Table of contents for 13 April 2023 in Chat

The choccie eggs have been on the shelves since Boxing Day, but Easter weekend is finally almost upon us. So this week we've sprinkled the issue with lots of Easter treats. You'll find our picks of the best eggs (p27), some gorgeous bakes (p40) and your fab pics and tips celebrating spring. Of course, we've also got the usual mix of real-life reads, including Bev (p30), who is 102 but as bouncy as any Easter bunny…! Have a great week, PS If you're entering the puzzles online, this is the link to use: comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

TRUE-LIFE Donna Adams, 49, East Grinstead H obbling into the GP surgery, I couldn't deny I was worried. It was May 1991, I was 17 and eight months pregnant. Yet it wasn't the baby that had me fretting. See, my left leg had started to swell. The doc was worried too. ‘You need to go to hospital,' she said, explaining it could be thrombosis – blood clots. But after tests at the hospital, I was given a different diagnosis. ‘It's lymphoedema,' the doctor said, explaining my lymphatic system couldn't drain fluid well. There was no cure. And shockingly, my leg could continue to grow. Discharged, I went home wondering what'd happen. My leg wasn't painful, but heavily pregnant, it became harder and harder to move around. When my son Michael was…

On 17 January 2020, police in Long Island responded to a call from one of their own. Michael Valva, an officer from the New York Police Department, needed urgent assistance. His son was unconscious, after apparently falling over in his driveway waiting for the school bus. When the cops arrived, they found 8-year-old Thomas lying lifeless in the family's basement. Naked apart from a pair of tracksuit bottoms around his knees. When Thomas arrived at the hospital, his temperature was fatally low and his organs shut down. He died of hypothermia. While his death was shocking in the extreme, it was not surprising to those around him. At the time of his death, Thomas and his two brothers had been living with Michael and his girlfriend Angela Pollina, and her…

Worried about my brain Q I seem to get déjà vu more than my friends. Does it mean something's wrong? Liv, Nelson A Déjà vu is the sense that whatever you're doing, you've experienced it before – even though you know that's not true. Most of us have experienced déjà vu at some time, although it's most common in your early 20s and becomes rarer with age. It seems to happen when your hippocampus – the part of your brain that's involved in memory – misfires, and is more likely if you're feeling stressed or tired. Occasional déjà vu is normal, but regular episodes might rarely indicate a brain problem, such as a form of epilepsy or migraine. See your GP if you experience more than a few episodes a…

Q How can I get rid of the ugly bumps covering the tops of my arms? My mum has them too and says they're keratosis pilaris. Pauline, Gateshead A Keratosis pilaris (KP) often passes in families, and leads to a collection of tiny, hard, skin-coloured bumps usually on your upper arms, thighs or buttocks. The bumps are harmless and don't hurt, but might itch if they become dry. They appear when hair follicles become blocked with the skin protein keratin. There's no cure, although KP usually improves in summertime and generally disappears altogether after a few years. In the meantime, you can keep it under control with regular moisturising and gentle exfoliating. Your chemist might suggest stronger exfoliating cream or lotion if necessary. Treatments such as laser or steroid creams…

TRUE-LIFE Amy, 35 The wind howled as I walked along the beach with a man on my arm, both wrapped up in the cold. What took me so long? I thought. It was autumn 2018 and I'd been single for eight months before signing up to a dating app. Wasn't looking for anything serious, but on my first date with Tony, then 33, figured I'd found it. He wasn't my usual type but we chatted like we'd known each other for years. Tony opened up about the trauma he'd experienced. ‘I spent my teens in foster care,' he shared. I was moved by his vulnerability, wanted to be there for him. Soon, whenever Tony wasn't away on his lorry driver job, he was at mine. He'd offer Mum a cuppa…

