Table of contents for 9 January 2025 in Chat

Welcome to this week's Chat… Anyone who has a cat knows that while they like to strut around looking aloof, most mogs are softies at heart. Want more proof? Meet the four amazing cats on p24. Marley, Zara, Cilla and Dave all won awards given by Cat Protection for being fab pets who've made a real difference to their families and communities. It won't do much for their super-cool image but reading about these top cats warmed my heart and I hope it does the same for you. Have a great week,…

Cuddled on the sofa, I nestled into my boyfriend Marc's side and switched Gogglebox on. ‘Pass the crisps,’ he said. It was September 2017 and we'd just got our own place together. I was 18 and studying to be a pastry chef while Marc, then 19, was between jobs. When we'd met, just two months before, I wasn't looking for a relationship. As a single mum to Lexie, then 3, she was my world. But Marc had been so sweet from the start, I'd fallen head over heels. ‘I'll look after you and Lexie,’ he'd said, his kind blue eyes so genuine. Moving in together felt so natural. He was my knight in shining armour. For a while, at least. One night, when we'd been living together for a few…

Sooner or tater Potatoes go off quickly if you keep them in the plastic bag they come in. So put them in a cardboard box instead. This porridge box is the perfect size to keep them fresh. Kirsty McLean, Hull, East Yorkshire Hang in there baby Living in a small flat, I struggled to create space to put my newborn's clothes. Sticking adhesive hooks on the inside of my wardrobe door and hanging them there sorted the problem. Anuska Hobbs, Redruth, Cornwall Gloves off Injured your finger while working outside and don't want to get the plaster dirty? Snipping the finger off a rubber glove provides the ideal protection. Andrea Illingworth, Runcorn, Cheshire £25 For every photo tip that we print Hats off to you When I only have a…

WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 What connects singers Bruce Springsteen and Paloma Faith? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the five-word prize answer. ACROSS 1 Stingy person (5) 4 Corridor (4) 6 Band who made the album London Calling (3,5) 13 Sweetheart (7) 14 Band whose hits include Moving On Up (1,6) 15 Cutlery item (5) 16 Way in through a fence (4) 17 Italian city (6) 18 Fixate (6) 20 London area (4) 21 Trench (5) 22 Citrus fruit (6) 25 Suddenly (8) 28 Nearer (6) 30 Lifting device (5) 32 Fantasise (8) 34 Cried loudly (6) 35 The _ of Us, TV series (4) 38 Baby's toy (6) 39 Hugh _, Notting Hill star (5) 40 Stringed instrument (6) 43 Action word (4) 44 Large wasp (6) 45 One of the Channel Islands (8) 48 Spanish red wine (5) 49 French woman's title (6) 51 Nickname for New…

Q I'm not very organised and struggle to focus. My boyfriend thinks I have ADHD. Should I get tested? Clara, London A To find out if you have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD look for signs like trouble focusing, being disorganised, forgetfulness, impulsivity or restlessness. Think about whether you've had these issues since childhood, as ADHD usually starts early but can last into adulthood. Getting a diagnosis can help you understand what you're dealing with. It makes you aware of specific challenges and helps you find ways to manage them. And it means you can get support, such as therapy, coaching or medication, which can make daily life easier. Understanding your condition can also help reduce feelings of frustration. Your GP will be able to refer you for an assessment.…

A real clever puss Karen Anstiss, 59 Spotting one of the staff getting up from their chair, our rescue cat Marley didn't miss a beat. Sprinting over, he plonked his fluffy bum down, stretching his black and white front legs out for a nap. Marley, then 4, was the fastest thing I'd ever seen on four legs. But after a day of hard work, he deserved a rest. I'd got him a few months earlier, in March 2020. He'd come from a cat rescue centre, then been bullied at his adoptive home and needed a new place to live. I brought him to live at Caritas Bakhita House, London, a safe house that I help to run. It helps care for traumatised women who have been trafficked, enslaved or exploited.…

