Table of contents for 20-Dec-2018 in Chat

Iuliana was on her way to celebrate Christmas with friends, not knowing that evil was lying in wait (p74). Emma has a warning for other mums after a present she gave her son had lifelong consequences (p48). A hug from someone very special was enough to make Alison know she had to change her life once and for all p43 (p43). On top of these and tons more real-life reads, don’t miss our foolproof guide to the perfect turkey (p50), great stocking fillers (p46) and a seven-page, 2019 horoscopes spesh (p55)! Let’s hope it’s a good one!…

My heart began to race. ‘Amy, she’s dead,’ Jonathon was shouting. ‘She’s dead!’ What?! ‘Who’s dead? What’s going on?’ I said. And as he spoke, my world came crashing down. Mum. I collapsed at the top of my stairs, overwhelmed with grief and confusion. How can Mum be dead? We’d texted just hours ago... That evening passed in a horrifying blur as the police came by to confirm the news. But when I asked them what had happened, they couldn’t say. I packed up my things and Jonathon came to collect me with Mum’s ex. We travelled in silence, too shocked to speak. Walking into the house, everything looked the same, but it didn’t feel like home any more. How could it, with Mum gone? Despite every room being packed…

Colleen was a strong, confident woman, a veteran of the Air Force. Now honorably discharged, she spent time catching up with friends. It was through them that she was introduced to Rob McKernan, who’d also served his country. They fell for each other hard and fast, talking about buying a home together and tying the knot. Engaged in February 2014 and married the following April in a small, simple ceremony in Hocking Hills, Ohio, the couple’s romance was a whirlwind. Like many newlyweds, they laid down roots. With a cat and two puppies, they set about renovating their home. But after their wedding, Colleen discovered something sinister about her new husband. When Rob drank, he had a nasty streak. On those nights, he’d call her names and shove her. He…

Get the tree away from me! Q Is it possible to be allergic to Christmas trees? As soon as we put ours up, I start sneezing and my eyes water! Sadie, Dulwich A It's possible, though rare. More likely you're reacting to dust from last year's ornaments, or mould spores on the tree and soft decorations. Wipe the tree and ornaments with a damp cloth, take an antihistamine tablet and store decorations in a sealed box when you put them away. Will I spread my virus?  Q I can't wait to meet my baby grandson at Christmas but I'm coming down with a cold sore on my lip! Is it safe to kiss him? Maria, Dublin A I'm afraid the cold-sore virus can cause serious infection in newborn babies, and…

1 What a right royal treat 2018 has been! Two weddings, and a new baby for Wills and Kate. I’m chuffed Harry and Meghan have announced the pitterpatter of tiny regal feet, too. Maybe Eugenie will add another to the clan. Oh heck, how many great-grandkids will our Betty have then?! Mind you, she is 92! 2 Speaking of queens, how about our very own dancing queen Theresa May? Her moves reminded me of my Geography teacher at the school disco, after one too many. My advice, if you’re reading this week’s Chat , Theresa? Stick to running the country, love! I know they say keep dancing as if no-one’s watching…but we all are – in shame! 3 A result we can be proud of in the World Cup! My…

The voice on the other end of the phone was one from my past. James’ adoptive dad. ‘He wants to meet you,’ he said. I almost dropped the phone. My boy, now 18, wanted his mum. Not a day had gone by that I hadn’t thought about him. But I never dreamed he would ever want to see me again. ‘I’d love to,’ I said. ‘When?’ We arranged a date. Weeks later, I travelled to Wales. When James emerged from his parents’ house, towering over me at 6ft tall, I could hardly breathe. All grown up, but his brown hair and blue eyes were just the same. We stood and stared in silence for several minutes, before crying and hugging. ‘I’ve missed you,’ I sobbed into his chest. ‘Me, too,…

ANYTIME FROM NOW  Make and freeze the stuffing. Parboil and freeze the roast potatoes. UP TO 2 DAYS AHEAD  Prepare the remaining veg and chill in sealable boxes. ON CHRISTMAS EVE  Defrost the stuffing. Stuff and prepare the turkey for roasting, then chill. Cook the balsamic cabbage and chill. ON THE DAY 9.30am Heat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. 9.45am Put the turkey in the oven. 12 noon Lay the table. 12.45pm Prepare any shop-bought sauces. 12.55pm Take the turkey out of the oven and rearrange the shelves, so a tray of potatoes can fit at the top and the turkey at the bottom. Put some goose fat in a roasting tin then pop it in the oven to melt. Turn the turkey, so it cooks evenly, and return it…

