Table of contents for August 13, 2015 in Chat

I heard a rattle at my back door. 'Get the kettle on!’ called Natalie Lawton, then 28. She’d recently moved nearby so I’d been friendly, done what I could to help her settle in. She had two girls, and I had five kids – Steven, 11, McKenzie, 10, Lewis, 8, Lacey, 3, and Macy-Sue, 2 – and another on the way. At first, I’d enjoyed Natalie’s company. Our kids would play quite happily together while we had a natter. But soon, Natalie was popping in uninvited most days. 'She’s always here,’ my fiance Steven, then 33, moaned. Steven and I had been together since our teens. A laid-back, kind-hearted bloke, it wasn’t like him to take a dislike to anyone. Natalie was overbearing, but I didn’t want to appear rude.…

What I loved Toby explaining to his gran that the trouble with the wrong (ie cheap) trainers is that he has to ‘consider his reputation'. He's EIGHT years old! Blimey. What hacked me off Forgetting stuff. Like I'm not a kid any more. And that if you ain't got the legs (and I haven't) then some skirts are just too short… What made me laugh Our Facebook friends telling us that their most hated word is…moist! Dunno why, but it made me laugh till I was… oh, never mind! Hope you keep your dry sense of humour this week!…

Sorry to disappoint, but there’s no such thing as blue blood. Blood can be various shades of red, but never blue. Veins only appear blue through skin due to the way the skin reflects wavelengths of light to the eye. Surprising stats Research by Tenderstem has revealed that 40 per cent of people miss out on their five-a-day and 11 per cent only occasionally include vegetables as part of a meal. It also showed that a third of people weren’t confident what portion size equates to one of their five a day. WE TRIED & LIKED Nature's Best Quercetin (£12.95 for 60 tablets) This supplement claims to help combat the symptoms of allergies, such as prickly heat and hayfever. It may also promote heart health.…

Lee Stafford Beach Babe Sea Salt Spray, £7.99, Boots Contains sunflower extract to add moisture to your hair, and smells amazing! Top tip: Comb out tangles before applying. VO5 Give Me Texture Rough & Sexy Sea Salt Spray, £3.99, Superdrug Gives definition to curls and waves for a natural-looking style. Top tip: Use on dry hair in between washes. Fudge Salt Spray, £7, www. beautybay.com Works against humidity to help your style to stay in place. Top tip: Apply near to your roots for extra volume. John Frieda Beach Blonde Sea Waves Sea Salt Spray, £6.99, Superdrug It has a light texture and is easy to use for a matte finish. Top tip: Spray hair then blow-dry on a low heat. Mark Hill Holiday Hair…

Lifting my eldest daughter Amelia-Jae, 2, into her buggy, I made sure she was strapped in tight. Her little sister Carys, 1, was already safely in her pushchair. 'Have you got the flowers?’ I asked my fiance Liam Pickles, 27. 'Yep,’ he replied, waving the bouquet we’d bought his mum Alison, 51, at me. It was her birthday, so we were going over for a lovely family do. She only lived five minutes away – but just getting everyone ready for the short walk round the corner to hers felt like a military operation! 'I’ve forgotten the changing bag!’ I suddenly remembered. So, leaving Liam outside with the girls, I dashed back in to grab it. I was only gone a few seconds, but I came out just in time…

My head exploded in pain. It was playtime at school, I was 7. One of my classmates had accidentally bashed my forehead with a metal toy aeroplane. 'It’s OK,’ my teacher said. But I was sobbing in agony, way out of proportion to the knock. Back home, my mum Hanni, then 30, checked me over. 'You’ll live,’ she smiled. Only, over the next few days a small dent appeared on my forehead. Mum thought it’d heal. But, two weeks after my first bump, I was at a mate’s when I walked in front of a swing. It smacked me hard on the top of my head. 'Ouch,’ I cried, stumbling back, stunned by the whack. Just another childhood scrape, Mum thought. But then my hair started falling out! And the…

Emmerdale Testing times Megan hides cocaine in Jai’s car - but she has more to deal with when she gets a pregnancy test…and has news for Jai just as the police turn up. Rachel takes her anger out on poor Sam again, and Bob’s arrested. EastEnders Pushover! Bobby pushes Cindy over in an argument after she sees him about to put a brick through Max’s car window. Dean tells Roxy that Ronnie’s spying on them. And Cora is spotted at a local homeless shelter. Hollyoaks Fight to the finish? Jason falls over a ravine when he and Robbie get into a fight, after he chases Robbie’s out-of-control car. Grace, Trevor, Frankie and Jack wait for the custody hearing, and Porsche and Cleo drool over a topless Harry. YOU’D BE MAD…

