Indholdsfortegnelse for May 2025 i Pick Me Up! Special

Hello, and here’s your May Pick Me Up! Special. Good job too, it’s just in time for all those bank holidays. You can pop the kettle on, relax, and enjoy all your usual favourites, from puzzles and bargain buys to emotional real life and true crime. Our granny dominatrix Ann (p14) might make your jaw drop, but it’s hard not to be inspired by the way she’s turned her life around. And Chloe’s two kids (p38) and their beautiful sibling bond will definitely tug on those heartstrings. Happy reading.…

Have you ever had a dream that you couldn’t quite reach? When Trish and I married in January 2020, we couldn’t wait to start a family. But it seemed like everything was against us. Aged 24, I’d gone through an early menopause, making it impossible for me to conceive. And although Trish longed to carry our baby, we needed help. We scoured the internet for a sperm donor. Found our perfect fella. Every month, he’d pop over to our house and lock himself in the loo. ‘Do you think he’s finished yet?’ I’d giggle to Trish, as the minutes ticked by. Afterwards, he’d hand us the little sample pot, and we’d run upstairs to the bedroom. Laughing as we used a sterile syringe to try and impregnate Trish. But it…

Ann Cave, 47, Sheffield Snuggled under my duvet, I couldn’t turn the pages of the novel fast enough. As I devoured the words, my mind raced with raunchy images. Whips and chains and handcuffs… Oh my! It was December 2015 and I was reading E L James’ Fifty Shades of Grey. Telling the romance between Ana Steele and Christian Grey, the story went into graphic detail about their raunchy sex life. Christian was dominant, Ana submissive, they got up to all sorts of racy stuff. A world away from my life. A year earlier, my ankle had collapsed while I’d been working as a nurse and I’d needed painful surgery to patch me up. Ever since, I’d been almost bedbound and turning to food for comfort, my weight had shot…

EDITOR’S WARNING Little Malachi Lawson, 4, had an infectious smile, and wouldn’t let anyone be sad in his presence. Always finding a way to cheer people up. He lived with mum Alicia Lawson and her wife Shatika. He adored Paw Patrol, loved pretending to be one of the characters. Malachi was non-verbal, on the autism spectrum. His cheerful, innocent demeanour saw him loved by everyone he met. But on 1 August 2019, the unimaginable happened. Malachi went missing. Alicia, then 25, made a desperate call to emergency services, telling the operator her son had been standing on the front doorstep to their Baltimore home. She’d turned her back for just a second. Malachi was gone. A search and rescue operation with police and FBI agents was launched. Posters of Malachi,…

ARROW WORD The Vine, among the oldest cricket grounds in the world still in use, stands on the outskirts of which town? Solve the puzzle by following the arrows and writing in your answers. Then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the puzzle answer. 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 puzzle answer. Your answer: WORDSEARCH A section of the Silverstone racing track is named for which Formula 1 driver? The answer is the one missing from the grid. ALONSO ASCARI BRABHAM BUTTON CLARK FANGIO HAMILTON HILL HULME LAUDA PIQUET PROST SENNA STEWART VETTEL Your…

Use up cheese scraps Easy cheesy omelette Ready in just a few mins, use up leftover cheese and eggs for a speedy meal. SERVES 3 PREP 10 MINS COOK 20 MINS ● 2tbsp olive oil● 1 red onion, sliced● 1 sweet potato, peeled and finely sliced● 6 eggs, beaten● 120g goat’s cheese, sliced● 3tbsp chives, chopped 1 Heat your grill to high. Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan. Add the onion and sweet potato and fry gently for 10 mins to soften. Pour in the eggs. Cook for a few mins to firm up. 2 Add the goat’s cheese and chives to the pan, cook for a couple of mins, then put under the grill for a few mins to brown and firm up more, until cooked through. PER SERVING: 429 CALS,…

As sisters Teresa and Anna sign off from their vlog, they pout their glossy lips and smile happily at the camera. ‘Bye, we love you!’ Teresa says to their followers. And stretching out a foot, she reaches for her phone to stop the recording. For Teresa and Anna, both born without arms, it’s nothing out of the ordinary. ‘I use my feet for literally everything,’ Teresa says. ‘Brushing my hair, brushing my teeth. ‘I was born with a congenital limb difference,’ she explains. ‘The world is not built for someone missing both their arms, so I’ve had to adapt. ‘Growing up, I had to learn how to best do things myself.’ But there’s one person who knows exactly what life is like for Teresa – her sister Anna was also…

Sharon Beshenivsky was excitedly telling her colleague Teresa Milburn about a family birthday party when the call came in. A travel agent’s was being raided and PC Beshenivsky and PC Milburn were soon heading to the scene. Sharon, 38, loved her job but on that afternoon, 18 November 2005, she was eager to get home for her daughter Lydia’s 4th birthday. Minutes earlier, three smartly dressed men had walked into Universal Express in Bradford, looking like customers wanting to book a business trip. But it wasn’t long before their motive became clear. Jumping over the counter, the trio whipped out guns and struck several members of staff with the weapons before tying their hands. They said they wanted £100,000, or they would ‘shoot the youngest’. They then dropped their demand…

