Table of contents for 14-Feb-2019 in Chat

Kim made millions and was dripping in designer goods, so why does she consider it a waste of a life? (p46) A quiet night in front of the telly turned into a bloodbath for Lucy and her hubby (p10). And Ron’s story isn’t what it first seems. There’s a shocking reason behind his many marriages (p52). If you’re in the mood for lurve we’ve got a fab idea for romantic treats (p37) and red-hot fashion looks for date night (p12). But if you’re not a fan of Valentine’s Day, don’t miss Angel’s story (p6). Sometimes you really are better off single!…

Lucy Edwards, 57, Strood, Kent After a long day at my job as a care worker, I walked through the front door of our three-bedroom terraced house. It was the same house me and my husband Gerry, 59, had lived in ever since we’d married 26 years earlier. We both worked in community care for the disabled and elderly, and over the last two decades Gerry and I had built a wonderful little family. Our son Christopher, 19, still lived at home, while our daughter Naomi, 24, lived in Maidstone. We’d even managed to pay off our mortgage. So, on the evening of 29 September 2017, I was pleased to get home after a long shift. Walking into the living room, I found Gerry sitting with his tablet, while Christopher…

Wire (less!) My telephone and lamp leads looked untidy, so I taped them out of sight under the table! Dawn Gray, Chester-le-Street Maxi-mise… Is your date-night maxi dress too long? If you find that it trails on the ground, instead of having it shortened, simply tuck the material underneath your wired bra. Margaret Anderson, Sunderland Sachets solved… I had difficulty opening sauce sachets in fast-food outlets, so I keep nail scissors in my bag. Rose Janes, Monmouth Separate ’em I haven't got an egg-separator, so I use a plughole strainer instead. Jan Robertson, Lytham St Annes Love truffles For a deliciously thoughtful Valentine's Day gift, I made chocolate truffles for my lovely boyfriend. Just melt some butter in a pan, stir in the cream and melted chocolate until it's shiny.…

Toilet trouble Q My 4-year-old regularly poos his pants. What's wrong? Ellie, Durham A Often this means he's constipated and unable to control his bowels. Make sure he eats lots of fibre and is physically active. Tell him to sit on the loo as soon as he has the urge to poo and at set times each day. See your GP for treatments, including laxatives and bowel training. Write to Dr Martin Edwards at Chat, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Or e-mail chathealth@ti-media.com Sorry, he can’t reply personally.…

Most women experience menopause between the ages of 45 and 55 but, for some, periods will stop before then. This can happen naturally or may be a side effect of medical treatment. Early menopause can occur if a woman's ovaries stop making normal levels of certain hormones. The cause is unknown, but in some cases it can be down to an infection, an autoimmune disease, or chromosome abnormalities. As well as periods becoming infrequent or stopping altogether, some women experience hot flushes, difficulty sleeping, low mood, low sex drive and night sweats. A long-term course of the combined contraceptive Pill or HRT is often recommended as treatment to ease symptoms.…

Carol Thorp, 66, Sheffield Clicking off the TV, I padded upstairs with my cuppa to the bedroom I shared with my partner Martin, 56. Plonking my tea down next to my computer keyboard there, I logged in to my Chat Mag Bingo account. Since signing up in 2011, I liked to go into the chat rooms and catch up with my friends. I’d made lots online. It was last October, and I spotted a new game called Dragon’s Luck Jackpot Slot, thought I’d give it a whirl. I clicked the spin button and watched the reels, as Oriental coins and symbols spun around and around. As they came to a halt, my computer froze – talk about bad timing! I tapped my keyboard, eventually switching my old computer off and…

Caroline Morgan, 32, Luton Tucking my baby girl’s favourite teddy under her arm, I clasped my hand to my mouth and stifled sobs. ‘Come on, Jadae,’ I pleaded, watching her chest rise heavily, inflated by the life-support tube sticking out of her mouth. ‘Wake up, baby.’ It’d been six weeks since Jadae, then 7, had been hit by a car outside our house. I’d just popped round to a neighbour’s place on 20 September 2015. My eldest Jermayi, then 8, and youngest, Jahzel, 4, were in our back garden, while Jadae was playing on the street with a friend. It wasn’t unusual, it wasn’t a busy road. ‘You two be careful,’ I warned, though, as I crossed it. But, as I stepped through the neighbour’s back door, we both heard…

Aries 21 March - 20 April Thought you’d missed your big chance? Not quite. If there’s something you know you should have done some months ago but didn’t, here’s your moment to put things right. Grab it while you can. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May One part of your life is ending but the next bit hasn’t started yet. When it does, you realise everything will be different, but you don’t know quite how, and that bothers you. Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June The start of the week is all tension and anxiety, but the rest is sweet and easy. What has changed? You. At the start you’re pushing…

