Table of contents for 03 November 2022 in Chat

We’re bursting at the seams with fab real life as usual this week. But if I’m allowed a fave story, it has to be Sheila’s. She’s pushing 90, but still Tom Jones’ biggest fan (p32). We love her as much as she loves the Welsh crooner and reckon you will too! More giggles to be had with our comedy pet pics (p24). Share your own mad mogs and dopey dogs by getting in touch via the address on p4. Have a great week! PS If you’re entering the puzzles online, this is the link to use: comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

As fairy lights twinkled, Christmas was in the air. And so was love! It was December 2014, and after chatting to a man on Plenty of Fish - a dating website - we’d decided to meet at a local pub. Tom, then 29, was 6ft 3in and so handsome. I told him how I worked with children with learning disabilities, and he talked about being a data engineer. I couldn’t help thinking he was a catch. ‘You’re beautiful,’ he said. I had two young daughters, and after we’d been seeing each other for six months, Tom moved in with us. The girls loved him and he slipped straight into the role of being a brilliant stepdad. A perfect family unit. In December 2015, exactly a year after we’d met, Tom…

PADDED STYLE TIP If you are petite, go for a drawstring waist to create shape and avoid looking swamped. SHOWERPROOF STYLE TIP Don’t get caught out on a wet day. Keep dry - and smart - with a lightweight raincoat. LONG LENGTH STYLE TIP Pear-shaped? The buttons will draw attention away from your problem area. FROM £15 SHACKET STYLE TIP These casual checked jackets are great on their own for warmer days or can be layered over a chunky knit when it's cold.…

Do I have cancer 'down below'? Q My doctor has diagnosed the itchy rash around my vaginal lips as. disease. Does that mean cancer? Maggie, Berwickupon-Tweed A Paget’s disease can affect women after their menopause and means that some skin cells have become abnormal. Similar changes can affect skin around your nipples, Paget’s disease of the nipple, but when they affect the skin around your vagina it’s called Paget’s disease of the vulva. You might notice gradually increasing itchy or bleeding patches of pink skin on your vulva, which eventually turn red and scaly. Without treatment Paget’s disease will steadily spread, and it’s also a possible warning sign of cancer developing, so it’s important to confirm the diagnosis. Usually this means a biopsy, where a skin sample is examined under…

1 Flying ‘This stems from thinking about external factors that are beyond your control, such as turbulence, bad weather or an engineering fault,’ explains Dr Mark Winwood, director of psychological services for AXA PPP Healthcare.Cure it 'Research how a plane flies and the causes of turbulence, so you know what to expect. That can help give you a feeling of greater control,’ says Dr Winwood. 2 Spiders ‘Arachnophobia may link to our earliest experience of spotting signs of danger, surprise attack, and infection and disease,’ says psychotherapist Toby Ingham (tobyingham. com).Cure it ‘Gradually exposing yourself to spiders can take the shock value away. There are apps, for example Arachnophobia Free (£5.99, iOS), which create a virtual way of learning to relax,’ says Toby. 3 Heights 'Acrophobia is rooted in a…

89, Halifax Cuddling up to my man, I planted a kiss on his smooth forehead. ‘Goodnight, Tom,’ I said, sinking into my pillow. My man was the strong, silent type so I didn’t mind that he didn’t reply Instead, I nodded off, feeling like the luckiest girl in the world. Because every night I shared a bedroom with Sir Tom Jones. Well, a cardboard cut-out of him. But it was the closest I’d get to bedding my dream man so I’d take it. I’d been a fan of Tom since It’s Not Unusual hit the charts in 1965. Gyrating hips, a dazzling smile, those sexy Welsh tones, he had it all. My sister Moira, then 31, agreed. The two of us were first in line for tickets to see him…

