Table of contents for 22 September 2022 in Chat

Ever secretly wish you could abandon your life and start again? Selene had the chance to do that after waking up with her memory wiped (p44). And the more she learnt about her old life, the more glad she was that she’d forgotten it! So she just made a new life for herself and is a million times happier. It’s just one of the fascinating stories in this week’s Chat. Enjoy! PS If you’re entering the puzzles online, this is the link to use: comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles CHAT MONTHLY OCTOBER ON SALE NOW!…

Fozia Mukhtar, 47, Manchester Careering around on our bikes, me and my seven siblings must have been quite a sight, playing outside in the street. I was 6, and with four sisters and three brothers there was never a dull moment in our house. But one of my brothers, Amin, then 13, was always much quieter than the rest of us. Seven years older than me, but only 5ft 3in, he was quiet and timid, had a stutter and was deaf in one ear. As we grew into adults, Amin and I stayed as close as ever. He moved into a flat in his 20s, but he was always popping in to see our mum, Bashira. Helping her with any DIY or jobs she needed doing around the house. I…

Frieda Yozan, 34, north London Hearing my mobile phone ping, I rummaged through my bag. Glancing at the name, I smiled. Thinking of you x, Warren, then 32, wrote. Still grinning, I shot back a soppy reply. It was April 2016, and we’d only met the month before, at my grandad’s funeral in India. Our parents were friends but we’d never met before. My parents lived in Kalimpong, but I lived in the UK. Warren was handsome and had a great smile. We’d swapped numbers. When I was back in the UK we texted constantly, even video calling a few times. Warren was funny and seemed to be looking for the same thing as me. To settle down. ‘I’m flying over to see my parents…’ I hinted, three months after…

The Carpenter Complex campus of the University of Memphis was usually full of the hustle and bustle of students going about their daily life. Laughing and joking, rushing from one class to another during the day, going on nights out. But on Sunday 30 September 2007, it was the sound of gunshots that rang through the air at Memphis Uni. Alarmed, students called the police, who rushed to the scene. Just 200 yards away, they spotted a car crashed into a tree. In it, they found marketing student and football player Taylor Bradford, 21, slumped between the two front seats, pinned behind the steering wheel, a single bullet hole in his chest. In a desperate bid to save the life of the 5ft 11in, 300lb student, officers called an ambulance,…

Condoms hurt his bits Q My boyfriend refuses to use condoms. He says they hurt his penis during sex. Is that possible? Asenka, Newham A It’s possible, but almost certainly means he isn’t using the condom correctly. Pain during sex could mean the condom’s the wrong size – most likely too small – and the rubber ring around the end is digging in, constricting his penis and causing pain through friction. Or maybe he’s putting it on inside-out or isn’t squeezing the air out of the tip first. Besides making the condom more likely to break, this can force air into his penis during sex and can be very painful. If his pain carries on after sex and there’s also itching or a rash, he could have a latex allergy…

OVER TO YOU Can you set a puzzle in this format? Send it, with a photo of yourself, to the address on p5. There’s £20 for every one we use! This week’s puzzle was compiled by Bailey McGuire, Cleethorpes, NE Lincs ACROSS 1 A short official note 2 Long-eared mammal 3 Succulent plant 4 Bundles of numbers __ and units DOWN 1 Favourite mag 2 Strong and healthy 3 Press clothes 4 Stands for golf balls WIN 5 x £20 Puzzle 6 Your answer: HALF & HALF What ballet term derives from the French for ‘bent’? 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 £50 3x Puzzle 7 Your answer: BRICK TRICK Bradypodicola…

ARROW WORD German geologist Leopold von Buch is thought to have coined what word as a volcanological term after an 1815 visit to the Canary Islands? 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 2x £500 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 2x £30 Puzzle 11 Your answer: WORDSEARCH Voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin, what was the name of Tinker Bell’s friend and the protagonist in the 2014 film Tinker Bell and the Legend…

She’s not invited to my wedding Q My best friend stopped speaking to me during lockdown. She said I didn’t try to be her friend any more, but whenever I put in effort, she acted like she didn’t care. I’m getting married soon and I’d like to invite her mum, as we’ve always got on well. Can I invite my ex-best mate’s mother, but not her? Please help!Amy, 31 A Sometimes people drift apart and friendships end without real reason – and while it’s hard, we have to move on, sweetheart. Inviting her or her mum is going to cause awkwardness. And that’s the last thing you want on your special day, flower. If you do invite her mum, you’ll have to explain why her daughter’s not there. Save yourself…

