Indice dei contenuti per 03-Dec-2020 in Chat

This Christmas may feel different but you can rely on Chat to deliver your bumper festive mag. How did a stranger, 5,000 miles away, save Caroline’s son’s life as they enjoyed the season (p42)? What happened as Katy posed by the tree with her baby changed the course of her whole life (p49). And Kita’s soulmate was savagely killed in front of a high street packed with Christmas shoppers – the reason will shock you (p62). We’ve got mouth-watering make-ahead recipes (p32), masses of gift ideas (p55), festive style for whatever you’re up to ( 14), prize puzzles and more! Stay safe and well, and have a great Christmas!…

Stephen says, ‘I ran off with her sister, basically, yeah. It is what it is, mate. Like you say, it’s been a while ago now. To me, the regret was there, like, but it’s under the bridge now and we learnt to get on. Yeah, we did make a go of it and then I ran off and moved in with Paige a bit later on, after the third child.’ Palge says, ‘It was the biggest mistake of my life but I can’t help who I fall in love with. He was my first love, I don’t condone what I did, I was only young; as far as I knew, they’d split up. I can’t help who I fall in love with and I’m sorry for that. Now I wish…

Stephanie Curry, 33, Liverpool Leaving the hospital, I reached for my husband Adam’s hand. It was July 2017 and we’d just been and had our 20-week pregnancy scan. It should’ve been one of the happiest days of being an expectant mum. Only, the consultant’s words were looping round and round in my head. ‘Your baby’s due date is 3 December,’ he’d told us. Was history about torepeat itself? You see, we’d been here before, at a 20-week scan. Only, that time in December 2016, we’d left knowing baby Louis had a severe form of the spinal condition spina bifida. We were told he’d need round-the-clock care, asked to consider a termination. I desperately wanted my baby. But we had to consider Louis’ quality of life. After sleepless nightsand shedding a…

What connects the actors Sandra Bullock and Kim Cattrall? To find out, solve the crossword and then read down the shaded squares to find the prize puzzle answer. ACROSS 1 Secret store (5) 4 Former PM, _ Major (4) 6/28 1963 war film starring Steve McQueen (3,5,6) 13 Matt _, Friends actor (7) 14 Person receiving medical treatment (7) 15 Sticky substance produced by trees (5) 16 Opposite of hot (4) 17 Purpose, aim (6) 18 Taken without permission (6) 20 Rosy colour (4) 21 Small backless chair (5) 22 Open or accessible to all (6) 25 Physical exertion (8) 28 See 6 Across 30 Unit of volume (5) 32 Late comedian and actor, Wood (8) 34 Supernatural being (6) 35 Guitarist and singer, _ Clapton (4) 38 Pane of…

WHAT’S THE VERDICT? As the jury forewoman stood to read the verdict, she told the court little thought had been given to reducing the charges. ‘She didn’t have any sympathy,’ she said of the defendant Angela Alexie. The jury couldn’t understand why Alexie didn’t give birth in her home, ask her mother for help or take the baby indoors. In March 2016, almost a year after baby Robert was laid to rest, Alexie, 25, was found guilty of murder and child abuse. And in April, she sat emotionless as she prepared to face sentencing. Addressing the judge, she talked about her problems. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to happen. I wish I could take it all back,’ she said. She explained how she’d become addicted to drugs after…

New trick to beat the smelly wind Q I’m dreading Christmas with the family as turkey makes me fart like a trooper! Do wind-absorbing underpants work? Olly, Wolverhampton A These undies are lined with activated carbon, which binds gas and prevents odours escaping. Besides underpants, flatulence-absorbing jeans, cushions, pyjamas, blankets and more are available, and they do work – up to a point. They don’t muffle the sound of your farts but can trap most of the smell. It’s important to choose undies that fit snugly, otherwise gas will escape, and you have to wash them correctly. They may be worth a try but you can also reduce your flatulence by not overeating, chewing slowly, going easy on veg such as Brussels, cabbage and beans, and avoiding fizzy drinks. After…

