Table of contents for 18-Jul-2019 in Chat

Our hearts go out to Harriet (p40) who is rebuilding her life after one terrifying moment changed everything for her forever. On her wedding night, Ginny ended up in A&E but it wasn’t down to any exciting bedroom gymnastics (p29). We all love our pets but Hazel’s loyal hound Bob will have a special place in her heart after he saved her from a silent killer (p46). On top of that we’re bringing the sunshine inside with our pick of the latest looks in sunset shades for your hols (p12) and your home (p27). Plus pages and pages of prize puzzles – hope you’re feeling lucky!…

Drip into savings Save money on your water bill by using the condensation collected from your tumble dryer to water your indoor plants. Much better than pouring it down the sink! Sarah Jamieson, Benton Smart art  Use this to brighten a dull bedroom wall. Draw a butterfly shape on card and stick on coloured pipe cleaners and beads with glue. Cut the body of the  butterfly from plastic and paint it black, stick it on and decorate as you wish. Susan MacDonald, Catford Ice and easy  For a quick, chemical-free way to defrost a fridge or freezer, place a bowl of hot water on the empty shelves and close the door for 10 minutes. The ice will come off in big sheets without the need to scrape or chip. Bea…

At Manchester Crown Court, Glynn Williams was found guilty of murdering Sian Roberts. He was jailed for life, with a recommendation he serve a minimum of 21 years. Judge Richard Mansell QC called Williams a ‘devious, calculated man’. ‘Nobody knows why you killed Sian but the theft of her belongings may be linked. ‘You inflicted mental and physical suffering. You sat with her as she lay there bleeding and did nothing.’ Recently, the case has been featured on the TV channel Crime+Investigation’s documentary series What The Killer Did Next . The series is on all catch-up and on-demand services.…

What about my tendon? QI felt a ‘snap' in my arm. The hospital said I'd torn my biceps tendon, but they haven't offered any treatment... Bill, Bridgwater A One of the sinews attaching your biceps muscle can occasionally snap, leaving a lump of muscle and some bruising in your upper arm. It usually happens in older guys. Strength isn't much affected and, often, there's no need for treatment, though younger guys might need an operation. Write to Dr Martin Edwards at Chat, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Or e-mail chathealth@ti-media.com Sorry, he can’t reply personally.…

Acral lentiginous melanoma is a rare skin cancer that develops on the palms, soles of the feet or beneath the nail. It usually starts as a flat patch of discoloured skin that slowly enlarges. It's thought to be triggered by genetic mutations rather than sun exposure, and usually affects people over 40. As the cancer grows, lesions can contain brown, black, blue-grey and red colours. The skin becomes thick with an irregular surface, like a wart, and may bleed. Treatment involves cutting the growth out and removal of the lymph nodes if it has spread.…

Q Tell us more about EDS. What are your main symptoms? AI struggle to walk, as my muscles are weak and I often fall if I'm not in my wheelchair. Digesting food can be a problem, so I now have a permanent feeding tube to make sure I'm getting the nutrients I need. I often get tired, too - some days it's difficult to get out of bed. Q What’s your daily routine as a mum? And do you get any help? A Most days, I'll get up with Harrison before John goes to work. Our house is disability-friendly, so I don't struggle with normal household tasks. Then a support worker visits and helps me take Harrison out for a walk, to swimming or to soft play. Q What about…

Aries 21 March - 20 April A wobbly moment for your finances. Maybe you can’t find some cash that you’d put somewhere safe. Perhaps you fear you’ll have a fine to pay, or an unexpected bill. Whatever it is, all ends well… Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May You may think that the rules are unfair, but they’re still the rules. If you make a complaint, the chances are you’ll get what you want - but if you break the rules, you could lose what you already have. Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June You get a chance to correct a misunderstanding at work - or, to be more truthful about it, to get out of something you…

Barbara Cleghorn, 67, Blackburn As I painted the spare room, my hubby Alan, 56, popped his head round the door. ‘I’m off on my run,’ he said to me, smiling. It was 5pm on 8 February 2017 – and since retiring from his software engineer job a year earlier, Alan had been adamant about getting fit. He’d been an avid runner in his 30s, and now he and our neighbours Annie and Vivienne had even started a running club. ‘Take care!’ I called. I’d been worried about Alan after he’d fainted on holiday in Portugal a few weeks earlier. But the doctors had given him the all-clear. Plus he had Annie and Vivienne for company today. But, about 10 minutes later, the phone rang. ‘Barbara, Alan’s collapsed!’ Annie cried. Stomach…