Q My brother's girlfriend is making me look bad. She's younger, more successful and more confident than me, and my parents adore her. After listening to them gush about her, I yelled at them in front of her and my brother, and stormed off. They're all angry and have told me to apologise, but I'm the one who's hurt! Caitlin, 26 A Oh dear. I do think you need to say sorry to your bro's girlfriend – if anyone's to blame, it's not her! This is about how you feel about yourself, and you should try to stop comparing yourself to others. Maybe you have some insecurities about how your parents see you or you're disappointed with how life is right now. Say sorry to all involved and explain your feelings,…

Plonking my bum into a garden chair I basked in the late afternoon sun, enjoying the smell of sizzling burgers wafting over from the BBQ. ‘Grub's nearly done,' my hubby, Daniel, then 22, called, followed by the tinkle of our kids grabbing plates and cutlery. Being spring 2020, lockdown BBQs had become our routine. They got us out in the garden after a day home-schooling my daughter, Lilly then 9, and entertaining our son Parker, 1. A bit of indulgence to cheer us up. Piling my plate high and dolloping my salad with dressing, I opened a beer. I'd already spent the day munching on crisps, cakes and chocolate, too. Those pandemic pounds were creeping on. Everyone will be carrying a bit of lockdown weight, I told myself. Trouble was,…

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Often classed as flyers or winders, depending on their shape, the panels on a staircase are usually referred to by what name? Make three nine-letter words using all of these three-letter sections and enter them in the grid as the starter letters indicate. Then make an anagram of the letters in the yellow squares to form the answer to this question. ISI SER ONS IGH OLE TER CAS DIV FRE WIN 5 × £20 Puzzle 3 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

STYLE TIP Jumpsuits are easy to dress up – just add a tailored blazer and some sleek mules for a polished look. STYLE TIP Elevate a plain boilersuit by layering a striped top underneath. Unbutton the front to let the print pop. STYLE TIP Look to belted designs that cinch you in at the waist to show off your shape. STYLE TIP Wear a fine-knit top or T-shirt with a sleeveless jumpsuit for a 90s spin and extra coverage on the arms.…

WHAT'S THE VERDICT? In November 2022, former NYPD officer Michael Valva was found guilty of second-degree murder and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Judge William Condon jailed him for 25 years to life. ‘How did all of us as a community allow this to happen?' asked the emotional judge. ‘I don't think you intended to kill Thomas, not at all,' he said to Valva, who was crying. ‘But there is no getting around that Thomas and [his brother] lived their lives in constant duress in the place they should have felt safest, their own home.’ ‘Your honour, I accept your sentence as I already sentenced myself to a lifetime filled of extreme regret, remorse and grief,' Valva, then 43, responded. ‘I terribly failed my boys, instead of…

Q I'm losing my pubic hair. Could it mean I've caught a sexually transmitted infection? Mai, Cleethorpes A If you think there's any possibility of If you think there a sexually transmitted infection (STI) then you must check with your sexual health clinic. But it really isn't a likely cause of losing your pubes. While the second stage of syphilis can lead to hair loss, you would probably have experienced other symptoms, too. The main cause of thinning pubes is hormone changes after your menopause. Other possibilities include thyroid gland problems; bald patches, called alopecia areata, which can occur anywhere on your body; and androgenic alopecia, where over-sensitivity to sex hormones leads to thinning on your scalp and pubes. If you're losing hair on other parts of your body, or…

1 Beat the clock Are you still struggling with the clocks going forward? You're not alone. ‘Although it's only an hour you've lost, it can take weeks for some people to get back into their routine,' says sleep expert Sammy Margo. So, make a note for next year. ‘Try moving bedtime a little earlier, by roughly 10 minutes, on the days approaching the clock change,' advises Sammy. 2 Swerve stress ‘When you're rushing about getting everything ready for a break, stress hormones are released that stimulate the immune system, so your body is basically in fighting mode,' says stress expert Professor Cary Cooper. ‘However, when your break begins and stress subsides, those immune cells retreat, making you more vulnerable to illness.’ Cary's advice? Don't go from 100 miles an hour to a…

