Table of contents for 9 November 2023 in Chat

Welcome to this week’s Chat… You’d think any bride would be fuming if their pal upstaged them on their wedding day. But Lyn wasn’t. Who could blame the guests for having their heads turned by her best mate – when it was her guide dog Eva (p30)! And Eva had earned the adoration. Not only did she escort Lyn down the aisle, but in a funny way, she found the groom too. I hope their happy ending makes you smile. Have a great week PS If you’re entering the puzzles online, this is the link to use: comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

DOUBLE-BREASTED STYLE TIP Smart and tailored, wear open for a relaxed look that leaves room for layering and showing off your outfit underneath. AVIATOR STYLE TIP The coolest coat on the block, layer over floaty dresses for a tough edge and finish with stompy boots. PADDED STYLE TIP Incredibly cosy, these add a sporty twist to your outfit. Look to cropped styles to avoid swamping your frame. BELTED STYLE TIP These robe-like designs are feminine and flattering, cinching you in at the waist for an elegant hourglass silhouette.…

On 21 March 2017 at 2:25 am, twin sisters Leaundra and Lemae Matthews, then 19, made a distressing emergency call. They’d been in Leaundra’s room when they’d heard a scuffle from the basement. Specifically from their brother Christian’s room. And when officers arrived at the scene, they found Christian, 17, unresponsive. He was rushed to hospital but tragically pronounced dead on arrival. Police suspected foul play. Bruising around his neck showed asphyxia as the cause of death. He’d been strangled - but who’d want to hurt a 17-year-old boy? Asking around Christian’s friends, one name kept coming up. Tysean Lipford. Lipford, 19, was Leaundra’s boyfriend. The couple had a toddler together, with another baby on the way. Frightened of him Lipford spent a lot of time at the house that…

I want to be pert again! Q Breastfeeding two children has left me with long, floppy nipples how can I shrink them? Sara-Louise, Chester A Pregnancy and breastfeeding can leave long-standing or permanent changes, including bigger, smaller or unequal breasts, darkening of your nipple and areola (the skin around your nipple), enlargement of your areola and longer, floppier nipples. Most of these are due to the action of pregnancy and breastfeeding hormones, although longer nipples are also the result of repeated suckling. They might shrink with time and you can disguise any obvious bumps with a sports bra but the only quick fix would be surgery to trim them. It’s usually a quick procedure under local anaesthetic, although you’d have to pay privately and the surgeon would probably only operate…

Q My two-year-old son puts beads into his ears and nose - if they don’t fall out, what should I do? Ann, Holmfirth A It’s a common toddler habit and it can be hard to know if an object is still in there. Something in his ear might cause pain, poor hearing, picking at the ear and, after a couple of days, a discharge. An object up his nose might cause a smelly, yellow discharge. If you suspect something in his ear don’t try to remove it yourself, a doctor can take a look and pick it out with a hook or tweezers, wash it out with water or oil, or remove it with a tiny sucker. Older kids with something up a nostril might cooperate by blowing out through…

Staring at my bank balance on the cashpoint screen, my stomach was in knots. I was down to my last few quid. A passer-by caught my look of horror and smiled. ‘Chin up, love, we’re all in the same boat,’ he said. He was right. After all, it was April 2020, and the whole country had been plunged into lockdown, thanks to COVID-19. I worked as a hairdresser and bartender, so now my shifts were non-existent. Later, I confided in a friend that I was struggling to make ends meet. ‘You should do what I do, and make money from your feet,’ she said. Eh? My mate said she took pictures other feet and flogged them on a foot fetish website. She suggested I give it a try too. I…

Q I’m ready for a baby but my hubby isn’t. He wants kids and we have the means, but he’s worried about our rent increasing and the cost of living crisis. We both have stable jobs and I feel like we’re never going to be more ready. But am I ignoring the facts? Or is he too worried about things that might not even happen? Emma, 32 A Are you totally sure that he wants kids, my love? While his reasons sound legit, part of me thinks he’s listing every excuse in the book. If you wait until you can definitely afford a baby you’ll never have one. Because it’s not just a baby, it’s a toddler, child, teenager, young adult - it never ends, petal. If he has changed…

