Table of contents for 26-Dec-2019 in Chat

Barbara thought her hubby was a hard-working business man, until the police swooped, revealing his secret double life (p58). Get ready for a case of the warm and fuzzies on p34 where you’ll meet the cutest Blue Cross cases of the year. And your heart will go out to Gill (p6) who will always regret not taking the chance to reconcile with her son. As well as your usual faves, like prize puzzles, tips, beauty and health advice, we’ve got glam ways to keep the chill off (p14) and party food that looks posh, but couldn’t be easier to make (p40). Have a great week!…

Driving her grandmother’s 1994 Oldsmobile 88 car, Sarah Stern, 19, headed out to do some errands with her childhood friend Liam McAtasney, 21. It was 2 December 2016 and the lead-up to Christmas. The pair stopped to pick up lunch in their home town of Neptune City, New Jersey, USA, then went back to Sarah’s. After playing video games, Liam left for a shift at a nearby restaurant. But, that evening, Sarah suddenly stopped replying to her father’s messages. Since returning from a family gathering in Florida five days earlier, Sarah had been in constant contact with her dad Michael. Now there was nothing. Suspected suicide Then, in the early hours of 3 December, a passing taxi driver spotted Sarah’s grandmother’s car on a bridge between Neptune and Belmar, New…

Danielle Hatcher, 30, Sheffield Hanging fairy lights above the front door, I heard my little girl squeal. ‘It looks amazing!’ Myla, 4, beamed. She raced towards me but slipped and fell on the icy pavement. ‘You OK?’ I asked, climbing down the ladder. She nodded. It was December 2017 and, as usual, the Christmas build-up was manic. Even more so because my son, Rio, 2 months, had bronchitis. But now the dark bruises on Myla’s legs worried me. So, two days after her tumble, at Rio’s check-up, I showed the doctor a picture of them. ‘It’s probably nothing,’ he said. ‘But bring her in, just in case.’ That afternoon, I was back with Myla for a blood test. And they discovered some abnormalities. Kept in overnight at Sheffield Children’s Hospital,…

Abby Murphy, 19 Waving goodbye to my friends at the start of the Christmas holidays, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of jealousy. As they piled into their cars with their brothers and sisters, I went off home with just my mum Barbara, 51. I envied their big families, always having someone around to hang out with. Ripping the paper off the pressie, I squealed with delight Then, aged 10, in the summer of 2010, friends at school started asking questions. ‘Do you have a dad?’ one said. ‘No, but I have my mum,’ I shrugged. Later, confused, I asked Mum a question. ‘Why don’t I have a dad?’ I said. Sitting me down, she explained she’d used a sperm donor. ‘I was given a list of names, and…

He’s a joke in bed Q My husband is so lazy in all areas of life, and even lazier in the bedroom! He thinks foreplay is a waste of time. His idea of getting me in the mood involves a nod to the bedroom and him grabbing his crotch. I used to find this comical, but the older I get, the more I want love, kisses, romance and affection. When I broach the subject, he tells me to stop being so soft. What can I do? Niki, 41 A Hell’s bells! You’ve allowed this behaviour in the past, so it will continue until you put a stop to it. We all like a laugh and a joke, so he probably thinks his crotch grabbing gets you fired up. You need…

Jackson Fox, 46 Most women have been dreaming about that day since they were a little girl. And looking back at old photos of my wedding in March 1994, I look exactly like I’m in the middle of a fairy tale. A blushing bride, complete with flowing ivory gown and a long train. Butterflies darted around my tummy as I walked into the church. I’d known for years that I was attracted to girls I said my vows and kissed my new husband Brent, then 25. Hundreds of our friends and family smiling around us. Only, the nerves I was feeling hadn’t been just the normal wedding jitters. I knew the feeling well. I’d felt exactly like I did as an 11-year-old, when Mum had forced me to wear a…

Crispy crushed potato with smoked salmon  Looks so posh! No one will guess how easy these little mouthfuls are. MAKES: 18 PREP TIME: 10 MINS COOK TIME: 35 MINS • 18 baby new potatoes • 2tbsp olive oil • 100g crème fraiche • 150g smoked salmon, cut into 3cm-wide ribbons • Half a bunch chives, snipped • Lemon wedges, to serve 1 Heat oven to 220C/Gas 7. Boil potatoes in salted water for about 15 mins until tender. Drain and leave to cool. 2 Drizzle 1tbsp oil on a large baking tray, add the cooled potatoes, then squash each until slightly flattened. Drizzle with the remaining oil and season. 3 Bake for 20 mins or until golden and crisp. Allow to cool slightly. 4 Spread a little of the crème…

