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You can’t escape headlines about the rise in loneliness these days. We’ve all felt a bit isolated, even those of us with loads of friends and family. So we’re super proud to be supporting Chatty Cafe Scheme, which is working to connect people over a coffee and a natter. It’s such a simple idea but really important. See our feature on p24 to find out all about it and look out for a new regular feature, in next week’s mag. Have a great week,…

TRUE-LIFE Scrolling through Tinder, I groaned. Nope, nope and nope again! Then, just when I thought there wasn’t a single bloke on the site who I fancied, I stopped swiping. Hello, Joe! Gorgeous, with light brown hair, a buff bod and nice smile, I recognised him from school. He’d been a bit of Jack the Lad back then and it didn’t look like much had changed. His profile was full of topless photos of him flexing his muscles in the gym. What a poser! Still, the pics had the desired effect and I found myself swiping right. It wasn’t long before we matched, started chatting. It was July 2020, I was 19 and working long hours as a carer, so was looking for a bit of fun. Joe and I…

What is the surname of the former Army officer and MI5 agent who assists Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile, as well as appearing in several other works? To find out, solve the puzzle… The three answers in this puzzle read the same across and down. The clues are given, but not in the right order. Read down the shaded squares to spell the prize answer. WIN 5x £20 Puzzle 3 SOUTH AMERICAN RUMINANT STRETCH OUT RELATING TO THE SUN Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

HATS STYLE TIP Shield your face from the sun and look incredibly chic in the process. Opt for a wider brim to protect shoulders too. EARRINGS STYLE TIP An easy update to transform your look from day to night, these punchy earrings will add a touch of colour. SHOES STYLE TIP From everyday slides to dressy heels, there are some for every occasion. Stick to neutral hues to keep them versatile. FROM £10 BAGS STYLE TIP Perfect for on and off the beach, basket bags are a summer staple. Look to gold finishes and boxy silhouettes to keep them smart.…

True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Watching the sunshine peep through the clouds, I reached for the blackout blinds and pulled them shut. Last thing I needed was the sun on my skin. It was summer 2022 and if there was one thing I hated, it was to feel the sun’s kiss. It all started when I was just a baby. My eczema was so bad, I was even hospitalised at times. I was prescribed strong steroids and my parents hoped I’d grow out of it. But then, when I was 14 and on holiday in France with my family, I got sunburned badly. ‘I’m in agony,’ I cried to my mum. ‘This seems strange,’ she replied, carefully rubbing cream into my skin. ‘We’re Indian. Usually people of colour have a much higher…

As the tennis ball soared over the field, a furry black and white flash zoomed past before I could even yell ‘fetch!’ It was May 2013, and my husband Brian and I had recently adopted our bright-eyed Border collie, Ace, then 4, from an ad in the local paper. He loved playing ball, countryside walks and cuddling on the sofa. The perfect companion. Before we knew it, Ace had been part of the family for four years. Then, one day, in October 2017, Brian took Ace out for a walk while I popped to the supermarket. ‘We’ll have a nice time, won’t we boy?’ Brian grinned, scratching him behind the ears. Thirty minutes later as I pushed my trolley down the bread aisle, Brian called. ‘Ace had an accident,’ he…

No Chatty Cafe near you? Then why not set up your own alongside your favourite local coffee shop or independent cafe? Alex and her team have made it easy. Follow the steps at thechattycafescheme.co.uk/register. Pick a place that is happy to promote the scheme, and a weekly time to host the session. Pay the £30 annual fee to receive a Chatter and Natter starter pack, including signs, posters, leaflets and window stickers. The Chatty Cafe Scheme provides training to volunteers before they start hosting – your role is to be a friendly face, encourage others to join and to help to kick-start conversations. A staff member may also be the table host. The venue listing will be shown on the Chatty Cafe website and will be promoted across social media platforms. You can…

Sitting across from each other in our flat, my partner Rob and I bounced names back and forth. ‘If it’s a girl, Mia Amor – Spanish for my love,’ I told Rob, then 39. It was March 2020, and I’d just found out I was going to be a mum again. I already had a daughter, 21, from a previous relationship, but it was Rob’s first. We’d only been together for a year or so, although we’d been mates for years before that. ‘And if it’s a boy, Rio – Spanish for river – Nemanja,’ he smiled. Hmmm… ‘Don’t think I don’t know they’re both names of Manchester United players!’ I laughed. I wanted a Spanish ‘flavour’ to my baby’s name, as we were living in Tenerife at the time.…

