Table of contents for 14 September 2023 in Chat

Welcome to this week's Chat… These days most people seem to meet their partner on a dating app. But this week we have two far more unusual tales of romance. Louise fell for her pen pal who was serving a life sentence behind bars (p44). And Kaitlin's soulmate is her first hubby's brother (p34). One union has a happy ending and the other doesn't… I won't give away which is which! Have a great week! PS If you're entering the puzzles online, this is the link to use: comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

TRUE-LIFE Brittany Crowley, 32 H earing Cole's words, my heart melted and a blush spread over my cheeks. ‘I'm in love with you, Brittany,’ Cole said, with a cheeky grin that I'd come to know so well. ‘I love you too,’ I replied, my own smile as big as his. Even though Cole lived more than 1,000 miles away and we were chatting over video call, I'd never felt so close to anyone. It was November 2018, and Cole Peters, then 32, was an old school pal. We'd reconnected that March after he'd messaged me on Facebook. Time flies. And now, after hours of talking online, we were utterly in love. Well built, with a smattering of stubble, he looked different from the lad I used to know. But underneath, he…

In seafaring, what term denotes cargo intentionally thrown overboard and found floating or on shore? Make three nine-letter words using all of these three-letter sections and enter them in the grid as the starter letters indicate. Then make an anagram of the letters in the shaded squares to form the answer to this question. HOU  ECT GEM OBJ  SEM ION ENT ATE JUD Your answer: WIN 5 x £20 Puzzle 3 TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

BRIGHTS STYLE TIP Introduce colour to your outfit with some vibrant kicks. Wear with jeans and a sweater and let the shades shine. TENNIS STYLE TIP Super sleek, these classics will keep your outfit looking smart. Stick to versatile white with hints of metallics or prints. CHUNKY STYLE TIP These statement makers will take you from the gym to brunch. Lean into that sporty style and team with leggings and tees. FROM £7 CANVAS STYLE TIP Embrace a minimalist wardrobe with this pared-back design. Add pops of pastel or a simple stripe for added interest.…

Had I left it too late to have kids, or was there hope? Louise Hobday, 46 True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK S itting on a park bench, nursing a coffee, I watched some kids on a climbing frame. It was summer 2022 and a beautiful sunny day. I'd just come out of a seven-year relationship and was feeling tender. ‘Get down from there,’ one of the mums called. I felt a pang of longing. At 45, I yearned for my own child, but now I worried I'd missed my chance. I'd always wanted to have children, and thought I'd simply meet someone and start a family like most of my friends. But it didn't happen. And now I'd broken up with my latest partner, I felt devastated at the idea I'd never…

Mollie Hull, 20, Stone Producing some bathroom scales, the teacher announced the topic for that day's science lesson. ‘We're learning the importance of body weight and working out our body mass index,’ she said. BMI uses height and weight to work out if you are at a healthy weight. Terror gripped me. No way was I standing on those scales in front of everyone. I didn't need a number to tell me what I already knew. Aged 10, 9st and wearing an adult size 10, I knew I was a ‘big’ kid. I'd been called that for as long as I could remember. Mum and Dad were both shift workers, so dinner was usually something quick, easy and not very healthy. Chicken nuggets and chips were a fave. Luckily, I…

Kim Stainton, 32, Preston There were boxes stacked in the kitchen, by the front door, more by the stairs. It was January 2022 and we'd just moved into our new house, and life was chaotic. And it was about to get even more so… I had some news for my partner Liam, then 33. ‘I'm pregnant,’ I announced. He stared at me, then his face split into a grin. ‘That's brilliant,’ he said. With our son Ethan, then 3, and a new home, the timing could have been better, but we were thrilled. At 8 weeks, I noticed some bleeding and got checked out. ‘Your baby looks fine,’ the sonographer reassured us. But the bleeding continued, and at my 12-week scan the sonographer looked confused. ‘I'll just get someone else,’…