TEST KITCHEN UK Christmas pudding The ultimate prepare-ahead pudding, and the longer it matures, the better it tastes. SERVES 8 PREP TIME: 20 MINS COOK TIME: 4½ HRS • 375ml mulled wine • 1kg dried vine fruits • 200g halved glacé cherries • 250g dark muscovado sugar • 4 beaten eggs • 60g plain flour • 1tsp of baking powder • 1tbsp ground mixed spice • 150g breadcrumbs • 200g vegetarian suet • 4tbsp brandy • You will need: • 1.25ltr pudding basin, well greased • Baking parchment and foil 1 Pour the mulled wine overthe dried fruits and leave to soak overnight, or up to 3 days. 2 Add the glacé cherries, darkmuscovado sugar and mix well. Add the eggs and stir until smooth. Sieve in the flour, baking…

Q Novelist George Orwell wrote the majority of the classic book Nineteen Eighty-Four – first published in 1949 – while staying on which island? Solve the crossword, then read down the shaded squares to spell out the prize answer. ACROSS 1 Slightly open (4) 5 Rolling in the Deep singer (5) 7 Tied game (4) DOWN 2 Comedian, _ Lycett (3) 3 Feel regret (3) 4 Difficult (4) 6 Opposite of high (3) WIN £50 Puzzle 13 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 88 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

3 ways to... save on your Christmas food shop Christmas is an indulgent time for most of us, so it can be all too easy to spend a small fortune stocking up on food for the festive period. 1 Always plan ahead When you’re doing the Christmas shop, it can be tempting to pile up your trolley with goodies that catch your eye as you wander the aisles and you can end up spending a lot of money on food that gets wasted. Always plan before you go shopping. Work out what you’re going to eat over the Christmas period, then write a shopping list and stick to it. 2 Seek out deals Over the next few weeks look out for deals on items on your list that will either…

Aries 21 March-20 April A fresh start will pave the way for the future. The dreams you’re pursuing will lead to success and a new sense of enthusiasm will permeate through your life. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Usually quiet, you’re starting to find more confidence and stand up for yourself. It’s time you stood your ground and said how you really feel about someone you love. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June It’s now time to make a commitment. Scary for you, but ultimately it’s what you’re hoping for from your partner. In the family, there will be news of a pregnancy. • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Your friends are your family,…

Sharon-Ann Phillips, 57, Croydon, south London Looking into the consultant’s eyes, I tried to predict what he was poised to tell me as I perched on the edge of the hospital bed. Her expression was full of sorrow. ‘I’m so sorry Sharon, but I’d estimate about six months,’ she said. Just like that, I felt myself crumple to the floor, sobbing hysterically. A Macmillan nurse wrapped me in her arms and helped me back to my hospital bed. It was December 2015 and the doctor had just unleashed the worst possible news. I was dying from cancer. And I was being told to go home and enjoy my last Christmas with my family. Later, a doctor told my husband Danny, then 54. He was broken. ‘I can’t believe it,’ he…

Chat winners issue 35 (27 August 2020) Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £1,001 CASH M Evans, Barnsley £1,000 CASH V Barnard, Shepton Mallet £500 CASH A Stephenson, Peterlee; W Eastwood, Loughborough. £250 CASH B Booth, Ashbourne. £150 CASH Null and void £100 CASH M Jordan, Baldock; J Crowther, Scarborough; R Street, Redhill; B Weston, Worthing; R Moffatt. £60 CASH B Attwood, Bexhill-on-Sea. £50 CASH J Carr, West Glamorgan; E Gibson, Stoke-on-Trent; C Dennis, New Romney. £30 CASH E Gibson, Stoke-on-Trent; P Cooper, London; P Gibbons, Oldham; L Redman, Nottingham; B Rivers, Haylling Island. £25 CASH L Cox, Polegate; D Aistrop, Heanor; T Holden, Blackburn; M Baker, Milton Keynes; M Parker, St.Neots; M Hockley, Peterborough; W McBurnie, Nottingham; E Jacques, Selby; L Fielden, Liverpool. Chat PUZZLE 2…

