Table of contents for 28-Jan-2016 in Chat

He'd shaken Tommy to death because he was crying – Liam wanted to sleep ‘You fell with him?’ I asked. ‘Where?’ ‘On the way to you,’ Liam replied. Why hadn’t he told me this earlier? My main concern was my baby boy, though. Tommy was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary. I longed to hold him, make everything better. ‘I can’t stand seeing him like this,’ I sobbed on Liam’s shoulder. ‘I know,’ Liam said, cuddling me. ‘Me neither.’ But then, the next day… ‘I’m so sorry,’ the doctor said. ‘There’s nothing more we can do.’ Sobbing, I sank to the floor. Then Liam held Tommy in his arms and I sat on his knee as we gave our tiny son one last cuddle together. My baby boy was gone, just…

Luka let himself out and started knocking on neighbours' doors... Being a single mum with a chronic illness, endometriosis, I always worried about anything happening to me. ‘If Mummy’s ever ill, call Nanna,’ I was always telling my boy Luka, 4. I taught him how to use my phone to ring her. It was harder for him than most. Luka was diagnosed with the eye conditions retinal dysfunction and cone-rod dystrophy when he was 6 months old. He was registered blind, only really had tunnel vision. But he never let his disability get in the way of anything. In October last year, I was suffering from a really bad endometriosis flare. I was bleeding badly, had terrible cramps and felt wiped out. I decided to go to our local A&E…

Chubby chin Q I've lost two stone in weight, but still can't shift my horrible double chin. Are there any chin exercises that work? Mary, 50 A Well done for shifting the excess weight, though the shape of your chin is largely the result of your genes. Chin exercises or chewing sugar-free gum can help by toning muscle, but for a dramatic change you'd have to consider paying for liposuction. Spotty eye Q There's a yellow spot on the white part of my eye. My doctor called it a pinguecula and says ignore it, but can't I get rid of it? Lynne, 47 A It's a lump of elastic body tissue, often the result of exposure to sun and wind. It's harmless and doesn't cause any symptoms except, occasionally, slight…

Asda Cheese Twists, 125g, 80p Flavoured with Cheddar cheese, these flaky pastry strands are very crunchy, with a great tangy flavour. So moreish, we defy you to scoff just one! Crusti Croc Cheese Twists, 150g, 85p, Lidl These lovely all-butter flaky twists are just the thing to enjoy with a nice cold glass of something... Morrisons Cheese Twists, 125g, £1 Our favourite - just! We loved these for the strong cheese flavour - that comes, according to the ingredients list, mainly from Gouda cheese. Crunchy, crispy - delicious! NEW The Fabulous Bakers Banana Brunch Bars, £1.79, Sainsbury's Oat and cereal bars packed with fruit - perfect for breakfast, brunch or just as a tasty little treat.…

Makes: 12 Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min 50p per serving 1kg Pink Lady apples 40g sugar 150g butter 70ml golden syrup 200g oats Pinch of salt Pinch of ground ginger 1 Preheat oven to 180/ Gas 4 and butter a 20cm round cake tin. 2 Peel, core and grate the apples into a saucepan, add the sugar, cover and simmer over a low heat until soft, about 10 min. 3 Add butter and golden syrup and bring back up to a gentle simmer. 4 Fold in the oats, salt and ginger until thoroughly mixed. 5 Pour mixture into tin and bake 30 min. Allow to cool before turning out and slicing.…

1 Heat oven to 200C/Gas 6. Peel and chunk 300g sweet potatoes, toss in olive oil and roast for 30 min. 2 Meanwhile, cook 100g kale for 3-5 min in a little water until tender. Drain. 3 In a large, nonstick pan, quick-fry 500g thickly sliced, closed-cup mushrooms in oil until golden. Add 2 crushed cloves garlic, cook for 1 min, then add 250ml vegetable stock and sweet potatoes. Bubble for a few min to reduce liquid. 4 Off heat, season. Stir in 2tbsp creme fraiche, 250g spinach and kale. 5 Pour into a pie dish, top with 150g cubed feta, and allow to cool for a few min. 6 Brush 3 sheets of filo pastry with 1tbsp olive oil, loosely scrunch and lay over pie filling, then bake for…