Go posh Waitrose & Partners No.1 Blonde Chocolate with Salted Caramel Truffles Egg, 215g, £11 The latest kid on the choc block, blonde chocolate is one of our faves. A sweet caramelised white chocolate egg sits on top of hidden luxurious truffles. Marks & Spencer The Collection Belgian Milk Chocolate Layered Egg 345g, £12 Layers of milk and dark choc, with added hazelnut. Impressive packaging makes this the perfect gift. With a twist Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Milk Chocolate Sticky Toffee Pudding Egg, 275g, £8 When sticky toffee pud meets milk choc only good things can happen! The deliciously creamy toffeeflavoured chocolate is delicious. Decorated with shimmering pieces of fudge, it looks as good as it tastes. Asda Extra Special Extra Thick Honeycomb, Pretzel and Caramel Milk Chocolate Egg 400g,…

He thinks he's not the dad Q My boyfriend of three years has suddenly asked me to do a paternity test on our son. I asked him for his reasons and it just seems like he just doesn't trust me. I've nothing to hide, so I'm going to do the test and when it comes back I'm leaving him, but my family thinks I'm being irrational. Stacy, 21 A Well, you can tell your, family that Nelly's on your side, pet. I've said it before and I'll say it again – if there's no trust then there's no relationship. Do the test, and when it shows that he is indeed the dad, leave him with one message – either he's in your baby's life or he's not. There will be no…

Scrolling through my phone one night, I looked up diet plans. Then I spotted a woman I followed on social media who'd had surgery to lose weight. She looks fab, I thought. ‘Should I try a mini gastric bypass?' I asked Daniel, showing him my research. I'd always seen weight-loss ops as the easy way out, but I'd run out of options. ‘If it'll make you happy,' Daniel said. My mum, Dawn, then 53, worried. ‘What about the kids if something goes wrong?' she asked. But I'd done my research before booking the £2,700 procedure in Turkey. ‘Be good for Daddy,' I told the kids, kissing them goodbye as I left for the airport in July 2021. Arriving at the clinic, I was directed toward some scales and gulped when…

SAVING OF THE WEEK Get 100% cashback at Superdrug on orders up to £10 when you join TopCashback for free*. To get the offer, sign up at topcashback.co.uk/superdrug-23a-tcb/ (you'll find the T&Cs there, too) before 30 April 2023 and click through to the Superdrug website and start shopping! Purchases must be completed immediately and fully online. New members only. Offer can be redeemed once per household. Purchases over £10 (including delivery) will receive a maximum of £10 cashback. TopCashback…

Aries 21 March-20 April Allow the things that inspire and motivate you to guide your decisions. When the time's right you'll head straight to the top, leading others along the way. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Someone who's usually critical boosts your confidence while Mercury's in Taurus, validating whatever you're working on. Believe in yourself! ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Save as much as possible, as there may be challenges or surprise bills as Venus enters your sign. Maintain your positive energy and optimistic outlook. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July When pursuing a plan leave no stone unturned. You're all too aware of the effort you'll need to put in to achieve…

Q When should I be using vitamin C? Can I use it an the same time as retinol? Suzanne Williams, Cornwall A Vitamin C and retinol are two of the best ingredients you can use in your skincare routine, but it's important to use them correctly – to protect your skin and also to get the most out of them. Vitamin C is a brilliant brightener, overhauling dull complexion and protecting from damage caused by pollution. Retinoids are the best anti-aging ingredients out there, increasing cell turnover and smoothing out wrinkles. As they're both active (and can be irritating), it's important to space them out so they don't clash. Vitamin C is best used in the mornings. Simple Booster Serum 10% Vitamins C + E + F, £7.99, Boots, is…

