Indholdsfortegnelse for 03-Oct-2019 i Chat

Dawn didn’t want to take off her beautiful wedding gown. So she came up with a bonkers plan (p30)... And Gemma was inspired to change everything about her life by a simple text message (p26). As the estate Keisha grew up on became overrun with criminals, she never dreamed her own family would become victims in the most horrifying way (p34). Plus more real life, prize puzzles, cheap-and-cheerful chicken dinners (p40), our pick of fab coats (p14) and great places for getaways (p54). Enjoy!…

Neighbours were used to hearing raised voices from the home of Mary Katherine Higdon, 24, and Steven Freeman, 23. The high-school sweethearts had been dating for seven years and their families were close, too. Even spending Christmas together. Only, in the last few years, their relationship had become turbulent. They constantly rowed, kept splitting up and getting back together. It seemed like they just couldn’t see eye to eye. Police had been called to their home five times in the last year. Twice for domestic-violence related incidents and the other three for incidents related to their pet dogs. But one night, at around 10.42pm on 1 August 2018, neighbours living near to the couple’s home in Griffin, Georgia, USA, heard a gun shot ring out. Police arrived quickly to find…

Kerry Greenwood, 29, East Morton Waking up with a funny tummy, I spent a morning in May 2017 stuck in the bathroom. ‘Everything OK?’ my partner Elliott, then 26, asked. ‘I think I ate something dodgy yesterday,’ I replied. We’d been at a friend’s barbecue, enjoying the first day of summer. But now I seemed to be paying the price. I assumed I’d be better in a few days. Only, a week flew by and it got worse. I was on maternity leave with my 3-month-old Ronnie. Had my daughter Scarlett, then 4, to look after, too. Soon, I noticed I’d started bleeding. ‘I don’t understand what’s happening,’ I worried to my stepmum Liz, 55. She’s an endoscopy nurse and I wondered if she might be able to help. ‘It…

Confused about my diagnosis Q Sex hurts deep inside, and tests have shown that it’s due to endometriosis. What does that mean? Aimee, Forest Gate A Endometriosis means fragments of womb lining have found their way into your pelvis, probably by leaking out of your fallopian (egg) tubes during a period, though no-one’s quite sure. When you have a period, these fragments bleed into your pelvis, causing pain and scarring. Symptoms can include infertility, heavy or painful periods, or painful sex. Treatment might mean drugs to shrink your womb lining and reduce or stop your periods by counteracting the action of natural oestrogen hormone. Or, more rarely, surgery to burn away endometriosis fragments. In severe cases, when you’ve completed your family, a hysterectomy may be needed. What could his grinding…

Dawn Winfield-Hunt, 54, Isle of Wight Picking the dress off the rail, I looked at it, unconvinced. ‘It’ll look much nicer on,’ the shop assistant assured me. It was June 2019 and I was shopping for my wedding dress. Only, I hadn’t booked into an expensive bridal boutique. Instead, I’d heard about one closing down – they’d donated all their wedding dresses to charity shops. ‘Might find a bargain,’ I told my fiance Steve, 57. Browsing the local charity shop wasn’t every bride’s dream, but I didn’t care. And if it meant I could save a bit of money… Even better. Slipping into the dress in the changing rooms, I gasped – it really did look better on! ‘It’s perfect,’ I said. It still had the old price tag on…

Keisha Tomlin, 30, south London Walking home from school, I spotted my uncle Ian jogging in the park. ‘What you up to, trouble?’ he grinned, stopping to chat. It was September 2002, and we lived in a close- knit community on the Doddington Estate in Battersea, south London. Ian Tomlin, then 30, was well known. An amateur boxer, he was passionate about keeping fit. Every day, he went to Battersea Park to run, skip and do pull-ups. Just 13, I adored my uncle. He looked out for everyone, helped older residents with their shopping. My grandma Monica, then 65, had seven sons, including my dad and Ian. Even though they’d all grown up and had kids, they’d stayed close by. Grandma was the heart of the family – and, every…

3 ways to...  Beat supermarkets at their own game. The big stores have all kinds of ways of parting us from our cash, but if you get savvy, you can turn the tables! 1 The basics Before you go, make a meal plan for the week and write a list of everything you need, and don't deviate from it. That way, you can focus on what you know you need without being tempted by impulse purchases. 2 Shop around – and up and down! The most expensive products are often stacked at eye level, so hunt on shelves below and above to see if there are cheaper options available. Also, see if you can save cash by buying your items from a different part of the store. For example, can…