OGX Argan Oil of Morocco Miracle Water Conditioning Treatment, £10, Sainsbury's If you have fine hair, you may find some conditioners too heavy. This lightweight one nourishes without weighing down locks. W7 Legend Lasting Wear Foundation, £4.95, w7makeup.co.uk Providing longlasting high coverage, this new foundation is ideal for long days in the sweltering summer weather, or events like weddings. Barry M Fresh Face Skin Purifying Toner, £8.99, barrym.com Using a mix of gentle exfoliating acids, this toner will keep blemishes at bay, without irritation. The spray bottle makes application easy and speedy, too. Vitamin E Skin Care Hot Cloth Cleanser, £5.99, Superdrug This is one of the best cream cleansers on the market – it’s just a bonus that it’s so affordable. It melts away make-up without irritating, and comes with a…

Chat winners issue 17 27 April 2023) £1,001 CASH C Williams, Blackpool £500 CASH J Harrison, Leyland M Hughes, Wallasey £250 CASH D Cousins, New Milton C Cheng, Walton-on-Thames £200 CASH S Hardman, Bolton £100 CASH M Dingley, Birmingham S Rodrgues, Orpington E Smiley, Skegness £75 CASH D Baker, Rye £50 CASH L Shackley, Chesterfield S Loveday, Oxford J Howard, Gosport P Kelb, Markfield C Kirby, Bedford C Myhill, Aldeburgh £40 CASH D Evans, Sutton Coldfield £30 CASH R Cox, Shepton Mallet N Hughes, Fraserburgh Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £25 CASH L Gill, Wirral J Hill, Biggleswade £20 CASH D Jones, Luton C Elliott, Sunderland B Hince, Ludlow D Bird, Ilkley D Morley, London A Muirhead, Bootle R Campbell, Hartlepool K Vickerson, Seaham P Cooper,…

WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 What is the connection between comedian Jenny Eclair and actor Michelle Yeoh? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the threeword prize answer. ACROSS 1 Star sign (5) 4 Explosive device (4) 6 Made bigger (8) 13 Tell a story (7) 14 Move like a snake (7) 15 Blusher (5) 16 English rugby player, _ Farrell (4) 17 District (6) 18 Shriek (6) 20 Celine _, Canadian singer (4) 21 Unit of weight (5) 22 Small (6) 25 Cutlery item (8) 28 Shut (6) 30 _ Mann, singer (5) 32 Scottish city (8) 34 Short-sightedness (6) 35 Male cow (4) 38 Concluding (6) 39 Actor, _ Elba (5) 40 Billie _, singer (6) 43 Pellets of frozen rain (4) 44 Buff (6) 45 Sample (8) 48 Part of a flower (5) 49 Drowsy (6) 51 African country (8) 54 Withstand (6) 55 Go by bike (5) 56 Children’s…

My boobs look weird Q I have tubular breasts – they’re small and oddly shaped. I hate them, can I have an operation on the NHS? Summer, Rainham A A tubular breast is a condition you’re born with, but which doesn’t become obvious until your breasts start to develop during puberty. The amount of breast tissue is too small, resulting in small, droopy, cone-shaped breasts with a large gap between them. Your areola might appear large and puffy, your nipple might seem squashed, and severe tubular breasts can make breastfeeding difficult. One or both breasts can be affected and no one’s sure of the cause, though it could be due to something that happened while you were in the womb. Fixing this probably means paying for an op, though the…

Q After suffering painful feet for years, I’ve finally been diagnosed with metatarsalgia. What is it? Pauline, Ripon A Metatarsalgia simply means pain in the ball of your foot. It’s a common problem which can be caused by a sprain, arthritis, flat feet, claw toes which become fixed into a curl, bunions, a broken bone or a neuroma – a lump which forms on one of the nerves in your feet. A podiatrist can help decide what’s going on and might suggest cushion insoles or pads to wear inside your shoes, and exercises to stretch your foot and calf and reduce pain. Help yourself with painkillers, keeping your foot raised when you can, losing weight if you’re overweight and wearing low-heeled shoes that don’t pinch your feet. A painful neuroma…

Bigger and better The 2023 Women’s World Cup is the first to feature an impressive 32 teams – eight more than the one held in 2019. And far more than the mere 12 teams who competed in the first ever competition back in 1991! Woman of the match 2022 was definitely the year for the Lionesses, with the team scoring 72 goals in 20 matches. During that time, they conceded just seven goals. Beth Mead was the top scorer, netting 13, but her teammates weren’t just sitting about twiddling their thumbs. Georgia Stanway scored an impressive 10 goals, Ella Toone put away nine and Alessia Russo managed seven. No own goals there! Reigning champs The USA are the current defending champions, and if they win again this year they will…

