Table of contents for 30-Jun-2016 in Chat

A giant clock on the wall was smashed to bits. Marc grabbed a metal pole he found in the debris. Then he started hitting me with it. Pain tore through my body. I’m going to die here tonight, I thought, petrified. When Marc eventually calmed down, I begged him to take me to the hospital. ‘My head hurts,’ I told him, blood pouring down my face. Marc had started watching a boxing match on TV. I’d been there for two hours. Losing blood, I needed help. ‘I’ll take you when the boxing finishes,’ he laughed. He allowed me to take a shower, but as I stood under the water, it turned bright red with blood. ‘Look at the mess you’ve made!’ Marc screamed. Eventually, he dragged me out to his…

 Feeling another gripping pain take hold, I took a deep breath. I thought that a warm soak might ease the pain… It was July last year and, heavily pregnant, I was ready to pop. I’d been experiencing Braxton Hicks – practice contractions, as the womb gets ready for birth – on and off for about two weeks. I found a few deep breaths and a bit of rest did the trick in coping with them. But, as a single mum to Logan, 14, and Tao-Kyron, 14 months, I barely had a second to myself. That day, Logan was out with his friends, so I was kept busy rushing around after Tao-Kyron. And the cheeky monkey was into everything. ‘Don’t touch that,’ I tutted, prising one of Logan’s Xbox games from…

Asda Chosen by You Moroccan Style Giant Cous Cous, 100g, 60p Quite different in texture from traditional couscous, this is a ‘love it or hate it' dish - and these little round balls pack quite a spicy hit of heat, too! Ainsley Harriott Moroccan Medley Cous Cous, 100g, 50p Strong on cumin, with apple for sweetness, this makes a tasty change from rice or pasta. Sainsbury's Moroccan Style Cous Cous, 110 60 There's a hint of both cinnamon and spicy heat in this delicious cous cous. We'd serve it with a tagine-style stew or cold as part of a lunchbox salad. NEW Oykos Whip 'n' Mix, pack of four, £2.49 A light, airy mousse of Greek-style yogurt, with a side order of fruit compote - choose from Strawberry, Blueberry or…

Serves: 4 Prep: 10 min 2 ripe avocados, destoned 1 ripe banana 2tbsp raw cacao 4tsp agave syrup 2tsp desiccated coconut, to serve 1 Place avocados, banana, cacao and agave syrup in a blender, and blitz until smooth and creamy. 2 Spoon into 4 small tumblers and sprinkle over a little coconut before serving. Top tips: If you can't get hold of raw cacao, you can use cocoa powder instead, but it has a stronger flavour, so you'll probably need to use less. Agave syrup is readily available, but you could use honey if you prefer.…

Two months on, I was delighted with the ‘new me' All kids just want to fit in. For me, it was impossible… Born with an underbite, my bottom jaw jutted out and, by the age of 10, I could only chew with my back teeth. I had good friends in primary school but, at 13, I changed secondary schools – and the bullying started. A girl pointed out my jaw on the first day – everyone laughed. In tears, I ran from class. From then, I was the butt of cruel jokes from boys and girls. ‘Ugly,’ they’d spit, walking past. I didn’t confide in my mum Denise or my dad Nick. Instead, I clung to hope. My orthodontist explained, as I was still growing, nothing could be done yet.…

Rimmel London Kate Step 1 Super Gel Polish in Perfect Posy, £5.99, Superdrug Works with the Step 2 topcoat for long-lasting shine without a UV lamp. Top tip: Coral looks gorgeous with a tan. Barry M Coconut Infusion Nail Paint in Flamingo, £4.99, Boots Infused with coconut water and oil to hydrate your nails. Top tip: Always use a topcoat to help your polish last longer. Kiko Power Pro Nail Lacquer in 07 Peach, £4.90, kikocosmetics. com Leaves nails glossy and comes with a round brush for simple application. Top tip: Apply cuticle oil daily to strengthen your nails. Essence The Gel Nail Polish in 24 Indian Summer, £1.60, Wilko Amazing quality, two coats delivers a strong colour. Top tip: Base coat is really important as…

I woke up with a headache Ð felt like I'd had a stroke! The pain of it woke me… A thunderclap headache on the right side of my head. It was 1am on the morning of my 19th birthday, in July last year. We’d been out for dinner the night before to celebrate my sister Lois’ 16th. But I hadn’t drunk anything, so I’d no idea why I’d got such a blinding headache. ‘Where are you going?’ my boyfriend Charlie, 21, asked as I got up. ‘I feel like I’ve had a stroke,’ I said. ‘Your face looks alright,’ he reassured me. So I took some paracetamol and went back to sleep. The following morning, my parents – mum Linda, 49, and dad Andrew, 50 – and Lois and Charlie…

