Table of contents for 12-Jul-2018 in Chat

Maria, 32, address withheld Slicking on a sweep of red lipstick, a pang of nerves washed over me. It was June 2016 and I was getting ready for a date. Darren Belton, then 44, was tall, dark and handsome. I’d met him at a mate’s house a week earlier. We’d hit it off. And, when he’d asked me out for dinner, I was excited. But nervous, too. Two years earlier, I’d lost my baby girl when she’d been born three months premature. Heartbroken, I’d felt too vulnerable for a relationship since. But there was something comforting about Darren. ‘You look great,’ he smiled when he saw me. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach – at the end of the night, Darren kissed me. I was smitten. At 6ft, he towered above…

Bulging biceps, thighs of steel – not so bad! Lowering myself into my chair, I gritted my teeth. Ah, that’s better, I thought, sinking into the cushions. It was last March, and I was in agony, suffering constant shooting pains in my joints. I was completely exhausted, and it showed. ‘You alright, love?’ my husband Bob, 59, asked. ‘Just sore,’ I replied. I was a gran of eight, but only 63 – I shouldn’t feel this frail yet! In that moment, I decided I had to get fit again. But how? A week later, in the city centre, I was handed a leaflet for a local kickboxing class. Looks fun, I thought. Extreme, perhaps, but just what I needed. ‘I’ll try it,’ I told Bob. He seemed shocked, but supported…

Better boobs QI hate my long, thin, droopy breasts. I can't afford a private op - what can I do? Dianna, Perth A You could have so-called tubular breasts. As they were developing, a ring formed at the base and stopped them growing outwards. It's a recognised condition and you might be eligible for surgery on the NHS - ask your GP. Gagging! Q I've tried oral sex with my partner, but it makes me gag! What's wrong with me? Erika, Greenwich A Anything touching the sensitive top part of the back of your mouth can trigger gagging, so try only letting the tip of his penis into your mouth. If you continue to gag, the problem could be partly psychological and therapy might help. But if it's not for you, don't…

Please get through this and come back to Mummy... Slowly, I heaved myself out of bed – I’d just kissed my husband Andy, 34, goodbye as he shot off to work. I had to get our son Nathan, 15, and son Keane, 9, and daughter Blaise, 6, to school. But six months pregnant with twins, I was exhausted. It was January 2015, and the last few months had been tough. I’d had bleeding from the start and there had been times we thought we’d lost our baby girls – yet each emergency scan showed their hearts thumping. But now, as I grabbed my dressing gown, I felt a gush of warm liquid. No! My waters had broken. I was only 23 weeks pregnant – it was too early! Half an…

Aries 21 March - 20 April Has the love gone out of the relationship? It may seem that way, but maybe you’ve just reached the stage where you can be honest with each other. Take whatever is said this week as a hint, not a criticism. Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May You’ve found a new friend, it seems. You like the same things, you get along well. So, since you’re both heading in the same direction, why not travel together? This could be the start of something big. Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June A difference of opinion at work could mean more than you think. Try to see the larger picture. The job is moving on,…

Coronation Street Kev’s heartache… When a consultant reveals his son Jack has ischaemia and says the little boy’s foot must be amputated, Kev blames himself and tells Gina he wishes he’d never left Jack in daughter Sophie’s care. Will Jack’s life-saving op go to plan? Meanwhile, Liz lets Sean sleep on her sofa but turfs him out when she finds out he’s taken her shifts at The Rovers! Broke and forced to sleep in a tent, Sean hits a new low… Emmerdale Cain’s worried about Chas… Chas tells Cain her baby won’t survive and that Paddy has been looking into organ donation for their child. Her brother’s shocked but also worried that Chas has pinned her hopes on a life-saving miracle. However, there’s more heartache when Chas breaks down and…

The case… MAD OR BAD..? The Gilbert girls had already been through a lot. In 2010, the family had been devastated by the disappearance and death of Shannan Gilbert, then 24. Shannan was an escort, and may have been one of almost a dozen victims of a Long Island serial killer. As no-one had been charged with the murders, her mother Mari tirelessly campaigned for justice, alongside her other daughters Sherre, Sarra and Stevie. The family lived in the quiet and scenic village of Ellenville, in Ulster County, New York – and, since Shannan’s mysterious death, Sarra Gilbert’s mental health had deteriorated. Diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2014, Sarra was plagued by hallucinations, heard voices. On 23 July 2016, Sarra had been suffering these symptoms and called her mother for help.…

It’s been a rough year, but I know that I’m lucky Yawning, I scooped my 3-week-old from her cot… Another 5am feed. It was February 2017 and Annabelle was fussing. ‘I know, sweetie, you’re hungry,’ I soothed. But, as I rocked her, I felt a stabbing pain in my stomach. Putting her down, I doubled over in agony. Suddenly, bile rose in my throat and I raced to the bathroom, vomiting. Tears coursed down my cheeks. Behind me, I heard my partner Antony, 31, calling an ambulance. It’d come on so suddenly. Paramedics came, rushed me to Aintree Hospital. Antony looked after Annabelle and our son Jack, 1, while I was ushered between CT scans, MRIs and ultrasounds. The doctor pointed to a blurry outline on the screen. ‘It’s your…

