Table of contents for 15 September 2022 in Chat

Fess up… Do you still have your childhood teddy bear? Mine is Tedbed – he’s threadbare and his head’s hanging off, but I’ll never get rid of him. But even he can’t compete with Christy’s toy bear (p10). Reading what makes him extra special will bring a tear to your eye. We’ve more real-life reads and a treat for puzzle fans, with 50p off a Chat puzzle book (p51). Snap it up Have a fab week! PS If you’re entering the puzzles online, this is the link to use: comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Annmarie Kaye, 43, Bradford Trudging through the pouring rain, heavily pregnant, I headed to the supermarket with my partner Craig, then 28, when he suddenly took off his coat. ‘What are you doing?’ I asked, as he laid it down on the ground. ‘So you don’t have to walk in puddles,’ he laughed. Then he got down on one knee. ‘Marry me?’ he asked, grinning. I said yes. There was no question. Craig and I had met a year earlier, volunteering at a homeless shelter. We’d started dating in January 2002 and, one month later, I was pregnant. Craig was brilliant with my two kids from a previous relationship, then 3 and a year old. Our son was born in November 2002, only days after Craig’s spontaneous proposal. We tied…

Christy Hurst, 50 Holding my newborn, Jill, I couldn’t believe that the years of hope and heartbreak were finally over. It was March 2001, and my husband Jerry, then 31, and I had married six years earlier, and were excited to start a family. But I was diagnosed with endometriosis, docs had warned it would be difficult. Eventually, in July 2000, we’d accepted it would never happen. But one month later, I was pregnant! Jill was our miracle. We loved watching her grow up. Wherever we went, Jill made friends. At 3, Jill came home from nursery saying she wanted to take a toy for another child who didn’t have any. For her 4th birthday, Jill asked people to make donations to the local hospital. People were drawn to her…

A young woman devoted to her career. Elodie Kulik was only 24 years old and she’d already been promoted to the role of bank manager. Her parents Jacky and Rose-Marie were so proud. ‘Kindness personified’ is how her dad described her. One evening in January 2002, Elodie was heading home alone from a restaurant in the northern French town of Péronne. She never made it back. That dark, frosty night, her car ran off the road. Desperate for help, she called emergency services. When the call was answered, Elodie’s terrified screams were heard on the line. The call lasted just 36 seconds, during which time she was heard being dragged from her car by unknown attackers. Men’s voices were also heard. Then the line went dead. Hours later, Elodie’s car…

Blood clot worries Q My doctor says the painful lump in my calf is a blood clot and has given me painkillers. But aren’t clots dangerous? Sue, Maida Vale A Sounds as if you have superficial thrombophlebitis, a clot and inflammation in one of the veins lying just under your skin, which is particularly likely if you have varicose veins. That’s different from a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a clot in a larger, deeper vein which carries the risk of a portion of clot breaking off and travelling to your lung (a pulmonary embolism, PE), which can be dangerous or even fatal. The risk of PE from your kind of clot is much less, although if your clot seems large, or spreads above your knee, your doctor might suggest a…

OVER TO YOU Can you set a puzzle in this format? Send it, with a photo of yourself, to the address on p4. There’s £20 for every one we use! This week’s puzzle was compiled by Ann Walker, Leeds ACROSS 1 Outdoor garden puzzle 2 Very dry 3 Outer skin 4 With pretty trimming DOWN 1 Earthy material 2 Operatic song 3 Silvery-white metal 4 Small whirlpool WIN 3x £50 puzzle 6 Your answer: CHAIN WORDS Though associated with Isaac Newton, 17th-century French priest and scientist Edme Mariotte is credited with first designing what? Get from Start to Finish, making words by joining two boxes together, eg: HAN + DY, DY +… you decide! When you reach Finish, two unused boxes give you the prize answer. WIN 3x £50 puzzle 7…

FILL ME IN The English cathedral city of Chichester is twinned with Chartres in France and which city in Italy, also known for its religious buildings? Solve the puzzle by following the arrows and writing in your answers. Then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the prize answer. Win! £100 cash! Puzzle 14 Your answer: CIRCLE TIME Which modern club was the first south of England team to join the Football League? Fit the words into the grid, then read down the letters in the shaded circles. 3 letters ALL ARC AWN NAN NIL ORC PAN PEW SAC 4 letters AGES DEAR ROTA TALC TOOL TURN 5 letters COMMA LEARN LENDS LUNCH 6 letters GRASPS UNTIED UTOPIA WEALTH 7 letters CONCEAL NOMINEE Win! £100 cash! Puzzle…

