Table of contents for 25-Feb-2021 in Chat

Scott says, ‘It wasn’t because of lockdown, it all just kind of kicked off at the same time. Obviously speaking to another woman is bad, and yes we did meet up and something did happen between us. That was when I broke up with Mandy. I didn’t see this happening. I know it sounds like I was having my cake and eating it – but, in my mind, I was doing the right thing. Mandy is a lovely person. It’s such a horrible thing, and I wasn’t trying to play two women off. I wasn’t on any apps, or going out at the weekend. It wasn’t an affair as such – in my eyes it was different. It was like two worlds colliding. I love them both in different ways,…

Alison Nightingale, 40, Felixstowe Selecting the present from under the tree, I placed it on my gran’s lap. ‘Merry Christmas!’ I smiled. It was December 2006 and, for the first time, making Christmas special was down to me. Up until now, Christmas and birthdays had been my mum Christine’s job. She was the glue of our family. Provided constant care for my elderly grandma and great-aunt. And was a best friend and stellar mum to me. But in April 2006, Mum was diagnosed with spinal and breast cancer. I rushed home from travelling in Australia, yet she quickly deteriorated and the St Elizabeth Hospice team stepped in to take care of her at home. After just three weeks, Mum died. Now I’m present in the moment, look forward to the…

OVER TO YOU Can you set a puzzle in this format? Send it, with a photo of yourself, to the address left – there’s £20 for every one we use! This week’s puzzle was compiled by Sophie Morgan, Meadowfield, Durham ACROSS 1 Ship’s left side 2 Region, part 3 Army vehicle 4 Berries for gin DOWN 1 Taps affectionately 2 Spoken exam 3 Nevada city 4 Grab, possess WIN 5X £25 Puzzle 6 Your answer: HALF & HALF Lake Van in Turkey, Lonar Lake in India and Lake Natron in Tanzania are all classified as what type of alkaline lake? Cross out a letter in each square to get a grid filled with words. The uncrossed-out letters in the shaded squares give the prize puzzle answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 7 Your…

ARROW WORD The town of Sault in the French department of Vaucluse holds a festival dedicated to what on 15 August each year? 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 1,000 Puzzle 10 Your answer: 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. WIN £60 Puzzle 11 Your answer: WORDSEARCH The lehenga, pareo and andon hakama are examples from around the world of what type of garment? The answer is the one missing from the grid. BRACARDIGANCOATDRESSGLOVEHATJUMPERSCARFSHIRTSHOESHORTSSKIRTSOCKTROUSERSVEST WIN £50…

He’s taking it out on me Q My husband lost his mum two years ago. I’ve tried to comfort him, but nothing I do is right. He talks down to me. I’ve been called so many names I can’t even count them. He’s so angry at the world, I’m scared that, one day, he’s going to end up in prison or hospital. I’ve tried to get him to talk to someone, but he won’t. I don’t know what to do.Sally, 44 A Oh blimey, I feel for you both. Anger is a part of grief, and you can’t know how long it’ll last. You’ve asked him to get help and he’s refused. As much as you may want to, you can’t drag him there. Right now, you need to remove…

Cassie Murphy, 30, Dublin Gawping at my landlord, I couldn’t believe what he was telling me. ‘I’ve got people viewing it tomorrow. You need to leave within a month,’ he said. Tears ran down my cheeks as I looked around at the flat I’d made a home. Three years, me and my partner had lived there. But now, in July 2018, our landlord was selling up. ‘I’m sure we’ll find somewhere,’ my partner tried to reassure me. ‘But will we be as close to Christopher?’ I sniffed, peering out the window. See, our son was buried in the graveyard opposite. I could see his headstone when I looked out the window. I’d fallen pregnant in 2016. For nine, blissful months, I imagined myself as a mother. But then, on the…

Aries 21 March-20 April Negotiations and teamwork are prominent. Consider a networking course or making online connections with people who could influence your career. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May You may need to change plans at the last minute. You’re not a risk taker and your friend’s recent idea is really not for you. Say your piece and bow out. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Relationship tensions melt away as you start a new chapter together. With both eager to please, things move fast. Love is in the air romance and candlelight. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July You’re often the life and soul of the party, and you’ll have opportunities to extend…

