Indice dei contenuti per 20-Feb-2020 in Chat

Rachel Goodchild, 30, south London Turning at the bar, I bumped into a man. ‘Oh, sorry…’ I began, then froze as my eyes fell on the stranger’s huge smile. ‘I’m Jude,’ he grinned. It was early 2013 and I was out with friends. Giving this Jude the once-over, I liked what I saw. And as we chatted, there was an instant spark. Arranging a date for the following week, we discovered we both loved new restaurants, trips to the beach, were both gym bunnies. Jude was gentle and charming. By October, we’d moved in together. And in May, I found out I was pregnant. Not exactly planned, but we were excited. When our daughter Serenity was born in January 2015, Jude fell in love all over again. ‘I want to…

Kristiana Kuqi, 23 With a sympathetic smile, I gritted my teeth and said the words no one wants to hear. ‘It’s not you, it’s me,’ I told my boyfriend. I know, I know. It’s the biggest break-up-line cliché in the book. But in this case, it really was me and not him. See, we’d been together almost two years by then, in the summer of 2016. Things were OK, but I wasn’t ready to settle down back home in Virginia, USA. I was about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime! Studying Political Science and History, I was off to the UK to join Reading Uni. I couldn’t wait! I was already imagining myself scoffing the best fish and chips with a view of Buckingham Palace. And, for me,…

If you love a cuppa (and, frankly, who doesn’t?), then swapping your regular builder’s brew for a green tea could be really beneficial for your body. Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in Beijing found that those who drank green tea at least three times a week were believed to have a longer, healthier life.** Drinking any tea on a regular basis can be helpful, but green tea is the great health-giver. Try one blended with mint to give you a fresh taste.…

FAMILY BLOODBATH On the night of 6 August 1985, Nevill and June Bamber, their daughter Sheila Caffell and her six-year-old twin sons, Nicholas and Daniel Caffell, were shot. Police arrived at White House Farm in Essex the next day, to find the family dead. Nevill and June's adoptive son Jeremy Bamber, then 24, was the only family member still alive. He claimed schizophrenic Sheila had shot the family before killing herself. But it soon emerged it was Jeremy who'd pulled the trigger. In October 1986, he was found guilty of the murders and is serving a whole-life sentence. KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY Metropolitan Police constable Keith Blakelock died on 6 October 1985 after a riot broke out at a housing estate in Tottenham, London. He was attacked by…

The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser, £10.99, Boots Delivering a deep cleanse, using salicylic acid to unclog pores and control excess oil. Existing spots are cleared up, with less chance of future breakouts. Yes To Tomatoes Zit Zapping Dots, £7, Sainsbury’s These little dots not only use a combination of hard-working ingredients to dry out zits – they’ll form a barrier to stop you picking too. Your Good Skin Cica Repair Sleep Paste, £12, Boots It might sound strange, but my skin is most prone to spots when it’s dehydrated, so extra moisture really helps. This is gentle, working its magic without clogging pores.…

Q How did you wind down after a difficult day? A In the past, to relax, I'd have delved into a crime drama on TV or read a thriller, but after a full day working with prisoners, it was the last thing I wanted to do. Spending time with Doug and the kids helped to relax me in the evenings. Q Have you ever been attacked by a prisoner? A No, but there were moments I was terrified for my life. One time, I was alone in a room, giving a prisoner feedback about his progress, but he didn't like what I was saying. He became agitated, started leaning forward and raising his voice. As he went to flip the table over, I hoped he wouldn't see the pen in…

Michelle Eccles, 50, Sheffield Walking into the hospital ward, I braced myself. ‘She doesn’t look good,’ a kind nurse warned me. I gripped my husband Chris’ hand a little tighter. Took a deep breath as the curtain was drawn back. ‘Oh, Emily,’ I gasped, running towards my daughter, 16. I barely recognised my beautiful teenager with glossy blonde hair and flawless skin. Now, she looked like something out of a horror film. From the nose up, my daughter’s face was completely normal... But from her nose down to her neck, it was a bloody pulp. Her jaw was hanging off. Blood everywhere. She looked like a zombie. I suppressed a whimper. ‘We’re here now,’ I consoled my daughter. Emily couldn’t speak, but she squinted at me, relieved to see us.…

