BRYONY LEWIS, 17, IS THE YOUNGEST OF THREE AND LIVES AT HOME. HER BROTHER JACK IS 23 AND HER SISTER KATIE IS 20.
Growing up, my siblings and I got on very well. We were allies – it was us and our parents. I’m really good friends with Katie; we were a pair. I’m quite loud, but she’s chilled and a really relaxing person to be around.
Jack was a typical eldest child. He always gave a lot of advice. If I had a problem, I’d go to him; he is wise and such
a positive presence. I suppose I was the young, immature one.
Jack was the first to leave: he went to university in Wales, so was quite far away. I was 13 and, although I was excited for him, I didn’t want him to go. I think Mum was quite upset. I remember her saying, ‘I want my boy back.’ It felt weird knowing he wasn’t around any more, that there was no one behind his bedroom door.
Just before Katie left when I was 16, I remember thinking, ‘I’ll be an only child. What will that be like?’ Even though Katie isn’t loud, the house got so much quieter.
You knew there was nothing going on anywhere. I really missed her calm presence and I felt bored – who could I annoy? I paced around a lot; I couldn’t settle or keep still.
I became more creative. I want to study music at university and the songs I started writing when they left were all about childhood, being in the park, going to primary school. There is one called ‘Home’, which has a verse about the silent walls, sitting on my own, feeling empty.
My siblings leaving was a shake-up; it forced me into a more grown-up role. I still feel and act younger when they come home, though. I try to be extra nice to my parents when my siblings are not there. When I go out in the evenings, I don’t want to be home too late as I feel bad for them. I worry about what will happen to them when I go to university. I know they’ve got each other, but thinking about them on their own makes me sad.