Table of contents for 25-Feb-2016 in Chat

Neither my mother nor my stepfather showed any remorse I went to SAIVE, a counselling centre near my home. They gave me the courage – finally – to go to the police. It was 29 years since the abuse started, and the officer was sympathetic, but she warned me it might be hard to prove. ‘It’s so long ago,’ she explained. An investigation was launched. I was told that the only way to get my case to court was to exhume Christopher’s body. His DNA would prove that my brother was his father. It’d broken my heart saying goodbye the first time. Could I go through that again? Yet I realised this was the only way. The night before, I visited his grave and, when I left, I felt a…

GUILTY! On Friday 10 April 2015, Mark Faville, 72, was found guilty of the voluntary manslaughter of his wife Anne. When the judge called for a short recess before sentencing, Faville was led out of the courtroom and into a holding room. Then a commotion began, and loud screams filled the courthouse. ‘Drop it! Drop it!’ a voice could be heard shouting. A few hours later, it was revealed that Faville had taken his own life by slashing his neck with a ‘non-metallic object’. No further details were released for fear of compromising courthouse security, but the family was robbed of the justice they so badly needed.…

Wandering around my local shopping centre, I felt faint. Then, without warning, I threw up. ‘Are you OK?’ a shop assistant asked, rushing to help me. Mortified, I quickly left. ‘I don’t know what it was,’ I told my mum, Sharon, 50, later. I’d felt ill for a while. I was always tired, some mornings I couldn’t even get out of bed. A university student, I’d just put it down to being stressed. But, recently, I’d noticed large, purple bruises all over my body. Concerned, I went to see my GP, who performed blood tests. Later that day, last June, she phoned me with the results. ‘I’ve referred you to hospital for further tests,’ she said. She was concerned my iron levels were low. That afternoon, I went to John…

The vet warned it would be difficult to fix Luna's leg In October 2014, I heard my sister Nancy had a litter of baby rabbits she needed to find homes for. Maybe I ll pop round and have a look, I said to myself. Famous last words… The second I caught sight of them, I was instantly smitten with the cute critters. With their furry faces, the lionhead bunnies were utterly adorable. Not at all scary like their namesakes! One in particular caught my eye – a gorgeous, black fluffball. I had to have her. ‘She’s all yours,’ said Nancy, 45. So I took her straight home, named her Luna. A house rabbit, she was really well-behaved. It sounds hopping mad, but Luna even got on well with my two…

There are so many bargains to be had! Ican’t stop raving about the fantastic cashback I’ve pocketed by shopping through Quidco. From mobile phones to maternity wear, there are so many bargains to be had. As I’ve been on maternity leave, I’ve had lots of time to bargain hunt. It’s certainly paid off! In fact, just by continuing to shop with Quidco, I’ve pocketed £1,300, and that figure’s rising! One of my mum’s favourite sayings is ‘Every little counts’. With Quidco, a little can turn into a lot – fast. Last Christmas, I splashed out on clothes from Banana Republic for my mum and my mother-in-law. And I got £60 cashback! Then I got £175 just for sorting out my father-in-law with a Sky package. Having a little boy, Alexander,…

Sad story My heart went out to Mike Thomas’ wife Linzi ( Dementia at 42 , 14 January issue) – what a young age to be afflicted with this illness! Having seen my mother-in-law suffer Alzheimer’s in her 80s, I have some experience of what an awful time Linzi and Mike went through. It made me cry when he said, ‘I will never stop loving her.’ What a wonderful husband. Maxine Coovper, Newcastle upon Tyne Good shot We’ve been watching lots of old Westerns on telly… but our 11-year-old son Warren is not impressed. ‘They obviously shot too many pictures in those days,’ he said drily, ‘and not enough actors!’ Jenny Moyneux, Llanbedr DC, Clwyd Photo of the week He pinches it from me every week, but usually my brother…

What I loved Blitzing my stash of shoes! Didn't actually throw any away (As if! Are you mad?) but they're all in rows looking very showbiz. Bliss! What hacked me off Not having got to grips with my flash new double oven. Put a posh shepherd's pie in the top bit…but turned on the bottom one… Guests were deeply unimpressed (and very hungry!). What made me laugh A mate saying she knew her kids had grown up when they stopped asking where they'd come from, and wouldn't say where they were going to… Hope you have a moment of clarity this week!…

