Table of contents for 17-May-2018 in Chat

Judging by the surprised look on its face, this little collared pika in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska, looks like it’s been caught out. Doing what, we don’t know! But collared pika – a member of the hare family and also known as the rock rabbit – are notoriously territorial. They don’t hibernate and collect piles of twigs and leaves to eat, which they fiercely guard from rivals. Perhaps it’s worried the photographer might be trying to pinch its stash..? If you'd like to see some more cute pictures, plus videos of all creatures great and small, simply go to lifedeathprizes.com  and search for ‘animals'.…

Alexandria Duval was acquitted of murdering her twin sister. Judge Peter Cahill said the key piece of evidence was the clump of Alexandria’s hair found in Anastasia’s hand. ‘That tells me that in the critical period, the deceased pulled her sister’s hair so hard that she could yank it out of her scalp,’ he said. He said he felt it was this pulling of her hair that made Alexandria lose control of the car and hurtle over the edge of the cliff, rather than any deliberate intent.…

At the airport, he looked dishevelled, dirty... As I lay awake, I could see it was past midnight. Though exhausted in bed, I was listening for the sound of a key in the door. ‘Melanie isn’t home yet,’ I whispered to my hubby Dave Batty. ‘I’m worried.’ This wasn’t a one-off, either. Since hitting her teens, Melanie, our only daughter, had become a handful. She’d stay out all night, partying, drinking. We struggled to cope. It didn’t help that Dave doted on her, was a soft touch. I took a harder line, grounding her and cutting off her pocket money. ‘It’s for her own good,’ I’d tell him. But we’d row about it and eventually split up, although we remained friends. By 16, Melanie was disappearing for weeks on end.…

I’d sliced up chicken, peppers and onions, thrown in some noodles and garlic... Even if I do say so, dinner was looking pretty tasty. ‘Enjoy!’ I said, plating up and handing my hubby Richard, 30, his stir-fry. ‘Delicious!’ he said, tucking in immediately. But, more importantly, it was also very healthy. Because, a few weeks earlier, a doctor had dropped a massive bombshell on Richard. His weight had started to harm his health. Looking back, I suppose it shouldn’t have been a shock. I’d met Richard when we were still children...and he’d always been a big lad. Becoming a couple when I was 18, I didn’t really see his size, all I actually saw was my sweet, loving Richard. By the time we married in July 2010, Richard was trussed…

Skyping my daughter Stella, 52, I watched my granddaughters dancing around in the background. ‘I miss you all so much,’ I said. Blowing kisses and saying goodbyes, I shut the laptop. It’d been three years since I’d seen them properly. Skype was the only way we could connect. I really did miss them. You see, my daughter and her kids live in Philadelphia in the USA now. That’s 3,479 miles away. But we Skype as much as possible and I’m always receiving photos of the fun they have. Plus, my other two children Christopher, 50, and Darren, 46, are here in the UK. They visit me and my husband Steven, 62, whenever they can. I have nine granddaughters so I’m kept very busy, but I do miss the three in…

A group of doctors stood round her tiny body… As I scrubbed away at the tiles in the kitchen, I suddenly realised something. My underwear was soaking wet. What the..? Rushing to the toilet, I was horrified to discover blood seeping through my knickers. It was September last year and I was 22 weeks pregnant. Screaming, I called for my eldest son, Josh, now 17, to call for help. I knew the baby was coming. Exactly the same thing had happened with my son, Albie, who was born at 26 weeks on 31 May 2016. And now, my fiance, Tyler, 22, and I were going through it all over again. As my next-door neighbour drove me to Colchester General Hospital, I tried really hard not to panic. ‘You’re not in…

At first, she was sad, nervous, never left my side… I’d loved dogs since I was a little girl – always had one growing up. But I’d never had a pooch as an adult. My partner John, 55, and I were too busy being parents after our daughter Stephanie arrived in September 1993. But when my dad, Don, 78, passed away from pneumonia in April 2011, his loss hit me hard. ‘Maybe we should get a dog,’ I said, as a furry bundle of joy would help with my grief. So, after a while, we went to the local animal rescue centre. Stephanie excitedly raced to the kennels to pick out a pup. ‘Look at her!’ she gasped. In the kennel was a thin, poorly looking dog covered in cigarette…

