The room was filled with a cacophony of loud chatter and levity as I made my way through the crowd of people.

Unconsciously I found myself swaying rhythmically with the mass throng around me, my arms and legs a whirl of motion, hypnotised and intoxicated by the music.

As I approached the group of familiar faces ahead of me we embraced. I felt the warm breath of a woman’s mouth as her lips caressed my cheeks with an affectionate kiss.

I was gestured towards the bar and handed a small glass and prompted to extend my hand, a sprinkle of salt was deposited on the back of my hand and a slice of lime given to me which I held between my thumb and index finger. I breathed out, licked the salt from the back of my hand, downed the tequila shot and bit the lime then slammed the glass onto the bar.  

A stack of glasses of wine, lager and cocktails where lined up invitingly on the bar. I grasped a pint of lager eagerly while we all distractedly glanced at our timepieces: watches, smartphones and the clock hanging behind the bar as the DJ counted down:” 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Happy New Year!”