Table of contents for 05-Jul-2018 in Chat

She claimed she'd heard voices… When mum-of-three Marina Krim arrived to collect her daughter from ballet class on 25 October 2012, she knew instantly that something was seriously wrong. Lulu, 6, wasn’t there. The Krims’ nanny Yoselyn Ortega was meant to have dropped Lulu off at the lesson, then return home with Leo, 2, while Marina took Nessie, 3, to her swimming lesson. But Ortega and Lulu had never shown up. Where are you? Marina texted 50-year-old Ortega. No reply. Grabbing Nessie, Marina raced out to the car. She called Ortega’s phone dozens of times on the journey home, there was still no answer. As they pulled up outside the family’s New York apartment around 5.30pm, everything was calm. But Marina’s panic was growing. She stepped inside to an eerie…

A chunk of ulcer was sent off for biopsy... Kicking my feet out of the bed covers, I noticed two tiny black dots on the inside of my right leg just above my ankle. Odd, I thought. They weren’t there last night. I felt the slight rise of a bump on each. ‘Must be a mozzy bite,’ I said reaching for the antiseptic cream. I thought nothing more about it. Only, a week on, my leg started pulsating. I rubbed on more cream, then applied a plaster. Another week on, though, and it still wasn’t better. The blood pulsed around the mark on my leg. My legs went weak and I couldn’t stand. ‘I’m taking you to A&E,’ my partner Brian, 31, said. I wanted to protest but I was…

Blueberry muffins with apricot and pecans Makes 12. Prep: 25 min Cook: 20 min Cost per serving: 41p 80g rolled oats 200g plain flour 1tsp bicarb of soda 1½tsp baking powder 125g light muscovado sugar 1 large egg, beaten 1tsp vanilla extract 120ml milk 200g low-fat plain Greek yogurt 80ml olive oil 100g blueberries, plus extra for topping 50g dried apricots, chopped, plus extra for topping 50g pecan nuts, chopped, plus extra for topping Topping: 200g ricotta ½tsp vanilla extract 2tbsp icing sugar 1 Preheat the oven to 190C/Gas 5. Put 12 paper cases into a 12-hole muffin tin. 2 Put oats, flour, a pinch of salt, bicarb and baking powder into a large bowl and stir in the sugar. 3 In a separate bowl, beat together egg, vanilla, milk,…

Dawn Bridgwood, 53, from Newcastle-Under-Lyme says, ‘I decided to find June because, as a mother myself, I'd want to know the child her son helped was still well. When I finally tracked her down, we messaged until 4am. ‘She told me about Jonathan, I told her how Dylan was doing. Now we have a special friendship - there's an emotional tie. Her son saved mine and that brings a closeness no other friendship can. Dylan's 17 now, the age Jonathan was when he died, and that's poignant. He's vowed to live his life for Jonathan - and for June.'…

Something caught my eye – it had a flashing red light... My whole family were in shock, felt betrayed Emily Kempster, 19, Warrington Our front door opened and a familiar voice called out... ‘Only me! Is the kettle on?’ I smiled. Alan Griffiths was our neighbour – his house backed onto ours. Over the years, Alan had become like a grandad to me and my older brother Alex, then 15. ‘Of course there is,’ I smiled cheerfully, grabbing a mug from the cupboard. ‘You’re always welcome!’ It was 2007, and my mum had met Alan nine years earlier – shortly after we’d all moved in. Mum did bits of shopping and errands for him. I loved Alan. He was a kind, jolly, elderly man, and I soon began seeing him…

I loved his ambition... he seemed such a family man Had he hoped to marry one of us to get a visa? Chatting to a mate, I moaned about my non-existent love life. ‘I’ve been single a year,’ I groaned. It was November 2016 and, bringing up two children alone, I rarely had time for dating. But seeing couples with their kids made me yearn for a man in my life. ‘Try Internet dating,’ my mate suggested. ‘Nah,’ I rolled my eyes. Only, that night as the children slept, I found myself looking at dating apps. Signing up for one, I scrolled through photos of available men. Julian Balla, 27, popped up. His profile pic was of him and a mate with a toy tiger. Sweet! Hi, I wrote. He…

Rejecting the claim that Yoselyn Ortega was mentally ill and didn’t understand her actions, the jury found her guilty of the murders. Kevin Krim hung his head as the verdict was read out. Marina wasn’t in court but, shortly after, she posted a photo on Instagram from the Empire State Building, a landmark Leo adored. The caption said, You two never made it to the top, but I’m up here now for the first time, in peace, on top of the world, remembering another lifetime and thinking of you. A month later, Ortega, 55, showed the first ounce of emotion. ‘I’m very sorry for everything that happened,’ she said. The judge described her as ‘pure evil’ and she was sentenced to life in prison without parole.…

Blood when I pee QI'm training for a marathon and I've started seeing blood in my wee after a run. Have I damaged something? Pinkie, Bolton A If the blood clears within 72 hours, chances are it's a harmless effect of exercise, which affects up to 25 per cent of long-distance runners. It's more likely if you're dehydrated, so drink plenty when you run. But do see your doctor to rule out other possible causes. Acid for ever? QI suffer heartburn, but I don't want to take pills all my life. Is there a permanent cure? Mary, Enniskillen A Heartburn, caused by acid leaking from your stomach into your gullet, is often best controlled by pills to reduce stomach acid. Losing weight, not smoking and avoiding tight clothes will help.…