The fountains outside our hotel shot jets of water up into the air. Grinning, we took in the spectacular view. A perfect replica of the Eiffel Tower, scorching sunshine, the bright neon lights of the Las Vegas strip surrounded by endless desert. 'We’re in Vegas!’ I cheered to my wife Sue, 57. We were at the beginning of our holiday of a lifetime. And it was all thanks to Chat Mag Bingo! Because, last year, I won a staggering £102,945 on the Wonderland slots! It all started back on 8 July 2014. It was a normal day. At 5.30pm, I arrived home from my job as a team leader for an electronics company. Sue was working a shift as a nurse at the local hospital. So I whipped up a…

Whether or not you’ve seen Game of Thrones, the fantasy drama’s stunning filming location could never disappoint… Where to stay? After a two-hour flight from London Gatwick, we arrived at Split airport, then headed to the luxurious Hotel Cornaro, right in the heart of the city. Greeted with smiles, we were shown to our rooms, which were modern, comfortable and spotless. Guests can use Wi-Fi for free and even borrow iPads! What to do? First, we caught the ferry over to the picturesque island of Solta, where we enjoyed the beautiful blue sea and shingle beaches. Then we walked to Tvrdic honey farm, where three generations of bee-keepers have produced some of the sweetest rosemary honey in Dalmatia. Ready for adventure, we hired quad bikes to explore the rocky, mountainous…

Leo 24 July - 23 Aug Things that you get for free, you don’t value. Things that you have to work for, you care for. The last few months have been fairly easy for you, but from now, on the way forward has a bit of a gradient to it - just enough to give you a sense of challenge. It’s exactly what you need. • Call 0905 817 0694* for more Virgo 24 Aug - 23 Sep A helpful planet passing through your own sign is a good thing, as you’d expect. So how about two good ones together, entering Virgo in the same week? This is clearly the start of something special, a time of opportunity and potential you haven’t seen for a very long time. Use it…

1 Preheat oven to 200C/Gas 6, and lightly grease a 2-litre ovenproof dish. 2 Arrange the following in even layers: 1 x 420g can baked beans, 1 x 400g can green beans (drained), 1 x 300g can sliced mushrooms (drained) and 2 x 392g cans minced beef (chilli or Bolognese variety). 3 Top layered mixture with 1 x 820g can new potatoes, drained and coarsely grated. 4 Sprinkle with 50g grated Cheddar cheese, then bake for 35-40 min until golden-brown and piping hot. Serves: 4 Cost per head: £1.07…

I scream…you scream… You've waited a whole year for it - the first lolly of your holiday. And then your little angel starts crying and snatching at it, making it impossible for you to chill. Oh OK, my top summer tip is always buy your littl'un an ice cream when you buy yourself one! Here's my daughter Iris enjoying hers… Who says I'm not the most generous mummy in the whole, wide world?! Eva Brooks, 31, Stockton Heath Back to Brrr-itain! It's always a shock coming back to the Arctic after your sunny holiday. So I always leave a few jumpers in the car at the airport so we can wrap up well on the way home. Puzzle books keep the kids entertained, too! Gemma Carrick, 36, Sunderland Litter-ally brilliant!…

We've just about haddock with our summer seaside special. But, before you pack up your bucket and spade and get on with the rest of the mag, we've one last treat for you… It's sea-riously good! Here's Abbey Clancy and her Strictly Come Dancing partner Aljaz Skorjanec messing about in Blackpool. Look closely at the two pics - there's a difference in almost every square. Only one has no changes. The grid reference (eg, 1A) is your answer. Happy hols!…

Barry had cornered Steven, pulling up in his car as Steven got out of ours. He’d taken a swing at Steven, who’d punched back in self-defence. 'Not at the school,’ Steven had said, trying to restrain him. But Barry had lunged, stabbing Steven, while Natalie hit him over the head with her phone. 'I thought they were punches at first. Then I saw blood dripping everywhere,’ Steven explained. I felt sick picturing the scene. 'The kids were screaming. It was awful,’ he said. 'I’ll never forget their frightened little faces.’ There are no words to describe how angry I felt. Steven was stitched and bandaged up. He was declared stable and discharged that night. At 9pm, we arrived home and the kids rushed to cuddle us. 'Careful! Daddy’s sore,’ Steven…