Gemini 21 May – 20 June Don’t be surprised if you lack energy before the 21st. By the 24th you’re taking on the world – after the 26th even more so. The 30th brings a confidence boost. Call 0905 789 4152* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates Cancer 21 June – 22 July The Full Moon on the 12th could see an unexpected development with a child, lover or friend. Hear them out. The 22nd is for hot dates. Call 0905 789 4153* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates Leo 23 July – 22 August Go-getter planet Mars in Leo helps you make up for lost time. You’re genuinely moving forward now. Make time for romance; the 22nd is a peak day for love. Call 0905 789 4154*…

How funny! How do bees brush their hair? With honeycombs…

If actor Toni Collette could tell her younger self one thing, what would it be? To find out, solve the crossword, then read down the shaded squares to find the four-word puzzle answer. ACROSS 11 Underground room (6) 12 Person who goes into space (9) 13 Place to swim (4) 14 Edible crustaceans (8) 15 Incident (5) 16 Continent (6) 17 Soothe (7) 18 Focus (11) 20 Flavour (5) 22 Settle (9) 24 African country (5) 28 Not common (7) 29 Complain (7) 32 Simple bracelet (6) 34 Very bad (8) 36 _ Thatcher, former PM (8) 37 Disappear (6) 39 Group singing activity (7) 40 Advantage (7) 45 Country whose capital is Rome (5) 47 Ronnie _, champion snooker player (9) 48 Star sign for March-April (5) 51 Condition…

Liam Gallagher and Nicole Appleton Following their split in 2013, Liam, now 52, and Nicole, 50, were embroiled in a row over dachshunds Ruby Tuesday and Brigitte Bardot. The Oasis star, who was married to the All Saints singer for five years before it emerged he’d fathered a child during an affair, reportedly consulted his lawyer in a bid to get access to the dogs, threatening a civil case. A source at the time said, ‘Liam doesn’t want to have to ask Nicole all the time for visiting rights… Nicole avoids all contact with Liam as the split is still very raw.’ Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux Jennifer, 56, and Justin, 53, managed to reach a custody agreement over their four dogs after they announced their split in 2018. The…

Kimberley Lewin, 27, Leicester The air was frosty as I pulled my bobble hat further down over my face. Then let out a giggle as my friend Amelia chased me around the park. ‘Can’t catch me!’ I teased. It was December 2003 and we were both 6. Amelia was one of my best mates. We always had so much fun together. I loved play dates at her house, she had loads of toys. And while her dad Jim was in his 60s, it didn’t stop him from joining in our games. Getting down on the floor with us, he’d play along with dolls and teddies. Jim had split from Amelia’s mum, and we’d spend hours at his house. But in spring 2004, the games changed. ‘I’ll be a doctor, let’s…

Sarah Martin, 35, Basingstoke, Hampshire Heart pounding, I huddled in the mangled plane seat. Tried to block out the deafening sounds of screams. The cabin was chaos. Bags spilling from overhead lockers, a drinks trolley on its side. Injured passengers wailing. Then, I saw a firefighter charging towards me. As he reached out a reassuring hand, his face was etched with concern. ‘It’s my wrist,’ I winced. ‘I think I broke it when the plane crashed.’ ‘Don’t panic,’ he said, as he helped me out through the wreckage of the plane, on to the tarmac at Southampton Airport. All around me were passengers with broken limbs or covered in blood. Horrific. A paramedic strapped up my wrist, smiled and asked, ‘Time for a cuppa?’ That’s when everyone else sat up…

In January last year, a dog walker in a park in Newham, London, made an upsetting discovery. A newborn baby, little more than an hour old, alone with just a towel and a shopping bag to protect her from the sub-zero temperatures. As police appealed for her parents to come forward, without success, the nation asked themselves how anyone could abandon a baby. By June they were asking how anyone could abandon three. Police revealed that the tot, who was given the name Elsa, had two biological siblings, who had also both been abandoned in the same east London area. Her brother Harry, found in September 2017, and sister Roman, found in February 2019, have both been adopted, while Elsa is now in foster care. Cases like this are thankfully…

Summer berry slice Turn a few slices of bread and some berries into a tasty treat. SERVES 5-6 PREP 20 MINS, PLUS CHILLING COOK 5 MINS ● 175g caster sugar● 1kg summer berries, eg, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries, hulled and large ones halved● 10-14 medium slices white bread, crusts removed and cut into fingers● Strawberry leaves, to decorate (optional)● Cream, to serve (optional) YOU WILL NEED ● 1kg loaf tin, lined with a double layer of cling film with a large overhang 1 Pour 6tbsp water into a large pan and add the sugar. Put over a medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil. Add the blueberries, reduce the heat and simmer gently for 1 min. Remove from the heat and add the raspberries and…

