Innehållsförteckning för Summer 2018 från Chat Specials

When you lose your soulmate, it’s hard to imagine falling in love again. Julie (pg44) felt it was too soon, but it was her late husband who sent her a new romance, and his blessing. For some couples, an obsession with football could drive them apart, but Liz (pg47) actually made it part of their wedding day! We celebrate some special moments in time this month. Gemma (pg10) thought her day couldn’t get any better after she won a life-changing competition, but then it ended with something even more magical. Every child’s birthday is special for a mum, but Paige (pg32) pulled out all the stops when her son Braydon turned one because it was a day they thought he would never reach. Turns out that watching her favourite detective…

Peering out my window, I watched my family splashing around buckets of water. We were having a family get together to welcome my great-niece, Julia, who was visiting from Australia. ‘I nominate Uncle Jack!’ she shouted, pointing at me while she towelled her hair dry. She’d just taken part in the Ice Bucket Challenge, pouring ice cold water over herself, and now it was my turn. And I was up for it! I’ll do it before anyone tells me I’m too old, I thought, slipping on my boxers. Ice water cascaded down my back as I shook with laughter. A video of me being drenched was posted online. ‘You’ve become a sensation!’ my daughter Jayne, 54, said a few days later. ‘The video’s been shared 89,000 times!’ Well, I was…

After catching the handsome bloke’s eye across the dancefloor, he came over. ‘Hi, I’m Siddy,’ he said. ‘Don’t you go out with a friend of mine?’ ‘I did,’ I replied with a smile. ‘But we broke up ages ago.’ ‘Can I buy you a drink then?’ he asked with a smile. I accepted, and we spent the rest of the night talking. It turns out I had met him before – when I was 16 at college. I was going out with one of his friends at the time, and we had sometimes mixed in the same circles. We had lost contact for a while, but now, three years later, we’d been reunited. And it turns out we had a lot in common. As the drinks flowed, we made our…

We loved doing everything together My son, Stevie, was always whizzing along on his scooter or peddling fast on his BMX bike. When he got a bit older, his attention turned to cars. Stevie’s passions changed from one week to another. Whether it was skateboarding or motocross rallies with his older brother, Nick, my Stevie always gave it his all. He’d been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at eight. It meant he was more prone to developing obsessions. We always embraced his quirks, but he often struggled to make friends. I hated seeing him shunned on the school run and feeling down from the bullying. Stevie disliked school so much, so when he was 12, I got him a home tutor. He seemed much happier and even started to make some…

I was inspired by my TV heroes Waving goodbye to my client, I loved how much taller she stood after I’d been around to do her hair. ‘Look after yourself Doris,’ I called. ‘Same time next week!’ Popping along to my next appointment in my car, I was thinking about what a glorious day it was. As I came around the corner of the road, I noticed a traffic police woman on a motorbike. I’ve always thought it was really important that the police crack down on unsafe driving, so I was pleased there seemed to be a big operation in progress. Moments later, a police car signalled for me to follow it around the corner. I was intrigued as to why I’d been stopped here. I undid my seatbelt…

Mostly A: The tourist You’re always up for adventure and you’re not afraid to try new things. You love meeting new people and learning about different cultures. You tend to plan out everything in advance, so try to be less organised next time and just go with the flow. Mostly B: The party animal Life is a party. You live for holidays where you can just forget about work and go all out. You’re wild at heart and are always up for fun. You can usually be found on the beach with a cocktail in hand. Next time, slow down a bit and avoid the hangover! Mostly C: The show off You’re all about reputation. You always let people know where you are and who you’re with, and you’re always…

I didn't even recognise her After queuing for the best part of an hour, we’d finally reached the front. I’d taken my daughter Bella, now 12, to Alton Towers for the day, as a treat for my 41st birthday. As a thrill seeker, I loved rides and couldn’t wait to try out the Air rollercoaster. We’d already decided on the journey down that it would be the first ride we’d go on. When it was our turn, I sat down in the seat beside Bella and leaned over to pull the safety bar across my lap. But to my horror, as hard as I pulled, it just wouldn’t close. In a panic, I tried breathing in as hard as I could. But it was no use – my tummy was…

I'd been born with two wombs My head span. The doctor’s words weren’t sinking in. ‘You were born with two wombs,’ he explained. I clutched my boyfriend Gary’s hand, shocked. We’d met through friends in 2000, and started trying for a baby the following year, but we’d struggled to conceive. At 19st, I was overweight. ‘I’ll diet,’ I vowed. But they’d run tests. Now this... The doctor said that I had uterus didelphys – my womb had split in two before I was born. I also had two vaginas and two cervixes. ‘It halves your chances of conceiving,’ the doctor explained. We’d probably need fertility treatment, and even then, I was at risk of miscarriage. So I lost 10st at WeightWatchers, and we got married in August 2003. I was…

