Table of contents for 09-Feb-2017 in Chat

For months, my injuries left me housebound My vision faded and the next thing I knew, I was waking up alone in the dark hallway. Groaning, I pulled myself up and staggered up the stairs. With every step, crimson splatters of blood dripped across the carpet. As I reached my bedroom, I lunged for the phone and punched in Johnathan’s number. ‘Brian’s attacked me,’ I cried. ‘I’m coming,’ he said. A few minutes later, I heard a banging on the door. ‘Open up, it’s me!’ came Johnathan’s frantic cry. Somehow I scrambled downstairs and let him in. When he saw me, his face fell. After he called 999, an ambulance arrived and raced me to Manchester Royal Infirmary. I had 20 knife wounds to my arms, head and upper chest.…

Branston Caramelised Red Onion Burger Relish, 335g, £1.62 With a strong, almost pickled onion flavour, this sharp relish is made for burgers, but we also enjoyed it with grilled sausages. Morrisons Onion Relish, 300g, £1 This mild-flavoured relish has a kick of mustard, and with hardly any sweetness, it goes brilliantly with tangy Cheddar. Try it in a sandwich or on the side with a ploughman's. French's Californian Sweet Onion Relish, 320g, £1.99 Surprisingly sweet, this tangy sauce has a nice touch of heat. Use it to smother a hot dog, or serve instead of ketchup with just anything! NEW Thorntons Melt In The Middle Chocolate Puddings, £3, Morrisons, Co-Op Classic fondant puds with oozy centres, made with rich choc. So naughty… so nice!…

Beneath the bandages lay 30 jagged stitches He wanted to help others and regain his confidence I couldn’t help but start flirting instantly. You’re still devilishly handsome, I typed. I’d recently reconnected on Facebook with my former colleague Daniel Jackson, 31. We’d been pals when working at an estate agent’s together, back in 2002. Now, in 2009 – and both single – we soon got together. My 6ft 5in hunk was kind, had two boys, then 7 and 3, from a previous relationship, and my son Thomas, then 9, adored him. Eighteen months on, we moved in together. Life was perfect. Then, in October 2011, Dan’s right eye started weeping constantly. After several batches of eye drops, antibiotics, creams and numerous trips to the doctor, nothing had cleared it.…

At 6 months old, Amy had eight-hour open-heart surgery Looking at her now, there’s no doubt my daughter Amy’s one tough cookie. At birth, doctors detected a heart murmur, but it wasn’t until she was 10 weeks old that the diagnosis was confirmed. ‘Amy has Tetralogy of Fallot,’ a consultant at the Harley Street heart clinic told us. He explained she was missing her main artery, her lung arteries were small, and her oxygen levels were very low. Me and my husband Steve, then 31, were told Amy needed surgery to insert an artificial valve and reconstruct the arteries from her heart to her lungs, to allow oxygenated blood to pump round her body properly. But they’d have to wait until she was 6 months old – if she survived…

It wasn’t just my kidneys failing, I felt I was failing as a mum… I had a little hand curled around each of mine, two babies in a double buggy pushed by my hubby, and a toddler running alongside us. I’d always wanted a big family. So having five children was a dream come true. Being out and about with my brood filled me with pride. But these days, the chance was getting rarer. Me and Simon had met in 1998 and knew we wanted a family. Our son James was born in June 2000, and four years later, we had a daughter, Jessica. But then I got sick. I had horrendous itching during the pregnancy. It felt like my skin was on fire, and I was always exhausted. Doctors…

What I loved Winter sunshine bouncing off the city skyline. Dazzling! (See - there is poetry somewhere in my soul! It's just well-hidden…) What hacked me off My new, multi-magnifying bathroom mirror. Yikes! Why didn't you tell me!? What made me laugh A mate telling me that he'd just eaten 17 mini-shortbread Christmas trees. Seventeen! But they were tiny (more than can be said of him…) and not iced, so almost calorie-free, then! Hope you get to have your cake and eat it this week.…

The thought of organ donation kept me going as I sat by her bed As we talked, it felt as if we’d always known each other Growing up as an only child, my best friend was my mum. She was a single parent, so it was us against the world. Years on, I met Paul, 36. When we had our son Dexter in 2011, my mum Tish was a brilliant gran, too. I didn’t know what I’d do without her. But then I didn’t think I had to worry about that. Mum was fit and healthy. Just 5ft 3in and about 8st, she was a vegetarian, didn’t drink. She was always on the go. She lived about an hour away in South Shields but we spoke on the phone…

