Table of contents for 26-Aug-2021 in Chat

I was blown away by Laura’s story this week. Touched by the kindness of strangers in her own life, she decided to give something back…Not a bunch of blooms, but her own kidney, to someone she’d never met (p10)! Find out why Hayley had 14 jobs over eight months. My favourite has to be when she was butler to a bunny called Plumpy (p30)! And there’s gripping true crime, including how police cracked the case of a serial killer stalking the city streets, preying on the most vulnerable (p54). There’s tons more real-life, prize puzzles, fashion (p12), health (p21), beauty (p49) and dinner inspiration – from a tin (p40)! Stay safe and well this week.…

Allowed to donate? Q I’d like to give blood but my friend says I can’t because of my piercings. Surely that’s not fair? Blu, south London A That’s not fair, and fortunately it’s not true, either! It’s a common myth that people with body piercings or tattoos aren’t eligible to give blood. The truth is that, in the UK, you won’t be allowed to donate for four months after your most recent piercing or tattoo. This includes eyebrow tattoos or microblading, applies whether you attended a professional or had a DIY job, and is in order to avoid the very slight risk of passing on a blood infection, such as hepatitis or HIV. The risk of infection from a professional piercer or tattooist is tiny, but the blood transfusion service…

What connects British comedian Matt Lucas and US actor Viola Davis? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the three-word prize answer. ACROSS 1 Encounters (5) 4 Felines (4) 6 Good-looking (8) 13 Be worthy of (7) 14 Desert visions (7) 15 Behold! (5) 16 No longer around (4) 17 Heavily decorated (6) 18 Stick to (6) 20 Slender, thin (4) 21 Additional (5) 22 Sounding rough and harsh (6) 25 League (8) 28 State of the western US (6) 30 Take place (5) 32 Carry on (8) 34 Mistakes (6) 35 Injure with a knife (4) 38 Finally (2,4) 39 Shiny cloth (5) 40 Protected against a disease (6) 43 Secure (4) 44 Endure or survive (6) 45 First (8) 48 Grumble…

It felt like the longest night of my life, thinking any minute our boy would slip away. But, suddenly, the machine monitoring his blood pressure started beeping steadily. ‘His vitals are improving,’ a doctor said. ‘Come on, George,’ I willed my baby boy. And, by some miracle, he did. Soon, George was breathing on his own. Weeks later, in early 2019, doctors agreed that now he was nine months, the size of a full-term newborn, we could bring him home. He’d still need a feeding tube and oxygen tube at night, but he didn’t have to stay in hospital. ‘He’s blind in both eyes and severely deaf,’ a doctor explained. They weren’t sure if he’d ever walk or talk. Daniel and I were determined not to let this news devastate…

Corned beef shakshuka A classic corned beef hash meets the trendy brunch dish shakshuka SERVES 4 PREP TIME 10 MINS COOK TIME 10-12 MINS • 360g can new potatoes, cut into 2/cm cubes • 1 red onion, diced • ½ small fresh red chilli, chopped • Splash of olive oil, plus extra for drizzling • 1tbsp Worcestershire sauce • Pinch of ground cumin • 200g can corned beef, roughly chopped • ½ x 400g can cherry tomatoes • 4 eggs • A handful of chopped flat-leaf parsley, to garnish 1 Preheat the oven to 220C/Gas 7. Fry the potatoes, onion and chopped chilli in a splash of olive oil in a large ovenproof frying pan for 2 mins over a high heat. Once the onion has softened, sprinkle in the…

Aries 21 March-20 April Your partner has a bit of a surprise for you and you need to be all ears. If you’re married, you could decide to renew your vows or buy an eternity ring. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Synchronicity is the order of the week. You could come home to an announcement, making it a day to remember. This is good news on the business and career front. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June You may feel tongue-tied, but that mustn’t stop you letting your partner know about the deepening sense of commitment you wish to bring to the relationship. • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July As you’re so sensitive, it’s…