Vicki loved kids so much, she hoped to train to become a midwife She was bald, dressed in trackie bottoms, with a reputation for being tough. But when I first met Vicki Dudley back in 2002, I fancied her something rotten. ‘I’ve got alopecia,’ she said. ‘My hair started falling out when I was 6. I got tough because of it.’ She said she’d tried wigs, but found them uncomfortable and rarely wore them. So she was bald and proud. Like her or lump her. Me? I liked her! Aged 18, I was training to be a joiner. Vicki was three years younger than me, still at school. We became friends, went on nights out, had a laugh. It was five years later that we finally got together. And within…

He wasn’t feeding well and he’d cry whenever someone touched him From his fingers to his toes, he was perfect. He was only a few days old, but already my son Charlie had me and his dad Grant, 27, wrapped around his podgy little finger. ‘Mummy’s cheeky chap,’ I said, rocking him to sleep. He was our first baby and we couldn’t have been happier. Our perfect little family… But nine days after he was born, in December 2014, I noticed Charlie was a bit grumpy. He wasn’t feeding well and he’d cry whenever someone touched him. ‘That’s not like him,’ I told Grant. Charlie usually loved cuddles and lots of attention. When Grant went off to work, I kept a close eye on him all day. But he just…

The CPS dropped the charges against the men Even at a young age, Stephen Lawrence showed promise. Aged 16, he set up his own small business with his friends – designing and selling T-shirts, caps, jackets and book covers. At school, he excelled at Art and Maths and hoped to become an architect. His mum Doreen knew he was destined for big things… Then, on 22 April 1993, Stephen, then 18, and his friend Duwayne Brooks went to Stephen’s uncle’s house in Plumstead, east London. They played video games before making their way home at around 10pm. But while waiting for a bus on Well Hall Road in Eltham, a gang of five men approached them. ‘What, what, n****r?’ they shouted, before launching a brutal attack. Duwayne managed to escape,…

Music would blare out all night, and they had constant rows Quiet, peaceful and full of friendly faces… I’d lived in the same, small cul-de-sac for 25 years. There were only a few houses on the street, but everyone knew each other. ‘It’s like a mini Coronation Street ,’ friends would joke. Not as much drama, though! Just the way I liked it. A widow, I lived alone, but there was always someone about to natter to. Then in 2013, my neighbour’s girlfriend moved in with him. Mellisa Brown, 27, seemed nice enough. ‘You’ll love it here,’ I told her. ‘It’s a great place to live.’ But shortly after, the racket started… Music would blare through the walls until the early hours. Mellisa and her boyfriend were constantly screaming and…

I chatted away to the driver. When suddenly… SMACK! Whenever I go on a night out, I love to dress up. Short, tight dresses are my fave, with false eyelashes, lippy – the works. And, in December 2014, I’d bought a new scarlet bodycon dress that showed off my curves perfectly. Weeks later, I was due to head to my mum Sharon’s work party with my sister Jessica, now 20. I spent an hour getting ready, then headed downstairs in my new dress. ‘Put a cardi over that,’ Mum said. ‘You’ll freeze!’ But I took no notice – I didn’t want to spoil the look. At the party, we had a great time drinking, dancing and eating. By midnight, things were winding down, but I joined a few of my…

At first, I was frozen with fear – but in an instant, my terror turned to anger Slipping on my dressing gown, I went into the kitchen and opened the bread bin. My husband, Dave, had an early start for his job as a driver. So I was up by 6am, making his packed lunch and filling his flask. ‘Is cheese and onion OK, Dave?’ I called. It was his favourite butty. While I was busy in the kitchen, Dave was getting ready in the bathroom. As I washed the onion at the sink, I suddenly caught sight of a man behind me, through the living-room mirror. ‘What are you doing?’ I began, thinking it was Dave. But as I turned around, I realised in horror that it wasn’t Dave…

• Quidco has a great price-comparison tool - Quidco Compare. It found me the cheapest car insurance this year. We saved £500 on our renewal price and got paid £35 cashback on top of that! • Join Quidco on Facebook for updates - and get tipped off about bargains and deals. I got paid £150 when I changed broadband supplier - which now only costs me £15 a month! • Put the Quidco app on your phone so you can use it when you're out and about. You can show staff money-off deals on your phone, and use the app to unlock additional cash amounts. These are available when purchasing with a debit or credit card registered on your Quidco account.…

Thalidomide could cause deformities in newborns For as long as I can remember, I’ve done things a bit differently to everyone else. See, I was born without full arms. My mum Fay was given Thalidomide while she was pregnant with me. It was a drug used to treat morning sickness. Back then, doctors didn’t know the drug could cause deformities in newborns. While some babies were unaffected, I was born with 8in arms and seven fingers – a few on each hand. But that didn’t stop me learning to do things in my own way. ‘You can do anything you put your mind to,’ Mum would encourage. From a young age, using my feet came naturally to me. When I couldn’t use my fingers to do something, I’d try with…