1 CLEAN ‘To keep your scalp healthy and your hair in good condition, try to shampoo at least every other day – leaving no more than three days between washes.’ Philip Kingsley Body Building Shampoo, £9.50 2 DETANGLE  ‘Due to twists along the hair shafts, curly hair is prone to tangling. Never start detangling from the top, as this can result in breakage.’ Tangle Teezer The Original Detangling Hairbrush, £11 3 HYDRATE ‘Curly hair should be treated like dry skin so look out for products that moisturise and condition without weighing the hair down. I’d recommend Philip Kingsley Re-Moisturizing Conditioner, £10. ’…

Harriet Barnsley, 26, Birmingham Hearing a knock at the door, I knew who was on the other side and raced to open it. ‘Are you coming out to play?’ my friend Rebecca McManus, then 10, smiled. ‘Yep,’ I replied, matching her grin. Beccy and I had met in Reception class, aged 5, and had become instant best friends. We only lived two roads apart, were always knocking for each other. Time passed and me and Beccy went from playing with skipping ropes and dolls to helping each other with Maths revision and liquid eyeliner. But we stayed close through it all. And I reckoned we always would. First jobs, getting married, becoming mums... Whatever life threw at us, I knew we’d tackle it side by side. When we were 18,…

Hazel Macdonnell, 52, Dufftown, Moray Spotting the beautiful Border collie dog as I walked through the farm, my heart skipped. ‘If I can’t find him a home, he’ll have to be put to sleep,’ explained the farmer’s wife. It was November 2012, and she’d put an ad in the paper saying she needed a new home for one of her farm pups Bob. The 1-year-old sheepdog wasn’t pulling his weight. ‘He wants to sleep by the fire all day – he’s no good to us,’ she groaned. ‘Hello, lad,’ I smiled, walking towards Bob. Spooked, Bob snarled and bared his teeth. Still, there was no way I’d leave him to his fate. ‘It’ll just take a while to earn your trust,’ I said, smiling. Once home, Bob huddled in a…

Dearest Olivia, When I first noticed the way your shoulder blades didn’t sit symmetrically, my heart sank. It was summer 2015, and you were only 4. ‘Lean forward so I can look at your back, poppet,’ I said as you played happily in the bath. You didn’t ask why. But my heart pounded as soon as I saw it. An S-shaped curve forming in your spine. Just like mine . I’d been 13 when I was diagnosed with scoliosis – curvature of the spine. Its cause is unknown. Because of you, I found the courage to have surgery too But doctors made me wear an ugly back brace for 16 hours a day. I was in excruciating pain. When I was 20, I met a consultant, desperate for help. But…

Emily Allen, 33, Manchester My mum Janet, 69, always wanted us to be ‘strong, independent women’. And it was easy with her as our role model. After all, in our house, what Mum said went. She was an amazing woman and only wanted the very best for us. Encouraged us to study hard and apply to university, to live our own lives. So when I was accepted into the University of Sussex in August 2004, I knew she’d be thrilled. ‘I never doubted you for a minute,’ Mum winked. But it was during the next few years that Mum gradually started to change. Whenever I came home from university for the holidays, conversations would begin to circle. She’d ask the same questions over and over. To be honest, at first…

I have a lump down there! Q There's a grape-sized lump on one of my vagina lips. The practice nurse says it's a cyst but I'm worried. Martha, Lennoxtown A Each of your inner vaginal lips contains a Bartholin's gland that produces lubricating fluid when you become aroused. If this gland is blocked, it forms a cyst. It's harmless - though if it's uncomfortable, a small op will remove it. Are my boobs shrinking? Q Help! The area of darker skin around my nipples is getting smaller! Georgia, Hull A Don't panic! Your areola can shrink or fade quite naturally after your menopause, or might temporarily pucker and shrink when muscles in your nipples tighten as cold or sexual stimulation makes them erect.…

Fruity Pimm’s trifle Serves: 10 Prep time: 30 min • 400g strawberries, sliced • 6tbsp Pimm’s, or an alternative summer cup • 1tbsp icing sugar • 200g Madeira cake • 4tbsp strawberry jam • 4tbsp orange juice • 1 orange, peel and pith removed, cut into segments • 500g pot ready-made vanilla custard • 300ml double cream • Fresh mint leaves, to decorate 1 Place the strawberries in a bowl with the Pimm's and icing sugar. Stir to mix, then set aside for 10 min. Cut the cake in half horizontally, spread with jam and sandwich back together. Cut cake into fingers. Put in a serving bowl and drizzle over the orange juice. 2 Spoon two-thirds of the strawberries with some of the juices over the cake with the orange…

Ending up in hospital on my wedding night was a reality check. My health crisis had ruined our longed-for wedding. I had so many regrets. There was nothing I could do to change the past. But I could do something about my future. My new husband deserves that. I knew I needed medical help, though – couldn’t do it alone. I’d heard surgery was an option. It was risky but the alternative was even riskier. Andrew vowed to support me. ‘I love you the way you are,’ he said. ‘But I want you to be happy, and healthy.’ The doctors explained a gastric sleeve was the best option. I feel like I’ve been given a second chance Up to 90 per cent of my stomach would be removed to prevent…