Aries 21 March - 20 April Your fortnight ahead Imagine you’re digging a hole, which fills with water. The deeper you dig, the more water comes in. The obvious lesson? Stop digging! The next two weeks are like that - revisiting parts of your past will lead to trouble, so leave them as they are. ★ Call 0905 817 0690* for more ★ YOUR YE AR AHEAD ★ This is a fast-moving, hard-hitting action movie of a year which starts on day one and carries on without any let-up to the end. For all-out entertainment, it’s unbeatable – but of course you have to live it for real, and that’s not the same thing. You must keep up your momentum as you duck and dodge the obstacles that come your…

Puppy play Stick a few treats or dog biscuits into old, holey socks, tie them at the top and it'll keep your dog occupied and entertained for hours! Pat Woodburn, Midhurst Scarf solution  Hang your scarves on a coat hanger. It keeps them together and neat, and helps you see what will match with your outfit. Wendy Harper, Needham Market Cool cast I broke my wrist and to spruce up the cast, I cut up a pair of kids' leggings to fit over it. Now it's more me and I've been told it looks great, too. Kara Wesson, Peterborough Gran’s goodies  I had lots of spare bits of wool I didn't want to waste, so I made a ‘cream tea' for my granddaughter to go with her tea set. I…

NOT GUILTY Colleen McKernan was never convicted of the murder of her husband. Instead, in March 2017, McKernan pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of voluntary manslaughter, in a plea deal that avoided a third trial. The courtroom was packed with the couple’s relatives as Judge Chryssa Hartnett sentenced the 29-year-old to seven years in prison, with a chance for early release on the condition she follows prison rules. Rob’s mother Kathie McKernan said, ‘There’s no amount of time they could have gave her – 500 years – it won’t bring our son back.’…

Sex when ill Q Is it safe to have sex with the flu? I'm coming down with it. Marianne, Blackpool A If you feel up for sex, it probably isn't flu, just a bad cold! You might experience aches and headaches afterwards, and paracetamol should help. If you're feverish, avoid strenuous exercise because of the rare risk of heart damage, though sex doesn't usually count. Stinky poo  Q I'm spending Christmas with my son and daughter-in-law and my poos are smelly. Is there something I can take? Carole, Sunderland A The smell is the result of bacteria acting on food residue and will depend on the bacteria in your gut and the food you eat. Pills won't help, but you could add odour-neutralising drops to the toilet.…

George Glow Beam Drops, £4, Asda Simply apply this luminescent liquid to your cheekbones, brow bones, temples and Cupid’s bow to create an angelic highlight. You can even mix a few drops with your foundation for an all-over glow that’s entirely foolproof. Collection Glam Crystals Palette Glitz & Glam, £4.99 Add some colour to your festive face with this six-shade shimmer palette. Go for pretty pastels during the day and amp up with a bolt of colour in the evening. You can use these eyeshadows with a wet brush to intensify the colour. Essence Glitter On Glitter Off Peel-Off Nail Polish, £2.50, Wilko Glitter nail polish looks amazing and lasts for ages, which is great… until you want to remove it. So we’re going mani mad for this peelable polish,…

Bayou Blue Available on Amazon Prime Between 1996 and 2006, Louisiana police officers were left baffled by a number of unsolved killings. The bodies of the victims were often found dumped in remote bayous - the local swampy waterways - having been strangled or smothered. Several were discovered bound, partially clothed or even barefoot, and some had been raped. After many thousands of hours spent investigating the murders, the police eventually found that the trail of evidence led to a man named Ronald Dominique, 42, a volunteer bingo caller at a nursing home. A short, chubby man who walked with a cane, Dominique was known to his neighbours as a meek and helpful person. But the police suspected that mild-mannered Dominique had killed as many as 23 men and teenage…