Save your fave! When my favourite mug cracked, I couldn't bring myself to throw it away, so I used it to display artificial flowers instead. Rose Janes, Monmouth Vintage gardening I love recycling old furniture into plant-pot holders. It's a great way to use up old chairs and I think it adds character to your garden, too! Richard Ellis, Bromley No more cat litter If cats like to use your garden as a lavatory, sprinkle a generous helping of pepper on the patches they like best. They won't be coming back! Roger Hedges, Much Wenlock, Shropshire Wax off When your favourite scented candle finishes, break off the leftover wax into small pieces using a knife and then use it in a wax or oil burner. Alison Workman, Cleveland In the…

Aries 21 March - 20 April Something you’d wondered about could happen now. Don’t panic - give yourself time to get used to the idea and don’t worry about the cash side of it. There’ll be benefits as well as drawbacks, as you’ll find out. Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May If you feel that you’re watching life from the back row, so you can hardly see what’s going on, that’s all about to change. From now on you’re going to be in the front row. You might even make it onto the stage! Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June A chance to reach agreement at last - but negotiations have gone on so long you’ve moved on,…

The huge, spotless clinic was like a five-star hotel Sitting on a lounger, I wrapped myself in a towel. ‘It’s boiling, come for a dip?’ my best friend Joan, 64, said. ‘In a bit,’ I replied as she got in the pool. It was May 2017, I was on holiday in Marmaris, Turkey, with Joan and my son Chris, 42. It was sweltering. But I was so self-conscious of my body I didn’t want to strip off. I’d always had big boobs, but I’d put on weight and they’d grown to a heavy 40F. I preferred to stay covered up so that I didn’t feel like I was flaunting them. Only, that night, we met a woman called Julie. I confessed to her that I hated my boobs, that the…

Slow nails Q My nails grow really slowly, even though I take vitamins! Can I make them grow faster? Beverley, 41 A Illness slows growth, so try to keep healthy. Forget vitamins, proteins or food supplements, they won't help unless you're actually deficient. Look after your nails - protect them from damage, moisturise and treat yourself to the odd professional manicure. Mouth pain Q What's the best and fastest way to get rid of a mouth ulcer? Angie, 37 A Most ulcers heal within a few days, though you might speed this up if you use hydrocortisone lozenges from your chemist. Soothing gel can relieve pain - and antiseptic mouthwash, combined with regular tooth cleaning, might help prevent ulcers in future. BP confusion Q The nurse tells me my blood…

Aldi 4 Specially Selected Luxury All Butter Croissants, £1.69 Good texture and the flavour came through really nicely, although the overall pastry was a little dry. Co-op Bakery Croissants, 78p each This instore-bakery pastry had a good texture, with a crisp outside - the flavour was a little doughy, though. M&S 2 Luxury All Butter Croissants, £1.50 A fab flaky exterior with an elastic dough, while a hint of salt makes the rich, buttery flavour come through. Yorkshire Tea Biscuit Brew, £2.29, Morrisons This new blend of tea is infused with the sweet and malty flavour of biscuits so you can enjoy the classic combination of tea and biccies, but without the crumbs!…

Even during chemo, he was laughing and joking As my fiance Terry coughed and spluttered, I handed him a water. ‘Please get that checked out, love,’ I said. It was June 2012 and Terry, then 22, had been suffering a persistent cough for six months. I’d been nagging him to make an appointment. Typical Terry, he didn’t like making a fuss. But two days later, he found a lump on his collarbone. Then one in his armpit. It shocked him into action, and he called our GP. They ran tests and we put it out of our minds. Only, two weeks on, Terry was called back in, told to bring someone to hospital with him. This isn’t good news, I thought, worried. And it wasn’t. ‘It’s cancer,’ the consultant said to…

I limped inside and tried in vain to stem the blood Pulling into the drive I shared with my new neighbours, I spotted their dog Zeus bound out their house. He looks angry, I thought. Zeus was a white and brown Staffordshire bull terrier with big teeth and a strong jaw. I’d seen him with his owners Alan and Linda Gent previously. It was July 2017 and I’d only moved into the cul-de-sac a few weeks earlier to be closer to my daughter. All the bungalows were built close to each other, and mine shared a driveway with Alan and Linda. It was peaceful area, I felt safe. A dog lover myself, I had four of my own, including a boxer and a pointer, so I know what great companions…

