Table of contents for 28-Mar-2019 in Chat

Many of us can’t imagine life without our mums – if we’re lucky enough to still have them around. It took a long time for Norah (p52) to form that special bond but it was worth the wait. When Dellen Millard’s affair was exposed, he had to get rid of his mistress – but he did so in the most horrifying way (p56). Tia’s hubby got locked up on their honeymoon – how on Earth was their dog to blame (p34)? That’s just some of the amazing reads, puzzles, fashion (p12) and more we’ve got for you this week. And speaking of mums, don’t miss our tips on how to treat yours for Mother’s Day this year. Or leave Chat open on p26 and p27 if your kids need a…

Mrs Clever!  When my young granddaughter grew too big for her favourite Mr Grumpy T-shirt, I couldn't bear to let it go, so I turned it into a framed picture. I cut out the picture on the front, stretched the fabric over card, glued the edges down and then framed it. She loves it and it's now hanging proudly in her bedroom. Irene Emerson, Grimsby Pass it on… I always pop things I've borrowed or want to pass on to friends or family in a bag by my front door. That way, when I'm off out to see them, I don't forget. Rachel Howlett, Biggleswade Good puds  Yorkshire puds make a quick, sweet treat. Warm them with fruit for breakfast, or add ice cream for pudding. Rachael Cleak, Ivybridge Not…

GUILTY A jury of eight men and four women deliberated for four hours before reaching their verdict. William Riley Gaul, 19, was found guilty of first-degree murder and was given a mandatory sentence of life in prison without possibility of parole for 51 years. Prosecutor Kevin Allen said, ‘Today is about justice for Emma Walker and her family.’ Gaul was also found guilty of stalking, tampering with evidence, theft of $500-$1,000 (around £400-£800) and possession of a firearm in a dangerous felony.…

Tight fit Q I tried a gel that is supposed to tighten my vagina, but it just made me sore down there! Irma, East Grinstead A Gels, lotions and sprays can't tighten your vagina and often contain harsh chemicals. They may cause narrowing by briefly irritating the vaginal tissue, leading to some swelling - but for a safe, long-term solution, pelvic-floor exercises are best. Hurting him? Q Help! My fella says that my coil pricks his penis during sex! Mina, Stevenage A He shouldn't be able to feel your coil as it's inside your womb, but he might be pricked by its threads, which poke out through your cervix to make the coil easier to remove. It's quite possible to remove a coil without its threads, so ask your sexual-health…

Rob Kowalski, 46 Shaking my permatanned bum at the crowd, I beckoned a bunch of squealing women up on stage. As they stroked my oiled-up chest, I clocked the best-looking lady. She’ll be coming home with me later, I thought. Sure enough, hours on, we were heading back to my place. Since the age of 14, I’d wanted to be a stripper. Now, in 1998, I was living the dream. And making more than £50,000 a year. But more important to me was the perk of the job…the women! Bikini-clad girls, overflowing fountains of cocktails... From hen parties to birthday dos, I was the stripper all the ladies wanted. And a few were keen to have a little after-party. Blondes, brunettes, redheads... I didn’t mind greys, either! Anyone looking for…

Jean Lambert, 38, Milton Keynes As my husband Michael, 29, wheeled me to the ward, I felt so excited. Just five hours earlier, I’d given birth to our first child Chloe. Born eight-weeks premature, she’d only been allowed a quick cuddle with Mummy before being whisked away. ‘What a shame. She’d be such a pretty baby...’ Now, pressing my hands against her glass incubator, my heart swelled with love. ‘She’s so adorable,’ I said. But then I noticed a tiny, purple mark on the right side of her forehead. ‘Probably a bruise from the labour,’ Michael said. It was 30 August 2009 – and, after a smooth pregnancy with every scan coming back as normal, I’d been getting ready to go to my job as a warehouse supervisor that morning,…

Aries 21 March - 20 April Best friends are the ones who can give the advice you don’t want to hear, but need to, for your own good. If someone you normally expect to be on your side’s saying no, there’s a good reason for it. Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May Patience is your strong point. You usually reckon if you wait long enough, your turn will come. It may be true, but right now you need to push to the front of the queue, or speak up in your own defence. Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June You have a chance to leave a job you say you hate. But now you’re starting to see that…

Christine White, 58, Southend-on-Sea Coming home from work, I whipped off my coat and sat down on the sofa. ‘What a busy day,’ I sighed. It was June last year and I’d just finished a long shift at the care home where I work. I was expecting my husband Paul, 49, to be home shortly too. And as I made myself a cup of tea, I was ready to put my feet up. Reaching for my laptop, I went to log on and play a good game of bingo. Bingo’s always been a big part of my social life – I’ve played for the last 20 years. From when I started going down to the local bingo halls with my mum Anne back in the day, it was one of…

