Innehållsförteckning för OCTOBER SPECIAL 2019 från Chat Specials

As the saying goes, patience is a virtue. Even when life throws us a curveball, it’s patience that sees us through to happier times. We particularly admire the patience of Lauren (pg4). After a freak accident caused devastating injuries, she remained resilient, and is now living a life she never imagined she could. For five long years, Kayleigh (pg16) longed to be a mum. Her heart broke a little more with each failed attempt, but her patience won in the end. She even took it a step further by sharing her struggle so that others wouldn’t feel alone. If there’s one thing that will get you through an 18,000-mile trek, it’s patience. Christian (pg32) has been walking along the coast of the UK for two years now, and he wants…

Mel Bremner, 38, Macduff Finishing our shift at Pizza Express, my friend Jo begged me to go for a drink. ‘Come on,’ she begged. ‘Oh go on,’ I sighed, plonking some dirty plates down by the pot wash in the kitchen. After we’d finished waitressing, Jo and I headed to a nearby bar with a few of our work colleagues. ‘I’ve invited my flatmate, Aidan, too,’ she said. ‘I hope you don’t mind,’ she asked. But when Aidan rocked up, I was pleasantly surprised with what I saw. I grabbed hold of my intestines He was handsome, funny and charming. We spent the whole night flirting, chatting and laughing. It was like we’d known each other for years. After that we started dating and quickly became a couple. We moved…

Bookworm I always use a paper clip to mark the page in my book – it never falls out and doesn’t take up much room! Louise, Stratford Micro-way Don’t throw away dirty cleaning sponges. You can simply microwave them to get rid of the bacteria, and they’ll be as clean as new! Judith, Bath Bubbles To stop boiling water bubbling over, place a wooden spoon on top of the saucepan. The bubbles won’t spread past the spoon. Emily, Brighton TV time A quick and easy way to clean your television remote is to use hand sanitiser and a bit of tissue. It will remove all the bacteria and it won’t ruin the remote! Amy, Cardiff Sharpen snip A great tip to sharpen your scissors is to cut through aluminium foil.…

I’m their only hope Q My husband and I haven’t planned on starting a family just yet, but my parents want a grandchild, and as I have no siblings, I’m their only hope. Should we have a baby for their sake? Jenni, Plymouth A Having a baby is a life-changing experience. While children bring joy into a household, they also bring challenges that can put a lot of pressure on parents – so it’s vital to take your time and start a family only when you feel ready. You should never have children simply to keep others happy. Grandparents often enjoy a special relationship with their grandchildren, but at the end of the day, they are able to hand the baby back when they feel tired. Parents don’t have this…

Christine Banks, 70, Lincolnshire Switching on the kettle, me and my husband, Frank, 94, were waiting for our friend Robert to arrive. ‘Ah perfect timing,’ I said as I heard the doorbell ring soon after. I poured us all a cup of tea before settling down in front of the TV. ‘Fancy some dinner?’ I asked Frank and Robert. ‘Sounds great,’ Frank smiled. ‘Toad in the hole or the cod fillets I bought from Morrisons yesterday,’ I suggested. ‘I fancy fish,’ Frank admitted. ‘What about you Robert?’ ‘I’ll be happy with anything,’ he said. ‘I’m not fussy.’ I fixed the three of us up a tasty meal of potatoes, peas and fish. By the time it was done, we were all starving and tucked right in. Frank ate one mouthful,…

DAIRY FREE CHEWY TRIPLE CHOCOLATE COOKIES PREP TIME 10MIN. COOK TIME 15MIN. YOU’LL NEED... • 75g Flora Dairy Free • 115g soft brown sugar • 50g golden caster sugar • 1 medium egg • 125g self-raising flour • 25g cocoa powder • ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda • ½ tsp baking powder • 30g dairy free white chocolate, chopped • 30g dairy free dark chocolate, chopped HOW TO DO IT… 1. Preheat the oven to 190°C, 170°C fan or gas mark 5. 2. Place all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat them together until they’re well mixed. 3. Use a spoon to make small scoops of the mixture, spacing them well apart on lined baking trays. 4. Bake in a preheated oven for around 15 minutes. 5.…

