Table of contents for 22-Feb-2018 in Chat

She’s never apologised, and I’ll never know why she did it... Staring in the mirror, I scrutinised my nose – long, thin, with a big unsightly bump at the bridge. Like a witch! I thought. I was only 12 but I hated the way I looked. ‘Don’t worry about it,’ my mum Victoria, 42, would soothe. She knew I despised my nose, tried to tell me I was beautiful. But she couldn’t protect me from school bullies. ‘Scrooge!’ they’d laugh, making reference to the Dickens character with a long, pointy conk. It reduced me to tears, and made me feel so insecure. At 13, I went to a school in Newcastle for a year, before we moved to Nottingham. I was still unhappy and my wonky nose made me self-conscious,…

We were told the two main arteries were switched As the wriggling bundle was placed in my arms, I had tears in my eyes. ‘She’s beautiful,’ I said. It was December 2016 and I’d just given birth to my first child, Elsie. At 7lb 8oz, she was perfect. Me and my husband Damian, 29, were besotted. After the usual checks, Elsie was allowed home. At first, everything was textbook. But a couple of weeks on, I noticed Elsie’s feet looked a bit puffy. ‘It’s nothing to worry about,’ our doctor reassured us. Then, when she was four weeks, I developed sharp tummy pains. At North Devon District Hospital I was told I had an infection. Elsie was with me and a nurse noticed her puffy feet. ‘That’s strange,’ she said.…

When I was in my 20s, I didn’t worry about relationships and children. I’ll do it when the time’s right, I thought. I was too busy focusing on my career as a graphic designer and having fun. Only, when I hit my 30s, my mates started settling down and having babies. Watching them with their little ones made me feel broody. When will it be my turn? I’d ask myself. I fell in love a couple of times. But when the relationships didn’t work out, I was back to square one. I started to lose hope. I’m never going to find my Mr Right, I thought. Then, in 2005, I was tasked at work with designing stuff for a fertility clinic called the London Women’s Clinic. I learnt all the…

Makes: 14Prep: 15 minsCook: 8 minsCost perserving: 32p 1 Preheat oven to 180C/Gas 4. Beat 75g unsalted butter with 60g light soft brown sugar and 60g caster sugar until light and fluffy. Add 1 egg and ½tsp vanilla and beat to combine 2 Sift in 150g self-raising flour and ¼tsp salt, and mix to form a stiff dough. Add 50g chopped dark chocolate and shape into 14 balls. Spread apart on a lined baking tray and bake in oven for 4 mins. 3 Place a halved mini Creme Egg, yolk-side-up on top of each par-baked cookie and return to the oven for 4 more mins. Take out of oven and cool. 4 For the icing, divide 25g icing sugar between two bowls and add a little water at a time…

Matthew thought I was winding him up! One day, reading some of the bingo winners’ stories in my fave mag Chat , I decided I’d give the site a go. So, about three years ago, I signed up to Chat Mag Bingo. As soon as I started, I loved it. Made so many friends, even people from round the corner! As we played the games, we chatted, too, about everything – favourite games, even what we were having for tea! My favourite bingo rooms are Take Me Out, Round the Clock and Game Show. On 7 June last year, I was playing Round the Clock, a 75-ball bingo game. I’d spent £2 on 20 tickets with a great buy-two, get-one-free offer. My partner Matthew, 39, was pottering around in the…

It was bloody and gory – I couldn’t bear to look! Holding out my hands I admired my perfect set of new acrylics. At nine months pregnant with my fourth, I was ready to pop. But I’d treated myself to a manicure before the sleepless weeks ahead. Then, last June, Ralph was born. Life with a newborn quickly took over. I’d usually pop to my nail salon every few weeks. But, by August, I hadn’t had time and my acrylics had grown out, looked a right state. Every time I looked down, I cringed with embarrassment. I’ll take them off, I thought. So, using acetone just like they do in the salons, I soaked my nails for 30 minutes, then scraped off the acrylics with a wooden scraper. Only as…

