A life on pause

Jessie Shedden, 34, Cwmbran

Lying in bed at 9pm on a Saturday, I listened to the hubbub of activity outside my window.

Music, the smell of BBQs wafting, laughter.

I wish I could join them.

I wished I could enjoy carefree days with friends – but I had to be up at 3am for church and I had no mates.

You see, I was the fourth generation of my family born into the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, formally known as the Exclusive Brethren.

A religious order with 50,000 members worldwide.

Aged 15, I lived in Yeovil with my parents