Table of contents for 26-Sep-2019 in Chat

I love this photo of my mam Joyce, taken on her honeymoon in Blackpool in 1953. It was the only holiday she and Dad ever had! They enjoyed a great marriage, and I miss them both so much every day. Christine Williamson, Workington Look what my son Joe, 2, got up to when he found an old phone and pair of specs at his nan's house! He's so cheeky, and will no doubt be asking for his own mobile soon… Wayne Rolfe, Upminster My wonderful mother-in-law Lorna is never without her copy of her favourite magazine. Here she is, catching up on the latest stories on holiday in Rhodes. Heather Crudge, Glasgow Here's my mum Christine - with crazy eyes and definitely not acting her age! Shelley Barrett, Sheffield Cute!…

The jury found Andrea Yates not guilty by reason of insanity. The verdict sparked international debate about mental health. Andrea was moved from prison to a mental-health facility, where she remains today. The facility focuses on treatment, not punishment. ‘She’s where she needs to be,’ says her lawyer George Parnham. Yates spends her time watching videos of her children, walking around the gardens and doing arts and crafts. Some of her artwork is sold through the facility’s shop and any money is put in a memorial fund that assists in screening low-income women for mental-health issues. In a 2015 interview, Oprah Winfrey asked Rusty Yates if he forgives his ex-wife. ‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘Forgiveness kind of implies that I have ever really blamed her. In some sense, I’ve never really…

When surveyed by The British Red Cross, a whopping 97 per cent of people agreed that if we all did one kind thing a day, the UK would be a better place. But did you know that kindness is also good for your health? Both giving and receiving acts of kindness can reduce stress levels and lessen feelings of anxiety, depression and other mental-health problems. Here, the Random Acts of Kindness initiative shares three ways being nice can be healthy… 1 Smash anxiety In a study of a group of highly anxious individuals, there was a significant rise in positive moods and relationship satisfaction, and a decrease in social avoidance, after doing six acts of kindness every week for a month. 2 Reduce blood pressure Health expert Dr David R…

Silence in the sheets Q I’ve been with my partner seven years and we have three kids between us. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. But while our sex life is amazing, she’s always very quiet and I’m not always sure if she’s fully satisfied. I’ve tried asking her and she says she is. But I need more reassurance. What can I do? Steve, 36 A I actually don’t think this is about you needing affirmation in the bedroom, but in your relationship – I mean, we’ve all heard about the seven-year itch... I also don’t think you need to be asking if she’s had an orgasm simply because she didn’t make any noise! Have a sit-down chat, ask her is she’s happy and fulfilled. And when…

Becki Nock, 26, Liverpool Grabbing a second slice from the pizza box, I winced. ‘My armpit really hurts,’ I told my partner, who was then 18. ‘Maybe it’s a pulled muscle?’ he replied. Pah, not likely, I thought. The most exercise I got was dialling for a takeaway. Around a week later, in September 2013, the pain was still there. Then, in the shower later that evening, I felt a small pea-sized lump in my armpit. ‘It’s probably an infection,’ my GP said. I was prescribed antibiotics, but they did nothing to ease the pain. A month later, five more lumps had appeared. ‘They feel like cysts, you’ll need them drained,’ the doctor said. A couple of days on, I was examined at the breast clinic. ‘These aren’t cysts,’ the…

Garlicky pork Kievs with summer veg salad Kievs are a nostalgic dinner the whole family will enjoy. Try making it with pork as an alternative to chicken breast. SERVES 6 PREP TIME 15 MINS PLUS CHILLING COOK TIME 35 MINS • 6 pork loin steaks, fat removed • 75g garlic butter • 1tbsp mixed frozen herbs • 2 eggs, beaten • 125g breadcrumbs • 2tbsp oil • 2 large courgettes, thinly sliced • 1 large bunch spring onions, ends trimmed • 250g frozen peas • 1 tbsp runny honey • 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard • Zest and juice of 1 lemon • 4 tbsp olive oil • Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 Slice a pocket in each pork steak, then wrap each one loosely in clingfilm and bash…

Coronation Street James comes out to Michael Having overheard James and Bethany talking, Michael asks his brother outright if he’s gay. Michael’s unfazed, but shocked when he discovers his mum Aggie has known about James for years. With Ed being the only member of the family in the dark, Aggie tells her boys that their dad has a right to know. Will James come out to his old man, too? EastEnders Mel blackmails Sharon! Mel’s found out that Keanu’s the father of Sharon’s baby, which is handy because she’s desperate to get revenge on the Mitchells after the fuss they caused over Hunter’s funeral last week. She also has the paternity test results, so Sharon has no option but to comply when Mel blackmails her… What will Sharon have to…