Puff pastry apple roses  Serves 6 Prep: 20 min Cook: 30 min ● 2 or 3 Pink Lady apples ● Juice of a lemon ● 1 sheet ready-roll puff pastry (thawed) ● 50g butter, melted ● 2tbsp cinnamon ● 3tbsp caster sugar ● Sprinkle of icing sugar 1 Slice the apples in half and remove the core while keeping the half apple intact. Next thinly slice the apples and put them into a microwavable bowl with the lemon juice. Cover with cling film and microwave on high for 1-2 min to soften. Leave to cool. 2 Heat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Open up the puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. Cut lengthways into 6 even strips. Brush each strip with melted butter and sprinkle with the cinnamon…

1 Norwegian Formula Deep Moisture Express Body Mist, £6.99, Boots Save precious time by swapping thick, creamy moisturiser for a hydrating mist. 2 Beverly Hills Formula Perfect White Optic Blue Toothpaste, £5.99, Superdrug For an instantly whiter smile, try a toothpaste with light-reflecting blue particles. 3 Botanics Detox Brush, £6.50, Boots Dry body brushing in circular motions boosts circulation and reduces the appearance of cellulite.…

Endeavour ITV DS Endeavour Morse is moving with the times and sporting a moustache as the new series begins. It's 1969 and Morse (Shaun Evans) is facing up to life in a new police station and coming to terms with the tragic murder of DC George Fancy, a crime that remains unsolved. Roger Allam is back as Fred Thursday while there's a new boss, DI Ronnie Box, played by Simon Harrison and Richard Riddell joins the cast as junior DS Alan Jago. Plus, Alison Newman stars as social services manager Viv Wall.…

Making an unwelcome discovery on your partner’s laptop is something that anyone would dread. Inappropriate messages to or from another woman? Naked photos from an ex? Maybe even pornography? But what Janette Solano, 46, discovered on her boyfriend Frederick Blue Manzanares’ laptop in 2016, after months of dating, was vile and horrific. She could barely contain her upset and disgust. The 49-year-old man had stored countless images of men and women having sex with animals. When caught, he just said his girlfriend should be more open-minded… Known as bestiality, and illegal in most countries throughout the world, including where the couple were living in Colorado, USA, it’s one of the ultimate sexual taboos. But Manzanares was hooked, watched disturbing bestiality videos and images. He was even a member of a…

Sex hurts! Q Last week, sex during my period caused bad pelvic cramps. Have I done some damage? Katja, Harringay A Sex during a period isn't harmful, but your womb muscle might be more sensitive, and pressure during sex could trigger a spasm. Painkillers should help. See your GP if it persists to rule out other causes. Boob pills Q I'd love bigger breasts! My friend uses herbal breast-enlargement pills. Do they work? Jeannie, Oldham A They can work as they contain phyto-oestrogens, plant chemicals which mimic the sex hormone oestrogen. But no-one's sure of their long-term safety. Oestrogen can cause side-effects, even cancer, though it's possible the danger doesn't apply to the pills.…

Then, suddenly, Jadae started fighting back! Over the next two weeks, the pressure in her brain began to subside. In November 2015, Jadae was transferred to another hospital, closer to home, so I could visit more easily. After another month there, she was showing small signs of response, and could lift her head off the pillow to kiss her favourite teddy bear. My little fighter! But there was a very long way to go. After her song, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house! Jadae still wasn’t talking, couldn’t sit up unaided, was unable to stand or walk, and needed to be fed through a tube. Jermayi and Jahzel visited her every day, talked to her, played her music. It made it so much easier, as a single mum,…

If you're having financial difficulties, it's essential to take action, says Lorraine Cook who heads up The Salvation Army's network of debt advice centres… 1 Get the right help  Consult a free debt advice service, such as The Salvation Army's  (salvationarmy.org.uk/budgeting-debt-advice). ‘We look at the facts and figures and help to take the emotion out of decisions,' says Lorraine. ‘We can help you set your budget and negotiate with creditors.' You could also try StepChange ( stepchange.org ) or National Debtline ( nationaldebtline.org ). 2 Face reality ‘If you're not using a free debt advice service, contact your creditors and service providers to let them know you're having difficulties,' says Lorraine. ‘They can discuss payment options with you, help you gather the details of what you…

