John stood up, nodding at the assenting murmurs that passed around the table. Roller skating was thirsty work and, according to all the empty plates that covered our table, hungry work on top of that.

While my roller rink plan had turned out to be a resounding success, my plan to eat at the American diner next door was less of a winner. We had literally walked in, taken one look at the place and walked back out. It wasn’t my fault, Sumi assured me as we jumped on the tube back to Good Luck Bar. How could I have known the supposed retro restaurant hadn’t seen so much as a Dettol wipe since the turn of the century? It had a very fancy Instagram that didn’t once mention the rats running around outside by the bins.

And so, we were tucked away in an upstairs room at Good Luck Bar I hadn’t known existed until tonight and, credit where credit’s due, it was utterly gorgeous. Exposed concrete walls, huge windows and soft pink velvet chairs to match the booths downstairs. Even with my broken bottom, they were so comfy, if I could have got one in my handbag, I would have. Hanging overhead at either end of the room were two beautiful chandeliers and, at the very, very back, I saw two huge double doors that led to a cluttered, closed-off roof terrace beyond.

‘This is the best birthday ever,’ Sumi cried, waving her still very full glass high above her head and splashing the contents in her hair. ‘I love you, John.’

‘Don’t let your grandmother hear that,’ Adrian accessorized his warning with a hiccup. ‘It’s not fair to get her hopes up at her age.’

‘He’s so good though,’ she slurred as our host let himself behind the bar and began mixing drinks. ‘I’m so grateful for you, John. It’s so hard to make new friends when you get older. Ones that aren’t shit, I mean. And you’re not shit at all. We’re all so grateful for you.’

He looked up from the bar, just long enough to show off an awkward, faux-embarrassed grin. I rolled my eyes and emptied my glass at the same time.

‘Everyone go around the table and tell me what they’re grateful for,’ Sumi demanded, banging her hand on the table. ‘Ade, you go first.’

‘Remember that time we got so drunk on her birthday that we woke up in France?’ I whispered to Lucy.

‘Paris is beautiful this time of year,’ she nodded with a nostalgic sigh.

‘All right, what am I grateful for?’ Adrian said, missing his glass when he reached out for it. ‘I’m grateful for a roof over my head and food in my belly and my wonderful friends. Also tits.’

‘Tits!’ Sumi clapped her approval. ‘I’m grateful for Adrian’s beautiful honesty. Lucy, what about you?’