Table of contents for 29 January 2026 in Take a Break Weekly

This week in your Take a Break A manda Watson is excited when she meets a new man online. They hit it off instantly and she’s certain he’s ‘the one’. But before things go any further she makes a confession. She’s got eight other handsome hunks on the go. Find out how he reacts on page 38. Also this week, on page 10, April Balascio is haunted by her childhood. When she discovers the shocking reason why, she knows she has to tell someone. On page 54, Rachel Barker starts volunteering to help with her grief and something unexpected happens. But can she get over her guilt? And on page 13, Claire Dickie comes to the rescue of a pony in need and gets a pint-sized surprise into the bargain!…

As I undid the lock on the horse truck at the rescue centre, I smiled. ‘Come on down, lovely,’ I said, gesturing gently. The team and I were welcoming a new group of ponies to the Glenda Spooner Farm, and I was trying to get one called Sophie off the truck and into the stable. They all needed a safe space until they found their forever home, and our rescue farm in Somerset was the perfect place for them. I’d worked there for 15 years, and having been horse-mad since I was young, I absolutely adored my job. Sophie was a Shetland Pony and had not long given birth to a foal, Patsy. We knew she was expecting a second one soon, so we were keen to keep an eye…

Laidback luxe Strike the perfect balance between smart and casual by pairing tailored trousers with a snuggly rollneck jumper and your favourite trainers Snug set Knitted skirt co-ords deliver both warmth and style. Add knee-high boots and a faux-suede bag to elevate the look in seconds Winter chic Flatter your figure in wide-leg jeans – they cinch the waist and make your legs look longer. Team with a knitted vest for a classy finish Bundle up Brave the cold in leggings and an argyle-print jumper. Wear with a longline puffer in a gorgeous neutral shade – it’ll work with every outfit you own Poncho perfection Nail effortless elegance with a cream knit poncho. Layer it over a ribbed midi dress and finish with heeled boots for a polished, pulledtogether look…

Pearls of Wisdom All these five-letter words fit into the grid horizontally, vertically or diagonally, reading forwards or backwards. The first and last letters of each word should be written inside diamonds and the rest of the word in the pearls. We’ve placed some starter letters to get you going. CLUES BIJOU BIPED BOXER BRAWN BRING DOZEN EJECT GIRTH GLEAN GORGE GRAND HENCE NOTCH NURSE REJIG THING UNITE UNPEG UPSET UTTER Up and Downer By writing the solutions to the ‘down’ clues downwards, you will reveal the solution to the ‘up’ clues reading upwards, and vice versa. DOWN 1 Shrimp-like crustacean (5) 2 Cane for fishing (3) 3 Entertain (5) 4 Boulder (4) 5 Knight’s title (3) 6 Sweeping implement (5) UP 1 Tract of open uncultivated land, heath (4)…

I was washing my face when I noticed something. There was a patchy brown mark, the size of a 10p piece, on my right cheek. I’d not long come off some long-term medication and I wondered if that might be to blame. ‘I’m going to refer you to dermatology,’ my GP said, after taking some photos. Unfortunately my referral came through just as Covid hit, and the appointment was cancelled at the last minute. It was eventually rescheduled at a different hospital, but when I turned up, the consultant was off sick. I saw a nurse instead, who said, ‘The good news is, you don’t have cancer!’ I was taken aback – I hadn’t had any tests. And after that the mark got bigger and darker. I was back and…

ARIES 21 Mar – 19 Apr What’s normal anyway? It probably won’t describe you these days, Aries. You could find yourself acting out of character and being drawn to quirky things. Breaking old habits and bending rules could give you a thrill. Show the world there’s more to you than meets the eye. You’re ready to reveal your wild side.  Head up group project TAURUS 20 Apr – 20 May There are stirrings in your star chart, Taurus, to beat all previous personal bests. Resist hiding away at home. Even on days when you feel like curling up on the sofa, much can be gained from rallying yourself. The stars are aligned to help you fulfil those ambitions you are afraid of failing at. Bravery brings rewards. Fog lifts on…

As I turned the key in the lock and walked through the front door, I sighed with relief. I was a district nurse and it had been a tough day at work, so I was glad to be home. The smells wafting out from the kitchen told me my hubby Nick was home and on top of dinner. ‘I’m cooking marinated steak and salad,’ he said. ‘Sounds delicious,’ I replied, kicking my shoes off. He’d got a bottle of wine on the go too and he poured me a glass. ‘I’m just going to pop and have a shower first,’ I told him. Nick and I had been married for 16 years and had five children between us. Our home was our sanctuary, our happy place. We could shut the…

