Table of contents for 06-May-2021 in Chat

The past year has been tough for everyone, so it’s wonderful to hear that some folks had happy endings. Like Bethany. When the pandemic hit she was single, but now she’s engaged with a baby – and it all started on the high seas (p19). Olivia also had a transformative year while being stuck at home, and reckons it saved her life (p37). We’d love to hear about anything amazing that happened to you in lockdown. Get in touch at the address below. And get ready to enjoy this week’s issue, packed with real life, cracking crime, food (p40), fashion (p12), tips and more. Stay safe and well this week.…

SKINNY STYLE TIP Look for styles with stretch for added comfort. The streamlined design means you can pair with voluminous tops. WIDE STYLE TIP This shape is perfect if you carry weight on your bottom half. Tuck in a top to define your waist and watch the denim skim over thighs. FLARE STYLE TIP Accentuate your curves with a bootleg cut. Shaped to emphasise the bottom, wear with heeled boots to elongate your figure. MOM FROM JUST £10 STYLE TIP Tapered jeans are flattering on all shapes and sizes. High-waisted, roomier around the legs, before tightening at the ankle. REAL REAL WOMEN ◦ REAL FASHION ◦ REAL BEAUTY Find out more about our commitment to REAL women womanandhome.com/real…

In January 2012, Christine Metter, 41, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit aggravated murder. Judge Eugene Lucci said, ‘I find an appalling lack of remorse. She wanted David Metter killed as revenge for his getting custody of their 16-year-old daughter and to prevent him from getting custody of the young three girls.’ Christine addressed the judge, saying that the past nine months had been a ‘living nightmare’ without her daughters. ‘Please, your honour, let me prove I am still a very valuable asset to society,’ she added. Christine’s sister, Elizabeth Kiley, also made a statement. She said, ‘The girls miss their mum. They want their mum and they need their mum.’ But the judge handed down the maximum sentence of 10 years, stating that Christine had caused extreme psychological…

Health hack Struggling to focus while working? Take a microbreak. Researchers at North Carolina State University discovered that this can help to boost productivity and motivation over the course of the day. Microbreaks include grabbing a cuppa, stretching, and a quick chat with a colleague. Swap and see Adopting a plant-based diet doesn’t need to feel like a huge sacrifice. Get your cheese fix with spreadable Nush Dairy Free Almond M*lk Ch*ese. Made using artisan almond milk, each pot contains over 60 almonds and is a great source of protein. (£2.50 for a 150g tub, Sainsbury’s) Open your curtains! Research has shown nearly half of Brits spend over three hours a day feeling tired.* So how can you get out of this slump? Let the sun in! ‘Sunlight emits short-wavelength,…

Smart puss Let’s face it, cats can get a bad rap. Folk say they’re aloof, untrainable, spiteful... But we say it’s time to redress the balance. Take Alexis here... This 8-year-old feline has been crowned the smartest cat in the world! She performed 26 tricks in 60 seconds, breaking the Guinness World Record for the most tricks performed by a cat in one minute. Owner Anika Moritz, from Austria, began training Alexis when the kitty was just 12 weeks. She describes her as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime cat’ who loves to cuddle but appreciates her freedom. The self-described cat lover said she wanted to change the way people view our nine-lived friends. ‘No cat is 100% stubborn, and literally every cat can do tricks with positive training,’ she said. But where do…

In 2011, the International Dark-Sky Association designated which island as the first Dark Sky Island in the world? Solve the crossword, then read down the yellow squares to find the prize puzzle answer. ACROSS 1 Comedian, _ Acaster (5) 4 State of deep sleep (1,1,1) 6 Hot Fuzz actor, _ Frost (4) 7 A curse (3) DOWN 1 Short journey made for fun (5) 2 Third month (5) 3 Total (3) 5 Make last, _ out (3) WIN £50 Puzzle 13 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes. com/puzzles…

She puts me down Q I have a good relationship with my 48-year-old husband. But I’m struggling with his 20-year-old daughter, who’s living with us. She’s always been a bit rude, and she doesn’t like me being around - my hubby had been single for a long time before I came on the scene. She tries to override anything I say, puts me down, and constantly sends her dad love from her mum, which I find difficult. She’d probably say it isn’t intentional, but I know she loves winding me up. As a result, I’m unhappy in my own home. But how do I change things? Penny, 38 A You must talk to her, petal, woman to woman. She clearly lacks respect for you. But don’t rise to it. Instead,…

