Table of contents for March 2024 in Take a Break Monthly

As the figure beside me began to speak, I gazed into his big brown eyes and thought: This is music to my ears. My new boyfriend Ivan had just told me he wanted to start a family and I found myself saying: ‘Yes, me too. That’s what I want.’ Ivan and I had met via a dating ad. He was Croatian, intelligent and charming. I’d been living in Croatia for a few years and had been considering moving back home to the UK, but now I could see myself staying and building a life with Ivan. At the age of 37, I didn’t want to hang around so we started trying for a baby. I fell pregnant but sadly I miscarried after eight weeks. ‘It’ll happen for us,’ Ivan said.…

Solve our puzzle to find out who it is. HOW TO ENTER Solve the crossword. Then, from the top, list the letters in the yellow squares to reveal the identity of the chopped-up celebrity. Enter by post, phone, text or online — see page 73. ACROSS 1 Dungeon & Dragons: Honour - - - Thieves, 2023 film starring Chris Pine and Hugh Grant (5)6 Sharp witty reply (7)10 The One Show host, - - - Jones (4)11 Hide (7)13 Detective (6)14 Equestrian’s footrest (7)15 Slightest, faintest (6)17 Hard tooth coating (6)19 Stretchy material (7)20 Soapy froth (6)22 Patterned cloth used to make kilts (6)24 Style, panache (5)25 Animal whose back is broken by the last straw? (5)28 Smarten, straighten (up) (6)30 Become smaller, or slang for a psychiatrist (6)31 It…

We’re getting ready to say hello to spring with £1000 to spend on your home. March is the time when we all start thinking about tackling those little jobs around the house that need doing, or finally get going on some of the bigger plans we have — like a much-needed bedroom refresh, or a more practical bathroom revamp. So, what would you do if you won our grand prize? How about giving your living room some TLC with a new carpet, a comfy sofa or a brand-new TV? Alternatively, you might fancy giving your kitchen a bit of a face-lift with new pots and pans and some shiny gadgets — if you’ve always fancied one of those super-swanky coffee machines, now’s your chance to get one! Perhaps you simply…

Our Lives Staring at the positive pregnancy test, I blinked in disbelief. ‘Looks like you were right,’ I gasped to my partner Ali. When we’d met, we each had children from previous relationships. Ali had two girls, and I had Elizabeth, 16, and Seth, 13. We thought we’d completed our blended family with Avice, two, so this had taken us completely by surprise. ‘Something doesn’t feel right’ I’d been feeling sick since we returned from a holiday to Egypt. I’d assumed it was a bug, but Ali had thought otherwise. ‘Humour me and take a test,’ he’d said. Now, I was about to turn 40 with my fourth child on the way. Over the next weeks, the shock finally subsided. But one night, Ali and I were lying in bed…

Read it! This month’s Book Club read is a romance about fate, longing, and learning to live in the moment Meet Me When My Heart Stops by Becky Hunter The idea for this book played around in Becky’s head for a long time before she found the courage to write it. ‘It’s such a big story, and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to pull it off,’ she says. Emery is born with a health condition that means her heart could stop at any moment. If those around her act quickly, her heart can be restarted. But when it happens, she is briefly technically dead. Each time Emery’s heart stops, she meets Nick. His purpose is to help people adjust to the fact they’re dead, to help them say…

Our Lives As I strolled along the beach with the wind stinging my cheeks, my phone suddenly buzzed in my pocket. ‘There’s a sperm whale stranded further along the shore,’ said my friend Kate. As an animal lover, I couldn’t bear to think of any creature suffering and immediately wanted to help. And when I told my husband Julian, he did too. Running down the beach, we spotted a group of people in the distance. ‘It’s too late, the whale’s passed away,’ a woman told me. Devastated, we headed home but it got me thinking. I did some research and discovered the team on the beach were volunteers from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR). They were giving their own time to help sea creatures and I wanted to…