From the grin on her face, I knew my sister Emma had good news. ‘I’ve met someone,’ she smiled. It was August 2008 and Emma, then 24, had popped over for lunch. ‘He’s great,’ she beamed. I was thrilled – Emma hadn’t had it easy. Born with club feet, she’d endured painful operations growing up. Our dad had left when we were little, leaving our mum Sue to bring us up alone. We were like chalk and cheese. Emma was 18 months younger, loud and outgoing, while I was the quiet one. But we were thick as thieves, and I was always protective of her. Especially in September 2002, when she fell pregnant at 18. ‘You’re too young,’ I’d warned. But when my nephew arrived, I doted on him. His…

Judge Datuk Seri Mariana Yahya found Asni Omar, 39, guilty of murder. ‘I find that the accused’s story was well arranged to show he was innocent. However, it only served to weaken his own defence. ‘Therefore, I pronounce him guilty as charged,’ she said. Omar wept and was hugged by his family, as he was handed a death sentence – the mandatory penalty for murder is death by hanging. Omar appealed his sentence but it was upheld by Federal Court in August 2016.…

Falafel Asda Sweet Potato Falafels, 220g, £2  The sweet potato gives a distinctive flavour, and they were really tasty and moist. Not as authentic as some others, but still good. Aldi Aromatic Moroccan Falafel, 200g, £1.29 Gluten and dairy free, and suitable for vegans, the texture was really good, and - at this price - a real bargain! Sainsbury's Falafel x 12, 200g, £2 Just what you want from a falafel! Perfect texture and a fresh, herby flavour. Try them in a toasted pitta with hummus and shredded lettuce. NEW Iceland Mumbai Street Co, £1.50 each A just-launched, own-brand range of 16 delicious dishes. Choose treats such as Tandoori Shashlik, Chilli Paneer Cheese, Goan Pulled Pork - and many more!…

Cheeky! After reading a bedtime story to my two little’uns, I said firmly, ‘I’m going to close the door now, and I don’t want to hear a peep!’ As I left, I heard the younger one cheekily say, ‘Peep, peep!’ Kendra Aitkens, Prenton Golden oldie My bachelor brother-in-law always loved the ladies. On his 86th birthday, someone asked if he was still a playboy. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘But now I only run after girls if it’s downhill!’ Gave us all a good giggle! Micha Bryn, Liverpool Funny faces I don’t know where I’d be without my parents, Sue and Dennis, to brighten up my life and make me laugh! Sophie White, Denbigh Photo of the week Enjoying the sunshine in Aruba with my daughter Steph. Take us back! Trish Monks,…

Charity Pot Hand and Body Lotion, £13.95, Lush This rich cream not only leaves your skin feeling like silk, but 100 per cent of the price goes to small organisations that need a little helping hand to carry on their brilliant work. Lacura Moisturising Face Wash, 99p, Aldi 's beauty range has been given a Leaping Bunny award, confirming none of the products are tested on animals. This gel wash gently removes daily dirt and grime. Yope Ginger & Sandalwood Natural Hand Cream, £7.99, yope.me/en Using natural and organic plant oils as the key ingredients, this hand cream revives sore, cracked mitts in just a couple of uses. It smells amazing, too. Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Oil in Caramel Cloud, £8.45, feelunique.com This lip oil is as shiny…

Playing with the other kids, my daughter Annabelle, 4, didn’t seem herself. ‘I’m tired, Mummy,’ she moaned to me after only half an hour. It was November 2016 and I’d taken her to a friend’s party to enjoy cakes and sweets. Annabelle was normally the life and soul of most parties. I noticed she had a high temperature, too. Perhaps she’s coming down with a cold, I thought. I knew it wasn’t unusual for kids to get the sniffles. But the next day, she was worse. Plus, she was very hyperactive – and it just wasn’t like her. ‘We should take her to the doctor’s, just to be safe,’ I said to my husband Steven, then 32. ‘We can’t see anything wrong with her,’ they told us there. But I…

