Table of contents for 26 May 2022 in Chat

Have you ever seen a ghost? And has your dog? Sounds like a daft question but not according to paranormal investigator Helen and her real-life Scooby-Doo (p30). She says greyhound Bond can communicate with the other side and even teaches us what to look out for with our own pooches. Fascinating! Also this week, the chilling case of how police solved a murder when they couldn’t identify the victim… (p16). Plus tons more! Have a great week,…

Karen Macdonald, 45, Nottingham Climbing off the bus, I shivered, pulling my coat around me. ‘Thanks, ’ I said to the bus driver as the doors creaked closed. It was a freezing cold night in November 2017, and I was travelling to my boyfriend’s house on the other side of town. After a long bus ride, I was still facing a 40-minute walk in the dark. We’d been seeing each other for a while, but had decided not to live together. Besides, it was nice living on my own. I’d had a difficult previous relationship years earlier. Got hooked on drugs, went to desperate lengths to pay for my addiction. At the time, my three daughters were only little, and they had to move in with my mum. But I…

Cliodhna Cosgrove, 29, Belfast Hopping in my boyfriend’s car after work, he looked at me in a funny way. ‘Something’s different about you, ’ he said. ‘You’re glowing!’ I laughed. ‘You flatterer, ’ I said. I was a lucky girl, used to Marc making me feel special. It was May 2020 and I’d met him a year earlier at a friend’s house party. We’d fallen in love and, ever since, he’d treated me like a princess. Buying me little pressies, like cosy new PJs when he knew I had period pains. He’d even surprised me with a proposal on my 27th birthday. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to being made to feel so loved. Still, catching sight of myself in the rear-view mirror, I caught myself agreeing with…

I’m spotty ‘down below’! Q I keep coming out in red spots and zits around my vagina. What could be wrong? Miranda, Oxford A Could be folliculitis, an infection of the hair-growing pores, or follicles, in your skin. You might notice crops of red spots, pus-filled blisters and sore, tender or itchy skin on your vulva, the area around your vagina. The main cause is shaving, which leaves tiny nicks in your skin and allows bacteria to enter, which is why folliculitis is common on your legs. Tight clothes that trap sweat and chafe your skin can also be to blame, or occasionally bugs from sharing a jacuzzi or hot tub. Try to avoid shaving, or at least be careful when you do. Don’t wear tight clothes, and avoid cleansers…

OVER TO YOU Can you set a puzzle in this format? Send it, with a photo of yourself, to the address on p3. There’s £20 for every one we use! This week’s puzzle was compiled by Karen Mcguire, Cleethorpes, NE Lincs WIN 5x £25 Puzzle 6 ACROSS 1 Car horn sound 2 Wild party 3 Largest continent 4 Scream DOWN 1 Cry of donkey 2 Absence of difficulty 3 Wicked 4 Loud ringing of bells Your answer: CHAIN WORDS Still meaning ‘something hard to understand’, what word was used by medieval authors like Geoffrey Chaucer to mean ‘sounds made by birds’? Get from Start to Finish, making words by joining boxes together as you go, eg: FLA + ME, ME +… you decide! When you reach Finish, two unused boxes join…

ARROW WORD The Turner Contemporary art gallery is located in which English town? Solve the puzzle by following the arrows and writing in your answers. Then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the prize answer. WIN £1,000 Puzzle 10 Your answer: SUDOKU To solve the puzzle, each 3 x 3 box, each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9. Solve the puzzle and the numbers in the highlighted squares will give you the prize puzzle answer. WIN £60 Puzzle 12 Your answer: WORDSEARCH What term is used to describe the nanoscale structures that help a gecko’s feet stick to surfaces? The answer is the one missing from the grid. BOWL CUP DISH FORK GLASS GRATER KNIFE MUG PEELER PLATE SAUCER SPATULA SPOON…

FILL ME IN WIN £100 Puzzle 14 Decorated with two ostrich feathers, the atef was an item of headgear associated with which ancient deity? Solve the puzzle by following the arrows and writing in your answers. Then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the prize answer. Your answer: CIRCLE TIME In use for over 1,300 years, Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan in Japan holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest what? Fit the words into the grid, then read down the letters in the shaded circles. 3 letters ADO ASH EGO ELF ELM HEN HUM OAF REV 4 letters CALF DUCT ETCH NUTS REDO SWAN 5 letters FIGHT FLOWN FUMED MOTIF 6 letters TOMATO TOWARD TURBAN VERMIN 7 letters HIMSELF HYGIENE WIN£100 Puzzle 14 Your answer: TO…

