by Charlotte Rainsford
Two of a Kind Charlotte Rainsford
Two of a Kind Charlotte Rainsford
This book explores the connections between sets of twins by capturing their special bonds both physical and mental but also their differences. Society as a whole is intrigued by twins. Are identical twins really carbon copies of each other or is it just the exterior which is the same? Does being a non-identical twin create less of a bond between the twins? Is there an unspoken competition created by the day-to-day comparisons and mix ups or does it make the connection stronger?
Georgia and Freya, age 3 ‘Freya makes things and Georgia breaks them.’ Identical features yet already their individual personalities are so different.
Emily and James, age 9 ‘I was born 40 minutes before James. I am always ready for school way before James and I think I always will be!’
Jack and Oscar, age 12 ‘Our friends at school seem to always get us confused which we don’t understand. I think I’m completely different to Oscar. I would say he is my best friend but only on a good day.’
Annabel and Reuben, age 14 ‘We clearly have our own individuality being different genders, however we do and always will have each others backs. Even at nursery when someone tried to steal Annabel’s apple, I was straight by her side getting that apple back.’
Neve and Katelyn, age 14 ‘Katelyn and I are mirror image twins. This basically means if you look at the right side of me and the left of Katelyn’s body the features are all the same. This only happens to 25% of identical twins. Our personalities however couldn’t be more different.’
Mia and Imi, age 16 ‘We were so identical when we were born none of the doctors or our parents know who was born first. As we have got older we look slightly different, people still seem to get us mixed up which we use to our advantage sometimes by switching places..!’
James and Chris, age 17 ‘We have got compared our whole lives, not necessarily because of the looks, mostly because of our heights. James being 6’8 and me at 6’5 seems to attract attention.’
Ria and Leigh, age 21 ‘Throughout school people could never tell us apart. We were assigned colours to wear for teachers to tell us apart but occasionally we would swap places and do each others tests!’
Rachel and Steph, age 26 ‘In all our 26 years, 4 days and 5 nights is the longest we have gone without seeing each other. We live and work together. We share a bond which no one else could ever understand.’
Kelly and Karen age 48 ‘When we were around 17 years old Kelly had her hair cut short. I followed suit a few weeks later but we didn’t tell Kelly’s boyfriend. He came to the house to pick Kelly up one evening. I answered the door and pretended to be her to see how long it would take for him to notice. He didn’t realise until he went to kiss me. He was suitably embarrassed.’
Laura and Sharon, age 45 ‘When we were little dad had shirts made with our names printed on the front and back so that everyone could tell us apart!’
Hilary and Louise, age 58 ‘We have been through it all, from losing our children and living in completely different countries. Our bond has only got stronger and we really could not live with out each other now.’
Bette and Kath, age 72 ‘Growing up in a family with 10 children we had to grow up fast, so having each other was a blessing. Dad made us leave school at age 15 to go and work in a shirt factory. We have stayed there for 56 years and never missed a day of work.’
With thanks to Isla & Lily Freya & Georgia Emily & James Jack & Oscar Reuben & Annabel Neve & Katelyn Poppy & Sasha Imi & Mia Chris & James
Isabelle & Grace Rachel & Steph Emma & Kirsty Jamie & Arran Karen & Kelly Hilary & Lousie Sharon & Laura Bette & Kath