How do I help my POORLY pal? My best friend, 43, was diagnosed with breast cancer a few months ago. I’ve known her all my life and at the time when she needs me most, I feel completely helpless. How do I support her? TaB Reader Lisa, 47: ‘When I was diagnosed with cancer, I felt I had to put on a brave face. There’s this idea that you’re meant to “fight” or “battle” it, but the last thing I felt like was a warrior. There was only one person I could say all this to and that was my best friend. ‘She dropped in most days. If I was too tired to see her, she’d have a cup of tea with my hubby or chat to my daughter. Most…

£50 STAR LETTER Help for MUMS I was 12 hours into labour and, after gas and air, a water bath and an epidural, my baby still hadn’t arrived. Then the baby’s shoulder got stuck during delivery, and the room filled with panic. Thanks to a brilliant doctor, my little one arrived safely, but the trauma stayed with me. For years, the thought of giving birth again made my stomach flip. Four years later, though, I had a change of heart. ‘This time, I want a birth that heals me,’ I told my partner. I planned a home birth where I’d be fully in control. With a wonderful doula and hypnotherapy helping me stay calm, my second baby arrived gently, without intervention. I felt empowered and it inspired me to create an…

I heard a voice and I blinked open my eyes. ‘Pack a bag,’ my dad Edward was saying. ‘Let’s go.’ Squeezing into the car with him, my mum and my four younger siblings, I wondered where we’d call home next. I was 11 and it wasn’t the first time we’d left a town in the middle of the night. In fact it happened regularly. Dad worked as a handyman, so we never stayed too long in one place, constantly moving to where the work was. Being a handyman wasn’t Dad’s only job, though. He also did some motivational speaking. He’d been in trouble with the law years earlier, serving time in prison for a string of robberies, and now he talked to other people about how to choose the right…

This puzzle is like a regular sudoku, but with an added twist! Start off by filling in the squares in the grid, so that every row, every column, and each of the 3x3 squares contains all the digits from 1 to 9. NEED A HAND? To get you started, look at the top-middle 3x3 block. One of the missing numbers is 1. It must go in the bottom row as there are already 1s in the top and middle rows of the other 3x3 blocks along the top. FINISHED? When you’ve completed the puzzle, use the boxes above to add up the three numbers in the pink squares in the grid – the total in the yellow box is the prize answer. Write this total on the entry coupon, enter…

A helping paw Sitting beside my wife Jean’s bed, I took her hand. ‘Jack’s come to see you again, love,’ I said. Hearing his name, Jack, our gorgeous apricot coloured cockapoo, padded up and sat protectively next to her. Since Jean had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, our faithful friend had barely left her side. From day one, he’d been such a loving, playful, protective little pooch that Jean had started the process of registering him to become a Pets As Therapy (PAT) dog. Only then she had become poorly herself and after being moved to the Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, she’d needed our precious pup’s companionship more than ever. Now, I looked at the clock then said, ‘It’s time to get some sleep.’ But before I could even…

Winter weather can wreak havoc on our wellbeing,’ says holistic therapist Adele O’Donoghue. ‘Existing joint pain issues such as arthritis can be exacerbated – with a decrease in pressure, our tissues swell and can cause tension between our bones and joints and affect our body’s hinges and mobility.’ If you’re feeling a bit more achy, here’s how to help yourself. Take vitamin D ‘Winter means there is a lack of vitamin D exposure that our joints and bones need, plus the levels of our mobility are different due to changes in lifestyle this time of the year, where we generally spend more time indoors, adding to tighter muscles and joints,’ says Adele. Bathe in Epsom salts Those with inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout and psoriatic arthritis, can…

Each number in the grid below represents a different letter. We’ve placed one starter word in the grid which shows you that 20 = F, 1 = R, 9 = O and 4 = M. We’ve also filled in all the Fs for you, and you can do the same for the Rs, Os and Ms. All 26 letters of the alphabet will appear – keep track by crossing them off at the bottom of the page. FINISHED? Now, from the top, list the letters in the yellow squares for the winning word! Write it on the entry coupon, enter online, phone or text. See page 57. TAP PUZZLE TO ACTIVATE…

