Table of contents for 01-Aug-2019 in Chat

As Brittney got ready for the school run, something shocking happened which changed her life forever (p6). When Joy fled from her violent husband she hoped for a new start but her heartache wasn’t over yet (p10). And Frances has something truly unexpected to thank for saving her son Mylo’s life (p46). We’ve also got true crime stories, a spooky read that will give you chills (p56), health advice, your tips, yummy summer drinks (p37), great-value nautical fashion (p12) and more. Plus, don’t miss your chance to win big with our pages of prize puzzles! What are you waiting for?…

Joy Prichard, 48 Lying on my bedroom floor, I felt blood dripping down my cheek. Pain seared through my entire body. I could hear my two younger children – Morgan, 9, and Ellis, 4 – crying. At that moment I knew enough was enough. It was June 2009, and my partner of seven years, Dale, then 35, had thrown me on our bed, smashed a can of cider in my face. Dale had seemed charming when I met him in a nightclub in Caerphilly, in August 2002. For a while things were good. I already had three children from a previous relationship, my son, 8, daughter Hannah, 6, and Morgan, 2. We had Ellis in November 2004, married two years later. But that’s when the fairytale ended. Dale drank, picked…

Weird sex! Q When I orgasm I see colours or beautiful patterns! Is that normal? Eve, Leeds A You may have a form of synaesthesia, where one sensation triggers a different one - each day of the week makes you think of a particular colour, for example, or hearing music triggers hallucinations. Sometimes orgasm can be a trigger. It's harmless, so just enjoy! Condom worry Q We've always used condoms with spermicide on them, but now our chemist says that they're not recommended. Lily, Bolsover A We used to think that these were better at preventing pregnancy and STIs, but it seems that's not true. They might even increase the risk of catching infections such as HIV, can cause irritation, and are best avoided.…

1986: Estate agent disappearance Suzy Lamplugh, 25, left the estate agency where she worked to meet a man called ‘Mr Kipper' at a house in Fulham. But, on that sunny afternoon on 28 July 1986, Suzy vanished. She was last seen with a dark-haired man at 1pm, walking away from the property. Her car was found unlocked on a nearby street, with her purse inside. Nobody was ever arrested in connection with Suzy's disappearance and, in 1994, she was officially declared dead. 2017: Hammer attack Farnaz Ali, 49, went for a walk at around 7pm on 28 July 2017, after complaining about noise coming from a flat in the same building where she lived - the home of Danny Williams. When she didn't come back, her partner reported…

Lydia Gribble, 21, Post Falls, Idaho As we sat around the dinner table, I took a deep breath. ‘ I know what I want to do for a living, I told my adoptive parents. ‘Be a bounty hunter.’ It was May 2015, and I was 17. Growing up on a large, secluded farm, it’d always been expected I’d work on the land. I set my sights on a career – as a bounty hunter ‘That’s not happening,’ my father said firmly. My parents were strict and I’d followed their rules all my life. Wearing demure skirts, never having a boyfriend. But I’d set my sights on a career as a bounty hunter. In the US, people charged with crimes have to put up money to secure bail. Those unable to…

Lee Stafford Keep it Clean Purifying Shampoo, £7.49 This is particularly good if your hair is on the thinner, finer side. Pink clays acts like a magnet, drawing oil, hard-water minerals and product build-up away from the hair so it feels light, bouncy and super-clean between washes. Revolution x Pride Proud of my Life colour palette, £8, Superdrug It’s good when beauty gives back. This 32-shade palette is the perfect mix of neutrals and poppy brights, and as a big plus point, a £25,000 donation has been made to the Human Dignity Trust. PS… Blossom + Calm Eau de Parfum, £3, Primark It may look pretty expensive, but this perfume’s a total steal! The fragrance opens with bright notes of zesty orange and delicate ylang ylang, before mellowing into a…

In a statement to the Press, the Archdiocese of Birmingham said it had publicly apologised to all abuse victims involving the church, during the ongoing Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. A spokeswoman added, ‘The Archdiocese is committed to safeguarding and the door is open for all survivors to meet Archbishop Bernard Longley to talk about their experiences if they wish. ‘In relation to this particular case, the Archdiocese safeguarding team were informed of the allegation made by the individual. The safeguarding co-ordinator in post at the time (2016), spoke at length with the individual and explored support which could be helpful to her. This included meeting with the Sisters of Charity of St Paul.'…

Coronation Street Big shocks in store for Seb! Seb was gutted when Alina dumped him and then vanished after she apparently quit her job. After finding out that she’s still working at the nail salon and has been giving him the swerve, Seb goes to see her but gets a big shock to find her living in near-squalor at the back of the shop and realises she’s the victim of human trafficking! Seb knows Alina’s boss Rachel and her husband are behind it, but is confused when Eileen’s new man Jan turns up at the salon… Where does he fit into all of it? Meanwhile, Robert is kept busy trying keep up his double life, but it looks like his secret may be out when Tracy spots him with Vicky……

