Table of contents for 30-Aug-2018 in Chat

They say the heart wants what it wants… Bear that in mind when you read Debby’s story (p6). Her quest to find her biological family took a pretty surprising turn. It looked like the man who killed Penny’s beloved brother would get away with murder till decades on, she turned to Facebook... (p10). And we love gutsy Jenni (p36) who learned the hard way that life’s too short – so is determined to make every moment count. We’ve also got tons more real-life reads, fab prize puzzles, bargain beauty (p39) and cracking plus-size fashion (p12). Prices start at just £8.99 – so treat yourself!…

Shaking, I sat down with my birth mum Marie-Allen. ‘Joe and I are a couple,’ I said anxiously. But I was stunned, when, rather than being horrified, she just smiled. ‘We already knew,’ she said, hugging me. It’d slowly dawned on them over the years, making it easier to accept. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted from me. My adoptive mum and dad were just glad I’d found someone special. Someone who loved me. Uncles, aunts and friends were the same. We couldn’t believe it. Finally, we could shout our love from the rooftops. That May, Joe and I were at home having dinner. ‘Now everyone accepts us, shall we get married?’ he asked. Not the most romantic proposal, but I was overjoyed. It was risky. If…

In May 2018, Michael Bever, 19, was found guilty of all charges, after it was decided that he was a willing participant in the killing of his family. During the court hearing, disturbing notes from Michael’s prison journal were revealed. They read, Once upon a time, there were two brothers named Michael and Robert who hated their family, so they killed them. The End . Michael Bever was sentenced to life in prison but with the possibility of parole. Robert Bever, 21 – who’d admitted the crimes – was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.…

Prolapse fear  Q I'm due to go on holiday, but I've been diagnosed with a prolapse and I'm scared it'll come out on the flight! Linda, Cleethorpes A Your womb has partly dropped into your vagina, and an old wives' tale says it'll come out completely when cabin pressure falls in the aircraft. That's nonsense, but wearing a tampon might give you a greater sense of confidence. Sick after sex!  Q I feel nauseous after sex and sometimes throw up. What's wrong? Beccy, Dunstable A It's most likely to be a combination of physical squeezing of your stomach, hormones released during orgasm and possibly anxiety or guilt about sex. Try indigestion remedies and sex on an empty stomach. Your GP can rule out causes such as stomach inflammation.…

Smelly hands  When cutting onions leaves a nasty smell on your fingers, mix hand soap and salt in your hands, rub together and wash off. Deborah Robinson, Smethwick DIY dressing Re-use glass jars to make homemade salad dressing. I put all my ingredients inside - olive oil, white wine vinegar, mustard - put the lid on and give it a good shake. It's great for storing any leftover dressing too. Sheila Page, Newbury Keep it clean Use a cheap nail brush to scrub your grater clean after each use. Amy Moreno, Edinburgh My pretty pot  I collected unusual, pretty stones from the beach and used waterproof adhesive to stick them to an old plant pot. Now I have a beautiful planter, for a fraction of the amount I'd spend at…

Melissa Matos, 40, West Virginia, USA Dropping my head into my hands, I prayed for everything to stop. The chattering of the telly, the hissing of the kettle...my wailing newborn. ‘Shut up,’ I screamed, glaring at my baby girl, Katherine. As she cried even louder, guilt washed over me. What’s wrong with me? I went to the GP, and was diagnosed with postnatal depression. He prescribed a course of antidepressants and painkillers for the aftereffects of my Caesarean. A blissful haze settled in. Baby crying? No problem! Chores to do? Sorted! All it took was an extra tablet or two to ease my worries. Only... I was going through my tablets quicker than I should. I was on edge whenever my supply dwindled. When Katherine was just 4 months old,…

Aries 21 March - 20 April You’ve had enough of being ordered around by people who don’t know what they’re doing. Tell them it’s your way or no way and be prepared to quit if they disagree. You deserve better than this! Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May You fancy each other like mad, but there are obstacles to get over before you can be together. It’s not impossible, but needs hard work and huge sacrifices. But if you still think it’s worth it, go ahead. Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June Your ideas are great, but have you thought about how you’ll make them happen? You won’t be able to do it all at once. Break them…