Blue lights flashed and sirens wailed as a big red fire engine pulled into the car park, capturing my attention. I was 15, and the fire brigade had come to my school to talk about what it was like working for the service – battling flames, saving lives. It sounded thrilling. And though the thought of running into a burning building was scary, my mind was made up. ‘I want to be a firefighter,’ I told my mum Sara, then 46, that evening. ‘I'll support you whatever you decide,’ she said. I joined a youth training programme with my local fire service. I learned basic skills, such as how to use a fire hose. Even got my own uniform. In August 2023, I started an emergency medical technician (EMT) course,…

3 ways to… avoid identity theft Having your data stolen can be devastating – here's how to reduce your risk… 1 How does the theft happen? Fraudsters use various methods to get hold of your personal information. They might tell you you're taking part in a survey, then ask for your name, date of birth and address and use it to open bank accounts, take out credit cards and apply for benefits in your name. If your identity is stolen, you could lose money and may find it difficult to get loans, credit cards or a mortgage. 2 Protect yourself Do everything you can to reduce the risk of identity theft. Store documents carrying important information, such as your passport, bank statements and utility bills, in a safe and secure place.…

Top tip Other stewing cuts like lamb neck will also work well. Lamb hotpot A family favourite that will leave everyone stuffed and smiling. SERVES 6 PREP 30 MINS COOK 2 HRS 10 MINS ● 1tbsp olive oil ● 12 lamb cutlets, fat trimmed ● 500g potatoes, peeled ● 500g shallots, peeled ● 300g baby turnips ● 4 sprigs rosemary ● 400g cabbage, sliced ● ½ bottle red wine ● 2tbsp tomato puree ● 850ml hot lamb or chicken stock ● 25g butter, plus extra for cooking the potatoes ● 2tbsp plain flour ● 2tsp English mustard 1 Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and fry the lamb, in batches, for a few mins on each side until browned. Transfer to a casserole dish. Cook the potatoes in boiling…

Aries 21 March-20 April As the North Node leaves your sign at the end of this month, now is the time to re-evaluate your work goals and reflect on your true vocation in life. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Are you feeling like you need a change of scenery? You prefer the tried and tested, but you're feeling unusually adventurous, so try somewhere brand new. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Your restless nature can lead you down some quite interesting avenues. You entertain others with all your stories, so be yourself and uplift those around you. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July This time you've had enough of putting others first, so stand…

LETTER of the week! Q I have such dark circles under my eyes after a busy December. How can I treat and hide them? Lisa Felton, Stockport, Greater Manchester A Too much fun over the festive period might see unwelcome dark circles linger into January, but fear not – you can help to hide and treat them in many ways. Start by applying The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, £8.40, Boots, in the mornings. The lightweight gel contains 5% caffeine and works to depuff and minimise dark circles. Tap around your eyes for a refreshing hit of hydration and energy. Follow this with an eye cream packed with brightening vitamin C, like Garnier Vitamin C Brightening Eye Cream, £10.99, Superdrug. The yellow-toned cream brightens the under-eye area and counteracts…

As the door handle turned, I waited, and then… ‘Boo!’ I shouted, jumping out at my partner Scott as he stepped inside. We collapsed together in laughter. That was our relationship all over. Always giggling. We'd met at work in early 2018 – he was a maintenance engineer and I was a confectionery operator. We clicked straight away. Already a dad to two girls, after two years together we welcomed our beautiful boy Rupert in July 2020. Life with a newborn was tough. But Scott and I laughed our way through the sleepless nights and endless nappy changes. Then, one Monday morning, while I breastfed Rupert, who was about 4 months old, I noticed a lump in my left breast. It felt squishy, the size of a golf ball, but…

Never forgotten Zara, 10, won in the Family Cats category, comforting mourners and starring in wedding photos at St John the Evangelist Church, Bexley. Her owner Edward said, ‘Tragically, just a week before voting closed, Zara was hit by a car and passed away, so her big win was a bittersweet moment, as we are mourning her. We're deeply touched by the impact she has had.’ Litter-ary genius Cilla, 12, was Winner of the Connected category. She lives at Outwoods Primary School in Atherstone, Warwickshire. Headteacher Sally Taylor, 54, said, ‘Cillahas six beds around the school, including two in her favourite place, the library. Sometimes children come in early to sit with her and read.’ Golden oldie Rescue moggy Miss Dave Mittens, 21, was crowned Winner of the Senior Cats…

