Table of contents for 30-May-2019 in Chat

Nora knew her son was on a bad path and tragically couldn’t save him. What she’s doing now, in his memory, is so incredibly brave (p10). When Bea realised she had a talent for makeovers, she found a way for her skills to be really life-changing (p38). And Joe learned the real cost of a dream come true… but wouldn’t change a single thing (p56). We’ve got pages and pages of real life reads and your fave prize puzzles, beauty tips, summery skirts (p12), recipes (p41), 12 of the best candles (p52) and much more to enjoy. Have a great week!…

Ricky says, ‘I admitted the affair because we weren't going to get back together. I'd made a huge mistake that I could never come back from. [The chances] of her ever trusting me again were stacked against me. She was permanently looking for things to mistrust me for. It was impossible to explain any innocence to her, to the point where I said this is the end of our relationship because I am fighting a losing battle. I messed up. If I could change it, I would. But I could never come back from that.'…

When Linda and Jeffrey Dolloff said their vows on board a cruise ship off the coast of Florida in 1998, it should’ve been the start of their happy-ever-after life together. Jeffrey was a high-powered management consultant, while Linda worked as a yoga instructor. Together, the pair built their dream home in Standish, Maine, USA, using timber they cut and milled themselves. For Linda, the centrepiece of the home was her specially built yoga studio. She also loved gardening and pottery. The Dolloffs seemingly had everything. But, behind closed doors, it seemed trouble was brewing. As soon as the couple moved in, they started sleeping in separate bedrooms. Linda didn’t get on with Jeffrey’s three daughters from a previous relationship. It caused tension in the marriage. And, soon, the couple were…

In your jeans Q There's a round scaly itchy patch between my belly button and my pubic hair. What is it? Lindsay, Tower Hamlets A Often this is a sign of an allergy to nickel in a metal jeans button. Switching from jeans, or covering the inside of the button and using hydrocortisone cream from your chemist should do the trick. If not, check with your GP. Banish the marks! Q Is there a cream that works for cellulite? I hate my bum and thighs! Bella, Bedford A Cellulite is fat that looks puckered due to being tethered by fibrous strands, and it can run in families. Most creams don't offer much, though some containing retinol might help a little after at least six months. Exercise and a healthy weight…

Iris Davis, 75 Some moments stay with you forever. Holding my little boy John for the first time, way back in 1961, was one of them. He was tiny, perfect, and my heart was full of love. I was only 17, a happy newlywed in Dublin. But just two months later, my beloved son was cruelly snatched away by cot death. My heart broke. And a heavy depression set in. My husband did his best to support me, and in 1962 we moved to London, where he started a new business. I slowly adjusted to my loss – and in June 1966, gave birth to another beautiful boy Kaz. I started copying the men, testing out a bicep curl Two months later, my husband went away on a business trip…

Emma Turner, 42 Sneaking a peanut butter sandwich up my sleeve, I peered out of the kitchen door. No sign of Mum. Running upstairs, I climbed into bed and devoured every morsel of the buttery bread. I didn’t care that I’d had a bowl of pasta a few hours ago. My mum Rhonda, then 32, was always a healthy type, never had crisps, sweets or full-fat milk in the house. Only low-calorie yogurt and loads of fruit and veg. But by the time I was 16, I started breaking the rules. Stopping off at the chippy on my way home from school, I’d wipe away the grease and hide my habits from Mum. ‘We’ll have to get you a bigger school shirt,’ she sighed one day as a button popped…

Aries 21 March - 20 April Do you tend to ignore reminders? You might get one in the next few days - but the time between the reminder and the deadline is very short. So whatever it is, don’t forget about it, do it! Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May You think you’ve missed the bus, but the bus is running late too. Not a real bus, but an offer which secures your financial future. You thought your chance had gone, but it’s still there waiting for you. Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June The devil is in the detail. This week you make a big commitment, but have second thoughts and call it off. Then you make…

THE SLOT GAMES Chat Mag Bingo proudly presents six exciting jackpot slot games that offer the chance to win one of the two DAILY JACKPOTS on site. Look out for Arcade Bomb, Lucky Little Devil, Dragon’s Luck, Lucky Wizard, Mystery Reels and Persian Fortune, with many more to come! THE JACKPOTS Within the games you’ll find there are actually three jackpots that can be won on any of the slot games above. They’re called Early Drop Jackpot, Late Drop Jackpot and Quick Drop. The Quick Drop can be won numerous times a day at any time, but the DAILY DOUBLE JACKPOTS are the Early Drop Jackpot and Late Drop Jackpot, which are more likely to be won between certain times (you’ll find the times on the site). These jackpots will…