DRESSES STYLE TIP Wear with ankle boots and tights when the temperature drops. JUMPERS STYLE TIP Stand out in sheer, sequins or sparkle. TOPS STYLE TIP Avoid ruffles if you have a large chest. SKIRTS STYLE TIP For a festive feel, go for gold! JACKETS STYLE TIP Go luxe with faux fur. JEWELLERY STYLE TIP To dress up any outfit instantly, just add statement jewels. SHOES STYLE TIP Fancy flats make great, comfortable party shoes. TROUSERS STYLE TIP Tuck a top into high-waist trousers to create an hourglass figure.…

Agata Wrona, 43, Doncaster Clutching my husband’s hand, I pushed for the final time. I strained my ears for the cries of our newborn daughter Zuzanna. Only, there was silence. Doctors rushed around her grey, lifeless body. ‘Is she OK?’ I asked my husband Lukasz, then 32. ‘I don’t know,’ he replied, panic-stricken. It was Boxing Day 2013 and what should’ve been a joyous moment was quickly becoming my worst nightmare. Zuzanna was due to be born in January 2014. But towards the end of my pregnancy, I’d been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Doctors had scanned me every week. Yet they seemed hopeful I’d be able to carry my baby to full-term. But on Christmas Eve, I went into labour. And now here she was, battling for her life at…

OVER TO YOU Can you set a puzzle in this format? Send it, with a photo of yourself, to the address on p3 – there’s £20 for every one we use! This week’s puzzle was compiled by Ann Johnson, Runcorn, Cheshire ACROSS 1 Engrossed 2 Gaelic name for Ireland 3 Notion 4 Fishing tools DOWN 1 Horse strap 2 Assistant 3 _a Manger, sandwich shop 4 Cream _, afternoon treats WIN 5x £25 Puzzle 6 Your answer: HALF & HALF The Carea Leones, the Landseer and the Papillon are all breeds of what domesticated animal? 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 answer; BRICK TRICK The Mosul…

ARROW WORD Which capital cityis located on the Sciberras Peninsula?Solve the puzzle byfollowing the arrowsand writing in youranswers. Then readdown the letters inthe shaded squares tofind 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 answer. WIN £60 Puzzle 11 Your answer: WORD SEARCH In the late 1820s, the Egyptian ruler MuhammadAli Pasha sentexamples ofwhich animal asgifts to the rulersof the UnitedKingdom, Franceand Austria? Theprize answer isthe one missingfrom the grid. BABOONCHEETAHCIVETELEPHANTGAZELLE GIRAFFEHIPPOHYENAIMPALAJACKAL LEOPARDLIONOKAPIRHINOZEBRA WIN £50 Puzzle 12 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 88 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

FILL ME IN Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet opens with a street scuffle that leads to a duel between Benvolio and which member of the Capulet family? 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 puzzle answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 14 Your answer: CIRCLE TIME Crustaceans of the order Euphausiacea are commonly known as what? Fit the words into the grid, then read down the letters in the shaded circlesto find the prize puzzle answer. 3 letters ARE ASH ELM IRE MOB RAY RUE RUM SUE 4 letters ATOM CAKE FAKE KEPT PROP TUTU 5 letters BULGE EASEL PETTY SEEDS 6 letters ACCENT ARTERY AWARDS YACHTS 7 letters MISSILE MITTENS Your answer: Win £100…

Katy Gibbons, 27, Ludlow Sitting opposite the midwife, I felt desperate for answers. ‘Am I too big?’ I asked, hopelessly looking down at my bump. ‘Why do you keep asking that? You’re fine,’ she said. It was June 2018 and I had been diagnosed with pre-natal depression at 20 weeks pregnant. From the moment I’d discovered I was expecting, something didn’t feel right. I wasn’t excited. I was petrified. And I was disgusted with how big I was. I couldn’t even look at myself in the mirror. Back home after the midwifery appointment, I went to the cupboard. Grabbing a pack of digestives, I sank onto the sofa. Tears ran down my face as I scoffed every biscuit, before tucking into a second packet. By the time my boyfriend John,…