Sainsbury’s Boutique Bronzing Glow Drops, £4, Sainsbury’s This shimmery formula helps to perk up tired skin and add a touch of glamour. Just dab it along the tops of your cheekbones using your finger for an instant glow. e.l.f Holy Hydration! Daily Cleanser, £6, elfcosmetics.co.uk This gel-based cleanser softens skin and banishes oil and make-up in one application. Skin is left hydrated and healthy looking, thanks to moisturising hyaluronic acid. Nexxus Keraphix Damage Healing Masque, £6.99, Boots If you’re craving smooth, easier to manage hair, this mask won’t disappoint. It contains rice water, collagen and keratin protein to smooth and strengthen hair, as well as restore its natural shine. Flower Beauty Miracle Matte Lip in Merlot Kiss, £8.99, Superdrug While some matte formulations can feel dry and uncomfortable, this glides…

Most people who encountered Craig Hicks, 49, could sense the anger bubbling away inside him. Unemployed and disgruntled, he constantly seethed about everything. He openly hated all religions, posting rants on his social media. And he loathed perceived rule breakers, regularly confronting neighbours for making too much noise. And his pet hate? Taking up more than the allotted car-parking spaces at the block of flats where he lived. People living near him in the quiet building in North Carolina, USA, said he was always confrontational. ‘Any time that I saw him or saw interaction with him or friends or anyone in the parking lot or myself, he was angry,’ said his neighbour Samantha Maness. Carrying a handgun on his hip, Hicks always made sure people could see it. ‘You guys…

£1,001 CASH V Derbyshire, Preston £1,000 CASH P Martin, Sherborne £500 CASH M Harrison, Peterborough; A Powell, London £250 CASH D Gold, Sutton Coldfield £150 CASH R Mozejko, Cambrideshire £100 CASH L Porter, Redditch; R Berry, Leamington Spa; A Hudson, Dronfield; G McGee, Warrington; S Etherington, Havant £60 CASH L Bull, Nottingham £50 CASH S Fielding, Manchester; C Phillips, Romford £30 CASH E Walker, Whitstable; A Horner, Newtownabbey; M Carlin, Hatfield; F Tomlinson, Guiseley; M Rengozzi £25 CASH S Grinsted, Maidenbower; H Rogers, Highcliffe; C Hayes, Clitheroe; L Williamson, Liverpool; V Bryenton, Harrow; S James, Redruth; V Derbyshire, Preston; G Woods, Grimsby; S Randall, Swindon Anyone from your town in the list this week…? chat PUZZLE 11 662 chat PUZZLE 12 SPOON chat PUZZLE 15 DOVE • All contributions to Chat must be…

Well woman Did you know, 35% of British women don’t know how to combat the painful side effects of their period, with 16% wishing they knew how to?* Swap and see Overdone it with the workouts? As an alternative to ice packs, try Aroma Active Laboratories Muscle Cooling Gel. A soothing blend of turmeric, rosemary, lavender and marjoram to help reduce stiffness and discomfort. (£12 for 100ml, Boots) Masks & jaw pain Osteopath Anisha Joshi says, ‘I’ve seen a 60% increase in patients with jaw pain in my clinics across the UK since mask-wearing became mandatory in indoor public spaces.’ So what can you do? 1. Ensure your mask is not too tight This can cause restriction and you’ll subconsciously change the way you speak, leading to tension. 2. Gentle…

At the age of 26, you expect to be in your prime. Fit, healthy and loving life, whatever path you’ve chosen. You certainly don’t expect to have a heart attack. But that’s what happened to Laura Calbert. At 29st 1lb, her weight was literally killing her. Laura says, ‘I grew up being the biggest child. I was definitely considered overweight. ‘Through school, I was still the biggest. Through college, I was still the biggest. ‘My diet consisted of a lot of rich and fatty foods, a lot of fast foods, not a lot of vegetables. ‘There were many different things that would trigger my overeating and my binge eating. ‘Being overweight really affected my confidence.’ By her mid-20s, Laura, of Georgia, US, was depressed, and being overweight caused her other…

In May 2020, a few days before my due date, I was admitted to hospital. Lying in the bed, worries spiralled through my head. But then a social worker visited me, asked me all about my life. And when she realised I was homeless, she frowned. ‘We can’t have that,’ she said, writing notes in her book. It was a scary time, especially with everything going on with COVID-19. But there was no time for fear. On 20 May 2020, contractions rippled through my body. Hours later, Kayden arrived by caesarean, weighing 7lb 1oz. Laying eyes on him for the first time, my whole world tilted. He was so beautiful, so very tiny. And perfect. I knew in that moment, as I looked down at my sweet bundle, I needed…