NSPA Mum To Be Maternity Collection Gift Box, £10, Asda Filled with a stretch-mark oil, soothing nipple balm, moisturising bump butter and clay mask. Sanctuary Spa Indulgence Box, £20, Boots Packed with £41.50 worth of fab spa-worthy goodies. Joules The Mother Of All Gifts Scarf Gift Set, £24, Boots Gorgeous smellies plus a pretty Joules scarf. Soap & Glory Scent-Sational Bunch, £20, soapandglory.com The ultimate pamper kit in a cute keepsake tin. Champneys Reward & Restore Gift, £22, Boots Everything you need to turn your bathroom into a spa.…

Sitting with you all in that draughty old hall, I looked around, thinking, ‘If these walls could talk.’ The horror stories we all heard at that sexual abuse support group chilled me to my core. Some of you had been tiny when your abuse started. You thought it was normal, you came to expect it. Believed that if you refused, it’d only get worse. As I heard your stories, tears welled and anger swelled. But I felt something else. Complete and utter awe. The group of women sharing their stories in that room, were the bravest people I’d ever met. Much braver than I felt. See, I had a story of my own. But I wasn’t ready to share it with anyone, not yet. I’d been just 5 when my…

Leanne Barrett, 30, Erdington, West Midlands I couldn’t help grinning myself, as a wide smile spread across Mum’s face. ‘Oh, love, that’s great news!’ she said to me, wrapping me in a hug. It was January 2013, and I’d just revealed that I was pregnant. It was a dream come true, having been told my irregular periods had made me near infertile. My mum Jackie, 58, knew how much this meant to me. ‘Who’s the father?’ she asked. He put me down all the time, calling me worthless There was no question, I knew exactly who it was, Some time before, I’d had a one-night stand with Denver Harris, 27, after a night out. I worked with Denver’s sister – and, although he was good-looking, he wasn’t exactly boyfriend material.…

Stuffed croissants  Serves 4 Prep: 5 min Cook: 5 min • 4 large all-butter croissants • 150g light cream cheese • 6 cherry tomatoes, chopped • 8 large basil leaves, chopped • 1tbsp capers, rinsed and chopped • Juice of ½ lemon • Salt and freshly ground black pepper • 160g hot-smoked salmon, flaked 1 Preheat oven to 190C/Gas 5. Slice the croissants to make a pocket, then warm in the oven. Remove and leave until cool enough to handle. 2 Mix together remaining ingredients, except salmon, and season. Fill each croissant with cheese mixture and hot-smoked salmon. TOP TIP SAVE £££s You could also use leftover cooked salmon instead.…

The dermatologist explained he’d just been sent an e-mail about a trial treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital, using propranolol – a drug used to treat high blood pressure. ‘It’s hoped it will shrink birthmarks by starving them of blood,’ he said, and offered to refer Chloe. Michael and I jumped at the chance. And, two weeks later, we were on our way to London with Chloe for her first appointment. Our brave girl knows that it’s the mark of a survivor The doctors at Great Ormond Street warned us the treatment was only in its research stage, so there were no guarantees. But, by now, Chloe’s birthmark was so large, it was starting to crush her eye. ‘We’ll try anything,’ I said. Back home, we had to give Chloe…

You can save a fortune by being savvy about your gas and electricity. Here's how… 1 Time to jump ship  When it comes to energy bills, loyalty doesn't pay - and if you haven't switched supplier before, you could save a fortune. Just go online and see what deals are available on price comparison sites like moneysupermarket.com  or uswitch.com and choose the best option for you. ‘If you've been with the same provider for a long time, the chances are you're missing out on hundreds of pounds worth of savings,' says Tom Flack, the Editor-in-Chief at moneysupermarket.com . 2 Make it cheaper  Another way you can usually reduce the cost further is by paying by direct debit, instead of when you receive the bill. And some…

There are so many fun bingo games to play at Chat Mag Bingo! We’ve got 75-ball bingo, Game Show Bingo where you play in patterns, as well as the more traditional 90-ball, Sapphire where you can win on one or two lines, or a Full House . Or try our latest 80-ball in Session Bingo where you cover all 16 numbers on your bingo card to win. Christine’s favourite is Round the Clock, a 75-ball game . So sit back, join in the fun and chat, and let us dab off your numbers for you.…

Coronation Street Roy’s blast from the past Roy gets a big surprise when a young man enters the cafe and reveals he’s Wayne Hayes, who was once fostered by the greasy spoon’s owner and his late wife, Hayley. Later, Carla goes to the police station to face questioning about the factory roof collapse and she’s shocked to discover Wayne is the health and safety inspector who’s investigating the tragedy. Emmerdale Drama at the Sharmas! Rishi and Manpreet return from their holiday with an announcement to make, but are interrupted by Aiesha, who turns up with the news that she’s been dumped and is coming to live with them. The fact that Manpreet’s high maintenance daughter is moving in is enough to make Jai have an apoplectic fit - so what…

