Innehållsförteckning för February Special 2017 från Chat Specials

Romance is in the air this month as lovers celebrate Valentine’s Day. But some couples in our fab Chat February Special have a funny idea of love. Take Katherine Knight (p18) who, after donning a sexy negligee for a romp with her fella, stabbed him 37 times, before skinning him and serving up his baked buttocks with veg! Meanwhile, poor Karen’s Turkish toyboy (p24) married her, then jetted off to America... and disappeared! Also, read about Nik and her hubby who snared a paedophile punter after the sicko left behind his mobile – full of indecent images of children – when they kicked him out of their pub (p40). And there are some s-s-scary tales too… Like the day when, after her daughter spotted a snake in her bedroom, Tammy…

Screaming, shouting, and slamming doors… everyone has their own way of channelling their anger. But is any level of stress worth a chicken dance in the middle of the street? According to one US woman, it really is. And the source of her upset? She was handed a fine by garbage collectors for leaving out too much trash. The lady threatened to make the bin men ‘pay' and did so - curiously - by throwing some shapes and squawking like a chicken. CLUCKING MAD There’s collecting and then there’s collecting… And one plucky US couple has proved they’re up there with the best of ‘em having secured a Guinness World Record for their impressive hoard of chicken-related items. For the past 40 years, Cecil and Joann Dixon have amassed a…

Chocs away! Cadbury’s Roses, £2, Sainsbury’s Whether you’re a fan of the new easier-to-open wrappers or not, you can’t go wrong with a box of Roses to share – or even better, to scoff to yourself! Dark Chocolate Mint Thins, £1, Morrisons These might be thin by name but they feel pleasingly thicker than other mint chocolate treats. Perfect with a coffee. Milk Chocolate Honeycomb, £2, Sainsbury’s Sometimes a Crunchie isn’t enough. This is where this box of honeycomb pieces comes into its own. A lovely alternative to a traditional box of chocs. Tesco Finest Swiss Milk Chocolate Truffl es, £3, Tesco These truffl es are so creamy it’s dangerously easy to wolf the whole box in one sitting!…

Your workmates know what your lunch will be on any given day of the week, and groan as you head to the fridge at 12.30pm prompt to fetch your sandwich on ‘egg mayo Friday' You always follow the same route to the shops, even though for years your mates have urged you to go via the bypass, which would shave 10 minutes off your drive People say, ‘You haven't changed' and mean it Your local takeaway sends you birthday and Christmas cards, making reference to your regular order of chicken tikka masala, basmati rice and a plain naan Before you tell people what you're doing over the weekend, they guess. Correctly too Staff at your favourite pub have started to line up your drinks before you get there You realise…

I’d found a picture of a little girl –in an obscene pose It was the talk of the pub for months afterwards Priding myself on pulling the perfect pint, I admired the frothy head as I plonked it down on the bar. ‘Get that down you,’ I grinned. It was another bustling Saturday night in The Albion, the cosy village boozer I ran with my hubby Ian, 43. Excited chatter buzzed through the air as our punters enjoyed a good natter and a bevvy or two. But not everyone was in such good spirits… ‘See that guy over there?’ I said to Ian, nodding at a bloke in the corner. ‘He’s acting a bit odd.’ The punter – a guy in his 30s – had been in a few times…

Like a man possessed, he plunged a knife into Kim’s neck To ensure Elisa didn’t flee, Ahmad bound her ankles Home was a minefield for Elisa Frank, growing up in tangled mess of dysfunction and instability. But luckily, there was always one constant – her younger sister, Kim. So close they were often mistaken for twins, at school in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, they befriended another girl, Samantha Sykes. As the sisters entered their teens, though, they started veering off the rails. And while the friends remained close, Sam made it clear she wanted better for Elisa and Kim. Elisa recalled: ‘She always used to say, “You’re not the sort of people that should let your lives go down the drain.”’ Then, in 2007, Elisa and Kim were both taken into…

Christmas is magical for us, especially as all our grandkids are under 10. They get so excited. Us, too! Every Christmas morning, my hubby Chris, 59, and I put on something festive and deliver their gifts. One Sunday evening last November, I was playing Chat Mag Bingo. I’d joined a few years earlier – as a VAT manager I travelled a lot, couldn’t often get to the local bingo with mates. Chat Mag Bingo was such a social site and I made lots of pals in the chat rooms. I’d had some big wins, too, a couple of jackpots – over £4,000 altogether. That evening, I already won some tickets to the weekly Playoff Palace game, which is on a Sunday at 9.15pm. Chris was watching TV, while I watched…