36, east London Pulling on my helmet, I jumped on to my push bike, ready for my daily commute to work. Twenty miles to and from south London. And on weekends, I loved nothing more than a leisurely ride to Hampstead Heath, taking in the views and fresh air. Being on my bicycle was a part of me. My dad had taught me to ride as soon as I’d started walking and it’d been my favourite hobby ever since. I loved the freedom, the wind in my face. Come rain or shine, I was out on my bike. Then, one day in May 2021, home after a day out with friends, I felt poorly I went to bed, head aching, body fatigued. But the following morning, I felt worse. Over…

My Policeman PRIME VIDEO •Pop star Harry Styles stars as a police officer who is secretly gay in this moving drama set against the backdrop of 1950s Brighton when homosexuality was a criminal offence in Britain. The singer plays Tom, who marries school teacher Marion (The Crown’s Emma Corrin), but when he forges a friendship with museum curator Patrick (David Dawson) it awakens repressed sexual desires and the two men embark on an affair that threatens to ruin them all. Rupert Everett, Linus Roache and Gina McKee play the trio who are reunited 40 years later. DON'T MISS DON'T MISS SAS: Rogue Heroes BBC1• This six-part drama tells the true story of the creation of the Special Air Service (SAS) in North Africa during World War Two. Maverick officers David…

WIN £500 Puzzle 18 The answers to all but one of these quiz questions can be found hidden in this wordsearch grid, reading forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonally. To help you, we’ll tell you that the answers are in alphabetical order in each section. However, one answer can’t be found in the grid. This is your prize answer. See page 56 for entry details. ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Bioderma Sensibio H20 Eye Biphasic Micellar Makeup Remover, £12, lookfantastic.com If you have sensitive eyes, this is for you. It gently removes impurities like make-up, pollutants and pollen, leaving eyes comfortable and cleansed. OPV Beauty Stick Foundation, £15, opvbeauty.com Stick foundations are amust if you are on the go. This creamy formula glideson and dries in a matte finish. Use a lighter ishadeto conceal imperfections, or tryourhackand use a darker shade to contour our cheeks. Kristin Ess Instant Lift Thickening Spray, £12, Boots Use this just before drying. From root to end, it will boost the volume to leave hair looking fuller. Its lightweight formula won’t weigh down strands, and it locks styles in place for longer. Pixi Rose Glow Mist, £16, Boots Oils are skin saviours if you wan…

When two police officers noticed a pick-up truck being driven without a licence plate, it was enough for them to pull the vehicle over. It was the early hours of 28 June 1993 in Long Island, USA. But when they signalled for the vehicle to stop, the driver kept going. The police gave chase. In a hurry to evade them, the truck crashed into a telegraph pole. Pulling out their guns, the officers approached the vehicle and ordered the driver to get out of the car. This time he had no choice but to comply. The stop should have been a simple, minor traffic offence. But as they spoke, the two officers noticed a horrific smell coming from the car. And when they popped open the boot, they discovered a…

Get in touch! EMAIL chat_magazine@futurenet.com POST Chat, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London, W26JR Find us online at facebook.com/ChatMagazine We pay £25 for any photos that we use on Chat To Us! Get in touch! EMAIL chat_magazine@futurenet.com POST Chat, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace,London, W2 6JR Find us online at facebook.com/ChatMagazine…

YOUR'RE THE JUDGE! When Dr William Husel began working at Mount Carmel West Hospital, Ohio, in July 2013, he soon built an outstanding reputation for himself. During his five years at the hospital as an intensivecare doctor, he was twice nominated for its Doctor of the Year award. He won the accolade in 2014. Over the next few years, countless patients were treated under his watch. In intensive care, many were gravely ill. But who better than Dr Husel to care for them? Then, at the end oF 2018, two pharmacists at the hospital raised concerns. They worried about the high dosage of fentanyl - a strong medication given to alleviate pain - being prescribed bv Dr Husel. The many patients who’d died in his care. One patient had allegedly…

