Table of contents for 28 July 2022 in Chat

Some Chat stories show what a scary place the world can be, especially for young women. Single mum Tayla went online to earn money, only to be exploited by the most despicable predator imaginable (p44). And 18-year-old Millie’s first night out ended in terror after a stranger spiked her drink (p6). Both are sharing their stories to raise awareness and help other victims, and we applaud them for that. It’s not all bad news. Check out adorable Adam (p23), the cutest superhero around. Have a good week, PS If you’re entering the puzzles online, this is the link to use: comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Claire Taplin, 49, Southend-on-Sea Pulling on a pair of sparkly heels, my daughter Millie was ready for a night on the town. ‘Have fun, love,’ I told her. ‘But be careful!’ It was August 2021, but having turned 18 in lockdown the previous December, this was going to be Millie’s first night out. She couldn’t wait – was so excited to go clubbing for the first time with four of her mates. Typical mum, I worried, even though Millie, my youngest of four, had a good head on her shoulders. ‘Of course I will!’ she smiled, topping up her lippie in the mirror. I’d been through it before with her older siblings. I wanted to let my kids grow up, but they’d always be babies to me. Luckily, Millie was…

A string of No.1 singles, albums and sell-out tours had propelled Nadja Benaissa to superstar status. With her combination of good looks and undeniable talent, back in 2000 she’d won the German TV talent show Popstars and become a member of girl group No Angels, alongside Lucy Diakovska, Sandy Mölling, Jessica Wahls and, until 2003, Vanessa Petruo. The five girls took Germany by storm, selling five million albums to become the country’s most successful girl group. As their faces were splashed on national newspapers and magazines, comparisons were made to the Spice Girls and Girls Aloud. Life couldn’t have been better. After an intense three years, the group broke up in 2003 but re-formed as a foursome in 2007 and went on to compete at Eurovision in 2008. A year…

Fed up with heartburn Q I suffer from heartburn and my GP has given me tablets. Isn’t there an op to cure it for good? Toni, Yeovil A Heartburn probably affects about one-third of us at some time. It’s a burning pain behind your breastbone, often felt right after a large meal or when you’re lying or bending down, and usually means that stomach acid has leaked up into your gullet. If you’re over 40 or have other symptoms, your GP will recommend an endoscopy, a test to check for other causes. Otherwise, treatment means tablets to reduce stomach acid, not smoking, losing weight if you need to and eating smaller but more frequent meals. Don’t lie down before or just after a meal, raise the head of your bed…

Paulina Trzcinska, 37, Bournemouth My little boy launched himself off the settee, his red cape shooting out behind him. ‘I can fly!’ Adam called. Typical 3-year-old Adam was a ball of energy. He loved superheroes. Every T-shirt he owned had Spider-Man on the front, or The Hulk or Batman. He was always throwing himself into energetic play, so I was used to the odd bump. Today, though, I noticed that his right eye was very swollen. ‘Does it hurt?’ I asked, but Adam shook his head, zooming off to fight baddies. Still, I was concerned about it, and made an online appointment to see our GP. ‘You need to go to the hospital,’ the doctor said. By the time we got to A&E, the swelling had subsided. Adam was prescribed…

ARROW WORD The Red Castle is a major landmark of which Mediterranean city? 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. Your answer: WIN 2x £500 Puzzle 10 SUDOKU To solve the puzzle, each 3 x 3 box, each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9. Solve the puzzle and the numbers in the highlighted squares will give you the prize puzzle answer. Your answer: WIN 2x £30 Puzzle 11 WORDSEARCH Swiss actor Jake Canuso was the only person to appear in every episode of which sitcom? The answer is the one missing from the grid. BACK BENIDORM BREAD CHEERS CUCKOO FLEABAG FRASIER FRIENDS MASH MIRANDA PORRIDGE REV…