3 ways to … build SOS savings Having an emergency fund takes take the pressure off when you’re hit with unexpected costs. 1 Every little helps When cash is tight, saving any money can be extremely tough but putting away even small amounts each month can help ease the blow if you face a shock bill, like an expensive car or boiler repair. Scrutinise your bank statements and look for any savings you can make. Can you switch to a cheaper broadband deal? Are you paying for anything you don’t use, like TV streaming services? Log all your daily spending, too, so you know where every penny is going. Keeping a record will highlight any areas where you can cut back and put the cash into your savings. 2 How much…

The Voice UK ITV1 • More wannabe pop stars will be hoping to follow the success of 2022 winner Anthonia Edwards as the singing competition returns and for the first time in the show’s history, groups have been allowed to have a shot at stardom, too. Emma Willis hosts once again, while coaches Anne-Marie, Sir Tom Jones, Oily Murs and will.i.am are back in the spinning red chairs, ready to hit their buzzers and nab their favourite acts for their teams. The hopeful auditionees will take to the stage in a bid to be crowned the series winner and secure a recording contract, as well as winning a £50,000 cash prize and luxury holiday! DON’T MISS DON’T MISS The Santa Clauses DISNEY+ • The comedy spin-off series from The Santa…

Skin Proud Glow Dust Exfoliating Powder Cleanser, £13.95, iamproud.com Containing a mix of vitamins C, E and ferulic acid, this cleanser not only gently cleanses but also works to naturally brighten your complexion to give you a gorgeous glow. Noughty Howdy Curls Spring Back Gel Crème, £9.99, lovenoughtyco.uk Blended with sea kelp and wheat bran extract, this geltextured formula gives curls definition, hydration and lots of bounce. Use every day on dry curls to bring them to life. Nivea 24H Moisture Refreshing Day Cream SPF30, £4.99, Superdrug Offering moisture for up to 24 hours, this new SPF30 is a must-have for your skincare routine. Use every morning before make-up to nourish and protect your skin. Morphe Soulmatte Velvet Lip Mousse in shade First Kiss, £12, uk.morphe.com This innovative matte lip…

Dear Oliver, I t was a voicemail on 16 June 2022 that changed our lives forever. Me and your dad, Harvey, then 32, were caught up in that newborn bubble. Relishing the warm, sleepy snuggles. Forgetting our sleep deprivation every time you nestled into our arms. You’d been given the usual blood tests at five days old. ‘If something’s wrong, you’ll be contacted,’ the midwife said. We’d forgotten about it after, swept up in nappies and first walks with you in your pram. Then, when you were three weeks old, that voicemail arrived from Queen’s Medical Centre. Asking me to bring you in to discuss your blood tests. Being a health visitor, I knew the news would be bad. By the time your dad and I sat down with the…

We pay £25 for any photos that we use on Chat To Us! Get in touch! EMAIL chat_magazine@futurenet.com POST Chat, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR Find us online at facebook.com/ChatMagazine…

The first site to carry the name of which entertainment chain was opened by Oscar Deutsch in 1930? The answer to each clue (apart from the first) begins with the last letter of the preceding answer. The shaded squares will spell out the one-word prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 2 Your answer: 1 Room for books (7) 2 Give way, surrender (5) 3 Sketch (4) 4 The Seven _ of the Ancient World (7) 5 Apostle once known as Saul (5,4) 6 Scientist’s workroom (10) 7 Historic county of northern England (9) 8 Country of the pharaohs (5) 9 Pudding made from cassava starch (7) 10 Unintentional (10) 11 Star sign represented by a set of scales (5) 12 Legendary 6th-century king of the Britons (6) 13 Pungent salad plant…

WHAT’S THE VERDICT? Six years after her brother’s brutal death, Leaundra Matthews, 25, was found guilty of his second-degree murder. She now faces up to 30 years in prison. ‘This defendant was integral to the plot to kill Christian Matthews and served as the driver, both to and from the scene of the murder,’ prosecution lawyer John McCarthy said. ‘She executed a significant cover-up operation to deflect responsibility, but thanks to the work of the Montgomery County Police Homicide Unit and assistant state’s attorneys Ashley Inderfurth and Sheila Bagheri she will now be held accountable.’ Lipford’s friend Daniel Howard is due to face a jury in 2024 for his alleged role in the murder plot. Lemae Matthews will be sentenced following the conclusion of Howard’s trial. Leaundra’s sentencing is due…