Essence Soo Glow! Cream to Powder Highlighter in Look On The Bright Side, £2.80, Wilko This starts as a cream and turns into a velvety powder when applied. Top tip: Use sparingly to start - you can always add more! Collection Speedy Highlighter, £3.99, Superdrug The chubby stick shape makes applying this foolproof. Top tip: Opt for a highlighter in a neutral shade for a natural finish. Kiko Perfect Eyes Duo Highlighter Pencil, £6.90, www. kikocosmetics.com Contains both matte and pearl finishes, so you can shake up your look. Top tip: Use matte for day and the pearlescent one come evening. Barry M Light Me Up! Liquid Highlighter, £4.99, Boots A light formula that blends well to give skin a natural glow. Top tip: Use on…

Speaking out Lucy shared her story about how her cousin abused her (19 Nov issue) and I'm so glad she was able to get justice for what he did. The high-profile abuse cases with celebrities have made it a little easier to talk about, but only the victim knows how much it can impact your life. I hope more people tell loved ones, and the police, and find the understanding and justice they deserve. Name and address supplied WE Warning to us all was so sad to read about the I death of Beth’s baby (If you use nappy sacks, you must read this, 26 Nov issue). I would never have thought nappy sacks a danger. Beth is so brave to tell her story and warn us all. Lois Jones,…

I asked Luna to be my bridesmaid – there was no better girl for the job... When me and my partner James, 25, started planning our big day, there were two friends at the top of our invite list… ‘We have to invite Luna and Hendrix,’ I said to James. ‘Of course,’ he agreed. We doted on our Hungarian Vizsla pups – there was no way we could get married without them there. We’d got Luna, now 2, when she was just 8 weeks old. A year later, Hendrix, now 1, completed our family. They were more than just pets, though. They were like family. ‘They’re my babies,’ I’d say, giving them lots of attention. We never went anywhere without them. The more I got thinking about the big day,…

What I loved Still feasting from the freezer after all the Xmas leftovers got shoved in there! (Wish I'd labelled stuff, though…dunno if I'm looking at stuffing balls or fruity flapjacks…) What hacked me off Having rather more wobbly flesh than I should… Please don't make me join the legions of joggers battling through crowded pavements! What made me laugh Hearing that a recent study showed women who carry a little extra weight live longer than the men who mention it... Hope your curves are being appropriately embraced this week!…

The donor cells were transplanted through a line straight into her heart My blood ran cold as the news sank in. Our little girl has leukaemia. Esme was only 3. She’d been referred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital suffering a rash and temperature. My hubby Grant and I hadn’t thought for a second that it could be cancer. Yet 30 minutes later, an oncologist delivered the earth-shattering news. We were in bits, heartbroken. Esme needed more tests and, three weeks later, it was confirmed she had juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia. A rare one-in-a-million cancer. It got worse. She’d need intense chemo. But the radiation was so strong, it’d also kill the vital stem cells in her bone marrow. ‘Esme’s only chance is a bone-marrow transplant,’ the oncologist explained. Devastated, Grant, me, and…

I've been left with terrible scars on my arms and legs Waking in the middle of the night, I needed the loo. Still half asleep, I padded across the landing. Then, all of a sudden, everything went black. When I came round, I was on the bathroom floor. I’d hit my head and my face was throbbing. I just put it down to a dizzy spell, though. My husband Steve, 56, was still asleep so I quietly climbed back into bed. The next morning, that day in January 2012, my face was swollen. ‘What happened?’ Steve gasped, seeing my two black eyes. He urged me to see our GP. ‘It sounds like you suffered a seizure,’ the doctor said. He referred me to Chase Farm Hospital, Enfield, for tests. When…

It's scary not knowing when my time will run out… Feeling very breathless and dizzy, I gripped the edge of the cot. My fella, Mark Brimble, 33, was standing behind me. He scooped up our 3-month-old, Grace, changed her nappy. ‘Take it easy,’ he urged. I nodded, slipping out the room. I tiptoed to check on 3-year-old Haley, my daughter from a previous relationship. ‘Mummy’s here,’ I whispered. Tears filled my eyes as the harsh truth stung in my chest. I’d no idea how long I’d be here for. Born with an aortic coarctation, the main artery that leaves the left side of my heart was narrow. By Haley’s age, I’d had open-heart surgery three times to widen it. My parents were told I was unlikely to reach the age…