Tesco Finest Salted Caramel Truffles, 140g, £5 These decadent truffles are perfect if you have a sweet tooth. The Belgian milk chocolate has an indulgent salted caramel centre that many of us loved, but some found too sweet. Asda Extra Special Belgian Chocolate Cocktail Truffles, 115g, £4 This beautiful box of boozy chocs has a mix of gin and elderflower dark choc truffles, spiced rum milk chocolate truffles and espresso martini  dark chocolate truffles. Yum! Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Belgian Champagne Truffles, 140g, £5  These luxurious chocolate truffles have a smooth ganache centre with a nice boozy kick from the champagne. The lovely lustre makes them look so special too!…

Emma Kelly, 25, Liverpool As I swept the blusher over my cheeks, I couldn’t help myself – I bristled with excitement. It was February last year and I was getting ready for a night out with my fiance Connor, 25. It would be the first one since our little girl Niamh had arrived 12 months earlier. My sister Leah, 20, babysat, and we met my brother Rob, 32, and mum Annette, 53. Her face distorted into an expression of sheer rage The Whitney Houston tribute act we’d booked to see at the theatre didn’t disappoint. ‘Why don’t we stay out?’ Rob suggested afterwards, buzzing. ‘Go on,’ encouraged Mum. ‘I’ll go home and help Leah.’ Then Rob had an idea. ‘Let’s go dancing!’ he grinned. ‘Why not?’ I laughed. After weeks…

The 72nd BAFTA Film Awards BBC1 Rami Malek won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody and is up for a Best Actor BAFTA. Dominating the nominations is the Queen Anne comedy The Favourite . Will Olivia Colman, who stars as the monarch, also repeat her Golden Globe win in the Best Actress category? Other films getting nods include Stan & Ollie , starring Steve Coogan as Stan Laurel and John C Reilly as Oliver Hardy and A Star Is Born , with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. Joanna Lumley hosts from London's Royal Opera House.…

Angel Exford, 29, from south London Sipping a champagne cocktail, I relaxed back in my chair. A twinkle in his eye, my man Michael, 26, had taken me out on another lavish date. We’d met a month earlier in June last year, when he slid up next to me in a bar. He’d bought me drinks, chatted me up, and made me laugh. Swapping numbers, we exchanged hundreds of messages back and forth. Confident and stylish, Michael owned his own business, and had so many followers on social media. I felt lucky to be on our second date. ‘We should be exclusive,’ he said to me teasingly. ‘It’s only been a month,’ I giggled. But I did see a future with him. Cosy nights in front of the TV. Plus,…

GUILTY After seven hours of deliberation, a jury of five men and four women unanimously found Khaw Kim Sun, 53, guilty of murdering his wife, Wong Siew Fing, 47, and their second child, Lily Khaw Li Ling, 16. The judge sentenced him to life in prison, saying, ‘It is shocking that a highly educated and successful man would conjure up such a calculated method to get rid of his wife.’ On hearing the verdicts, Khaw turned towards his children in the public gallery as they began to weep. They’d lost their sister and loving mum to a despicable murder. Now the man who should have been helping them pick up the pieces was going to jail for life, leaving them to cope alone.…

Chemist said no! Q I've been taking indigestion pills for months, but the chemist won't sell me any more until I've seen my GP... Nella, Dumfries A Most indigestion remedies are fine for the odd flare-up. But if you need to take them regularly, you should see your GP to rule out treatable causes, such as infection with the helicobacter bug, stomach ulcers or even cancer. Cannabis cure? Q I've smoked cannabis for years to relieve back pain. Now I've read it's on NHS prescription, but my GP won't help! Bren, Sheffield A Cannabis-based drugs are only available on the NHS from a specialist, not your GP. They can't be prescribed for long-term pain, only for forms of epilepsy, and vomiting caused by chemo. Talk to your GP about other…

Caris Bowen, 27, Burry Port Lifting my head from the pillow took every single ounce of my energy. Even wiggling my fingers and toes was absolute agony. I was 21 and recently diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma. In the grip of having chemotherapy in January 2013, I was at my lowest ebb. Looking into my compact mirror, I didn’t recognise the woman looking back at me. Bald, pale, with dark rings under bloodshot eyes. How can I let my children see me like this? I’d started six months of gruelling chemotherapy soon after I’d got the diagnosis. Luckily, my parents, Bethan, 51, and Anthony, 49, cooked and helped with school runs for my boys, Travis, then 7, and Finley, 5. As I sunk back into bed, a familiar feeling…