Cooking meals that are good for you doesn't have to cost a fortune. Here's how to save… try your local market. They're often cheaper than supermarkets. And buying seasonally will save even more cash. 1 Eyes on the price Plan your meals for the week, thinking about ways to save. Meat and fish are often the most expensive items, so try adding extra veg or pulses such as lentils to dishes like chilli or casserole to bulk them out. Some veggie meals each week can cut your bill further. You can find inspiration from Jack Monroe at cookingonabootstrap.com, which has a great healthy recipes category and lists the cost per serving too. 2 Savvy shopping Keep a ready supply of veg by buying frozen - they usually cost less. For…

BARGAIN OF THE WEEK We all dream of balmy summer days, but high temperatures and skimpy clothes can also be a recipe for chafing. Asda Little Angels Liquid Talc, 87p, is a cult bargain buy that went viral after fans raved about its friction-prevention powers online. Get one in your kit, pronto. 20% This is the humidity level in an aircraft cabin, far lower than the 40-70 per cent that skin needs to be comfy . If you’re off on holiday , pop Bio-Oil Dry Skin Gel, £4.99 for 50ml, in your hand luggage . It’s ultra-quenching and unlik e water-based moisturisers won’t evaporate into nothingness at 30 ,000 feet. YOU NEED TO TRY The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque, £9.90, deciem.com New from the innovative skincare brand, this 10-minute…

Frisky fruit Sorry, but I couldn’t help laughing at the shape of this naughty pear! Kim Coopey, Cardiff Size doesn’t matter When I tried online dating, lots of men seemed self-conscious about their height as they’d been rejected by women for not being tall enough. At 5ft 3in, I certainly wouldn’t judge anyone on something as superficial as their height. After all, it’s character that counts. So please ladies, don’t judge a man on his height. Having a big heart is more important. Alison Nuorto, Westbourne In-corrective text I do wish my mum would turn off her phone’s auto-correction. She once sent me a text saying that she and my dad were going to divorce in February. She meant to say going to Disney! Sali Thomas, Denbigh Photo of the…

Emma Pidgeon, 38, Middlesbrough The minute John, then 28, walked into the bar where I worked, I fancied him. Slim and muscly with tattoos, John was seven years younger than me. Confident, fun. Just what I need, I thought. It was November 2016, and my 18-year relationship had broken up the year before. So I started going out with John. We had such a laugh together – he was a breath of fresh air after my break-up. Then, one night in January 2017, we arranged to meet in the local sports bar. ‘This is Paul,’ said John, gesturing towards his friend as he got a round of drinks in. Paul Maiden, 33, a scaffolder, seemed a nice bloke. At 6ft 4in and around 18st, he was huge. ‘Nice to finally…

Life seemed on track for young, single mum Sian Roberts, 36. She had a good job as a hairdresser, a beautiful daughter, and supportive family. But slowly things started to go wrong. After her father died, and a series of break-ups, she began suffering depression. Then the loss of her mother in 2015 hit Sian hard. She turned to drugs and drink. An escape from reality. Despite intervention from her family, she spiralled, fell in with the wrong crowd. Soon after, Sian was introduced to Glynn (also known as Glyn)Williams. He was exactly the sort of man her family worried about. A notorious criminal. When the UK’s worst prison riot broke out in April 1990, Williams had been at the centre. One of the last five rioters brought down from…

Sore ribs Q My doc's diagnosed an inflamed ribcage. Will it heal on its own? Temi, Deptford A The front of your ribs is made from flexible cartilage, not bone, so that your ribcage can move as you breathe. The cartilage can become inflamed due to injury, infection, or simply out of the blue, but it should get better within a few weeks. Painkillers or a steroid injection can help. Trying for a baby QI had a miscarriage two weeks ago. When is it safe to try for another pregnancy? Salina, Purfleet A The best time to try is when you and your partner both feel emotionally ready - visit miscarriageassociation.org.uk for support. Although it's safe to try straight away, it's usually best to wait for at least one period…

Courtney Whithorn, 21 Nibbling the skin around my thumb nail, I saw my dad Phil, 42, give me a disapproving look. ‘Stop biting!’ he said, pushing my hand away. It was March 2014 – and, age 16, I’d always had an awful habit of biting my nails. Dad used to put my hand in a pickle jar so they’d taste disgusting and I wouldn’t be tempted to nibble! For a while, I managed to stop. But, recently, some girls at school had started bullying me. Spreading rumours, calling my mobile and hanging up. Anxious, I’d started obsessively biting the nail on my right thumb. ‘It’s looks very sore,’ frowned my mum Sara, 39. It was! I tried desperately to stop, but couldn’t. A month later, in Maths class, I was…

