Falling out with Becky Prentice, 26, from Braintree, was always everything... her sister. But some unexpected news changed

and continued.

‘I actually have some news of my own,’ she said.

‘Oh yes?’ I asked.

‘I’m pregnant too,’ she said. My mouth dropped open. ‘Really?’ I cried.

‘I only found out a few days ago,’ she said. Pulling the car over, Sophie and I climbed out to give each other a hug.

We were both going to be mums! Even so, something was really bothering me about this. ‘Congratulations,’ I said to Sophie through gritted teeth. I couldn’t help but feel that she’d stolen my thunder.

But as the news sank in and I thought more about how exciting becoming an auntie was going to be, I realised I was being silly.

A few weeks later, Jake and I went for my 12-week scan. I squeezed his hand as we saw our baby for the first time.

We were told our due date would be around 16 December. A few days later, Sophie went for her first scan. ‘Did you get your due date?’ I asked her excitedly afterwards. ‘It’s the same as yours!’ she grinned. ‘That’s amazing!’ I cried, throwing my arms around her. And this time, I meant it. We knew the chances of our babies being born on the same day were slim, but as our bumps grew, we compared all of our kicks and cravings.

We went shopping for everything our babies would need, too.

Jake and I decided to have a gender reveal party, and as we popped a big balloon, pink confetti tumbled out.

Meanwhile, Sophie found out she was having a boy.

‘We’ll have one of each,’ I smiled.

‘They’ll be the best of friends,’ she replied.

We talked about the names we’d chosen and got more and more excited as we waited for our new arrivals.

Our due date came and went. Then Sophie went into labour and was taken to hospital.

‘Good luck,’ I smiled.

By then, I’d started feeling twinges, too, but with Sophie much further along than me, I hadn’t paid them much attention.

There was still no news on Sophie when Jake took me to the birthing clinic.

But soon after, I suffered complications and was rushed

Born four hours apart to hospital – the same one as Sophie.

A little while later, Mum came in to see me.

‘How’s Sophie?’ I asked her. ‘She’s fine,’ Mum smiled. ‘And little Arlo is perfect.’ He’d been born safely via C-section weighing 9lb 3oz, and I couldn’t wait to meet him.

But first, I had my own little one to deliver.

When the doctor arrived soon after, he saw Mum there and did a double take.

‘Weren’t you somewhere else a minute ago?’ he asked.

‘Becky is my daughter too,’ Mum smiled. Now, my contractions were coming thick and fast, so I kept breathing and pushing.

Finally, my little girl arrived weighing 8lb 3oz and was placed on my chest.

‘Hello Olivia,’ I whispered. She was absolutely perfect. She’d been born just four hours after her cousin Arlo.

Once we were properly settled, I begged doctors to let me and Sophie share a room.

When we finally saw each other that night, we were both exhausted, but ecstatic. ‘Congratulations,’ I said. ‘You too,’ Sophie replied. ‘How was it?’

We stayed up talking until the early hours.

In time, we both returned home, and the whole family pitched in to help with the babies.

‘They’re going to be so close,’ Sophie said.

Together, we cheered each milestone that Olivia and Arlo reached, and after years of bickering, Sophie and I are now the closest we’ve ever been.

Olivia and Arlo get on so well now and Sophie and I spend as much time together as we can.

Our kids brought us together and helped us see beyond our squabbles to what’s important – family.

We would have one of each!

We’ve never been closer!