Mavala Nail Color Cream in Phoenix, £5.20, John Lewis Make the most of sandal season with a bold orange polish. The perfect finishing touch for an at-home pedi, this mini bottle lasts for 10 applications with no tackiness that comes with larger bottles. Apply a quick-dry top coat for extra staying power. Burt’s Bees Liquid Lipstick in Coral Cove, £9.99, Superdrug Unlike some liquid lipsticks that can leave your lips chapped and creased, this velvety lippy is packed with hydration – using shea butter and apricot oil to smooth and plump your pout. We can’t get enough of this high-shine raspberry hue. Charles Worthington Healthy Balance Harmonising Shampoo, £6.99, Boots There are plenty of products that care for combination skin – but what about combination hair? This clever shampoo tackles…

Rachel Smith, 42, Preston Watching the second line show up on the pregnancy test, I couldn’t believe my eyes. ‘It’s positive,’ I whispered to myself. At 24, I hadn’t planned to become a mum quite so soon. But I always knew I wanted to have children. So after the initial shock wore off, my then-partner and I were delighted. I knew my lifestyle had to change overnight. No more nights out in the pub. And definitely no more smoking fags. I was 15 when I started. By the time I was in my early twenties, I smoked between 10 and 15 cigarettes a day. Aware of the health risks, I told myself I’d quit one day. I’d just never found a reason to. Until now… The cravings were back with…

Joanna Smith, 58, Bedford Catching the side of my tongue with a tooth, I yelped. ‘Gah! That hurts,’ I said, putting a hand over my mouth. It was October 2018, and I’d just discovered I had an ulcer. No bigger than a grain of rice, I figured it was nothing to worry about, and slapped on a bit of ulcer cream. But as the weeks went by, the blighter wouldn’t budge. Concerned, I went to my GP, who prescribed a gel. Only, the ulcer kept growing. A few weeks on, it was hurting to eat. Even speaking was a struggle. So, last December, I took myself off to Bedford Hospital. After taking one look at my inflamed ulcer, doctors there grew concerned. ‘We want to do a biopsy,’ one said.…

Language barrier I had to laugh when my young granddaughter saw me writing in shorthand and asked ‘Grandma, can you speak shorthand?’ Bless her! Hazel Anderson, Morley Pool party Here is my silly husband Brian, who at the ripe old age of 75 really fancied his chances as a pool man while we were away on holiday in sunny Spain! Sylvia Foster, Driffield Dressed to thrill Here I am trying on my brand-new outfit for the Gay Pride celebrations in Manchester. It’s always such brilliant fun, I can’t get enough! I think I look pretty jazzy if I do say so myself! Pauline Wheeler, Upholland Photo of the week My dog Alfie loves catching up on the latest issue of his favourite mag! Luke Smith, Dagenham • All contributions to…

GUILTY In court in May 2010, Linda Dolloff was found guilty of attempting to kill her husband Jeffrey. She showed no emotion as the jury delivered its verdict. But, at her sentencing in January 2011, a tearful Linda, then 49, took to the stand to beg for mercy. Apologising for being a ‘huge burden on the legal system, the court and everyone involved’ Linda maintained her innocence. But it was too late. Sentencing her to 16 years in prison, Cumberland County Superior Court Justice Joyce Wheeler said, ‘In accepting the jury’s verdict that she did commit these crimes, I have to conclude that she shows no remorse, empathy or responsibility.’…

Why the blood? Q I'm bleeding between periods, and the clinic says it's due to an erosion on my cervix. Is it serious? Caitlin, Dingwall A This is an area of red skin on your cervix which looks rubbed away. In fact, it's delicate skin which has spread from inside your womb. Bleeding should always be checked, but this is harmless. If need be, it can be treated by laser, burning or freezing. Toilet orgasm! Q Last week, as I strained to do a hard poo, I had an orgasm! How can that happen? Georgia, Matlock A The most likely reason is cross-wiring of nerves from your rectum and anus with those from your vagina and clitoris. Your brain misinterprets the signals from passing a poo as sexual stimulation. If…