3 ways to… avoid money mistakes When every penny counts, don’t throw cash away by making rookie errors. 1 Don’t withdraw cash on your credit card Getting cash out on your credit card is expensive. Firstly, the interest rate for cash advances is usually higher than it is for purchases. Secondly, interest is added to your account right away, even if you pay off the balance by the due date. Lastly, you may be charged a cash handling fee. Even worse, when you take out cash from a credit card it goes on your credit report. The one exception when it may be a cheap way to get cash is if you’re on holiday and you’re using a specialist overseas credit card – see moneysavingexpert.com’s guide on this for advice.…

Apple and pear tart Easy yet impressive, this rustic tart makes a great dessert or afternoon treat SERVES 8 PREP TIME 55 MINS COOK TIME 35 MINS FOR THE PASTRY: • 200g plain flour • 2tbsp caster sugar • Good pinch of salt • 125g unsalted butter, chilled and diced • 1 medium egg, beaten FOR THE FILLING: • 1tbsp light muscovado sugar • 2tsp ground cinnamon • 1tbsp cornflour • 3 ripe pears, peeled, cored and sliced • 3 apples, peeled, cored and sliced (we like Pink Lady or Jazz) • 1tbsp milk • 2tbsp apricot jam 1 To make the pastry, put the flour, sugar, salt and butter in a food processor or a bowl. Whizz or rub until it resembles a coarse crumb. Add the egg and…

Nadia Currie, 34, south London Sitting at my computer, I tapped at the keyboard. It was 2010 and I was an aspiring actress. Dreamt of performing in London’s West End. From Dirty Dancing to Les Mis, I knew all the songs and dance moves. Growing up, I did every school play, and went on to do performing arts at uni. All I needed was a professional photographer to take some decent shots. He looks good, I thought, stumbling upon a man called Pascal Molliere. His website said he’d worked in the West End for years, with big stars. I sent him a message. ‘Bring a few different outfits,’ he said. ‘And lingerie, if you like.’ Taken aback, I hesitated. It must be something that professionals do, I assumed. After all,…

Sculpted by Aimee HydraLip in Peach, £15, sculptedbyaimee.co.uk Hydrating your lips is key to making lipstick last longer. This lipstick contains ingredients a plumped pout needs, like hydrating hyaluronic and nourishing jojoba seed oil. Available in six flattering shades. Lottie London Ombre Blush in Serene, £5.99, lookfantastic.com Enhance your glow with this shimmering blush. The blendable formula sweeps seamlessly over the skin to offer a natural flush. Or you can choose to build up a deeper colour. Mavala nail polish in Mauve Cendre, £5.50, lookfantastic.com Not quite ready to go dark on your nails? Then this is the perfect autumn shade. A sophisticated balance between purple and grey, it swipes seamlessly over nails and will look flattering against all skin tones. Bondi Sands Begin Again Vitamin B3 Serum, £9.99, Boots…

Walking on stage, Grammy- nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle clutched the mic and began to rap. The audience, drawn in by his charismatic presence and powerful words, went wild. It was February 2018, and Nipsey was opening the show at the Global Spin Awards in Los Angeles. Nipsey, born Ermias Asghedom, was an established presence in the music industry – having been on the scene for over 10 years – and collaborated with some of the big artists like Drake and P Diddy. Having grown up in one of Los Angeles’ toughest neighbourhoods, Crenshaw District in the southern LA area, the rapper was known for his thought-provoking lyrics. Made no secret of his violent past – talking publicly about his long affiliation with the Rollin’ 60s, an LA-area street gang. But…

To Lydia and Amelia, The youngest of us three, I looked up to you both as we were growing up. First, Amelia became an interior designer, and then Lydia, you went to study medicine. I’d big plans of my own, and in August 2018, I moved to Minnesota, USA, to study International Business. I knew I’d miss you and our parents Naomi, then 56, and Jonathan, 60, so much. ‘We’ll speak every day, though,’ I promised. And we did. Then in March 2019, I hurt my back. Thought I’d pulled something at the gym And in Minnesota’s harsh winter, I’d developed an aching chest and a cough. ‘See the GP,’ Lydia warned. But it was only when I developed a lump in my neck and armpit I decided it was…