Am I good enough for him? Q My boyfriend doesn’t want to introduce me to his family. He also doesn’t want to meet mine, and doesn’t talk about the future at all. When I tried to tell him I loved him, he stopped me. I feel like I’m not good enough for him. I don’t want to lose him, and want to make this work, but I can’t stop thinking this way. Fiona, 39 A It’s time to stop tiptoeing around the issue and be direct. Is this man into you or not? If you don’t ask the question, you won’t know. He might really like you but be embarrassed of his family or might want to take things slowly. But if you feel like he’s just making excuses, it’s…

3 ways to… SAVE ON DAYS OUT Cut the cost of family trips out this summer. 1 Hunt for bargains Always shop around to see what offers you can find for an attraction you want to visit. Check the attraction’s social media channels to see if there are any special offers or discount codes you can take advantage of. It’s worth searching online too, and checking the Cheap Days Out guide at moneysavingexpert.com. Also, many attractions offer cheaper tickets if you book in advance – but depending on how weather-dependent the place is, you might want to think twice about booking too far ahead. 2 Find freebies Can you find a fun day out for free? Check out eventbrite.co.uk and click the ‘free’ option to find details of events near you that won’t cost you anything…

21-27 July 2023 Aries 21 March-20 April Patience isn’t your strength, but you’re being asked to develop this asset now. By taking things slower and waiting for the right time, you will be rewarded. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Jupiter shines her light brightly on you. So enjoy this once-in-a-12-year return to your sign. Go for what you want by slowly building up towards your dreams. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Is it time to make a change in your working life? If you feel the need to try something different, now would be a good time to look at other options. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July The Full Moon in your…

Q How can I feel more confident getting my legs out this summer? Caroline Bourne, Bristol A You shouldn’t be hiding your legs – life’s too short not to feel confident in skirts and shorts, and a few little tricks can help to give you smoother, polished pins. Exfoliation makes a huge difference – it buffs away dead skin to leave even the most neglected legs looking and feeling soft. You can use exfoliating gloves or a body brush, but we love a gritty scrub. Weleda Birch Body Scrub, £10.50, lookfantastic.com has 100% natural ingredients and a fresh, spa-like scent. Daily moisturising will also really help dry legs. You don’t have to spend a lot on body creams – some of the best are under £10. Our current favourite is…

JONIKA KINCHIN, 29, FROM HAMPSHIRE, SAYS: I’m nominating Priyaneet Kainth to be my local hero. As a volunteer for our organisation Future First, Priyaneet, 30, visits schools in her local area to provide young people with relatable role models. Priyaneet volunteered at her old special needs school, Victoria School in Birmingham, and really made an impact. During the workshop, Priyaneet shared her education and career experiences with the students in such an honest and relatable way. Having faced barriers along her own journey, she overcame them and now has a very successful career as a global diversity, equity and inclusion manager. Priyaneet’s visit to her old school was a great opportunity for her to show the current students that even in the face of obstacles, the world can be a…

What caused damage totalling three billion Deutschmarks in the Munich area in 1984? 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 WIN £100 Puzzle 2 2 Spar against an imaginary opponent (6-3) 4 _ Bruce, Scottish radio presenter • Swing wildly 6 Indian yoghurt side dish • Be victorious 8 Volatile, temperamental Your answer:…

YOU’RE THE JUDGE! As the clock ticked past 5.30pm on 18 December 2020, Elise Middlestadt was becoming annoyed with her husband, Scott. She’d had surgery that week and he’d promised to walk their new dog, Charlie. When she’d called him 30 minutes earlier, Scott had assured her he was leaving work. He’d packed his briefcase and was just stepping into the lift down to his car in the underground car park below his office. Yet, Scott still hadn’t arrived and now Elise had to take the dog out herself. Only, when she returned and Scott still hadn’t come home, her irritation turned to worry. Especially when she saw a news report about a motor incident in Mount Pleasant and Eglinton, in Toronto, Canada – the location of her husband’s office.…