I was a football widow Football crazy, bowling mad… That pretty much summed up Stephen, 58. I worked behind the bar at a local bowling club and Stephen was a regular. We had become good friends over the years. At 6ft, he towered over my 4ft 11in frame. There was something about Stephen I really liked. Kind and caring, he was such a lovely man. Then, in October 2014, we got chatting in the club. ‘Let me take you out,’ he said. I’d been widowed years before, and my boys Andrew, 36, and Jamie, 26, were all grown up. I thought it would be nice to have some company, so in the end, I agreed. When Stephen took me for dinner, we chatted all night. There was more to him…

My mouth dropped wide open. ‘Twins? Are you sure?’ I gasped. ‘Yes, there are definitely two babies in there’ the midwife said, pointing to the screen. I was 12 weeks pregnant and the routine scan had revealed a huge surprise. Me and my partner Craig Watson, 37, already had four kids – Abbey, then 16, Reece, 12, Kira, six, and Libby, four. Our wish for a big family had certainly come true! We were still taking it in as the midwife frowned. ‘One of the babies is very small,’ she said. ‘Unfortunately it may not survive.’ We were brought horribly down to earth. But, somehow, over the coming months, the little twin clung on to life. Then in August 2014, at 38 weeks, I had a Caesarean. Caleb arrived weighing…

Off to the Med, are we? Jetting off to get some sun on the next holiday. That bag may be a bit overweight… Is that a demi plie we see? Practising at the barre for the next ballet exam. It takes dedication! Work hard, play hard Getting on with important work at the office. Those deadlines aren’t going to meet themselves! Joining the space race Doing routine maintenance at the International Space Station. One small step for rodents… THAT’S SO BRITISH FEELING GUILTY MAKING THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS TURN RED SO YOU CAN CROSS THE ROAD. TAKING THE TRAIN BECAUSE YOU CAN’T UNDERSTAND THE BUS TIMETABLE. DOING DIY JUST BECAUSE IT’S A BANK HOLIDAY.…

I heard the front door open as Mum went to leave. ‘I’ll see you later,’ she called. Mum was often out, leaving me, my two brothers and older sister Mandy at home. Sometimes, her ‘friends’ would keep an eye on us. They were often boys. It was a bit of a party house, but being young, it all seemed quite normal to me. Mandy and I would escape to the garden to have tea parties and play with our dolls. She’d teach me how to do my hair while we ignored the strangers smoking in the garden. ‘We’re best friends, not just sisters,’ she told me seriously one summer’s afternoon. ‘OK,’ I smiled. One of Mum’s teenage pals, John, lived in a caravan nearby. When we were aged four and…

There was still life left in him My son Zachary had been struggling with a cough and cold all week. But on the morning of 24 November last year, my four-week old baby looked really ill. His temperature was low, so I called the GP. When he advised me to take Zachary to A&E, I was rattled. ‘I’ll be right home,’ I said to my hubby David, 41, on the phone. But as soon as I turned back to Zachary, I froze. He had turned blue! His body was floppy and he wasn’t breathing. Panicking, I dialled 999 and was put through to the South Central Ambulance Service. ‘You need to give Zachary CPR,’ said the call handler, Darren. ‘I don’t know how!’ I sobbed. Darren explained everything and, with…

One of the regulars walked in to the pub where I worked, and I flashed him a smile. ‘What can I get you?’ I asked him. ‘A pint of lager please,’ Iain smiled. ‘And your number!’ I laughed at his charm. ‘Go on then,’ I said, scribbling it on the back of his receipt. By the time I’d finished my shift, Iain had already text me for a date. And it wasn’t long before we became a couple and moved in together. In 2013, Iain whisked me away to Rome for my birthday. We walked for what felt like hours, stopping at all of the sights. But as it started to get dark, we realised we were very lost. ‘Eurgh, why have you dragged me up here?’ I groaned as…

Keep smells at bay Whenever I go on holiday, I put a clean bar of soap in with my dirty clothes. It keeps them from smelling up the rest of my clean clothes until I get home. Maria Greene, Bath Crunchy nut disposal My car is always a mess, so my son covered an old cereal box with a carrier bag, which I now use as a bin in my car! Louise Moreno, Portsmouth What a rice idea! I keep my rice in a Kilner jar, but sometimes I run out of space. Simple trick – shake the jar a few times. It compacts the rice, creating much more space! Stacey McCormick, Evesham Conceal this Clean out your makeup blenders by putting them in a glass of water and popping…