Mastitis is most common in breast-feeding women, and often caused by a build-up of milk due to the baby not attaching properly, having problems sucking, or missed feeds. This causes breast tissue to become painful and inflamed. It's usually easily treated - but in some cases, this milk build-up can become infected with bacteria. See your GP if you suspect you are suffering from mastitis. Symptoms include a red, swollen area that's hot and painful to touch; a lump or hardness; burning pain; nipple discharge that's white or contains blood, and flu-like symptoms.…

I was really scared, didn’t know what to do... Lucy Hoggan, 21, Carlisle Hiding in the corner of the changing room, I tried to cover myself up. ‘Look at your belly!’ one of the pretty, popular girls laughed. ‘And those hamster cheeks,’ another sneered. It was 2009 and I was 12. And my ‘fat’ frame? A healthy size-10. Sporty, I played football, netball and hockey. I was fit, but not skinny. And that made me a target. Soon, I was being bullied daily. Miserable, I’d head home to my foster family and say nothing. I was happy there, didn’t want to burden them. Later that year, my grandparents died within six months of each other. Aged 5, I’d lived with them for a year, before going into care. It hit…

Aries 21 March - 20 April You could argue about who pays for what. But before long you’re in a game about status, with the one who pays being seen as the loser. You must rise above such tactics and suggest you pay half each. Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May What you’re trying to reach is like a mirage - the closer you get, the further away it seems! Plus, there are legal problems. An impossible quest? No, but this isn’t the right time. Wait a few weeks. Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June An old idea can seem new if packaged properly. Think back to the last time you were in a situation like this. What…

QI want to try a smoky eye for my nephew’s wedding this summer, but I don’t know where to start – help! Karen Coleman, 55, Essex A As it’s a summer wedding, we’d recommend going for warm, brown tones. Start by sweeping a lighter shade across your lid, before blending one a couple of shades darker across the crease. For extra staying power, prep your lids with an eyeshadow primer. Finish off by applying a brown kohl across your upper lash line, followed by mascara. Q Since going grey, I feel like I spend half my life at the hairdressers. Can you recommend some good at-home alternatives? My hair is blonde. Gemma Wallace, 61, Wolverhampton A Box colours have come on leaps and bounds lately, so you won’t have to…

HOW ABOUT ONE OF THESE ISLANDS? Mykonos 1 The number of tourists visiting Mykonos is booming, and hip new hotels, beach bars and restaurants are mushrooming across this beautiful island. Malta 2 With 300 days of sunshine a year and some of the Med’s clearest waters, you’d think that Malta might be expensive. Not so. Accommodation is excellent value, hire cars are cheap and eating out is a bargain. Zakynthos 3 Its white beaches, panoramic views and beautiful town centres, will have you stopping every few minutes to admire the scenery.…

Summer 1977 – and across New Y ork, an armed serial killer prowled. He shot couples – lovers or friends – at random, leaving a string of murder victims and wounded survivors in his wake. How could he be stopped..? 1 THE REVOLVER  It started at 1.10am on 29 July 1976 in the Bronx. Friends Donna Lauria, 16, and Jody Valenti, 18, were shot in a car after a disco, killing Donna. By January 1977, three more couples had been shot, most in parked cars. Another victim was dead, others wounded. In March 1977, Virginia Voskerichian, 19, was shot dead as she walked home from uni in Queens. At a press conference, police said the same .44 gun was used in all the shootings. They were officially hunting a serial…

Taking a swig from my juicy red smoothie, I licked my lips. Delicious! ‘Can I have some?’ my son Demitrius, then 2, asked. It was 28 December 2014, and I smiled as he chugged it, smacking his lips. But this was no ordinary fruit drink. It contained one very special ingredient… My own placenta! It had all started when I was pregnant with my first child, Logan, in 2008. I read an article which explained how consuming a placenta could have many health benefits. It could raise your energy levels, help to balance your hormones... You could blend it and drink it, or grind it into capsules. ‘I’m going to give it a try,’ I told my hubby Jon, now 35. Thankfully he’s pretty open-minded! But then I couldn’t find…

Popping his head out of my handbag, little Cookie looked at the changing scenery. ‘We’re almost there,’ I said soothingly. It was a sunny, lazy bank holiday Sunday last August. It all happened so fast. It was fight or flight… Me and Cookie, my new Chiweenie puppy – a cross between a Chihuahua and a dachshund – were driving to see Patrick, an old family friend. He lived a few streets away with his partner and son, and I was looking forward to catching up. ‘Come in!’ Patrick beamed as we arrived. We wandered into the kitchen but, just as we sat down for a cuppa, there was a knock on the door. Rolling his eyes, Patrick traipsed off to see who it was. Alone in the kitchen, I fussed…