Aries 21 March - 20 April Is this the time for serious talks? Yes, actually. Have a think, make your decision, and that’s it, done and dusted till next year. Now enjoy those festivities! ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May Looks like you’ll step up into a new role. Not what you’d planned, not what you’d volunteer for but, once you’ve got your head round it, something to be proud of. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June You’ve a lot to do by the end of the year. Someone you’re relying on for help doesn’t have the same idea of urgent as you, so be prepared to go it alone. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for…

After a month-long trial, on 26 February 2019, the jury found Liam McAtasney guilty of murder, felony murder, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, desecration of human remains, tampering with evidence and hindering his own apprehension. McAtasney looked straight ahead as the verdicts were read out, while members of Sarah’s family hugged each other and cried. ‘The most important thing is to get justice for Sarah,’ her father Michael said. Following the trial, McAtasney’s lawyer filed an appeal for a new trial, but it was rejected in May. In June, McAtasney was sentenced to life in prison without parole, plus 10 years, for killing Sarah Stern. Judge Richard English said of McAtasney, ‘This is really a heinous event, since this involved two people who knew each other since grammar school. He…

Rude health Over a quarter of men (27%) wait up to two years before discussing erection problems with their partner, while almost a third (29%) of men over 40 with the condition have never confided in their partners about the situation, choosing to suffer in silence rather than open up.* Swap and see Did you know you can help kick your hangover with a shot? Not a hair of the dog, but Altrient Vitamin C (£39.99 for 30 sachets, abundanceandhealth. co.uk). The gel formulation protects the vitamin from degrading during digestion. Need to nod off? Listen to the piano Need a song for snoozing? Slow, quiet and sad piano songs are best to promote a restful sleep, according to Mattress Online. Measuring factors such as beats per minute (BPM), decibels…

SHOCK KILLING On 27 November 2000, 10-year-old Damilola Taylor (above) was on his way home from a library in south London when he was stabbed in the leg with a broken bottle. He collapsed in a stairwell and was found by strangers, but was later pronounced dead at hospital. Six years and three trials later, brothers Ricky and Danny Preddie - 13 and 12 at the time of the killing - were found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to eight years. Ricky was released on parole in 2010 and Danny in 2011. SHIPMAN SENT DOWN The UK’s most prolific convicted serial killer, Harold Shipman (right), was found guilty of murdering 15 patients under his care as a GP and given 15 life sentences on 31 January 2000, at Preston Crown…

1 Plan ahead. Don’t cobble your resolutions together on New Year’s Eve. Write a list of all the pros and cons of what you’d like to do and achieve – seeing it on paper will motivate you and get you in the right mindset well before 31 December arrives. 2 Be realistic. Deciding you’ll never eat your favourite food again is setting yourself up to fail. Resolutions don’t mean you have to punish yourself. Why not decide to avoid this food on certain days and cut back, instead? I just have Jelly Babies on days that end in a ‘y’ now... 3 Shout about it. Tell your friends and family and ask them to support you in order to change yourself for the better or improve your health. You may…

A week later, I was sitting in our favourite burger bar, opposite Emily. As I shuffled nervously in my seat, she looked at me suspiciously. ‘Take a look at this,’ I said, showing her a clip on my phone of the documentary I’d watched. ‘Why are you showing me this?’ she asked, confused. ‘Because I think I might be transgender,’ I gulped, taking a huge swig from my wine glass. Her face dropped. Then it crumpled, as her eyes filled with tears. ‘I want my body to match how I feel on the inside,’ I stuttered, desperate for her to understand. But Emily just sat there – the silence felt like it lasted forever. ‘I need some space,’ Emily said, pushing back her chair and walking out. It was devastating.…

Gill Evans, 60, Newcastle As I walked out of the cafe, I stopped in my tracks. Is that him? The Christmas lights had lit up a face I knew across the street. My son Ashley Cochrane. I desperately wanted to call out his name. It was November 2017, and we hadn’t spoken for almost a year. We’d fallen out over the silliest things. From the washing-up not being done to him drinking too much. They were petty squabbles that I now regretted. Eventually, Ashley, 29, had got a job in a factory, moved out and rented his own place across town. He stopped replying to my texts and wasn’t picking up my calls, either. And the longer we’d left it, the harder it was to break the ice. All I…

Roman enters the party season with a gorgeous collection of styles that offers versatile daywear, fashionable outerwear and beautiful evening wear with a selection of stunning pieces. Designed and cut to fit the silhouette, the collection offers great quality basics as well as affordable, stylish pieces. Trends come into play on wearable items with sequin sparkle interpreted into an explosion of colours, soft textures in winter hues, metallics and jewel tones. Party pieces are adorned with striking embellishment, ombre tones and exquisite detailing. Choose comfy casual layers and cuddle-worthy teddy coats to form fitted wrap styles, sharp pleat detailing and fabulous evening wear. A palette of soft pastels flow into dramatic  winter hues as the New Year dawns and provides an expressive and resplendent occasion wear collection, perfect for all…