I was hiding rolls of flab under size-24 clothes Over 18 months, I shed half my weight Pulling into the driving-test centre, my stomach flipped nervously. Then… ‘Congratulations, you passed,’ the examiner beamed. ‘Yes!’ I cheered. The moment every teenager dreams of – passing their driving test. Freedom! I was 18, and immediately treated myself to a pink Corsa. I loved that little car, drove it everywhere – even two minutes to the local shop! Trouble was, I was already a size-16. My curves had never bothered me, but now I didn’t have to walk anywhere, I became lazy. Size-16 soon became 18, then 20. I didn’t eat well, either. I skipped brekkie, had crisps and biccies for lunch, junk food for tea. In my early 20s, I had Lewis,…

Steve thought the lump had been there for so long, it couldn't be dangerous ‘ Here we go again,’ sighed my hubby Steve with a smile. Every time we went through airport security, he’d set off the alarms. Each time, of course, the guards would search him, scan him, and send him on his way after finding nothing. It happened so often, it became a running joke for me and Steve, 50. But it wasn’t until this year that we learned the truth… In December last year, Steve had an appointment with his new dentist, Ruth Haddy. Checking his mouth over, she discovered a small lump on the inside of his right cheek. ‘It’s been there for as long as I can remember,’ said Steve. ‘I’d like you to have…

Cancer 22 June - 23 July How many times do you have to be asked before you say yes? You’ve had two already, and this is the third. It’s also the last, so if you’re at all interested in what’s being offered, you should take it. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. Call 0905 817 0693* for more Leo 24 July - 23 Aug Being in the right place at the right time can produce remarkable results, and that seems to be so now. Don’t try to make things happen, just let it all unfold before you. It’s not what you expected, but it’s still nice. Call 0905 817 0694* for more Virgo 24 Aug - 23 Sep Are you worried that if you say anything, it’ll make matters worse?…

What I loved Hearing on the radio that kangaroos are left-handed. Who knew?? And more to the point, how did they know?? It's a weird world… What hacked me off Discovering I'd missed National Tiara Day! Gutted! May wear one tomorrow anyway… (Yup, I truly do have one somewhere, but now I've told you…) What made me laugh A mate saying that marriage is the process where you find out what kind of a man you should have married… Hope your week is happy ever after!…

He'd gone from ordinary bloke to quadruple amputee In October 2014, my bloke John Middleditch and I were pictured smiling out from the pages of Chat magazine. We felt lucky – grateful even. Because, two years earlier, a hideous, mysterious infection had robbed John of his limbs. Fever had hit first. Then John slipped into a coma. Sepsis and gangrene were ravaging his body, turning his limbs black. As John, 47, lay, virtually lifeless, doctors had warned he wouldn’t make it. But he pulled through. After 29 medical procedures, surgeons had to amputate his arms below the elbows, his legs just below his knees. But he survived. And life would have meant nothing to me without him by my side. We’d been together 12 years, and he was a like…

Fresh bouquet Roses will keep much longer if you remove all the leaves and thorns from the stems and add a little sugar to the water. Denise Turner-Marsh, Castleford Hang around Children's plastic hangers are the perfect width for adult trousers. Jeanette Young, Bromsgrove Lights out Remove messy wax residue from a burned-out candle jar by filling it with boiling water - the wax will float to the top. Christine Hamori, Manchester Play tag   Make your own gift tag by gluing wrapping paper onto white cardboard - poke in a hole with a knitting needle so you can tie it to your present. B O’Keeffe, Walsall Good rub Give wooden cutting boards a thorough clean by scrubbing them with half a lemon and some sea salt. Angela Clifton, Felixstowe…

Swallow it Q My doctor's given me tablets for cholesterol. I said I couldn't swallow pills, but he won't give me medication in syrup form. Penny, 54 A Syrups aren't always available. It might be possible to crush your pills, but check with your GP as some, like coated or slow-release types, aren't suitable. Most people can, in time, train themselves to swallow pills. Cracking hip Q My hip cracks when I move, especially when I stand. It doesn't hurt but I do find it embarrassing, Is it safe to ignore? Nicole, 29 A It's usually caused when your iliotibial band - a sinew which runs from your knee along the side of your thigh to your pelvis - flicks across your hip joint as you move. Provided there's no…

