Table of contents for 30 May 2024 in Chat

They say it takes more than blood to make a family. That never felt truer than reading a special story in this issue (p10). When war broke out in her homeland of Ukraine, Daria found herself a single mum to Vlada, 4, who has a life-limiting illness. No longer able to access the treatment that Vlada desperately needed, Daria fled to Poland – where she met Jacinta from County Down. What happened next gives you faith in the human spirit. Have a great week,…

As we strolled along a sundrenched Mexican beach on my 30th birthday, my boyfriend, Christopher, dropped to one knee. ‘Marry me?’ he asked. As I said yes, I’d never been more sure of anything. It was June 2010, and we’d met six years earlier. We worked at a security company, me in admin, him as a technology engineer. Christopher was thoughtful and fun. I eventually left for a different company, but our relationship went from strength to strength. Life was blissful, and it only got better after we married in September 2012. Two years on, our baby girl Betsy was born. I’d needed an emergency caesarean, and after, struggled to recover. Christopher took charge, doing laundry and dinner, waking for every night feed. ‘I want to look after you both…

What do actors Tom Hiddleston and Richard Gere have in common? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the five-word prize answer. WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 ACROSS 1 Religious songs (5) 4 Biting insect (4) 6 Woodwind instrument (8) 13 Authentic (7) 14 Go back in (2-5) 15 Steam bath (5) 16 Simple card game (4) 17 Toxin (6) 18 TV series about a heroic dog (6) 20 Period of 60 minutes (4) 21 Permitted by law (5) 22 Frightened (6) 25 Bake too much (8) 28 Small rounded stone (6) 30 More pleasant (5) 32 Headlong rush of animals (8) 34 _ Wareing, TV chef (6) 35 Actor, _ Pitt (4) 38 Fashionable (6) 39 Christmas song (5) 40 European country (6) 43 Six-sided block (4) 44 Scatter liquid about (6) 45 Casino game (8) 48 Musical starring Madonna (5) 49 Most recent (6) 51 Last month of…

Why does my boob itch? Q I have a patch of eczema on my left breast, which is just not clearing. It’s so itchy! Now my nipple is starting to be affected. Is it serious? Rosa, Slough A While itching can sometimes be due to factors such as clothing or washing powder, persistent eczema on the breast could signal something more serious, including Paget’s disease. Though rare, Paget’s disease can cause itching around the nipple and areola, often appearing as a red, scaly rash resembling eczema, sometimes with discharge or bleeding. While Paget’s disease can be linked to breast cancer, it’s not always the case. Regardless, it’s essential to have any unusual symptoms checked by your doctor. Even if it’s more likely to be eczema or another skin condition, consulting…

1 Prioritise concerns If you have numerous issues, talk about your main concern first. ‘Give the GP time to concentrate on your biggest worries rather than rushing at the end,’ says Dr Martin Stagg, author of The Real Doc Martin*. ‘Plan ahead and give a quick summary at the beginning.’ 2 Mention your ideas We’re all guilty of using Dr Google. This isn’t always a bad thing, but trust your doctor. ‘You’re free to share ideas about possible diagnosis and treatments, or referrals you think you need – however, don’t be offended if the GP disagrees with you or an internet search,’ says Dr Stagg. ‘The GP has the knowledge and skills to make a better judgement than a search engine, which doesn’t have access to your medical history, or…

Am I being a creep? Q At a family wedding recently I spotted a gorgeous woman across the room. My friends tried to get me to talk to her but I felt too shy. Before I could pluck up the courage she disappeared. I saw her tagged in a few of the wedding pics online and would like to message her but would that be weird? I don’t want to make her feel uncomfortable! Mike, 32 A It's not like you don't know her at all, you must have mutual connections. Getting in touch is only creepy if you make it creepy, and I am sure you’re a sweetheart. Send her a breezy message saying ‘hi’ and asking if she enjoyed the wedding – if she doesn’t reply, just leave…

TRUE-LIFE As I peeled spuds at the kitchen sink, a blinding pain seared across my forehead. Overcome with dizziness, I stumbled backwards and sank to the floor. My husband rushed in from the living room, where he was playing with our toddler Vinnie, then 2, and his new toys. ‘I can’t finish the dinner,’ I said, as he helped me up. It was Christmas Day 2011 and I’d been begging my GP for help with head pain for six months. ‘But this is worse than anything before,’ I said. After taking painkillers, I managed to serve the Christmas dinner, put a smile on for Vinnie Yet I was worried sick. At 32 I was supposed to be loving juggling mum life with being a dental nurse. Yet I’d often pass…