Bored now  Please, Mum, enough with the photos! I think my son Jaxon is a bit fed up with being the centre of attention… Laura Hughes, Wirral Say cheese! Only 20 months old, and my beautiful daughter Lily-Mae knows how to take a selfie! And smile prettily for it, too! Zoe Yetton, Papworth Everard Havingaball Never afraid to get stuck in! That's my 1-year-old twins Eadie Mabel, left, and Felix Rider, down in the pit! Shelly Wenn, King’s Lynn…

Aquarius 21 Jan - 19 Feb Which is better, persuasion or force? Despite being under severe financial pressure, you’re determined to continue with a project - but then a friend has a word with you, and you drop the idea. Clearly, persuasion wins. • Call 0905 817 0700* for more Pisces 20 Feb - 20 March Is the romance coming to an end? No, but it’s moving on. You’re excited, but at the same time, you know these last few days of the earlier phase are special, because once they’re gone, they can’t be recaptured. • Call 0905 817 0701* for more Aries 21 March - 20 April You’ve probably got lots of things you have no immediate use for but keep in case you need them at a later…

One woman, Jenny, looked oddly familiar – and, when she started to sing, it was uncanny Performing has always been a big part of my life. Growing up, I went to dance school. And when I got older, I sang on cruise ships and performed with DJs in Ibiza and Marbella. But then real life took over. My hubby Lee, 29, and I had our daughter Dakota Rain, now 3, and I started working on my family’s farm. But I still dreamed of becoming a star like my hero, the singer Adele. I loved her voice, and we came from similar north-London backgrounds. In 2011, she released her second album, 21. Singing along to her hit Someone Like You one day, I started thinking… Could I launch myself as an…

HOW MANY? In the space of 24 years, Lynea Lattanzio, from California, has cared for a total of 28,000 kitties! Lynea’s lot have full run of her five-bed home – now a cat sanctuary – while she lives in a trailer. And you thought you were a crazy cat lady?! POT SHOT Shop owner Alison Nurton, from Sherborne, Dorset, was shocked to be the victim of a drive-by attack outside her premises - with a pot of yogurt! Leaving her drenched, the culprit sped off in his car, but apparently struck elsewhere that day. AREAL BUMDEAL 0n social media site Imgur, an unnamed woman has shared her home hair-removal horror. Attempting to wax her intimate areas, she managed to get her ladybits and bum solidly stuck together! Ouch! Bet she…

Mum knew her husband or son was the father of my child A summer’s day, and my brother John and I were having a water fight. Squirting water from plastic bottles, we giggled in the street. But as I undressed to dry off inside, the bathroom door opened behind me. John. Without a word, he began to touch me. I was just 8 years old. He was 13. We lived with our mum Maureen and stepfather John Wood. They were strict and Mum had a temper. She showed us no affection. So I couldn’t turn to them when John’s abuse became a regular thing. On my 9th birthday, John raped me for the first time. The pain was excruciating. I sobbed, begging for him to stop. And that first rape…

People born on 29 February are nicknamed ‘leaplings’ or ‘leapers’. The chance of being born on a Leap Day is one in 1,461. There are around five million leaplings in the world. Last Leap Day, in 2012, Dorothy Robinson, from Cumbria, became one of the world's oldest leaplings when she turned 25 (100)! The world record for the most generations born on Leap Day is held by the Keogh family, in Ireland and the UK. Peter Anthony was born on Leap Day 1940, his son Peter Eric on the same date in 1964, then his granddaughter Bethany Wealth in 1996. Norwegian Karin Henriksen holds the record for giving birth to the most Leap Day babies. Baby Heidi arrived on that day in 1960, Olav in 1964 and Lief-Martin in 1968!…

Wobbly wings Q I'm proud of my figure, but my bingo wings are getting worse! Is there any way to shift underarm wobble? Tracey, 41 A They can be the result of suddenly losing weight, or simply the way you're made. Exercises like press-ups, bench dips and push-offs against a wall can help tone triceps, the muscle on the outside of your upper arm. But a permanent solution might mean paying for surgery. Swollen elbow Q The doctor says my swollen elbow tip is bursitis. What's that? Marianne, 47 Blokes' bit! Semen worries Q Now when I ejaculate, there's about half as much semen as there was 40 years ago! Is that normal? Larry, 57 A From your early 20s, the volume of semen gradually falls year to year. It's…