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Dear Hansine, T he moment I saw your cheery smile, I knew we'd be friends. ‘I've made tea,' you said, welcoming me into your detached home. ‘And a lemon cake.’ ‘My favourite,' I beamed, lugging my bags in with me. It was January 2022, the day I moved in with you. And the day you went from a stranger to a friend. Although, it was a surprise to some when I said I'd found my new housemate. ‘Her name's Hansine,' I told friends. ‘She's 87!’ With me at just 28, there were almost 60 years between us. Talk about an age gap! While I worked as a mental-health nurse, you were a widow, living alone. But we'd been matched by a special organisation, a bit like a dating agency. Only,…

NATALIE TRICE, 48, FROM DEVON, SAYS: My fab PR client Richard Voller, 51, has shown immeasurable kindness and bravery since having a terminal cancer diagnosis in October 2022. As an aura expert who teaches art therapy, Richard chose to do something special with the time he has left. While in hospital, he began creating an aura painting to help heal his emotions, and raise money for charity. Known as Richart the Aura Expert, he raised over £1,000 through a GoFundMe campaign on social media, with donations going towards the Ark Cancer Charity at Basingstoke Hospital. Richart's aura painting will soon be hanging in a special place in the chemotherapy department's Rainbow Unit, where patients will be able to feel its positive vibes. Not only will it bring positivity, but the funds…

Feeding fusspots My family can be a bit fussy, so when I'm baking a new recipe, I always halve the quantities to make sure they're not stuck eating up something they don't like! Jennie Gardner, Upper Swainswick, Bath Pretty in pint When I didn't have any spare vases for my lovely daffodils, I realised this pint glass would do the trick instead! Kathryn Milner, Pudsey, West Yorkshire Groovy chicks Using leftover wool, I made these adorable Easter chicks and gave them as gifts with chocolate eggs inside. They can be reused as egg cosies or ornaments, too! Karen McGuire, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire £25 For every photo tip that we print Bloomin' egg-cellent For a pretty Easter flower arrangement, put a small vase inside a larger one and fill the gap with…

Watching Gary Barlow croon on stage, I screamed like a teenager until my throat hurt. It was 2006 and, aged 28, my mates and I had bagged tickets for the Take That reunion at The National Bowl in Milton Keynes. Only swaying my hips to Never Forget, I felt a sudden pain in my foot. ‘Ow!' I squealed. Among the throng of shrieking fans, I felt a bottle roll over my foot. I was in agony, but didn't want to spoil our night. After watching the lads' encore, I limped to the station for the last train home. Only, the following day I could hardly stand and my foot was purple and swollen. I iced it, elevated it. But when the swelling didn't go down after a few days, I…

French screen legend Louis de Funès starred as a gendarme serving in which town in a series of six films between 1964 and 1982? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Sends a letter = POTS + S = POSTS. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. WIN 2 x £25 Puzzle 9 Sends a letter Inform Allege Fixes in place Endures Bully Criminal Indicate Tap briskly Elaborate meal Sleeps Your answer:…

PRETTY FLORALS COLOUR POP BUDGET BUY Morphy Richards 222065 Equip, £33, Argos…

Q My husband and I are like chalk and cheese – totally opposite in so many ways. I stayed for the kids but these past few years I feel like I've given up – I'm so unhappy. He's a good man who's always provided but we don't really talk to each other. We've been married for 53 years and only ever speak if necessary. Where do we go from here? Mary, 74 A This is incredibly sad, sweetheart. It's normal for couples to change, to go through disagreements, and have different goals, but it sounds like you've both given up, petal. Would you rather spend time doing anything else than time with each other? If the answer is yes, then the relationship is over. It's never too late to seek happiness.…

truly Chat! With the feeding tube snaking through her skin and into her tummy, and her heavily bandaged hands, it's easy to feel sorry for Ariana Covarrubias. Her entire body is covered in fragile, blistering skin. And her wounds are often mistaken for third-degree burns. But they're not. ‘I was born with a rare genetic skin disorder called recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, also known as EB,' says Ariana. ‘EB is a genetic skin disorder that causes blistering and open wounds in the internal and external surfaces of the body,' she explains. Ariana is constantly in pain, her hands and feet regularly bandaged to prevent infection, taking up to an hour each time. And the 23-year-old admits life with EB is tough. ‘One of the worst parts is having to change…

