Table of contents for 31 October 2024 in Chat

Boo! Made you jump. This week, we’re in the mood for Halloween with a few spooky treats (no tricks!) for you. Like Wren loves having a graveyard in her back garden. Chilling! And that’s not even mentioning the ghostly squatters living in her house… (p30). Plus we’ve found the coolest Halloween decs (p29), as well as your frightfully clever tips (p9) and best pumpkin and fancy dress pics (p4). I’m impressed – when I was kid, I just had a bin bag for a witch’s cape! Have a great week,…

TRUE-LIFE Gazing around my new, unfamiliar home, I thought about how much I missed my mum. It was December 2004 and, aged 7, my life had flipped upside down. My brother Tim, then 9, and I had been moved from Leicester to Peterborough. Put under the care of my mum’s brother – our uncle Robert, then 30. Our parents couldn’t care for us any more. So we were staying with him at his mother-in-law Pauline’s three-bed home. Robert and Pauline, then 52, were nice at first. Sometimes, Robert and Pauline played quiz games on the PlayStation with us in the living room. But whenever Tim won, Pauline got cross. ‘Little cheat,’ she’d say, hitting him over the head with the remote control. Months later, I caught her forcing Tim to…

WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 What do actors Michael Cera and Glenn Close have in common? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the fiveword prize answer. ACROSS 1 Chopped into cubes (5) 4 Simon _, Hot Fuzz actor (4) 6 Lack of strength (8) 13 Office gadget (7) 14 Cooked in an oven (7) 15 Sewer (5) 16 Nuisance (4) 17 Resistant to disease (6) 18 Fight between armies (6) 20 Greek god of love (4) 21 Breathing organs (5) 22 Deep _, 1998 film (6) 25 Bring to mind (8) 28 Burrowing mammal with long ears (6) 30 Compass direction (5) 32 Protection from rain (8) 34 Four-sided shape (6) 35 List of dishes (4) 38 Not winning (6) 39 Presses clothes (5) 40 Glass container (6) 43 Make money (4) 44 Device for boiling water (6) 45 Toilet (8) 48 Item of furniture (5) 49 Royal…

Help! I'm scared of sick Q I have emetophobia, which means I’m scared of throwing up. This fear makes it hard for me to take care of my toddler when she’s sick. What can I do to help both of us? Sian, Stourbridge A Managing a fear of vomiting while caring for a sick child can be tough. To help, think about seeing a therapist who can teach you coping strategies, like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – a type of psychotherapy that helps people manage their problems by changing their thoughts and behaviours. Prepare for your child being sick by having a kit ready with essentials, such as clean clothes and wipes. If possible, ask a trusted friend or relative to help with her care when she’s ill. You could…

The smell of toast drifted into the room as I sat down on my nan’s sofa to watch cartoons. Moments later, she appeared with a tray. ‘Dippy eggs and soldiers,’ she said, setting my dinner down in front of me. It was 2002, and, aged 5, Nana Lin, then 53, always picked me up from school. Looked after me while my mum Elaine, then 33, was busy working at her HR job. Nan took me to dance class, stopping at the shop to buy me some sweets on the way home. She was the best! But as time passed, Nan started to slur her words, grew unsteady on her feet. As I was still so young, I barely noticed. But when I turned 11, in 2008, I discovered the awful…

Zubeneschamali, Zubenelgenubi and Zubenelhakrabi are three of the main stars in which constellation? Solve the crossword, then read down the shaded squares to find the prize puzzle answer. ACROSS 1 _ Hawk Down, 2002 film (5) 4_ Howard, director (3) 6 Make beer or tea (4) 7 Large body of water (3) DOWN 1 Millie _ Brown, actor (5) 2 Land measures (5) 3 Family (3) 5 Be in debt (3) WIN 4 x £20 Puzzle 13 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Too young for a phone? Q My son really wants his own smartphone. He’s only 10 but I know a lot of his friends have one. With his older siblings, they had to wait until they were 15 to get a smartphone. I am so torn! Michelle, 42 A A smartphone is a lot of responsibility. Ask if your son if he’s really ready to look after a phone, to be contactable and to follow all the ground rules about what he can and can’t use the device for. Ask your older kids their opinions, too. Do they wish they’d got theirs earlier or not? At the end of the day, you know your boy best. Trust your gut, my love. Reality check for pop star wannabe Q My teenage daughter wants to be…