Does he miss sex with ex? Q My partner and I used to have an amazing sex life, but for months, we didn’t have any at all. We’re now intimate again, but it’s still way less than it was before, and I’m starting to worry whether he’s just not attracted to me anymore. And I can’t help but worry that he preferred sex with his ex. Kayleigh, 31 A First up, stop comparing yourself with his ex, as this will only drive you loony. It’s hard not to worry about when our partners don’t show us the level of affection we’re used to, but this might not have anything to do with you, flower. Have you tried talking to your partner about this? Maybe he’s stressed about work or struggling…

Christine Barnett, 39, St Helens Scurrying through the school corridor, I was conscious of the stares, sniggers and whispers. It was 1995 and at just 13 years old, I was already a size 16. Hid behind loose, dark clothes, hoping no one would notice me. ‘You’re just big boned, ’ soothed my mum, Lilian, then 40. But she didn’t know about the endless bags of crisps I sneaked after she’d served up a healthy home-cooked dinner each night. By the time I went to uni in April 2000, I was up to a size 20, weighing around 17st at 5ft 6in tall. I rarely exercised, moving as little as I needed to, and barely making it to the end of the road. But by choosing more fruit and veg, I…

Aries 21 March-20 April With Neptune in retrograde focus on finishing things so you have a chance to get ahead of the game. If you’re feeling pressured, take your time and choose carefully. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May The older generation may be vocal in their opinions and you’re particularly sensitive. Look for the easiest option and enjoy time with your family. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Your brain is receptive to innovations and you have a simple but very effective problem-solving attitude. So ask the manager about a pay rise or promotion. • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July If you are feeling out of touch, try having an open mind and you’ll…

Q There is so much choice, but which skincare products do I really need to buy? Teresa Gilbert, Bristol AShopping for skincare can feel daunting, but basically there are three essential steps to include in your routine – cleansing, moisturising and SPF. Using No7 Micellar Water, £7.95, Boots every morning and night will remove impurities such as make-up, pollutants and bacteria, to restore a fresh complexion. The Revolution Pro Miracle Cream, £10, lookfantastic. com is everything you need in a moisturiser. Thanks to its impressive formula, it boasts a range of skincare benefits such as hydrating, brightening, firming, and smoothing. UV rays are harmful to the skin, so think of SPF as non-negotiable in your routine. The INKEY List SPF30 Sunscreen 100% Mineral UV Filters, £14.99, cultbeauty. com is suitable…

CLOSING DATE FOR ALL ENTRIES IS 9 AUGUST 2022 (Three days later for postal entries) PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS THROUGHOUT HOW TO ENTER TEXT Simply text CHATC 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…

My adorable 14-month-old daughter Penny was so proud of herself when she learned how to clap! Sophie White, Denbighshire Victoria the sphinx, 9, and Karan the siamese, 7, are both extremely affectionate – most days they’re stuck together like glue! Sharon Baldwin, Halifax My partner Scott, 43, and I had a spectacular time touring the Colosseum in Rome. This view was certainly a highlight of the tour! Nicola Dickson, Perth My little boy Leo, age 2, takes watering Nanny’s flowers very seriously. I think he’s doing a very good job! Jade Skuse, Blaenavon While on holiday in Florence, Italy, I was very surprised to bump into my idol, Marilyn Monroe! Tina Saunders, Crowborough Our crazy pets Jessica the rescue dog and Mopsy the lion-head rescue rabbit are firm friends, and…

After a five-day trial, presiding judge Dennis Wacker announced that Nadja Benaissa, then 28, was guilty of one count of grievous bodily harm and two of attempted bodily harm because she had carelessly infected a former partner with HIV without telling him she had the disease. However, explaining that she deserved a lenient sentence because she had confessed and shown remorse and ‘learned to be responsible and deal with her illness’, she was given a two-year suspended prison sentence, 300 hours of community service and compulsory attendance of regular counselling sessions. As Benaissa heard this, she broke down in tears. The verdict, however, faced criticism. ‘If the responsibility for prevention is put entirely upon women and HIV-positive people, we are not recognising the combined responsibility of two people,’ said Marianne…