Teeth grinder Q My boyfriend grinds his teeth during sex. Is it harming him? Chloe, Lincoln A Grinding purely during sex is probably harmless. But if he's also doing it when asleep or stressed, it can lead to tooth damage, face pain and headaches. If so, his dentist might suggest a mouth guard or relaxation exercises. Sex please! Q Most of my friends lost their sex drive after the menopause, but I'm randier than ever! Am I normal? Kath, Paisley A Yes! Menopause symptoms such as vaginal dryness and mood changes can lower sex drive. But greater freedom and security around this time can also give it a boost. Just remember to use contraception for a year if you're over 50, or two years if you're younger. Write to Dr…

‘I’m thrilled to be sharing my wins with the family’ Jennifer Knight, 71, Northumberland Do you remember me? I was in the magazine in May last year after I scooped my second big win on Sapphire Bingo, winning an incredible £1,000. That was just a year after I had my biggest windfall of £1,250 in April 2016. And now I’m back again! I first joined Chat Mag Bingo in September 2013, and I’ve loved every minute of it. Even my daughter Glynnis, 47, has now signed up. My favourite games are Sapphire Bingo and the Tiki slot games. And there’s such a welcoming community. I really enjoy chatting away with all the other members on the site. I used to go to the bingo halls after a shift at the…

Salvation came in the shape of my gorgeous daughter Then, just a month later, in May 2016, everything changed. I took a pregnancy test and... Positive. ‘Mum,’ I gasped down the phone. ‘I’m pregnant!’ ‘Are you sure?’ she asked. I went round to Mum’s, the test wrapped in a tissue in my bag. ‘Don’t worry, everything will be OK,’ she said. I was freaking out... Didn’t know how my partner would react. And I was skin and bones, eating like a bird. In no shape to carry a baby. Then, six weeks later, me and my partner split. Maybe I shouldn’t have it? I thought. I could barely look after myself, after all. But two weeks later, at my first scan, that little white bean I saw on the screen…

1 Book in advance  Just like flights and trains, the earlier you book car hire, the cheaper it generally is. Many car-hire companies' prices surge in peak seasons and closer to pick-up dates - booking in advance not only gives you more choice on the type of car you get, it could also save you serious cash. 2 Decide who drives  Adding extra drivers can make rental expensive, as the company has to insure every driver. Hire companies prefer more experienced drivers. So they often increase charges to drivers under-25 - even if they're not the main driver. If one person doing all the driving isn't an option, look for ‘free additional driver' offers, as they do pop up sometimes. 3 Don't be late If you don't turn up on…

Neutrogena Radiance Boost Hydrogel Recovery Mask, £3.50, lookfantastic.com Contains vitamin B3 to cool and brighten your complexion. Spaa Retreat Purifying Facial Sheet Mask, £1.99, Superdrug Great for oily skin, with tea tree oil to tackle blemishes.  Garnier Ambre Solaire Aftersun Tissue Mask, £3, Asda Rehydrates skin to help your tan last longer. Palmer’s Coconut Oil Body Firming Sheet Mask, £8 Sheet masks aren’t just for your face! This can be used anywhere on your body to tighten and tone.…

Emmerdale DAZ ON A MISSION Daz worries about getting hold of the ransom money. Before going to meet with Amelia’s kidnapper, he breaks into the garage and picks up a spanner, heading off with violence in mind. Meanwhile, David and Maya have a talk about their respective marriage woes. Both get tipsy and are about to kiss when her husband, Dr Liam Cavanagh, interrupts them. EastEnders SHOCK AT THE FUNERAL The fallout from Shakil’s murder has been utterly heartbreaking to watch. Ever since her teen son was stabbed, Carmel’s grief has been harrowing. She’s gone through denial, and later rage, at the senseless attack on her son. Now it’s time for Carmel, played brilliantly by Bonnie Langford, to endure his funeral. But on the day, Carmel goes missing. Will they…

Sitting on the sofa with my arms wrapped around my little girl Kennedie, 2, I tried to ignore my two older daughters, Addison, 9, and Harleigh, 7. Sprawled out on the floor, the girls were rowing over the remote control. ‘Just be quiet,’ I sighed in frustration. ‘Mum!’ screamed Harleigh. ‘She’s hogging the TV again.’ ‘Shut up!’ cried Addison, her face red with rage. I rolled my eyes as I kissed Kennedie on the head. She’s always so quiet and sweet – my little shadow. She’ll follow me everywhere, loves to cuddle. But with Addison and Harleigh, it’s different. Not even teens yet, they’re both furiously independent, talk back if they don’t get their way, and the last thing they want is a kiss or cuddle from Mum. And right…

Now Jay answers YOUR questions Q What does it taste like? Diane, Dagenham A It doesn't taste like anything in particular. It's mixed up with coconut water and berries, so it mostly just tastes like that. But there is a background taste which is quite metallic, as if you're eating liver - it's not disgusting or unpleasant, though. Your placenta carries blood so it tastes of that, but it's mostly hidden by the berry taste. Q How about the texture? Jill, Eastbourne A The placenta is completely blended, so there aren't any chunks in it. It has the consistency of any smoothie you'd buy from the shop. You'd never know the difference! Q How did you persuade your husband to drink it? Jackie, Basingstoke A My husband is up for…