MONEY MATTERS 3 ways to… save money on food Cut the cost of your supermarket shop with these top tips… Seek out savings 1 When planning your meals for the week, don’t automatically opt for your usual dishes – try to find cheaper options. You’ll find great inspiration on the cheap family meals page at goodto.com, including recipes you can batch cook; cooking extra portions for meals later in the week saves time and can save cash too. Another way to reduce costs while still being healthy is by cutting down on meat. For example, you could make a chilli with chickpeas and a ragu sauce with puy lentils instead of beef. Consider how you can adapt other recipes for a cheaper version. And taking your own lunch to work can cost…

WIN £500 Puzzle 18 The answers to all but one of these quiz questions can be found hidden in this wordsearch grid, reading forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonally. To help you, we’ll tell you that the answers are in alphabetical order in each section. However, one answer can’t be found in the grid. This is your prize answer. GLASGOW 1 What is the surname of Glaswegian comedian Susan, who presented the Grand Day Out and Secret Scotland series and competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017? (6) 2 Which major river, one of the longest in Scotland, runs through Glasgow? (5) 3 Which ABBA hit (their ninth and, to date, final UK No 1) features the lyrics, ‘I was sick and tired of everything when I called you last…

Witch Don't Stress Spot Patches, £3, amazon.co.uk Dial down angry-looking spots with one of these clever patches. They have an anti-inflammatory effect to shrink blemishes, reduce redness and encourage healing. Avon Far Away Shine EDP, £16, avon.uk.com Now that autumn is upon us, why not update your fragrance for something warm and cocooning? Bag a luxurious scent for less with this floral aroma from Avon -a medley of rich rose, fresh pink pepper and sultry golden musk. Dr. Organic Tea Tree Heel Balm, £9.99, Superdrug Treat your feet to a regular dose of moisture during boot weather and your soles will thank you for it by the time sandal season arrives again. This conditioning balm is a tonic for dry, cracked heels. Arkive The Immaculate Hybrid Cleansing Fluid, £9.99, Boots…

Chat winners issue 31 (1 August 2024) £1,001 CASH D McCall, Thornton Cleveleys £500 CASH H Hunt, Haywards Heath J Webb, Highbridge £250 CASH S Rumbold, Braintree M Chicken, Stoke-on-Trent £200 CASH J Lilley, Olney £100 CASH J Low, Sheffield J Lewis, Burnham-on-Sea K Walters, Llanelli £50 CASH P Such, Evesham G Bissmire, Crawley K Brown, Newtry C Pittaway, Willenhall D James, Carmarthen E Hetherington, Chester-Le-Street £40 CASH E Wright, Manchester £30 CASH G Batt, Maidstone B Edwards, London £25 CASH A Graham, Annan Anyone from your town in the list this week..? P Barrett, Radcliffe £20 CASH J Sherman, Wigan R Booker, Berwickupon-Tweed G Lyton, Folkestone D Skinner, Berwickupon-Tweed R Johnson, Southampton J Tunnard, Preston S Paul, Grimsby P Hicks, Southampton LM Trow, Crewe A Griffiths, St Helens N…

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After carefully trimming the hedge, Kenneth Juedes, 58, set to work on mowing the lawn for his elderly mum Margaret, then 88. It was 29 August 2006, a scorching hot day in Wisconsin, USA. Ken was devoted to his mum, regularly checked in on her. At 4.30pm, he kissed her goodbye, before heading back to the four-bed house he shared with his wife Cindy, then 51. Their home, Dill Creek Farm, was set in 30 acres of beautiful farmland. Ken had done well for himself. He was a pharmacist and farmer, and co-owned a car-racing and camping ground called Monster Hall Raceway. After divorcing his first wife in 1998, with whom he shared four children, he’d met Cindy. The couple married in Las Vegas in November 2004. Ken and Cindy…

Q I can’t leave the house without quickly finding a bathroom. I try to avoid drinking in the morning, but I still have accidents. What’s going on? Sophie, Bristol A I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. It sounds like you’re struggling with serious urinary incontinence. Constantly worrying about finding a loo and fearing accidents can really affect your life. The fact you’re avoiding drinks and still having accidents shows this may need more than just lifestyle changes. There are different options available, like pelvic floor therapy, medications, bladder training, electrical stimulation and even surgery, depending on the cause. It’s important to see a healthcare provider, like a urologist or urogynecologist, who can check your situation and suggest the best treatment for you.…

Well, well, well… The Red Lion in Avebury, Wiltshire, dates back to the 1600s and is home to Florrie, who was murdered by her husband when he found her with another man. After throwing her body down a well, he sealed it up with a boulder. Today, the well has been glassed over and is used as a table. Florrie’s spirit is said to remain at the pub, and she is particularly attracted to bearded men. Ooh-er. Between the sheets Visitors to the Drovers Inn in Loch Lomond, built in 1705, regularly comment on their ghostly experiences there. Legend has it that many years ago, a young girl drowned in the freezing waters of the nearby River Falloch. Before the burial, her body was taken to rest in room 6. Since,…

