HUNDREDS of youngsters across East Lothian enjoyed their first day of school yesterday (Wednesday).

It is not unusual for there to be a set of twins or two but few siblings will have had their big sister joining them in primary one.

Romeo, 4, and Bella Geddes, 5, were born less than 11 months apart and both started at Haddington Primary School this week.

Mum Emma, who is married to Bradley, told the Courier: “Last year, with Bella being born at the end of December, we got the option to defer.

“Given that she missed a lot of nursery with Covid, we decided to defer her.

“It just then hit me that we deferred her and they would be going into the same year at school.”

East Lothian Courier: Bella and Romeo Geddes have enjoyed their first day of school together

Bella was born on December 29, 2016, with her younger brother arriving seven weeks premature on November 13 the following year.

During a meeting with a member of staff at the school, Emma, who runs beauty business Brow&I, was told that two non-twin siblings had started primary one at the school only once before – when Emma started school!

Speaking to the Courier on Friday, 28-year-old Emma said that Romeo was looking forward to starting school but Bella was not so keen.

The mum said: “I think their whole life, they have never not had each other.

“Bella’s first birthday was a few days after Christmas and they were both there for the first Christmas and the first birthday. They have never really had a day apart.

“They wake together, they go to nursery together, they come home together, they go to the same birthday parties, the same extra-curricular stuff – they don’t have time apart.

“Now they are in the same year at school and it is like another chapter.

“But they are in different classes so it will be nice to see how they become their own people. I’m excited to see the difference in them and how much they change. It is also easier for me only having one drop-off and pick-up!”

An East Lothian Council spokesperson wished the new starts well.

They said: “This is an unusual situation and one which we’re sure will make Romeo and Bella’s start to P1 even more special for their family.

“We hope they enjoy joining their classmates in Haddington Primary School.”