One in five Brits who became dog owners during the pandemic admit they hadn’t fully considered the long-term commitment or responsibility involved beforehand, a Kennel Club study has found. Some 15% are worried whether they can afford their dog and the associated costs. And 18% aren’t sure how they’ll look after their dog when they return to work. Buy gifts later If you’re not planning to see a loved one until after Christmas and you exchange gifts in person, hold off buying a gift and snap something up in the Boxing Day sales. TOP TIP Quitting smoking isn’t justgood for your health. It’IImake your pocket feel a lot better too.…

The Cleaner BBC1 This six-part comedy stars Greg Davies as cleaner Paul ‘Wicky’ Wickstead, who’s employed to clean up crime scenes after the police have concluded their detective work. But as he carries out his duties, it often brings him into contact with some very strange characters. Anatomy Of A Scandal NETFLIX Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery plays steely criminal barrister Kate in this drama based on the best-selling novel by Sarah Vaughan. The six-parter follows the QC, who’s risen high in the specialised field of sexual crime, as she’s handed the case of a lifetime… Wolfwalkers APPLE TV+ Honor Kneafsey, better known as Benidorm’s stage school brat Jodie Dawson, lends her voice to the hero of this animation about a young girl who’s drawn into the magical world of a…

CHRIMBO HITS In which year did these artists score a Christmas No.1 in the charts? 1) Leona Lewis: A Moment Like This 2) Girls Aloud: Sound of the Underground 3) East 17: Stay Another Day 4) Pet Shop Boys: Always on My Mind ON THE TILES Can you arrange the letter tiles to spell out three well-known festive foods? BEHIND THE BEARD Which famous face is behind Santa’s beard and hat? IT’S A CRACKER! Match the Yuletide joke to the punchline 1) What is the point of reindeer? 2) What’s white and goes up? 3) Who goes ‘oh, oh, oh!’ 4) How did Scrooge score at the footy game? 5) Which athlete is warmest in winter? SNOW GLOBE BLOCKBUSTER Name the four favourite movies from these wintry scenes ANSWERS: •…

As the street bustled with shoppers, the scent of cinnamon, mulled wine and hot chocolate filled the air. Festive music added to the cheery atmosphere as people descended on the little cabins selling home-made gifts and Christmas treats. The Christmas market in Strasbourg, in the north east of France, was one of the oldest in Europe and attracted thousands of people each year. With its fairy lights, holly, tinsel and huge fir trees, it looked as pretty as the picture on a Christmas card. And 11 December 2018 was no different. By the evening, the festive market was packed with visitors. Happy shoppers bought Christmas gifts and strolled around the market enjoying mulled wine. All that could be heard was families and friends having a good time. But just before…

Megan Barber, 31, Worcester Pulling the duvet over my nose, I tried to stifle my laughter. ‘It’s gonemidnight!’ my mum Jane, then 41, boomed at us. Hands on her hips, standing in the doorway, she didn’t look too impressed. But peering over at my sister Paige, then 7, in the bed beside me, I exploded with giggles. She looked so sincere. She’d always had a good poker face. It was Christmas Eve and, as usual, little me and Paige were too excited to sleep. We’d been having pillow fights and playing ludo. ‘Go to sleep or Santa won’t come,’ Mum hissed, turning out the light. But it wasn’t long before Paige crept out of bed, switched the light back on. In fact, I don’t think we slept at all that…

Jolene Stanley, 34, Colchester With one hand gently caressing my bump, I began scrolling through Facebook with my other. It was 2011 and I was three months pregnant with my first baby, Stanley. With not long to go, I couldn’t wait for his arrival. Loved shopping for his sleepsuits, bottles and toys. But one thing I still had to get was a pram. With most costing hundreds of pounds, it’d certainly take a chunk out of my bank balance. So when I saw a competition to win a state-of-the-art £1,200 pram on Facebook, I simply had to enter. After filling in an online form, I didn’t give it a second thought. Only... Congratulations! You are the winner! a message dropped into my inbox a month later. Gawping at the screen,…

GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING A few years ago, when my kids were 8 and 10, I had everything prepared on Christmas Eve. But there was one pressie I didn’t put under the tree. Silky lingerie and nipple tassels – something to surprise my husband with when we had peace and quiet. Sitting on the sofa with a glass of Buck’s Fizz, I watched as my youngest opened her Barbie set and my son jumped for joy with his Xbox game. I went to check on the turkey and came back to see horror on my husband’s face. Our daughter was holding the bra and nipple tassels. I laughed and grabbed them – fast! My hubby had seen the gift in our room and thought I’d forgotten to put it…

CALENDAR CONFUSION Advent calendars are becoming more extravagant every year, these days filled with anything from make-up to gin. Given on 1 December - because that’s the start of Advent, right? In fact, Advent begins on the Sunday nearest the feast day of St Andrew the Apostle – so it changes every year. This year, it’s on 29 November. Yet, that doesn’t suit manufacturers, who decided to start it on the same day each year – in order to use the same designs and sell off old stock, maybe..? THE THREE WISE MEN Whether kings or wise men, we do know one thing – there were three of them... Except, probably not! The Bible never specifies how many, but reads: When Jesus was born in Bethlehem...there came wise men from…

Alison Campbell, 58, Belfast Watching my lovely grandkids run around in fits of laughter, I was waiting for them to spot it. Finally... ‘There it is!’ one called, pointing up at the ceiling. It was December 2015, and my daughter Clare, then 32, and her sister-in-lawGemma, then 29, had decided to play Elf on the Shelf with their five littl’uns. Each morning leading up to Christmas, they hid the mischievous elf toy aroundthe house. One day, he’d be sitting on the toothpaste after squirting some out of the tube. Next, he’d be on the toilet-roll holder after unwinding the paper. Today, he was dangling from a light fitting on the ceiling. ‘Hilarious!’ I chuckled. Seeing the kids’ joy, it got me thinking... And when I spotted an elf costume for…

Caroline Jackson, 49, Widnes Flicking through the TV channels, I got comfy on the sofawith my husband Steve, then 54. It was 2 January 2020 and after a busy Christmas with family visiting, we were glad of the chance to put our feet up. ‘Let’s watch a film,’ I said, clicking onto Netflix. While I scrolled through the options, our son, Aidan, 17, was upstairs in his room. As usual, he was playing Fortnite on his PC. Only, he wasn’t battling it out with friends from school or down the road. His opponents were from across the world, from America to Australia. Miles apart but connected through their love of gaming. Aidan was always glued to his computer. But it didn’t bother me. He had Asperger’s syndrome and ADHD. Video…

Dreaming of staying at home Q I’m dreading Christmas. We usually go to my sister-in-law’s, but I worry about my kids being there. I know she hates us and only lets us come because she loves her brother, my husband. She says she prefers for the TV to be quieter, and for the kids not to eat crisps. ‘I prefer, I prefer, I prefer!’ Well, I’d prefer it if we didn’t go. She’s snobby and makes me and my kids feel like slobs. How can I convince my hubby to stay home this year, even if lockdown is over? Jenny, 37 A If we get our wish for the pandemic to disappear, and you find yourself having to go, do. Whatever she ‘prefers’, Christmas is for children. I know you…

Over the next week, I couldn’t avoid the festive multi-packs of sweets and tubs of chocolate. I was using food to numb the pain I felt. It wasn’t doing me any good. I swore to myself that by Christmas next year, Louie would have a happy and healthy mummy. So, in January 2019, I messaged my nail technician, who’d lost loads of weight the year before. How did you do it? I asked. That’s when she told me about the 1:1 Diet by the Cambridge Weight Plan. I dragged my sister along with me to meet a consultant. ‘I’m Heather,’ she said with a warm smile. ‘I need to lose weight,’ I whispered. At first, I was trembling with nerves. Only, as Heather asked me questions, I opened up. Told…