Panicking, I screamed the whole house down In March 2015, the council moved me and my children Jaycee, 15, Paige, 12, Jessica, 9, and Billy-Jay, 2, into a new three-bed terraced home. It took us no time at all to get settled in. But, four months on, Paige seemed agitated. ‘What is it?’ I asked her. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing when she explained that she’d been watching telly in her room when she’d spotted a snake slither in. ‘It was sticking its tongue in and out, and it was long,’ Paige said. To me, it sounded like it had been ready to strike, which was just terrifying. ‘It was really scary, Mummy,’ she added. Worried, I checked in all the rooms, but I didn’t find anything. So…

Kicking and flailing, I knew I needed to fight for my life Miserable as sin, I slammed my locker door shut. It was June 2012 and the end of my working week at Tesco. But, having just been dumped by my fella, I was dreading the Bank Holiday weekend. Typical Tom, I thought, scrolling down my phone messages. A great pal, he always knew how to cheer me up. Tom, 18, had invited me to a party. Go on then, I'll see you in a bit, I replied. Swapping my uniform for my favourite deep-blue sparkly dress, I popped on my iPod headphones and set off towards the local football ground to meet him. A well-trodden path, normally I felt completely safe. But after stopping off at a bar…

Friends and family were shocked Love at first sight. Some people believe in it, others think it's just the stuff of Hollywood movies. Me? Well, I've lived it. You see, me and my husband Steve got engaged just five days after meeting. Yes, you did read that right! In less than a week, I went from a singleton, working as a singer out in Malta, to the future Mrs Stephens. We'd met at a restaurant when he came over to my table with some mutual friends. Locking eyes for the first time, it was like being hit with a lightning bolt. I can't explain it, but I knew then and there he was the man for me. The perfect mix of cheeky and charming, Steve was everything I'd been looking…

He’d plunged four storeys... Surely he couldn’t survive? With the kids tucked up in bed, I had some washing to fold away. ‘Goodnight,’ I whispered. It was 9 January last year, and we’d been in our new home nearly a year. I’d been thrilled when we’d moved into the newly refurbished, second-floor maisonette in south east London. Just me and my three children Aaliyah-Amina, 3, Destiny, 2, and Joshua, 1. But that night, I couldn’t get Joshua and Aaliyah to sleep. Minutes after saying goodnight, I found Joshua climbing up onto the windowsill and jumping onto his bed. Kids! ‘Bedtime – now!’ I yelled, tucking them in again. Hoping they’d drift off, I made sure the window was closed and went back to my chores. Moments later, I heard Aaliyah…

Mostly As When Harry Met Sally Just like the classic rom-com, you always put your friends first, even if it means other areas in your life suffer. You’re a loyal friend but you’re not afraid to stand your ground if you think you’ve been slighted. Mostly Bs Bridget Jones’s Diary You’re always torn between decisions never sure which route to take. Like the loveable Bridget, you want to do the right thing but hate to let anyone down. Mostly Cs Notting Hill Although you know what you want in life, you find it hard to admit to others where your heart lies. You hate sticking your neck out and even to your closest friends, are something of a mystery. Mostly Ds Titanic You like life to be one epic adventure.…

Within months I was back to square one, my poor skin mottled Shifting uncomfortably in my seat, I let out a groan. ‘I’m dying to give these a scratch,’ I sighed to my hubby Jeff, 36, nodding to the angry red welts scattered across my entire body. ‘That’ll only make it worse,’ he replied gently. Of course, he was right. But my spots prickled like nobody’s business. What I'd give to have a good old scratch. I should have been used to them by now – I’ve been dealing with them for almost a decade. It all started in April 2007. Hitting a rocky patch in a previous relationship, I was stressed, to say the least. Then, one day, completely out of the blue, I noticed three tiny red dots…