Gravely ill My husband wasn’t well, but had used all of his sick days so he had to go in. ‘You could always call in dead, Dad!’ our teenage son helpfully suggested. Kym, via e-mail She’s inspired! Looking through my niece’s science homework book, I read that she’d written… When you breathe in, you’re inspiring and when you breathe out you’re expiring. Ilze Skujina, Aberystwyth Udder disgust Micky and Patch weren’t impressed after I read that milk is good for dogs! Betty Kellar, Stokesley Fried brain I could tell my husband Jack must have had a stressful week at his IT job – when he came home weary on a Friday evening, he tried to enter his password into the microwave! Amie Yardley, Burwell ● All contributions to Chat must…

Heidi Dance, 48, Waltham St Lawrence Sitting opposite my doctor in stunned silence, neither of us knew what to say next. I’d just been given the worst possible diagnosis imaginable… ‘We found a lesion on your pancreas,’ he said. ‘It looks like cancer.’ In a way I’d expected this, but it didn’t stop it being a shock. ‘I thought we’d ruled it out?’ I said quietly, finally breaking the silence. I knew that this was going to be the fight of my life A scan a few months earlier had come back clear. But he shook his head. I had cancer and that was that. And I knew this was going to be the fight of my life. ‘What are my options, then?’ I asked. To be honest, though, I…

Vanessa Abreu, 35, Herne Hill Pirouetting across the hard wooden floors, I expected to feel out of breath. But I didn’t. Even as I came to the end of a two-hour ballet class I felt absolutely fine. Grabbing my glucose reader from my bag, I decided to check my blood sugars. All totally normal. So maybe the doctor was wrong, I thought. Maybe I didn’t have diabetes after all. I’d been just 16 when I got the diagnosis. It came as a total shock. I’d always been a healthy child, an avid dancer, too. But in the months leading up to my diagnosis, I knew something wasn’t right. Firstly there had been the rapid weight loss. ‘Are you eating properly?’ my dad Carlos, then 47, had asked me, concerned. ‘Of…

Sara Martin, 27 A doctor explained Cam had a bilateral cleft palate Folding tiny vests and sleep suits, I divided them into piles. ‘One for Jack, one for Cam,’ I grinned to my husband Matt, 28. It was December 2017 and our twin boys were due in four months. We were so excited. I’d had a good pregnancy, and already grown a lovely, big bump. We’d bought matching outfits, two of everything. Two cribs, two prams, two car seats... At first, I’d worried how we’d tell our babies apart. But, at our 16 week scan, we’d found out the twins wouldn’t be identical. ‘Maybe one will look like you, and one like me,’ I grinned happily to Matt. On 3 April 2018, we drove to a hospital here in Dallas,…

Aries 21 March - 20 April Keeping your boss happy can be hard, but when you have to be sweet to your old boss too, it gets difficult. Or maybe it’s your present partner and an ex. Either way, pleasing two people is a challenge. Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May It’s not like you to get carried away by a wouldn’t-it-be-nice daydream, but this one has touched your heart. Let’s hope it all works out - but be realistic about how hard it will be, and how much it will cost. Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June A true friend is one who doesn’t just sympathise, but actually steps in to help. Take the hand that’s offered,…

1 Use kohl to make lashes look fuller The trick here is to lift the eyelid up, nestle Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal, £4.49, at the roots and then wiggle along the waterline so that the base of your eyelashes looks filled in. 2 Make a hair mask work harder by wrapping your hair in a damp towel The warmth helps the ingredients seep into each strand. John Frieda Detox & Repair Masque, £6.99, leaves even coarse hair feeling softer and more manageable. 3 Fake long nails and slim fingers with a clever painting tactic Instead of painting right up to the sides of the nail, leave a little gap to give a streamlined effect. Essie Nail Lacquer in 50 Bordeaux, £7.99, works really well.…

Hold The Sunset BBC1 As the comedy returns for a second series, Edith (Alison Steadman) and Phil (John Cleese) are still planning to move abroad, but will their dream of a place in the sun become a reality? It’s not looking likely as Edith’s 50-year-old son Roger (Jason Watkins) continues to live with the couple. The Brigade BBC2 Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton tries to turn a crew of undiscovered British catering talent into a ‘Kitchen Brigade’ to take on the best in the world. Each week in this six-part series, they travel to some of the top culinary centres of Europe where they will take part in a cook-off with a rival ‘brigade’. Otherhood Netflix This one-off comedy drama stars Patricia Arquette, Angela Bassett and Felicity Huffman as long-time friends…

Brittney Sullivan, 32 The reflection in the bathroom mirror was still a bleary one, as I let out a tired yawn. Just then, my girls Makennah, then 8, and Presley Monroe, 5, chased each other across the hallway. ‘Slow down, guys,’ I croaked, flicking on my curling tongs. My youngest James Walker, then 1, was in his bed. It was the usual hectic, weekday morning in our mad house. My husband David, 36, and I both juggled full-time jobs with looking after the kids. Life was busy – but I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. And, on this cold January day in 2018, David had left for work extra early at 6am. By 7.30am, I’d got the kids up. Now I just had to curl my hair before…

