Overnight I became Mum and Dad

After a double tragedy, Nathan Phillips, 21, is picking up the pieces of his family

- FRANCES LEATE, KATIE PEARSON

Shoving my phone in my pocket, I raced downstairs to find my mum Anita, 53, about to serve my favourite cheese-and-potato pie. ‘You’re not staying for dinner?’ she frowned as I headed for the door. ‘Save me some,’ I called, the delicious smell of Mum’s cooking almost tugging me back as I dashed off to meet my mates.

In the driveway, my dad David, 58, and brother Luke, then 11, were getting ready to go for a ride. Dad worked in an automotive plant and had been riding motorbikes all his life. When I was younger, he’d take me out, but now, in June 2016, I’d just turned 17 and was either at college or seeing mates, so it was Luke’s turn.

‘Off to see your girlfriend?’ Luke teased, making a kissy face.

‘You wish you could get a girlfriend,’ I scoffed back.

There were six years between us, but it didn’t stop us winding each other up.

‘That’s enough,’ Dad laughed.

We loved each other really, and we were lucky, too. Mum spoilt us with nice clothes and trainers when we’d done well at school, and cooked our favourite meals, while Dad worked hard so we could afford a decent life.

Shocking loss

Over the next months, though, I noticed Mum wasn’t herself, taking time off her part-time supermarket job and napping in the afternoons. She’d sometimes have appointments at George Eliot Hospital, Nuneaton, with Dad, while Dad’s sisters – my aunties Denise and Vanessa – would check on Luke and me.

A few times, I’d hear them whispering about Mum, test results or treatment, and although I worried, I was too afraid of the answers to ask questions.