I worried people would judge me for looking different Whenever I wore the make-up, I didn’t feel like myself There’s nothing wrong with being different. I should know. See, I was born with a birthmark that covers most of my face. ‘It’s a port wine stain,’ a doctor told my mum Deborah, now 50, and dad Mark, now 51, when I was born. It was harmless, caused by an abnormal development of blood vessels in the skin. Though it was nothing to worry about, Mum was heartbroken. ‘What if she gets bullied when she’s older?’ she’d sobbed to Dad. Doctors explained there was no cure, but laser treatment could help remove it. It was a pretty pricey procedure, though. Back at home, when Mum took me out in the pram,…

Aquarius 21 Jan - 19 Feb Should you ask someone for a small favour or a big one? Should you wait until they’re in a good mood? How can you tell? It’s tricky. But your own position is stronger than you think, and the time is right. So be brave, ask for what you really want - and get it. • Call 0905 817 0700* for more Pisces 20 Feb - 20 March You’re able to do something you’ve always enjoyed this week. You thought you’d never get the chance again, but this is a freebie that you never expected. Needless to say, this really is the last - which will make it all the sweeter and more memorable. • Call 0905 817 0701* for more Aries 21 March -…

K nn and Avon Canal 1 Learn a new skill! We'd never been on a boating holiday before but hire company Drifters helped us plan a simple route - from Bradford on Avon in Wilts to Bath in Somerset - and back, and showed us how to pilot our narrowboat. Other boaters were really helpful when we got stuck, too! 2 They say a canal boat holiday's the slowest way to relax. Travelling at 2mph through beautiful countryside, we had to agree! Even in a few hairy moments, it was hard to feel stressed. 3 It's a home away from home. Our boat Ella was beautiful. Inside we had comfy sleeping quarters and modern bathrooms, plus a roomy kitchen-diner - we made a cooked brekkie every morning! 4 There's masses…

LIFE AND DEATH… In 2014, Molly's grave made the news again. Local woman Gemma Grocott was nine months pregnant when she walked through the graveyard on a trip to the shops. And, as she did so, she started getting contractions. Her partner Steven Moore ran for help but, when he returned, with no time to wait for an ambulance to arrive, Steven delivered his daughter Mikayla on the grass by Molly's last resting place. All the children of Burslem know about Molly Leigh’s grave. That if they dance around it three times singing, she’ll walk again. Molly Leigh, Molly Leigh, you can t catch me, chase me round the apple tree… Her grave’s easy to spot. It’s the only one in St John’s churchyard facing west, at right angles to…

WHAT A SILLY ASS..! Looks as if Squishy the donkey’s been picked up by the long ear of the law! In fact, he was lost on a busy Oklahoma road when Officer Kyle Canaan gave him a lift to safety. ELECTRIC DREAMS Meet Haoyue, the world’s first robot bridesmaid. Developed by a tech company in China, she can be hired – presumably by friendless brides. Wonder what she was like on the hen do?! LOOKIN’ GOOD! Say hello to Zimbabwe’s newly crowned Mr Ugly, Mison Sere. But, sadly, the pageant turned - well - ugly, when many deemed Mison too gorgeous to hold the title! BLADERUNNER Cutest-ever rescue dog Daisy from Los Angeles was born with wonky front legs - so a local animal hospital made her special blade prosthetics.…

As police tried to piece it together, I never thought that Liam would've hurt Tommy… As far as surprises come, it was a big one! Me and my boyfriend Liam, 24, hadn’t been trying, but now… ‘I’m pregnant,’ I told him. I was excited, but terrified. Liam and I had been together for about a year-and-a-half. But, with neither of us working, money was tight. Shock spread quickly across Liam’s face. He just needs to get used to the idea, I thought. Liam was caring, and we were madly in love. He’d be a brilliant dad. Only, a few days later, we were arguing about something when Liam came out with it. ‘It’s just not the right time for a baby,’ he said. ‘You should have an abortion.’ Stunned, I…

Ricki and I had plans to buy our dream home first, then start a family I’ll never forget the look on my husband’s face as I walked down the aisle. Ricki rarely showed emotion, but on this day, he had tears rolling down his cheeks. ‘You look beautiful,’ he smiled when I reached him. Could life get any better? I’d first met Ricki at the local pub three and a half years before. He’d just moved here from New Zealand and I could tell instantly he was a kind, genuine guy. Having relocated from the UK four years earlier myself, we became friends. A few months later, Ricki asked me out and, after that, we were inseparable. No-one was surprised when we decided to tie the knot. Our loved ones…