Serves: 6 Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min 375g pack ready rolled puff pastry 6 heaped tsp chocolate-and- hazelnut spread 1 large egg yolk 10ml milk 1 Pre-heat oven to 190C/ Gas 5, and lightly grease a baking sheet. 2 Unroll pastry, and cut six diagonal triangles across sheet. 3 Put a heaped tsp of chocolate-and-hazelnut spread on pastry at thick end of each triangle, then roll up and place onto a lightly greased baking sheet. 4 Mix egg yolk with milk, and use this to brush the croissants, then bake for 20-25 min until risen and golden. 5 Serve warm, while chocolate centre is still gooey.…

‘Erm,it’s a bit... personal’ Watery eyes Q Since an operation to correct a squint two years ago, my right eye always waters, especially outside or when I'm tired. Chloe, 27 A The op might have kinked your tear duct, which drains excess tears from your eye. Tiredness, cold or emotion trigger more tears, which your blocked duct can't handle. A specialist might be able to clear it with a fine needle or small op. Patchy skin QI've developed pale patches of skin, and my doctor's diagnosed vitiligo. What can I do? Kelly, 34 AVitiligo, pale patches of skin that have lost their brown colour, affects one person in 100, but it's more noticeable if you're dark-skinned. Treatment might mean cream or UV light therapy to stimulate pigment, or cosmetic camouflage.…

After an evening shift, I got home and flicked the kettle on. I’d have a nice cuppa and a few games on Chat Mag Bingo! My three kids – 18, 16 and 11 – were in bed, so it was the perfect moment to grab some me-time. I’d joined Chat Mag Bingo years earlier as my mate Sarah had recommended it. Sarah liked the slots, while I enjoyed 90-ball bingo, but we both loved the chatrooms. I’d won a few times on slots and bingo and liked the link games which are played over a number of rooms and you can win even bigger jackpots. As a hotel receptionist, I’d been busy, so was looking forward to a cuppa and a few games. A link game was about to start,…

A specialist thought the kindest thing was to put her to sleep Approaching the finish line, I couldn’t believe what I’d achieved. ‘You did it!’ my hubby James, then 40, shouted as I jogged past him. It was May 2013, and I’d just completed a triathlon to raise money for abandoned-dog charity Cinque Ports Rescue. As an animal lover, inspired by the amazing work of founder Eileen Mellis, I wanted to help. A month later, I started working directly with the charity, helping raise funds for medical treatment and dog food. I already had three dogs, but, as more abandoned pups arrived on the doorstep, my heart melted. ‘How could anyone abandon her?’ I cried, as Eileen introduced Winnie, a gorgeous Dogue de Bordeaux. I offered to foster Winnie until…

Endless injections left me feeling like a pin cushion I’d never felt pain like it. It was March 2013, and I’d suffered a devastating miscarriage at seven weeks. ‘Why us?’ I sobbed to my hubby Daniel, 33. I’d been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome as a teen, and it’d taken two years to fall pregnant. Now this. Dan stayed strong for us both and, in January 2014, we began IVF. Endless injections left me feeling like a pin cushion, the hormones and hope sent me on an emotional rollercoaster. Then it failed. We’d been offered three NHS cycles, so I shook off my despair as we prepared to try again. My eggs were harvested, and five embryos created. Only, before they could be inserted into my womb, the embryologist called…

1 It's well connected A ski lift and gondola go all the way from Lech down to St Anton. Fun to ride, they give access to one of the biggest connected ski areas in Europe. 2 Enjoy a family winter adventure Treat yourself to a special winter wonderland horse-drawn sleigh ride around the picturesque Alpine village of Lech, for a true feeling of snowy indulgence. 3 Amazing views At the mountain station of the Rufikopf cable car, the White Ring monument points the way to the unique viewing platform. There's a wonderful view over the surrounding mountain countryside and the complete White Ring. 4 A fabulous place to stay The chalet-style Hotel St Gotthard has its own bakery, where you can learn to make Austrian cakes! With two restaurants, choose…