Emmerdale Will Kerry die? Tracy’s quest to find out who caused the factory fire that killed her dad Frank ends when Kerry admits she caused the blaze. When Amy arrives, the mother and daughter lock Tracy in to stop her from going to the police. When Tracy breaks free, Kerry runs after her but falls and hits her head, and Amy is left crying over her mum’s lifeless body… Coronation Street Debbie Webster returns! It’s been 34 years since Kevin’s sister Debbie first arrived on the cobbles, but this week she returns to tell her brother that their late aunt has left her £200,000 and she wants him to have the lot! Kev decides to  share the money between himself and his children, which could be just what Sophie needs…

At Chat Mag Bingo we want you to enjoy the best playing experience without spending beyond your budget. We have some amazing handy tools such as setting your deposit limit or adding a session reminder, all of which you can easily access from your My Account page. We also have a few tips on how you can get the most value from your Bingo budget: You can select value Bingo games where tickets cost between 1p and 10p each. Look out for the Promotional Games with offers where you can Buy 2 Tickets, Get 1 or even 2 Free Tickets. Check the bingo schedule, there are often Free Bingo games on offer. Play Chat games in the bingo rooms, which are ran by hosts and you could win a cash…

Faye Priest, 42, Stourbridge Winking, my stepson Ben, 23, flashed a cheeky grin at a pretty girl walking past the house. ‘Always one eye on the ladies,’ chuckled my hubby Richie, 45, as we stood on the drive chatting. It was June 2018 and Ben had spent the day at ours. Cracking jokes, always talking non-stop. He was full of energy. When I’d first got together with Richie, 10 years ago, he’d told me about Ben and his younger brother, Jordan, now 20. But he’d lost contact with them when they were little. Only, Ben, then 14, managed to get in touch with Richie via Facebook. And, now, the three of them were closer than ever. The lads lived with their mum Julia, 49, round the corner. It meant the…

Pro:Voke Touch of Silver Clarifying Treatment Shampoo, £4.99, Ocado If you have hard water, this rids hair of build-up to leave it softer and bouncier. Great after swimming, too. L’Oreal Paris Elvive Colour Protect Purple Shampoo, £5.50, Boots An unbeatable cult buy, this uses colour-correcting purple tones to banish brassiness. Wear gloves to avoid stains on hands. Pantene Hair Biology Grey & Glowing Purple Shampoo, £5.99, Boots Targeting yellow tones and the rebellious nature of grey hair, this is newly launched – and worth shouting about!…

Christina Burton, 29, Wythenshawe Lying back on the sofa, I closed my eyes and felt the sharp prick of the needle piercing my top lip. A familiar stinging feeling spread across my mouth and I felt my lips swell slightly. ‘Almost done,’ smiled the beautician as she moved onto my bottom lip. It was July 2018 and I’d been having lip fillers every few months for two years. Like two giant sausages squashed together The same beautician would come to my home, do the 20-minute procedure for £85. Sitting up, I peered in her handheld mirror. ‘I’m going to look like Daffy Duck till the swelling goes down,’ I giggled. ‘See you again soon,’ the beautician smiled, packing away her equipment. I knew what to expect. For the next day,…

Did you know that breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK? A whopping 55,000 diagnoses are made every year, with a woman dying from the disease every 45 minutes. Yet, despite these stats, less than half of us Brits regularly check our breasts for signs. October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, when thousands will join the Wear It Pink campaign to show support and raise money for breast-cancer research. It’s also a reminder to get clued up on the common signs and symptoms. Everyone’s breasts are different, but regular checking makes it easier to spot something unusual. Breast Cancer Now tells us what to look out for… A lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit. You might feel the lump, but not see it.…

Gemma Brockway, 32, Whiston Hunched over in the changing rooms, I tried to hide my belly as I pulled on my gym shorts. But it was no use. ‘Who ate all the pies?’ another girl jeered. My cheeks burned. I’d been bullied for as long as I could remember. At 7, it was because of my lisp, and now, aged 9, it was because I was the chubby kid. I thought about ending it all, felt worthless I was from a close family – me, my mum Sylvia, Dad Stephen, both then 38, my sister Joanne, 10, and my brother David, 12. We weren’t well off, but Mum did her best when it came to mealtimes. Usually sausages or fishfingers, chips, beans. But I had a big appetite and the…