Rosie Brown, 27, Stoke-on-Trent Head down, I kept tapping away at my laptop. I’d been at it for hours, but finally my masterpiece was complete. ‘Done!’ I said, showing my boyfriend Bobby, then 25, the spreadsheet I’d created. On it was everything we needed for our unborn baby. Sleepsuits, nappies, toys, baby shampoo… It was July 2019 and I’d fallen pregnant a year after meeting Bobby at our civil service job. ‘Organised’ was my middle name, and now our baby was on the way, I was determined to make sure everything went to plan. We got to work ticking off the spreadsheet, decorating our baby’s room with rainbows covering the walls. ‘It looks like you’re having a big baby,’ the midwife told me at 21 weeks. We were having a…

Blueberry French toast Upgrade your French toast with the addition of blueberries – you won’t regret it SERVES 2 PREP 5 MINS COOK 4 MINS • 2 eggs, beaten • Pinch of cinnamon • 200g blueberries • 2 slices of white bread • Small knob of butter or splash of olive oil • Icing sugar, to dust • Maple syrup, to serve 1 Combine the eggs and cinnamon in a wide shallow bowl. Then push a few blueberries into the bread – a chopstick is useful here so you don’t end up denting the bread too much. 2 Carefully soak the bread in the egg and cinnamon mixture, one slice at a time for about 10 secs on each side for an even coating. 3 Heat the butter or…

Selene Roscoe, 33, Glasgow Sitting up slowly in bed, I rubbed my eyes and flicked on the bedside lamp. As I squinted against the glare, everything felt odd. I knew I was in my bedroom. But why were there three dogs perched by the bed, looking at me? I didn’t have any pets! Confused, I climbed out of bed and stumbled towards the living room. Found a strange man sitting on the sofa, his eyes glued to the telly as his fingers whizzed over a games console controller. ‘I’m… Selene?’ I said. But the truth was I wasn’t even sure that was my name. Turning his head, the man frowned and stood up. He seemed angry. But who was he? And what the hell was wrong with me? I didn’t…

The Body Shop Shea Cleansing Face & Body Bar, £3.99, The Body Shop This creamy bar works like a moisturiser in the shower. It forms a rich lather that uses shea butter to nourish and soften limbs, while providing a deliciously earthy scent. MUA Blushed Liquid Cream Blush in Razzleberry, £3, Superdrug If your skin feels dull, keep a liquid blush on hand to add a flush of colour. This highly pigmented multitasker can be swiped on cheeks, eyes and lips.…

Chat winners issue 25 (23 June 2022) Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £1,001 CASH J Broom, Halesworth £1,000 CASH R Murray, St Helens £500 CASH P Dawes, Milton Keynes S L P Green, Telford £250 CASH S Marshall, Wakefield £150 CASH G Collingwood, Abergele £100 CASH M Holland, Houghton-le-Spring A Harwood, Plymouth L Clarke, Waltham Cross P Preedy, Banbury I Hands, Nottingham £60 CASH R Bartlett, Poole £50 CASH A Hamilton, Hartlepool M Hughes, Llanon M Harben, Maidstone £30 CASH A Anderson, Lincoln E Stanton, Brighouse D Gateshill, South Shields M Williams, Goodwick J Humphries, Walsall £25 CASH J Barber, Heanor S Cooper, Cleethorpes D Travers, Newport D Janes, Milton Keynes P Kershaw, Liverpool C Blundell, Royston M Thomson, Livingston M Browne, Wallsend J Brown, St…

How sweet is my 6-year-old daughter Alanna, playing in her nana’s wedding dress? Her proud big brother Alex, 9, walked her down the aisle! Sara Campbell, Sunderland My dogs Reg, 4, and Percy, 10, were all worn out after their exciting walk up Ashridge Commons! Lorna Ridgway, Milton Keynes I felt like a real princess on my recent trip to Cinderella’s Fountain at Walt Disney World! Stacey Blundell, Merseyside I came across this unusual street name on my recent visit to York. It also happens to be one of the shortest streets in England! Natasha Douglas, Kent Paws-itively adorable! My new puppy Frankie is so cute, I forgive all his mischief! Kayleigh Smith, Rotherham My 5-year-old daughter Phoebe loves to get crafty. Her latest passion is designing clothes for her…

STYLE TIP From midi skirts to dresses and trousers, a long-length shacket will go with everything. Keep tops lightweight underneath. STYLE TIP Team a checked shirt with this season’s must-have flared jeans and a pair of chunky loafers. Layer up with a vest or T-shirt. STYLE TIP Providing endless styling options, a suit looks fab when worn together but can also be mixed into your existing wardrobe. STYLE TIP These neutral trousers (right) are great for both smart and casual wear. Keep things tonal for a chic pulled-together look.…

