Table of contents for 30-Dec-2021 in Chat

After the big build-up, Christmas is finally just around the corner. Are you looking forward to it as much as Michelle (p24)? She only started celebrating in her 20s, but she’s making up for lost time! Vaiva shares how her post-Christmas gym habit brought her more than she bargained for (p37) and Lorraine’s brave Boxing Day bombshell brought an abuser to justice (p44). We’ve got tasty ideas for your festive leftovers (p40), sparkly party looks as we head for New Year (p12) and bargain barware if you’re hosting at home (p29). Plus the prize puzzles you love. Whatever you’re up to enjoy!…

STYLE TIP For extra glamour points, mix sequins with satin and velvet for a look that oozes sophistication. STYLE TIP Stay comfortable and stylish in an embellished sweater that looks great paired with a pleated skirt. STYLE TIP Make sequins work for the daytime by teaming them with faux-leather joggers and trainers. STYLE TIP Look for dresses that gather at the waist to create a gorgeous silhouette and wear with classic heels for extra height.…

In June 2021, Tevin Biles-Thomas, then 26, was acquitted of the triple murder. All 15 charges, including murder, voluntary manslaughter and assault, were dismissed. Judge Joan Synenberg declared the prosecution had failed to provide enough evidence to justify a guilty verdict. ‘I came to the conclusion that there was insufficient evidence to sustain a conviction,’ she said. But the mother of DelVaunte Johnson refused to accept her decision. ‘You killed my baby,’ she yelled at Tevin in court. ‘I’m going to kill you,’ she raged. Intent on attacking him, she was physically restrained by officials. But Judge Synenberg said no charges would be filed against her. ‘I think everybody feels compassion for the victims’ families,’ she said. Tevin Biles-Thomas’ lawyer Joe Patituce also acknowledged her pain and frustration. ‘This was…

Michelle Plaiter, 53, Derwen As I sat in the school corridor in silence, my teacher slowly closed the classroom door. ‘Sorry, Michelle,’ she smiled awkwardly. Aged 8, I hung my head as the start of Jingle Bells and laughter erupted in the classroom. It was December 1976, and my primary school’s Christmas party. Yet, just like every other year, I wasn’t allowed to go. Mum and Dad were strict Jehovah’s Witnesses, and didn’t believe in celebrating Christmas at all. No tree, no presents, no parties. So when other kids were practising for the class nativity or taking part in carol concerts, I’d sit in the corridor or in the playground on my own. At first, I hadn’t known Christmas even existed. As a little girl, Mum would pull me away…

He’s good for nothing Q Our baby is four months old and my boyfriend doesn’t do anything around the house or pay his way. He can’t take responsibility for anything and just blames me for reacting to his behaviour. I need to leave, but he brings my daughter such joy and I don’t want to take that from her. Sophie, 27 A Oh flower, it sounds like you’ve taken to parenting and being a partner like a duck to water. But you’re on completely different pages to your other half. Having an odd night out is fine, but you need time for yourself, too! Without that, resentment builds and arguments happen. Which isn’t healthy, especially not with a child. Have a conversation about what you expect and the boundaries. If…

Vaiva Sharman, 36, Spalding Settling onto the sofa for a night in front of the telly, I tucked in to my takeaway and glass of wine. ‘Delicious,’ I sighed, biting into my kebab. A nightly ritual, I rarely ever cooked food at home. Choosing to gorge on pizza and kebabs instead. It was April 2014, and working in front of a computer all day as a sales coordinator, I barely exercised, either. And you can tell, I thought miserably. I wasn’t happy with the effect so much junk and inactivity had on my body. But I was stuck in a rut. Felt so low. My home life wasn’t great, with cracks appearing in my long-term relationship. Yet, I trundled on. Scoffing endless cheesy slices, deep-fried meat and a glass of…

Nivea Rose & Argan Oil Body Lotion, £5.99, Superdrug This deeply nourishing body lotion, packed with moisturising argan oil, is the perfect solution to dry, winter skin in need of a drink. It’s fastabsorbing and smells gorgeous! Vaseline Expert Care Elasticity Restore Body Lotion, £7.50, Boots Mature skin lacks in collagen, leading to sagging and wrinkles, but this restoring cream gets to work firming up troublesome areas for smoother, softer-looking skin. St. Tropez Everyday Gradual Tan, £14.50, Boots Winter doesn’t have to mean pale, flaky skin. Apply this gradual tanning lotion every day and you’ll keep your summer glow until spring arrives.…