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Clean up like Amanda Holden  Amanda Holden keeps her cleansing routine simple with Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser, £8.99. Amanda has said ‘I swear by Cetaphil. It isn’t expensive or fancy but it does what I need it to do’. Can’t say fairer than that! It’s a staple that suits all skin types, sensitive too. Want smooth, glossy hair like Eva Longoria’s?  Eva has the type of glossy hair that most of us dream of, and she keeps it tangle-free and looking healthy by using a WetBrush, £10.99. Designed to make it through even the knottiest of hair with minimum damage, it is an everyday must-have item.…

Excuse of the week My husband is a football coach, and is used to hearing all sorts of bad excuses from his players for missing weekly training. His favourite this week was one player who sent a text saying, Sorry I can’t make practice tonight. I have to break up with my girlfriend on Skype! Nessa Smith, Llanferres Save our high streets Regarding the ongoing battle to save our high streets, I think most people would pick a high street where independent shops can rub shoulders with national chains, rather than a country filled with identical streets. This is why we need to invest more heavily in our local high streets. If they’re neglected, it leaves a hollow space running right through the heart of our communities, which should be…

Zoe Sarnacki was young, beautiful and wiser than her 18 years. After finishing school, she became fascinated by other cultures and had dreams of travelling the world. So she got a job at a bagel shop near her home in Portland, Maine, USA, and worked her socks off. Zoe was loved by everyone who met her, particularly her close-knit group of friends, who admired her vibrant and positive personality. ‘She was a very sweet young woman,’ said her former school principal. As beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside, a world of opportunities lay ahead for Zoe. But her life took an ominous turn when, in March 2009, she met a local man, Chad Gurney, 29. Former sports star of his school, Chad was known to be…

Nadine Clair, 35, east London Every parent loves snapping pictures of their children, and me and my hubby Daniel, 37, were no different. ‘Violet!’ Daniel called to our 1-year-old daughter as she played happily one day last December. ‘Let me see,’ I grinned, peering at the picture on his mobile phone. Then I froze. In the photo, her left eye looked weird. White and almost misty. Scooping her into my arms, I looked into her big brown eyes. ‘What is it?’ Daniel asked. ‘Nothing,’ I laughed, relieved. Her eyes looked totally normal. I assumed it was just photo red eye, so I thought no more of it. Then, this year, as Violet sat playing, I caught a glimpse of a white glow in her left eye. I rushed to her…

Venitia Sorhaindo, 32, Bristol A wrought iron gate loomed before me. Beneath my bare feet, I could feel the wooden slats of a bridge that seemed to be floating in mid-air. As I put one trembling foot in front of the other, I felt a sense of unease. Instinctively, I knew these were the gates to heaven. But this didn’t feel like paradise. It felt terrifying. ‘It’s too soon,’ I sobbed. ‘I want to go back!’ Suddenly, I was thrashing and screaming. Then I woke up. Lying in bed, my heart thumping, I started to cry. I was only 8, but I kept having this horrible dream, and would wake up with a terrible stabbing headache. ‘It’s just a dream,’ my mum said, trying to soothe me. But the headaches…

On New Year’s Eve 2014, I remember feeling light as a feather, free of everything. Then the world went completely black. When I woke up, I was in hospital. I’d taken an accidental overdose and my heart had stopped for a while. ‘It’s a miracle we got you back,’ the doctor said. Back home, I pushed past the girls’ outstretched arms to find my bag and head to my room. Three months later, I’d overdosed again. This time, my boyfriend revived me at home. When I came round, the girls were lingering in the doorway. Katherine had tears in her eyes... ‘Mum, we need you,’ she told me. Looking at my little girl, I noticed for the first time in a long while how tiny she was. Katherine, still 7,…

1 Get organised It can be easy to miss offers on social media unless you're glued to your devices. However, with Twitter you can keep track. Create a ‘list' and add favourite brands, so you can check discounts without scrolling through your entire timeline. See how to set it up using the guide in Twitter's help section, help.twitter.com 2 Savvy scanning  Get inspiration for a bargain night out or a fab deal on a new outfit by getting on social media and seeking out bargains. For example, with Twitter, just search #offers #restaurants and your nearest town or city. Meanwhile, on Facebook, you can check out value deals with brands such as vouchercodes.co.uk. 3 Join a group Join local groups on social media to discover discounts and offers…