Deckchair, check, novelty inflatable, check, refreshing cocktail, check! Everything’s ready for a relaxing day at the beach. And there’s time for a quick Instagram-worthy snap too. But it’s not someone in a swimsuit climbing into the deckchair – it’s an incredibly cute and cuddly kitten. And the photographer is Roxy Mok who welcomed her first foster feline from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home 10 years ago – and has just celebrated taking in her 100th kitty, a gorgeous tabby named Bob. However, it was during lockdown that Roxy, 34, from London, began photographing the cats she was caring for with fun props and toys, like the beach scene, complete with scratching post palm tree and resident seagull. The idea was to create cute pictures of them to help them find…

1 PICTURE A Name this Breaking Bad and Malcolm in the Middle star, currently treading the boards in London’s West End in All My Sons. 2 Someone who’s taking a risk is said to be ‘chancing’ which part of their body? 3 In Edgar Degas’ painting The Dance Class, what kind of dance is depicted? 4 In Scrabble, how many different letters of the alphabet have a face value of three points? 5 PICTURE B What is the title of Channel 4’s latest competitive crafting show, in which Tom Daley aims to find Britain’s best knitter? 6 Humble Pie is an autobiography by which esteemed chef? 7 The Tasman Sea separates New Zealand from what country? 8 Who received 30 pieces of silver for betraying Jesus? 9 PICTURE C This is…

Simple • 10-28-41-21 Not any • 20-44-6-9 Also, as well • 65-2-38 Intentionally • 33-61-24-68-5-30-59-17-54 Heavy weight • 55-14-48 Pouring part of a teapot • 37-62-26-31-71 Song, I’m in the - - - for Dancing • 3-64-19-53 It’s the best medicine! • 69-52-23-46-66-13-40-35 Soft and flexible • 39-51-8-49-18 Polite word of request • 60-29-16-47-57-4 Shortly, anon • 12-22-34-45 Alphabet character • 25-67-42-36-7-15 Go your separate ways • 32-70-50-58 Wreck, annihilate • 11-72-1-63-43-56-27 HOW TO ENTER Solve the clues and transfer letters to the numbered squares to spell out a message for Cancer. The yellow squares reveal our hidden star, who was born under this sign. Write her name on the entry coupon, enter online, phone or text. See page 57.…

As I tilted the small doll in my hands, its eyes blinked open and closed. ‘Where is she then?’ I asked. ‘She was young,’ Mum said. ‘And she loved you so much she gave you to us.’ I was five and Mum had sat me down to tell me that I had a separate birth mother, as I was adopted. She’d pulled out a blue box containing the doll, baby clothes and other items that had come with me from the foster home when I was nine months old. Mum told me I was special to her and Dad. ‘We chose you,’ she said. But from that moment on, I felt different. When we went shopping, I thought, I could be walking past my real mum and I’d never know…

Take your pick from… ★ Shopping voucher £1000* ★ New sofa £1000 ★ Digital camera £500 ★ Smart TV £500 ★ Hairstyling tools £500 ★ His and hers sportswear £500 HOW TO ENTER Solve the clues below and write the railway-related answers in the grid, just like our example. Then slot in the words from the list opposite. The winning word is the one left over. Write it on the entry coupon, enter online, phone or text. See page 57. 1 Baldrick from Blackadder’s famous catchphrase, ‘I have a cunning - - -’ (4) 2 Doobie Brothers classic, Long - - - Runnin’ (5) 3 Remark that might be made following a narrow failure, ‘So - - - and yet so far’ (4) 4 Attraction at a theme park such…

MIDTERM To solve this puzzle, find the answer that can follow the first word and come before the second word in each of our clues, for example COCOA BUTTER and BUTTERFLY. FINISHED? The letters in the yellow squares, read from top to bottom, form a prize word. Write this word on the entry coupon, enter online, phone or text. See page 57. CLUES ACROSS 1 Hand /- - -/ Link (4) 3 Mountain /- - -/ Word (4) 6 Film /- - -/ Sail (3) 9 Grand /- - -/ Recital (5) 10 Hedge /- - -/ Hawk (7) 11 Depth /- - -/ Sheet (6) 12 Sales /- - -/ Fork (5) 15 Love /- - -/ Box (6) 17 Step /- - -/ Nature (6) 20 Sound /-…