A trace of bad bacteria in any food could make me very ill I’ve always been a foodie. Rare steak, sushi… Delicious! Despite being born with cystic fibrosis, a condition where mucus builds up in the lungs, I never let it put me off trying different things. Even as a little girl. And I grew up to be an avid cookbook collector, enjoyed getting creative in the kitchen. Despite regular checkups, I lived a fairly normal life. Became a press officer. In 2016, I met Harry, then 27. He enjoyed his food, too, and we always make a point of eating at the table together. But cystic fibrosis is a life-long, progressive illness, and that same year, my condition worsened. I was sick with chest infections so often. It took…

1 Reach for the skies  If you have a head for heights, York Minster is the place to go for the best views. Climb the 275 steps up the Central Tower, leading you to the highest point in the city, then catch your breath while admiring the majestic vista. 2 Perfect for ambling  Just a stone's throw from York Minster is the historic cobbled street, The Shambles. Packed with medieval buildings, there are lots of independent boutiques, cafes and bars to enjoy. 3 Open for muggles  ‘The Shop That Must Not Be Named' has recently opened at number 30. It sells Harry Potter memorabilia, as The Shambles was the inspiration for Diagon Alley. 4 Refuel and relax  The very famous Bettys is well worth a visit. Try and arrive at…

What an uplifting story The story A Hundred Goodbye Kisses (8 March issue) was about Lynne's daughter Beth, who doctors didn't think would survive brain surgery. When your loved one is in a coma, the feeling of desperation must be terrible. But Beth beat the odds and is on the road to recovery. I'm so pleased for her and her family. Maxine Cooper, London WE PAY CASH Tone-deaf hubby When I heard my husband howling in pain in the shower – I rushed in to the bathroom to see what was wrong with him. Rather annoyed, he snappily replied, ‘I’m singing!’ Samantha Nicholson, Yanchep, Australia Toddler talk I spend a lot of time with kids and often speak like them! I was in the bath and…

Rumours spread like wildfire across the village THE STORY Sex, lies and scandal. They’ve always been with us, although they might not have been shared all over the Internet back in the 1950s. And, just as these things are today, it seems that no-one was above involvement – priests included... Father Guy Desnoyers was one such priest. Born a peasant’s son, he was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1946. Four years later, he became the parish priest of the tiny village of Uruffe, in north-eastern France... It seems that the villagers were delighted. Aged 31, he’d already spent two years studying for a medical degree, before money problems saw him change career path and become a priest. Still, his medical training stood him in good stead to help the…

I’m sure you’ll recognise our angel’s face... My hubby Paul, 48, lay on the sofa, blanket pulled up to his chin as we watched TV. ‘Think I’ve got the flu,’ he groaned, sniffling. ‘Pah, man flu!’ I sniggered, chucking him a box of tissues. It was October 2016, and we’d been together 16 years. But Paul wasn’t just my husband, he was also my best friend. We’d had some amazing times – date nights and holidays. Then bringing up our wonderful brood, Jazmin, Harley and April. So many cherished family moments. But our lives had also been blighted by the most profound sorrow. One which would never ease. You see, our treasured, adorable and utterly innocent young daughter had been kidnapped and brutally murdered in October 2012. I’m sure you’ll…

My doctor called them invisible illnesses… Lowering myself into the bath, I sighed… Perfect! Some well-earned, mummy-only time. The hot, bubbly water washed over my aching body. It was September 2012, and I’d been in pain all day. But with newborn Harvey, and my Caitlin, 1, to look after, I’d learned to live with it. Relaxing, I closed my eyes. Then my partner, Darren, 28, bustled in, fussing around. ‘Do you mind?’ I laughed. He stopped in his tracks, staring at me. ‘What?’ I asked. ‘Jac…you’re yellow!’ he said. What? ‘Get out the bath – I’m taking you to hospital,’ he ordered. Stunned, I did as he said. As I dried off, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I was yellow – all over! I’d been in…