She licked them into life Our doberman Gina looked so proud as the vet felt her tum. Then, when he started the ultrasound scan... ‘It looks like there’ll be around six puppies!’ he said. Me and my hubby Mark, 57, grinned at each other. So exciting! We’d decided we wanted Gina to be a mum, so we’d taken her to a breeder a few months before. Now she was expecting – and we couldn’t wait to meet her litter. As the pregnancy continued, Gina didn’t change. Still running around the garden, jumping up to greet us. Before we knew it, her two-month gestation was up. Any day now, you ll be a mummy!’ I told her. We tried not to leave her alone for too long. But, one afternoon, five…

CASE #1 Stuffed into A SUITCASE Heather Mack’s pregnancy ruined a holiday – and cost a life Tropical Bali, with its crystal waters and pure white sands, attracts tourists from all around the world. Sheila von Wiese-Mack was one. The wealthy American widow from Chicago had just one child – 19-year-old Heather. Sheila, 62, had a difficult relationship with her daughter. She’d filed dozens of police complaints against her, for battery, theft and truancy. But Sheila never gave up trying to repair her relationship with Heather. That’s why, in August 2014, Sheila brought Heather to stay with her at the exclusive St Regis Bali Resort. And despite her disapproval, Sheila even allowed Heather to bring her boyfriend, aspiring rapper Tommy Shaefer, 21. But the trip soon turned sour when Sheila…

Ask our doc Dr Adam Friedmann , consultant dermatologist at the Harley Street Dermatology Clinic ( www.theharleystreetdermatologyclinic. co.uk ) answers your questions. Childhood scars Q I have a scar on my face that I’m really conscious of. It’s from my childhood and I’m 45 now. Is it too late to do anything about it? Elsie, Bournemouth A Alas, scars are by definition, permanent. If they are raised in profile or red, they can often be improved by either steroid injections or laser treatment. Small scars can be surgically removed and thus an irregular ugly scar can become a neat surgical line. This is not always possible however, As it depends what the scar looks like and where it is located. Baby blues Q When I was…

As a teaching assistant, the last few days before the holidays are very hectic. Plus I’ve my own two teenage lads to look after. We live in Rochdale with my husband Kevin, 45. I joined Chat Mag Bingo in 2013. It was such a friendly site to play on and the best thing about it are the chatrooms, as they’re such fun. You don’t have to spend a lot. I often spend just 10p on a game. There are even games for 1p! So, on 20 December last year, I waved the excited kids off and once I go home, I could relax. I bought a 10p ticket for the Link game in Emerald – it’s a 90-ball bingo room and the game is linked for a £1,000 Full House.…

YOU ARE WHAT YOU WEAR While we all love to lounge around in our sweat pants, and love to bring out the flip flops during the summer, such casual attire is considered sloppy and disrespectful in Japan, a country where personal appearance says a great deal about your social stature. If you ever holiday in Turkey, remember not to walk around with one hand in your pocket to avoid being seen as arrogant. The same goes for South Korea, where you’ll be lucky to see a topless man – they even wear shirts to the beach! TIMING IS EVERYTHING In countries like Germany, being just a few minutes late is unacceptable, and leaving people waiting is seen as you thinking that your time is more important than everyone else’s. On…

He didn’t even want painkillers Had it really come to this? My husband Paul, 59, took a deep breath... before cutting off two of his toes. ‘Are you sure you don’t want any painkillers, pet?’ I asked. ‘No,’ he shook his head firmly. ‘Just hand me a towel to bite down on.’ It was September 2016. The November before, Paul had spent a Saturday morning helping our son Rick, 30, fix his car. Two of our three lads still lived at home with us. Rick is saving to get his own place, as is Josh, 27, while their younger brother Isaac, 20, is away at university studying photography. ‘There’s no place like home, Mum,’ Rick’s always saying. We live on the edge of Dartmoor. In the summer, it’s bliss. But…

Everyone struggles with their confidence from time to time, but for some of us, self-doubt and low self-esteem are constant companions, scuppering our abilities to reach our potential. Leading UK Confidence Coach, and author of Flying for Beginners: A Proven System for Lasting Self-Confidence Jo Emerson (www.jo-emerson.com) teaches us some skills to grow and maintain our confidence in just one week! Day one Be willing to believe in something new One of the biggest barriers to confidence is that the belief that you either have it or you don’t. Many people believe that other people were born with the confidence they lack. But the truth is you can grow and develop it like any other skill in life, so the first step to higher self-esteem is to drop your despair…