TRUE-LIFE Cobwebs gathered in the corners of my parents’ attic, a spider scuttled along the floorboards, but it didn’t bother me. Climbing the loft ladder, I crept into the darkness, poking around to see what I could find. I loved looking at bits and bobs, digging up treasures from times gone by. Picking up a box marked ‘jumble sale’, I tentatively opened the lid. Inside, a pile of old books stared back at me. A thick, heavy black book, titled Cult & Occult grabbed my interest. I was 12, had never seen anything like this before. I devoured the pages. My eyes widened as I read about witchcraft, casting spells and the history of paganism. I squirrelled it away under the eaves. Over the next few months, whenever my parents…

Snuggled up on their sofa, it’s clear to see how much Blake and Cassee adore each other. ‘Every day, I say his eyes are beautiful,’ smiles Cassee, as Blake leans over to give her a tender kiss. While the couple, who live together in America, are undoubtedly besotted, there are striking differences between them. For starters, while Blake is 5ft 7in, Cassee is half his height, standing at only 2ft 10in. Then there’s the age gap. At 32, Cassee is 13 years older than Blake, who is 19. Cassee admits that these differences concerned her right at the start, when she and Blake first got chatting after meeting on Facebook Dating in summer 2023. But she says she realised this was something special and that Blake was in it for…

TRUE-LIFE REIGN OF CHAOS Clinging on to the roof of a moving bus, Mizzy, then 17, beams with delight. Holding his phone, he films himself laughing, before posting the video on TikTok for his legion of followers. A dangerous stunt, but Mizzy – real name Bacari-Bronze O’Garro – didn’t care. Because pulling dangerous and offensive pranks racked up millions of views. He’d enter random houses without permission, recording the frightened reactions of residents. He even ran off with a woman’s dog as she walked in the park. Many of the unsuspecting members of the public were left visibly distressed by his actions. He also repeatedly harassed Orthodox Jewish people in his local area of north London, and in one video he tore up books at his local library. And all…

25-31 October 2024 Aries 21 March-20 April As the year edges towards a close, it’s time to give gratitude for the abundant blessings in your life. Make a list of your top 10 successes from this year! ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May It can be difficult to ask for help, but it is really important to talk honestly with someone close to you because it will help you gain a new perspective. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June It is time to act! Whatever you have been talking about doing this year but haven’t quite got round to yet, go for it now. Have confidence in your ideas. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July…

Q I never usually moisturise my body in the winter, but my skin’s feeling so dry. Can you recommend any quick fixes? Rose Tudor, the Wirral A It’s easy to neglect the skin from the neck down when it’s all covered up in thick knits and cosy joggers. But cold temperatures and central heating sap moisture from the skin so it can soon feel dry, tight and itchy. Get a jump-start on hydration in the shower with products that hydrate as they cleanse, like Q+A Hyaluronic Acid Body Wash, £6.50, qandaskin.com. Before you dry off, slather Sanctuary Spa Golden Sandalwood Natural Oils Ultra Rich Wet Skin Miracle Moisturiser, £11.50, Boots, on to wet skin. It sinks in instantly, locking in moisture so skin feels quenched within minutes. If you need to…

Do you prefer summer or winter? Summer. I love going out on warm summer evenings and having a pint (or two) with my friends at the weekend. We sit in the beer garden of our local pub. What is your favourite thing about yourself? I like to make people laugh, or at least smile. I’d like to think I have a good sense of humour. What does your ultimate relaxation day look like? Going to the match with my mates, and my team winning. Then going to my friend’s ‘man cave’ and listening to music while having a bit of banter with them all. What was the last film you watched at the cinema? Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, as I loved the last trilogy. My grandad has the…

Which Olympian has said his girlfriend’s father, chef Gordon Ramsay, helped him overcome personal struggles? 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 Hair problem (5,4) 4 Stephen_, former QI host • Plant with spikes of flowers 6 Biblical sacred song • Bad actor 8 One of an infant’s first incisors (4,5) Your answer:…

Sizes from 6-22 F&F at Tesco STYLE TIP A borg coat never goes out of style and you can wear it again and again. Team with jeans, a slip skirt or a knitted dress. Sizes from 6-26 Tu at Sainsbury's STYLE TIP It’s the perfect time to refresh your knitwear collection. This cream cardi pairs beautifully with a slip skirt and boots. Sizes from 6-24 George at Asda STYLE TIP Leather is always a big autumnal trend and this faux leather dress looks much more expensive than the price tag. Sizes from 8-22 Nutmeg at Morrisons STYLE TIP A trench coat is a wardrobe staple. This classic style is perfect for layering over your workwear or paired with jeans.…