I’m going to try running as my New Year’s resolution. Are there any products I should buy to protect my skin while outside? Jessica Robinson, Newcastle upon Tyne SPF is essential daily, but for running, you’ll want something lightweight and sweat-resistant, like Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion SPF50, £11.50. Don’t skip your lips – Hello Sunday The One For Your Lips, £8, is deeply nourishing and adds protection on cold runs. Afterwards, cleanse right away with a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser such as CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, £12.50, to sweep away sweat and oil without irritation. SUPERMARKET SAVVY… Apothecary Warmth Eau de Parfum, £12, from M&S, is a cosy winter must-have. Shoppers even call it a dupe for luxe scents, thanks to its soft, spicy notes that smell far more expensive and feel comforting…

We were waiting to board the plane and I said to my daughter Jayla and husband Jason, ‘Are you guys excited?’ ‘Very!’ they replied. We were on our way to Orlando for a holiday and we couldn’t wait. But as we made our way on to the plane and towards our seats, I suddenly started to panic. And a thought popped into my head. What if I don’t fit in the seat? It wasn’t an unreasonable question. I weighed 19st 12lb and I knew I might struggle. As I squished myself into my seat, my worst fear came true. Try as I might, the seat belt would not fasten over my belly. ‘Jason,’ I whispered. ‘Can you help me?’ Gentleman that he was, he nodded and then reached across and…

As the finishing touches were made to my hair and make-up, my mum Sarah blinked back tears. ‘Oh Jess,’ she said. ‘You look beautiful.’ ‘This can’t be easy for you,’ I said. Mum braved a smile. ‘Come on,’ she said. ‘Let’s go.’ We got into the car – me in my wedding dress and Mum behind the wheel in her mother-of-thebride outfit – and set off. But we weren’t heading for the church. Instead she drove us to hospital where we went straight to the intensive care unit and made our way to a bed where my grandad – Mum’s father – lay. He was too poorly to come to the wedding but when he moved his eyes, I signalled I heart you on his hand as he couldn’t speak.…

Fancy stocking up on a free weekly shop? Enter our brilliant competition and you could win £200 in supermarket vouchers to spend in a range of supermarkets*. You can fill your fridge and pantry with all your foodie faves, on us! Just think of the tantalising treats that could be in store for you – big juicy steaks, delicious ready meals, Belgian chocs, your choice of wines and beer. And of course you could stock up on a host of essentials, from washing powder to coffee. Sound like a tasty prize? Then grab that pen and get puzzling! *Winners will receive a Love2shop e-gift card via email exchangeable for a selection of retailers’ e-gift cards 3 LETTERS Cut, Tin 4 LETTERS Area, Feta, List, Mace, Mash, Mint, Pies, Root, Sets,…

I have been buying Take a Break magazine since the very first issue and have always sent in the competitions. Some years ago, I won a couple of small prizes, but nothing of any real size. So, when a letter from Take a Break arrived, I was completely surprised. I had to read it three times to be sure I was reading it correctly. Then I passed the letter to my husband, who also couldn’t believe that I had won £10,000. It is an amazing amount of money. So many ideas of how to spend it are running through my head. Some of the money will certainly go towards a big holiday – maybe a cruise, as we love cruising – and also towards a couple of short breaks. The…

The hospital machines hummed softly as I held my husband Kev’s hand. ‘I’m here,’ I whispered, stroking his hair. Moments later, Kev took his final breath. He was just 46. Burying my face into his chest, I wept. Kev and I had been together for 15 years after meeting in a queue for a nightclub. We’d fallen in love and married after five years together. Life had been good until Kev began getting mysterious pains in his shoulder. For nearly a year, we’d made trips back and forth to the doctors to try to get to the bottom of it. When we finally found out he had a rare neuroendocrine cancer, it was a huge shock and while The Christie Hospital in Manchester treated him as best they could, we…

More prizes than ANY other magazine! ENTER ONLINE AT takeabreak.co.uk OR SCAN ❯ 50p* TO SEND ALL YOUR ANSWERS! How to enter Entries to arrive by midnight Monday 9 February 2026 You can enter as many competitions as you like. Please use BLOCK LETTERS throughout. TEXT 65115 It’s now even easier to enter! You no longer need to register. ALL YOU NEED TO DO TO ENTER EACH WEEK IS… ● TEXT TAB03 then a space followed by a name, house number/house name and postcode, then your answers, all separated by a space to: 65115 eg Tab03 J Smith 19 (or house name eg Old Mansions) AB1 2CD then all the answers you wish to enter (see examples, below). Easy! Each entry will cost only 50p plus your standard network rate charge. Using…