Olivia Ibbitson, 21, King’s Lynn Pouring myself another large wine, I raised my glass to a toast with friends. ‘Happy New Year,’ I slurred, already pretty bleary-eyed. I was welcoming in 2019 the only way I knew how - drinks at home before heading into town. By the time we left, I’d already guzzled the usual two bottles of wine. And setting foot in the club, I was blind drunk. Didn’t remember the music or the dancing. Who I was with or where I was. In fact, my next memory was waking up at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on 3 January 2019. Doctors explained that, in the early hours, I’d collapsed in the street. ‘You could have easily died,’ one lectured. I’d been diagnosed with alcohol poisoning and pneumonia, put in…

Top tip Add strips of chicken breast and green beans to bulk up this salad for a more substantial meal. Pesto pappardelle salad It takes just a few jars from your store cupboard to whip up this elegant pasta salad MAKES 6 PREP TIME 10 MINS COOK TIME 10 MINS • 400g pappardelle or tagliatelle pasta • 150g basil pesto • 200g sundried tomatoes in a jar • 1tbsp white wine vinegar • 200g large green olives • A few fresh basil leaves, optional 1 Cook your chosen pasta in a large pan of boiling salted water for 10 mins, until it is just tender. 2 Put the pesto into a large bowl. Drain the tomatoes, keeping 2tbsp of the oil from the jar and add both to the pesto.…

Aries 21 March-20 April Feeling adventurous will lead you to explore a new area nearby. Your partner will enjoy the open air, the scenery and the excitement that follows a discovery. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Reflecting on recent events, there’s no need to wonder if you could have done things differently, you made the right decisions. Stay true to yourself, stick by your word. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June If you’re falling for a friend, it may be time to open up to them. This is a time of new beginnings and second chances, make the most of it. • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Make wishes, as they can come true…

Q I’ve heard about aluminium-free, natural deodorants - do they work and can you recommend any? Jackie Moore, 47 A Now’s the perfect time to put a new deodorant through its paces, before the summer heat really arrives. The good news is that aluminium-free deodorants have come a long way in recent years, in both formula and consistency. And while they won’t stop you from sweating like an antiperspirant does, they will banish the bacteria that causes body odour. Frank Body Clean Deodorant, £11.95, frankbody. com is available as a fragrance-free option for super sensitive pits. Schmidt’s Bergamot and Lime Natural Deodorant Stick, £6.99, is popular. Feeling adventurous? The Natural Deodorant Co Mint and Grapefruit Clean Deodorant Balm, £12.50, amazon.co.uk, takes a bit of getting used to, but is easy…

TEXT Simply text CHATA 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 Join our…

£25 for any photos that we use on Picture Perfect. They must not have been sent to any other publication and you must include written permission from a child’s parent/s or guardian/s. Post to Picture Perfect, Chat, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP, or email chat_magazine@futurenet.com Unfortunately, we can’t return photos without a SAE. And please don’t forget to include your full address and a contact number.…

THE BIGGIE WIN £1,001 I Puzzle 4 What connects documentary maker Louis Theroux and presenter Ruth Langsford? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the three-word prize answer. ACROSS 1 Fed up (5) 4 Hard at work, occupied (4) 6 Spuds (8) 13 Capital of Thailand (7) 14 Follower of Jesus Christ (7) 15 Put off (5) 16 Meditative exercise (4) 17 Gave money to (6) 18 Undeveloped offspring (6) 20 Betting chances (4) 21 Block of glass (5) 22 Continent (6) 25 Look like (8) 28 Charles _, scientist who studied evolution (6) 30 Change (5) 32 Afterbirth (8) 34 Russian capital (6) 35 Repair, fix (4) 38 Alan _, QI panellist (6) 39 Guest house (5) 40 Star Wars actor, _…

Bethany Suthers, 28, Sowerby Bridge Waving the passengers off, I looked around the deserted cruise ship. Now what? I thought. It was March 2020, and I’d flown to Montego Bay, Jamaica, just two weeks earlier, to work as cruiseship entertainer. I was excited about having two months in the Caribbean, five in the Med. Then the pandemic hit. The passengers disembarked, leaving 800 staff rattling around. ‘It’s just for a few weeks,’ the captain said. So, with little to do, I spent my days sunbathing. One afternoon, I saw a handsome crew member in the pool. ‘I’m Maksim,’ he grinned, sauntering over. ‘Bethany,’ I smiled, my tummy doing somersaults. Then, a couple of days on, Maksim, then 28, walked by as I waited for the lift. ‘Can I follow you…

Why is my hand seizing up? Q I started an online course which involves lots of writing, but whenever I try, my hand seizes up. Why? Alex, Aldershot A It could be writer’s cramp, triggered by your sudden increase in handwriting. Doctors used to think this was a psychological condition, but now we think it’s a form of dystonia – unwanted muscle movement – possibly due to a mismatch between sensations transmitted to your brain from nerves in your hand, and instructions sent from your brain to your hand muscles. You hold the pen tighter and tighter, until writing becomes difficult, then painful as muscles in your hand tighten into spasm which eventually spreads up your arm. Using a wider pen helps, but switch to a keyboard wherever possible. If…