After deliberating for the weekend, the jury returned and announced their verdict, finding Devin Jefferson, then 23, guilty of first-degree murder. He was automatically sentenced to life in prison by Judge Chris Craft, where he will serve a minimum of 51 years before becoming eligible for parole. Despite not being on the scene when he was killed, they had decided Jefferson was ultimately responsible for Taylor’s death. Marva spent Mother’s Day in court, waiting for the announcement of the verdict. ‘This will be a special Mother’s Day,’ she said. ‘And I will always be Taylor’s mother. ‘Devin’s mother will be here to see him. I will never get to see Taylor again… He was a very special young man.’ In February 2011, Victor Trezevant was also found guilty of murder…

Charlotte Collins, 28 Brushing my long dark curly hair in the mirror, I caught sight of two cheeky faces in the background and stuck out my tongue. My daughter Monnie, then 4, and step-son Riley, then 5, sat on my bed, watching me get ready. ‘I like your hair like that,’ said Riley. It was June 2020, and I was getting ready to go to the park with my boyfriend Theo, then 26, and our kids. ‘You look really pretty,’ Riley smiled as I swished my hair back, ready to go. Little charmer. My thick hair had always been my crowning glory. The following month, we were out in the garden when the wind blew my hair and Theo noticed a bald spot the size of a 50p piece on…

Supersize Monica is morbidly obese. But her story isn’t like those of most overweight people. Because, at 50st, she has no interest in losing excess pounds. In fact, she wants to get even bigger. And with the help of her devoted boyfriend, Sidney Riley, 27, it looks like her dream of weighing over 70st could come true. ‘I want to be able to take up an entire armchair,’ she explains. ‘I want to be the fattest woman in the world. I’ll feel like a queen when I’m that big!’ Monica is increasing her weight by consuming a massive 8,000 calories a day, and she relies upon the assistance of Sidney to prepare her food. ‘I feel like I’m in heaven with a full belly’ ‘To see her getting bigger makes…

Then, in March 2020, Bobby developed a cough. It was the start of the pandemic, which meant we had to isolate at home for 14 days. Not being able to be with my little boy tore me apart. I’d ring the hospital every hour. ‘Is Fletcher OK?’ I’d ask through floods of tears. Every day without fail, the nurses sent us pictures and videos of him, keeping us updated on his progress. ‘He’s getting so much stronger!’ one said. I couldn’t wait to see him for myself. When we could leave isolation, the COVID-19 rules hit the hospital. Only one of us could see Fletcher at a time. I’d go in during the day, while Bobby would be there at night. It was hard not having each other for support.…

Q I’ve recently heard that people are falling for energy-bill scams. Can you explain how they work? T Acharya, Letchworth A Criminals are exploiting fear and confusion around soaring bills to ramp up scams. According to Which?, one of the common methods is when a scammer poses as an energy supplier and emails a potential victim, inviting them to claim a refund due to a miscalculation on their bill. To get the rebate, they are told to click on a link and input their bank details. Find out more at which.co.uk.…

DON’T MISS Strictly Come Dancing BBC1 • It’s Strictly time again and this year’s series of the celebrity dance competition begins with the launch show that pairs the celebs with their pro partners. Among the 15 famous faces on a quest to win the Glitterball Trophy are former Corrie stars Will Mellor and Kym Marsh, Bros pop legend Matt Goss, Paralympic swimming star Ellie Simmonds, EastEnders actor James Bye, singer-songwriter Fleur East and Loose Women presenter Kaye Adams. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman host as per usual, while Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke return to the judging panel. DON’T MISS Crossfire BBC1 • Keeley Hawes leads the cast of this edge-of-your-seat three-part thriller. She plays Jo, an ordinary mum who’s enjoying a relaxing all-inclusive…

E.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter, £14, Boots You are one step away from radiant skin, thanks to this liquid illuminator. Its glowgetting formula combines hyaluronic acid and squalane to lock in moisture, while finely milled powders fill fine lines and pores for a blurring effect. Wear alone or under foundation. Imbue Curl Defending Heat Protection Mist, £7.99, lookfantastic.com Calling all curls and coils! This hair mist works hard to protect against UV damage and heat styling, while moisturising curls with jojoba and coconut oils – leaving them bouncy, defined and conditioned. NYX Professional Makeup Powder Puff Lippie Powder Lip Cream, £9.99, Boots Perfect your pout with this cream. Its buttery formula glides comfortably over lips and dries with a velvet finish. Plus, a cushioned applicator makes precision easy, and it’s…

EDITOR’S WARNING Walking out of her house without a care in the world, Mari Konno, then 4, was excited to meet her friend and spend the afternoon playing. It was August 1988, in Saitama, Japan, and Mari’s family were used to her spending the afternoons with other children. When she didn’t return home as planned, her family called the police, but an extensive search revealed no sign of Mari. Days later, her family received a phone call. ‘There are devils about,’ the man said, before hanging up. Six weeks later, another little girl, Masami Yoshizawa, 7, went missing, followed by another girl, Erika Namba, 4, two months later. Soon after Erika had vanished, her little body was found in a wooded area, some 30 miles from her home. Her hands…