Jenna Smyth, 34, Belfast August 2002, and I was a giggling teenager at a summer camp. I smiled at the fresh-faced, rosy-cheeked guy who’d caught my eye. Darren, aged 17 like me, made me laugh. A friend of a friend, he had me hanging off his every word. We started dating and, just before my 18th birthday, Darren sprung a question on me. ‘Shall we get engaged?’ he grinned one night, as we watched TV. ‘Yes!’ I squealed. ‘I’ll do anything to see my boys grow up!’ Darren cried Picking out a ring, I’d never felt happier in my life. I knew that I wanted to be with Darren forever. And, when I fell pregnant in autumn 2004, everything was perfect. DJ was born in April 2005. After an emergency…

Charlotte Land, 34, Rossendale, Lancashire Hanging the Open sign in the shop window, I beamed at my husband Richard, 36. It was March 2016 – and, after years of planning, we’d finally opened our own tattoo parlour. As a pub landlady, I had a head for business, while Richard was more artistic – a talented tattooist. Together, we were the dream team. We’d met in September 2004, when he was my sister’s neighbour. As the weeks passed, he became more distant He was tall, good-looking, and with a wicked sense of humour – and I was drawn to Richard instantly. ‘That’s lovely,’ I smiled, running my fingers along an eagle tattoo on his left arm. ‘Drew it myself,’ he grinned. We went on to have two beautiful children, a girl…

Pain in the neck Q I woke with a pain in my neck. It's been a week now. What can I do? Helen, Redruth A It could be a cricked neck - a small sprain or pulled muscle, which triggers spasms in the surrounding muscles. It should settle in a few days. Meanwhile, try heat, rubbing, gentle neck exercises and painkillers. Scar removal Q There's a horrible scar on my arm from an accident I had as a child. Can I get rid of it without surgery? Mags, Peterborough A Scars can improve, even after years. Laser treatment, steroid injections into the scar, freezing therapy, dermal-filler injections or specialist make-up can reduce them, but might not all be available on the NHS. Clogged nostrils Q My nose is always blocked…

Co-op Mother’s Day Floral Cake, £6 The sweet, swirly vanilla frosting and elegant rose decoration make this cake a real treat for the eyes, as well as the tastebuds. Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Blackfriars Pomegranate & Rose Gin, £16  A beautiful bottle of London dry gin infused with sweet pomegranate and the floral notes of rose. Something a bit special! Lily O’Brien’s Desserts Collection, £7, Waitrose This box of 18 yummy chocs is inspired by much-loved desserts, such as Banoffee Pie and Creme Brulee. A perfect after-dinner treat.…

2017: Terror at Westminster Five people were killed by terrorist Khalid Masood on 22 March 2017, when he drove his car over Westminster Bridge, mounting the pavement before hitting pedestrians. He then ran towards Parliament, where he stabbed and killed PC Keith Palmer. Masood was shot dead by armed police officers at the scene. Aysha Frade, Leslie Rhodes, Kurt Cochran and Andreea Cristea were all killed. 2008: Teen killers On 27 March 2008, a 15-year-old was found guilty of killing Sophie Lancaster, 20. Goth Sophie was kicked to death in a park. Brendan Harris turned on Sophie when she begged him and four other youths to stop beating her boyfriend. Sophie died two weeks after the attack in Bacup, Lancashire. Harris and accomplice Ryan Herbert, 16, received life sentences. 2010:…

LETTER of the week! Q I’ve heard you can buy drops which make your foundation lighter or darker – do they really work? Bryony Newnham, 28 Brilliant for holidays, fake-tan fans or anyone who’s splashed out on a new foundation only to find the colour isn’t quite right – foundation drops are worth every penny. Easy to use, mix a couple of drops with your foundation,  BB cream or even concealer on the back of your hand before applying. They’re a foolproof way to personalise your shade all year round. BAG A BARGAIN! Q Help! My hair is really dry but everything I use weighs it down as it’s quite thin. Can you recommend anything? Poppy Kennedy, 34 A Good news! Dove has recently launched a new range especially designed…

Zoomed in! We’ve got up close and personal with a traditional circus juggling toy. If you can make out what it is, that's your prize answer. What’s on telly? As you can see, our TV’s gone on the blink and we can’t make out what film’s being screened… If the buddy cop action comedy starring Simon Pegg looks familiar to you, that's your prize answer! What’s wrong? You may recognise this still from the 2012 film The Dictator starring Sacha Baron Cohen and Anna Faris. But something about this still from the satirical comedy isn't as it should be. If you know which item doesn't belong, that's your prize answer. Face to face Which two celebrities make up this face? One is the an ex- TOWIE diva and the other…

In the spring of 2012, Laura Babcock had the world at her feet. Just 23 years old, she’d recently graduated with a degree in English and Drama from the University of Toronto. She dreamed of becoming an actress, and was devoted to her Maltese dog Lacey. To the outside world, Laura seemed popular, fun-loving. But as she struggled to find work after graduation, Laura started arguing with her parents, finally moving out and sleeping at friends’ homes instead. Drifting from sofa to sofa, her only stability was Lacey, who went everywhere with her. Then Laura began escorting, meeting up with middle-aged men, who’d pay her to spend time with them. One film and TV producer paid her to stay at his house for two weeks. Despite the money rolling in,…