Our pug Bertie, 3, loves trying on his new clothes – here he is looking very stylish indeed! Nick Roche, Louth The Go Ape rope course at Normanby Hall was trickier than it looked, but I had great fun tackling the challenge! Bailey McGuire, Cleethorpes I was lucky enough to bump into Liverpool’s musical icons The Beatles on my recent trip to the city. Amanda Wells, Tyne and Wear Here’s my beautiful 5-year-old, Georgie, getting ready for her school disco. Time to hit the dance floor! Katy Andrew, Hull Out at lunch with my daughter Aubree, 4, we got creative and ‘did some colouring while waiting for our food. Ryan Harden, Llanfwrog My dog Zena has been so patient with our energetic new puppy, Gizmo. What a pair! Sara Campbell,…

TU at SAINSBURY’S All sizes 8-24 STYLE TIP Tuck in a block colour tee to show off your waist and let the trousers take centre stage. GEORGE at ASDA All sizes 8-24 STYLE TIP Both smart and casual, loafers will give floaty dresses a masculine edge. F&F at TESCO All sizes 6-22 STYLE TIP Team with a chunky knit and trainers for a polished weekend look. NUTMEG at MORRISONS All sizes 10-22 STYLE TIP Layer this knitted dress over a fine knit polo for extra coverage.…

The appeal court in northern France confirmed the earlier 30-year jail sentence for Willy Bardon handed down by a lower court in 2019, when he was convicted of the abduction and rape of Elodie Kulik. Crucially, it also added another conviction – for her murder. Bardon, now 46, closed his eyes as the verdict was read out. After the hearing, Elodie’s grieving dad Jacky welcomed the verdict, saying that Bardon ‘did not succeed in deceiving anyone’. Saying that he could now visit the graves of his dead daughter and wife to let them know that he had successfully pursued justice, as he’d always vowed to do, he added, ‘I kept my promise… it is the end of my struggle.’ In court, he had told how he would only be free…

1 Redefine happy Alongside joy, love and success it’s natural in life to experience fear, sadness and rejection too. ‘If you let go of the fairy-tale notion of happiness, you’ll have healthier expectations,’ says psychotherapist Owen O’Kane. ‘Being content is about being comfortable in your own skin, whatever is going on in life. It’s about having a point of stability and resilience so that in darker, tougher times you’ll continue to cope and function.’ 2 Be mindful of… • Caffeine Too much is dehydrating and can make us feel jittery and anxious. • Sugar An energy crash and mood slump can swiftly follow this sweet, quick fix. • Alcohol It’s a depressant that can cause anger and sadness, as well as feelings of anxiety the day after a booze binge.…

Kloe Matthews, 32, Bury St Edmunds Staring at the second line on the pregnancy test, I looked at my husband Michael, with tears welling. ‘It’s positive,’ I said. It was August 2020, my 30th birthday. We should have been happy – but instead, we were terrified. So far, getting pregnant hadn’t been an easy ride. We’d been trying to conceive for over two years. At an appointment at a fertility clinic in November 2019, I was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. The doctor prescribed Clomid – a drug to stimulate the ovaries. We’d fallen pregnant once before but I’d suffered an early miscarriage. So now, even with the positive test, we didn’t want to get too excited. ‘Let’s keep it a secret,’ I said to Michael. That afternoon we had…

She wants a divorce Q My wife’s been going through a midlife crisis for about six years. I’ve been a good husband and father, but she’s now asked for a divorce. I want to save our marriage but am not sure how I can. Do I stand by her, or do I accept divorce? My gut says fight for the marriage, but there’s a small part of me saying walk away. Mike, 57 A How do you know for sure that this is a midlife crisis? There’s no rule book or timeline and sometimes people do just change. Perhaps she’s taken stock of her life and realised that the marriage simply isn’t serving her any more? It might be difficult, but I think it’s time you let her make her…

Damian Burgoyne, 30 Polishing off my double burger, I chucked the wrapper in the bin beside my empty fries carton and milkshake. Delicious, I thought. Then reached for another burger. It was 2010, and I’d just finished school, was working at McDonald’s to earn some cash. Only, I just couldn’t resist eating on the job! ‘Can I get pancakes, a hash brown, and two double sausage and egg McMuffins with extra cheese,’ I ordered before starting my shift. A few hours later, on my break, I grabbed a large double quarter pounder meal with extra cheese and two double cheeseburgers with extra cheese and a chocolate milkshake, and then had the same meal again for tea. I’d always been a big lad with a bigger appetite. It’s just how I…

Q I’m researching mortgages and have come across the term ‘agreement in principle’. What does it mean? E. Cassidy, Bradford A This is also known as a mortgage promise, a mortgage in principle or decision in principle. It is a document from a lender stating that it would lend you a certain amount ‘in principle’, based on information you’ve given, such as your income and outgoings. It can be useful to show to estate agents when you’re house-hunting, but it’s important to remember this isn’t a mortgage offer.…