Q Making love leaves me with backache for hours afterwards. Am I doing something wrong? Keeyra, Maida Vale A The movements you make during sex can flare any back problem such as a sprain, arthritis or slipped disc. You might not feel much at the time, due to the excitement of the moment and the painkilling effect of hormones released during sex, but pay for it afterwards. Regular exercises to improve your spine and core strength should help, and it might pay to take a painkiller beforehand. Experiment with a pillow in the small of your back or under your knees during sex, and if your back pain is made worse by bending forwards then spooning, or doggy-style sex, might be more comfortable. See your GP if your pain doesn’t…

1 Daydreaming Do you go off into a world of your own? Research shows that letting our mind wander gives our brain a mini-break, which relieves stress and anxiety. ‘Daydreaming can be a powerful way to transport us to places of safety, relaxation and happiness,’ says Dr Charlotte Whiteley, psychologist and founder of mindful psychologypractice.co.uk. 2 Gossiping ‘While gossiping has negative connotations, sharing our experiences of other people can help us feel connected, heard and validated,’ says Dr Whiteley. This is partly because we need to feel part of a tribe, she explains. However, there are healthy ways to go about it. ‘Take accountability for your feelings by saying things like, “I feel like this when X says that” rather than “X says that and therefore X is a bad person”.’ 3 Fidgeting…

Have you ever been a bit lonely or fed up and fancied a natter but felt too awkward to spark up a chat? I know I have. So when the team told me about something called the Chatty Cafe Scheme, I thought it was a genius idea – and knew that Chat had to get involved. We’re so proud to be working with them over upcoming issues. Look out for a new regular feature in next week’s mag. For now, I’ll let the Chatty Cafe Scheme’s founder, Alex, share how her brill idea works… ‘Anyone can feel lonely’ Alex Hoskyn, 39, Oldham At a table in my local supermarket cafe, while the wind howled outside, I bounced my wailing baby on my lap. It was May 2016, and I was…

Strawberry meringue slice The perfect pud to end a summer lunch. Crisp and creamy, sweet and fruity – it has it all! SERVES 6 PREP 20 MINS PLUS FREEZING COOK 15 MINS ● 300ml light double cream ● 250g Greek-style yogurt ● 1tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract ● 1tsp icing sugar ● 75g shop-bought meringue nests, broken into bite-sized pieces ● 200g strawberries, chopped ● 3tbsp strawberry compote or jam For the syrup: ● 250g strawberries, roughly chopped ● 4tbsp caster sugar You will need: ● 900g loaf tin lined with cling film (leaving plenty of overlap to wrap over the pudding) 1 In a large bowl, using an electric whisk, whip the cream, yogurt, vanilla and icing sugar until thick, but not stiff, then fold in the meringue.…

PS… Pro Bond Pro-Repair Pre-Shampoo Treatment, £4.50, Primark Bond-building hair treatments are surging in popularity, and they help treat damage caused by bleaching or heat styling. Primark has launched a range that looks and acts in a similar way to Olaplex, the salon-quality range. While it doesn’t have the patented Olaplex technology, it will still help to repair damage, and this treatment is incredibly effective. Lacura Luminous Lip Oil in Cherry, £3.99, Aldi Aldi’s cheeky designer doubles keep on coming and our pick from its latest launches is this nourishing lip oil, which uses vitamin E to hydrate lips. It gives a luxurious glossy finish, and comes in a clear and cherry-red tone. You can wear it on its own, or over your favourite matte shades to transform the finish.…

Little Leiby Kletzky was growing up so fast. In July 2011, he was 8 years old, nearly 9, and, like most kids, was craving a bit of independence. So when he begged his parents Nachman and Esther to let him walk home from summer day camp on his own, they took him seriously. It was, after all, only seven blocks through Borough Park, in Brooklyn, New York – and through their Orthodox Jewish community, which was known for being close-knit and safe. So they agreed – as long as his mum could meet him halfway. They helped Leiby to memorise the route, even doing a practice run with him. And, as promised, at 5pm on Monday 11 July 2011, Esther stood waiting at the agreed halfway point. Yet Leiby never…

Dear Kate, For 11 years, we’ve been friends. I remember the day we first met. I was the clinical research trial nurse for your son Toby, who was taking part in a study for treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. And our lives have been entwined ever since. We supported each other when we both lost our dads. A pilot, you helped to calm my fear of flying, and we shared parenting advice as our daughters grew up together. As a hobby, you were a talented seamstress. Made all sorts of things, from theatre costumes to chair covers. In March 2021, as a 50th birthday present, you made me a beautiful lingerie set. Kate, you’ve always been there for me. And I never needed you more when, in June 2017, life…