Debbie Pennington, 54 Sitting on my bed, I heard the front door slam. The gruff voice that echoed up the stairs sent shivers down my spine. Uncle Ronnie was here. Making my way downstairs, I spotted Ronnie, dressed in a suit and shiny shoes. ‘Hi,’ I mumbled. ‘How are you doing, Debs?’ he grinned, ruffling my hair. As Dad walked into the kitchen, Ronnie glanced round to make sure his brother-in-law was out of sight. His hands lingered on mine as he took the presents... Then, licking his lips, he eyed me up. His gaze made me feel physically ill. Ronnie was 30 – I was only 11. Dad walked back in, oblivious, as my cheeks flamed. For the last few months, Ronnie hadn’t been the lovely uncle I’d once…

Emma Carson, 39, Leigh-On-Sea Shuffling towards the front of the queue, I felt a tug at my sleeve. ‘Mum, how much do I have left?’ said my youngest, Archie, 8. He’d been racing up and down the toy shop, loading action figures into my basket. Making the most of his birthday money, a present from me and his dad... I’d finally dragged Archie to the till and now he’d spotted one more thing that he had to have. ‘You’ve a few pounds left,’ I nodded. ‘Yes!’ Archie chirped, punching the air. Grabbing a pen, he threw it on top of the pile. As it beeped through the scanner, I realised it was a laser-pen pointer. Archie was buzzing, reckoned it was so cool. When we got home, I popped batteries…

Clever carrot koftas  Makes 10 Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min •7 2 spring onions, chopped •7 1 large garlic clove, finely chopped •7 2 slices white bread, chopped into small pieces •7 15g fresh coriander, chopped •7 70g fresh or frozen cranberries •7 50g Greek yogurt, plus extra to serve •7 2tsp curry powder •7 1tsp chilli flakes •7 350g carrots, peeled •7 Rapeseed oil, to fry •7 Mango chutney •7 Lemon wedges 1 Put the spring onions, garlic, bread, coriander, cranberries, yogurt, curry powder and chilli flakes into a food processor. 2 Chop the carrots roughly and boil in some salted water for 5 min, until just cooked, then drain well. Add these while still hot to the ingredients in the food processor and season with salt and…

Susan Best, 65, north London This time of year can be bittersweet. Plenty of fun, but it’s hard when there’s someone special missing from the Christmas table. My identical twin Dorothy was always by my side. First day of school, starting new jobs, partners, kids... Together, we could face anything. Despite me being 20 minutes older, Dorothy did things first. I made a vow – to live life to the full, as if you were here She was the brave one. Always there, holding my hand. Only, in August 1985, Dorothy was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was frightened for her, and for myself. How will I cope without her by my side? It simply didn’t bear thinking about. Dorothy battled through weeks of gruelling radiotherapy. Thankfully, she was given…

Aliens Love Panta Claus SKY1 Hold on to your spaceships - this one-off animated sci-fi special sees aliens giving away underpants because it's Christmas. But when they realise they have a famous pair of underpants that could halt Christmas, they jump into action to save the day and help Santa deliver all his presents. Lending their vocal talents to the fun story are Matt Lucas and Ashley Jensen as Santa and Mrs Claus, with aliens voiced by Tameka Empson, Romesh Ranganathan and Joanna Page. The Long Song BBC1 Set in 19th-century Jamaica, this three-part drama tells the story of young slave July (Tamara Lawrance), who works on a plantation owned by the cruel Caroline Mortimer (Hayley Atwell). But when overseer Robert Goodwin (Jack Lowden) arrives on the island, determined to…

Q What made you decide to go to raves in the first place? A When I lost Dad and my son got more interested in his mates, I found myself feeling restless. So we thought we could use a bit of fun. Q Are the young people at the raves supportive? A One hundred per cent! They call us ‘legends' and say we inspire them, which is lovely. Some ravers even call us ‘Mum' and ‘Dad'! Q I’d love to know where you get your energy from... A I love dancing, the music and the people. My energy comes from my passion for these events. Q What music do you listen to when you want to relax? A Slower trance music! But we both love all kinds of music and…

Most Childish IT’S GAME OVER! Kelly Allen, 40, from Scarborough, always knew her hubby Michael had another love... His beloved Xbox! But when she discovered he was using it as an excuse to chat to another woman, it was game over for their marriage. Throughout Kelly's pregnancy - and even after their baby arrived - Michael was distracted, distant. But, one day, he forgot to log out of Facebook. Seizing her chance, Kelly read his messages... And discovered the truth. While he'd pretended to play on his computer, really Michael had been playing games with Kelly's heart. Messaging his 17-year-old bit on the side. Kelly didn't waste any time stuffing his things into bin bags - including his Xbox - and kicked him out. Michael said, ‘I don’t regret messaging…

