene. London is in lockdown and people are being evacuated from the area. The savants have said that they want to be known and that they are a more superior race. We'll keep you updated as this develops.' The reporter said on screen.

'Oh my god.' I whispered, horrified.

'I'll call the label and check everyone's okay.' Ed replied, his eyes sad. 'And I need to check on my neighbours too and... oh god, Nina flew back over there yesterday.'

'I'll call her.' I said, grabbing my phone. Her phone went straight to voicemail. All I could do was pray for the best.