Julie Hindsley, 34 Biting into pastel cake pops, our friends cheered as the vibrant blue sponge appeared inside. ‘A boy!’ I grinned to my husband Daniel, then 30. It was January 2014, and we were having a gender-reveal party for our second child, due that April. ‘Congratulations!’ everyone beamed as Daniel brought in a bouquet of blue balloons. We already had a boy, Grant, then 3, and I couldn’t wait for him to have a little brother. With a house full of boys, I’d be well and truly outnumbered. And I couldn’t wait! As my bump grew, I’d daydream about the future, my two sons playing sports together, squabbling over whose turn it was on the computer. Grant would have a built-in best friend with his brother. Maybe they’d even…

As the country shut down, boozy weekends in the pubs and bars were no longer an option. There were no parties or nights out I could use as an excuse to drink. And I realised that, with reduced temptation, now was the perfect time to wean myself off alcohol, the culprit behind my misery. Against medical advice, I went cold turkey. Threw out unfinished bottles of spirits, wine and crates of beer. Determined not to drink a single drop. But just a day into my sobriety, the shakes hit me hard and I felt incredibly weak. Just one drink will sort it out, I thought But I knew I couldn’t trust myself to stop at one. Instead, I reached for green tea and squash, spent the next two weeks in…

Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Butter, £15.95, Boots This is on the pricey side for fake tan, but it earns its keep by doubling up as an intense moisturiser. The texture is rich and indulgent, and the colour pay-off is nice and natural. Lottie London Sweet Lips, £6.99, ASOS Give dry, chapped lips an overnight makeover by layering this nourishing balm on before bed. You’ll wake up to a noticeably softer, smoother pout. No7 Lip & Cheek Tint in Dusk Pink, £10, Boots Powdery blush has a habit of settling into fine lines and wrinkles, so switch to liquid for a softer look. It’s light, buildable and can be used on your lips, too. Lisa Armstrong MATTEiculous Lipstick in Bry, £12, Avon Finally, a matte lipstick that doesn’t feel drying. Dreamt up…

Sharna Middleton, 20 Lugging a heaving bag up a flight of stairs, I finally arrived at my sister’s flat. ‘Sharna, you’re here!’ Nikita, 24, squealed, grabbing my bag and hugging me. It was March 2019 and I was moving in with my sister for a few days. As a hairdressing student, I needed some extra cash and Nikita had got me shifts at the food market where she worked, so she said I could stay for a while. The next day, Nikita went to work while I settled in. Hours later, feeling hungry, I headed to a cafe. Spotting some guys out on the street, I realised I knew a few of them. ‘My friend wants you to plait his hair again,’ one yelled across the road. Laughing, I wandered…

All divorces have their challenges. So it was hardly surprising when Christine Metter sent a Facebook message to an old school friend complaining about her ex. She and David Metter had separated in January 2009. Things had seemed amicable at first. A settlement was reached, divorce papers signed. Instead of financial support, Christine was awarded the family marketing business. And David was ordered to pay child support of $3,000 (about £2,200) a month. A judge also ordered David to keep Christine as the soul beneficiary of his $1.5 million (over £1 million) life-insurance policy. Yet things turned sour. By summer 2010, David had remarried. Christine’s business had been fired by its only client, who then employed David. And, under Christine’s care, their 16-year-old daughter didn’t attend school for a whole…

Molly Kirby, 26, Warrington I’ve always found certain things difficult, struggled to make small talk, felt timid and anxious in groups. ‘She’s just shy,’ my parents would explain affectionately. They were always supportive of me. And I didn’t mind being different – unique. When I was young, I was diagnosed with dyspraxia. It’s a disorder that affects your motor skills and coordination. I got extra help from teachers and teaching assistants at school, had speech and occupational therapy. Yet I was pretty happy at school, where I was surrounded by like-minded people. But my dyspraxia didn’t explain why I found it difficult making conversation or friends, or why I preferred to be by myself. Then, when I was 17, a teacher told my mum that my struggle with social interactions…

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 Bailey McGuire, Cleethorpes, NE Lincs ACROSS 1 Train to box 2 Ripped 3 Type of tree 4 Nuisance DOWN 1 Stair 2 Long rod 3 Upper limbs 4 Relax WIN 5x £25 Puzzle 6 Your answer: HALF & HALF Which Royal Navy captain led an 1839 Antarctic expedition aboard the ships HMS Terror and HMS Erebus? 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 answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 7 Your answer: BRICK TRICK Mentioned in several Oasis songs, the Liverpudlian…