No7 Radiant Results Revitalising Foaming Cleanser, £9.50, Boots Great for oily complexions, this light foam removes make-up and grime without stripping skin. Your Good Skin Nourishing Hot Cloth Cleanser, £8.99, Boots Massage the lotion over your face and neck before using a cloth soaked in warm water to wipe it away. Finish with a splash of cold water. Vitamin E Dual Phase Cleansing Oil, £2.99, Superdrug Shake first to blend, before applying with a cotton pad or your hands and removing with a damp cotton pad or cloth. Perfect for dry skin. Vitamin E Cream Cleanser, £8, The Body Shop Use twice daily to not only cleanse your skin but keep it soft. Vitamin E will protect against future damage, too.…

Makes 4 Prep: 20 min Cook: 30 min Cost per serving: 92p 1 Preheat oven to 190C/Gas 5. To make crumble topping, put 125g plain flour into a bowl then rub in 50g diced butter until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir through 50g golden caster sugar and set aside. 2 Hull 400g strawberries, reserving one whole for garnish. Chop the rest, divide between four large ramekins and scatter over crumble mixture to cover each. Put on a baking tray and cook for 30 min, until bubbling. Remove from oven, dust with icing sugar, and top each pot with a slice of strawberry. Serve hot, with ice cream or cream. Top Tip For an extra-crumbly crumble, mix 1tbsp finely chopped hazelnuts into topping mixture.…

Serves: 6 Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Cost per serving: 88p 1 Heat 1tbsp oil in a saucepan. Add 1 diced red onion, ½ diced red pepper, and 1 crushed clove of garlic, and cook for 10 min, stirring occasionally, until very soft. 2 Stir in 1 can chopped tomatoes and 1tbsp tomato puree, bring to a gentle simmer and cook for a further 5-8 min, until you have a thick paste. Blitz until smooth. 3 Preheat the grill to medium. Thinly slice remaining ½ pepper. Arrange six pitta breads on a large baking tray. Put under the grill and grill one side until lightly toasted. Turn pittas over and spread each with the tomato paste, leaving a 1cm border. 4 Scatter over 140g grated cheese, the sliced pepper,…

As I started pushing my baby’s head out, I heard a crash Sitting on the sofa watching One Born Every Minute, I stroked my growing bump. ‘That’ll be us soon,’ I smiled at my boyfriend Ben Burgwin, then 28. It was our favourite programme to watch together. Especially since I’d fallen pregnant in February 2017. Hooked, I tearfully watched the women on the show cuddle their babies for the first time. I glanced over at Ben. He was crying, too! We’d only been together four months when I fell pregnant. A happy surprise, but I’d not had Ben down as the emotional type. ‘Must be your pregnancy hormones,’ I joked. Only, as my cravings started, so did Ben’s! First spicy food, then anything sweet. Cake, chocolate, puddings. ‘It’s like you’re…

There was a strange air of uneasiness on set… It was June 1982 and horror flick Poltergeist had just hit the big screen. Audiences were left terrified, on the edge of their seats, as the Freeling family were tormented by angry, vengeful spirits. It would become one of the most iconic horror movies ever made. Yet what went on behind the scenes was a frightening mirror of the film’s events... From the moment director Tobe Hooper cried ‘Action!’, a series of unnerving incidents and tragedies plagued the unwitting film crew. In one famous scene, mum Diane Freeling falls into a swimming pool flooded with dirt, rain and decomposing bodies. Producer Steven Spielberg and Hooper had decided to use real human remains from a medical supply organisation for the scene. After,…

I’d welcome a woman – maybe she could move in, too! Spotting somebody who wasn’t invited in the kitchen, my jaw dropped. Cheek! I thought. It was November 2010, and my house party was in full swing. Only, this bloke, Chris, then 38, was the local cinema manager – who’d turned me down for a job. So I marched over. ‘Why didn’t I get the job?’ I demanded. Only Chris flashed a smile. ‘Because I’m not allowed to fraternise with employees,’ he told me, cheekily. So he fancied me! Stunned, I let him chat me up. After a whirlwind two-month romance, we got married! I had a daughter, Rachel, then 10, from a previous relationship. And in August 2012, Chris and I had a son, Lucas. In April 2015 we…