Girl gone wild Q I'm worried about my grown-up daughter – she appears to be very promiscuous with her boyfriends. She never seems to take relationships seriously or to be looking for ‘the one’. I know she's young and exploring life but I'm afraid she's making choices that could hurt her in the long run. How do I talk to her without making her feel judged? Judith, 53 A It's understandable to be worried about her, pet, if you think these choices are leading to unhappiness. Ask her what she wants, what she's looking for, if she wants something more serious. Sharing thoughts openly is a good way to start. But at the end of the day it's none of your business what she gets up to behind closed doors. As…

Q I'm feeling lost and disconnected from my closest friends. They've been making plans without me and seem to be drifting away. I don't know if I've done something wrong or if we're just growing apart, but it hurts. Should I reach out or just let them go? Caz, 33 A Don't let your friendship circle go that easily, my love. Good pals are hard to come by. People follow different life paths – perhaps they're now parents, working more hours or managing their relationships. Drop them a message, telling them that you'd love to have a catch-up. If they don't respond in the way that you hope, don't be afraid to try a new hobby or join a club to widen your circle.…

Sat with my friends on the grass in the park, I cuddled up to my best mate Caine, then 17. He gave me a big squeeze and made me laugh with a silly joke. ‘What would I do without you?’ I laughed. It was September 2018 and I'd had a tough day at college. But Caine always knew how to cheer me up. We'd known each other since nursery school. Now I was 17, he was like a brother to me. I lived with my mum Nicola, then 43, and older sister Lauren, 21. But most evenings were spent with Caine and our mates at the park. We always had such a laugh together. But one day, in November 2018, I was at home in my bedroom when Caine sent…

Body Stories Oh Honey! Wonder Oil, £2.50, Poundland Use this luxurious and versatile oil from head to toe for ultimate nourishment in the winter months. Infused with honey extract, it works to hydrate everything from your hair to your hands, cuticles and body, while enhancing your natural radiance. Plus, the sweet-scented oil is a treat to massage into your limbs after a busy Christmas. PS… 2% Salicylic Acid Cleanser, £3.50, Primark If your skin is punishing you for overdoing the parties, then stock up on this bargain cleanser from Primark. It's formulated with spot-fighting salicylic acid that helps to prevent blemishes, in addition to reducing any already present. Use every morning to refresh, clear and hydrate your skin, without drying it out.…

Where is your favourite holiday destination? The Isle of Wight, where I was born. Although I moved to Essex when I was 7, I have many happy memories of the lovely sandy beaches on the island and like to go back as often as possible. Which mug do you use for your morning coffee? I love my signed Chesney Hawkes mug that I won in a radio competition. Chesney's hit The One and Only is one of my favourite songs and it's great that he's still performing now. What was the first concert you went to? My first concert was on 23 March 1967, when I was a teen, and I still have the ticket. It was at the Astoria in Finsbury Park and I saw The Tremeloes who had…

It has been suggested that which animal's name may have derived from the French for ‘waffle’? The number next to the clue tells you which line the answer's in. We've put a section in to start you off! There may be two Across answers in one line. Down words fill themselves in. The shaded squares spell out the one-word prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 2 1 Camera component • Male deer 3 Moral decay 5 Timid • Belonging to him 7 Pleads for, supports 9 Water jug • Track Your answer:…

Getting ready for work, I rummaged through my make-up bag. Found a liquid concealer I didn't even remember buying. I'll try this one, I thought, dabbing it under my eyes. The packaging said it was brightening. Just what I needed to cover my tired eyes. With one last glance in the mirror, I headed out to work. I was the receptionist at the car garage my fiancé Luke, 35, owned. At work, I got on with my day. But by mid-morning, my eyes started itching. Feels like hay fever, I thought, rubbing them. But it was February – and freezing cold! I tried to ignore it, but the next morning, I got a shock when I looked in the bathroom mirror. My under-eyes and eyelids were red, swollen and burning.…