Q I recently started a new relationship and things are going great. But when I told my friend who I was dating, it turned out that they were colleagues. She told me to end things as she thinks he has a girlfriend and a child. Before dating him I asked if he was single, and he assured me he was. How do I get the truth? Poppy, 23 A Don't go jumping to conclusions. Maybe he spends a lot of time with his child, which is why your friend thinks he's still with his ex? If he does have a child, you need to ask yourself if you're happy being with a man who has a kid. It is a lot of responsibility to take on. Ask him directly about…

What word completes the title of the Ursula K. Le Guin novella (thought to have inspired the Avatar films) The Word for World is…? Unscramble each group of letters to find six things associated with the colour green. Now fit them across the grid and you'll spell out the answer to the question. 1 A MOGUL FACE 2 CODA OVA 3 SUGAR ASAP 4 ALM DEER 5 AIR PENS 6 TERMLY WIN £75 Puzzle 17 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Top tip If you don't have demerara sugar these will still taste great, it just adds an extra crunch. Ginger nuts Sugar, spice and all things nice! This classic is great for dunking. MAKES 25-30 PREP 15 MINS COOK 15 MINS ● 350g plain flour ● 1tsp baking powder ● 2tsp ground ginger ● 2tsp mixed spice ● 90g runny honey ● 175g light, soft brown sugar ● 60g butter ● 1 medium egg, beaten ● 2-3tbsp demerara sugar 1 Heat the oven to 160C Fan/ Gas 4. Sift the flour, baking powder, ginger and mixed spice into a medium sized bowl. 2 Melt the honey, sugar and butter in a small saucepan over a low heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to…

TRUE-LIFE Louise Burt, 55, Deal Fingers hovering over the keyboard, I felt a flash of excitement. It was February 2018 and I enjoyed my job as a carer. But I need more, I thought. I'd suffered depression before, and through therapy I'd learnt that caring for something, or somebody else, could give me purpose. While I'd been single for five years, I wasn't ready for love. First, I'd got a cat. Then my thoughts turned to something very different. Writing to a prisoner in America. I'd been fascinated by the controversial case of Gary Tyler, a 16-year-old sent to death row for the 1974 murder of a 13-year-old boy. He'd spent 41 years locked up before his 2016 release. A racial injustice, many believed, and UB40 wrote a song about…

E.l.f. Skin Blemish Breakthrough Blemish Fighting Spot Gel, £3.99, Superdrug Target blemishes and imperfections with this gel that's infused with salicylic acid, aloe vera and witch hazel. The powerful ingredients quickly help to reduce spot size and redness. Just roll on and leave it to work its magic! W7 Way Of Life Hand Cream, £3.95, w7makeup.co.uk With lotus and white tea, this deliciously scented hand cream smells just like a spa day. Formulated with vitamin E and shea butter, it gives deep, immediate nourishment to dehydrated and cracked hands. Pop it in your bag for easy hydration when you're out and about.…

TEXT Simply text CHATD 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 don't use any commas, etc. ● Leave out answers you don't wish to enter. INTERNET Join our…

Dear Dad, We'd seen this cruel disease in action before, hadn't we, Dad? In your mum and sisters years earlier. So when you were diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2017, we knew what we were in for. Then diagnosed with Lewy body, too, in 2021, you had the dementia double whammy. You had two types of the progressive brain condition, eating away at your memories. Me, my sister Suzy, then 53, and our mum Sue – your wife of over 50 years – knew we'd slowly watch pieces of you disappear. You knew too. An unbearable thought. Because you were my superhero, Dad. You'd been in the RAF and were a firefighter when I was growing up. My earliest memory is you taking me to a Christmas party at the fire…