3 ways to…avoid insurance mistakes Did you know you can invalidate your insurance accidently? Chris King, head of home insurance at comparethemarket.com, tells us what to watch out for. 1 Lock doors and windows ‘Some insurance providers only pay out for a burglary claim if your home shows signs of forced entry. You could invalidate your claim by leaving windows and doors open or unlocked when you go out, ’ explains Chris. ‘It’s also important to be accurate when you describe your door and window locks to your insurance provider – if you make a claim, they may check if your descriptions match what the assessors find.’ 2 Keep your insurer in the loop ‘If your property is empty for 30 days or more, it might invalidate your policy, ’…

Mandy Carmody, 51, Sheffield Laying down my knife and fork on my plate, I gazed at my boyfriend Mark. Enjoying fish and chips with him in the local pub, I was happily basking in the glow of our new relationship. ‘That was delicious, ’ I grinned to him. ‘I’ll go and pay, ’ he smiled. A good meal, a good night and a good man. I could get used to this! It was June 2019, and although I’d just got together with Mark McMahon, we’d known each other since we were kids. Growing up nearby, our families were friends. He’d even gone out with my sister years ago. Always laughing and joking, Mark was the life and soul of the party. But he had a sensitive side, too, was protective…

Collection Hydrating Lipstick, £3.99, collectioncosmetics.com Available in 12 bright and bold shades, you’ll be hard pushed to find a more high-end feeling lipstick that comes with such a budget-friendly price point. Packed with shea butter and avocado extract, these lippies are seriously moisturising all while punching a high-pigment colour punch. Our favourite shade? Intense Passion, which is a perfect orangey-red. Skin Techniques Exfoliating Foot Peel Treatment, £1, bmstores.co.uk Looking to get your feet nice and sandal- ready? There is nothing more effective and low- maintenance than this foot peel mask. Simply pop the boot-shaped masks on your feet, catch up on Netflix for 90 minutes and then take them off and pat your feet dry with a towel. Over the next few days the dead and dry skin will naturally…

Dear Mark, I was a big girl when we first met that night at a bar in Bolton, in March 2018. At just 5ft tall and weighing 15st, my confidence was rock bottom. I hid my insecurities behind a smile as we chatted away. Only, deep down, I couldn’t help but wonder why you were bothering with someone like me. A single mum of two kids, Harvey, then 14, and Evlynn, then 10, I wasn’t looking for love. But there was something about you, Mark. You didn’t make me feel awkward like so many other blokes had. You told me how much you loved horse racing and were going to the Cheltenham Gold Cup the following week. ‘I’ll be in Cheltenham, too, visiting my sister!’ I said. It felt like…

Our pug Bruce, 5, is our little girl’s guardian angel. He never leaves the side of Penny-Lou, 6 months. They make the sweetest pair! Vikki Recsetar, Blackpool This huge salmon sculpture next to my brother Paul was impressive enough before we realised it was actually made from recycled cutlery and tools. What a catch! Philip Ridler-Edwards, Dorset After having her wedding postponed twice due to COVID-19, my cousin Dianne and her partner John are finally tying the knot in July. Here’s a pic of them celebrating! Terri Reid, Glasgow My 5-year-old puss Poppy loves to unwind with a bit of cat yoga. She didn’t seem too keen on the downward dog pose, though! Helen Woffinden, Leeds Our new puppy is the paw-fect poser. Here she is sitting proudly during her…

GEORGE at ASDA All sizes 8-24 STYLE TIP These trousers are serious leg-lengtheners, sitting high on the waist. Tuck in a blouse to highlight your middle. F&F at TESCO All sizes 6-22 STYLE TIP Layer this jumpsuit over a white tee for extra coverage, or a fine-knit polo on chillier days. TU CLOTHING at SAINSBURY’S All sizes 8-24 STYLE TIP Offset the slinkiness of a slip skirt with an oversized knit. Tuck in the front to help streamline your shape. NUTMEG at MORRISONS All sizes 10-22 STYLE TIP A do-it-all dress for any occasion, dress up with strappy sandals, or add a sporty twist with white trainers.…

