HER SON’S STORY

Ben says: We were premature and quite small when we were born. I’d always be carried by Mum, and my twin, who was a bit heavier, by my dad.

I have one memory of my dad from a video. It was my third birthday and he was teaching me to ride a bike. Two weeks later he passed away. I’m very relieved dad died when he did, because someone at school lost her dad when she was much older and that’s obviously worse.

I was aware Mum was older than most and some of my friends might have asked if she was my granny. But all parents are old when you’re a child.

Obviously the older you are, the less you can do. But she tried. She did Go Ape and stuff like that. She had to be hoisted on to the zip wire, maybe because she was overweight.

I didn’t find out I was an IVF baby until I was about 14. My friend’s mum was trying to show us why you shouldn’t have social media. She searched my mother’s name to show how easy it was to find out about someone, and the first thing was the article about her being the oldest mother of a test-tube baby. She read the headline, went ‘Oh s***’ and closed the laptop. ‘That’s a conversation you should have with your mum.’

I asked mum my questions and got on with my life. It was never an issue. I am curious about my donor, though. I thought about death probably more than any kid should. I lost my best friend last year; she was only 19. She just passed away in her sleep.

I worry about mum dying, but I’m sure she’s not going to die any time soon. One regret when I lost my friend was that I didn’t have many photos of her. Now I just want to make as many memories as I can.

I like kids. I want three and I’d like them to meet my mum.

I can barely look after myself, but my plan is to get my qualifications — I’m interested in animal conservation — and then, if I’m not with anyone, I’ll maybe go for surrogacy.