True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Shovelling a forkful of pasta into my mouth, I swallowed, then stopped. Lodged in my throat, the pasta wouldn’t budge. Panicking, I gulped some water. ‘Mum, I can’t breathe,’ I croaked. Thankfully, the food dislodged. ‘You eat too quickly,’ Mum said. It was 1996 and I was just 10, so I took her advice. Chewed more slowly, careful not to choke. Mum was a nurse, Dad was a doctor, so I was in safe hands. But over the next few years, it happened more frequently. Even a slice of toast could leave me choking. It usually passed without too much of a panic. A glug of water to wash it down. Next, when food got stuck, it made me break out in hives, and my throat itched.…

Mesmerised by long, golden hair and a sparkly orange fin, my eyes locked on the TV screen. It was 2001, and, aged 8, I was watching the 1980s film Splash, about a beautiful mermaid, played by Daryl Hannah, coming ashore. ‘I wish I was a mermaid,’ I told my nan, then 42. From then on, I was obsessed. I decorated my bedroom with dolphin wallpaper, played with mermaid dolls, even had a fake fish tank. I’d learnt to swim years before, and now I started playing sharks and mermaids at the pool with my mates. An escape from reality. At school, I struggled with reading and writing. Doctors diagnosed dyslexia, my self-esteem plummeted. I wanted to escape under the sea, swimming with dolphins. Wished I could trade places with Ariel…

TRICK OR TREAT PUMPKIN PATCH WITCHY WELCOME…

What word is the title of a 2017 sitcom starring Miriam Margolyes, as well as the surname of a character in a 1990s sitcom written by Roy Clarke? Unscramble each group of letters to discover six words associated with the seaside. Now fit them across the grid and you’ll spell out the answer to the question. 1 BEA BRUCE 2 HAUNTS 3 ACE CRIME 4 COOL PORK 5 DENY OK 6 SUE TWIT WIN £75 Puzzle 17 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Maple gammon, eggs and rösti Similar to hash browns, these rösti make a tasty upgrade to your usual bacon and eggs. SERVES 4 PREP 15 MINS COOK 35 MINS ● 4 medium potatoes, peeled ● 1tbsp olive oil, plus 1tbsp for the gammon ● 1tbsp butter ● 4 x 200g gammon steaks ● 2tbsp maple syrup ● 4 medium eggs ● Watercress, to serve 1 For the rösti, add the potatoes to boiling water and cook for 6 mins. Drain and grate coarsely once cool enough to handle. Season well. Add half the oil and butter to a large frying pan, add the potato in 4 little circles and cook for 10mins, until crisp. Flip on to a plate. Add the remaining oil and butter to the pan. Slide the rösti…

TRUE-LIFE The back door to my car opened and my son’s friend Neeson slid across the back seat. ‘Morning! All ready for college?’ I asked. Neeson smiled and nodded. Then got his phone out to play a game. Typical teen. It was 2017 and he and his family lived on the next road to ours in Derbyshire. He was the same age as my son Oliver, then 18. They’d been pals since they were small. From reception class, I’d given Neeson lifts to and from school most days. Both he and Oliver had autism and that had brought them closer together. I was glad they had each other. And now, in their teens, they were at college together. I’d collect Neeson every morning and drop him and Oliver off on…

Botanics Hydrating Plumping Serum, £8.99, Boots With a high concentration of active ingredients, serums give you a lot of bang for your beauty buck. Botanics’ newly launched skincare range is powered by plants, targeting everything from dry skin and dullness to pesky blemishes. This super serum is formulated with snow mushroom, a moisture magnet that locks in hydration for 48 hours so skin feels plump to the touch. Nivea Caring Beauty Lip & Cheek Balm, £3.69, Boots Multi-tasking products aren’t just handy for speeding things up on busy mornings – they’re great for your bank balance, too. You can use this all-in-one balm across lips and cheeks to add a pop of colour. Available in three flattering shades, it’s got SPF30 protection built in and keeps lips soft and supple…

Spring was in the air in March 1989 as Mark Kilroy, then 21, packed his bag ready for a trip to Mexico. For Mark and his mates, it was a much-needed break. A student at the University of Texas, Mark planned to let loose before his final exams. He wanted to be a doctor. His proud mum Helen and dad James couldn’t wait to see their boy graduate. Tall and handsome, Mark was gifted with brains and sporting prowess, talented at baseball, basketball and golf. Then, there was his dazzling smile – he was never short of attention. Matamoros, a popular party spot, was just over the Mexican border from his home in Santa Fe, Texas. The trip was spent in a blur of bars, nightclubs and partying. In the…