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I stood in the shower. If only the warm water could wash away my stress. It was December 2021 and, then 47, I'd spent 20 years looking after other people. Raising my four kids Max, 22, Ella, 20, Callum, 20, and Josh, 17. And working full-time, running a busy pre-school. Now, I was burnt out. Lay awake every night, wiped out but worried I hadn't done enough. Each morning, I dreaded the day ahead. ‘Something has to change,’ I told my husband Paul, then 59. So, in January 2022, I saw a counsellor. ‘What brings you joy?’ she asked. Obviously I adored my family and friends. But outside of that, I had to cast my mind back. Then it came to me. ‘Art,’ I…

Spicing it up Geri Halliwell-Horner has been famed for her fiery locks ever since the Spice Girls burst into the limelight in 1996. All these years on, Ginger Spice is the queen of redheads and an icon. CHAT RATING: 10/10 READER RATING: /10 Red Ed Thinking Out Loud singer Ed Sheeran was crowned 2023's hottest redhead in a poll by OnBuy.com. We have to admit, his flair for crafting romantic ballads has us all aquiver. Ed, we think you're (almost) Perfect! CHAT RATING: 9/10 READER RATING: /10 Royal redtop Prince Harry's crowning glory is his flame-coloured hair. We'd love a smooch, but we're a bit scared of what his wife would say… CHAT RATING: 7/10 READER RATING: /10 Off with his (red) head! He may have seduced six wives, but…

Q I'm in love with my boyfriend but keep cheating on him with my baby's father. I love my boyfriend deeply but the connection with my ex keeps pulling me back. I am angry with myself but I can't seem to help it. How can I put an end to this cycle and figure out what my heart truly wants? Michelle, 38 A Well, you are in a bit of a mess, aren't you, sweetheart? The bond you have with your ex will be forever because you share a child. What's not fair is stringing your boyfriend along while you decide what you want. Be by yourself for a while and figure out who you are, flower.…

Opening her mouth to speak, Verity can only manage a stuttered mumble. The 27-year-old, who lives with her mum in the Midlands, has been suffering from severe migraines since the age of 14. Then, she started struggling to say certain words. Had periods of losing her speech completely. Soon, she developed on-and-off paralysis down the left side of her body. Her left hand curled up and her left leg and foot didn't work. Eventually, her doctor diagnosed her with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). It meant that her brain and nervous system weren't connecting properly. ‘The messages that should be going to your body don't always go there,’ she explains. She was in and out of hospital, and suffering up to 13 seizures a day. ‘I black out when I have…

The cruel laughs echoed across the playground. ‘Here come Laurel and Hardy,’ classmates sniggered at me and my twin sister. The fact she was slim and I wasn't highlighted my size. The steroids I took for asthma meant that I was always hungry. And of course this affected my weight. I was given a special low-calorie lunch in the school canteen. But at home I'd comfort eat. Would sneak snacks to my room, eat them in secret. As the years passed, I only got bigger. At 27 I was 21st 7lb – far too big for my 5ft 5in frame. I hated how I looked so I started trying different diets, and eventually I joined Slimming World. Lost a huge 10st in total. In June 2016 I became a consultant.…

Lanolips Tinted Balm SPF30 in Rhubarb, £8.99, Superdrug Want a lip balm that does it all? Then you need to try this nourishing tinted one. It not only gives hydration and colour, but also has SPF30 to keep lips plump. Revolution Pro Miracle Water Cream, £11.99, Superdrug Clinically proven to boost skin hydration by 70%, this gel-based face cream is seriously nourishing, thanks to fresh glacier water, peptides and niacinamide. Collection Lasting Perfection Satin Foundation, £7.99, Boots Achieve a healthy glow with the help of a new, affordable foundation. Available in 28 wearable shades, it's a hydrating, full-coverage base with a satin finish. Glow Hub Hydration Hero Hydra-Gel Mask, £15, beautybay.com Salvage dry skin with the help of this intensive moisturising mask. With hyaluronic and polyglutamic acid, it boosts hydration in…