The things that go on behind closed doors, eh! You may not think it to look at me, but, in some circles, I’m known as a dominatrix. Believe it or not, my kinky past began by chance. See, back in 1989, I opened The Sands Guesthouse. My hubby Paul, then 45, had always dreamed of hosting holidaymakers beside the seaside. So, we invested in a nine-bedroom property in Great Yarmouth. Welcoming families armed with buckets and spades, I loved serving breakfast and dinner and keeping the rooms tidy. Most days, we’d such fun, it didn’t feel like work. As the season died down, though, our profits dwindled. That winter, we had debts stacking up. 'What can we do?’ Paul fretted. I’d no idea, until, in December 1989, I read an…

Steroid danger? My shoulder's been Q hurting for weeks and my GP's offered to inject it with steroids. Could the injection be harmful? Maggie, 54 A Steroid injected into or around inflamed joints and tendons can reduce swelling and pain, and help restore movement. Rare dangers include infection and damage to nerves or blood vessels. Sun damage Q What's the best treatment for sunburn? I've tried after-sun lotions, but they never seem to help! Zoe, 27 A If you burn, and moisturisers or soothing lotions such as calamine don't help, try antihistamine tablets and steroid cream from your chemist. But these won't protect against skin cancer. Prevention is better than cure! Bald fear QI've had two bald patches, each the size of a 50p piece, for weeks. My doctor says…

prescribed a rotigotine patch to control the symptoms. And it seemed to do the trick. But, one morning weeks later, I forgot to put the patch on. 'I can’t stop shaking,’ I told Mum and Dad. 'I feel awful.’ I realised that’s how I’d feel without any medication at all. Doctors can’t predict how quickly my symptoms will develop. When the time comes, I’ll have to take stronger medication. For now, I’m determined to stay positive. I’ve just bought a new flat, and live there with my boyfriend Shramik, 32. He understands my condition and helps me to take on each day. I’ve even started up my own company, making bags and various homeware pieces. Parkinson’s might be trying to rob me of a normal life, but I’m putting up…

Take it off! My 8-month-old daughter Alice is not impressed with her new headband… Laura Devine, Sheffield Who am I? Blimey! When it comes to playing Guess Who? , nobody is as keen as my 4-year-old daughter Megan! Laura Wiseman, Southampton Ready for my close-up… Only 20 months old, and my son Jack knows how to pose for the camera! Hayley Landall, Skipton Sink soak Who needs a Jacuzzi? Here's my 8-month-old son Lorenz enjoying his very own hot tub in our kitchen! Sara Slawycz, Whitefield MY CUTE BABY PIC Look at those big, blue eyes! My adorable 7-month-old daughter Cara Jasmine. Shannon O’Farrell, Stranorlar Boy racer ‘Formula One, here I come!' My great-grandson Jonjo, 7, is the next Lewis Hamilton! Janis Nichols, Northampton £25 A LETTER There's £25 for…

Long-service award We live in a throwaway culture now, but I'm bucking the trend! In 1950, I bought a wooden ironing board and still use it. And, as a wedding present in 1944, I got a carving knife and breadboard. I'm proud to say these items haven't needed replacing. It shows how well-made goods can last. I wonder if other Chat readers still use ‘vintage' household items? Irene Cox, Nottingham Blow me down Thought I’d seen it all, until I read about Camille Samuel, who 'married’ an inflatable doll (He won t let me down!, 2 July issue). All I could think was, But whats going to happen if Samuel gets a puncture? I know a lot of men are full of hot air, but in Samuel’s case that couldn’t…

If you'd like help with a problem, write to: Ingrid, Chat, Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London SE10SU, or e-mail ask ingridC timeinc.com Sorry, Ingrid cannot reply personally. Neighbours stink my house out! Q My kids say my flat reeks of cannabis. My new neighbours must be smoking dope. I've smelt a funny smell, but I can't just accuse them of taking drugs. I know nothing about them except the wife's in a wheelchair and I've heard cannabis helps with pain. Should I say something to the couple? Iris A Not met them yet? Welcome them to the neighbourhood and introduce yourself with a wee gift. Like a scented candle! Get to know them and you'll find out more about her condition. Many MS sufferers use marijuana and some GPs…