THE BIG QUIZ WIN £500 Puzzle 18 T he answers to all but one of these quiz questions can be found hidden in this wordsearch grid, reading forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonally. To help you, we’ll tell you that the answers are in alphabetical order in each section. However, one answer can’t be found in the grid. This is your prize answer. See page 56 for entry details. THE SILVER SCREEN – ASIA 1 Which Taiwanese filmmaker directed the 2001 film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and the 2006 film Brokeback Mountain? (3,3) 2 What is the name of the style of Japanese film and TV animation aimed at all ages, such as Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle? (5) 3 What is the name of the Hindi-language film…

Beauty Hygiene Plus Deep Cleanse Sponge & Brush Wash, £11.99, feelunique.com Washing your make-up brushes regularly will stop bacteria building up and prevent any unnecessary breakouts. Makes light work of even waterproof formulas. L’Oreal Volume Million Lashes Balm Noir, £8.99, boots.com A mascara that goes the extra mile, this not only adds impressive volume but helps to keep lashes soft and healthy. It’s gentle too, and suitable for even sensitive or easily irritated eyes. Nursem Caring Hand Sanitiser, £9.99, nursem.co.uk A handbag essential, this small but mighty spray kills 99.99% of germs. Even better, for every one bought, Nursem will donate a month’s supply of hand care to an NHS nurse or midwife. OPI Nature Strong Nail Lacquer in Knowledge is Flower, £13.90, opiuk.com Some 75% of the ingredients in…

Here’s my beautiful, brave daughter Gracie, 14, recovering from a major operation on her trachea. She’s amazed the surgeons, nursing staff and doctors with her fast recovery and positive mindset. We are so proud of our amazing Gracie. Yvette Mellalieu, Mynydd Isa Our toy poodle Patch looked very handsome after his first puppy groom. He looks super smart with his little bow tie. Julia Robinson, Clifton My kitten Tony is getting into the summer mood with her newest outfit. Here she is posing away, doing her best at meow-delling! Lara Cartmell I love this picture of me and my mum. We both had breast cancer, both had surgery and both had treatment. We’re both now cancer-free. Don’t forget to check yourselves, ladies. Thank you, NHS! Charlotte Crowe, Norwich Here’s my…

True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Hopelessly scanning the restaurant menu, I let out a heavy sigh. ‘Nothing for me, thanks,’ I told the waiter apologetically. It was Christmas 2016, and an Italian restaurant was the chosen spot for our work party. But, despite the tasty pasta and pizza on offer, no dish was worth the inevitable and unbearable pain it’d cause my stomach. As I sat hungry, watching my colleagues tuck in, I couldn’t help but resent being yet again forced to miss out. I first noticed problems with my gut in my 20s. I experienced intense stomach pain, constipation and bloating,. At first, I blamed my poor diet, so I tried changing my ways, ate more fruit and veg. Only, as time wore on, the pain got worse. Unable to pin…

OVER TO YOU Can you set a puzzle in this format? Send it, with a photo of yourself, to the addresson p3. There’s £20 for every one we use! This week’s puzzle was compiled by Ann Walker, Leeds ACROSS 1 Long poem 2 Give up 3 Back of foot 4 Semi-precious gem DOWN 1 Reflected sound 2 A furtive look 3 Notion 4 Prison room WIN 5x £25 Puzzle 5 Your answer: HALF & HALF In 2017, which sportsperson became the highest-paid contestant on I’m a Celebrity...? 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 6 Your answer: BRICK TRICK To what do the titular numbers refer in cop comedy Brooklyn…

FILL ME IN What name was shared by three English queens, the wives of Henry II, Henry III and Edward I? 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 £1,00 Puzzle 14 Your answer: CIRCLE TIME The painting Benefits Supervisor Sleeping is by which British artist? Fit the words into the grid, then read down the letters in the shaded circles. 3 letters ALL ANY APE ARE DAM NIL PAD PIE TOR YES 4 letters CHAT FLUX HIGH RAIL REEF TAPE TAXI 5 letters DELTA PANIC PLAZA 6 letters DILUTE LASTLY NEARLY PAPAYA PLASMA THRIFT 8 letters FIXTURES WIN £100 Puzzle 15 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for…