To Makai, Bringing you back from hospital in December 2008 was the most amazing day of my life. And the most terrifying. How will I cope? I panicked. You were so small, needed me so much. And, at 18, living in a hostel, I’d not had the easiest start. My parents had divorced when I was 6, and I didn’t see my father much. I went from spoilt daddy’s girl to scared, lonely and lost. As a teenager I didn’t get on with my mum’s new partner and hated being at home. Then, at 15, I started dating your dad, and staying at his as much as his mum allowed made me realise how miserable I felt at home. I need to move out, I decided. A charity helped me…

£25 for any photos that we use on Picture Perfect. They must not have been sent to any other publication and you must include written permission from a child’s parent/s or guardian/s. Post to Picture Perfect, Chat, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP, or email chat_magazine@futurenet.com Unfortunately, we can’t return photos without a SAE. And please don’t forget to include your full address and a contact number.…

What connects actors John Cleese and Rachel Weisz? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the four-word prize answer. ACROSS 1 Opinions (5) 4 Destiny (4) 6 At any time (8) 13 Rules over (7) 14 Common water bird (7) 15 Air currents (5) 16 Trial (4) 17 Haphazard (6) 18 Banquets (6) 20 Seldom seen (4) 21 Atlantic, say (5) 22 Royal residence (6) 25 Cut off a limb (8) 28 TV presenter, _ Rantzen (6) 30 Synthetic material (5) 32 Charming quality (8) 34 Allows (6) 35 Corrode (4) 38 Chore or task (6) 39 Diadem (5) 40 Type of hat (6) 43 Fall over (4) 44 Former Bond actor, _ Brosnan (6) 45 Took place (8) 48 Lifting machine (5)…

Are bleeding patches normal? Q I have the purple blotches called senile purpura that you mentioned recently in Chat, but mine bleed. Is that normal? Madeleine, London A Can be. These bruises appear, usually on arms and legs, when your skin loses suppleness with age, and tiny blood vessels beneath them become fragile and burst. Often it’s a minor knock that you barely even notice that does the damage. Trouble is, the changes that make you prone to bruising can also leave your skin thin and easily broken. The same small knock that caused the bruising might also tear your fragile skin. This leaves a purple blotch beneath a bleeding cut. Because the blood supply to your fragile skin might not be as good as it once was, the cut…

WIFE KILLER Described as an ‘ultimate conman’, Randle Williams strangled wife Natalie, 33, before drowning her in a river in Bradford-on-Avon. He told police she’d vanished while walking the dog at night in April 2002. When her body was discovered, Williams was arrested, his DNA found on clothes and other evidence. Despite being charged with murder, he tried to claim £500,000 on a life-assurance policy. In 1994, Williams had been convicted of theft, forgery and counterfeiting, as well as other deception charges in 1986. He was jailed for life for Natalie’s murder, with a 12-year minimum sentence. NO BODY, NO PAROLE Sadly, the remains of Linda Razzell, 41, from Highworth, who disappeared in March 2002, have never been found. In October 2021, her murderer – estranged husband Glyn Razzell, now…

Nicola Wharton, 37, Buckley Looking up at me, my 2-week-old Aaron’s eyes lit up as he broke into the most gorgeous smile. His first! ‘Mummy loves you,’ I giggled. Grabbing my phone, I sent a snap to my hubby Lee, then 45, at work. It was December 2015 and Aaron’s cheeky smile was soon one of my fave things. Me and Lee loved watching Aaron grow up. He loved singing, dancing, and everyone gushed about his infectious smile. Only, in April 2020, something didn’t look right. ‘Does his face look lopsided?’ I asked Lee. Aaron’s trademark smile looked wonky. He seemed lethargic, too – fine one minute, nodding off the next. That week, he started suffering bouts of sickness, as well. We worried, yet with COVID-19 raging, and under lockdown,…

Closing my eyes, I imagined what it’d feel like to be buff. To have a toned tum, lithe thighs and strong arms. ‘I’m willing to try anything,’ I confided in a work colleague in January 2015. He suggested I try the gym his brother owned. ‘I know a personal trainer there,’ he smiled. And when I met Joe Sharman, then 45, he asked me what my goals were. ‘Do you want to lift weights like them?’ he asked, nodding towards a group of muscly women. ‘No!’ I gasped. I wanted to be toned, but not to bulk up too much. ‘I’m not sure I’m a fan of that look on anyone,’ I admitted, secretly glimpsing Joe’s ripped bod. Joe put me on a keto diet, which involves eating high amounts…