Jitters over new job Q I live on my own – and, for years, I had four jobs, but always wanted a full-time cleaning job. I applied for one at the local hospital… and got it! But now I’m feeling scared about such a big change. What if I don’t like it? Kathleen, 50 A Congratulations! You’ve got your dream job at last, and jolly well done to you! I know you’re nervous, but it’s perfectly normal to feel like this. It’s going to be a big change for you – new people, a busy job. But just remember, you wanted this job and you’re going to be fantastic because you wanted it. Don’t worry, you’ll have a blast – and they’ll love you on those wards! Best mate’s betrayed…

Something to celebrate! The gastric sleeve was a major operation. Part of my stomach would be removed so it’d be much smaller. It meant I’d get fuller much quicker. They’d remove a hormone called ghrelin, which triggers hunger. Still, the GP advised I’d need to lose 2st to qualify for the op. ‘I’ll try,’ I vowed. Determined, I turned to meal-replacement shakes. ‘Are you sure you want to do this?’ Mum asked. ‘I’m certain,’ I told her. The night before the op in May 2015, I threw a ‘food funeral’. Ordering Chinese and KFC, I wolfed chicken wings, guzzled fizzy drinks. One last binge! Despite my feast, I’d managed to lose just under 2st. ‘You’re ready,’ the surgeon said as I was wheeled into theatre. Waking up hours later, I…

If you find yourself frittering away your hard-earned cash, these tips will help you stop! 1 Do your research Whether you're looking for garden furniture or a child's bike, when you want to buy something always see what people are giving away for free on sites like Freecycle first. If you can't find something for nothing, check websites like eBay and Preloved to see if you can save money by getting it second hand. 2 Set targets Whenever you want to spend on something, whether it's buying a new dress or booking a weekend away, instead of whipping out your card to pay for it, think of other ways you can raise the cash instead. You could sell things you don't need any more or swap nights out in the…

Bea Marshall, 53, Colchester Swigging the last of my cocktail, an idea started swirling in my mind. It was winter 2012 and I was at a party with some friends. Standing in a group, my pals chatted about using something called a dressing service. ‘But there’s just not enough out there for transvestites,’ one sighed. I was 46, and a lot of my friends were transvestites and drag queens, who I’d met through different social events over the years. But I’d never even heard the term ‘dressing service’ before. Intrigued, I looked into it and found out it involved giving people makeovers. I’d always loved cosmetics and beauty, often did friends’ make-up for special occasions – and was a shopaholic, always online shopping. I’d never actually styled someone from head…

1 Avoid a cakey finish by applying concealer after your foundation. Chances are, your foundation will cover all but the most stubborn blemishes. MUA Pro / Base Full Coverage Concealer in Shade 140, £2.50, Superdrug 2 Curly hair tends to be dry, so add extra moisture at every step of your routine. Formulated with aloe vera juice, this conditioner is full of hydration. Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Conditioner, £8.99, Boots 3 Nothing gets my skin glowing quite like fake tan. It’s an easy way to even out skintone. If you’re a tanning newbie, add tan drops to moisturiser. Solait Tan Boosting Facial Serum, £4.99, Superdrug…

Mouth ulcers are common and should clear up on their own within a week or two. They're rarely a sign of anything serious and can be caused by everyday things such as… • Biting the inside of your cheek. • Cuts or burns caused while eating or drinking hard food or very hot drinks. • Feeling tired, run-down stressed or anxious. Over-the-counter remedies are good for soothing any swelling and pain. But you should consult your GP if… • Your mouth ulcer has lasted three weeks or longer. • You keep getting mouth ulcers. • Your mouth ulcer becomes more painful or red - this could be a sign of a bacterial infection.…

Counting down the seconds to midnight, I felt like I was being watched. ‘5, 4, 3, 2...’ the DJ shouted across the dance floor. And as we rang in 1993, I spotted the tall, handsome stranger whose eyes were fixed on me. Ricky Jackson, 17. ‘Happy New Year!’ he smiled. Ricky was four years younger than me – and a foot taller. Not my usual type. But once we got chatting, I found he was charming and ambitious. Plus, we had the same sense of humour. Swept up in a whirlwind romance, I fell head over heels in love. And things moved quickly for us. Within a year, our first son was born. Four years later, we had another little boy. Ricky was a natural, teaching the boys to ride…