3 to ways … CUT FOOD WASTE Reducing the amount of food you end up binning is better for the world – and your pocket. Here's how to do it… 1 Make realistic plans The easiest way to cut food waste is to write a meal plan for the week and only buy the food you need. But if you do this and find you're still wasting food, keep track of what you throw away and why. For example, do you often plan to cook every night but then end up not doing so? Perhaps you've had to work late so grab a takeaway or you've made impromptu plans to go out instead? Then factor in some meals made using tinned or frozen food into your meal plans – that way…

NO-FUSS FOOD Chocolate Easter cake Easy and impressive, this cake is bound to be star of the show SERVES 11 PREP 20 MINS COOK 30 MINS For the cake: For the buttercream: For the decoration: You will also need: ● 2 × 20cm round cake tins, buttered and base lined with baking paper 1 Heat the oven to 140C Fan/ Gas 3. Spread the chopped hazelnuts evenly on a baking tray and roast in the oven for 5-10 mins, then grind in a food processor. Set aside. 2 Sift the flour, cocoa and sugar into a bowl. In a separate bowl lightly beat the eggs, oil, milk and golden syrup. Pour this into the flour mix,…

Cinema Secrets Professional Brush Cleaner, £13, beautybay.com Keeping makeup brushes clean is easy with this cleanser – a little goes a long way, and it cleans in a flash. Aoura London Secret Envy Body Mist, £9.99, Superdrug Body mists are a more affordable way of wearing a scent. This one has a blend of woody notes with jasmine and lilies. Maybelline SuperStay 24H Hybrid Powder Foundation, £11.99, Superdrug If you're after a new base with a matte finish, this is an option with serious staying power. L'Oreal Paris Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic 8 Second Wonder Water, £11.99, Boots Now your hair can get the benefits of hydrating hyaluronic acid. This takes just eight seconds to intensely nourish locks, leaving them looking healthy and shiny. NYX Professional Makeup Fat Oil Lip Drip, £7.49, Superdrug…

TRUE-LIFE BEHIND THE BIG CRIME EDITOR'S WARNING As the scent of freshly baked cake wafted across the classroom, the students at Westside Junior High School, Louisiana, USA, grinned in delight. Their English teacher Cynthia Perkins, then 34, had surprised them all with cupcakes that she had baked herself. A treat for working so hard, perhaps. Or maybe she was just feeling generous. It was November 2018 and the children happily tucked in, savouring every crumb. Cynthia knew she'd come up trumps. She'd tried a new recipe, making sure to get the freshest of ingredients. The students left class feeling lucky to be taught by Mrs Perkins. A teacher for 10 years, she was well liked within the community of Denham Springs, where she lived with her husband Dennis, then 44,…

Chat winners issue 2 (12 Jan 2023) £1,001 CASH J Chapman, Aylesford £500 CASH P Argyle, Doncaster G Howard, West Bromwich F McGowan, Falkirk £250 CASH H Waring, Leeds D Robinson, Crewe £200 CASH L Clyma, Fareham £100 CASH A Sword, Edinburgh L Rushin, Burnley E Maynard, Tadley £75 CASH A Townsend, Evesham £50 CASH J Robinson, Newcastle-upon-Tyne V Allen, Oldham A Bristow, Spalding T Spencer, Nottingham WJ Brockhouse, Ripley L Hudson, Blackpool £40 CASH M Campbell, Golspie £30 CASH J Hunt, Birmingham M Discombe, Brighton £25 CASH C Ward, Wigan A Francis, Ipswich Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £20 CASH G Ward, Peterborough M Leverton, Mansfield C Leach, Erith C Ramsdale, Wigan D Hartshorn, Kenilworth EM Murphy, Guildford C McGuigan, Enniskillen V Silver, Henley-on-Thames W…