Turkey and chestnut pie Rustle up this winter warmer with what’s left of your turkey Serves: 4 Prep time: 40 mins Cook time: 30 mins • 50g butter, plus extra for greasing • 450g leeks, trimmed and cut into 1cm-thick slices • 2tsp thyme leaves • 50g plain flour • 500ml turkey stock • 300g cooked turkey, cut into large pieces • 200g cooked ham, cut into large cubes • 100g cooked chestnuts, quartered • 75g creme fraiche • Grating of fresh nutmeg • 350g ready-made puff pastry • 1 egg yolk, beaten You will need • 30.5cm x 25.5cm pie dish 1 For the filling, melt the butter in a large saucepan or casserole dish, and add the leeks and thyme, then stir, cover and cook on a low…

Aries 21 March-20 April This coming year heralds new beginnings on the home front. Everyone’s excited about your ideas for the future. Balance time between work and family. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May You want to achieve as much as possible in the most efficient way so make a list, tackle the hardest job first and you’ll breeze through the rest. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Dreams could bring amazing insights with the full Moon in your sign. Keep a diary of them, they might come true. Make a note so you don’t forget the details. • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Any excuse to get closer to your loving partner will be…

PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS THROUGHOUT HOW TO ENTER TEXT Simply text CHATA 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…

Jodie Webster, 41, Northampton Seeing my new boyfriend Gary, then 32, check himself out in the rear-view mirror, I chuckled. ‘You’re so vain!’ I teased as we got out of the car and headed to the pub. It was September 2019 and we’d been dating a few weeks, after Gary spotted me doing some gardening at the front of my flat. He’d told me I was gorgeous and now I was already smitten. Gary had dreamy hazel eyes, a buff figure and never had a hair out of place. ‘You’re lucky to have me,’ he grinned as we ordered drinks. I was never really sure if he was joking when he said these things. Trouble was, I didn’t have much self-confidence. I’d been in an abusive relationship in the past…

Charlotte Grady, 51 Walking through the shopping centre, I saw the kids’ toys displayed in the windows. I loved treating my grandkids, and there was no better time than Christmas. Nearly the big day, I thought, feeling merry. Christmas 2020 was just days away. All I had to do was pick up some last-minute gifts. A beautiful doll for one of my grandkids, some more toys, aftershaves, and baking dishes for my family. I lived with my hubby Timothy, then 57, our son Steve, 31, and his wife Amy, 41. Each year, our whole family took turns to host a huge Christmas Day feast. This year, it was my turn. ‘Everyone’s coming over in the morning,’ I told Timothy on Christmas Eve. Our daughter and two grandchildren, Steve and Amy…

Rosie Myers, 29, Portsmouth The advice you need Brushing my locks to one side, I tried to conceal the bald patch on my scalp. That’ll do, I thought, pinning the style into position. It was 2006, I was 14, and it was the same procedure each morning. I spent extensive time fixing my hair to blend in at school. Only, it didn’t always work. ‘You’re going bald!’ bullies teased. I hadn’t always looked like this. But, when I was nine, I unexpectedly lost my dad and, unable to accept the devastating reality, I developed my own way of coping with grief. I began to play with my long, thick, brown hair, twirl it round my fingers, then pull it out – one strand, then two, then three or more. Somehow,…

OVER TO YOU Can you set a puzzle in this format? Send it, with a photo of yourself, to the address on p3. There’s £20 for every one we use! This week’s puzzle was compiled by Susan Jones, Ashtead, Surrey ACROSS 1 Aide and __ 2 Shade of green 3 Region 4 Lodger’s payment DOWN 1 Slightly open 2 Naked 3 Heaven 4 Udder WIN 5x £25 Puzzle 6 Your answer: HALF & HALF Developed by agricultural firm William Foster & Co, Little Willie is considered the first prototype of what type of vehicle? Cross out a letter in each square to get a grid filled with words. The uncrossed-out letters in the shaded squares give the prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 7 Your answer: BRICK TRICK Thomas Tew, Mary Read…