Q My left heel’s agony, especially first thing in the morning. My GP diagnosed plantar fasciitis, what is it? Barbara, Weybridge A Along the bottom of your foot, between your heel and the base of your toes, runs a tough band of sinew, which supports the arch of your sole. This is your plantar fascia and when it becomes inflamed at the point where it joins your heel bone, that’s what is known as plantar fasciitis. Symptoms can appear out of the blue, though a sudden increase in walking or running, especially on hard surfaces, and if you’re overweight or over 40, is often to blame. The pain is usually worse after resting, such as when you get up in the morning, as you say, and walking hurts too. The…

It’s National Spa Week – which reminds us all to take some me-time and indulge in self-care. But it doesn’t have to break the bank! Face first Ever woken up with your face looking like a crumpled tissue?! Switch out your cotton pillowcase for a satin or silk one. The smooth material allows skin to slip and slide so you avoid facial folds. Prone to under-eye bags? Use an extra pillow at night. Fluid will drain down, rather than pooling underneath the eyes. Tennis elbow A tennis ball is a great tool for a DIY massage. Roll it over sore, aching muscles for instant relief. Even better - get your other half to do it for you! Ice, ice baby! A short, sharp blast of cold water can be hugely…

Teen is so demanding Q My teenager wants all the latest designer gear but I just can’t afford it. She says it’s embarrassing to be the only one to go without. I told her to get a part-time job but she refused. I remember what it was like to feel left out at school and I’m considering getting a credit card so I can get her a few bits. Please help! Chloe, 47 A I think the fact you’re being honest and direct when talking about money is amazing parenting, sweetheart. You’ve explained everything to her and offered other options. But have you looked at preloved sites? There’s lots out there and thrifting is something you could do together. I promise she’ll appreciate your sacrifice in the future, petal. A…

Terri Rogers, 33, Driffield D ashing in from the cold, I took off my coat and closed the front door behind me. ‘I’m back,’ I called to my husband Richard, then 33. It was February 2023, and I’d just dropped our daughter, April, then 6, at school. Slipping off my boots, I was greeted by Richard and our youngest, Luke, then 21 months. Curious and mischievous, Luke had a big personality for such a little lad. As he toddled after me, I headed for the kitchen. ‘Fancy a cuppa?’ I asked Richard, busy working from home as an IT technician in the living room. ‘Go on then,’ he called. Clinking two mugs on the kitchen counter, I boiled the kettle as Luke played across the room. Grabbed two teabags and…

Aries 21 March-20 April The Sun is now in Scorpio, which is ruled by Mars. Your sign is also ruled by this fiery planet, so follow through on new ideas to feel more fulfilled. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Being a nature lover at heart, you have a great bond with all animals. So, spend more time in nature and with pets to ensure you relax and de-stress. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June As a great communicator, you are also a natural teacher. Perhaps there is a subject you feel truly passionate about teaching? If so, follow this path! • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Gentle and sensitive, you are so much more…

Q Do eyelash serums really work? Andrea Goodwood, Belfast, Northern Ireland LETTER of the week! A There’s an overwhelming amount of lash serums on the market, so it’s understandable to feel out of your depth when trying to find one that works. Essentially, it comes down to ingredients rather than brand or price, so look out for peptides, vitamin E, biotin or castor oil, as these are proven to help lashes and brows grow longer, stronger and quicker. If you want something that’s a great all-rounder, grab Forest & Shore 100% Cold Pressed Castol Oil, £7.99, amazon.co.uk, which nourishes, strengthens and promotes growth for hair, lashes and brows. After a dedicated lash serum? The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum, £12.40, Boots, is packed with peptides and active ingredients to…

It was a cold Wednesday afternoon on 4 January 2023 when police turned up at the home of the Haight family. A Christmas wreath dangling on the front door, a miniature fir tree and a snowman ornament on the step, it was a picture-perfect festive scene. A happy family enjoying the season. Not unusual for the rural city of Enoch in Utah. Yet, when officers entered the family home, they were met with a scene of horror. Eight dead bodies. Tausha Haight, 40, and her husband Michael, 42, alongside their children, Macie Lynn, 17, Briley Ann, 12, and Sienna Belle, 7, and two sons, Ammon Michael, 7, and Gavin Drew, 4. Tausha’s mother, Gail Earl, 78, had been killed too. Each body had been slaughtered, the victims of a spattering…