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WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 What is the greatest fear of comedian and author Rosie Jones? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the three-word prize answer. ACROSS 11 Cocktail type (6) 12 Mouth organ (9) 13 English river (4) 14 Reverie (8) 15 African river (5) 16 Presenter who hosted Daybreak and The One Show, _ Chiles (6) 17 Fabric type (7) 18 Question closely (11) 20 Facial hair (5) 22 City in Scotland (9) 24 Raising agent (5) 28 Enclosure for small children (7) 29 _ Cohen, singer-songwriter and composer of Hallelujah (7) 32 Choice (6) 34 Far on in progress or life (8) 36 Arrange (8) 37 Wild and untamed (6) 39 Stretchy one-piece garment (7) 40 Pretended (7) 45 Prose composition (5) 47 Newspaper advice columnist (5,4) 48 Claire _, star of Homeland and Romeo & Juliet (5) 51 Full of…

Why can't I get pregnant? Q We've been trying for a baby since the beginning of the year. Should I see my GP or just wait? Allie, Bebington A Usually you should give it at least a year of trying, with regular sex two or three times a week, as over 80% of couples will fall pregnant in this time. Maybe see your GP sooner if you're over 36, as time isn't on your side. Your partner should arrange a sperm test with his doctor – some guys are reluctant to do this as they think it questions their masculinity, but it's important as sperm problems contribute to almost half of all fertility difficulties. Your GP can arrange blood tests to check hormone levels, confirm that you're ovulating (producing an egg)…

Q I hate my flabby tum. I've seen ads for DIY skin-tightening devices, do they work? Suzanne, Matlock A You can spend anything from a few pounds to several hundred on these machines, which use radio waves, infrared energy or intense pulses of light to heat tissues beneath your skin. This causes minor damage to the skin tissues and stimulates the growth of elastin and collagen, proteins which tighten your skin and help prevent wrinkles and sagging. There haven't been many large scientific studies, but it does seem that these devices might have an effect, particularly on wrinkles on your face, though it's temporary and often small. They're generally safe but dangers include burning, pain and redness or darkening of the skin. Clinics offering these devices are a more expensive…

WIN 2 x £25 Puzzle 9 Earlier this year on his Waddesdon estate, Baron Rothschild unveiled a 12m-tall pavilion designed by Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos to look like what? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Rocked = SUNG + W = SWUNG. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Keep it real Even an author with an imagination as vivid as Dahl's couldn't stop details from his real life seeping into his stories. The kind grandmother character in his novel The Witches was based on his own mother – and she was actually Norwegian as well! And Sophie from The BFG was named after his granddaughter. He even wrote The Twits because he wanted to ‘do something against beards’. He had a great dislike of them, apparently, writing in an essay that they were ‘hairy smokescreens behind which to hide’. Dahl's books have sold more than a swashboggling 300 million copies worldwide. And he sells another every 2.5 seconds! Teacher's pet hate One of his teachers wrote in his school report, ‘I have never met anybody who so persistently…

Granny vs Dad Q My daughter has just given birth to a baby boy. I'm so happy for her and want to help as much as I can, but I refuse to deal with her partner. He's verbally abusive to my daughter and other members of our family and I don't want anything to do with him. Am I being unreasonable? Penny, 54 A being unreasonable You're absolutely not But my worry here is that. you've got a daughter and grandchild around this man. You need to make sure that they're both safe, pet. You can't force her to leave him, but stay present in her life so you can protect them both. Encourage her to call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 200 0247 and let her know you're there…

This week we meet… Deborah Bald, 55, from Much Wenlock Favourite takeaway treat? My go-to takeaway has to be a chicken Thai green curry with jasmine rice. I love the delicate flavours of coconut, lemongrass and Thai basil, with just the right amount of chilli to give it a zing! Tell us about your hobbies? I love doing both everyday and creative make-up. It's such a powerful tool, and can increase your confidence and lift you up for the day ahead. I also attend a Silver Swans ballet class, followed by tap dance straight after. I probably laugh more than I dance, though! What's your most visited app? It's got to be Facebook. I use it every day to keep in touch with family and friends – especially my children…