Happy wife, happy life? Q My only son is getting married and I wish I was happy, but I can’t get on with his fiancee. Our families are so different – we’re working class and she’s rich and spoilt. So I get the impression she looks down her nose at me. She and her mother organised the guest list for the big day, leaving out people I’d like to invite. We’ve offered to contribute to the cost but her dad insists on paying. I’ve told my son how I feel but he shrugs it off. Have you any advice? Florence, 52 A You have to grin and bear it, I’m afraid. You can’t choose who your child falls for, and this girl is going to be your son’s wife. As…

Jenna Carlin, 31, Stockton As my newborn baby girl Ava lay sleeping in my arms, I gazed down intently at her little face. It was December 2015 and, of course, me and my fiance Matt, 31, thought she was the most beautiful baby in the world. Only, as I took in her creased little face, something about her head didn’t quite look right. It looked out of shape, a bit squashed. ‘She’ll even out,’ smiled the midwife. She said it was probably just the way she’d been lying in my womb. When we took Ava home later that day to meet her older brother Luca, 3, I felt like our family was finally complete. Little Luca doted on Ava, offering to give her a bottle, telling us the minute he…

Korean style Ain't no thing like a spicy chicken wing! SERVES 8 PREP TIME 10 MINS PLUS MARINATING COOK TIME 20 MINS • 1.25kg chicken wings, split and tips discarded • 3tbsp Frank’s RedHot® Original Sauce, plus extra to serve • 3 garlic cloves, crushed • 1tbsp rice vinegar • 1tbsp honey • 1 lime, zest and juice • Large pinch chilli flakes • Sliced spring onions, and toasted sesame seeds to garnish 1 Pierce each chicken wing in several places with the tip of a sharp knife. 2 Combine the sauce, garlic, vinegar, honey, and lime zest and juice in a large bowl, add the chicken wings and toss to coat. 3 Marinate the chicken wings in the sauce for 20 mins at room temperature or cover and refrigerate…

Aries 21 March-20 April The seasons are changing, with the planets as well. Anything half-finished needs to be completed, this week if possible. Things you intended to do will have to wait. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May You get more than you bargained for - like going to see a flat for rent and finding it’s actually the whole house. You’re thrilled, but there are terms - so think it through. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June A word? A touch? A bit of fun? Whatever it was you did, there will be consequences. Stay in control, apologise if necessary, but ensure it ends well. You can’t just forget it. • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22…

We’re all heading back to Cornwall Joan Castle, 68, Romney Flicking through a photo album one day, I came across all of our old family holiday snaps and one trip we took almost 15 years earlier to Cornwall suddenly caught my eye. ‘Do you remember that one?' I smiled, showing my husband Phil, 68, the pics. ‘Ah yes,' he replied. ‘That was a really good one.' Our kids and grandkids, their beaming faces all lit up. But for some reason, we'd never been back. I suppose that's just the way life goes - children grow up and have families of their own. And as for us, well, we'd been busy with other things too. But in February, I felt our family could do with a nice little getaway. And that's…

Q How can I make my eyes look brighter and wide-awake for the day ahead? Karen Coleman, 56, Essex A First up, eye cream – Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Eye Awakening Gel Cream, £12.99, Boots, has a lovely, light texture that sinks in quickly and it won’t disturb your make-up. Instantly hydrating, apply with your ring finger in a light, tapping motion across your cheek and brow bones. Then reach for a brightening  concealer, like Revolution Pro Under Eye Concealing Wand, £7, Superdrug. Its light-reflecting, pearly finish blurs dark circles in a couple of sweeps. Finish with Max Factor Lash Revival Mascara, £12.99, Superdrug, for longer, lifted lashes to perk up your peepers. Now you’re ready to face the day! TOP TIP Brushing your brows upwards with a clean mascara wand…

SHEARLING STYLE TIP Cropped styles are perfect for petites PUFFERS STYLE TIP Also comes in white BELTED STYLE TIP Perfect for in-between weather days A double-breasted fit flatters broad shoulders CHECKS STYLE TIP Classic checks are so versatile and can easily be dressed up or down Slim-cut styles and small lapels accentuate curves without adding bulk…

After deliberating for four hours, the jury found Mary Katherine Higdon not guilty on all counts. Following the verdict, Higdon’s lawyer, Michael Granims, said, ‘The State’s case focused on the events of a single day, August 1, 2018. Mary Katherine Higdon deserved that the rest of the story be told. We are proud to say that justice was served and Ms Higdon is now home with her family.’ Higdon’s testimony included details of a history of physical and sexual violence against her by Steven Freeman, which Granims said was corroborated by text messages and other evidence. Following Steven’s death, his uncle, Josh Thacker, told journalists it was a terrible blow for both the families. He said, ‘The word devastation doesn’t begin to cover it, it’s hard to get through a…