FILL ME IN Castle Mona and the Grand Union Camera Obscura are notable landmarks in which city in the British Isles? Solve the puzzle by following the arrows and writing in your answers. Then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the prize answer. WIN £ 100 Puzzle 14 Your answer: CIRCLE TIME In the 2008 film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Canadian actor Elias Koteas played a blind clockmaker by what name? Fit the words into the grid, then read down the letters in the shaded circles. 3 letters ASH FAR ILK LOW OAK SAY WAR WEB WOK YES 4 letters AQUA CHAT EMUS HEAP KIWI TWEE UGLY 5 letters BASIC LLAMA OKAPI 6 letters BAKERY BELIEF MIDWAY SKATER UPKEEP WHISKS 8 letters INSPIRES WIN…

3 ways to... keep your money resolutions Sticking to the vows we make on New Year’s Day can be hard. Here’s how to give yourself the best shot. 1 Keep it manageable Don’t set too many goals – pushing yourself too much may leave you feeling overwhelmed. Focus on your most important financial goal and work out a plan of how to achieve it. For example, if your goal is to build an emergency fund, set a target of how much you want to save in total, then go through your finances, see where you can cut back and establish how much you can realistically save each month. You’ll then see how long it should take you to reach your goal. 2 Track your progress When you get started, you…

Lorraine, 18, Northamptonshire Watching Mum pull the mince pies from the oven, my tummy rumbled. They smelt delicious. ‘Leave them alone,’ Mum warned. ‘They’re for Bradley.’ ‘Yeah, yeah,’ I grumbled. But I was only pretending. Like Mum and Dad, I thought the world of Bradley Jones, then 16. He was my brother Freddie’s best mate. He was kind, funny and thoughtful. It was December 2014, and as I watched Bradley walk up our driveway, I rushed to open the door. ‘Can you help me with my homework later?’ I begged. I was only 11. Freddie laughed as he came downstairs to greet his mate. ‘Let him get his coat off.’ ‘Sorry,’ I blushed. But Bradley just smiled. ‘Course. After I’ve beaten you at Monopoly!’ Freddie and Bradley had been mates…

Floral Collection Lavender Bath Cream £350 M&S Cold weather means warming up and indulging in a warm bath before bed. We love the relaxing lavender scent and skin nourishing properties of this bubble bath. Pantene Hair Biology Menopause Hair Thickening & Scalp Soothing Treatment, £19.99, Boots If your hair is thinning, put this in your basket. The peppermint extract will stimulate hair growth, while aloe soothes an inflamed scalp. It’s pricey, so stock up when you see it on offer! Revolution Big Lash Waterproof Mascara, £6, look fantastic.com Finding your lashes don’t hold a curl? Try using waterproof mascara over regular formulas. They have much better curl-holding power, plus you don’t need to worry about smudges. Mood Boost Rainbow Exfoliating Gloves, £1.50, Primark When you’re in the shower, give yourself…

Securing the popcorn maker in the back seat of her car, Lisa Williams, 26, smiled happily. After spending time with her family that November 2018, she was excited about spending Christmas with her boyfriend Travis Cook and his 3-year-old twin girls. She couldn’t wait to get back and start decorating the tree. ‘She was so excited to give those kids something happy,’ her sister Bekah Williams said later. Bubbly and caring, it was just Lisa’s nature. On her 16th birthday, she’d saved money to buy gifts for everyone in her family. She’d buy dying plants to nurse them back to health, and she loved children. Adored her partner’s girls. And, for the six months she’d been dating Travis, she’d been particularly patient with his ex-wife Chelsea Cook, then 32. But…

Chat winners issue 37 (16 September 2021) £1,001 CASH P Trigg, Redditch £1,000 CASH H Garlick, Derby £500 CASH M Bowen, Caldicot; Y Brooke, Leeds £250 CASH A Robinson, Middlesbrough £150 CASH P Gordon, Wallasey £100 CASH S Shepheard, Hove; R Painter, Welshpool; C Lewis, Wrexham; C Griffin, Worcester; M Phillips, Huntingdon £60 CASH F Marshall, Beccles £50 CASH A Smith, Blyth; P Murden, Chelmsford; J Mills, Telford £30 CASH G Ross, Dingwall; D Brinkman, Crediton; H Brown, Chelmsford; R Harman, Barnstaple; R Stacey, Guernsey £25 CASH J McClelland, Bangor; J Hudson, Stockport; G Mack, Merthyr Tydfil; S Hitchener, Congleton; H Foster, Morpeth; K Rumbles, Sidcup; T Coker, Hemel Hempstead; L Bland, Guisborough; M Parke, Portslade Chat PUZZLE 1 92871 Chat PUZZLE 2 ROAR Chat PUZZLE 11 5,8,3 Anyone from…

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