Subscription TV and streaming services are now considered as household essentials by many Brits, according to moneysupermarket.com. Its research found 26% describe TV packages such as those from Sky, Virgin and BT as necessities, while 16% say the same for Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu. Flog old mobiles  You can sell old mobile handsets by using ecoATM phone recycling kiosks in  shopping centres and supermarkets. Just put your phone into the kiosk; it'll offer you a price. If you accept, you'll be paid by PayPal or bank transfer and if you don't, you'll get it back. For more info, visit uk.ecoatm.com.…

Coronation Street Devastating diagnosis! Chesney and Gemma learn they won’t get paid for the Freshco ad campaign if they cancel a photoshoot to take baby Aled to a doctor’s appointment. But the couple soon have other things to worry about when they receive a devastating diagnosis about their son… Meanwhile, Abi and Kevin finally become an item and James comes out to Ed. EastEnders Death on the Thames! The soap celebrates its 35th anniversary with a week of special episodes. Events kick off as Mick and Linda celebrate winning the Pub of the Year competition by hosting a party on a boat along the Thames, but the evening ends in disaster with one Walford favourite ending up in grave danger… Emmerdale Who does Cain shoot? As Moira wears herself out…

Dear Edie, What a dramatic entrance you made into the world in August 2013! Six weeks early, you arrived by emergency caesarean on my sister Emmie’s wedding day. Instead of being a bridesmaid, I was in surgery. But when your aunty saw you, she didn’t mind. I loved our cuddles and dressing you up. And your dad Craig, 39, adored his little princess. As you got older, your independence shone. You loved playing football with your big brother Charlie, 9. But you took after your mum most of all. ‘Can I wear some?’ you asked, watching me do my make-up. And after dance lessons, you giggled, ‘I’m going on The X Factor , Mummy!’ Vivacious and clever, my girl! Only, last November, you started having double vision. Daddy and I…

On 5 May 2017, a former concierge at a luxury block of flats in South Boston, USA, entered the building where he’d once worked. His name was Bampumim Teixeira, 32. On the 11th floor, in the penthouse suite, lived Colombian Lina Bolanos, 38, and her British partner Richard Field, 49. And that’s where Teixeira was heading. Both doctors and anaesthesiologists, Richard and Lina were a happy and hardworking couple, described as ‘dedicating their lives to caring for others’. Lina arrived home first, at around 5pm, followed by Richard at 6.30pm. Over the next few hours, five phone calls were made from their apartment to the emergency services. Four times, they hung up or the call was disconnected. The fifth and final time, the line was silent. Desperate messages Meanwhile, across…

Rowan Baker, 27, Brighton Getting home from a shift at the hospital, I felt ready to collapse. It was July 2018 and the tingly sensation in my toes was back. My legs felt numb and weak, all I wanted was to go to sleep. But this wasn’t the first time I’d felt completely exhausted. Sure, working as a nurse, the shifts and hours were gruelling. But I was sure something else was going on. When I told my wife Alex, 27, how I was feeling, she was worried, too. I’m grateful for the small things I took for granted ‘Maybe you should go to A&E?’ she suggested. At first, I didn’t think it was that serious. But when weeks went by and I felt too ill to work, I knew…

Too old to get behind the wheel? Q My dad is 85 and still drives. Is it safe at his age? Tamara, Durham A Driving is a lifeline for many older people. From 70, drivers must re-apply for their licence every three years, though this is free. Like anyone else, older drivers must tell the DVLA about any medical condition that could affect their driving and it’s a legal requirement to declare some conditions such as significant eyesight changes, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, dementia or diabetes needing insulin. If your dad has a condition affecting his driving which he won’t declare, you can tell the DVLA in confidence and they’ll investigate. If you’re worried, you could suggest that he takes a driving ability check through a mobility centre or local driver-…

Q How can I keep my blonde hair bright in between trips to the hairdressers? Carolyn A Blonde hair can be tricky to maintain, as everything from minerals in your water to heat styling damage can cause the colour to distort. The best way to keep your blonde salon fresh is to neutralise yellow tones with a purple shampoo like L’Oréal Colour Protect Purple Shampoo, £5.50, Boots. Or, if you really want to embrace cool, icy tones, Lee Stafford Ice White Cool Shots, £7.49, Boots, transforms brassy tresses in just two minutes. As bleached hair tends to be drier, treat yourself to a hair mask (we love OGX Argan Oil Of Morocco Hair Mask, £7.99, Superdrug) once a week to keep your locks healthy and shiny. TOP TIP A slick…