Reducing your waist measurement in middle-age could add years to your life says a new study. Researchers at the University of Iowa found that as well as using body mass index (BMI) to determine if a woman is overweight, doctors should consider body shape – with dangerous fat lurking around the waist linked to an early death. According to NHS data, British women’s waistlines have grown by three inches in the last 24 years, from 32.2in to 35.2in – putting us at risk of heart disease or obesity-related cancer, regardless of the number on the scales. Slashing sugar, cutting carbs, and increasing aerobic exercise can all help trim belly fat.…

ROAD MENACE KILLS AGAIN On 10 January 2003, banned driver Ian Carr (below), 27 - who had 89 previous convictions - admitted causing the death of Rebecca Sawyer (right), 6, by dangerous driving. Carr also seriously injured her toddler sister when he ploughed into their family's car in a stolen Vauxhall Astra on New Year's Eve. The tragedy happened in Ashington, Northumberland, two miles from where Carr had overturned a speeding car and left his best friend dying 12 years earlier. Carr was jailed for nine and a half years and disqualified for life. TEENAGER SLAUGHTERED In June 2003, Jodi Jones (right), 14, vanished after leaving to see boyfriend, Luke Mitchell (inset), 14. Six hours later, her searching family, including Mitchell, found her body in woods near her home in…

1 The first secret is learning how to say no gracefully, without being rude. Always show the person appreciation before you turn them down. For example, if you’ve been invited somewhere, tell the person that it sounds lovely but you have to decline, and then politely explain why. 2 Stop the excuses right now! If you’ve been asked to go on a weekend away and have no intention of booking it, don’t say yes only to cry off later. Don’t mess people about by stringing them along, it’ll only cause problems further down the line. 3 Finally, do not give in! If you keep being asked the same question until you’re tempted to agree for a quiet life, don’t! Be true to yourself and stand your ground. No-one should ever…

Kissing Ava goodbye on the morning of her op, I held back tears. ‘I love you,’ I whispered as she looked up at me and smiled. ‘Bye, Mummy,’ she replied. She wasn’t scared. With our baby girl now in the hands of the surgeons, Matt and I paced the hospital grounds. Tried to stay calm. An anxious nine and a half hours later, we went to the Recovery ward. Ava was attached to wires, a huge bandage wrapped around her head. ‘Mummy,’ she sobbed. ‘It’s OK,’ I soothed, holding her little hand. Our beautiful flower girl looked like a princess She was groggy, but the op had been a success. That night, I slept in a chair by Ava’s bed. Then, the next morning, a nurse unhooked her from the…

At Chat Mag Bingo you can play the latest slot games on your computer, tablet or mobile and you'll find the variety of games available is huge. Each has a unique theme, including jewels, jungle adventures and Pacific paradise islands. They are not unlike the classic slot machines to play, in that you hit the ‘spin' button (no longer the one arm bandit) and watch the reels spin to see if the symbols will stop in a winning line. All of our slot games have a number of paylines where the symbols need to align on the reels in a winning combination in order to win. On a winning line you can win cash prizes, even free spins and many feature progressive jackpots to win big. Other slot games have…

Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating Strip to Scrub, £4.99 for 6, Boots Finally – a blackhead-busting mask that unclogs pores without pulling at your skin. Super-speedy to use, leave on for up to two minutes before rinsing. Makeupbox LDN Hand Mixing Palette, £12, amazon.co.uk Bring out your inner artist (without making a mess) by mixing shades of foundation or lippy on this easy-to-use plastic palette. Simple Micellar Cleansing Water, £6.59, Boots Newly-packaged in a recycled plastic bottle and with 50 per cent less plastic on the cap – Simple is working hard to reduce the impact its products have on the environment. Amazing! Head & Shoulders Derma & Pure Deep Hydration Conditioner with Coconut Oil, £4.99, Boots Keep hair and scalp happy and nourished… use with the matching dandruff shampoo! Got a…

To my wonderful doctors, When you said those two terrifying words in March 2018, my worst fears were confirmed. Breast cancer. I’d found a lump four weeks earlier. Deep down, I just knew. But you told me I had grade-two cancer in my left breast and one of my lymph nodes. I thought I’d prepared myself for the news. Wrong! It was such a shock. Worse than hearing it myself was telling my daughter Eden, then 18, and Mum Fidelis, 72. I’m a single mum, and Eden took the news badly. But you let me bring her to an oncology appointment so she could hear about my treatment, ask questions. It made her less scared. You decided it’d be best for me to have chemotherapy to shrink the tumour. Then…