Hugging and laughing, we were so excited Relaxing on the sofa on a cold November day last year, I scrolled dreamily through online pictures of sunny beaches on my laptop. I longed to be somewhere warm. In the middle of a British winter, who wouldn’t? Snapping back to reality, I watched my partner Salim, 52, potter around the living room. With my laptop already on my knees, I thought I’d have a few games on Chat Mag Bingo. I’d been playing for about six years, after decades of going to the bingo halls. I’d enjoyed going to the halls but, with online bingo, you can play it from the comfort of your own home at a time that suits you. Perfect for cold, grey days! One of my favourite things…

Serves: 4 Prep: 10 mins, plus marinating time Cook: 15 mins Cost per serving: £1.28 1 Blend together 165g tikka masala paste, 150g plain yogurt (we used Alpro Simply Plain), juice of 1 lime and handful chopped coriander. 2 Pour the mixture over 4 chopped chicken breasts and leave to marinate for 1 hr. 3 Thread the chicken on to skewers and grill until cooked through. Serve with pilau rice and lime wedges, plus raita sauce for dipping.…

Contestant Louise was introduced... and she was huge! Heading to the snack aisle, I was deciding what I wanted for my dinner… I’ll just grab a takeaway, I thought. With crisps and wine! I got to the till, basket full of junk food and booze. It was 2011 and I was miserable. Lonely and sick of office work, I’d eat to feel better. Since starting a desk job in admin, I’d shot up from a size-10 to a 16. I only ever cooked pasta – laden with melted cheese. And I could polish off a bottle of wine watching the telly, too. Soon size-16 became an 18. By November 2012, I decided that I’d really had enough. So I handed in my notice and uprooted my life in Scotland for…

Prosecutors claimed he’d smothered his son THE STORY Fun, playful, energetic... all words used to describe toddler Brendan Creato, 3. ‘A big, crazy ball of joy,’ said his mother Samantha Denoto. She and little Brendan’s father, David Creato Jr, had separated. But they shared custody, so the infant split his time between their homes. Then, on 13 October 2015, while at his dad’s apartment in Haddon Township, New Jersey, the happy little boy disappeared. Distraught, David phoned the police at 6am. ‘My 3-year-old is missing,’ he told the operator. ‘I just woke up and he wasn’t in my apartment. I don’t know if he wandered out or what happened. I don’t know where he is. The door was locked, I guess he unlocked it and left.’ A huge search began.…

I’d never see either of my girls’ proms, their weddings... Opening my laptop, a picture of my daughters flashed up. It was February 2011, my girls Rebecca and Rachel were 8 and 6. I loved their smiles, their long, blonde hair… Then I noticed a grey spot in my left eye. Thinking it was dust, I blinked. But it didn’t go away, not even rinsing with water helped. ‘It’s so annoying,’ I complained to hubby Lee, then 33. Days later, I was taking Rachel to pick up glasses from the optician. On a whim, I mentioned my ‘floater’ to the receptionist. Luckily, there was an on-call optician there who ran some tests. Better safe than sorry. He took pictures of the back of my eye. ‘There’s something there,’ he said.…

Aries 21 March - 20 April In disaster movies, a passenger always has to fly the plane, even though they’ve not flown before… That’s you this week, taking on a task you know must be done, when nobody else realised. You’re a hero! Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May You were together a couple of weeks ago, had a good time, said goodbye and that was it. Or so it seemed… Now you meet again, just the two of you, and you’re leading the way. Is the romance getting serious? Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June Something you were keen on no longer excites you. A mate rekindles your interest and, at first, you’re pleased. But then you…