Amelia Karnstein, 21, Nottingham Hair curled and nails painted, my mum, Janet, 51, looked gorgeous. It was April 2017 and she was getting ready for a rare night out. ‘Do I look all right?’ Mum asked nervously. ‘You look great!’ I smiled. I’d heard her bustling about for hours. Her hairdryer humming, the familiar smell of her perfume filling the air. Mum’s marriage had ended recently and she’d taken it hard. An old romantic, she loved the idea of being in love. So I reckoned she was overdue a chance to let her hair down on a night out. If Mum wasn’t working in the hospital serving food to patients, she was busy running around after my five siblings and me. ‘You’re sure I look OK?’ she asked again. ‘Yes,…

Paula Horrocks, 42, Hull Sitting on the edge of her bed, I kept watch over my poorly daughter. ‘I feel dizzy, Mum,’ Jodie, 20, groaned. Stroking her hair, I did my best to soothe her to sleep. Many would assume Jodie was hungover after a night out with her mates. But I knew better. Ever since Jodie was a little girl, she’d suffered with bad health. At just a few months old, she’d been diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), otherwise known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The long-term illness came with a wide range of symptoms, including extreme tiredness. In Jodie’s case, she suffered severe headaches, dizziness and other flu-like symptoms, too. So her complaint of feeling dizzy that day in October 2014, was nothing new to either of us.…

Xmas dinner hint! Q We alternate Christmas with my hubby’s family and mine each year. The thing is, my dad died this year. My mum’s on her own now, so we should spend the day with her. But my mum-in-law has already started planning. I keep hoping she’ll invite my mum, but she hasn’t taken the hint. My husband just says I should bring her along. What should I do? Audrey, 38 A I’m so sorry. The loss of a loved one, especially around special occasions, never gets any easier, but you learn to cope with the pain. And men don’t plan till they’re dashing round the shops on Christmas Eve. Just be honest, and ask directly if you can bring your mum. One extra place at the table shouldn’t…

Alison Lewis, 38, Castleford, Yorkshire Posting the stack of Christmas cards into the pillar box, I listened to them land with a thud. But there was only one that I cared if it reached its destination safely. To the person I knew could not send one back. I could still picture my handwriting on the inside... Merry Christmas son, love Mum. Tears in my eyes, I made my way back home to think about my boy... and to eat. It was February 1997 when I discovered I was pregnant. I was just 16, terrified of telling my mum Gina, now 58. Still, I blurted it out and she’d promised me that she’d support me. My baby’s father and I were in an on-off relationship. But Mum came to every scan,…

Lindsey Thomas, 49, Trecynon, Rhondda Cynon Taf As I took a big bite of mince pie, a ball of fur suddenly shot into the room towards me. ‘Get off, will you?!’ I giggled as my 6-month-old Collie-cross Hugo leapt up, sniffing for crumbs. It was 31 December 2017 – and, like most dogs, Hugo loved a treat. Over Christmas, his nose had gone into overdrive. I swear that he could sniff out a festive snack through a brick wall! He was a laugh a minute. Our Collie Iolo was peaceful and intelligent, Hugo was… well, he was just Hugo! Clumsy and energetic, he always caused chaos. He’d been in his element over the holiday, wagging his tail at every morsel he sniffed coming out of the oven. Now, after a…

Coronation Street Chesney risks it all for Sinead When Beth notices a massive amount of cash in the safe at the factory, she comes up with a plan to pay for Sinead’s specialist treatment. Beth makes the suggestion to Chesney that he steal the takings and then pretend that he was mugged. Although he’s reluctant at first, Chesney is desperate to help Sinead, so he agrees and Kirk is also roped in to help. Not surprisingly, the plan doesn’t go smoothly… Elsewhere, Michelle is forced to contemplate her future after she confides in Carla that she and Robert are at odds over his desire for a baby and now she’s discovered that he’s lying to her. Meanwhile, Toyah’s not too happy when she discovers that Leanne has asked Nick to…