My husband Joss looked at my hand and frowned. ‘This isn’t right,’ he said. ‘You need to go back to the GP.’ I’d accidentally hit it with a mallet while working and within seconds, it had turned black. Along with bruising easily, I’d been suffering from terrible stomach cramps, headaches and exhaustion too. I’d already been to the GP twice and had been tested for anaemia. This time, I was referred to hospital and it was serious. I had aggressive leukaemia. Despite six months of gruelling chemotherapy that caused seizures, I remained full of positivity when I was around family and friends. Although the treatment worked, just a year later, the cancer returned. ‘Your only option is a bone marrow transplant,’ the oncologist said. Thankfully, a donor was found and…

On the screen, a little girl in a long white dress and flowers in her hair began walking down the aisle. She’d linked arms with a little boy dressed in a suit, and when she caught sight of a camera, she grinned. ‘You were cute,’ my friend Anna said. We were watching a video of her wedding to her husband Angelo. I was the flower girl in the long dress, and Angelo’s nephew Matt was the pageboy in his little suit. We could hear all the guests cooing as we held hands, because I was only five and he was six. I’d loved that day, getting all dressed up and wearing make-up for the first time. It had made me feel so special. Anna and Angelo were close friends of…

Mix and match this waistcoat and blazer set for endless outfit opportunities Team this colourful skirt with a simple white tee and trainers for an easy weekend look A simple pair of striped trousers are a wearable take on this spring’s sports-luxe trend…

Sticky beef-noodle stir-fry Serves: 4 Takes: 25min ■ 200g pad Thai rice noodles■ 150g plum sauce■ 1tbsp lemon juice■ 1tbsp soy sauce■ ¼tsp five-spice■ 2tbsp vegetable oil■ 500g steak, thinly sliced■ 1 bunch long stem or Chinese broccoli, sliced, or pak choi, shredded■ 1 carrot, sliced into ribbons using a peeler■ 150g sugar snap peas■ 3 spring onions, sliced diagonally■ 2tbsp flaked almonds, toasted 1 Prepare the noodles according to the pack instructions. Rinse under cold water and drain. 2 Meanwhile, combine the plum sauce, lemon juice, soy sauce and five-spice in a bowl. 3 Heat a wok or frying pan over a high heat. Add half the oil. Stir-fry half of the beef for 1-2min until browned. Transfer to a bowl. Repeat with the remaining beef. 4 Add the…

Bathroom A peg board will help keep the smallest room of the home clutter-free. Everything can be stored at various heights for convenience. Skadis peg board, £13, Ikea. Living & dining room A great way to make the most of small spaces is to create floating shelves for books, pictures and accessories. Ribbed vase, £12; Hi-ball glasses, £17 for four; Mango wood vase, £8; Bud vases, £12 for three, all Habitat. Bedroom Look for dual purpose pieces if you’re short on space. This desk folds away and creates a perfect shelf and storage area. Floating desk, £135.99, Wayfair. Kitchen Keep plates to hand in a multipurpose shelving unit. Hung above the worktops, there’s space for everything. Churchgate wall unit, from £70, Dunelm. Storage hints and tips Try some of these…

• Two-night B&B weekend break • £200 spending money Fancy a seaside break? We have a two-night weekend getaway up for grabs for a family of two adults and two children at Bike & Boot Scarborough. Close to lovely beaches, the hotel has 65 stylish rooms and a restaurant serving a wide range of Mediterranean-style small plates, grills, pastas and pizzas. It’s also a great base for relaxing, exploring the stunning coastline and discovering Scarborough’s rich history. Dogs are welcome too, with dog-grooming facilities available at no extra charge. Additional perks include hot drinks on the house, complimentary teatime cake at 4pm and free access to the Film Club, a small, cosy cinema in the hotel showing films three times a day. Crack our competition and, if you’re our lucky…

Waltzing out of the door in bright orange trousers, a matching jacket and his bike helmet, my dad Colin had a big smile on his face. It was howling a gale outside and rain was pelting against the window, but Dad wasn’t daunted. Despite being 61 and about to cycle four miles in shocking weather to his job lecturing maths at a college, he was as full of life as ever. He was incredibly fit, and cycled and walked daily, whatever the weather. ‘Got to keep the steps up,’ he’d say. I lived with him, my mum Karen, and my sisters Lulu and Sarah, and I loved spending time with Dad — although I was much more of a fair-weather type. A few weeks later, it was Lulu he convinced…

