Melanie Phelan, 42, Manchester
Stretched out on the sofa, my brother William, then 14, was transfixed by the telly.
‘Watching Stand By Me again?’ I laughed, flopping beside him.
‘Best film ever,’ he grinned.
It was April 1993 and the 80s classic was always on.
Like the group of lads featured in his favourite movie, my brother had a tight-knit crew of pals.
They’d hang around together, having a laugh.
Our family was close too.
With nine of us kids in total, there was only three years between Will and me.
I adored him.
Mad on cars and tinkering with bikes, he loved music and playing piano.
After leaving school, he worked in factories, seemed to be doing well, but by his 20s, he’d changed.
Still living with our mum Linda…