Makes: 6. Prep: 20 min Cook: 20 min Cost per serving: 74p 8 eggs 350g lean turkey breast mince 1tsp English mustard powder 3tbsp finely chopped flat-leaf parsley Salt and black pepper 3tbsp plain flour 90g breadcrumbs 2tbsp olive oil Mayonnaise and rocket, to serve 1 Put 6 eggs into a medium saucepan, cover with water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 3-4 min, until soft-boiled. Rinse under cold water until cool, then peel. 2 Mix together turkey mince, mustard, 1tbsp parsley and seasoning. 3 Dust each egg in flour then divide turkey-mince mixture into 6 equal portions. Flatten each portion into a large, thin round. Put one egg in the centre and wrap meat mixture around egg. Repeat with remaining soft-boiled eggs. 4 Beat…

I relished it all, even when the pair of them screamed! Hours later, the surgeon came into the family waiting room to see us. ‘They’ve both survived the operation,’ he told us, smiling. Me and Andy leapt up and hugged each other, both crying with relief. The twins had to stay on ventilators in the Neonatal Unit and, each day, I’d sit by their sides, willing them to get stronger. After five days, although I was discharged from the hospital, I wasn’t going far. Thankfully, we were given a double room five minutes’ walk away from the hospital. Nathan, Keane and Blaise all came up to stay with us for a few days. ‘It’s like a camping holiday,’ laughed Blaise, as Andy furiously blew up one of three inflatable beds…

1 Yolt  (Free; yolt.com) With this app, you can view your bank accounts and credit cards, set budgets and plan for upcoming debits, giving you a clear view of how much money you have until each payday. It also has handy features such as letting you compare energy deals, so it could save you even more cash in the long run. 2 Cleo  (Free; meetcleo.com) This clever app sits across your bank accounts and credit cards and can help you set a budget, calculate what you can afford to save, and put it away automatically. It will also ‘talk' to you via Facebook Messenger, giving you useful information about your finances. 3 Money Dashboard  (Free; moneydash board.com) This nifty app puts all your accounts in one place, including credit cards,…

Nivea Pearl & Beauty Quick Dry Anti-Perspirant, £1.25, Sainsbury’s The clever folk at Nivea have completely redesigned their antiperspirants so that they now spray at any angle (great for spraying under your top!) and have a new ‘twist to lock’ function – perfect for throwing in your gym bag. Maui Moisture Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk Weightless Oil Mist, £8.99, Superdrug A few sprays of this mist on clean, damp hair will leave your locks super soft and smelling like a tropical island. A little goes a long way, so use sparingly. Blistex Ultra SPF 50+ Lip Balm, £2.49 One for the suitcase or sunny days here in the UK, this balm will protect your pout from both UVA and UVB rays. It’s really nourishing too, with a clear…

Now Hannah answers YOUR questions Q So what gave you the idea to turn seemingly normal-looking products into sex toys? Kelly, Liverpool A Often people have spare rooms locked tight for this. But we thought about people who don't have a spare room or who have children. We realised there was a gap in the market to make seemingly ordinary household items or furniture that come with a surprise. That's why we've made beds with secret storage and shelves that become X-stands. Your secret's hidden without having to lock it away. Q Has testing a product ever gone horribly wrong? Rosie, Ramsbottom A No! Colum is always careful with the things he makes. He gets me to stand against cages or on the table to measure the height of the…

1 Malia, Crete  Featured in The Inbetweeners Movie , Malia is known for its stunning sandy beaches – there are six! – and pulsating nightlife. A trip to the nearby Malia Palace ruins is a must. 2 Hvar, Croatia A long, slender island just 30 miles from Split, Hvar is famed for its lavender fields and reputation as Croatia’s coolest clubbing destination. 3 Magaluf, Majorca, Spain  Cheap and cheerful, Magaluf has long been a favourite for those looking for beautiful beaches, gorgeous weather and fantastic nightlife.…

Windowsill makeover My window ledge was marked, so I found some spare flooring at home. I cut it to size and used it to cover the ledge. It looks as good as new and no more stains and scratches. Margaret Dinsdale, Holystone Safe jewels Keep your earrings safe on holiday by attaching them to a piece of cardboard taken from a loo roll. Leave them on the card after you unpack so they're easy to find. Rosemary Hodkinson, Rhos-on-Sea Store it… Keep a waterproof jacket in a sandwich bag. It takes up less space and is easy to find in a downpour. Alexia Paulson, Welwyn Garden City Get your oats Add oats to bolognese to make the sauce thicker and the meal go further. Louise Russell, Reading Eco-friendly Use empty…