Want to learn a new skill or go on an epic adventure? Try Not On The High Street, home to the UK’s best small businesses. Along with unexpected gifts, they offer amazing experiences too — and we’ve teamed up with them to give you the chance to win one of five fab prizes! Each prize includes an experience worth £100, plus a £100 voucher to spend with Not On The High Street. Crack our comp and you could be enjoying one of the following: an Ethiopian cookery class, learning the ins and outs of foraging in Brighton, practising your aim with tech darts and tapas, getting behind the wheel at a beginner’s pottery class, or relaxing with bottomless cocktails and an afternoon tea for two — all courtesy of The…

Shop Watch: Next We can always rely on this high street hero for stylish designs that deliver on quality and value. Give your wardrobe a refresh for the new season with gorgeous shades of green, classic denim and timeless tailored separates. Get them before they go Updating your arm candy is a quick and easy way to inject new life into an outfit. Opt for a practical yet chic crossbody bag – perfect for carrying all your essentials when on-the-go. Trench Coats Meet the ultimate spring cover-up that will finish off any look in style. Shop in classic camel, or try another winning neutral such as khaki, tan or cream.…

As I watched the figures on the dance floor, I let out a sigh of regret. I was on a night out with my friends, but while they were all letting loose, I was sitting on the sidelines. And I was too embarrassed to admit why. ‘Are you all right, Amy?’ asked my older sister Lola, as she sat down next to me. ‘I’m fine,’ I replied. ‘Are you all right, Amy?’ But that was a lie. The truth was, at 19 stone and a size 22, I felt too self-conscious to strut my stuff with the others. Although I’d always been on the larger side, I’d put on more weight after the birth of my second child two years earlier. I couldn’t resist a takeaway, and my love of…

Turn over for our MONEY SAVING TIPS The money boot-camp challenge This five-week financial fitness plan will knock both your body and your bank account into shape… In his early 20s, Sammie Ellard-King racked up £24k in debt through credit cards, and payday and personal loans. But, dedicated to shaking off this burden of debt, Sammie made a commitment to turn his finances around. He adapted the snowball technique, where you list your debts in order of biggest to smallest and then target them with everything you have, knocking off debt as you go along. Sammie explains: ‘This allows you to pick up momentum and feel like you’re making progress.’ He also started a range of side hustles to bring in more money and help pay off debt faster. ‘The…

Exfoliate Chilly winter weather and central heating can dry out your skin. Exfoliation is the key to reviving it. Choose a refreshing, full-body exfoliator that’s effective enough to massage away dead skin cells, flakes and impurities, but gentle enough to use daily. Blemish control Adult body acne is not uncommon, appearing on the back, chest and shoulders. Choose a clarifying product that will limit oil build-up and is specifically designed with those areas in mind. Moisturise Prep your parched winter skin with a rich, hydrating, body moisturiser. Choose a thinner consistency that will absorb quickly, leaving no residue. Slather liberally, remembering that a little goes a long way! Firm & tone Supplement your exercise routine with a cream that’s going to help kick your cellulite into touch, improving elasticity and…

It was a scorcher, and I was pottering around in the garden when I came across an uncommon sight. ‘Hey, Tom,’ I called to my husband. ‘Look at this!’ A tortoise had crawled into our plot and was chomping away at some grass. Four years earlier, Tom’s job had seen us relocate to Dubai, where tortoises are a common pet. I reasoned this slow coach must have escaped from a neighbour’s house. But after posting on social media and asking around, it seemed the tortoise had been abandoned. A trip to the vet revealed that our unannounced guest was a healthy female, around nine years old. ‘She’s got no microchip, so we’ll have to find a home for her,’ the vet said. ‘Unless you’d like to take her?’ I jumped…

Chocolate bread & butter pudding Serves: 6 Takes: 55min (plus soaking) ■ 90g butter, softened, plus extra for greasing■ 180ml milk■ 180ml double cream■ 1tsp vanilla extract■ 200g dark or milk chocolate, finely chopped■ 4 eggs■ 2tbsp caster sugar■ 6 thick slices brioche 1Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan 160°C, gas 4). Lightly grease six 250ml shallow ovenproof ramekins or dishes. Place these in a large baking dish. Combine the milk, cream and vanilla extract in a saucepan. Bring to the boil over a high heat. Remove from the heat, add half of the chocolate and stir until melted. 2 In a heatproof bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar together until pale. Gradually, whisk in the chocolate custard mixture until combined and the sugar has dissolved. 3 Spread the butter…