3 ways to… protect your home Some 31% of Brits describe themselves as worried about their home being burgled, according to Churchill Home Insurance research. Here’s how to make yours as safe as possible. 1 Do the basics well ‘Sometimes an unlocked door or open window can be the only invitation a burglar needs to break into a home,’ says Steven Williams, head of Churchill Home Insurance. ‘Always make sure you lock all doors and windows at night and before going out, and ensure that all easily accessible, high-value items such as wallets, phones and laptops are kept out of sight.’ 2 Make life harder for burglars ‘As well as installing security measures like security cameras and alarms, consider any items in your garden that may be useful for breaking…

Lisa Cranston, 51, Mansfield With a sigh, I left a message on my son Perry’s voicemail. Here we go again, I thought, wondering where he was this time. Growing up, Perry, now 26, had been a mummy’s boy. Glued to my side while his siblings Karis, now 32, and Jordan, 30, were playing. But now, in February 2020, he’d long since emerged from my shadow and moved out. He was so busy these days, it felt like I needed an appointment to see him. ‘Sorry, Mum, I was out with my mates,’ he chuckled when he finally called back. At least we still shared a close bond. I worried about all my kids, but told myself, what mother doesn’t? Then, early one morning weeks later, I was jolted awake by…

SCENT OF SUMMER BUDGET BUY BEAT PET ODOURS…

Flamingo Razor, £8,boots.com Selling one every 15 seconds in the US, this is a razor that delivers. The cleverly weighted handle means more control over your movement. Gillette Venus Deep Blue Razor, £12, superdrug. com Same brilliant shaving ability, now with a new handle. Venus has made its latest razor handle from ocean-bound plastic, earning it plenty of eco brownie points. Wilkinson Sword Women’s Intuition Sensitive Care Razor, £8.99, superdrug.com Thanks to the addition of a selflathering aloe vera soap bar, this razor takes the sting out of shaving. Skin is left smooth and bump-free. TOP TIP Introduce new skincare products slowly to avoid overwhelming your skin.…

HOW TO ENTER TEXT Simply text CHATA followed by a space and your answer/s (spaces between answers please) full name, door number and postcode to 63333 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.…

Dear Dad, F lashing our best smiles as we celebrated my daughter’s 16th birthday, we were blissfully unaware it’d be the last picture that we’d share. It was December 2018, just a year before lockdown forced us apart. With you and Mum, Monique, in France, and my family in the UK, it was never going to be easy. Not least because we’d always been close, Dad. I fondly remember family walks when I was a girl. The picnics and BBQs in rural France. I moved abroad to pursue a translation career in 1990 And, as I built a life in the UK, marrying and having five beautiful kids, we visited each other often. Then, in 2007, you were diagnosed with bladder cancer. My trips to France became more regular as…

A bead of sweat rolled down my face as I puffed around the block. It was October 2015 and I’d decided to go for a run, but I was already regretting it. Why do people do this to themselves? I thought as I hobbled back home. I was used to chilling on the sofa, had a layer of blubber to show for it. But I’d recently got talking to a group of Lycraclad fitness fans at the coffee shop where I worked. They’d invited me to a gym class – so I’d met up with them at a local park. ‘Give me 10 squats,’ Danny, the group leader had shouted. Everything had hurt and I’d ended up the colour of an overripe tomato. But afterwards, I’d felt pretty good. Maybe…

After a four-day trial, Jeovanni Hechavarria’s three former patients held hands and cried as he was found guilty of raping one of them. The jury returned guilty verdicts on three counts of sexual battery. In a victim impact statement, the woman he’d been convicted of raping told the court that she’d trusted him to help her when she was vulnerable. Instead, he’d left her broken and had destroyed her trust in medical staff. ‘It haunts me,’ she said. ‘The pain you have caused me is a life sentence and I wish you could serve the same sentence. ‘The night you raped me, you said no one would believe me – you were wrong,’ she told Hechavarria. His lawyer begged for a shorter sentence for the sake of his family, but…