RICH TEA The Original! Proving we’ve always loved a biccie and a cuppa, Rich Tea – called Tea Biscuit back then – were developed in Yorkshire in the 17th century. They started as a light snack for posh folk to nibble, but does this historical great stand up to a builder’s brew? Dunks: 19 Time to fall apart: 95 seconds Chat's verdict: Impressive effort from the spongelike Rich Tea! For everyday eating purposes, though, stick to a few dunks or a quick 2-3 second hold. PENGUIN A firm fave in kids’ lunchboxes thanks to the layers of chocolate biscuit and cream, not to mention the jokes and cast of penguin characters on the wrappers. Made by McVitie’s, we’ve been able to P-P-P-Pick up a Penguin since the 1930s. Dunks: 12…

Lottie London Extreme Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, £5.95, lottie. london After a waterproof, jet-black liquid eyeliner? Look no further. Promising no smudging, feathering or running, it’ll create slick flicks in no time. W7 Cheeky Dip Liquid Blusher, £5.95, w7makeup.co.uk Using the applicator, dot this coral blush on the apples of your cheeks and blend. Thanks to hydrating vitamin E it provides a natural flush of colour. H&M Prowear Flawless Foundation, £12.99, H&M This long-wear foundation does it all! Coming in over 40 shades, it also has build-able coverage, a colourcorrecting formula and a luminous finish, making it worth investing in. E.l.f. Cosmetics Bronzing Drops, £12, elfcosmetics.co.uk This bronze-in-a-bottle creates a warm, sun-kissed glow instantly. Available in three flattering shades, it’ll boost your complexion while also hydrating it. Hair Proud Locks…

Chat winners issue 9 (29 Feb 2024) £1,001 CASH L Jackson, Nottingham £500 CASH S Savill, Eye KA Pritchard, Caernarfon £250 CASH V Heard, Camberley N Freeman-Smith, Ipswich £200 CASH J McManus, Bridlington £100 CASH M Millar, Poole J Hargreaves, Rochdale S Johns, Whitby £50 CASH P Scott, Maghera M Davies, Isleworth S Bicknell, Waterlooville L Martin, Portsmouth S McKnight, Spennymoor K Jolly, Brentwood £40 CASH C De-Montes, Newport Pagnell £30 CASH D Coates, Wolverhampton K Hatton, Tring £25 CASH J Kennedy, Denny S Ahmed, Norwich Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £20 CASH E Heritage, Ruislip C Melvin, Kirkby-in-Ashfield A Branston, Leicester C Pearce, Coventry B Allwood, Milton Keynes H Wickens, Argyll and Bute M McArthur, Eastbourne E Farrant, Bournemouth D Lewis, Port Talbot M Prim,…

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Climbing into the back seat of the van, I hugged the desperate woman inside – her little girl, too. ‘Don’t worry. You’re safe now,’ I soothed. She didn’t speak English, but crumpled into my arms, in tears. I noticed how her daughter was underweight. Outside, crowds of people flooded across the border from Ukraine into Poland. Fear etched on their faces. It’s like no man’s land, I thought. It was March 2022, days after Russia had invaded Ukraine. Back home in County Down, Northern Ireland, I’d been chair of Chernobyl Aid Newry, a charity organising support for kids continuing to be affected by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. But after war broke out, we’d quickly changed our focus to getting aid to Ukraine, raising £20,000 to help those affected. Now,…

TRUE-LIFE Childhood sweethearts Kaylin Gillis, 20, and Blake Walsh, 19, were head over heels in love. Together for four years, they even called themselves ‘the 2%’, a statistic they’d heard about the number of high-school sweethearts who go on to marry. The young couple had a great group of pals too. And on 15 April 2023, they set off in convoy to a house party in Hebron, a rural town in New York State. Kaylin and her friends, Jacob Haynes and Alexandra Whiting, piled into Blake’s Ford Explorer. Leading the convoy was Katherine Rondeau in her Jeep, who knew the party host. Another pal followed on a motorcycle. Only, around 10pm, the friends took a wrong turn. Drove down a long, dark, snaking driveway. They hadn’t spotted the private property…

Q I’m embarrassed about my bad breath. I often cough up white bits from the back of my throat, which smell really bad. What can I do? Louise, Hawes A I understand the embarrassment of bad breath, but there are steps to address it. Those white bits could be tonsil stones harbouring odour-causing bacteria. The first step is to maintain good oral hygiene – brush teeth twice daily, including your tongue, and floss to remove food particles. Avoid smoking and excess alcohol, which can dry your mouth and lead to tonsil stones. A tongue scraper can also help remove bacteria. Also, gargle with salt water or mouthwash to reduce bacteria. Stay hydrated, and if the problem persists, try gentle irrigation or cotton swabbing to dislodge tonsil stones. If unsuccessful, see…

