Back in July 2009, at my baby shower, someone kindly gave me a little book on the benefits of having twins. Apart from the swollen ankles and the enormous bump I was carrying, I already felt pretty blessed that, at 35, I was only going to have to do the whole pregnancy thing once. I like efficiency and this route to procreation was right up my street – not to mention the fact that I only had to give up cigarettes, Brie de Meaux, gin and chardonnay for a single period of nine months. But I hoped there would be some other benefits as I was starting to realise that, with two newborns to prepare for and no hand-me-downs coming our way, twins came with challenges of their own.

I quickly scanned through the book; it was very short. Three things stood out. The first was that they’d share a birthday – and therefore, a party. Again, I loved the efficiency – one day of disruption, one expensive entertainer, one set of jam sandwiches (two cakes – I’m not that mean). So when, a week later at Kingston hospital, Twin 1, a healthy baby girl of 6lb 12oz, arrived at 11.40 p.m. and the nurse........

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