Stress tum Q My GP says stress is making my ‘dodgy tummy' worse - do you think it's true? Elena, 28, Cornwall A It’s true that stress can make many tummy symptoms worse. However, intermittent symptoms may also be diet-related. If the symptoms become more persistent or intrusive, there’s blood present or you lose weight, talk to your GP again. Totally gut-ted QI had a nasty bug last year and my gut's not been the same since. Should I get it checked? Carol-Ann, 54, Lincoln A Sometimes after a tummy bug you get persistent symptoms like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), with bowel movements becoming looser, more frequent or windy. This often settles over a period of weeks, but if symptoms are worsening, or you feel more unwell in yourself, then…

Strangers asked to touch his thick, dark locks Reaching into the bathroom cabinet, I took another welcome slug of heartburn medicine. ‘Hurting again?’ my partner Julien Carelli, 37, asked, popping his head round the door. ‘It’s playing up something rotten,’ I moaned. Expecting my first child – a little boy – my pregnancy had been healthy, aside from the pesky heartburn. ‘You know that means you’ll have a hairy baby?’ a pal claimed, as we caught up over a brew one day. ‘What are you on about?’ I giggled. ‘Ooh! That triggered another ache,’ I spluttered, swapping my cuppa for the medicine and swigging it down. But taking to the Internet, back home, I realised she was right. Blimey! Turns out, there was an old wives’ tale saying women who’d…

Aries 21 Mar - 20 Apr This can be a memorable month for you Aries, a time when your individuality is going to be more important than ever before. It can find you breaking the chains of restriction in all sorts of ways, particularly in the last week. A fabulous Lunar Eclipse on the 11th can be wonderful for your creativity and romantic hopes. • Call 0905 817 1760* for more. Taurus 21 Apr - 21 May February can see your personal consciousness reach a new high. But this may see you engaging with people or situations from your past in rather unexpected ways, particularly in the last days of the month. Some energies or memories that have lain buried deep within your psyche can come to the surface. •…

FILM AND TV 1 Which actress is playing former US First Lady Jackie Kennedy in the new film Jackie ? a Emma Stone b Naomi Watts c Kristen Stewart d Natalie Portman 2 What is the name of Harry Hill’s spoof TV cookery show? a Harry Hill’s Breakfast Time b Harry Hill’s Lunch Time c Harry Hill’s Tea Time d Harry Hill’s Supper Time 3 Ewan McGregor is playing Mark Renton in a new sequel to which of his earlier films? a Trainspotting b Shallow Grave c Brassed Off d A Life Less Ordinary 4 Which couple on TV’s Neighbours got married in 2016, after being sweethearts on the show more than 20 years earlier? a Paul and Terese b Brad and Lauren c Toadfish and Steph d Mark and…

To do… Head to York this February and take part in Europe's largest Viking festival. Over 40,000 people are expected to descend on the city to watch combats and experience Viking life from 20-26 February. Visit www. jorvik-vikingfestival.co.uk To buy… Spoil your best mate with this tasty little treat this Valentine’s Day! He can even be delivered to the door. Ultimate Boyfriend Jolly Ginger, £6, www.biscuiteers.com To watch… Valentine's Day usually means soppy proposals, but not for one poor bloke who's rejected over and over again. Don't worry, it's a prank, but the bystanders' faces are priceless! https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=FtVXvN5S6MI…

Valentine's Day! What's not to love? The beautiful red roses, boxes of delicious chocolates… Not to mention the quality time with your other half. With so much to look forward to, it seems unfair that not everyone gets to celebrate. But at the Blair Drummond Safari Park, in Scotland, the keepers make sure that no-one misses out. See, the people who take care of the meerkats at this Stirling attraction are so smitten with the wee fellas, they spoil them rotten. Here's one of them admiring a shocking pink beetroot-flavoured love heart, all ready to sink its teeth into it - or share with a lucky suitor.…

I couldn’t silence the voice telling me I wasn’t good enough Studying my reflection in the mirror, I frowned. Had my lips always been that thin? And why was my chest so flat? Just 16, my body image issues seemed to run deeper than your typical teenage crisis of confidence. While my pals and sisters Carly, now 29, and Jenny, 28, preferred the natural look – a subtle slick of mascara here, a coat of gloss there – I was obsessed with fakery. I’d pore over images of glamour models in magazines. Jodie Marsh and Katie Price were my idols. ‘I wish I looked like that,’ I’d sigh, eyeing their miniscule waists and huge cleavage. Desperate to emulate their Barbie doll style, I started to slather on the fake tan…