Sat on the loo in my mum’s cramped flat, I looked at the positive pregnancy test and gulped. No one can know, I thought, shoving the stick in my pocket. It was 1986, I was only 17 and no longer with my boyfriend. In shock, for months I went to school, chatted to friends without uttering my secret to a soul. Naively hoped it’d just go away. Only, as a bump emerged, I couldn’t hide it any more. ‘I missed a period,’ I confessed to Mum one night. She rushed me to the doctor the next day, where it was confirmed I was five months gone. Too late for a termination, I thought I’d get to keep the baby. But my dad had left when I was young, and I lived…

Eric NETFLIX ● Set in 1980s New York, this six-part drama stars Benedict Cumberbatch as puppeteer Vincent Anderson, the creator of hugely popular children’s TV show Good Day Sunshine. But when his nine-year-old son Edgar goes missing on the way to school, Vincent’s life begins to unravel as he struggles to cope. When he discovers the boy’s sketches of a blue monster puppet called Eric, Vincent becomes convinced that if he can get Eric on TV, Edgar will come home. But as his behaviour becomes more erratic, he begins to alienate those around him, including his wife Cassie (Gaby Hoffmann). DON’T MISS DON’T MISS The Outlaws BBC1 ● Stephen Merchant’s comedy drama about a bunch of strangers on a community payback scheme returns. With crime boss The Dean (Claes Bang)…

Bagel club sandwich Two faves come together in this classic combo with a twist. SERVES 6 PREP 30 MINS COOK 8 MINS ● 8 rashers smoked bacon ● 6tbsp light mayonnaise ● 4tsp wholegrain mustard ● 18 bagel thins ● ½ iceberg lettuce, shredded ● 8 slices cooked turkey ● 16 sun-blushed tomatoes, drained ● 1 bunch watercress or 1 punnet mustard and cress You will need: ● 6 mini flags or cocktail sticks (optional) 1 Heat the grill to medium. Grill the bacon for 8 mins, turning as needed, until just becoming crispy. 2 In a bowl combine the mayonnaise and mustard. Spread the cut side of the bagels with the mustard mayo. Put the lettuce on the base, adding ½ a slice of turkey and bacon. 3 Top with another…

Q Can you recommend a summery scent for under £15? Paula Miller, Southsea A The price of everything has gone up in the past couple of years but perfume prices have notably shot up. Luckily, the high street has a huge amount of affordable and impressive fragrance options for you to choose from. Our favourite ones for the summer months are Next Orange Summer Sun Eau de Parfum, £10, Next, which blends coconut, exotic flowers and zesty fruit for a truly summery scent. Another lovely fragrance that’s worth stocking up on is PS… Metallic Eau de Parfum, £6, Primark, which is bursting with juicy neroli and soft vanilla aromas, perfect for warmer weather and holidays. Finally, nothing says summer more than tropical coconut scents and Discover White Coconut Eau de…

What was the last thing to make you smile? When my girlfriend told me some of the surprises she’s planned for our fourth anniversary trip to London this August, including a bucket-list visit to The Ritz for afternoon tea! Best job you’ve ever had? I’ve had so many jobs since I was 12, but my best was definitely working at our local bingo hall. I got the job aged 17 when my uncle dared me to go in and apply, and I enjoyed many years there until it closed in 2013! City break or beach hol? Having grown up by the sea, I’ve always had a soft spot for seaside resorts. I love the nostalgic smells of the candyfloss and chip shops, the sounds of the birds, fairgrounds and crashing…

Theatre Royal Bath was originally funded by what financial structure, where investors receive lifelong annuities from the scheme? The number next to the clue tells you which line the answer’s in. We’ve put a section in to start you off! There may be two Across answers in one line. Down words fill themselves in. The shaded squares spell out the one-word prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 2 2 Mild sarcasm • As _ Like It, Shakespeare play 4 Flow back • Watchful, attentive 6 Large African mammal • River of east England 8 The self • Beneath Your answer:…

FROM £6 SUMMER TOPS STYLE TIP Tuck into a silky slip skirt or style with cream denim. Avoid heavy black accessories and stick to neutrals. SWIMWEAR STYLE TIP Show off your tan in these ice cream shades. Keep cover-ups simple – an oversized linen shirt perfectly offsets these feminine hues. ACCESSORIES STYLE TIP Swap the belt on your favourite dress for a luxe raffia style to really define your waist. DRESSES STYLE TIP From strappy beach dresses to slinky chiffon slips, pastel frocks are everywhere. Pair with metallic and raffia accessories.…