What could it be? I’m a postmenopausal woman who is sexually active. Can I still get STIs? Amy, Bolton Because postmenopausal women can no longer get pregnant, many stop using condoms, which can often lead to contracting STIs. Surprisingly, if you’re a postmenopausal woman, your vaginal tissue may be more vulnerable to infection than it was before menopause. No matter what age you are, if you’re in a new relationship, both you and your partner should be tested for STIs before you have sex, and if you’re unsure whether he/she is disease-free, make sure you use protection. Painful problem I’ve had vaginal dryness and pain with intercourse since menopause. Is this common? Dawn, Glasgow Research led by women’s intimate health specialists MonaLisa Touch®, reveals many women are worried about the…

BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE It’s ‘the miracle cure’ (NHS) If you aren’t yet active, start by moving a bit more every day. Walking is excellent, easy and gets you where you want to go. Try getting off the bus one stop earlier, walking in your lunch hour and up stairs and escalators. Build up to 30 minutes of brisk walking, five days a week. Dancing (badly!) is my exercise, bringing both happiness and friends as well as health. Find an activity you enjoy. But do see your doctor, if necessary. EAT A HEALTHY, BALANCED DIET ‘Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon’ (Doug Larson, lived to 91) We all need to eat healthily. Many people are now overweight and need to eat…

GLORIOUS SKIN We’re all looking for gorgeously glowy skin. In fact, many of us will spend a lot of our time and money on it. But with Halloween just around the corner, we’re all about to come into contact with one very useful product – pumpkin! Pumpkins are a great source of vitamin C – a powerful antioxidant. It can help all skin types, particularly those that are environmentally damaged. Whichever way you choose to consume this Halloween treat, it will get to work drenching your skin in essential vitamins and minerals. TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL PUMPKIN 24K GOLD MASK, £8.50, BOOTS Infused with pumpkin extract, this sheet mask hugs every contour of the face in order to impart its precious, skin-boosting ingredients. With fruit enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids,…

Lauren Pine, 51, New York Pushing my bike along the darkened pavement, I glanced down at my watch. It was almost 10pm on a November night in 2017. I’d been with my friend at her apartment all evening. She was battling pancreatic cancer, and sadly, the prognosis was terminal. As a nurse, I’d comforted a lot of patients in similar situations, but being there for my friend was particularly poignant. Although I was exhausted, as I stepped up to the crossing, I looked both ways. The street was dark, but it seemed clear. Only, as I stepped out, I heard a thundering noise to my left. Turning to look, I saw the grill of a lorry coming towards me. I didn’t have time at all to react. What happened next…

John Sims, 65, Hull Making her final touches to my newly coloured hair, my hairdresser friend Natalie smiled at me. ‘You know, you look exactly like Elton John!’ Natalie said laughing. Looking in the mirror, I realised she really did have a point. When I retired from accountancy in 2016, I’d put on a fair bit of weight. I was also only 5ft 4in, gap-toothed and wore glasses. And now with my blonde tips, I really did look like the Rocketman himself! A few weeks later, when I was at a mate’s wedding, their Bon Jovi tribute act took to the stage. ‘I’m so honoured we have a rock legend in the audience,’ the lead singer announced on the mic. Suddenly, all eyes turned to look at me. ‘You really…

Get an Autumnal wardrobe without breaking the bank Personal finance experts at moneyguru.com have shared some top tips on how to mix up your wardrobe on a budget… Ditch fashion, go vintage Opt for thrifting. Charity shops, and car-boot sales are great places to look for timeless, classy items and funky, one-of-a-kind pieces for almost a fraction of the normal price. Same clothes, different accessories Pair together pieces that you haven’t before. Layer summer dresses with t-shirts, wear a stylish skirt with trainers or dress-up an outfit with some funky earrings. It’ll give your clothes a new lease of life! Sell/donate clothes you no-longer need Sell old clothes on resale outlets online or send them to charity shops. You’ll make more space in your wardrobe and quick money to reinvest in…