What insect gives its name to both a basketball team from North Carolina and a British rugby league team from Rochdale? The answer to each clue (apart from the first) begins with the last letter of the preceding answer. The shaded squares will spell out the one-word prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 2 Your answer: 1 Buildings for horses (7) 2 Russian tea urn (7) 3 Wheel motion (8) 4 Vehicle identification plaque (6,5) 5 Hotel California band (6) 6 Full English breakfast item (7) 7 Keen (5) 8 Heating apparatus (8) 9 Synagogue leader (5) 10Charge a public official (American) (7) 11 Composer of Messiah (6) 12 Surgical removal of fat (11) 13 French military leader (8) 14 Serviette (6) 15 On edge (7) 16 Wage (6)…

TRUE-LIFE Carrie Carfrae, 43, Wakefield Peering into my new sister's blue eyes, I was lost in wonder. ‘Will she stay this little?’ I asked my mum Vicky, then 30, as she cradled Lydia. Mum and my dad Malcolm, then 36, laughed. It was February 1984 and I was only 3, but I'd just been given the most important job in the world. I was a big sister now. I took Lydia – who I called Lyd – under my wing. When I practised ballet, she toddled beside me, mimicking me with her chubby little legs as I stood in first position. Sat next to me watching Beauty and the Beast. Our parents split up when I was 14 and Lyd 11, and Mum took us to live with our grandpa…

Q My daughter keeps pinching my phone earbuds! Could I catch anything from sharing them? Maddie, Winchester A It's possible. The part of your ear leading to the inside is known as your ear canal and the skin lining it often carries harmless bacteria. These could pass from one person to another via sharing earpieces, though they're unlikely to cause an infection unless you have an area of inflamed or broken skin inside your ear canal. A greater danger is if one of you has otitis externa, an infection of the ear canal with bacteria, fungus, or both which can lead to itching, pain and discharge and could spread through sharing earbuds. Best thing would be to fork out for a pair of earbuds for your daughter, though using disposable…

Jodie Bean, 41, Waterlooville Scrolling through pictures of little wet noses and puppy-dog eyes, my heart broke. ‘I wish we could take them all,’ I said to my husband Richard, then 38. ‘Why don't we?’ our daughter Evie, then 8, asked, flashing me an equally pleading look. ‘Yes, Mummy, why not?’ her brother Max, then 6, asked. It was October 2022, and we were looking at the Facebook page for Pawpers in the Ruff, who rehome stray dogs dumped and abused across the Balkans, including Macedonia. We were all heartbroken as our dog Fellow, 13, had recently been put to sleep. We still had Gracie, our lovely 12-year-old lurcher. But we had room in our house – and our hearts – for another pooch. ‘We can only choose one,’ I…

Which city was due to host a Formula One Grand Prix for the first time in 2020, only for it to be cancelled due to COVID-19 and dropped from the schedule in subsequent seasons? Solve the crossword, then read down the shaded squares to find the prize puzzle answer. ACROSS 1 Feel sore (4) 5 Large house (5) 7 Basin (4) DOWN 2 _ Air, 1997 film (3) 3 Hearing organ (3) 4 Tori _, singer (4) 6 A tree with acorns (3) WIN 4 x £20 Puzzle 13 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Q My friend constantly talks about herself. If I'm celebrating my birthday, she'll talk about plans for her own. If someone asks me about my job, she'll turn the conversation to hers. It's so frustrating, and our partners are best friends so I can't cut her out completely. I'm in a competition I never signed up for! Phillipa, 36 A I don't think your pal is very happy, my love. No one who is content with their lot would feel the need to piggyback on your celebrations like that, instead of just being happy for you. My advice is to just turn your ears off to it. Let her just chatter on in the corner, sweetheart. Celebrate yourself and let her crack on.…

TRUE-LIFE Cheryl Simmons, 57 My daughter Julie, then 5, looked at my feeble attempt to French braid her Barbie's hair and wrinkled her nose. ‘I'll show you, Mummy,’ she smiled. Minutes later, her doll had a perfect plait. It was 1993, and I shared custody of Julie and her brother James, then 6, with my ex, Jimmy. Even though we'd divorced, we were still close. ‘You are my sunshine…’ Jimmy sang to Julie all the time, and I couldn't have put it better. I went on to have two more daughters with a new partner, and Julie was a protective big sister. Then, aged 18, she surprised us all by falling pregnant. She gave birth to her son Tyler in October 2006. After splitting from Tyler's dad, she met Jim,…