Q I have sensitive skin that looks blotchy. How can I get rid of the redness? Sarah Smith, 55 A Flare-ups can be stressful but stress dilates blood vessels, which causes redness. Avoid abrasive scrubs and look for soothing ingredients like licorice and chamomile. When the skin’s moisture barrier is weakened, it will be prone to dryness, but products with ceramides will strengthen this barrier. For an instant fix, a green-tinted concealer will neutralise redness. Calm flare-ups with Avène Thermal Water Spray, £8.50. CeraVe Facial Moisturising  Lotion, £12, Superdrug, contains ceramides to boost the moisture barrier, and NYX HD Finishing  Powder Mint Green, £9, will subtly pare down blotchy skin. TOP TIP Swap black liquid eye liner for brown kohl – it gives a much softer finish.…

Anita Cook, 51, London Settling down on the sofa with a cup of coffee, I reached for my laptop. It was Christmas Eve 2018 and the living room was lit up from the glow of the fairy lights. There were lots of presents beneath the Christmas tree. Now after a busy day spent last-minute shopping, I finally had a moment to myself. ‘Time to play some bingo!’ I said to my husband Mark, 54. You see, relaxing with a game of online bingo is one of my favourite pastimes. Ever since joining Chat Mag Bingo in 2017, I’ve been a huge fan. I used to go to local bingo halls with my friends and family. Only times changed, many of the local halls closed, and as a busy mum and…

To my darling Arnold, That day we met, on your 21st birthday, I was smitten. I was only 19, the eighth of 10 children. But I knew from the moment you looked at me, you’d fallen, too. My sister Molly, then 34, helped us get together, and our first date was at my house, with 30 of my family! You helped me do the washing-up, so you could whisk me to the pictures. True romance! But it was June 1957, you had your national service to do. You’d be shipped to Hong Kong for three years. It shattered my heart. ‘Will you wait for me?’ you asked me. It’d only been a month since we met, but I knew you were The One. ‘Of course,’ I smiled. Waving you off,…

STYLE TIP Knee-high boots suit a straighter skirt STYLE TIP Mix textures like satin and velvet STYLE TIP Slogan tops aren’t just for teens! STYLE TIP Balloon sleeves flatter all arm shapes…

Sleep, that is. A survey from natural health product people Puressentiel has revealed that millions of Brits may be shortening their lives by not getting enough shut-eye, and 69 per cent of us are unaware that conditions like heart disease, diabetes, cancer and dementia are linked to a lack of sleep. The ideal amount of kip is seven to eight hours a night, yet the UK averages just 6.3 hours – with nearly half of us clocking up less than six. What’s stopping us from sleeping? A recent poll by blind makers Hillarys showed random noises, underlying stress and room temperature are some of the key factors. For a better night, make your bedroom cool and dark, and try to go to bed and get up at the same time…

BOY TAKEN AT FUNFAIR Mark Tildesley, 7, was lured from a funfair in Wokingham, Berks, on 1 June 1984. His bike was discovered nearby but Mark was never found. In 1990, convicted child abuser Leslie Bailey said Mark was raped and killed in a caravan by a paedophile gang, his body disposed of by Sidney Cooke (above). Bailey admitted manslaughter and was jailed for life. Cooke, now 92, wasn't prosecuted as he was already serving life for the sexual abuse of two boys in the 1970s. He refuses to reveal where Mark's body is. GOLD BANDITS BANGED UP On 26 November 1983, Micky McAvoy (right), Brian Robinson and their gang were let into the Heathrow warehouse of security company Brinks-Mat by insider Anthony Black. They found three tonnes of gold,…

1 Don’t just shrug your shoulders and mutter ‘sorry’. Just using the word on its own might come across like you don’t really mean it. Take time out to sit the person down, acknowledge exactly what it is you’re apologising for and show that you understand their feelings. 2 Don’t start blaming the person you’re apologising to, or making excuses for your actions. It’s not really an apology if you say, ‘I’m sorry, but...’ Take ownership of the mistake or hurt caused. 3 Tell them how things are going to improve, how you’re going to change or avoid that behaviour in the future. They need assurance that it’s not going to happen again, in order to be able to accept your apology. Then everyone can move on.…

My oncologist smiled. ‘There’s no trace of cancer left,’ he said. Like me, he was amazed. I hadn’t expected to be in remission at all, never mind this quickly. I’d need to finish the course of chemo – another five months of hell – but this news kept me going. A second chance... I had to make the most of it And to top it off, on Christmas Eve, my partner proposed. By April 2014, I’d finished chemo, and scans were still looking good. The treatment meant I’d lost a whopping 4st, too. ‘I’ve been given a second chance,’ I told my fella. ‘I have to make the most of it.’ And that meant making healthier choices. I moved back in with my man, restarted my job as a retail…