1 It affects everything! We couldn’t believe it either, but yes, this startling fact is true. Everything from how you grow to how your heart beats is down to this small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, just in front of your windpipe. So it’s definitely worthy of your attention. 2 Your weight may change If you’ve piled on the pounds, but you’re still exercising and eating healthily, then your thyroid could be to blame. Hormones regulate the speed at which our body cells work. If too few hormones are released, your cells and organs slow down (this is known as hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid). Too many? Cells work faster, resulting in hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid. 3 Symptoms are unclear A malfunctioning thyroid sometimes produces very few signals, and…

The CEWE Photo Award, the world’s largest photo competition, has returned for its fifth year. It’s open to pros and amateurs alike, and these pics celebrate the best of pets from last year’s theme, Our World Is Beautiful. We really are a world of animal lovers! A cosy forest stroll is better with company, as these pup pals prove. Taken by Rene Brunda in Ostrava, Czechia We’ll think of this early bird seizing the day next time we want to hit snooze! Taken by Dariusz Kowalewski in Opole, Poland Peekaboo! This curious cat wants to know what their owner is up to! Taken by Gundala Vogel in Berlin, Germany This sun-kissed pooch is making the most of summer. Taken by Annika Kundt in Dormagen, Germany Yin and Yang! What’s more…

Annie Harris, 38, Winchester Sitting in the classroom, I paid close attention to the teacher’s lips. It was May 1991 and, aged 7, I’d recently joined St John’s Catholic School for the Deaf. Until then, I’d been at a mainstream school, where I’d been taught British Sign Language (BSL). But hadn’t been encouraged to speak. My worried parents Hazel and John had found a specialist school, where I flourished. The carpeted floors meant better acoustics, teachers wore microphones and we wore headphones. All the lessons were in spoken English and we were only allowed to sign during break times. That was tough, but set us in good stead for the real world. Born profoundly deaf, I hadn’t been diagnosed until I was 2. Up until then doctors thought my speech…

When Dylan was first born, he was just like any other baby. But by the time he was a year old, people had started to comment on his appearance. ‘I was often asked why he was so thin, ’ Dylan’s mum, Nancy, recalls. ‘People would say that I wasn’t feeding him properly, and because Dylan was my first baby, I had nothing to compare him to.’ It was around the 18-month mark when Dylan quickly lost all of the fat from his face and body. Soon, even his doctors began questioning whether Dylan was being looked after properly, which left his mum feeling very upset. ‘At the hospital we’d be told that something was wrong, but no one was sure what it was, ’ Nancy explains. ‘Tests were all clear…

With two weeks’ leave from work, now was as good a time as ever. Standing on the scales, I was horrified – 21st 12lb! I remembered a colleague who’d lost 7st in the first lockdown with a meal plan by a company called exante. ‘I’m going to give it a go, ’ I told Chris, signing up for the four-week plan where I’d eat just 800 calories a day. For breakfast, out went toast and crumpets, in came porridge, pancakes or a shake. Lunch was a meal-replacement shake or a bar. Instead of chocolate and crisps on Saturday nights, I had lower-calorie bars. For dinner, I cooked meals from scratch, making tasty chicken dishes with salads. I saw an instant change, losing 12lb in the first week. With my diet…

Top tip Try this recipe with strips of chicken breast if you prefer. Spicy pork with peanuts Inspired by the nutty spice of the much-loved South East Asian satay, whole peanuts bring a new level of creamy crunch to this dish • SERVES 2 PREP TIME 4 MINS COOK TIME 6 MINS • 1tbsp vegetable oil • 250-300g lean pork loin steak, cut into strips • 1tsp garlic purée • 1tsp ginger purée • 3 whole dried chillies, halved lengthways or 1-2tsp chilli flakes • 80g unsalted peanuts • Drizzle sesame oil FOR THE SAUCE • 60ml chicken stock • 1tbsp Chinese rice wine (Shaoxing wine) • ½ tbsp oyster sauce • 1tsp dark soy sauce • 2tsp sugar • ½ tsp cornflour • Pinch of white pepper 1 Combine…