SARA TIEGER, 48, FROM MANCHESTER, SAYS: When Rob Martin, 56, inherited money from his late mum, he decided to spend it a bit differently. He wanted to publish a children’s book, with an important message. When Rob was just 6, he sadly lost his severely disabled sister Pauline, something which had massively impacted him and his family. Inspired by his late sister and mum, he wanted to tell a tale with a disabled hero at its heart. Writing at his home in Salford, Rob found an illustrator to bring his story to life. The book, Joe & Dusty Save the World, was about a disabled boy and his trusty doggie sidekick, saving the world from aliens. A few weeks after his book was published in November 2021, Rob was himself…

What connects journalist Samira Ahmed and actor Sally Lindsay? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the three-word prize answer. ACROSS 1 Tree that produces syrup (5) 4 Defect (4) 6 Italian city (8) 13 Master of a boat (7) 14 String instruments (7) 15 Julianne _, Oscar-winning actor (5) 16 Items used for rowing (4) 17 Cartoon character, _ Mouse (6) 18 Weeping (6) 20 Applaud (4) 21 Bellybutton (5) 22 Shackles (6) 25 Asian country (8) 28 Structure for crossing a river (6) 30 Illumination (5) 32 Rival (8) 34 Zodiac sign (6) 35 Eye infection (4) 38 Probable (6) 39 Billie _, singer and actor (5) 40 Set off (6) 43 _ Berry, TV chef (4) 44 Less difficult (6)…

The advice you need Clare Knox 36 Surrey Tossing and turning in bed, it was almost 3am. Despite being extremely tired, my brain felt wired, unable to sleep. ‘Every month,’ I muttered, rolling over. It was 2017, and my period was due, leaving me restless and depressed. I’d stopped taking the pill a couple of years earlier, and began noticing that, each month, I’d have a two-week spell when I transformed from a happy and social person to someone who was depressed and tired. When my period finally came and went, I felt normal again. Each month I’d doubt it was really as bad as it felt. Convinced myself I was exaggerating. ‘All women go through this,’ I told myself. But now, left tossing and turning in bed, feeling depressed…

FILL ME IN Avariety of the Hokkien language sometimes called Taigu is among the most widely spoken languages in which country? 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 14 Your answer: CIRCLE TIME East End fives is a variant of what sport? Fit the words into the grid, then read down the letters in the shaded circles. 3 letters AGO EAT EGO ERA GAS HAT SAT SHY YES YET 4 letters APEX DRUM HURL MEME RAFT RUSH SAGE 5 letters ADIEU ASKED HAIKU 6 letters APATHY KNIGHT PURELY STARTS STREAK TROPHY 8 letters HEXAGONS WIN £100 Puzzle 15 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details…

3 ways to… improve your money habits These tips will help you reach your financial goals and avoid potential fraud. 1 Go to money school Arm yourself with up-to-date, reliable information. Try the free online course MSE’s Academy of Money, which has six sessions covering key topics such as budgeting, saving, understanding mortgages and planning for retirement. It’s provided jointly by moneysavingexpert.com and The Open University; find it at open.edu/openlearn. 2 Set your goals The urge to spend money can be harder to control if you see your friends doing it – and sharing their new purchases on social media. But instead of trying to keep up with the Joneses, stick to your plan for using your cash instead, whether that’s paying off debt or putting some away for emergencies.…

Aries 21 March-20 April Looking for adventure? You dream you’re an explorer following a compass to the furthest reaches of the globe. Take time to research online and start planning. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May An intense time, you’re focused on issues that need immediate attention. Make a plan, write a list, brainstorm and by the end of the week everything will be in place. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June A small opportunity has the potential to turn into a big one, provided you’re willing to commit to making plans to increase your business. Talk with trusted friends. • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July It’s a busy time, rushing to prepare for the…

QI have some pigmentation m arks from the summer – can you recommend any products to help fix them?Katie Marsden, Upminster A Melanin is the chemical that c auses your hair, skin and eyes to darken – and sometimes your body can produce too much after being in the sun. This causes hyperpigmentation, which forms dark patches on your skin. Prevention is better than cure, so use a facial SPF daily, even on cloudy days. Bioderma Photoderm M Tinted Protective Cream SPF50+, £16, lookfantastic.com, offers broad UV protection while strengthening the skin’s natural barrier and giving lightweight coverage to even out skin tone. Apply Eucerin Anti-Pigment Spot Corrector, £16, Boots, topically to your dark spots. Its clever formula will reduce them in just two weeks and help prevent their return.…

Chat PUZZLES 3 CLOSING DATE FOR ALL ENTRIES IS 4 OCTOBER 2022 (Three days later for postal entries) PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS THROUGHOUT HOW TO ENTER 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.…