Table of contents for 7 April 2022 in Chat

Life feels tough right now with terrible events on the news and a cost of living crisis closer to home. We hope Chat gives you a welcome distraction, inspiration and, in some cases, a bit of light relief. We always say you’ll find all human life on the pages of our mag. And if those who’ve shared their stories with us over the years prove anything, it’s that the human spirit is strong, and people can survive in the face of incredible adversity. I think there’s some hope in that. Take care of yourselves.…

Gemma Lyon, 36, Leicester Spotting a familiar face across the bar, I walked over. It was December 2010, and for months now, I’d been bumping into Alex, then 22, on nights out. Tall, dark and handsome, Alex was three years younger than me, with a cheeky, flirtatious personality. There was no denying the spark between us. This time, flirting turned into a first date in a little bar, chatting for hours, then more dates. Then love. I had a daughter Bella, then 3, from a previous relationship, and Alex understood early on that we came as a package. Only, they quickly formed a close bond, too. Alex threw himself into being the best stepdad, and within months of dating we found a flat together. As Bella grew, they became even…

From his white beard, to the wheelchair, to the uncontrollable shaking caused by Parkinson’s, everything about Wayne Chapman, 71, screamed frailty. He was an old, infirm man. He looked as if he should be at home in his favourite armchair, slippers on, watching a black-and-white film. He looked out of place in the courtroom – but looks can be deceptive. Because There was nothing innocent about Chapman – he’d spent the last 40 years in prison. In 1977, he’d been convicted of luring young boys into the woods in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Back then, he’d pretended he was searching for his missing dog, and then sexually assaulted the boys. A court found Chapman had at least 50 victims, and he himself said that he’d raped up to 100 children, with his…

I want my tatt gone! Q I want rid of a tattoo of my ex’s name. Which removal cream works? Breda, Gravesend A The short answer, I’m afraid, is none of them. Tattoo ink penetrates not just the surface layer of skin – your epidermis – but reaches the deeper layer called the dermis. Removal creams work either by bleaching or by removing surface skin cells so that new ones can grow without ink. They can’t penetrate deeply enough to erase a tattoo. At best, you may fade it, though it would still be visible. The creams can also cause quite severe skin irritation, inflammation or even burning sensations, and some can leave permanent scarring or dark discolouration of the skin. Stronger creams, which penetrate deeper and have a greater…

OVER TO YOU Can you set a puzzle in this format? Send it, with a photo of yourself, to the address on p4. There’s £20 for every one we use! This week’s puzzle was compiled by Sophie Morgan, Meadowfield, Durham ACROSS 1 Citrus skin 2 Chocolate cookie brand 3 Foot digits 4 Split _, frayed hair tips DOWN 1 Learn by _, mindless repetition 2 Smooth out creases 3 Require 4 Laze around WIN 5x £25 Puzzle 6 Your answer: HALF & HALF George James Symons (1838-1900) was an important figure in establishing the systematic measurement of what in the United Kingdom? 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. WIN £100 Puzzle…

ARROW WORD The parathyroid glands have a key role in regulating the quantities of what element in the body? 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 11 Your answer: WORDSEARCH Which of these art-related words translates into French as toile and into Spanish as lienzo? The answer is the one missing from the grid. BRUSH CANVAS EASEL ERASER KNIFE PAINT PALETTE PAPER PENCIL…

Bothered by a colleague Q Recently I had a miscarriage, and while I was signed off work, my colleague called me with a work question. I explained that I’d lost the baby. Today he texted me again, asking yet another work question. I find it really upsetting. I just want to take some time to process. Becky, 31 A I’m so sorry for your loss, flower. Miscarriage isn’t talked about enough and it’s often not counted as grief. So, firstly, I hope you and your partner are getting the support you need. As for work, you’re right, it is insensitive to bother you. But try not to take it to heart. This man probably acted without thinking. Have a word with your boss. Remind folk you’re off on sick leave.…