Kate Lawrence, 64, from Wolverhampton What’s your go-to karaoke song? It’s got to be There Must Be An Angel by the Eurythmics. It’s joyous, and I adore Annie Lennox’s vocals. She’s such an inspiring and talented artist. I Night in or night out? I’d much rather put on my glad rags for a night out at the theatre with friends to see a musical, followed by dancing the night away! Any bad habits? I probably have a few too many of my homemade choc-chip cookies every time I make a cuppa - but then they’re very hard to resist! As I’m American, they’re a little taste of home, too. What’s your fave season? Move aside winter, I can’t wait until spring - I love the flowers, birdsong and the feeling…

Also called a ‘flat’, what name is given to water-polo players positioned on the 5-metre line, who link offence and defence? Make three nine-letter words using all of the three-letter sections and enter them in the grid as the starter letters indicate. Then make an anagram of the letters in the shaded squares to form the answer to this question. DAR LOV TIV EDE VIL EBI FES ALS RDS WIN 5x £20 Puzzle 3 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Nipping into a sandwich shop, I looked at the choices behind the counter. It was August 2001 and on my lunch break from my office-cleaner job I was looking forward to wolfing down a sarnie and getting off my feet for a short while. Only, as I walked outside to enjoy my food, I noticed a handsome bloke wearing a smart shirt and trousers on a scooter. Catching my eye, he grinned. ‘I’m Keith,’ he said. ‘Lisa,’ I replied. As we chatted away he told me about his job as a civil servant. He was a little older than me at 45, but that didn’t bother me. At 29,I was ready to settle down with a kind man who had a stable job. Live an ordinary life. Back at work…

What does model Hailey Bieber say is the secret to her famous glowing skin? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the three-word prize answer. WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 Across 11 Desert illusion (6) 12 Decision made by a court (9) 13 Iridescent jewel (4) 14 Friends character, _ Bing (8) 15 Dog with short legs (5) 16 Background actors (6) 17 Wise saying (7) 18 Classic animated TV series (3,8) 20 Wept (5) 22 Self-importance (9) 24 Having great weight (5) 28 Asian country (7) 29 Sits in a relaxed way (7) 32 Citrus fruit (6) 34 Backs off (8) 36 Believer in equality for women (8) 37 Hospital workers (6) 39 Condiment often put on chips (7) 40 Blooms (7) 45…

True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Sitting down, I took out my notepad and pen. In September 1995, I was studying at the University of Sunderland. I loved my business administration degree. But now, noticing how busy the lecture room was, I felt uneasy. Suddenly, my heart started pounding and I gasped for breath. I’m going to die, I thought. As other students turned to stare, I stumbled out of the lecture hall. Back home, I was in such a state that my parents called out a doctor. ‘You had a funny turn, that’s all,’ he said. Sadly, my ‘funny turn’ was actually a panic attack. It was the first of many. They’d come from nowhere, every few weeks. Pushing a supermarket trolley, in a bar with friends. Twice I went to A&E…

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 Beryl Davie, Chudleigh, Devon WIN 5x £20 Puzzle 6 ACROSS 1 Smack 2 Aperture 3 Six balls in cricket 4 Exam DOWN 1 Fired a gun 2 Adore 3 Beers 4 Presumptuous Your answer: CHAIN WORDS Shot largely in Cardiff, what is the title of the forthcoming Netflix film starring Tom Hardy as a detective looking for the kidnapped child of a politician? Get from Start to Finish, making words by joining two boxes together as you go, eg, MOC + KING, KING +… you decide! When you reach Finish, two unused boxes join together…

Bouncing around my living room, Eva, my new black Labrador pup, wagged her tail furiously. ‘She looks about to take off,’ my eldest, Gemma, then 17, laughed. It was September 2013 and Eva was my new guide dog. I’d been born with coloboma, a condition where my eyes hadn’t developed properly in the womb. I had a small window of vision, like looking 4 through a keyhole. Could just make out large objects, some colours. I’d always managed. Gemma, and my other daughter, Penny, then 15, were a big help. But now me and my husband had separated and the girls were busy with their own lives, I spent more time at home. I had plenty of friends, but not the confidence to go out alone. So I’d contacted the…