Amy-Rose Richards, 31, Romford Standing at the door, I called my sons. ‘Dinner’s ready!’ Rio, then 4, came bounding over, but Tye, 10, wasn’t so easily swayed. ‘Five more minutes?’ he begged, kicking a football towards one of his friends. ‘OK, but I’m counting!’ I sighed. It was July 2018, and the school wind-down before summer had begun. If Tye had his way, he’d play football all day, every day. He was always in his Arsenal top or playing FIFA on his Xbox. And I was forever washing grass stains from his clothes. When Tye finally came in, it was dinner, bath and bed. But, just after I tucked in both boys, Rio came back out again. ‘Tye’s crying,’ he said. I went in, checked his temperature. ‘What’s wrong?’ I…

Scared to open my mouth Q The top surface of my tongue has turned black and looks hairy. It’s disgusting! I daren’t even open my mouth in public! Dina, Formby A It’s called…black hairy tongue! Normally, your tongue is covered in papillae, tiny fronds which contain taste buds. With black hairy tongue, they grow longer and can look like hairs, and a build-up of dead skin cells turns them black. A fungus infection, often after a course of antibiotics – which can kill the harmless bacteria in your mouth – is a common trigger, though smoking and, rarely, kidney failure can be to blame. Your tongue will return to normal if it’s a fungus infection; antifungal treatment from your GP will help. Stop smoking and avoid mouthwash that contains peroxide,…

She was known as Pakistan’s Kim Kardashian. The country’s first social-media star, an unusual vocation for a young woman in a strict Muslim nation. Qandeel Baloch had escaped an abusive marriage and changed her name. After finding her freedom, the mum-of-one found fame as a model, actress and social- media influencer. She’d never disclosed her birth name to the press A divisive figure, she once pledged to perform a striptease for Pakistan’s national cricket team if it beat India in the T20 World Cup! Sexy videos she posted online went viral, sending ripples through Pakistan. As did her progressive views on women’s rights. Living in an apartment in the huge city of Karachi, she sent money back home to her family, who were poor farmers living in a remote rural…

3 ways to... make next Christmas cheaper Slash the cost of next year’s festivities by being organised! 1 Scour the sales More than a third of us buy items in the sales for the following year's Christmas to save money, according to a study by Barclays, so why not see if you can snap up cut-price gifts like jewellery? Also, make sure you look out for big reductions on wrapping paper, crackers, decorations - and even Christmas jumpers! 2 Don't forget the food The Barclays study also found many people stock up on food in the sales to get ahead for next year, so it's worth keeping your eyes peeled for these offers too. Just remember, before you buy any nonperishable food items, whether it's canned or dried goods, always…

Coronation Street Terror in Winter Wonderland! It’s a far from peaceful Christmas Day in Weatherfield with Gary’s enemies quite literally gunning for him. When he stows an antique rifle in his office, it’s not long before it goes missing and gun shots ring out as the locals attend a Winter Wonderland created by  Michael… Also, Michelle prepares to leave town and Rita hides the fact she’ll be spending Christmas on her own. Hollyoaks Sienna’s perfect Christmas? Sienna looks set to have the Christmas she’s always wished for. There’s just one thing that may spoil it - the whopping great lie Brody and sister Liberty are hiding from her! Plus, a flash forward to New Year’s Eve 2020 reveals the village to be a very different place in 12 months’ time……

Q I love to wear just a little sparkle in the colder months, but never get it quite right. How can I wear glitter, without looking over-the-top? Jane Krebs, 62 There’s so many great glitter options on the market, from shimmers, metallics and full-on sparkle. It’s great for adding an  instant touch of glamour in the winter and perfect for Christmas parties. When choosing your palette, keep in mind muted, neutral and shimmery tones for something subtle. Opt for bolder, brighter colours if you want stand-out drama. And, wherever you’re thinking of applying glitter, use a clear lip gloss – it’s a great alternative to glue. Apply the lip gloss sparingly and simply dust over glitter or shimmer with a small brush for maximum precision. TRIED AND TESTED Avon True…

Are you lonely this Christmas? Believe me, I know the feeling. Walking into the warmth of my mum Linda’s house in December 2017, I shut the cold of winter outside. But an icy shock had seeped into my bones… Days earlier, my marriage had unexpectedly ended. Seven months pregnant with my longed-for first baby, I was in deep shock. Just like that, the future I’d envisaged had vanished. ‘How did I end up here?’ I sobbed in my car after a lonely trip to Mothercare. Just then, there was a firm kick in my belly, as though to say, ‘Stop that, Mummy!’ I wasn’t alone. Love was growing inside me. So I kept going, somehow survived Christmas. Then, in the new year, I had new focus. I went to pregnancy…