By the time the big day rolled around, I’d shifted 10 stone Pulling open the oven door, I inhaled deeply. ‘Yummy,’ I grinned, the scent of bubbling cheese and rich tomato sauce filling my nostrils. Exhausted from my shop assistant job, I couldn’t wait to tuck into a piping-hot pizza. It's been a hectic week, you deserve a treat, I said to myself. But I didn’t need an excuse… Truth was, I didn’t have the healthiest diet in the world. I was always gorging on fatty takeaways or sugary snacks. It had all started back in my teenage years. After suffering a sore throat, bad headache and problems going to the loo, I was diagnosed with a rare blood disease called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. ‘It means clots are forming in…

Had any of it been real – or was I just an easy mark? Everything was ready. The house was spick and span. A bottle of fizz in the fridge. I’d even made a banner for the window. Welcome home, Evren. It’d been six months since I’d last seen my husband Evren and, at last, he was coming home forever. We’d first met two years earlier, in 2005. Me and my mate, Natalie, had gone shopping at the Trafford Centre, where Evren was working on an ice-cream stall. ‘He’s a bit of alright,’ Natalie said, as we’d queued. He had sun-kissed skin, long hair, a chiselled jaw, dark eyes… But, immediately, I snapped out of it. ‘He can’t be more than 20!’ I cried. Besides, a bloke was the last…

In a year, there are 8,670 hours – I snooze for 8,030 of them In an average week, I can only leave the house once Rolling over in bed, I wiped the sleep from my eyes. ‘What time is it?’ I mumbled, squinting at my alarm clock. It was 8pm, so I’d been snoozing for almost 20 hours. But I was still shattered. For the past seven years, this had been the story of my life. If I wasn’t asleep, I was exhausted. The cycle became never ending. It all started back in February 2009. A happy, healthy 30-year-old, I’d had the world at my feet. An outdoor type, if I wasn’t working at my conservation scientist job with Parks Canada, I was hiking or canoeing with my pals. And…

We knew things wouldn’t be easy for her Arranging a beautiful bouquet of red roses, I stepped back to admire my handiwork. ‘Perfect,’ I smiled to myself proudly. As a florist, Valentine’s Day was always busy for me. And even though I’d been in the job for six years, my heart still melted every 14 February. My businessman hubby Jason, 40, had always bought me something small, but we’d never go over the top. You see, we needed to save all the pennies we could to get a rehabilitation machine for our little girl, Paris. Poor thing sufferers from scoliosis – an abnormal curvature of the spine, meaning it’s at a whopping 120-degree angle. It all started when I was 20-weeks pregnant. Following a routine scan, I was taken from…

In Amy's case, heartburn predicted a hairy baby. But is there truth in any other old wives' tales? Carrots help you see in the dark We were all told this growing up, but far from just a wily way for our parents to make us eat vegetables, there's actually a lot of truth in this. Carrots are packed with vitamin A, which is essential for good vision. Swallowed gum stays in your body for seven years According to the Scientific American, this is false. Though our bodies can't break down gum, it only stays in our system for a couple of weeks. Cheese gives you nightmares In 2005, the British Cheese Board set out to tackle the theory, recruiting 200 volunteers to eat 20g each before bed. More than 75%…

As she started looking more womanly, the Ellie I loved faded Switching on the box, a picture of Barbie flashed up. ‘Eugh, change the channel,’ my daughter Elysia – or Ellie – shrieked. A real tomboy, she hated anything pink and girly. Her little sister Maia was a different story, forever tottering around in glittery shoes and frilly dresses. But Ellie? She preferred wearing baggy boys’ clothes, keeping her brown hair cropped short. I didn’t mind, though. I was proud my girl had a mind of her own. As Ellie grew up, her body began to change. And so did her personality. As she started looking more womanly, the Ellie I loved – bright and sparkling – faded. She’d hide her breasts and hips under oversized clothes, as if she…

If it’s family fun you’re looking for, a little escape to Hoburne’s holiday park in the Cotswolds could be just what the doctor ordered. There’s loads to do as a family, and it’s also plonked in a very lovely part of England, so you can hop in the car for a good old explore as well! The park is in Cirencester, so not too far from Bath or Bristol. How to get there The best way to get there is by car, and as we’ve only got a little banger, we treated ourselves and hired a Vauxhall Meriva, which had plenty of space for all our clobber, and brilliant back doors, which open the opposite way and entertained the kids for ages! Where to stay There are nicely decked out…