Tesco Crazy Caramel, 14 Mini Bars, £1.35 These 84-cal, two-bite bars have a soft, nougat layer, topped with toffee, wrapped in chocolate. Very sweet - but one's never enough! Asda Chosen By You Chunky 7 Caramel Biscuit Bars, £1.09 Crunchy biscuit, topped with a generous layer of soft toffee and covered in chocolate. Each pack has two bars - to share if you must - or to keep all for yourself! Lidl Mister Choc Choco & Caramel, 6 bars, 69p Generous-sized bars with smooth choc and caramel flavour. Amazing value - these certainly give the brand-leader a run for its money! Chicago Town The Pizza Melt, £1.50, Asda Is it a burger? Is it a pizza? No, it's the best of both - a pizza in a bun! Choose from…

How I lost it! My weight went up and down for years as I tried all sorts of diets. Pregnant with Maisie , now 5, I was 15st, and diagnosed as having gestational diabetes, which meant I could've had a big baby. But, with lots of medical help and following a balanced diet, I didn 't put on any weight at all and Maisie was born at a healthy 7lb 2lb . Two years later, pregnant again with Dulcie, now 2, I was 21st and had to inject insulin up to four times a day. Dulcie was induced two weeks early . What a wak e-up call… Afterwards, I weighed 22st, and was a size-26. So I did what I'd never done before - ate less and moved more! Using…

Helping friends run food stalls at a Mod & Ska festival last June, was great. There was fashion, music and scooters! 'We should get one!’ I said to my hubby Steve, 49. He agreed, so we did! Later, I got on it for the first time. Soon I was taking a scooter-training course, so thought I’d have a practise. I revved, the scooter roared, hit the kerb, then flew up. 'Argghhh! I screamed, as I hit the ground. Pain shot through my right leg. Steve lifted the scooter off, but the pain was incredible. I was taken to hospital by ambulance. I’d sprained and dislocated my knee, but I also had a tibial plateau fracture. The break had occurred at the top of my shinbone, affected my knee’s cartilage and…

My son Beau, 2, looked deathly pale, his face puffy. 'He’s not well,’ my partner Emma Lindsay, then 30, said, worried. We whisked him straight to Fourth Valley Hospital. Just two hours later… 'Beau has acute lymphoblastic leukaemia,’ the doctor said. Cancer. Our world came crashing down. 'We’re going to lose him,’ sobbed Emma. It was November 2011. Beau started chemo at Yorkhill Hospital. 'There’s a long road ahead,’ the oncologist said. Years of gruelling treatment followed. Our little boy was pumped full of steroids, suffered mood swings, exhaustion, infection after infection. Heartbreaking. But by December last year, the end was in sight! The cancer was gone, his treatment over. 'Beau deserves a treat,’ I said. When he was sick, there’d been so many cancelled trips, so much time in…

THE CRIME The envelope was addressed to Florence's central police station. Inside, an officer found a 14-year-old newspaper cutting from August 1968. It detailed the murder of Antonio Lo Bianco, 29, and Barbara Locci, 32. Both married, the pair had been lovers. But, on 21 August 1968, they'd been shot dead as they sat in a car, parked in a secluded, wooded area on the city's outskirts. Barbara's husband Stefano Mele had admitted the double murder and been sentenced to 14 years. Case closed? Well, perhaps not… THE STORY Looking closer at the old cutting, the officer spotted a message written on it. Why don t you take another look at this case? Straightaway, he knew what the message meant. It was 1982, and Florence police had been investigating three…

1 Start slowly. Blindfolds, feathers and handcuffs are good - save the leather whip and chains for later. 2 Don't be embarrassed. It takes practice to get the hang of bondage. Experiment with you and your partner's likes and dislikes. 3 Make sure you're comfortable in your environment, and always have a safe word if either of you wants to stop. 4 Relax. Let your inhibitions go and have fun. I can assure you, nothing's more empowering than a man worshipping at your feet!…

Pelvic boils Q I keep getting big boils around my vagina, groin, bottom and armpits. It's awful. What can I do? Sade, 28 A Sounds like hidradenitis suppurativa, where blocked pores cause sweat glands in your skin to swell and become infected. Lose weight if you're overweight, don't smoke, and use an antiseptic wash. Your doctor might suggest antibiotics or other drugs, a change of Pill or even surgery. Noisy sex Q My vagina makes an embarrassing farting noise during sex. Why? Chanel, 35 A Loss of muscle tone around the vagina can allow air to enter, which forces its way out with a loud raspberry during the thrusting movements of sex. Pelvic floor exercises to restore muscle tone should help. Now...find out how eating can get you in the…