Postcard sights Berlin is packed with world-famous monuments – many of which are sewn up by the U5 subway line. Must-sees include the iconic Brandenburg Gate (subway: Brandenburger Tor) and the Reichstag (subway: Bundestag). The latter is worth visiting just for the glittering glass dome and roof terrace, which boasts fantastic city views. Entry is free but you need to book ahead at bundestag.de. Cool factor The hip neighbourhood of Kreuzberg in the east of the city centre is a fun place to spend a few hours. Pop into the Berlinische Galerie (berlinischegalerie.de), with its extensive modern art collections, then head to the fascinating Jewish Museum (jmberlin.de). Next, check out Bergmannstraße for shopping and foodie delights – it’s full of bars, boutiques and the treat-packed Marheineke Markthalle. Buzzy nightlife Berlin…

Josephine Rule, 71, Aldershot, Surrey My heart was in my mouth as I tiptoed out the door with my new fella, then 21. ‘Shhh,’ I whispered. But nothing could get past my little sis Joy, 9. ‘Mum! They’re going without me,’ she cried from the top of the stairs. ‘Josie, don’t forget Joy,’ my mum Joan, 43, called. Sighing, I grabbed Joy’s coat from the peg. We were soon driving off to the seaside, Joy sitting on the back seat, an excited grin spread across her face. It was September 1972 and, 11 years younger than me, Joy was my shadow. That didn’t change when, the following year, me and my boyfriend married and started a family. By 1979, I had two sons and a daughter and Joy was a…

Difficulty level Tested by us so they work for you YOU WILL NEED ✱ 14x17in light blue cotton✱ 11x25in patterned cotton✱ Matching sewing thread✱ Fusible batting✱ 25cm black zip✱ Sewing machine✱ Zipper foot✱ Quilting ruler, rotary cutter and cutting mat✱ Hand-sewing needle (optional) STOCKISTS Moda Fabrics Bella Solids fabric in Blue Raspberry, £10m, Art Gallery Fabrics The Flower Society in Dreamlike Daisies, £15m, both The Fabric Fox; thefabricfox.co.uk NOTE Sew with right sides facing and ⅛ in seam allowances throughout, unless stated otherwise. 1 From the plain cotton, cut eight 1¾ in squares, one 4in square, two 2½x5½ in rectangles, two 1¾x9¾ in rectangles and one 8½x9¾ in rectangle. 2 From the patterned cotton, cut one 3¼ in square, four 2⅜ in squares, two 7¾x8¾ in rectangles, one 2in square…

1 ICE COOL Need a helping hand to look wide awake in the mornings? Then let Revolution Skin Espresso Eye Lift Eye Serum, £8, revolutionbeauty.com, come to your rescue. Thanks to the cooling rollerball, this energising and brightening formula works miracles on tired eyes. Store in the fridge for an extra dose of refreshing coolness. 2 CAFFEINE HIT Our eyes reveal how we’re feeling, so if you’re exhausted, your eyes will look tired too. Stock up on an energising cream like The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream, £10, Boots, which comes to the aid of sleepy peepers. Caffeine acts as a diuretic, relieving water retention and puffiness, to give your eye area a proper morning wake-up call. 3 SMOOTH CRIMINAL If you’re after a reliable, all-round eye cream, opt for CeraVe Eye Repair…

Give your space a luxurious look 3 OF THE BEST… CANDLES STYLE TIPS 1 Go tonal The colour palette for this trend is subtle, layering shades of cream with richer browns. If your scheme is already neutral, try adding a few dark brown cushions or throws to see how you like the look. 2 Add brass The muted colour scheme can look a little samey, so break up the earthy tones with metallic accents. A warm brass will work best tonally. 3 Try different textures When you have limited colours to choose from, the use of texture becomes key to stopping your room from looking flat. Incorporate velvet fabrics, embroidered cushions, hammered brass and marble accessories. 4 Scent your space Another way to add interest to a room is through scent.…

Every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number, the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle. Just decide which letter is represented by which number. To start you off, we’ve revealed the codes for three letters. Once you’ve filled in these letters throughout the puzzle, you’ll have enough info to guess words and discover other letters. Use the letter checklist and letter grid to keep track of the letters you have found.…

Cacey Orrick, 20, Blyth As I chatted to my mates, a good-looking bloke in the corner of the room caught my eye. ‘Who’s that?’ I asked. ‘Curtis,’ my friend replied. ‘He’s single…’ It was January 2021 and I was at a house party. I was 16, Curtis was 20 – we chatted away, added each other on Snapchat, started messaging daily. You’re so pretty, he wrote, and, in March, we became a couple. ‘You’re mine now,’ Curtis said. I smiled, feeling loved. ‘He’s lovely,’ my mum Rachael, then 39, said, when I introduced him. That November, I missed a period, so I took a test. ‘It’s positive,’ I said, showing Curtis. ‘Get in!’ he grinned, jumping for joy. Mum was supportive. Shortly after, Curtis and I moved into our own…