Louise O'Neill: It was as if I was learning to ride a bike for the first time, I needed the stabiliser wheels still attached before I was ready to let go

As a child, I had certain ideas about what life would be like as an adult and most of those were derived from movies.

Not films like Big or Home Alone, I knew enough from watching my own parents that it seemed unlikely adulthood would consist of staying up late and eating copious amounts of junk food. But I did secretly believe I would probably move to New York, go to work every day on the subway in thick soled white runners before changing into high heels for the office, while still managing to rent a large apartment over looking Central Park. (I blame a combination of Working Girl and Dynasty for these mixed messages about what I would be able to afford.)