ARROW WORD What name is applied both to plants in the genus Tagetes and to the species Calendula officinalis? 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 Which band’s 1976 album Their Greatest Hits is one of the best-sellers of all time, with over 40 million sales? The answer is the one missing from the grid ANIMALS BEATLES CLASH CURE…

FILL ME IN What plant provides the main ingredient of Wolfsbane Potion, which Remus Lupin uses to control his werewolf form in the Harry Potter books? 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 With a name coming from the Maori language, the mako is what type of animal? Fit the words into the grid, then read down the letters in the shaded circles. 3 letters DUO EAR ILL INK INN NOW OAR PAR PUB YES 4 letters AURA EVEN GOLF JOIN KIWI MESS SKIM 5 letters BHAJI PRAWN RISKS 6 letters BAKERS JIGSAW PRIORY RIBBON SHADOW UNWIND 8 letters FLAMINGO WIN £100 Puzzle…

3 ways to... stop your kids getting scammed Many children have spent much more time online in the last year than ever before. Here’s how to keep them protected… 1 Teach them about secure passwords ‘There are a whole host of websites and apps that have become commonly used in our homes over the last year, like Zoom, and most of them require usernames and passwords,’ says Laura Kankaala, from cyber-security company F-Secure (f-secure.com). ‘This can provide a great opportunity to talk to children about why it’s so important to create strong passwords in order to avoid your accounts being hacked.’ 2 Ensure you avoid shock bills ‘Some apps encourage users to make in-app purchases, so speak to your child to warn them about this,’ says Laura. ‘Also, set up…

P!NK: All I Know So Far AMAZON PRIME VIDEO Get a glimpse into the life of P!NK in this documentary about the singer on her 2019 world tour. With on-the-road footage, plus interviews and personal material, it shows her balancing being a mum, wife, boss and performer. Wolfe SKY ONE From the creator of No Offence and Shameless, this six-parter stars Babou Ceesay as forensic pathologist Wolfe Kinteh, who helps the police investigate crime scenes, but whose way of working doesn’t go down well with everyone he meets. The Woman in the Window NETFLIX In this psychological thriller, Amy Adams leads the cast as agoraphobic child psychologist Anna Fox, who inadvertently witnesses a brutal crime from the window of her New York apartment. But nothing and nobody is what they…

Deputy Beauty Editor Jess Beech shares her top picks Head & Shoulders Deep Cleanse Scalp Detox, £5.99, Superdrug A happy scalp = happy hair, and this shampoo looks after both. It dives deep into pores to make excess oil scarce, leaving your hair fresh and flake-free. Knight & Wilson Instant Healthy Hair Hydrating Mask Sachets, £1.99 for two, knightandwilson.com Help repair damage caused by changing temperatures, colouring and heat styling by treating your hair to a weekly mask. Herbal Essences Bio:Renew Essence of Life Nourish Hair and Scalp Oil, £4.50, Boots Use natural ingredients to nourish dry, stressed-out tresses. A little hair oil goes a long way, so use sparingly to start with - you can always add more.…

When a young woman was jailed for life for killing Sunday- school teacher and community champion Johnny Allen, it seemed like justice had been served. Another killer behind bars. Case closed. But there was more to this murder than first met the eye. Cyntoia Brown was just 16 years old when she pulled the trigger and killed Johnny, 43, in August 2004. Johnny, a former estate agent, was well-known for his community work as a Sunday-school teacher and youth minister. He was divorced when he met Cyntoia at a fast-food restaurant in East Nashville, USA. And he was there for a clear reason – to have sex with her. Cyntoia was under the control of her boyfriend and pimp, 24-year-old Garion McGlothen, known by the nickname Kut Throat. Cyntoia had…

Chat winners issue 5 (4 February 2021) £1,001 CASH C Richardson, Harrogate £1,000 CASH A Cox, Leominster £500 CASH J Minto, Cardiff; F Martin, Basingstoke £250 CASH J Tomlinson, Dartmouth £150 CASH K Warn, Hereford £100 CASH V Simpson, Kirkby-in- Ashfield; E Brooksbank, Halifax; P Mills, Hungerford; D Buck, Sheringham; G Grant, Dunfermline £60 CASH L Wilson, Manchester. £50 CASH F Wiles, North Shields; J Heaton, Kingswinford; J Biddle, West Heath £30 CASH W Wooliscroft, Stoke-on- Trent; L Bedford, Bagillt; M Kelly, Tiverton; C Deighan, Coleraine; P Smith, Leighton Buzzard £25 CASH J Tasker, Sudbury; E Lodge, Wigan; S Rankin, Weymouth; B Lambert, Cumbria; L Bignell, Eastbourne; C Wallace, Huntingdon; P Mullen, Halifax; Mrs Brain, Bristol; F Cummings, Worsley Chat PUZZLE 2 210 Chat PUZZLE 11 827 Chat PUZZLE 14…