The Great British Bake Off C4 • Cancel all your Tuesday evening plans for the next 10 weeks because the baking competition is back! This 13th series will see a fresh batch of 12 bakers entering the famous tent, where their baking skills will be put to the test in challenges set by judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood. What tricky bakes will they have up their sleeve this time?! Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas once again host, serving up plenty of comedy moments and baking-related double entendres along the way. Jo Brand’s spin-off show An Extra Slice also returns this week with the usual mix of Bake Off banter, unseen footage and star guests! DON’T MISS DON’T MISS All Creatures Great and Small C5 • It’s the spring of…

SBC Salicylic Body Wash 100ml, £4.99, sbcskincare.co.uk Wouldn’t it be great to wash away all the skin’s impurities? Well, with this body wash, it really is that easy. Salicylic acid works with fruit enzymes from pineapples and sweet oranges to gently buff away dead skin and dirt to reveal a bright and even skin tone. Essence Volume Stylist 18hr Lash Extension Mascara, £2.99, justmylook.com Want to upgrade your lashes? This mascara does the trick. It’s easy to move back and forth and captures every lash without leaving pesky splodges on lids. Plus, a smaller wand suits short lashes perfectly, which is especially handy for ensuring the inner lashes are covered.…

PUZZLES 37 CLOSING DATE FOR ALL ENTRIES IS 27 SEPTEMBER 2022 (Three days later for postal entries) TEXT Simply text CHATB followed by a space and your answer/s (spaces between answers please) full name, door number and postcode to 63333 Texts cost 50p plus standard network charge (maximum 160 characters per text). When you enter by text, you may in future get SMS marketing messages from Future plc and Chat. If you want to receive these, please end your text with OPTIN Texting tips • Don’t put any spaces in an answer that has several words: eg: CHATISTHEBEST not CHAT IS THE BEST. • If the answer is a name, you need only give the surname: eg: CLOONEY not GEORGE CLOONEY. • You can use capitals or small letters, but…

FIONA FEARNS, 62, FROM WALLSEND, NORTH TYNESIDE, SAYS: I’m nominating my neighbour, Judith Baker, 62, as my local hero. Judith has brought so much joy and kindness to the lives of everyone on our street. Two years ago, in April 2020, Judith made cakes for Easter and brought them to every house in our street, as a thoughtful and delicious gesture. She also made afternoon teas for everyone in the street on VE day and on Valentine’s Day – all paid for out of her own pocket. At Christmas, along with her husband Les and her friend dressed up as Father Christmas, she delivered sweet treats and spread cheer to all of our neighbours and their families. When none of us could visit our families and friends during the lockdowns,…

Pipe up It was far too expensive to have the ugly pipes in my kitchen boxed in by a professional, so I bought some light-weight pictures to cover them. It cost under £10 and looks great! Gordon Smith, Rossendale, Lancashire Ear’s the thing If you’ve lost a few earring backs and want some replacements, it’s usually more cost effective to just buy a pack of cheap earrings and use their backs instead! Andrea Illingworth, Runcorn, Cheshire Splashback hack To make my ready meals easier to serve and less likely to splash, I always cut the compartments apart before cooking. Paul Chandler, Saltdean, East Sussex Shower power My old shower base was gathering dustCin the shed, so I filled it with gravel and soil, then started adding plants. It’s really brightened…

What advice would US singer Miley Cyrus give to her 14-year-old self? Solve the crossword, then read down the shaded squares to find the three-word prize answer. ACROSS 11 Billie _, singer (6) 12 Residents (9) 13 Anthony _, former PM (4) 14 Caribbean island (8) 15 Intuitive feeling (5) 16 2009 James Cameron film (6) 17 Shrieks (7) 18 New York green space (7,4) 20 Dairy product (5) 22 Optimistically (9) 24 Small lizard (5) 28 Cautious (7) 29 Female parents (7) 32 Place bets (6) 34 Not as wide (8) 36 Entire (8) 37 Less interesting (6) 39 Having no function (7) 40 Small edible fish (7) 45 Answer (5) 47 Shape of You singer (2,7) 48 Construct (5) 51 Benedict _, Sherlock actor (11) 53 Gift (7)…