I downloaded the recording and stared at the laptop in horror Growing up, I’d been surrounded by love and laughter. My mum Freda was a private woman, but warm and caring. She and my dad George were never apart. They always looked so happy. ‘We’re off to ballroom dancing at the Royal British Legion,’ she announced each week. My two sisters and I never wanted for anything. By the time I was in my 20s, I’d three girls of my own, and my parents were my rock. ‘We’ve made dinner for you,’ Mum would say when we stopped by each day. My girls were showered with love, and she’d make them coffee-and-walnut cakes every birthday. It wasn’t just us she took care of, though. Mum worked as a mental-health nurse…

The best bits are the fun games and excitement When I told Claire, she couldn’t stop smiling! I stared at the screen in complete disbelief. ‘Come and have a look at this,’ I cried to my wife Claire. ‘I’ve won £647,’ I beamed. ‘Really?’ she asked, dashing in to have a look. I’d only signed up to Chat Mag Bingo a day earlier. My mum had actually recommended it to me. She’d had a win on the slots and raved about how much fun the website was. So I signed up. For me, the best bits of Chat Mag Bingo were the fun games and the excitement of watching it play out. A win was a bonus. So I couldn’t believe I’d won over £600 a day after joining. Claire…

Long live local shops Are we letting small shops die? In my town, I've seen one after another close down. I make an effort to use local butchers, bakers, greengrocers, and garden centres. Problem is, everything they offer is also available from large supermarkets which stay open late so people can shop there after work. It seems that convenience is being chosen over community. Bethany Webb, Aberwheeler Victim support Carol Minto was so brave to finally expose her abusers (First my brother…then my doctor, 12 May issue). Thank goodness society’s attitude to child welfare has changed so young victims can come forward without fear. Gloria Wilding, Prescot Funny girl I was driving down a country lane and had to turn round to avoid some sheep that were wandering across the…

THE BIG QUIZ The answers to all these general knowledge questions - except one - are in the grid in various directions. To be this week's Chat Big Quiz champion, work out which answer is missing. This is your prize answer. Answers are in alphabetical order in each section. THE SILVER SCREEN – DOUBLE O 1 Which Harrison Ford character was seen on the big screen for the second time, completing the title of the 1984 movie … and the Temple of Doom? (7, 5) 2 Which actor and writer won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting in 1997 but has more recently appeared in the first three Jason Bourne movies and as an astronaut in The Martian? (4, 5) 3 What is the surname of…

1 Visit a farm Just north of Tenby, Folly Farm is easy to get to - and with so much to do, it makes a great day out for kids of all ages! There's plenty of chances to get up close and personal with domestic farm animals, plus an indoor soft play area and adventure park. 2 The smallest city in the UK St Davids is lovely. It's worth timing your visit to experience a choral Sunday service at the cathedral, and then stop off for a full-on Sunday lunch at nearby Cross Hotel. 3 Amazing beaches You'll be spoilt for choice - but make sure you visit Barafundle, as it's stunning! This small bay is skirted by dunes and pine trees and is only accessible by a half-mile walk…

The tumours in his neck, spine and chest had grown I’ll never forget the moment I first saw Steve Legge’s warm smile. Out shopping, in June 2012, my friend introduced us. I fancied him instantly but, both shy, we didn’t even speak. Three months on, during a night out, I spotted that cute grin across the bar. Chatting, swapping numbers, we had a few dates and, in November 2012, became an item. Teenagers in love, we should’ve been on top of the world. But, that month, Steve was awaiting some test results. He had a lump the size of an orange on the back of his neck. ‘I think it’s cancer,’ Steve said. Cancer? He was only 18. ‘Whatever happens, you’ll be fine,’ I reassured him. On Steve’s 19th birthday,…

Just like my mate had said, he'd fly off the handle at the smallest things There was something about Marc Leiper, 27, that gave me butterflies. We both lived in a small village, and I’d known him for years through friends. ‘Alright, Kerry,’ he’d wink cheekily whenever I saw him out. Bubbly, with a great sense of humour, he was always up for a laugh. We got chatting on a few nights out and really hit it off. By April 2012, we were a couple. But not everyone was happy for us. ‘He’s got a short fuse,’ one of my friends warned. ‘Watch out.’ I shrugged the comments off, though. Marc was so sweet and caring, I knew he’d never hurt me. That August, he moved into my flat. Within…