In March this year, it took less than four hours for the jury to return a guilty verdict. They concluded that Linda LaRoche had committed first-degree intentional homicide, along with hiding a corpse. Peggy Johnson’s sister, Spring Leslin, and aunt, Ginny Schroeder, were both present at Racine County Circuit Court and wept as the verdict was delivered. First-degree intentional homicide carries with it a guaranteed sentence of life in prison, meaning that LaRoche, now 67, would spend the rest of her days behind bars. Following LaRoche’s trial, Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling vowed the Sheriff’s Office will never forget or stop working on a murder cold-case. ‘I would like to thank all the professionals who assisted in bringing Peggy’s killer to justice. For anyone involved in any other homicide, you…

1 Breathe easy Place one hand on your upper chest and one on your stomach, just below your belly. Slowly breathe out as you count to 11. Pause and breathe in to the count of 7. Repeat twice. Try to make sure that the hand on your stomach is the only part that moves. When stressed, we take shallow breaths using the top of our chest. Learn to breathe more deeply to help quickly calm your mind and body. 2 Get moving ‘In general, any gentle or moderate exercise, especially something that you enjoy, can be helpful, ’ says nutritionist Cassandra Barns. Use exercise to help alleviate stress symptoms from your gut. Cassandra explains, ‘Movement stimulates the gut, relieving problems such as bloating and constipation, and doing something you enjoy…

I only like sex with my ex Q I split from my fiancé two years ago but I’m still madly in love with him. I’ve had a few sexual partners since then - but when it comes to getting intimate, I just can’t be bothered. With my ex, I could go for hours. But now I hate sex and couldn’t think of anything worse. Please help! Kelly, 31 A No partner will rock your world while you’re still hooked on your ex. No matter how many dates you go on, as long as you’re living in the past, you won’t get that same chemistry. I’m not saying don’t go on dates, but start thinking twice about hopping into bed with a new bloke if you’re not feeling it - until…

Tulsi Vagjiani, 43, east London Jostling with my younger brother as we boarded the plane, we both dashed for the window seat. Mum and Dad shook their heads as me and Kamlesh, then 4, squabbled. But we loved each other to bits, really. It was February 1990, and I was 10 years old. We were on a family holiday to India to see relatives. Taking an internal flight from Mumbai to Bengaluru in the south of the country, felt to me and Kamlesh like the adventure of a lifetime. I didn’t know it then, but as we settled into our seats and the engines fired, my whole life was about to be changed forever. Next thing I remember was hearing my gran’s voice drifting through the darkness. ‘Your Mum, Dad…

The Inkey List Mandelic Acid, £9.99, uk.theinkeylist.com Whether you’re looking to even out acne scarring or you have some stubborn pigmentation patches that won’t budge, Mandelic Acid is what you need and this serum specifically. It is a super gentle exfoliator that is suitable for even sensitive skin. L’Oreal Paris Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic 72H Moisture Wrapping Mask, £7.99, Sainsbury’s With its satisfying jelly-like texture, this hair mask wraps hydration round the hair leaving stressed- out hair feeling and looking softer, shinier and bouncy. Take a goodsized dollop, slather it over damp hair, leave for 2-3 minutes and then rinse off for instant results. Lacura Caviar Collagen Pro Eye Cream, £4.99, aldi.co.uk Containing luxury ingredients such as hydration boosting caviar extract, plumping collagen and skin strengthening algae complex, this eye cream…

HOW TO ENTER TEXT Simply text CHATB followed by a space and your answer/s (spaces between answers please) full name, door number and postcode to 63333 Texts cost 50p plus standard network charge (maximum 160 characters per text). When you enter by text, you may in future get SMS marketing messages from Future plc and Chat. If you want to receive these, please end your text with OPTIN. Texting tips • Don’t put any spaces in an answer that has several words: eg: CHATISTHEBEST not CHAT IS THE BEST. • If the answer is a name, you need only give the surname: eg: CLOONEY not GEORGE CLOONEY. • You can use capitals or small letters, but don’t use any commas, etc. • Leave out answers you don’t wish to enter.…

JOHN DUNN, 79, UPMINSTER, ESSEX SAYS: My wife Lesley is my Local Hero. During lockdown, we started watching Monkey Life on TV and loved one of the chimps, Bart, who we spotted on a trip to Monkey World in Dorset. When we were told cheeky chimp Bart had diabetes, Lesley decided to raise money for his care. She challenged herself to virtually walk the 500mile round trip from our house to Dorset, by doing laps of our 60ft drive. Walking 2-3 miles a day since December 2021, Lesley’s hoping to finish her challenge in June. She loves listening to Chesney Hawkes on her Walkman while walking. And when BBC Radio Dorset found out about Lesley’s challenge, they even arranged for Chesney to congratulate her live on air. It really gave…