Staring at the positive test, I couldn’t bring myself to smile. It was October 2019, and it was the sixth time in five years I was pregnant. Only, I didn’t have any children. I’d never made it to a 12-week scan. When I’d had my first miscarriage in 2015, I put it down as tragic, but not that uncommon. ‘Lots of women have miscarriages,’ I’d told my then-partner. And it was true. I’d read that one in four women had suffered a miscarriage. But since I was in my early 20s, and relatively healthy, I figured it would happen for me eventually. Only, after I miscarried a second, then third time, I started to worry. ‘Keep trying,’ the doctors said to me. So I got pregnant for a fourth time.…

ARROW WORD Which American state is known as the Old Line State? 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 animal appears on the badge of Czech football team, Bohemians Praha 1905? The prize answer is the one missing from the grid. BUDGIE DINGO ECHIDNA EMU GALAH KANGAROO KOALA PLATYPUS POSSUM SHARK SKINK SNAKE SPIDER WALLABY WOMBAT WIN £50…

Mate’s bad-mouthing me Q I’ve found out my oldest friend isn’t who I thought she was. People have warned me she talks behind my back – about me, my family, my cooking..! She even has a vulgar nickname for me. I’m upset, as we go back 25 years. But apparently she says I’m thick, gullible, unhygienic and ugly. What should I do? Regina, 45 A Flippin’ Nora – some mate! You don’t need me to tell you that this sounds like a toxic friendship. Talk to her, tell her what you heard and how it hurt you. Let her speak and hear what she has to say. If she denies it, you’ll have to decide if she’s telling the truth. I’d suggest that the best thing to do is trust…

Q Do you have any tips on how I can cut how much I spend on meat for my family? R Bridge, Exeter A Try using pulses like beans, lentils and peas to replace some of the meat and also try adding more veg to make meals go further, for dishes like casseroles. Consider eating a few vegetarian meals to keep costs down, too. Buying cheaper cuts of meat and slow-cooking them is another great way to get a tasty tea for less. You’ll find more tips at nhs.uk/live-well/. And obviously look out for offers on meat as well!…

QMy hair feels like straw. What can I do to rehydrate it? Lucy Smith, 37 AA summer of sunshine and chlorine can wreak havoc on your hair, so it’s not surprising your locks are in need of some TLC. The key to rehydrating thirsty strands is to add moisture at every step of your hair care routine. That means using a shampoo that’s nourishing, not stripping, swapping your normal conditioner for a mask, and treating your hair to a leave-in conditioner. The Body Shop Banana Truly Nourishing Hair Mask, £12, >thebodyshop.com is rich and creamy, leaving hair frizz-free and super shiny. Childs Farm Coco-Nourish Leave In Conditioner, £5, childsfarm.com, is a great purse-friendly detangler and conditioner, and can be used by the whole family. Keeping heat styling to a minimum…

Chat winners issue 21 (27 May 2021) £1,001 CASH D Lee, Diss £1,000 CASH C Ryall, Bristol £500 CASH M Ford, Sidlesham; P Clark, Hyde £250 CASH S Cleverley, Romsey £150 CASH R Hudson, Newton Abbot £100 CASH M Cowie, Cramlington; G Pratt, Middlesbrough; L Buick, Dunblane; P Norris, Peterlee; J Whittingham, Leighton Buzzard £60 CASH J Dent, Leeds £50 CASH L Tang, Birmingham; S Evans, Manchester; M Richardson, Lincoln £30 CASH D Sambor, Edinburgh; R Martin, Lanstephan; M Jess, Ballynahinch; D Brook, Lancing; G Bunce, York £25 CASH C Charman, Boston; L Russell, Stourport-on-Severn; S Fronteras, Rochester; M Doherty, Lancaster; P Jackson, Chorley; J Stallard, Birmingham; M McDonald, Middlesbrough; C Dale, Bradford; A Rehman, Nottingham Anyone from your town in the list this week..? Chat PUZZLE 1 6157 Chat PUZZLE…