Coronation Street Peter is gunned down… Simon’s been in Cornwall hiding from dangerous ex-mate Tyler. This week he’s back for sentencing but two teens try to force him into a car. Vowing to protect him, Peter guards Simon but Tyler and his mates find him and Tyler shoots Peter and the bullet hits him in the chest! Will Peter survive? Emmerdale Charity’s torment Charity braces herself to tell her family she has a son-Ryan - and introduces him to Moses, his half brother. Later, she gets a call from Ryan’s adoptive mum Irene. Charity rushes to Irene’s and rapist Bails, Ryan’s biological dad is there, talking to his son Ryan. Is Charity’s court case against Bails in jeopardy? Elsewhere, Rodney’s hurt that Misty left for Thailand without him. But is…

Emma Hill, 33, Leicester Tell me a secret and you can trust me – I promise I’ll keep it. But in October 2015, there was one I was bursting to share. ‘Everyone is going to be so excited at the big reveal!’ I grinned to my partner Tom, 33. I’d just discovered I was pregnant with our first child. Tom and I had agreed to keep quiet about our news until the 12-week scan showed our baby was safe and well. But it was proving harder than I thought it would be. I was already imagining my family’s delight, and planning the Facebook post I’d share. The best news ever! followed by a scan picture of our little one. Surprise! Finally November came around and, with it, our ultrasound scan…

Cost of dementia The human and economic cost of dementia and Alzheimer's is hard to ignore. Speak to anyone touched by dementia and you'll hear of the devastating impact it has on their lives. My heart goes out to Linda Joyce (3 May issue) whose husband has this cruel disease. But it was lovely to read that for one week she had Mick back, when they got married. She will cherish that time forever. I pray that one day scientists find a complete cure for Alzheimer's. Hannah Bryan, Liverpool…

Dear Norman’s first owner, Take a look at this beautiful pup. Looks a bit different from when you last saw him, doesn’t he? That thick, glossy coat, wet nose, and the mischief shining in his eyes. He’s called Norman now... and he’s come on a long way. No thanks to you. The day I found him, I thought he was lost. Me and my mum Lisa were driving along that country road where you dumped him, and saw him wobbling along, an odd white ring around his nose. He looked lost, so alone. We got out the car, crept towards Norman to help. But he shot off, scrambling down a 6ft ravine and into a huge drainage pipe. ‘Where are his owners?’ I asked Mum, looking around. I imagined that…

Blood pressure  Q A nurse found my blood pressure was different in each arm, and now I need tests... Maura, Peebles A Your blood pressure (BP) should be the same in each arm. If it's not, that could mean peripheral vascular disease, a narrowing of the arteries in your arms and legs, putting you at risk of heart disease. Expect blood tests and advice about exercise, diet and smoking. Can I siesta?  Q I like a doze after lunch, but my friend says it's not good for me. Adaku, south London A If you struggle to sleep at night, avoid daytime naps. Otherwise, they can help you to feel refreshed and might even reduce your risk of heart disease. Keep a regular nap time, and aim for 20 minutes. Suffering…

Chiari malformation is a rare brain condition that occurs when your skull is crushing your brain. This results in your brain tissue being forced down and pressing onto your spinal canal. Headaches are the most common symptom, others include neck pain, problems balancing, dizziness, blurred vision, speech problems, ringing in the ears and spine curvature. Research estimates that it affects one in every 1,000 babies - but, in most cases, it is detected at birth. The condition can be progressive and lead to complications, or even premature death.…

BARGAIN OF THE WEEK A quick volume boost just got a whole lot cheaper with Aldi’s Lacura Dry Shampoo, which is just 99p! Spritz it onto your roots and ruffle with your fingers to refresh your hair and give your look an instant dose of body. 50% of Brits claim that a smile is the first thing they notice when they meet a new person, so it stands to reason we’re a nation increasingly obsessed with teeth whitening. Colgate ’s new Max White Expert White Toothpaste , £5.99, is the first toothpaste in the UK to contain the professional whitening ingredient hydrogen pero xide, for treatment-worthy results. It’s time to up our teeth brushing game! * Colgate Survey, Onepoll, 2018. 3 NEW CONCEALERS YOU NEED TO TRY For under eyes:…