Jealousy and access courses

With regards to your first question, I would say why be bitter? It is not their fault that they got in and you did not. Bitterness and jealousy won't get you that much sought after place -- but persistence and perseverance might.

Have you considered graduate-entry medicine? Your A-levels are good enough to get onto a science course somewhere. I know that GEM is not an entirely reliable prospect for the next 3/4 years but I'd venture that it's still the best option left. Access courses are possible but often more competitive than undergraduate applications. You normally have to get in the top ~10% which is a challenge in itself. If you got a biomedical degree you may be able to do GEM, and if not, at least you can enter some other healthcare-related profession (many of which share several core attributes to medicine)

I got DEEbc at A/AS level but a first class degree and then got onto GEM that way. It's definitely worth considering.

Bitter is the wrong word... Disappointment is a better way of expressing it. I am definitely considering studying Biomedical Sciences, because I am still unsure whether I want to do research or be a doctor (but I would prefer to study Medicine).

I am put off GEM because it is so competitive and by that time in my life I would consider myself too old to reapply to med school. I know most GEM students are in their 30's/40's but I can't see myself biding my time for that long just to get on a medicine degree.