Macaroni cheese with leeks and bacon 1 Cook 350g dried macaroni, following the packet instructions. 2 Meanwhile, fry 100g streaky bacon, cut into bite-size pieces, until crispy. Stir in 1 finely chopped leek and cook for another min or 2. 3 Melt 30g butter in a small saucepan, then whisk in 30g plain flour and mix to a smooth paste. 4 Next, whisk in 285ml whole milk, a little at a time, until smooth. Then stir in 200g natural set yogurt and 200g grated Cheddar, and cook over a low heat until cheese has melted. 5 Drain pasta, return to pan, then stir in cheese sauce. Spoon mixture into serving dishes, top with fried bacon and leek, scatter with a few breadcrumbs and some grated cheese, before placing under a…

Heinrich had been questioned but not charged THE CRIME After 11-year-old Jacob Wetterling was snatched by a masked gunman in front of his brother and best friend in 1989, he was never seen alive again. What happened to Jacob was a mystery, until Danny Heinrich came clean… THE STORY Young Jacob Wetterling was out on his bicycle with his little brother Trevor, 10, and friend Aaron Larson, 11, in October 1989. A masked gunman approached them near their home in St Joseph, Minnesota. He told the boys to get in a ditch, asked their names and ages. Then, the man told Trevor and Aaron to run away. But he told Jacob to stay put. He then grabbed Jacob, took him back to his car, handcuffed him, put him in the…

As he started frothing at the mouth, I couldn’t stop sobbing Flicking through bridal magazines, I couldn’t wait to tie the knot. ‘I want everything to be perfect,’ I said to my partner Calum, 26. Together since 2010, I quickly knew Calum was the one. See, I was a massive animal lover. I had at least 50 pets when we met, and shared my house with dozens of snakes, rats and creepy-crawlies. Any man I dated had to agree to love my critters, too. Calum was up for the challenge! In August 2013, we moved in together, and my menagerie of weird-and-wonderful animals grew by the week. Eventually, we shared our home with 250 creatures, including cats, dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, hedgehogs, tortoises, tarantulas, lizards, millipedes, centipedes, frogs, toads and…

I’d settled in for an evening with my cat when I heard a knock at the door... As the recruiter droned on, I glanced at the stranger next to me. ‘He’s going on a bit,’ I muttered jokingly. It was July 2014, and alongside a dozen others, I was at an induction talk on the first day of a new job. For the next few months, I’d be working on the factory floor of a food company. Once the lecture finished, I introduced myself to my new colleagues. ‘I’m Deborah,’ I smiled, extending a hand to the bloke next to me. ‘Brian,’ he replied, shaking it tentatively. Though he was a tall, well-built man, there was a shyness about him. Being a kind person, I couldn’t stand to see someone…

I kissed his forehead as my darling boy slipped away I’ve been sentenced to a lifetime without my son Grabbing my mug of tea, I snuggled up on the sofa with my daughter. ‘What shall we watch?’ I asked Ellie, now 13. Just as we’d got comfy, the doorbell went. ‘I’ll get it,’ I said. ‘Daniel will have forgotten his key!’ A busy care-home cleaner, I always grabbed a nap on a Sunday afternoon. But my teenage son had woken me earlier, when he’d forgotten his wallet. Now, as I answered the door at 7.30pm on 7 June 2015, I was shocked to find a police officer standing there. ‘Daniel’s been in an accident. You need to come with us to the hospital,’ he said. I shouted to Ellie…

The episodes got worse – his body would stiffen and jerk I was in Mummy mode. Twenty weeks pregnant with my first child, and I already had everything sorted – nappies, clothes... ‘This is so exciting,’ I beamed to my husband Lee, 33. Then, in July 2013, at 33 weeks, I woke up with intense contractions. ‘I think the baby’s coming,’ I told Lee, panic setting in. At the hospital, staff confirmed our baby was on its way. They gave me steroid injections to try to strengthen the baby’s lungs. Minutes later, I was ready to push. Soon Harry arrived, weighing a tiny 4lb 15oz. After a brief cuddle, nurses whisked him to Intensive Care. When I finally got to see him, he was hooked up to a ventilator. ‘He’s…