Death in the middle ages could be gruesome and downright weird! Check out the brutal and bizarre ways our ancestors met their unfortunate ends… Urine trouble in 1321, a fight broke out near a church in London when a mon called Wilian escaped with damp, smelly feet… feeling weed on another man's shoes.But when Philip de Asshendone tried to break up the with a killer blow to the head from William's axe.The other man a little peed off. Flaming drunk Ever clumsily climbed into bed after one too many drinks on a night out? In 1297, Margery Golde paid the price of a few pints with her life. Described in the coroners’ rolls as ‘drunk beyond measure’ Margery lit a candle and nodded off to sleep. When its embers ignited her…

Sis-in-law hates me Q my hubby’s sister really hates me. I understand slightly, as I used to bully her at school, but that was years ago! I was just a kid and we all know that kids are cruel. I’m not like that now. Now she’s making family time hard and won’t go to my mother-in-law’s when I’m there. I just wish we could all get along. Tina, 46 A See this from her perspective. Yes, years have passed, but perhaps your behaviour really affected her. Have you even apologised? If not, start there. If she’s not ready to accept, ail you can do is give her time and space. Hopefully, in time, she’ll see you’re not a mean girl any more. Until then, focus on your marriage and your relationship…

Aries 21 March-20 April Keep your options open, as a really big offer is coming. Be spontaneous, take that chance, let people see how amazing you are and this could lead to exciting things. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Someone has set you in their sights, but you didn’t realise you were the object of their desire. Not everyone is transparent and this could take you by surprise. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June You’re extremely reliable, especially when organising events. You arrange the best parties and games nights, and your friends always turn up for special occasions. • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Things are about to hot up in your life! A…

Q My body feels so dry, but I hate waiting for my moisturiser to sink in during the cold winter months! Is there anything quick I could use in my morning shower instead? Laura Madden, Oxfordshire A Moisturising your body has always been a job post-shower. But towel drying and waiting for lotions to sink in can make it a time-consuming task. So why not speed things up by opting for a moisturising body wash instead? Imperial Leather Moisturising Body Wash, £1.99, Boots boasts impressive bang for your buck. It forms a creamy lather when it meets with water and leaves skin silky smooth, with a sweet scent of cotton flower and vanilla orchid. If your skin is dehydrated and sensitive, try Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Body Wash, £10.29, Boots.…

Sitting on the sofa with our daughter, 5, and 2-year-old son, my husband Jimmy, then 26, and I couldn’t wait to share the big news. ‘You’re going to have a baby brother or sister,’ I announced, smiling. It was July 1968 and my heart swelled as they squealed with delight. Just like the other times, I sailed through pregnancy with no complications. Then, in January 1969, close to my due date, I rubbed my belly. ‘Come on, baby. Give us a kick,’ I cooed. Realised I hadn’t felt it moving for a few days. I went to see the doctor, who told me that he could hear a heartbeat. ‘I’m not sure if it’s the baby or afterbirth, but it’s strong,’ he said. Five days later, I clung to hope…

Dawn Ford, 57, Hereford Shuffling down the road, I winced. It was 2009 and I’d been suffering from extreme pain all over the left side of my body, particularly my face and back. It felt as though I had a heavy wooden bar strapped to my shoulders. I tried my best to ignore the pain. But it had become unbearable and I even began to have a recurring nightmare where I struggled to get my legs to work. They often felt useless. Then, after months of suffering, in November 2009 I collapsed at my job as an art tutor. Was taken to hospital in an ambulance, had multiple X-rays and scans. But the doctors couldn’t find anything wrong. Discharged, I tried to carry on, push through the pain. And so…

Q My clitoris seems to be shrinking and becoming less sensitive - is that normal? Tali, Runcorn A Could be normal, although there are things you can do about it, including having more sex! Repeated stimulation through sex or masturbation helps maintain a good blood supply to your clitoris, whereas a long period without sex could deprive it of blood and leave it shrunken. Another common reason for your clitoris to shrink is falling levels of oestrogen, the hormone that helps keep your vagina and clitoris supple, during your menopause. Replacing oestrogen with vaginal cream, or HRT in the form of pills or patches, should sort the problem. Sometimes the contraceptive pill can have a similar effect and you should ask your doctor about a change if you’re taking one.…