Joanne McVeigh, 41, Bushmills, Co Antrim Clicking the pricing machine to press ‘Reduced’ labels on sarnies, I felt a twinge in my tummy. I’d slapped orange stickers on the chicken and salad wrappers, turned next to cheese and ham. But then a stronger cramp gripped me. Constipation, I thought. All part of the fun of being 24 weeks pregnant. It was December 2020, and I’d just begun my shift in the Co-op, where I was a supervisor. I was due to finish at 10pm, but an hour on, the pulsing cramps were intense. ‘Come in to be checked,’ said the midwife when I phoned Causeway Hospital, in Coleraine. I rang my partner Stephen, then 40, and we rushed over. Falling pregnant at 40 had been a surprise. I’d met Stephen…

1-7 April 2022 Aries 21 March-20 April Somebody charming might enter your life, showering you with compliments. But instead of just blushing, you will realise this person can offer you more than flattery. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Buying yourself a new outfit will make you feel a million dollars. Not only that – you’ll get plenty of attention from others who are attracted to your chic sense of style. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Mercury, your ruling planet, enters your sign, inspiring you to believe in the power of your intuition. And why not, when things you have dreamt have come true? • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July You’re dealing with too…

LETTER of the week! Q How can I extend the life of my coloured hair and stop it from fading so quickly? Eileen Mincham, 54, Cheltenham A Regular trips to the salon can be expensive so it’s frustrating when your colour fades between appointments. Luckily, there are a number of ways to refresh your hair without costly hairdresser appointments. For a quick fix, try a colour-depositing mask, like Wella Color Fresh Mask, £15.70, lookfantastic.com. In all hair colours, from fiery red to ash blonde, it revives your colour leaving locks glossy and shiny – and, depending on the length of your hair, lasts more than five uses. If you’re a brunette, go for a blue-hued shampoo, like Aussie SOS Brunette Hydration Blue Shampoo, £5.99, Boots, as this works to eliminate…

Chat winners issue 1 (6 January 2022) £1001 CASHS Jackson,Manchester £1000 CASHL Pearce,Tiverton £500 CASHA Reid, Morpeth;P Jeffries, Stanmore £250 CASHK Boots, Bishop Auckland £150 CASHJ Northcott, Cornwall £100 CASHE Heritage, Ruislip;S Woodroffe, Colchester;C Branton, Hull;J Burns, Farnborough;D Morley, London £60 CASHP Meakin, Manchester £50 CASHT Coombs, Andover;A Mobbs, Gillingham;N Stewart, Elgin £30 CASHJ Windsor, Bingley;L Osborne, Ludlow;A Lownie, Sunderland;P Dyer, St Austell;L Appleton, Oldham £25 CASHK Gregory, Chesterfield;S Richardson, Newcastle uponTyne; J Hannah, Bo’ness;L Page, Northwich;E Bancroft, Nottingham;V Mohan, Glossop;J Grafton, Salisbury;L Barrows, Falmouth;L Davies, West Bromwich chat PUZZLE 1 1118 chat PUZZLE 2 PSALM chat PUZZLE 11 8 7 3 Anyone from your town in the list this week..? • All contributions to Chat must be original, not copies or duplicated to other editors. Subject to these conditions, £25 will…

This is my adorable kitten Snookie, so tiny she can fit in a mug. She’s definitely the boss in our house – she’s one spoilt kitty! Jayne Hodges, Sheffield My son Bertie, 2, was so pleased to ride a ‘real life’ horse on his visit to a farm! Sophie Undrill, Lincoln I got soaked while walking the South West Coast Path in Devon last year, but it didn’t detract from the fabulous views! Ann Rowe, London I was so sad when legendary artist Meat Loaf died, as I loved his music growing up. I couldn’t resist copying his iconic pose at the Bat Out of Hell musical at the London Coliseum. Wendy Pownall, Swansea I think my dog Wellington was trying to tell me that he needs a holiday. Don’t…

CARRY-ALL STYLE TIP The trusty tote is as reliable as ever. Make a statement in punchy prints and go supersize for a nod to the catwalk trends. SCOOP STYLE TIP From crescent to half moon, the shape of the season is circular. Perfect for injecting some 90s-inspired style! CROSS BODY STYLE TIP The fail-safe cross body is going nowhere and it’s as practical as it is chic. Look for quilted textures for a new-season update. RUCKSACK STYLE TIP Take the load off your shoulders with a lightweight rucksack. Stylish and practical – what’s not to love? FROM £6!…