Gastropub Collection Chicken Kievs, 450g, £7, Marks and Spencer Well seasoned and succulent, these bone-in Kievs had a creamy garlic butter that wasn’t overpowering. The crumb stayed crisp during cooking and didn’t fall off the meat as soon as you cut it. British Chicken Breast Fillet Kievs, 320g, £3.90, Waitrose Classic flavours, texture and appearance – this was an excellent all-rounder, and great value too, as they’re often included in Waitrose’s three for £10 deal. Garlic Chicken Kievs, 390g, £3.95, Sainsbury’s This was the only chicken Kiev we tried that used a whole chicken breast with non-reformed meat. The flavour was good and we enjoyed the crunchy sourdough breadcrumb coating.…

Aries 21 March-20 April Offer of a lifetime? Not quite, but it’s something that doesn’t turn up every day. If you just want to have a peek and see, though, sorry. It’s buy before you try - no refunds! Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May You’ll need some sort of paperwork to get where you want to be. It’s not impossible, but it’ll take time. And, in the end, you may get less than you’d hoped for. Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June What you’re doing with your love life is like peeking at the end of a book, when you’ve only read the first chapter. Don’t miss the good bits! Go slow, enjoy the romance Call 0905 817 0692* for more…

OGX Tea Tree Mint Conditioner, £6.99, Superdrug Great for sensitive scalps, this tingling conditioner is formulated with tea tree oil, peppermint and witch hazel to keep your hair happy. Skin Republic Retinol Hydrogel Mask, £6.99, amazon.co.uk An anti-ageing sheet mask that takes just under half an hour to do its job? We’re sold! Hero ingredient retinol works with hydration-boosting hyaluronic acid to plump skin and reduce fine lines. Ben & Anna Sensitive Natural Deodorant, £9.95, biggreensmile.com Completely free from aluminium and nasties, this uses starchy arrowroot to narrow pores and keep skin dry, and has a fresh lemon and lime scent. Collection Incredibrow Brow Kit in Blonde, £3.99, Boots Everything you need for perfect brows in one slick kit, this contains three blendable colours, a narrow brush to apply and…

In March 2016, homeless Aaron Barley, then 23, was trying to sleep. Curled up outside Tesco in Stourbridge, his shelter from the late-winter chill was a cardboard box. That’s when he was spotted by Tracey Wilkinson. Aaron soon became part of the extended family Tracey, 49, was a wife, mum-of-two and Good Samaritan. She went out of her way to help those in need, did endless volunteer work. Aaron, on the other hand, was born into a tough life. A product of incest – his mother was his father’s niece – he was the victim of a broken home, part of a large, fragmented and tumultuous family. By 6, he was orphaned. His father died of cancer in 1998, his mother had a fatal heart attack two years later. Aaron…

David Smith, 33, New Brighton Watching the image come into focus, I gave my wife’s hand a squeeze. For a moment, the room was silent. And then… The sound of a very strong heartbeat filled the air. Only, it sounded out of time ‘There are two heartbeats,’ our sonographer smiled. My jaw nearly hit the floor. ‘Twins?!’ my wife Jayne, then 25, gasped. That was our very first scan, back in December 2015. We were so excited to get the first glimpse of our baby. Or babies! Twins didn’t run in our families, and doctors wanted to monitor us closely. But Jayne’s the sort of person who likes to be clued-up. So, back home, she got researching. One condition that kept cropping up was twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). It’s a…

I’m leaking Q I recently swam in a swimming pool for the first time in years and was horrified to find water dribbling from my vagina for hours afterwards! Should I be worried, or is this normal? Ann, Portadown A Usually this means that you’ve lost some pelvic muscle tone and strength, usually following childbirth or the menopause. This can often cause your vagina to gape slightly, both at the entrance and internally, thus allowing water to enter and gradually dribble out afterwards. You might find it helps to use a tampon while you’re in the pool – they’re safe to wear while swimming – and then a pad afterwards. Pelvic-floor exercises – which you do by squeezing the muscles you use to stop a wee – will help restore…

3 ways to... Get a holiday for next to nothing 1 Spend wisely You can get free flights by taking out an airline credit card and spending on it. These types of cards offer Avios and other frequent flyer points when you spend. And when you accrue enough points, they can be converted into free flights (although you'll still need to pay taxes and charges, so always check the conditions). Remember to make sure you pay off the  balance in full each month to avoid paying interest. 2 Get comping It may be a long shot, but you could get a free break by entering competitions. Check out theprizefinder.com. 3 Swap houses You can find free accommodation by house-swapping. Take a look at lovehomeswap.com or homeexchange.com. List your property and search…

Rescue My Hair Pollution Patrol Shampoo Bar, £13.95, beautybay.com There’s no denying this is a little pricey, but it’s free from plastic and made without water – meaning it’s better for the environment. Nspa Beauty Rituals Anti-Pollution Daily Defence Day Cream SPF30, £7, Asda Shields skin from the ageing effects of pollution as well as blue light from our mobile phones. It has SPF30 too, for an added bonus. Revlon Photoready Candid Anti-Pollution Setting Powder, £9.99, Superdrug Protects skin while blurring any imperfections and keeping my make-up in place. The sheer shade suits all.…