The moment I put on that first dress, I was hooked Pulling up my knee-high socks, I teased my ringlets into place. Perfect! I thought, admiring my reflection. In my hair was a pink, fluffy headband covered in bows. My bag had a Hello Kitty design, and I completed my look with a pink, frilly dress. Looking at me, you’d be forgiven for thinking I was a little girl. But I’m a 22-year-old woman. In Japan, this fashion is described as Lolita style. Lolita fashion is cute, pink, and girly. And I love it! I’ve always been a girly girl. When I was a tot, my mum Cassie, 37, adored dressing me in princess dresses. But my style is much more than a trend. It’s an escape... You see, it’s…

An X-ray revealed that I’d fractured my ankle Hobbling to the altar By Rachael Forbes, 35, from Cumbria The sun was shining – and, with two weeks to go until my wedding in July 2013, I fancied catching a bit of sun. So I headed off for a walk. Bumping into my neighbour and his dog, I stepped back to let them pass. But I lost my footing in a pothole and went over on my right ankle. ‘Ouch!’ I cried out in pain. I knew something was wrong, and had to ask my neighbour for a lift back home. I put my feet up and stuck a bag of frozen peas on my ankle. But it was swollen, throbbing and bruised. My fiance Adrian was away for work so…

What are scales? Q I have brown, scaly, wrinkled patches in my armpits. My doctor diagnosed erythrasma. What on earth is it? Alyson, 38 A It's an infection caused by normally harmless bacteria, usually affecting your armpits, groin or between your toes. It's more likely if you're prone to sweating, diabetes or obesity. Antibiotic cream should clear it, and antibacterial soap can help prevent it in future. Nodding head Q My mum has begun nodding her head all the time, but she doesn't seem to notice. Is it safe to ignore? Alix, 42 A This could be titubation, where the head, or trunk, slowly rocks back and forth. It usually means damage to the cerebellum, the part of your brain that controls posture and co-ordination, possibly due to a stroke…

10,000 The bodies of five sex workers were found in Ipswich in late 2006. Detectives viewed 10,000 hours of CCTV footage searching for the Suffolk Strangler. A DNA breakthrough eventually led them to serial killer Steve Wright (left), whose vehicle was recorded in the red-light districts on nights the murders took place. Wright is serving a life sentence. 2,000 Axe murderer William Kemmler was sentenced to death in the US in 1989, for killing his lover Matilda Ziegler. He'd be the first to die by electric chair, after the method was developed as a ‘humane' alternative to hanging. When 1,000 volts failed to kill him, it was ramped up to 2,000. As he died, witnesses reported the room filled with smoke and the smell of burning flesh. 9 Lady Veronica…

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Before long, he’d got his tiny hooves under the table! Wandering around the farm, I spotted little Ottie. ‘Aren’t you the most gorgeous fella?’ I beamed, crouching down to ruffle his coat, which was white and grey and fluffy. It was last November, and I’d gone to Pandora’s Miniature Farm to pick him up. Before, I’d always loved riding horses. Only, in November 2011, back problems had brought my equestrian days to an early end. I was gutted. But I soon discovered I could still compete – only with miniature horses instead. I could enter dressage and agility competitions – and run beside them. Before long, I had 12 miniature horses. I kept them at our farm, where I live with my mum Brenda and daughter Jessica, 18 years old.…

LEAF IT OUT! Like many cats, UK moggie Baloo used to bring a freshly caught ‘gift' of a bird or mouse every day for her beloved owner Ben. Jumping through the bedroom window and onto lucky Ben's bed, she'd present her catch. ‘I'd shoot out of bed to try and catch the thing,' Ben says. ‘Then I'd look at her and tell her to stop.' That was when new gifts started coming. Now Baloo presents Ben with…a large leaf every morning! SNOW JOKE An artistic Canadian got creative in freezing Montreal temperatures, sculpting a snow car - but it looked so real, police tried to give it a ticket! The car, looking like the DeLorean from the Back to the Future films, even sported a windscreen…