As I placed two drinks on the bar, my customer handed me the money and said: ‘And get one for yourself.’ It was generous, but after a 14-hour shift, I couldn’t stomach another tequila shot. ‘I’ve got terrible heartburn,’ I said to my boyfriend Blake, as we headed back to my place later. Blake and I had met working behind the bar at the same leisure complex seven months earlier, and we’d really hit it off. When we weren’t pulling pints, we shared a love of partying and rollercoasters, and I could see us settling down together. Luckily, there was something very important that we agreed on. No kids. ‘Not for me,’ Blake had said. ‘Too right,’ I’d replied, laughing. ‘I had enough of that at my sister’s.’ I’d temporarily…

ARIES 21 Mar –19 Apr Nice and easy does it. A laid-back version of you is emerging, Aries, and it’s a pleasant change of pace. Peace and harmony is the vibe filling your star chart. Just let go of anything that’s rubbed you up the wrong way recently and you can make fresh starts. Allow your mind to drift and clever ideas come to you. Money-making possibilities are also on the increase, thanks to Jupiter. Create your own video TAURUS 20 Apr – 20 May Pigs might fly and pie in the sky! You down-to-earth bulls aren’t a sign to get fanciful, but you can this month. Those you cross paths with could revive your ability to achieve your wishes. March delivers the year’s first eclipse, and it’s a nudge…

Fancy stocking up on a free weekly shop? Enter our brilliant competition and you could win £200 in the supermarket vouchers of your choice! You can take your pick from Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons, M&S or Iceland. Just think of all the tantalising treats that could be in store — big juicy steaks, delicious ready meals, smoked salmon, Belgian chocs, your favourite wines and beer. And of course you could fill your store cupboard with a host of essentials, from washing powder to tea and coffee. Sounds like a tasty prize? Then grab that pen and get puzzling! 3 LETTERS Cod, Dry, Egg, Ham, Ice, Nut, Rib, Set 4 LETTERS Bake, Chop, Cube, Free, Meat, Seed, Sift, Sort, Taco, Unit 5 LETTERS Chips, Jelly, Mince, Ripen, Yeast 6 LETTERS Coffee, Salami,…

Our Lives As an elegant figure stepped into the living room, I gasped. ‘Oh Katie!’ I said. My youngest daughter was nothing short of a vision. ‘I’m so excited, Mum,’ she said. Katie, 16, had been looking forward to her school leavers’ prom all year, and had splashed out on a blue floor-length gown to wear. Now, as she did a little twirl, I could see how thrilled she was. Katie loved school and was head of house for her year. If anyone deserved to celebrate in style, it was her. She and her friends had booked a white limo to take them to the event. We’d also hired a professional make-up artist and hair stylist, and booked fake tan and nails. ‘You look beautiful,’ my mum Kay said. ‘But…

CORNWALL SPA WINNER Gulcan Suntoo, Redhill, Surrey ‘I was very excited when I opened the letter that confirmed I’d won a spa break for two in Cornwall. I went into my son’s room to show him and he couldn’t believe it either! I really am over the moon to have won!’ MOROCC0 HOLIDAY (PRIZE ANSWER: SAHARA) Mrs L Pokusinski, Southampton, Hants. WINDSOR BREAK (PRIZE ANSWER: LEMON) Mrs V Higham, Wellington, Somerset. £1200 BIG BONANZA (PRIZE ANSWER: MOODY) S Burnard, Holsworthy, Devon. £1000 CELEBRITY CROSSWORD (PRIZE ANSWER: APPEARED IN EASTENDERS) D Picketts, Northampton. WINTER BUNDLE (PRIZE ANSWER: WARMTH) J Cook, Loughton, Essex. C Cooper, Birmingham. V Culpin, Stevenage, Herts. J Harrod, Bushey, Herts. M Mills, Swindon. Mrs A Kelly, Liverpool. TRIP TO LONDON (PRIZE ANSWER: SCONE) B Tivey, Wolverhampton, W Mids.…