THE BIGGIE WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 What does actor David Schwimmer say is his most embarrassing moment? To find out, solve the crossword, then read down the shaded squares to find the four-word prize answer. ACROSS 11 Two-piece swimsuit (6) 12 Ape with red hair (9) 13 Dish (4) 14 Sets apart (8) 15 Marsupial (5) 16 Safe to eat (6) 17 European country (7) 18 Songbird (11) 20 Spotless (5) 22 Batman Begins actor, _Bale (9) 24 Light brown (5) 28 The Hobbit author, J. R. R. _ (7) 29 Kettle drums (7) 32 Novelist (6) 34 Christmas play (8) 36 Cutlery item (8) 37 High-pitched (6) 39 Solutions (7) 40 Capital of Thailand (7) 45 Calm and quiet state (5) 47 Deliberate (2,7) 48 Odour (5) 51 2003…

Tanya Miller, 41, Jersey True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK As a primary education student, life was a whirlwind of essays, lectures, placements and nights out. But in 2001 – just weeks into my second year of university – I began experiencing seizures. ‘Are you OK?!’ my friends cried the first time I collapsed. Paramedics arrived and rushed me to hospital. As I came round, I was really disorientated. ‘What happened?’ I asked. ‘We need to run some tests, ’ the doctor said before discharging me. For weeks, I had MRIs, brain scans, and EEG tests to monitor the electrical current in my brain. I had to drop out of uni, move back with my parents. Mum was a nurse and more able to take care of me. ‘You have epilepsy, ’ a…

Helen says, ‘A greyhound is the perfect breed for detecting paranormal activity because of its heightened senses - its night vision can spot a rabbit a mile away. ‘But any breed of dog can detect paranormal activity that a human can’t. ‘Look out for changes in behaviour. If your dog is generally friendly and happy, and it starts to growl and whimper in a new place, it could be reacting to something that’s there but can’t be seen. ‘And similar behaviour when meeting a new person could mean there’s a spirit or entity following them, ’ she adds.…

Then, in January 2012, I watched a TV show with Katie Piper talking about surviving an acid attack. She had scars, like me, but I barely noticed. What grabbed my attention was how beautiful and confident she was. Maybe my mates were telling the truth when they said the same about me? Katie’s energy shone through, so I emailed the Katie Piper Foundation telling them about the plane crash, the surgeries, the scars. They emailed back, inviting me to London to a pampering event for individuals with burns like mine. There, I met Katie face-to-face. Talking to someone who knew what it was like was a revelation. We understood each other. I started doing some voluntary work with the charity, giving talks and inspiring others to feel confident about the…

White wine prawn pasta with lemon and garlic breadcrumbs Indulge in this restaurant-quality dish in the comfort of your own home. SERVES 2 PREP TIME 15 MINS COOK TIME 20 MINS • 15g butter • 3 garlic cloves, crushed • 30g breadcrumbs • Zest of ¼ lemon • 200g fresh pappardelle pasta • 200ml dry white wine (we used Riesling) • 125ml single cream • 150g raw king prawns • 7g dill leaves 1 Heat 10g of the butter in a non-stick frying pan and add 1tsp crushed garlic. Soften, then add the breadcrumbs and cook until golden. Stir in the lemon zest, season and set aside. 2 Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta according to the pack instructions. 3 Melt the…

Aries 21 March-20 April Focus on your hopes and dreams. Look at your career path. With the waning moon in Sagittarius, doors open to second chances. Build lasting friendships. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Mars, the planet of assertiveness, is in direct motion, making you realise how much you’ve achieved. Plans with a family member will restore their happiness. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June You have a powerful effect on people, but some look to you as the person who can supply all the answers. You could run into an old friend in the supermarket. • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Following a hectic couple of weeks, it’s essential that you take a…

Q I’m looking for an SPF for my face that doesn’t leave a chalky residue. Anita, The Wirral A We hear you! There’s nothing worse than going to the effort of applying SPF on a daily basis to end up looking ghost-like. Thankfully, most formulations now are so advanced they don’t leave a trace behind, meaning none of us have any excuse for not slathering it on before our make-up. Our favourites of the latest to hit the shelves include Garnier Ambre Solaire Anti-Dryness Super UV 50+, £6.50, Boots. It has a creamy-gel texture, contains glycerin to keep skin feeling hydrated and is completely clear. Bondi Sands Face SPF50+, £6.99, Superdrug is also really hydrating, so much so you may not need to wear your regular day cream with it…