Tayla Blake, 24, from Derbyshire Tucking my son into bed, I stroked his head gently. ‘I’d do anything for you, ’ I smiled as he drifted off. It was April 2018, and I was a single mum to Knightly, then 2. It was me and my boy against the world. But life was tough. After falling pregnant at 17, I’d been through a lot. Had relationships that left me feeling worthless. Endured physical and mental abuse. Even suffered a devastating miscarriage at 19 weeks. Still just 20, I had my life ahead of me and I was doing my best to keep going. I worked as many hours as I could in my job as a beauty therapist. But money was tight. Filling the car with petrol and putting food…

Pacifica Eye Bright Undereye Vitamin C Spot Serum Mask, £4.99, Boots Have you ever noticed your under-eyes getting darker in the summer? This is due to sun exposure increasing the pigment in the area. This eye mask uses the A-lister of brightening, vitamin C, to balance out pigment and make your eyes sparkle. Barry M Cosmetics That’s Swell XXL Cooling Lip Plumper, £4.99, lookfantastic.com Pucker up and say hello to fuller looking lips. Swipe over with its angled brush and enjoy a comfortable cooling sensation. Your lips will feel perky and plumped, with an oh-so glossy shine.…

Monica Moynan lived an hour away from her mum, Melanie Tucker, in Holly Springs, North Carolina. The 22-year-old led a busy life. As well as looking after her two daughters, Kayleigh, 3, and Nova, 8 months, she had two jobs. But she always had time for her mum. Although they didn’t see each other every week, Monica and Melanie remained close, keeping in regular contact by text. The messages were reassuring to Melanie. In 2017, her daughter’s ex-boyfriend, Brian Sluss, then aged 41, had assaulted Monica. He was the father of her children and they’d been together since she was 18. But in January 2019, he was convicted of physical assault. Monica filed for a domestic violence prevention order. But, despite the order, Brian wouldn’t leave Monica alone, texting her…

Chat winners issue 17 (28 April 2022) £1,001 CASH P Watson, Norwich £1,000 CASH R Smith, Blackburn £500 CASH M Halstead, Preston H Hare, Hull £250 CASH E Beattie, Aberdeen £150 CASH W Rozek, Bury £100 CASH B Hince, Ludlow; R Collins, Porthcawl; G Heyworth, Blackburn; J Snowdon, Felixstowe; L Webster, Leyland £60 CASH J Scott, Hertfordshire £50 CASH N Cherrette, Gloucester; J Holder, Tarbert; M Gillespie, Denny £30 CASH J Bennett, Ipswich; C McBlain, Perth; K Polkinghorne, Callington; W Temple, Carlisle; C Sharp, Workington £25 CASH D Watt, Weymouth; A Dodd, Taunton; M Ho, Cambridge; S Rust, Halifax; M Heathcote, Matlock; P Wright, Woodbridge; L Reynolds, Tilbury; D Chambers, Blackpool; C Little, Bedford chat PUZZLE 1 7865 Chat PUZZLE 2 OMEN Chat PUZZLE 11 2 1 4 • Any…

NATALIE DAVIDSON, 41, EDINBURGH Stephanie, 65, from Aberdeen, may well be Scotland’s number one charity collector. In 1991, she heard a request for collectors for Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal. She volunteered, and carried on every year until she moved to Edinburgh, and has collected there every year since 2003. In 2005, she started doing fancy dress bucket collections, to bring a smile to people’s faces as well as her own! Setting herself a target of no less than £1,000 for the Great Daffodil Appeal, Stephanie books two weeks’ holiday every March just to collect, standing for a minimum of four hours at a time. And she collects throughout the year, often exceeding her targets. Stephanie certainly raises spirits in her wacky costumes, and even gives out chocolates to those…