When the verdict came, it shocked many. Chapman was found not guilty. For the first time in 40 years, Wayne Chapman was a free man. He was released and wheeled into a waiting car. There was fury among the wider community, and terror for those who had suffered as children at Chapman’s hands. Wendy Murphy was a lawyer who spoke on behalf of many of them. ‘They were told when they were little, and when he was terrorising them, that if they ever told, he would kill them and their families,’ she said. ‘As of tonight, he’s free to be around children,’ she added. ‘I’d really like to know what planet the jury was on when they were coming up with this verdict,’ she continued. Melanie Perkins McLaughlin had been…

Wendy Gough, 47, Romford, Essex Tightly crossing my legs, I tried desperately to hold it, but I couldn’t. ‘Stop!’ I yelled from where I sat in the back of the car. As the car slowed to a halt, I quickly jumped out, crouched down and relieved myself by the roadside. It was 1984 and, aged 10, I was prone to accidents. I was always getting my parents – Mum Kathy, then 36, and Dad Sid, 44, to stop the car so I could go for an emergency wee. And they always carried a spare set of clothes for me, too. I was always back and forth to the doctors, but tests were inconclusive. ‘She’ll grow out of it,’ the doctors all said. But it was mortifying never making it to…

Jordan Maddison, 26, South Elmsall, West Yorks Hearing the doorbell ring, I plodded to the front door. Taking a pizza box from the driver, I made my way back to the sofa, got comfy and started scoffing. It was July 2020 and I’d been furloughed from my job in a betting shop four months earlier. Ever since, my eating habits had nosedived, lounging around at home. But I’d always been overweight, already 16st by the age of 16. Now I was 24, hadn’t weighed myself for years, but I still loved my grub. There was something I loved more, though. Being a daddy to baby Harry. Him being born in May 2020 was the proudest moment of my life. I’d relished every moment since, even changing nappies and mopping up…

When Jess and Mike met 10 years ago, they had no idea the path their lives would take. The glam couple, from Southend, Essex, met in their local gym, where Jess went to work out and Mike was a trainer. ‘We just got on so well, didn’t we? Straight from the beginning,’ mum-of-two Jess smiles to Mike. After meeting, the couple, who have been married for four years, went on to do normal jobs. Jess worked in make-up and Mike was a DJ, running an events company. But when Mike realised you could get paid for uploading content to Pornhub, he thought it might be a good way to earn some extra money. When Mike asked Jess if she’d be interested in making adult content on the side, she didn’t…

The longest 40 minutes of my life passed before I could go back in the room. Doctors had re-attached Grayson to the ventilator. ‘He’s breathing,’ said one. Relief coursed through me and I resumed my vigil. I was allowed to gently rest my hand on Grayson, but couldn’t stroke him because his skin was so delicate it could tear. He was transferred nearer home in February 2021, to Antrim Area Hospital, yet still he faced so many hurdles. His eyesight was at risk because the blood vessels in his eyes hadn’t finished growing properly. Doctors diagnosed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The condition could lead to the retinas in his eyes becoming detached. My battling baby had come so far. But will he ever see the smiling faces of his mummy…

Breakfast burrito Low in calories but high in flavour, this omelette makes an energising weekend breakfast or light lunch. SERVES 1 PREP TIME 5 MINS COOK TIME 15 MINS • 2 eggs • 2tsp olive oil • ¼ red pepper, deseeded and thinly sliced • 1 tomato, chopped • 2tbsp canned mixed beans in spicy sauce • ¼ red chilli, finely chopped • 1tbsp chopped fresh coriander, plus extra to serve • Small wedge of lime 1 Heat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Whisk the eggs with 2tbsp water. Heat a small non-stick, ovenproof frying pan with 1tsp of the oil, pour in the whisked eggs and cook for a few mins to set the base. Transfer to the oven and cook for 3-4 mins until cooked through. Turn out…