Philippa Donegan, 29, Middlesbrough Lying on the hospital bed as gel was rubbed over my stomach, I grinned. It was February 2018, and I was 11 weeks pregnant. Only, I saw the sonographer was frowning. ‘Everything OK?’ I asked, beginning to panic. ‘Yes,’ she replied. ‘But have you thought about the consequences of having a baby?’ I reeled in shock, clutched my husband John’s hand. ‘Of course,’ I stuttered. Struggling back into my wheelchair, I waited until John wheeled me outside, before bursting into tears. ‘How could she say that?’ I sobbed. But she wasn’t the first person to raise concerns. Since I was a child, I’d struggled with chronic pain and exhaustion. In 2017, aged 24, I’d been diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos syndrome, an inherited condition affecting the connective…

Heston from Waitrose fruit cup, £7 for 70cl We loved the chic blush colour from this summer cup. Best served over ice with ginger ale, fresh ginger, raspberries and a sprig of rosemary, this beverage was delightfully refreshing and great for anyone who finds traditional Pimm’s a little too sweet. Marks and Spencer Summer Cup, £12 for 70cl This summer cup had lovely peppery notes and a subtle hint of citrus. The addition of Earl Grey tea helps to balance the flavours. After the blind tasting results were finalised the food team all agreed that this bottle was one of the most attractive and would make a fantastic alternative to wine if you’ve been asked to bring a bottle to a picnic! Sainsbury’s Pitcher’s Summer Cup, £10 for 1ltr Boasting…

1987: Daylight robbery Around £40million was stolen from a Knightsbridge safe deposit centre on 12 July 1987. It was one of the biggest heists in Britain. An Italian lawyer's son, Valerio Viccei led a small group of men to the centre, where they drew guns after pretending to be interested in opening a safe deposit box. Hanging  Closed signs in the window, they then managed to leave with the cash. Viccei fled to South America and was only captured years later. He was deported to Italy - but in April 2000, during day release, he died in a shoot-out with police. 1971: Murder suicide On 14 July 1971, Cheshire police called off a manhunt for a murderer who'd killed three French tourists. The killer's body had been found.…

Duchess of Sussex Make-up artist Lydia Sellers revealed that Meghan introduced her to  Maybelline Lash Sensational  Luscious Mascara, £8.99, saying, ‘I keep it stocked in my kit now at all times, thanks to her! This mascara really helps to amplify your lashes and polish off the entire look. It’s great for full volume and lengthening, and the formula is super hydrating.’ Drew Barrymore The ever-likeable star has created a make-up brand so brilliant it makes us love her even more. Seek out Flower Beauty at Superdrug for glow-boosting bases, pretty packaging and nothing over £15. We love the Light Illusion Concealer, £8.99, while Drew describes the Shimmer & Strobe Highlighting Palette, £12.99, as her ‘must have’.…

Coronation Street The net’s closing in on Gary Gary’s hiding two big secrets - that he caused Underworld’s roof to collapse and later killed Rick when the loan shark attacked him. But this week the net begins to close in on him when Rick’s daughter Kelly and his sidekick Sharon begin to ask questions and Sarah finds evidence that her ex is to blame for the disaster at the factory. So it’s not long before the police come to take him in for questioning… Emmerdale Robert’s risky revenge! Robert’s determined to make sure Lee pays for raping Victoria. When Aaron hears his plan involves paying Dawn to flirt with Lee and entrap him, he’s horrified and heads off to put a stop to it with Robert in tow. They’re too…

Lynne (23 May issue) has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, but her participation in painting, performing arts and writing poetry makes those who don't see past her disability look pretty silly. This talented lady with a sparkling personality does not want pity. Instead, Lynne wants to have a friendly chat, and will be transparent if questioned about her condition. I hope Lynne's letter will enable strangers who might otherwise judge her to take that first step in breaking down barriers and have a conversation with her. If anyone deserves to be listened to, it's Lynne. Jill Cohen, Moortown…

Climbing into his pick-up truck, builder Mujahid Arshid drove away from his home in Mitcham, south London. It was 19 July 2017, and a tarpaulin covered the back of his vehicle. Nothing stirred, nobody made a sound. To neighbours, it appeared he was off on another job, like any other morning. But, as he arrived at the £1.5million mansion he was renovating in Kingston, he lifted the tarpaulin... He bundled out two women, both bound and gagged, and smuggled them inside. Over the next few hours, nobody but Arshid knew the horrors happening in the six-bedroom property. Until the mother of one of the women received a distressing message. He’s going to kill me. Don’t reply, it read. A frantic search began. A relative of Arshid’s had spotted the woman…