Tesco Low Fat Toffee Yogurt, 150g, 40p Slightly sharp tasting, so not at all sickly, this creamy yogurt has a great toffee flavour - a tasty change from fruity ones. Morrisons Signature Toffee Caramel Fudge Yogurt, 150g, 58p Rich, creamy and delicious, this is far too decadent and rich to eat for breakfast - it's definitely one to savour for pud! Co-Op Truly Irresistible Toffee Yogurt With Fudge Pieces, 150g, 79p It's the addition of little lumps of fudge that make this the winner! Made with West Country cream, it's lovely stuff! NEW Wright's Garlic & Coriander Naan Bread Mix, 90p, most supermarkets Make your own bread? Of course you can! This mix makes enough dough for six naans.…

Serves: 6 Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min 2 large eggs 4 egg yolks 1 fresh orange 300g plain flour 250g caster sugar 150g spread for baking 250g fresh raspberries Icing sugar, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 170C/ Gas 3, and line a 23cm springform cake tin with nonstick paper. 2 Whisk eggs and extra yolks together. 3 Grate rind from orange, then squeeze juice. Mix flour, caster sugar, spread, orange rind and juice, and eggs. Spread half mixture in tin, sprinkle over ¾ of raspberries, then spread over rest of cake mix. 4 Bake for 45-50 min, until cake is golden and risen. Allow to cool. 5 Top with raspberries, dust with icing sugar. Top tip Is it done? Insert a wooden skewer into the cake. If it…

1 Preheat grill and grease a baking tray. 2 Cook 150g frozen broad beans in boiling, salted water for 3-4 min, drain and cool. Peel, discarding skins. 3 Cook 200g frozen peas for 2-3 min, drain and run under cold water to cool. Mix peas and beans with 4 sliced spring onions. 4 Dry-roast 3tbsp pine nuts in a small frying pan over a medium heat for 3-4 min until golden. Cool on a plate, then add to peas and beans. 5 Make a dressing by mixing together 5tbsp olive oil, juice of a lemon, 1tsp caster sugar, 1 crushed garlic clove, 1tbsp fresh chopped mint, 1 finely chopped, deseeded red chilli, salt and pepper. 6 Cut 2 x 250g packs halloumi cheese each into 6 slices, lay on baking…

No7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser, £9.95, Boots This huge bottle lasts for ages, as you only need a little for a lovely, deep cleanse. Top tip: Cloth cleansers clean and exfoliate your face. Superdrug Naturally Radiant Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser, £5.99, Superdrug Amazing value - this cleanser doesn't disappoint and helps clear problem skin. Top tip: This gentle cleansing method is perfect for all skin types. Sanctuary Spa Polishing Hot Cloth Cleanser, £10, www. sanctuary.com Removes makeup and grime, leaving you with glowing skin. Top tip: Pick one that comes with a cloth. Formula Time Defy Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser, £10, Marks & Spencer A great dupe of a pricier product, this really moisturises skin as it cleanses. Top tip: Remember to wash your cloth…

Quidco works with all your favourite online and high-street retailers to help you save on every outfit. Fancy treating yourself to that new top that winked at you in Debenhams? • Search for the store on Quidco and visit Debenhams’ website using the link. • Then make your purchase online as normal and Quidco will do the rest. • First Quidco tracks your purchase and, when it’s confirmed, your cashback will be paid straight into your account. It’s that simple! • With over 4,300 retailers to choose from, including F&F, Dorothy Perkins and JD Williams, you’re sure to find a deal with your name on it. You can even earn on top of sale discounts.…

1 Go rock-pooling at Chesterman Beach... Like a miniature underwater world, rock pools will keep the kids mesmerised for ages. When the tide goes out, check out the craggy shoreline for sea creatures - from starfish to slippery sea slugs. 2 Ride the waves in Tofino… Or maybe just get the kids a few surfing lessons while you lie back and watch them from the comfort of the sandy beach. It'll certainly make for some great family footage! 3 Hit the slopes… Grouse Mountain's Ski Wee program for children aged 3 to 6 teaches little riders how to ski or snowboard. Costs include a lift ticket, snack and escort ticket, so nervous mums can accompany their kids to the mountain-top for a lesson. 4 See some wildlife… From whale-watching to…

When I turned my phone back on, I’d hundreds of missed calls from the office My daughter Sabrina, 28, was always smiling. It didn’t matter who you were, she’d always say hello and give you a friendly grin. That was just the type of person she was… My only child, her dad and I had split when she was 6, and shared custody of her. Now she was grown-up, she and I were closer than ever. ‘You should find a man and settle down,’ she always used to say to me. ‘Shouldn’t I be telling you that?’ I’d joke. We were forever texting, sending messages on Facebook and chatting. We usually met once a week for dinner and a cocktail. Living in London, we loved to visit the tourist sights…