Learning to drive can be daunting. To make sure you do your best when it comes to test time, follow these tips from the DVSA. Take enough lessons 47 hours of lessons is the average amount of time needed to pass your test. It might seem cheaper to take fewer lessons, but if you fail your test, that’s another £62 you have to fork out each time. Know the area Facing an unfamiliar route on test day is not a good start. Use your last few lessons to practise the roads you might be tested on – your instructor will know these routes. Know the Highway Code Many rules in the Highway Code are legal requirements, so knowing these when you take your test help you make calm decisions and…

It was the day we feared we'd never see Sitting in Inverclyde Royal Hospital, my boyfriend Ross and I stared at the screen. It was March 2015 and I was 20 weeks pregnant. It’d been a little fraught with bleeds and nausea, so we’d paid for a private scan four weeks before. We’d discovered we were having a little boy. And we’d expected this next scan to be plain sailing… Only, the sonographer had said she needed to get a doctor. ‘There’s a problem with the baby’s heart,’ the doctor told us. Me and Ross, 23, burst into tears. Doctors suspected our boy had a hole in the heart, but referred us to Southern General, where there was a specialist team. There, we were given some devastating news. ‘Your baby…

I knew there was more to it I needed a way to escape Clutching my tummy on the sofa, I groaned in pain. ‘Is it acting up again?’ my husband Matt, 42, asked as he rubbed my back. ‘I can’t seem to shake it,’ I said. It was September 2016, and I’d been having terrible stomach pain. I was also needing the toilet a lot more often, and I couldn’t understand why. ‘Do you think it could be caused by stress?’ I asked Matt. My dad, Alex, 71, had been diagnosed with renal cell cancer just a few weeks before, and since then, I’d been worried sick about him. The news had devastated me and my daughters, Emily, seven, and Jessica, five. ‘It’s possible,’ Matt said. ‘But I think you…

Andrew didn't want me to be alone Peering down my aisle at the meat factory, I gazed longingly at the gorgeous bloke standing there. Tall, dark and handsome, I thought. Just my type. I was 17, and Terry, a fellow factory worker, was my first crush. He was nine years older, always cracking jokes, making me laugh. Only… he was engaged. But soon, I met Andrew anyway. Lovely and kind, our friendship turned into romance. A few years later, in August 1983, we got married and I left the factory to have our son, Lee. Andrew and I were so happy, and had three more kids, Daniel, Nathan, and Sophie. But, in May 1999, Andrew was diagnosed with kidney failure. It was completely devastating. Luckily, I was a tissue match,…

Beat hay fever As hay fever season draws in, nutritional therapist Hannah Braye gives us her top tips to help avoid the discomfort. Diet – avoid foods that cause inflammation, such as sugar, refined carbs, and vegetable oils. Instead, aim to have two portions of fruit and five portions of vegetables every day. Acupuncture – Studies have shown that hay fever sufferers who undergo at least 12 treatments of this ancient Chinese method report improvement in their symptoms. It’s best to start treatment before the sneezing kicks in! Take care of your gut – live bacteria supplements, such as Bio-Kult Advanced multi-strain formula (£9.25, bio-kult.com), help your immune system to fight allergies. Take a supplement once a day leading up to the summer months. Chilli remedies From relieving congestion to…

There are so many fun bingo games to play at Chat Mag Bingo! We’ve got 75-ball Bingo, where you play games in patterns, as well as the more traditional 90-ball bingo game, where you can win cash prizes on one line, two lines or a full house. Or why not try 80-ball, our latest game, where you need to cover all 16 numbers on your bingo card to win. • Whatever game you choose, you can just sit back, join in the fun and let us dab off your numbers for you. 18+. UK ONLY. PLEASE PLAY RESPONSIBLY.…

Close call Q A year ago, my eight-year-old son was in an almost fatal car accident. After a long period of recovery, he’s back home and although his physical wounds are healing, I feel like he’s struggling mentally. He suffers from bad dreams and is withdrawn. How can I help? Lucy, Taunton A Being involved in a car crash is a terrifying ordeal for a child and the fear doesn’t always fade away when the bruises do. Try to gently encourage him to talk in order to help him make sense of what has happened. Sometimes children find it easier to talk to other adults rather than their parents. Is there a trusted adult within your family that he would feel comfortable talking with? If you feel your son might…

Cake calamity The problem with a wedding is the endless flow of drinks you get handed. By the time the band started playing at my cousin’s wedding, I was at the ‘over confidence’ stage of being drunk. I grabbed the groom’s dad and pulled him onto the dancefloor. I swung him round so fast that he slipped from my grasp and hurtled across the room… straight into the wedding cake! He fell right into it and sent it crashing to the ground. Thankfully the bride saw the funny side, but I was mortified. Tess, Liverpool Second guest My work colleague allowed me to bring a plus one to her wedding, even though she hadn’t met my new boyfriend. He didn’t listen much to the details in the run up, but…