Embarrassed by my stepchild Q My husband has a daughter from a previous marriage, who often stays with us at weekends. We have two little boys and I don’t mean to sound like a snob, but the clothes her mother sends her in aren’t ironed or nice looking. I’ve bought her new clothes, but she refuses to wear them. I feel embarrassed, but my husband says I need to stop worrying about what other people will think. What can I do? Hollie, 28 A I don’t think you’re being a snob, love. You want to show off all the children and feel proud. But don’t be embarrassed by a few creases. If she likes what she’s wearing and it’s not torn or too small, it’s OK. Your husband’s right –…

Under the dressings, titanium plates and 160 stitches had been used to rebuild our daughter’s jaw. The jawbone had been without oxygen for a long time, meaning her body could reject it. For three days, Emily couldn’t sleep. Her mouth would fill up with saliva and she struggled to breathe. ‘It’s OK, darling,’ I tried to reassure her. A feeding tube was fitted through her nose as she was unable to move her jaw. She communicated with us through a phone app that reads out texts. I’d kill for some mashed potato, she wrote. Despite everything, Emily was still in there. After eight days, her bandages finally came off. Bruised and bloody, a huge V-shaped scar ran from Emily’s lip all the way down her neck on her left side…

Chicken and barley soup Warming and healthy, this is the perfect meal when you’re feeling the chill – and you can use up that leftover chicken, too! SERVES 6 PREP TIME 15 MINS COOK TIME 35 MINS 400g chicken stock 1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped 2 small bay leaves and a few sprigs of thyme or rosemary 1kg mixed winter veg – we used carrot, turnip, swede, celeriac and parsnip 2 sticks of celery 100g pearl barley 600g cooked chicken, shredded Salt and pepper Freshly chopped parsley, to garnish 1 Bring the stock to the boil and add the onion and herbs. Peel and chop all the vegetables, trim and chop the celery. 2 Put all the vegetables in a pan, bring to the boil, then stir in…

Aries 21 March-20 April A cheeky surprise catches you off guard this week and an unusual request comes from a partner. Look to a friend for advice on love, and follow your heart. Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May It’s a week to rise up and feel reborn, Taurus, by taking up a new form of exercise. Make sure it’s something energetic that helps boost your endorphins. Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Count your blessings this week, Gemini, as a mistake in your calculations leaves money to spare. A spending spree or trip to a new town will bring you special offers. Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July You’ll come across a holiday that really catches your…

As three men settled in the cinema on 22 August 1972 to watch The Godfather, it seemed like any other summer’s afternoon in New York. Except, after watching the film, John Wojtowicz, 27, Bobby Westenberg, 20, and Salvatore Naturale, 18, didn’t go home. Instead, they drove off, armed with weapons. They stopped outside a branch of Chase Manhattan Bank in Brooklyn. A series of challenging events had led Wojtowicz to that fateful day. After serving in Vietnam, he’d returned home and began working for Chase Manhattan Bank. He married his co-worker Carmen Bifulco – but, in fact, Wojtowicz was living a lie. Back during his time in the military, Wojtowicz had his first gay experience. Despite trying to repress his feelings, by 1969, Wojtowicz and Carmen had separated. He had…

Picture perfect I wanted a picture for my newly decorated bedroom so made one myself by cutting out a section of wallpaper and putting it in a cheap frame. I was very pleased with the result and it pulled all the colours together well. Tina Saunders, Crowborough A cut above the rest  If the key from a tin of corned beef is missing, simply use your scissors instead and it will open with ease. Pamela Hamer, Gowerton Sofishticated To get rid of the smell on your hands after preparing fish, rub some butter on them before washing with warm water and soap. Kelly Martin, Morley A fruitful tip  For a more eco-friendly way of wrapping presents, I use brown paper and decorate it by stamping with cut-out shapes from fruit,…

The jury of nine women and three men deliberated for eight hours over two days. Finally, Bampumim Teixeira was found guilty of the first-degree murders of Lina Bolanos and Richard Field, as well as kidnap, armed robbery and home invasion. And as the judge Mitchell Kaplan made his closing statement, his shock was clear. ‘Quite frankly, in this case, I don’t have any words for closure,’ he said. Last December, Teixeira, 33, was handed two consecutive life sentences, without the chance of parole. Lina’s mother Ana spoke through an interpreter after the sentencing. ‘She loved Richard very much and he loved her. They were a gorgeous couple,’ she said. ‘He was the love of her life and they will love each other forever in heaven.’ Outside court, she added, ‘I…