More than a quarter of Brits say they’ve become more aware of the cost of groceries as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, according to new research. Aldi’s Real Price Report also found 77% of shoppers say they ‘always’ check the price of products before putting them in their trolley, while 12% are limiting how much they are spending on groceries. Did you know? Some 54% living in flat shares have been left out of pocket by flatmates, reveals Barclays Money Mentors. The average amount owed before confronting a flatmate is £46. TOP TIP Review your credit report regularly and keep an eye on your credit score.…

Dr Richard Taylor, 55, London Looking at the accused killer sitting in front of me, I took in his body language and speech pattern, concentrating on every word. Then I started asking him for all the details of his life. His family, childhood experiences and what led to the alleged murder. My job is to assess the defendant’s state of mind at the time of an alleged crime and to give evidence about this before the judge and jury at a crown-court trial. After medical school, I first became an A&E doctor and then worked overseas in disaster relief. But I developed a profound curiosity for the stories behind those patients who were injured in the course of being victims or perpetrators of crime. I spent six years doing specialist…

Dove Deep Moisture Hand Sanitizer, £2.50, Boots This hydrating formula helps to fight off viruses and germs in one fell swoop. Keep it in your bag for on-the-go protection. Carex Antibacterial Hand & Surface Spray, £3.50, Morrisons This two-in-one spritz effectively sanitises your hands and it can also be used on surfaces like trolley handles, car keys and door knobs. This Works Stress Check Hand Shield, £8, thisworks.com For much-needed reassurance, this handbag essential cleans, protects and hydrates hands thanks to its blend of sanitizing alcohol and soothing essential oils.…

What connects internet entrepreneur Mark Zuckerberg and US actor Mira Sorvino? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the two-word prize answer. ACROSS 1 Uses one’s teeth (5) 4 Songbird (4) 6 White spring flower (8) 13 Cold-blooded animal (7) 14 Broad streets (7) 15 Burn with hot water (5) 16 Prickly sensation (4) 17 Colonise (6) 18 Gun (6) 20 Precious metal (4) 21 Water birds (5) 22 Eighth month (6) 25 In whatever place (8) 28/53 English general who won the Civil War (6,8) 30 Take place (5) 32 House with one storey (8) 34 Small basket for fruit (6) 35 Group of footballers (4) 38 Middle Eastern language (6) 39 Fortunate (5) 40 Dish of melted cheese (6) 43 Item…

After less than 24 hours of deliberations, the jury found Tyler Savage guilty of aggravated first- degree murder. He declined to make a statement before the judge sentenced him to life in prison without parole. ‘This was a rape. This was a murder. That’s what we pointed out to the jury. That’s what the jury found,’ prosecution lawyer Mark Lindquist said after the verdict. After his daughter’s murder, heartbroken father Cecil Daily lobbied tirelessly for Kimmie’s Law, an expansion of the Amber Alert system. In the US, the moment a child is reported missing or it is suspected they have been abducted, an Amber Alert instantly sends urgent information to the public, appealing for help finding them. Notifications go to the media, mobile phones and even road-traffic signs. Kimmie’s Law…

All a matter of taste Q My partner says my vagina sometimes tastes different. Does it mean something’s wrong?Roshni, Sidcup A Sounds entirely normal! Hormone changes alter the acidity and taste of vaginal secretions throughout your monthly cycle, and small amounts of blood mean some partners also notice a slight metallic taste when your period’s becoming due. Drugs you’re taking, or food such as spices, onion, garlic and asparagus can directly affect the way you taste, and some women find that dairy products, meat or fish cause them to taste bitter. See a doctor to rule out infection if there’s a foul taste to your vagina or a fizzy sensation on your partner’s tongue, particularly if you have soreness or a discharge. Otherwise, use trial and error to find foods…

EVIL BUS DRIVER Student Alicia Eborne, 18, from Corntown, near Ivybridge, was due to meet her boyfriend in November 2003. She never showed up. Her body was found nine days later, hidden in woods near Dartmoor. Bus driver Lee Holbrook, 39, was later arrested for her murder. He had propositioned Alicia, but when she turned him down, he strangled her. In August 2004, Holbrook was jailed for life, to serve at least 11 years. PROSTITUTE KILLED PENSIONER A drug addict stabbed to death a recently widowed pensioner who’d let her stay in his home, in November 2017. Peter Mason, 71, met sex worker Stacey Stripp, 29, at a pub, before they went to his house in Paignton. He took out £500 from an ATM, believed to be used to pay…