After all the evidence had been heard, the jury returned their verdict on Veronica Posey, 66. Guilty of first degree felony murder. She was jailed for life, but her defence team said she would appeal the verdict. While Grace Smith was originally in hospital, deemed mentally and physically unfit to face justice, she was later declared well enough to stand trial. And, in May 2019, Smith, 71, was found guilty of aggravated manslaughter and aggravated child abuse and jailed for 20 years. Following Dericka’s tragic death, the authorities vowed to investigate how the child had been left the mercy of her abusers for so long.…

Too hot at night! Q I sweat at night and sometimes wake up drenched. What's wrong? Greta, King’s Lynn A Infections such as tonsillitis or flu are a common temporary cause, but longer-term night sweats are often due to anxiety or menopause. Check with your GP, as more serious causes include tuberculosis or blood cancer, particularly if you have other symptoms, such as weight loss. Painful eyes Q My eyes are always red and sore. My optician says it's due to ingrowing eyelashes - what can I do? Marjorie, Pangbourne A Weakness and thinning of your lower eyelid can cause it to turn inwards, causing your eyelashes to scratch and irritate your cornea, the transparent covering of your eye. Usually it's due to age, so lubricating eyedrops, or a small…

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is a group of rare inherited disorders that cause major abnormalities to the immune system. There are different types of the condition, which leads to a greatly increased risk of infection and other complications that are life-threatening. The first symptoms of SCID usually arise within the first three to six months of life, with babies suffering frequent infections, as well as severe and persistent colds and coughs. Infants with the condition never used to survive their first year, but now treatment is available that can reduce the risk of serious infection and, in some cases, even cure the disorder.…

Cheryl Montague, 59, Epsom Speaking to my sister Sandra, 57, on video chat, I wanted to magically teleport myself to her side. She’s lived in Florida since the 1980s and I still miss her every single day. The States always felt so far away and, while I tried to visit as much as possible, I wished I could see her more often. ‘I’ll see you soon,’ I said, waving to her and taking one last look at the beaming sunshine as I returned to the rainy day reality in England. This February, I was playing my favourite game – Blox Bingo on Chat Mag Bingo. I’ve been playing bingo on the site for over 13 years now, it’s been a lot of fun, a lot of chat and a lot…

Don't let luggage charges ruin your holiday before it's even begun… 1 Weigh it up  Always weigh and measure your bags before you leave home instead of relying on guesswork to make sure they're within the limits. Try using portable luggage scales, available from Amazon for around £7. You can take them with you too so you can be sure any holiday purchases won't tip you over the limit on your return. If you're travelling with a partner or kids, spread heavier items between cases. 2 Sort it ASAP If you know your luggage will be over the weight limit, then go online in advance and pre-book excess baggage or pay to put an extra bag in the hold. Booking ahead usually costs less than paying at the airport. 3…

La Dame en Rosé, 75cl, £6, Marks and Spencer Light, crisp and refreshing, this rosé has a lovely pale colour and is bursting with flavours of red fruits and white flowers. It’s perfect for all your summer barbecues or picnics, and at only 11.5 per cent ABV this is a wine you can sip throughout the day. La Vieille Ferme Rosé, 75cl, £7.75, Co-op This rosé is a real crowd-pleaser with lovely delicate notes of strawberry, raspberry and a touch of nectarine. It has a light colour and comes from the same producers who make Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s Miraval rosé. Taste the Difference Pinot Grigio Dolomiti Blush, 75cl, £7.50, Sainsbury’s Imagine a Bellini without the fizz and you’ve got a pretty close match! We tasted notes of apricot,…

Stacey Dooley: Face To Face With The Bounty Hunters BBC3 The Strictly Come Dancing champ returns with another of her hard-hitting documentaries, this time going Stateside to meet people who take the law into their own hands to bring fugitives to justice. She follows America's modern-day bounty hunters around the US as they track down the criminals who have skipped bail, in exchange for a handsome fee.…

Frances Fryett, 29, Braintree Making the kids’ sandwiches, I layered on cheese and pickle. ‘I can’t wait for History today,’ my son Mylo, 11, told me, hovering nearby. It was May 2019, and he was in his first year of secondary school. He already loved History, Science and Technology, was top of the class. He wanted to make computer games when he was older. I couldn’t breathe. I just knew I had to get to my boy I was so proud. Wrapping the sandwiches, I slipped them into his blue, plastic lunchbox and popped them into his Nike rucksack, with his biscuit tin for Food Tech and his textbooks. ‘You’re ready,’ I smiled, kissing Mylo on the cheek. By now, he was confident enough to walk the 30 minutes to…