I suppose I was always being protected from the truth about my brother, in a way. Yes, mum would tell me what he did but when it came to actually dealing with him I’d make sure I’m not involved. My mum had to do it. It didn’t work as he just screamed at her.

When mum was at mine, he’d scream at her over the phone. I tried to interfere at some point and although he didn’t scream at me, he also didn’t do what I asked him to (like paying an electricity bill).

Now mum is saying I should keep telling him to stop drinking and take care of himself. How would that work, I don’t really know. He won’t listen, he’s ‘one level above everyone else’.