This guy said he wantedJodie to be his wife – yet she didn't even know his name He gave me the thumbs up – then came at me with a plank of wood! Bolognese bubbled on the hob as I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. It was Jodie, my son Ben’s girlfriend. ‘Hello, love,’ I answered. ‘What time will you be over for dinner?’ ‘Soon,’ Jodie muttered, sounding stressed. I guessed she’d had an argument with Ben. They were happy with two kids, Demi, 6, and Jordan, 4. But what couple didn’t have their moments? Only it wasn’t a couple’s squabble this time. ‘There’s a man who lives across the road from my brother,’ Jodie said. ‘He’s making me feel uncomfortable.’ ‘In what way?’ I asked, intrigued. ‘I’ll…

Once I came off the diet, I’d lose control and turn into a blob again You’re looking at a woman who’s tried everything. No calorie uncounted, no diet untried. And where had it got me? Nowhere. I was still fat. So big I should have my own postcode. It wasn’t like I hadn’t tried… Yet after four decades of dieting, I was still a blob. My first diet was when I was 16. I was already bigger than the other girls at school. It would have been easy to blame Mum for my weight. Every night, she dished up a good old, traditional English tea. Her steak and kidney pud could’ve won awards. But it did nothing for my figure. Neither did the trifles, jam roly-polies and spotted dicks, all…

My sleep walking had become dangerous – and cruel… I covered my ears as the cashier scanned our shopping at the checkout. But, with every bleep, my ear exploded with pain. ‘I can’t cope,’ I sobbed to my hubby, Mark, 55. It was October 2013, and what had started as an irritating pain in my right ear had developed into sheer agony. Certain sounds set it off – clanking of cutlery, ringing phones, kids’ voices as they played. It felt as if I was being stabbed deep inside my ear. I’d been to the doctor, and tried antibiotics. Nothing helped. Next, I’d started sleepwalking, too. First, I’d have conversations with Mark in my sleep. Then he’d wake to find me up and about, screaming. And, one morning, I woke to…

Looking down at the man I’d known since I was 11 holding out a gold diamond ring on bended knee, I was overwhelmed. ‘Yes!’ I cried excitedly. It was December 2013, and Steven’s proposal was a shock. I don’t know why, as I was three months pregnant with our third child and we’d got together at 15! In July 2010, our first daughter Sophie was born, then Olivia. Our new addition would complete our happy family. I’d always dreamed of walking down the aisle in a white gown, but weddings like that don’t come cheap, so we decided to save. My pregnancy went smoothly until I had a scan that showed the baby had lost weight. At 39 weeks, I went into hospital to be monitored, as the baby wasn’t…

Me and my sister Julie, 43, had always been close and she’d just popped round with her new laptop. ‘Let’s try it,’ I suggested. As we browsed the Internet, we looked for a bingo site. We were big fans of bingo. So Julie signed up to Chat Mag Bingo, and I watched her play a few games. ‘It’s really fun!’ she smiled. But back in 2010, I’d not got my own computer, so I went out and bought a new laptop. I learnt how to send e-mails, surf the web and shop online. My kids Mark, 41, and Gaynor, 40, were impressed. Now I could join Chat Mag Bingo for myself! It was so simple and there were loads of games to play. I mostly enjoyed playing bingo games in…

Getting ready for a mate’s party, I found myself staring vacantly into the mirror. I wasn’t sure how long I’d been doing it, but now I was going to be late. My boyfriend Martin, 23, ushered me into the car while I texted an apology to my pal. You re always late! she joked. But I suddenly burst into tears. ‘I want to go home,’ I told Martin. ‘Really?’ he asked, surprised. I was usually so bubbly, and loved a party. Then everything went black. I don’t remember much more, just flashes… I remember my body going rigid, confusion, screaming as a man peered in the car window. ‘It’s your dad,’ Martin said gently to me. I was taken to Poole Hospital, where I was checked over. The doctors thought…

Don’t worry, be happy, the words of Jo-Anne’s favourite song fitted her well The doctor said the illness was like a Pac-Man eating everything inside her In every life we have some trouble, when you worry, you make it double… The familiar beat of my daughter Jo-Anne’s favourite song wafted downstairs. Without realising, I sang along. ‘Don t worry, be happy…’ Then, I snapped out of it. ‘Jo-Anne!’ I shouted. ‘Not that song again! I’m going to have it in my head all day!’ Even though she had Bobby song – Don t Worry, Be Happy – on repeat at top volume, it was impossible to be mad at Jo-Anne for long. Just 16, Jo-Anne’s GCSEs were on the horizon and she’d need to pass English, Maths and Science…