8-14 September 2023 Aries 21 March-20 April Your renewed passion in the areas of romance and career leads you in a new direction. So consider what you'd like to achieve in those realms, then go for it. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Jupiter is retrograde in your sign, encouraging you to reflect on what has worked for you over the past few months. Let the rest go, as new beginnings await. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Be compassionate towards yourself this week. You can be way too self-critical. Try to extend the kindness towards yourself that you usually offer to others. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Pay attention to repeated messages you…

Q How can I keep my summer glow going? Sandra Bell, Norwich, Norfolk A If you've managed to achieve a gorgeous summer glow, then prolonging it is all about using the right body products. Exfoliating every couple of days is the most important step, as it buffs away dead skin cells to keep your skin fresh. Massage Dove Exfoliating Body Scrub Pomegranate Seeds & Shea Butter Scent, £7, Boots, into your limbs. Then, to keep your skin looking its best, follow with a deeply hydrating body cream such as Q+A Vitamin C Body Cream, £10, sephora.co.uk, which hydrates your skin and naturally boosts radiance. If you're finding that your bronzed complexion is starting to fade, help top it up with Bondi Sands Gradual Tanning Lotion, £13.99, Boots, which nourishes, adds…

Max Factor Facefinity Multi-Perfector Concealer, £10.99, Superdrug Want to brighten, blur, and conceal blemishes and dark circles without looking like you're wearing make-up? Then this is the product for you – a lightweight concealer that keeps skin smooth and hydrated. Revolution Skin Retinol Body Oil, £12, revolutionbeauty.com Renew and firm your skin with a retinol body oil like this bargain buy. As well as retinol to tighten, it's enriched with hydrating squalane and soothing macadamia oil, so it's a truly pampering treat. H&M Precision Mini Sponges, £5.99, H&M Blend, conceal, contour and more with these little sponges, ideal for taking on holiday and weekends away, or for having handy in your bag for make-up touchups on the go. They blend like a dream! Lottie London Hot Glaze Bronzing Serum Drops,…

It was a hot day on 13 September 2019 when police officers were called to playing fields in Delaware, USA. A dog walker strolling around a pond at the Little Lass softball field had spotted something horrifying at the base of a fire-damaged tree. Burnt human remains. Soon, the area was buzzing with investigators. Crime-scene tape fluttered in the late-summer heat. Tragically, forensic experts estimated that the tiny, charred skeleton belonged to a girl between 2 and 5 years old, and she'd been dead for weeks. But who was she? The authorities launched an appeal. Using X-ray images of her skull, evidence from the scene and expert advice from anthropologists, sketches were created. They showed her with chubby cheeks, wavy hair, a button nose and a plump bottom lip. The…

Chat winners issue 24 (15 June 2023) Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £1,001 CASH C Hammerton-Boyes, Barnstaple £500 CASH D Blackmoore, Telford B Ferguson, Ballymena £250 CASH A Lewis, Pontypool S Garner, Heywood £200 CASH A Martin, Glasgow £100 CASH P Carron, Sandbach D Palmer, Coventry J McClelland, Bangor £75 CASH S Tribe, High Wycombe £50 CASH N Barton, Gloucester N Robertson, Nairn L Cunningham, Prestatyn A Hammond, Torquay S Turner, Nuneaton S Hall, Wisbech £40 CASH C Lutas, South Shields £30 CASH L France, Chorley T Hone, Swindon £25 CASH J Wilson, Swadlincote P Clee, Reading £20 CASH S Kempson, South Molton K Fidler-Davis, Mansfield K Nagy, London S Hoppett, Cambridge K Palmer, Norwich C Stewart, Huntly L Herrod, Bishop's Stortford P Foster, Fleetwood J…