THE MAIN EVENT Luxury Truffle Butter Turkey Crown, 1.9kg, £16, Iceland Say goodbye to the usual bland, dry turkey. Iceland is adding a touch of luxury to your Christmas dinner this year with its truffle butter turkey crown – worthy of even the fanciest of feasts. The Best Pigs In Blankets, 210g pack of 10, £3, Morrisons British pork cocktail sausages wrapped in maple-cured streaky bacon-Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without them! The Best Heritage Carrots With Thyme & Smoked Salt Butter, 400g, £2, Morrisons Make your Christmas table extra colourful with these Purple Haze, yellow and orange carrots with butter from Morrisons. SCRUMPTIOUS SNACKS Irresistible Garlic & Parsley Sharing Bread with Camembert, 290g, £4, Co-op Garlic and parsley bread wreath, finished with an extra-virgin olive oil, garlic and…

Juliana Maksimova, 39, Birmingham Fastening the red, green and gold sparkly bow tie around my little doggy’s neck, I stood back to admire her. ‘Very festive!’ I smiled, as Dashi, a 2-year-old dachshund, cocked her head to one side. Just then, my other dachshund Lapka, 1, came bounding over. ‘Double trouble,’ I giggled, grabbing my camera. With their matching designer bow ties, they really looked adorable. Both lying in front of the tree, their paws folded in front of them, I knew it would be the perfect Christmas 2019 photo. It helped that my canine cuties knew exactly how to pose for the camera, too. Staring straight into the lens as I snapped away, it was almost as if their little mouths were curved into smiles. ‘Say cheese!’ I laughed.…

JUICY FRUITS As an alternative to spray scent, Jo Malone London Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne Pen, £24 for 6ml, jomalone.co.uk, delivers a dose of juicy nectarine alongside warming honey notes in a handy gel applicator. From the Sweet Treats collection, Ted Baker Mia EDT, £19 for 30ml, tedbaker.com, takes notes of blackcurrant, lemon and raspberry with a base of golden amber for a deliciously fruit-filled scent. SPARKLING CITRUS Top notes of cedrat and bergamot blend with orange blossom, lavandin and vanilla to make Pure & Co Cedrat and Orange Blossom EDT, £15 for 50ml, Boots a refreshing, tangy fragrance that will lift spirits and bring sunshine to grey days. ORIENTAL AND AROMATIC Exotic notes can transport you to a holiday destination without the flight or the cost! Bring a…

HOW TO ENTER TEXT Simply text CHATC followed by a space and your answer/s (spaces between answers please) full name, door number and postcode to 84988 Texts cost 50p plus standard network charge (maximum 160 characters per text). When you enter by text, you may in future get SMS marketing messages from Future plc and Chat. If you want to receive these, please end your text with OPTIN. Texting tips ● Don’t put any spaces in an answer that has several words: eg: CHATISTHEBEST not CHAT IS THE BEST. ● If the answer is a name, you need only give the surname: eg: CLOONEY not GEORGE CLOONEY. ●You can use capitals or small letters, but don’t use any commas, etc. ● Leave out answers you don’t wish to enter. INTERNET…

To my donor, One thing you should know about me is that I love Christmas. My wifeJanice, 55, and I usually host the whole family. Drinking and eating until we’re stuffed, playing games. And for the last 10 years or so, I’ve dressed up as Father Christmas. ‘Ho, ho, ho!’ I cheered at school fairs and church bazaars. But truth was, as I handed out presents, I was in need of a gift. I was first diagnosed with fatty liver disease in 2012. ‘You’ll need a transplant,’ docs said three months later. As I waited, my condition deteriorated. My skin was jaundiced, my eyes yellow. I was always exhausted. By October 2014, doctors had switched me on to a super-urgent transplant list. It meant if a liver became available, I’dget…