The jury rejected the claim of mental illness and found Sarra Gilbert guilty of second-degree murder. Judge Donald Williams handed down a sentence of 25 years to life, the maximum sentence allowed by law. The judge offered Sarra the chance to address the court, and she tearfully begged for mercy. Judge Williams added that her sentence was not a punishment. Rather, it was out of ‘an overwhelming desire to protect other people by taking you off the streets for as long as I can’.…

No antibiotics Q My whole hand was red and swollen after an insect bite, but my doctor didn't give me antibiotics! Why? Emily, Sheffield A Infection from insect bites is quite rare. This was probably an allergic reaction, not an infection, so antibiotics won't help. Take antihistamines from the chemist; see your GP if there's pus or you're feverish. I’m yellow! QI felt ill and turned yellow after a holiday abroad and my GP diagnosed hepatitis. But will I have permanent damage? Tali, Milton Keynes A Almost certainly not. You probably had an infection with hepatitis A virus from contaminated food or water, which usually clears completely in a few weeks. Hepatitis B or C viruses can cause liver damage, but are caught from contaminated injections, blood transfusions or, rarely,…

Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a treatment that aims to restore good bacteria in the gut to aid optimal function. The process involves transferring beneficial bacteria through a processed mixture of liquid stool from a healthy donor to the intestine of a patient lacking essential gut bacteria that the digestive system needs to operate properly. It's used when antibiotics and other therapies fail. Research has shown that FMT has been successful in treating chronic diarrhoea, IBS and inflammatory bowel diseases. There are no documented cases of infection transferred through this treatment, but the donor stool is tested and screened. The stool is mixed with a saline or other solution, strained and placed in a patient, by colonoscopy, endoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or enema. It is available on the NHS and at private…

Asda Extra Special Brown Sourdough, £1.50  Upgrade your summer sarnies with this hearty, wholemeal sourdough. It has a punchy flavour – and it’s better for you than plain white bread! Morrison’s 8 Thai Sweetcorn Fritters (£2, or 3 for £5)  Spice up your picnic with these veggie bites. They’re packed with fresh Thai flavours, including coconut, lime and lemongrass. Ginsters Cheese & Onion Pasty (Asda, £1.50)  Using Cornish Cheddar and caramelised onions, this perfect pasty is a twist on a classic. M&S 10 Dinky Pork & Pickle Pies (£2.60)  Bite-sized pies, made with selected cuts of seasoned British pork and encased in a rich, hot-water crust pastry – so moreish!…

HARE-Y MOMENT! Children in an Australian cinema waiting to see Peter Rabbit got a fright when a trailer for a horror film was shown before the kids' flick by mistake. Hereditary is tipped to be the scariest film of 2018, and its trailer, showing someone's head being smashed and a pigeon's neck being cut with scissors by a demonic child, had parents fleeing with their kids. Eek! SPACE WARRIOR? ANASA rover on Mars has found what appears to be a statue of an ‘ancient warrior woman'. The discovery has re-ignited the question - was there once life on Mars? A space journalist says hundreds of similar artefacts have been found on Mars recently, and  suggested there may have once been an ancient civilisation living…

1 Magic wand Someone once told me that when it comes to finding a good mascara, it’s the wand that counts. Essence False Lash Effect Lash Princess Mascara, £3.30, Wilko, is brilliant. 2 Frizz-free Swap your shampoo for a sulphate-free formula, it makes a huge difference to naturally frizzy hair. 3 Best for base Test your foundation on your jawline in natural light to check it’s a good colour match. 4 Moisture boost for skin I’ve always had keratosis pilaris (normally called chicken skin!) on my arms. But using a moisturiser with lactic acid has made a real difference. I swear by Eucerin Dry Skin Replenishing Cream, £9.75.…

Who Do You Think You Are? BBC1 Broadchurch star Olivia Colman discovers she has Indian heritage as she traces her great-great-great grandmother Harriot, whose father was an Englishman working for the East India Company. He married a local girl who gave birth to Harriot but died soon after and so young Harriot was sent to England for a better life with her English grandparents. But the little girl had to make the perilous sea journey from Calcutta to England all alone… Sharp Objects SKY ATLANTIC Amy Adams plays troubled crime journalist Camille Preaker in this eight-part drama. Camille is released from a psychiatric hospital after self-harming. She returns home to Missouri, where she’s soon reporting on the deaths of two young girls. But mysteries from her own past…

We can’t wait for the whole world to see him! As I watched the midwife checking the ultrasound screen, I breathed a sigh of relief. She had a beaming smile on her face. ‘Baby is happy and healthy!’ she said to me. It was February 2016, and me and my partner Daniel, then 32, were over the moon that I was expecting a baby. But we were trying not to get too excited. Two years earlier, we’d lost our first baby at just 14 weeks. It was devastating, but we’d picked ourselves up, carried on as best we could. But it was hard not to worry that history might repeat itself. Now, here we were at our 12-week scan, with a nurse telling us everything was OK. The rest of…