Q I want to lose weight but I don’t know where to start. I struggle with overeating and I can’t resist a bar of choc at night and a few glasses of wine on the weekend. I’ve signed up to some exercise classes I enjoy, but I’m not losing any weight. I just don’t know how to cut down my food! Hannah, 29 A Well done for starting to improve your health. That’s not blimmin’ easy! Now you’ve started some movement, look at your diet. Even small changes can make big improvements. Add more veg, cut back on processed stuff. Find a friend with similar goals to keep each other motivated? Remember, it’ll be worth it.…

Growing up, I was always the chubby kid. My parents divorced when I was 7 and I felt isolated and lonely. Food was really the only thing that made me feel good. Food was emotional support for me. It was like my friend. But it was instant regret afterwards. I would binge. I would eat spoonfuls of peanut butter out of the jar - spoonfuls and spoonfuls of peanut butter. I used to order entire big boxes from Pizza Hut, which had two pizzas and the breadsticks and the dessert sticks. cholesterol, heart disease. I would eat late at night when no one was looking Eat almost a full box to myself. And I was proud of it. There have been times when I would eat late at night when…

Baked sweet potato and beans Who doesn’t love baked spuds with beans? We’ve taken ours to the next level with a fuss-free homemade recipe. SERVES 6 PREP 10 MINS COOK 1 HR • 6 sweet potatoes For the beans: • 200g pack smoked bacon lardons • 1 onion, chopped • 2tbsp smoked paprika • 300g barbecue sauce • 400g tinned chopped tomatoes • 410g tin haricot beans • 410g tin black-eyed beans 1 Heat the oven to 180C Fan/ Gas 6. Wash the sweet potatoes, put on a baking tray, sprinkle with salt and bake for 1hr. Alternatively, wrap them in a double layer of foil and place at the base of the bonfire until cooked. 2 Fry the bacon lardons over a medium heat in a large pan for 3 mins. Add the onion…

Emma, 42, London Sinking into the sofa, I wiped away tears. Will things ever get better? I wondered. It was April 2017 and life had been tough recently. My father had recently died of cancer. I was a single mum and, after moving to the UK with my teenage kids Sarah and Adam, I’d not been around to say goodbye to him. I’d been a nurse in my home country, caring for patients in hospitals and private homes. After the move, I’d taken on multiple jobs to try to make ends meet waitressing, cleaning. Thankfully, there was no pain and, while things looked blurry, I could still make out words, recognise faces. But grief had swallowed me, I’d missed shifts. Now I was out of work too. I need help,…

Bursting with the limited-edition scent of delicate jasmine, this dry shampoo is a classic and beauty must-have. Coming to the rescue during non-hair wash days when you need to banish oil quickly, this dry shampoo revives hair and promises to leave no white residue. Simply spray on to roots, massage in and brush out. Keep the feeling of summer going throughout autumn with the help of this gorgeous blood-orange-scented body butter. Smelling just like your favourite tropical holiday destination, this sweet-scented body lotion works to deeply hydrate your skin from head to toe - as well as boosting your mood.…

TEXT Simply text CHATD 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 pic 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 don’t wish to enter. INTERNET INTERNET Join…

Puzzle 2 Tarmac Puzzle 3 Greedy Puzzle 4 The Taming of the Shrew Puzzle 5 2B,2C,2D,3A,4C Puzzle 6 Ease Puzzle 7 Willow Puzzle 8 Michael Sheen Puzzle 9 Flash Gordon Puzzle 10 Dressage Puzzle 13 Congo Puzzle 14 Casanova Puzzle 15 Whist Puzzle 16 Her three siblings Puzzle 17 Prefab Puzzle 18 Donkey Kong WE WON! Chat winners issue 32 (10 Aug 2023) £1,001 CASH E Hinds, Hyde £500 CASH P Murray, East Boldon A Bounds, Chesterfield £250 CASH AK Collinge, Rochdale J Williams, Exeter £200 CASH C Newbigging, Bo’Ness £100 CASH A Mills, Newtown J Leake, Birmingham S Hitchen, Northwich £75 CASH B Carver, Somerset £50 CASH S Davies, Leominster B Greasley, Nottingham F Aspinall, Chatteris J Morton, Warrington V Smith, Rugby D Guilford, Brighton £40 CASH M Azadbakht, Greenford…