FILL ME IN US rapper Lizzo and actor Tom Selleck were both born in which 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. WIN £100 Puzzle 14 Your answer: CIRCLE TIME William Topaz McGonagall (1825-1902) has commonly been described as Britain’s worst what? Fit the words into the grid, then read down the letters in the shaded circles. 3 letters ASPCOTEGOELMSATSIRSPASPYTICYOU 4 letters AFARCHINEXAMGURUHYMNWASHWEST 5 letters ALLOWSUSHITAPAS 6 letters ASTHMACREATEHIATUSLAPTOPTOMATOWRENCH 8 letters MONARCHY WIN £100 Puzzle 15 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

3 ways to... save on house-moving expenses Getting ready to move to your new home? Then make sure you don’t pay over the odds when it comes to transporting your possessions, says the HomeOwners Alliance’s Angela Kerr. 1 The basics ‘If you can get away with not using a professional removals firm you’ll save money,’ she says. ‘But if you do need to use one, shop around for quotes online then get at least two firms to do a pre-move survey; this involves them either sending an assessor to your home or conducting a virtual tour via video call, to give you an accurate quote.’ 2 Be prepared ‘Things don’t always run smoothly on moving day and if something does go wrong, like a delay in getting your keys, you…

Maple bacon and cheese pancake stack Make the ultimate indulgent brunch this Pancake Day! SERVES: 4-6 PREP TIME: 10 MINS, PLUS CHILLING COOK TIME: 20 MINS ● 25g butter, melted and slightly cooled ● 225g plain flour ● 2½tsp baking powder ● 1tsp caster sugar ● 250ml milk ● 2 eggs ● Sunflower oil, for brushing ● 12 rashers maple-cured bacon ● 6tbsp grated Monterey Jack cheese ● Maple syrup, to drizzle 1 Whisk together the melted butter, flour, baking powder, sugar, milk, eggs and 1tsp salt, then cover and chill in the fridge for 30 mins. 2 To cook each pancake, brush a non-stick frying pan with a little oil and add a dollop of the mixture. When you see bubbles appear on the surface, turn the pancake over…

The Vicar of Dibley: Inside Out GOLD Join Dawn French and writer Richard Curtis for a two-hour celebration of the much-loved comedy, with behind-the-scenes gossip, rehearsal footage and more. Blitz Spirit with Lucy Worsley BBC1 To mark the 80th anniversary of the Blitz, Lucy Worsley will uncover the real-life stories of ordinary civilians caught up in the nightly raids, in this one-off documentary. She will also debunk some myths about the eight-month bombing campaign during World War Two. Unbeatable BBC1 Actor and comedian Jason Manford will be at the helm of this new daytime quiz in which four contestants are challenged not just to give correct answers but ‘unbeatable’ answers to general knowledge questions in a bid to nab a cash prize. Friday Night Dinner Night C4 To mark the…

Q My foundation keeps sliding off. How can I make it stay put all day? Sophie Robinson, 43, Oxford A First of all, the key to a long-lasting foundation finish is keeping to a regular skincare regime. Freshly cleansed, moisturised skin creates a smooth canvas for your base, giving it the best chance of staying put. Next, think about using a primer. NYX Professional Makeup The Marsh Mellow Primer, £15, Boots, has many benefits including extending make-up wear, smoothing, soothing and hydrating the skin, and also leaving a flattering, soft-focus finish. And finally, look for a long-lasting foundation formula. Maybelline Superstay 30HR Foundation, £9.99, Superdrug, provides full coverage and contains technology to ensure it stays sweat and water resistant for up to 30 hours. Apply it with your fingers or…

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Dear Me back then, It wasn’t long ago you thought you had it all. A great career as a life coach, a lovely home and relationship, plus a beautiful baby boy. Despite hurdles growing up as a working-class black woman, later coming out as gay, you’d made it! You even had your own TV show and had been commissioned to write a ‘how to’ book on healthy relationships. People were comparing you to your idol, Oprah Winfrey! Only, one night in December 2019, everything crumbled when you were dumped by your girlfriend of five years. Distraught, you sobbed for hours on the bathroom floor… Though an emotional wreck, you still had a book to write, a deadline looming. But how could you – heartbroken beyond repair – write about happy…