OVER TO YOU Can you set a puzzle in this format? Send it, with a photo of yourself, to the address on pA There’s £20 for every one we use! This week’s puzzle was compiled by Debra Stapley, Dover, Kent 5X £20 puzzle 6 WIN HALF & HALF The Norse goddess Freyja was I commonly said to ride in a chariot pulled by what animals? Cross out a letter in each square to get a grid filled with words. The uncrossed out letters in the shaded squares give the prize answer. 3X £50 Puzzle 7 WIN Your answer: ACROSS 1 Protects a wound 2 Absence of effort 3 Vile 4 Distribute cards DOWN 1 Unit of plant reproduction 2 Narrow gorge 3 Continent 4 Ringing device Your answer: BRICK TRICK…

GO GREEN ADD TEXTURE BARGAIN BUY…

Dealing with unwanted stares and comments is something Ellahe has had to endure her whole life. She was born with Sturge Weber syndrome, which is a problem with the way blood vessels grow in the skin, eyes and brain, and the discolouration on the right-hand side other face drew unwanted attention. And as she grew, so too did her birthmark, and the reactions of those around her began to hurt more than ever. ‘As I got older the soft tissue on my birthmark became bigger and thicker,’ Ellahe recalls. ‘Doctors didn’t want to treat it because it involved so many blood vessels, and they saw it as a risky operation.’ When she was 20 years old, Ellahe lost the vision in her right eye. ‘It happened because of the overgrowth…

Top tip Instead of the cinnamon and caraway seeds, add a couple of large red chillies and toss the vegetables in 1tsp garam masala for a spicy kick. Carrot and pumpkin soup Antioxidant-rich pumpkin is lovely and sweet and also provides vitamin E. SERVES 4 PREP 20 MINS COOK 1 HR PER SERVING: 124 CALS, 6G FAT, 1G SAT FAT, 15G CARBS Odds and ends soup When you’re faced with a fridge full of vegetables on the turn try using them up in this soup! SERVES 4 REP 5 MINS COOK 30 MINS PER SERVING: 235 CALS, 5G FAT, 2G SAT FAT, 41G CARBS Top tip Prep…

Dressed head to toe in leather, I demanded that my ‘slave’ got down on to all fours. ‘Good boy,’ I said, as he paid me on his way out. Humiliating men was my speciality. When I first dipped my toe into the world of dominatrixes in 2001, I was just 27 and a very I shy‘nice girl’. But when a friend suggested I come along with her to a ‘slave’ party, I thought, why not? In a dungeon surrounded by people in leather undies and men on all fours, wearing collars and leads like dogs, I felt out of my comfort zone. I learned that the blokes there got a kick out of being dominated by a woman. They’d pay handsomely to be whipped, called rude names. But when I…

Lacura Collagen Lip Oil, £2.99, Aldi This lip oil goes the extra mile to ensure your pout is perfect. Its formula includes collagen and vitamin E to hydrate and plump, while shea butter will coat lips with irresistible shine. PS… Future’s Bright Daily Defence Facial Moisturiser SPF30, £3, Primark Do you spend most ofyour day behind a screen? If the answer is yes, it’s worth adding blue light protection to your skincare checklist. This moisturiser has you covered.lt also gives the skin a dose of vitamin C to protect against other external aggressors. PS… FUT BRI…

To my favourite nurse, From the moment we met, I knew I was in good hands. It was March 2013 and I was wheeled onto your ward at the Royal Marsden, scared and sobbing. ‘I don’t want to stay here,’ I cried to my mum, Kirstie, then 35. Age 11, after months of feeling tired and achy, I’d woken up with a huge purple, blood-filled bruise on my back. My GP ordered blood tests and at 2am the next morning, Mum got a call. My white blood cell count was over half a million. A normal count is around 4,500 to 11,000. At Croydon Hospital, I was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia. After a brief round of chemo at Great Ormond Street, I arrived at the Marsden, overwhelmed and frightened.…