Which US actor’s unreleased album, recorded in around 1989 and later bootlegged, is commonly known by the title Hollywood Affair and is rumoured to have been produced by her then boyfriend Prince? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Signals approval = TICS + K = TICKS. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. WIN 2 x £25 Puzzle 9 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

As Zmeena Orr dances around her bedroom chucking fistfuls of cash in the air, it’s hard to believe that she grew up shy and timid. ‘I kept to myself a lot,’ she explains. So what changed? ‘I used to be an exotic entertainer,’ Zmeena says. ‘All the other girls that were dancing around me, their bodies were super curvaceous, and I just couldn’t compete. ‘I wanted to make the big bucks like them.’ That’s when Zmeena turned to plastic surgery. ‘It was starting to become a trend – huge hips, big butt, small, tiny waist,’ she says. ‘I remember my mother, she used to call it the pear shape, and she idolised it. ‘It really made me feel like, “I like that. I love that. Actually, I want that for…

3 ways to… cut the cost of currency Going on hols? Then you’ll want your spending money to go as far as possible… 1 Get the best deal When it comes to exchanging currency before you set off, make sure you check the best rates online – you could save serious cash, especially compared to turning up at the airport and swapping it there. But remember to factor in any fees you’ll need to pay. Find more info and useful tips at which.co.uk. 2 Be plastic savvy Before using your credit or debit card abroad, make sure you check any fees you’ll be charged for doing so. You can get travel credit cards that don’t charge fees when you use them abroad; just make sure you repay in full each month to…

24-30 May 2024 Aries 21 March-20 April Known for your direct approach and no-nonsense communication style, you may be asked to give advice to a friend this week. Help boost their confidence. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Mercury in Taurus gives you the opportunity to speak up when you need to assert yourself and to create a plan to implement at work in the coming months. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June With the Sun and Venus in Gemini you may find yourself connecting to new people. This puts a spring in your step and allows you to develop lasting friendships. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July If you’ve been feeling a bit blue…

Dressing my Barbie in a sparkly dress, I listened to my dad at the door. ‘No bother,’ he smiled at our neighbour. It was summer 1978 and Dad, William, then 43, or Billy as he was known, was an engineer in a factory. Was often being called on to fix broken washing machines and cars. He’d happily oblige, always so friendly. But I knew a different side. Now, the minute he shut the door, he ordered Mum, Eileen, then 36, about in the kitchen, effing and blinding. Age 6, I was terrified of Dad, but unlike my older sister, Alison, then 12, I seemed to escape his wrath. ‘My blue-eyed girl,’ he’d call me, hot beer breath on my face as he pulled me onto his knee. One day in…

Lacura Moisturising Hand Cream, 59p, Aldi You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good-quality hand cream and this bargain buy from Aldi is certainly proof of that. Packed with nourishing ingredients like glycerin and oatmeal, this protects your hands all day long and ensures they are silky smooth. Plus there’s no greasy feeling either! Baylis & Harding Royale Garden Lemon & Basil Body Wash, £3, Morrisons Energise your mind, body and soul with this new uplifting body wash. Jampacked with a refreshing mix of citrus scents, along with herby basil, it will leave skin fresh and invigorated. The jumbo-size bottle will last for months, too.…

Friends and neighbours who remember Lacey Ellen Fletcher describe her as ‘just a fun, normal kid’. ‘One of the sweetest people you could ever meet’, one old school pal said. A quiet girl, yet vocal about her opinions. Lacey went to a small private school, called Brownsville Baptist Academy. At 12, she played for the volleyball team. Photos of Lacey as a teenager show her fresh-faced and smiling with her teammates. Only, around the age of 14, something changed. She’d been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and it accelerated in her teens. Lacey became more isolated from her friends. Robert Blades, who went to school with Lacey, said that she wasn’t a ‘typical teenager’. ‘She wasn’t as mature as us. She still liked children things, not teenage things,’ he said.…

To Princess Catherine, Spotting a pic of you on World Mental Health Day on 10 October 2023, my jaw dropped open. I already knew something was going on. My phone hadn’t stopped chiming with orders to my online earring shop. Then a friend texted me… She’s wearing them! And sure enough, as I scrolled Instagram, I’d been tagged in photos of you, donning a special pair of sparkly gold star earrings, named for my cousin Issy. My eyes brimmed. It means everything that you’d honour Issy that way. I was 22 when Issy was born to my aunt Sarah and uncle Simon in 2006. A happy little girl who loved swimming, singing and dancing. Every Christmas she entertained us, belting out cheesy pop tunes on the karaoke machine. I watched…