What connects singer Harry Styles and model Kylie Jenner? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the four-word prize answer. ACROSS 1 The _, cricket contest (5) 4 Scottish lake (4) 6 Made to be quiet (8) 13 Type of tea, _ Souchong (7) 14 Uncomplaining (7) 15 Pale purple colour (5) 16 Hold tightly (4) 17 Syrup-producing trees (6) 18 A dozen (6) 20 At that time (4) 21 Smells strongly (5) 22 Taking part in an election (6) 25 Culinary herb (8) 28 Get less strong (6) 30 Aquatic mammal (5) 32 Believable (8) 34 Grieves (6) 35 Speech impediment (4) 38 Painter (6) 39 Mock (5) 40 Red gemstones (6) 43 Dairy product (4) 44 Glass container (6) 45 Animal…

Alison Blaney-Wombwell, 37, Teesside The advice you need Pushing the food around my plate, I calculated how many calories were in the home cooked meal. Taking in the buttery mash, thick sausages and gravy, I grimaced. Knew I couldn’t eat it. It was 1998, and at 14 I was obsessively counting calories and heavily restricting my food intake. But I wasn’t bothered about looking thin, or spurred on by pictures of pop stars in magazines. I craved control. ‘Eat something, love,’ my mum said, noticing my hesitation. Taking a few bites, I said I was full. For months, I meticulously counted each mouthful of food, worked out how many calories I’d eaten. It made me feel safe. Life was ruled by school timetables and my parents, so restricting my eating…

OVER TO YOU Can you set a puzzle in this format? Send it, with a photo of yourself, to the address on p4. There’s £20 for every one we use! This week’s puzzle was compiled by Gordon Smith, Rossendale, Lancashire ACROSS 1 Informal talk 2 Big area of water 3 Behind cornea of the eye 4 Attractively lively or cheeky DOWN 1 Device that holds objects together 2 Like a fast rabbit 3 US hip-hop artist 4 Establishing quality or reliability Your answer: WIN 5x £20 Puzzle 6 HALF & HALF Beyoncé has named which British singer as an ‘inspiration’, picking her single By Your Side as one of her all-time favourite songs? Cross out a letter in each square to get a grid filled with words. The uncrossed-out letters in…

FILL ME IN Anopalry is a cactus plantation set up for the production of what insect-derived pigment? 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 Nicko McBrain, drummer in metal band Iron Maiden, usually plays concerts with a puppet of which children’s TV character on his drumkit? Fit the words in the grid, then read down the letters in the shaded circles. 3 letters APT ARE EAT ERA PAN PAT PAY SAT SPA SPY 4 letters ASPS FAIR POKE ROAD ROTA TAXI TROT 5 letters AGENT RHINO STATS 6 letters ACROSS ADRIFT AGENCY ASLEEP ENACTS ENIGMA 8 letters ABRUPTLY WIN £100 Puzzle 15 Your…

3 ways to… CUT YOUR MOBILE BILL Mobile phone plans are a big expense, so if you’re thinking of renewing, check out all the available options to secure the best price. 1 SIM-only v new phone? If your current contract is due to end and you’re happy with your handset, you could save cash by keeping it and taking out a SIM-only plan. But if you want a new phone, shop around for the best deal then go back to your current provider to see if they can better it. If you can afford to buy the phone outright, it may be cheaper to do this, along with taking out a SIM-only deal. 2 Don’t pay extra for data Keep track of how much data you use, so you know…

Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Perfect Finish Hairspray, £6.99, Boots Complete your blow dry with this lightweight spray. It locks in the volume you worked hard to achieve and disappears when brushed through the hair, leaving no sticky residue. Rhyme & Reason Nourish & Gloss Conditioner, £5.99, Boots Eco-friendly products should not mean a compromise on quality. This product’s 100% recycled bottle is simply a bonus to add to its deliciously scented formula. Weleda Skin Food, £8.25, lookfantastic.com This nourishing treatment is the solution to all your dry skin needs and is formulated with revitalising rosemary and soothing sunflower oil. We like to use ours on tired feet or hardworking hands. Morphe Blush Balm Soft-Focus Cream Blush in Mighty Mauve, £12, Boots Add a flush of colour to your summer…