Lindsey Allison, 41, Middlesbrough Walking into the living room after my pub shift, I spied two familiar heads close together. My brother Niki, then 25, and my son Taylor, 14, were playing Call of Duty on the Xbox. ‘Yes!’ came a yell of triumph from Taylor, followed by a sigh from Niki. More like brothers than uncle and nephew. I’d had Taylor when I was 20, and we’d lived with Niki and my mum Christine, then 47. Niki had been just 11 when Taylor arrived, but he was the perfect uncle. Looking after him while I worked, taking him to school and the park. And all of us laughed at Taylor’s pranks as he got older. He’d put pop crackers under the loo seat, chase Mum around the house with…

Lottie London Superfake Mascara, £6.95, lottie. london With a smaller sized wand, designed to catch even the shortest lashes, this mascara defines, lengthens and volumises in one coat. Like its name suggests, it’ll look like you’re wearing a pair of falsies. Skin Proud Refresher Hydrating Face Mist, £9.95, Boots Nourish your skin or refresh your make-up with this aloe vera and witch hazel-infused mist. These hydrating ingredients replenish your skin’s moisture levels, making it a great pick-me-up for days you just need a boost. Essence Daily Drop of Energy Ampoule Face Serum, £3.99, justmylook.com If your skin is looking tired, revitalise it with this brand new serum from Essence. Formulated with 2% vitamin C, it brightens dark spots, evens skin tone and gives a gorgeous natural-looking glow. CeraVe Hydrating Foaming…

We all know the name Ghislaine Maxwell. The woman who was an accomplice to the billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Who helped him groom and sexually abuse teenage girls. And who will likely spend the rest of her life behind bars. But how did someone born into so much privilege end up living such a sordid life? This isn’t the first controversy to surround her, and Epstein wasn’t the first man in her life to be mired in scandal. Her father Robert Maxwell was a prominent and controversial figure, too. Born in a village in Czechoslovakia, now part of Ukraine, to poor Jewish parents in June 1923, he escaped Nazi occupation as a teenager, fleeing to France. But he tragically lost his parents and four of his six siblings in the…

Dear Cat, When I was diagnosed with cancer in March 2019, age 20, I felt numb. Three weeks earlier, I’d been doubled over in bed with stomach pain after a night out. ‘You’re just hungover! joked my boss when I called in sick. But days later, I was still in agony, so my mum took me to hospital. Once there, my appendix burst and I was rushed to surgery. But when the surgeons opened me up they found tumours on my appendix and bowel, and took a biopsy. Weeks on, I was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours in my digestive system, a rare cancer usually only found in people over 60. Just 20, I was used to being the life and soul, not stuck in hospital feeling sick, having endless tests…

LISA MACK, 56, FROM WELLING, KENT, SAYS: I’m nominating my work colleague Sandra Fox and her husband Tony, both 59, as my local heroes. On Thursdays and Fridays, when they were off from work, they’d pick up donations from the supermarket and deliver them to the food bank in Slade Green, Kent. They’d also deliver food parcels to people in the area who were isolating or shielding. They did this every week for two years during the pandemic. I think they are both stars, giving up their valuable time to pick up and deliver food for people who either had none or were unable to get to the shops themselves. I want them to know how proud I am of all the hard work they’ve done for the vulnerable people…

Pretty pots I decorate the outside of empty, small crisp tubs using old wrapping paper or magazines. They’re the perfect size to fill with little treats. These make great gifts and help me cut costs and reduce packaging. Angela Keeler, Lowestoft, Suffolk Spread it further Emptying your margarine tubs and butter dishes with a silicone spatula helps reach all the tricky corners. It’s amazing how much extra you can gain. It works well with jam jars, too! Janet Dandy, Burnley, Lancashire Gem of an idea A pill box makes a great storage case for earrings and other small jewellery. It’s ideal for taking jewellery on holiday, too. Liz Tubby, Bergh Apton, Norfolk Hanging out I needed somewhere to hang my jewellery for easy access and I thought my photo frame…