Think shopping makes you happy? Well, our purchasing habits could actually be damaging our emotional health, as a new study has found that people in the UK now spend more time researching things to buy online than they do socialising with friends, cooking, exercising and even watching TV. The research by holiday company Meraki Travel found that, on average, UK shoppers spend 16 hours a week reviewing different products they’re looking to buy, which equates to a staggering 832 hours a year, or almost five weeks back-to-back. By comparison, respondents said they spend just five hours each week socialising with friends and six hours a week cooking. So, step away from the online shopping basket and find a friend for a cuppa, cook a nice meal or even sign up…

Dove Silver Care Shampoo, £3, Tesco Similarly to blonde hair, grey tresses can develop an unwanted yellow tinge. Keep your grey shiny and silver by using this in place of your usual shampoo at least once a week. Dixey Eyeshadow in Old Fashioned, £7.99, dixeycosmetics.com Designed to lighten your make-up bag, all of Dixey’s products come in stackable pots that click together to create your own personal kit. A peach-toned bronze, this shadow is perfect for a night out. Super Facialist Rosehip Hydrate Gentle Foaming Cleanser, £11, superfacialist.co.uk On the hunt for a cleanser that’ll leave your skin feeling squeaky clean, but not dry or tight? We’ve found it. This uses a cocktail of hyaluronic acid, rosehip and aloe vera to soothe even sensitive skin. Lanolips 101 Ointment Multi-Balm in…

Sam Carrington, 46, Newton Abbot, Devon Taking a deep breath, I checked my appearance in the mirror. It was November 2010 and I was starting a new job. My nerves were trembling, my heart hammering in my chest. This role would be a world away from the nursing job I’d done for the last 15 years. I felt intimidated as inmates towered over me I was about to start as a psychological assistant at HM Prison Channings Wood, here in Devon. A category C prison, it houses 750 inmates serving time for anything from drugs-related offences to burglary, rape, even murder. ‘Will it be safe?’ my husband Doug had worried. ‘It’ll be fine,’ I told him, and I believed it. I’d always been fascinated by criminals, devouring true-crime dramas and…

Lauren Cottam, 27, Heysham As I arrived at her house in March 2018, my best friend Chloe, then 25, passed me a white bag. Unbeknown to me, it had a very special piece of paper inside. Will you be my bridesmaid? it read. My mouth dropped open and I squeezed her in my arms. ‘I’d love to!’ I exclaimed. Me and Chloe had been best friends since we were 11. We’d been through everything together. And now I’d have the honour of being one of her bridesmaids. Just weeks later, Chloe had already ordered our dresses. ‘What size did you get me?’ I asked. ‘A size 16. It was the biggest they did,’ she said. That should be fine, I reasoned. See, I told everyone – even myself I was…

3 ways to... save on food when you’re on the go 1 Prep at the weekend You can save a fortune by bringing your lunch to work from home instead of buying it. But if you're too pushed for time in the mornings to do it, use your weekends to get organised. With meals like soups, you can leave them bubbling away in a slow cooker. Then store in the fridge or in individual  portions in the freezer. You can then reheat them at work for a warming lunch. 2 Daily grind Being a coffee lover can be seriously expensive if you tend to buy one on the way to work or during the day. Slash costs by taking your own delicious hot drink from home in a travel mug…

Natasha Kemp, 25, Andover, Hampshire Holding the plastic wand in my hand, I could feel my heart pounding. ‘Everything’s going to be OK,’ my boyfriend Benji, then 22, promised. But I was 17 and pregnant. ‘This wasn’t the plan!’ I cried. Benji and I had been dating for a while, but a baby was the last thing on our minds. And there was someone else who I knew wouldn’t be best pleased. ‘Mum,’ I said nervously. ‘I’m pregnant.’ My mum Lisa, then 40, was furious. While I worked as an insurance consultant, Benji had struggled to keep a job. Mum thought I could do better. ‘We’re going to be a family,’ I told her. When our son Jacob-Bailey was born in January 2012, Benji was desperate to prove himself. A…

The 1975 film Dog Day Afternoon is heavily based on John Wojtowicz's crime. First-time crook Sonny Wortzik (Al Pacino) and his friend Sal (John Cazale) rob the First Savings Bank of Brooklyn to fund Sonny's boyfriend's sex-change operation, only to discover that the bank has very little money. Just like the real events, Sonny attempts to bargain with the police after the bank is surrounded by cops, before he's arrested at the airport thinking he's made a deal for an easy get-away. The film won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and a Best Actor BAFTA for Al Pacino.…