As the midwives whisked my baby away, right after she was born, I wasn’t worried. My pregnancy with Sofia had been straightforward. The birth, too. This would be nothing more than routine tests. ‘We’ll be in touch with the results,’ said a midwife as she discharged us from hospital in January 2011. Barely giving the results a moment’s thought, I went home with our bundle of joy. I happily braced myself for how manic family life would now be. Me and my husband Matthew, then 35, already had our son Caleb, 17 months. I didn’t know what was in store for our girl The late-night feeds and nappy changes were about to double. We could forget about sleeping – and date nights were long gone. But we couldn’t have been…

Lauren Doneghan, 35, South Shields My daughter Phoebe, 4, was curled into her daddy on the sofa. ‘Can I have a cuddle now?’ I asked. ‘I’ve got popcorn!’ Phoebe looked at me, her beautiful, wavy brown hair bouncing around her face. ‘No, Mummy,’ she said. ‘I’m cuddling Daddy. You cuddle Harriet.’ She was talking about her 20-month-old sister. I laughed. The moment she was born, Phoebe was a daddy’s girl. With her almond-shaped blue eyes, she was his double. ‘She’s amazing,’ he’d gasped, totally besotted. She adored me, too – but Phoebe and her dad shared such an amazing bond. At weekends, they’d spend hours paddling on the beach near our home, throwing stones into the sea. Best pals. In December 2017, we celebrated Phoebe’s fifth birthday. But days later,…

I was too scared to tell anyone Giggling and clutching the chains, my legs flew up in the air. ‘Higher!’ I squealed, as my mum’s boyfriend Charles pushed me on the swing. Out the corner of my eye, I could see Mum smiling at us. It was April 1992, and I hadn’t seen my dad since he’d divorced Mum three years earlier. Aged 8, I’d longed for a father figure. Then Charles King had moved in next door but one. Chatty and polite, he’d soon made a good impression, and he and Mum became an item. Charles would come round most nights. With Mum working late during the week, he’d watch TV with me after school, make dinner. He didn’t have kids of his own, but fell into the parenting…

1968: Toddler slayer Mary Bell was just 10 when she strangled two toddlers to death. Her first killing took place on 25 May 1968 when she killed Martin Brown, 4, in Newcastle. Later, she killed Brian Howe, 3, carving an ‘M' into his stomach. Bell was convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and jailed indefinitely. She was released in 1980 and lives under a pseudonym. 2008: Park killing On 28 May 2008, Moira Jones, 40, parked her car about 100 yards from her Glasgow home. Marek Harcar abducted her, forced her into Queen's Park, where he punched, kicked and stamped on her body before raping her. Moira died in the park and was found semi-naked the next day. Harcar, a Slovakian who had recently moved…

Q What’s the hardest part of the styling process? A Finding shoes that fit! Getting hold of heels in a man's size-10 isn't easy, unless you buy them from specialist websites - and they cost a fortune! So I'm always so grateful for any donations. Q Have you ever created a look that someone didn’t love? AI've only had two clients in the last seven years who didn't like their makeover. It's difficult when people are disappointed, but the number of positive reactions I've had so far have more than outweighed anything negative. Q How do you cope with the emotional side of the makeovers? A My clients spill a lot of personal and intimate feelings to me, because they often don't have anyone else to talk to. In June…

Creamy lemon pork with pasta Serves: 4 Prep time: 5 min Cook time: 15 min • 350g dried pasta, such as tagliatelle or fettucine • 200g frozen peas • 1tbsp vegetable oil • 4 pork loin medallions or 6 pork fillet medallions, sliced into strips • Zest and juice of 1 small lemon • 200ml low fat creme fraiche To serve: • Freshly grated Parmesan • Fresh basil leaves • Ground black pepper 1 Cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling water as per pack instructions. In the last 3-4 min, add the peas. Drain, reserving a little cooking water. Put a lid on the pan to keep the pasta warm. 2 Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and cook…

Coronation Street Carla sees dead people! On Friday, there’s a special instalment of the soap which follows Carla as she suffers a severe psychotic episode with many elements of the story told from her point of view. Peter’s doing his best to look after Carla, but when she slips the net he finds her on the fire escape in Victoria Street where, clearly hallucinating, she talks to Hayley, Aidan and Rana - who are all dead! What will Peter do to help the woman he loves? Emmerdale Good news for Chas and Paddy? After the heartache of losing their newborn daughter Grace last year, it’s no wonder that Chas and Paddy are nervous about attending the 20-week scan for the child they are now expecting. Paddy thinks it would…