Guardian Life & Style (US) • Jan. 10, 2026, 5:19 a.m.

<p>Since my mum died, family photos can be painful to look at. But this one of me and my brother is a reminder we still have each other</p><p>My only sibling is seven years older than me.

That means he has forever been seven years ahead of me in life, sitting somewhere between a willing co-conspirator and knowledgable surrogate parent – protective but fun, and always aware of the secrets of existence I am yet to discover. It was his aside that spoiled the secret identity of Santa Claus; he who laughingly revealed the mechanics of sex; he who gave me my first sip of beer.

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