As a lorry reversed in front of me, I hung back. Well, honking my horn and pushing to get in front wasn’t going to get me anywhere fast. It was June 2014, and I was stuck in traffic – like every morning! As usual, after my partner Darren, 32, left for work as a delivery driver, I’d dropped my kids Zac, 13, and Ellie, 11, at school, on my way to my garage forecourt assistant job. Now, as I sat waiting for the lorry to park, an oncoming car caught my attention. Before I knew it… CRASH! The car smashed headfirst into mine. My body jerked forward, forced my airbags to inflate. My car was shunted backwards onto the path. Shocked, I sat there, blood running down my face... 'Are…

Serves: 4Prep: 15 minCook: 45 min 300g cooking apples, peeled, cored and sliced100g blackberries, washed20g demerara sugar1tsp ground cinnamon Crumble: 55g plain or wholemeal flour 55g jumbo oats 55g soft brown sugar 55g Flora Cuisine 1 Preheat oven to 180C/ Gas 4. 2 Place apples and blackberries in a 500ml pie dish and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. 3 For the crumble: put flour, oats and sugar in a bowl and rub in Flora Cuisine until mix resembles breadcrumbs. 4 Spoon over fruit and bake for 40-45 minutes until golden and fruit is bubbling around the edges. • To see some cakes that went wrong, go to www.lifedeathprizes.com and search ‘cake disasters'. Recipe and photo: www.flora.com…

You can’t hurry love… And that’s certainly true for me and my hubby George. You see, with him being 103 and me 91,we’re proof you’re never too old to find love. We met 27 years ago, in 1987. Recently widowed, I’d joined an organisation that finds friends for mature people. There, I met George, then 76. Kind, chatty and with a great sense of humour, we hit it off. 'Your roses are beautiful,’ he said, admiring my front garden when he visited. He was a charmer and, in 1990, we moved in together. Between us, we had seven children, 15 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. 'One big, happy family,’ I said. Over the years, we enjoyed holidays, family days out and romantic meals. I’d tell George stories about my younger years…

In my younger years, I used to love going down the bingo hall. It was fun, and a great place to meet up with friends. I’d go a couple of times a week, have a good gossip, and enjoy a few bingo sessions. Only, over the years, times changed. My mates stopped going so much, and so did I. But then I discovered online bingo! I could have all the fun, from the comfort of my own home! 'This is brilliant,’ I told my hubby Mike, 71. There were chat rooms too, and all the 'roomies’ were so welcoming. It was very social, they’d talk about TV, their lives, tell jokes. Such fun! Plus, you could buy tickets for as little as 1p in some of the bingo rooms. Bargain!…

Cowabunga! The Laughing Cow Mini Cravings, £2, Tesco, Morrisons Original, Ham & Herb, Three Cheese, Garlic & Herb or a mixed box of Cheddar, smoked and blue - just 14 cal per cube! Boxing clever Sistema Snack Attack box, £3.99, John Lewis, Sainsbury's, Asda Use the long section for crudites, rice cakes or crackers, and the hinged section for a low-cal dip. No more soggy biccies! What worked for you? I'll pay a full-fat £50 if I use your weight-loss story. Write to me, enclosing before and after pictures at: Losing It, Chat, Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU, or e-mail me: christine.parsons@timeinc.com Not all diets, products or fitness regimes may be suitable for you - always consult your GP first.…

Is he with his family? Dear Tony, Sadly, I lost my lovely husband a few months ago. Towards the end, he went into a home, as I couldn’t cope. But I can’t sleep, blaming myself, as he left this life quicker than I thought. Did family come for him? Also, can he forgive me so I can move on? Barbara, Notts Dear Barbara, Your husband tells me that he was 78 when he passed over. He offers a strong memory of him cycling to the factory where you worked and meeting you at the gates. He did this for many years. Due to his difficult childhood, you and your family became everything to him. He was so grateful to you all. He is so desperate for you to forgive yourself…

Meet Barry, our Bedlington terrier… or should that be Pedal-ington terrier? At 8 weeks old, in 2012, our little Barry looked like a lamb. My now-wife, Kate, 22, and I were truly smitten. Despite his fluffy exterior, Barry’s always been a daring dog. As a pup exploring our home, he sniffed out an old toddler’s skateboard we’d unearthed from somewhere and put out for him, then climbed up on it. Gently, we pushed him across the floor. Gliding along, unfazed by the motion, our plucky pooch kept his balance on all fours. I didn’t want to leave our pup alone all day, so Barry even joined me on building sites for my stonemason job. Perfectly safe, he’d had his own tiny, high-vis jacket and hard hat. One day, working beside…