1 Which actor would play you in a movie? Goldie Hawn. She's really kooky, which is very much like myself. 2 Which animal would you be? A giraffe, I do a great impression of a giraffe! And I have gangly legs. 3 Three things you couldn't be without? Family. My dogs - a boxer-cross and a type of lurcher - and cheese. 4 Dream celeb crush? Freddie Flintoff. Tall, blonde, a bit of a bad boy. 5 Perfect holiday? I'd love to spend some time discovering rural Tuscany. 6 Favourite film? Sliding doors. The idea that one incident can change your whole life intrigues me. 7 Fave chat game? Quick Draw. It's so funny. Hosts can be a bit naughty by making it hard. 8 Three celebs you'd take to…

As I tidied up the living room, my son Charlie, then 9 months, crawled around the floor. It was last November, and we’d just moved into a new house. There were boxes everywhere. My daughter Lacey-May, 5, was having great fun hiding behind them. ‘Peek-a-boo!’ she kept calling to Charlie. It was nearly her bedtime, so I told her to fetch her pyjamas. While Charlie played happily on the floor, I turned around to put away some toys. A curious little thing, Charlie was into everything. Then, suddenly, I heard a piercing scream… Charlie! He’d crawled behind the sofa, and had instantly started sobbing his little heart out, screaming at the top of his lungs. Rushing to him, I scooped him up into my arms. I thought he’d probably bumped…

Aries 21 March - 20 April If there’s something you want to do, you go for it, right? Perhaps, but sometimes you need to think about other factors - the needs of others, or even the weather! Look at the bigger picture this week; it could be very important. Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May If you’re on a long journey, some parts will be fast and smooth, and some parts will be slower, with bad roads, but you’ll still get there. This week could be one of the sticky bits. It’s OK, it won’t be that way for long. Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June You’re thinking about a big treat, how much it will cost, and…

I knew that Liam was the man I’d spend my life with I’ve already spent so much time away from my sons Did they think we’d made it all up? Lied about the eight years we’d been together, our kids, memories, photos… ‘Can they really believe that?’ I fumed to my husband Liam, 26. He read the letter from the Home Office and sighed. Insufficient evidence of relationship. Visa denied. It was last summer. And we were at our wits’ end. I was originally from Tennessee, and first met Liam in 2008 at a baseball match. We got chatting. And he stood out a mile from his mates. Not just because he was good looking, or had an English accent. Liam was gentle, had a funny sense of humour. He’d…

It seems someone wanted him dead A prince had been born. A son to Grand Duke Karl and Grand Duchess Stephanie. An heir who one day would become Grand Duke himself and rule over the Duchy of Baden, in what is today the south of Germany. But the celebrations were short-lived. A few weeks later, the baby prince died. The Grand Duke no longer had a successor. So, following his death six years later in 1818, the throne ended up in the hands of his distant relatives. And the tragedy of the baby prince was all but forgotten. Until 1828. One day in May, a young man was found wondering the streets of Nuremberg… Dressed in rags, with no shoes, his feet were blistered, and he didn’t seem to know…

Brave Dylan After reading the story of Dylan (24 November issue), who was born with giant congenital melanocytic nevus, my heart went out to his parents. Not only do they have to face the trauma of Dylan having all of those operations, but they also put up with awful remarks. Surely, in this day and age, folk should be more aware of different illnesses and disabilities before passing comment. WE PAY June Channon, Falmouth New tricks... Shortly after introducing my grandmother to the web, she rang and asked why I kept changing the Google logo, as she liked the original best. When I told her it had nothing to do with me, she said she thought I was in charge of Google! Genna Burton, Corwen Sticky issue Whenever I get…

We were told it was unlikely he’d live past three weeks My heart was pounding with fear after I’d noticed the serious look on the doctor’s face. ‘What’s wrong?’ I gulped. I was 20 weeks pregnant with my second child – a boy – and everything had been going well. Until this scan… ‘Your baby has shorter arms and legs,’ the doctor explained. Me and my partner Mark, 42, exchanged worried looks. ‘What does that mean?’ Mark asked. But the doctor couldn’t tell us very much. Then, in January 2011, I was referred to Manchester Children’s Hospital for another scan and a consultant said our baby wasn’t developing properly. ‘It’s unlikely he’ll survive the pregnancy and birth,’ he explained. ‘You have the option to terminate the pregnancy,’ the consultant added.…