I hadn't noticed myself doing it at first. Then I spotted thinning patches Wrapping a lock of hair around my fingers, I tugged hard. A short, sharp, but satisfying pain shot through my scalp, and a clump of silky strands fell into my hand. Quickly, I stuffed it in my mouth and swallowed. That’s better, I thought, feeling instant relief. It was 2010, I was 17, and I was secretly suffering trichotillomania, with trichophagia – the compulsion to pull out and eat my own hair. I hadn’t noticed myself doing it at first. Looking in the mirror one day, I’d spotted thinning patches. And, in some places, tufts of hair sprouting from my head. My mum Denise, 52, had told me some time before that I’d used to yank out…

I had ovaries and Fallopian tubes – but no uterus or cervix Most girls start their periods in their early teens – but by 17, I’d still not had mine. ‘It takes longer for some girls,’ my mum Jan told me. But, over the next few years, there were no signs of my periods starting. I didn’t have any cramps or tummy pains. At 19, I went to see my GP. I was referred first for an ultrasound, then a laparoscopy to examine my uterus. The results were shocking… ‘You don’t have a womb,’ the consultant confirmed. I had ovaries and Fallopian tubes, but my uterus and cervix were nonexistent, which was why I hadn’t started my periods. ‘Why don’t I have a womb?’ I asked, confused. I had so…

Suddenly, a huge bang tore through the house I thought I was being healthy by quitting smoking My son Miller, then 3, snuggled up to me on the sofa, giggling away at the cartoons on the telly. I treasured our special times together like this. I’d split up with his dad a few years earlier. So it was just the two of us at home. And Mummy-Miller time was spent just like this! Watching cartoons, then cuddles and a story before bed. At 6.30pm I turned off the TV. ‘Bedtime,’ I said, carrying Miller upstairs. He usually went to bed at 7pm, but he was looking sleepy. I cosied up next to him on the bed, started reading. Within minutes, his eyes were getting heavy. Truth be told, I was…

 pirouetting past him. I kept spotting friends and family on the ice He suddenly launched into a routine, performing pirouettes! We’d taken our girls – Grace, 12, and Keira, 4 – to the local ice rink. The kids were picking it up well, but Keith was a bit like Bambi on ice! Me, I was a pro. I grew up figure skating, competing for Basingstoke, Wobbling on the ice, my hubby Keith, 48, clung to the handrail. ‘Careful,’ I giggled, gracefully taking part in shows. It’d always been a big part of my life. When I’d met Keith at the local pub when I was 18, he’d gone to watch me skate several times. He knew how much it meant to me Still, when Keith organised a surprise for my…

1 Heat 1tsp oil in a pan. Cook 2 finely chopped garlic gloves and a sliced onion over a low heat for 5 min. 2 Peel 400g white potatoes and cut into large chunks. Turn up heat and add to pan with 2tsp ground cumin, 1tsp ground ginger, 1tsp turmeric and 1tsp chilli powder. Stir and cook for 3-4 min to toast spices. 3 Stir in a tin of chopped tomatoes, and 200ml water. Simmer on a low heat for 1hr to 1½ hr. 4 Stir in a tin of drained and rinsed chickpeas. Turn heat up and cook for a further 20-30 min. 5 Before serving, stir in a bag of spinach for 1-2 min until it starts to wilt. 6 Serve, sprinkled with a handful of roughly chopped…

It was a miracle that our pooch made it in one piece… A bark cracked through the peaceful silence outside. Then another. ‘Pero!’ I called out. ‘Will you be quiet!’ But suddenly, all of our dogs were yapping away. My hubby Alan, 54, went outside to hush them up. We lived on a 766-acre farm with 2,800 sheep and 16 working sheepdogs. And 4-year-old Pero kept setting the rest off with his barking! Pero was a sweet, friendly dog, but a bit shy and he liked to work on his own. Only our large flocks needed several dogs working together. Then, in March this year, we got an enquiry from a farmer in Cockermouth, Cumbria. He needed a sheepdog that could follow a quad bike and herd a small flock.…

THE CRIME In September 1988, Seymour and Arlene Tankleff were found brutally attacked in their plush home. Arlene died at the scene, Seymour a month later from his injuries. Then their teenage son Marty was arrested for the savage murders… Traumatised, Marty started to doubt himself… After 17 years in prison, he was granted an appeal THE STORY For all their money, there was only one thing Arlene and Seymour Tankleff wanted – a family. Although Seymour had a daughter from a previous relationship, he and his wife were unable to have kids. Arlene had had a hysterectomy and Seymour a bout of testicular cancer. So they thought of their adopted son Martin – or Marty, as he was known – as a ‘gift from God’. When Marty arrived in…

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