Play £10, get more! Claim up to £50 in FREE BINGO tickets!* *Terms and conditions: 18+. UK only. New members only. Registration and opt in required. Minimum £10 deposit and wager. Bingo game restrictions apply - £50 value on 25p tickets. 30-day expiry from deposit. Rules apply. Offer in this issue ends 14 February 2019. See full T&Cs at chatmagbingo.com . Chat Mag Bingo is part of the Jackpotjoy.com  network. For 24-hour support, freephone 0800 458 0770. Please play responsibly. BeGambleAware.org…

2011: Teen murder On 12 February 2011, Carl Whant was charged with murder, child destruction, rape and arson after Nikitta Grender, 19, was found dead a week before. Nikitta was two weeks from giving birth when her body was discovered at her Newport flat. She'd been stabbed, the flat set alight. A year later, Whant was jailed for a minimum of 35 years. The judge called him ‘calculating, vain and devious'. 2017: Neighbour from hell? A man who killed his neighbour in a row over parking spaces was jailed for a minimum of 16 years on 7 February 2017. Darryn Madigan, 38, and John Martin, 41, had been feuding over spaces for weeks before Madigan stabbed Martin on their driveway in Kingsbury, London. At the Old Bailey, Madigan admitted manslaughter,…

Glenys Coope, 77, Derby Beaming from ear to ear, I walked out of the register office on the arm of my new husband Walter, 28. I couldn’t believe it. Me, a married woman! It was a whirlwind romance. We’d met only a few months before, on 6 May 1960, when my Jack Russell Judy broke her jaw and had to be taken to the vet’s. Walter’s father Henry, was the vet. Walter and I clicked instantly and went for a drink. Just two months later, we were married. I moved in with Walter and a year later, our baby boy Aubrey arrived. Being a wife and mother made me feel whole. In 1964, Walter was sent away with his work as a bricklayer for a few months. We kept in…

It’s Skin Power 10 Formula Ve Sleeping Capsule, £5.99, feelunique.com Packed with a high concentration of skin-boosting vitamin E, slather the contents of this high-tech looking capsule onto clean skin at bedtime. The results? Softer, smoother skin by the time your morning alarm goes off! Josh Wood Colour Shade Shot Plus in Icy Blonde, £5, Boots Formulated to help you get salon-quality results at home, the clever folk at Josh Wood created this toner to be mixed with its blonde dyes. The purple tones work with the dye to banish brassiness for a bright, icy blonde, whatever your shade. Rimmel London Maxi Blush in Wild Card, £5.99, Superdrug The easiest way to perk-up a tired complexion? A quick swirl of blusher! Thanks to super-fine particles, this lightweight powder won’t cling…

The Umbrella Academy NETFLIX Mary J Blige stars in this six-part drama. On the same day in 1989, 43 babies are born to unconnected women who’d shown no signs of pregnancy. Seven are adopted by a billionaire who creates ‘The Umbrella Academy’ and prepares his ‘children’ to save the world… Lorena AMAZON PRIME VIDEO In 1993, Lorena Bobbitt from Virginia, US, cut off her husband John’s penis with a knife while he was asleep. She then threw it out of a car window - but it was subsequently reattached. Lorena insisted her actions were the result of years of physical and verbal abuse. This four-part documentary re-examines the story and investigates the issues at the heart of this infamous American scandal. 100 Ways to Live Better BBC1 Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and…

Coronation Street How flaming angry is Abi..? Smitten Abi’s thrilled when Peter asks her to join him on his sailing trip, but her joy is short-lived when he decides to take Simon instead! So, fuming, Abi hits the bottle… Later, after Simon gives his pals a tour of the boat with a hurricane lamp, Aadi and Asha leave him on board, extinguish the lamp and go home. But the flame reignites and someone knocks the lamp over, so the boat goes up in flames! Peter rescues Simon, but accuses Abi of starting the fire in revenge! Emmerdale Paddy meets his daddy? When Mandy returned to the village, she revealed that she had found a love letter to Paddy’s mum which suggested a wrestler called Bear Wolf was his real dad.…

Kim Farry, 59, Kingston Heart pounding, I sprinted around the corner to my waiting mates. ‘Did you do it?’ they demanded. ‘Easy!’ I grinned, pulling a lollipop from my pocket. I was 9, and me and some mates were egging each other on to pinch sweets from the corner shop. Thieving was a thrill...and I found it addictive. So I never really stopped. And, by the time I left school at 16, I was a pro. Wandering high streets, zipping in and out of shops, taking what I could and selling my loot later. Occasionally, I’d get caught and talk my way out of getting into trouble. I’d beg forgiveness, turn on the waterworks. Then, after trying to steal some clothes from different shops on the high street, I was…