Anna Sane, 37 The advice you need Looking down at the positive pregnancy test, I was thrilled, but not surprised. When my husband Philip, then 37, and I decided to try for a baby, I never dreamt we’d struggle. So nothing could’ve prepared me for the devastating loss, at eight weeks. After I started bleeding, I headed to the hospital. ‘A miscarriage,’ a doctor confirmed to me. Said it was common, that I’d most likely have no trouble conceiving and carrying a baby later on. And within weeks I conceived again. Only, at 20 weeks, we were given more bad news. ‘The baby isn’t developing properly,’ doctors warned us. They wouldn’t survive. Heartbroken, Philip and I make the gut-wrenching decision to have a late termination. I was desperate, obsessed with…

Sheina Vasudevan, 46, east London My little boy clutched my hand and cheered at the Tube train roaring past. As the doors beeped open, he led me on board and settled into his seat with a smile on his face. Living in London, I didn’t worry about expensive day trips or toys for Lewis, 3. He was a train fanatic, and a few stops on the Tube were enough to make him happy! Me and my partner Peter, 49, lived near the Jubilee Line and had been taking Lewis on the Underground since he was in a pram. Now he was obsessed, asking to ride the Tube multiple times a day. When we reached our destination – Westminster – I took a snap of Lewis in front of the sign.…

Features writer Veronique says Instead of avocado toast, peas on toast! Smashed-up peas with a bit of olive oil, black pepper, with fish fingers on toasted bread and a little mayo. Give it a go! Senior writer Mishaal says I love a daal sandwich. If I’ve made a nice spicy lentil daal for dinner, the leftovers go in the fridge ready to be spread generously between two slices of any bread you like (no need for butter). It’s easy and speedy to make, is a great way to use up your leftovers, and tastes yummy! Features editor Jenny says Spread white bread with butter and add thinly sliced strong Cheddar cheese. Next, make up some chicken and mushroom-flavoured dried noodles, leave to cool for five minutes, pour over the sliced…

When a handsome older stranger sat down next to Terzel at a dance one night, her life was set to change forever. As the pair chatted, they discovered that there was 51 years between them! Terzel is 31 years old and Wilson is 81. But true love always finds a way. For them, age was no barrier. ‘Wilson came over and asked if he could sit with me. I asked him lots of questions about his life, but he was a good listener too,’ Terzel recalls. ‘He was considerate, caring and a genuinely lovely person.’ Wilson was smitten after that first meeting. He’d been alone for 20 years, since the death of his first wife. Meeting Terzel was a second chance at happiness. But initially, both of their families were…

But watching TV in bed one day, I caught glimpses of a reality show that followed the lives of severely overweight people, some struggling worse than me at over 40st. ‘I don’t want to end up like them,’ I confided in Ashley in April 2020. The people I was chatting to online said my size made me sexy and strong. But they couldn’t see me when I was too out of puff to even walk to the kitchen, or when Ashley had to help me in and out of the shower. There was nothing strong or sexy about that. It was time to take back control of my life. With drastic action needed, I searched for surgical options. Came across mini gastric bypass surgery. It’s a procedure where staples are…

Looking for an easy-to-wear scent at a special price? Look no further than the Body Mist By So…? range, which includes Vanilla, Red Velvet, Candy Floss and Cherry Blossom. It was £3.20 for 100ml and is now £2. A perfect scent for that quick fragrance refresh for an all-day fix. Available at Wilko, offer valid in store and online at wilko.com until 22 September 2022, not to be used in conjunction with any other store offer. Offer correct at time of going to press.…

Aries 21 March-20 April Make a concerted effort to remain positive. Keep things light, as this will come across in your conversations. A generous gesture will go down a storm. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May You may be thinking about redecorating a room to give it a new look during this strong celestial energy. Take inspiration from your fave places around the world. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June As the Sun enters your fellow sign of Libra, life has taken on a dreamy touch. A well-planned date will hit you like a bolt of lightning. Sparks will fly. • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Open new doors by reviewing where in your life…

Q How do I use a gua sha and what will it do for my skin? Annette Byrd, Brighton A Gua sha is a simple massage technique practised in China for thousands of years. It boasts an impressive benefit list including brightening, sculpting, and even improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. A rose quartz stone is traditionally used to uplift the skin, and the Revolution Skincare Gua Sha in Rose Quartz, £10, lookfantastic.com, works to create a sculpted look. Stroke the bumpy end in an upward motion on the jawline and cheekbones. The practice is also a calming self-care ritual, and the By Beauty Bay The Jade Gua Sha, £10, beautybay. com will remove all tension as the curved side strokes your forehead or can even be used…