What connects British actor Colin Morgan and historian Mary Beard? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the six-word prize answer. Across 1 Theme (5) 4 Not fast (4) 6 Animal (8) 13 Military officer (7) 14 Move forward (7) 15 Bronze medal position (5) 16 Short letter (4) 17 Local inhabitant (6) 18 Emblems (6) 20 Fasten securely (4) 21 ‘Dressed up to the _’ (5) 22 Blood vessel (6) 25 Common pet (8) 28 Building material (6) 30 Recording of a film or TV show (5) 32 Protection from rain (8) 34 English river (6) 35 Plan or scheme (4) 38 Motor (6) 39 Garden pest with a shell (5) 40 Large mounted gun (6) 43 Idle (4) 44 Edible fish…

Janet Race, 66, Heacham, Norfolk Pulling on a pair of black leggings, I sighed and ran my hand over the raised lines fanning my calf. ‘They’re so ugly,’ I grumbled to my husband Jim, then 67. It was Februasry 2021 and ever since I had my two daughters, over 40 years ago, my calves were covered in purple swollen veins. They snaked down my legs, visible even in leggings and tights. And despite having lost over a stone, my bumpy legs left me feeling self-conscious. Instead of showing off my new slimmer bod, I covered up in jeans or leggings. And the thought of shorts sent shivers down my spine. The varicose veins didn’t cause me pain, so for over 40 years, I’d ignored them. But since I’d seen an…

Sour puss Grumpy Cat – real name Tardar Sauce – lived a normal pussy life before the brother of her owner posted a photo of her on social media site Reddit in 2012. The internet’s first ‘petfluencer’, famous for her gloomy gaze, went on to build an empire worth over £60 million. The grouchy-faced furball that launched a thousand memes travelled the world making television appearances, and even starred in her own film, Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever, playing herself – mostly because what other moggy could nail that extremely unimpressed look? At the time of her death, in 2019, Grumpy Cat had 1.5 million followers on Twitter, 2.4 million on Instagram and 8.5 million on Facebook. Now that’s just paw-some! Top cat Last year, Britain’s most famous mouser, Larry,…

FILL ME IN A hotel by what name was the centre of a 2017 ITV drama series set during World War Two and starring Olivia Williams, Steven Mackintosh and Mark Benton? 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 £100 Puzzle 13 Your answer: CIRCLE TIME With a population approaching 150 million, what is usually considered the world’s most populated island? Fit the words into the grid, then read down the letters in the shaded circles. 3 letters ASH ASS KOI ROE SAD SAT SON TOE TON USE 4 letters BIND DELI IDOL LAMB OBOE OPEN RATS 5 letters BHAJI RATIO RHINO 6 letters ACTIVE BUREAU DESIGN POCKET RIBBON STAGES 8…

3 ways to… Boost your CV Make your résumé stand out from the crowd with these tips from Niki Turner-Harding of recruitment consultants Adecco. 1 Tailor your CV ‘Always tailor your CV to the sector and role you’re applying for,’ she explains. ‘It’s important to cover not only your experience and responsibilities from previous roles, but also any soft skills you may have, such as time management, team work and communication, to show you’ll be able to work successfully within your team and the wider business. And use simple but effective action verbs that highlight your most valuable skills and achievements, such as “created”, “launched” and “directed”, rather than less impactful words such as “helped” and “supported”.’ 2 Include a personal statement ‘This should be a concise, purposeful statement, about…

Catrice Cosmetics Energy Superfruit + Protection Serum, £5.99, justmylook.com Blue light from smartphones and computer screens can contribute towards premature ageing but using a low-cost serum, like this one, stops damage in its tracks. With acai and goji berry extracts, and a blue-light filter, this serum keeps skin shielded from ageing rays. Hotel Collection No.11 Peony Blush Eau de Parfum, £6.99, Aldi Don’t break the bank for your favourite perfume – this affordable fragrance from Aldi smells just like high-end alternatives.Fresh, floral and elegant, a spritz will last well into the evening.…

PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS THROUGHOUT TEXT Simply text CHATC 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…