Arriving back to their home in Florida, Beatrice and Lawrence Dickey had been to a music concert, to see the band, Journey. Lawrence was drunk, which wasn’t unusual. He was an alcoholic and after drinking nine beers and at least three shots, Lawrence had made a fool of himself and Beatrice was embarrassed. In his drunken state, he had fallen into a muddy puddle and slid towards the outdoor stage - all while hundreds of people watched on. Beatrice had grown used to her husband’s behaviour, but her friends later claimed she had almost had enough. Six months before, she had spoken to them about divorcing her husband – totally fed up of his constant drinking. He was described as a mean drunk, who appeared to be jealous of his…

Helen Wilson, 57, Wokingham Sitting by the window, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy as I saw a young woman jogging by. That used to be m e, I thought. I used to run often, and loved weekends spent riding my horses. But now, sat in a chair at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, hooked up to a dialysis machine, I was far from fit. In the past few months, my running shoes had become hospital slippers, and I’d become a shell of the person I used to be. It all started back in 2000, when a regular urine test with my GP came back abnormal. Referred for an ultrasound, specialists had found a mass of cysts in my kidneys. How could I ask someone for…

Sophie Dale, 22, Chesham, Bucks Two days after my due date, I gave birth to Levi, 7lb 15oz. My mum Annie, 56, and my sister Hattie, 25, were by my side every step of the way. While I was being stitched up, the nurse placed him in an awkward spot, under my chin. ‘I can’t see his face,’ I moaned. Hattie lifted Levi and I caught the first glimpse of my son. Gazing into his enormous brown eyes, emotion flooded over. ‘You’re so beautiful,’ I said kissing his forehead. I fell in love in seconds. The following morning, Levi had his vitamin K jab. He little face screwed up and I burst into tears. ‘What’s wrong with me?’ I said to Mum. ‘I never cry.’ His pain was my pain…

Drink up! New research has found that millions of Brits confess to not drinking any water in a single day. The study by Britvic and Robinsons have found that a shocking 20% of people last drank a glass of water a week ago. Britvic have teamed up with tech company Sixty to introduce a wearable hydration monitor to remind users to drink more. Pumpkin power You might think a pumpkin is just for Halloween, but according to leading nutritionist Lily Soutter, we shouldn’t just be throwing away our spooky friend once the fun is over. She explains that the highly nutritious vegetable can help our body fight colds and infections and can even aid weight loss – with only 25 calories per serving. Pumpkin is packed full of vitamin A,…

SERVES 4 YOU’LL NEED... • ¼ of a pumpkin • 600ml of soy milk • 100ml pure maple syrup • 200ml ice • Parsley, for garnish HOW TO DO IT… 1. Remove seeds from the pumpkin and cut into 5-6 equal sized pieces 2. Place the pieces in a single layer in an oven-proof dish and cook at 25 °C for 15 to 20 minutes. 3. When softened, peel while still hot and let cool. 4. Place the cooled pumpkin, soy milk, maple syrup and ice in a blender and blitz until smooth. 5. Pour the smoothie into glasses and garnish with parsley.…

FILM AND TV 1 Which of these famous artists isn’t in the Cats 2019 remake? a Idris Elba b Taylor Swift c Beyoncé Knowles 2 In Toy Story 4, which piece of cutlery is Bonnie’s new favourite toy? a A spork b A spoon c A fork 3 Which ITV show was recently axed? a Jeremy Kyle b Love Island c Loose Women 4 Which of these is the name of a famous BBC thriller series? a Killing Emma b Killing Eve c Killing Evan 5 Which iconic series is coming back with a Christmas special this year? a The Inbetweeners b The Royle Family c Gavin and Stacey 6 Who plays Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders? a Cillian Murphy b Stephen Knight c Sam Claflin SHOWBIZ 7 Which famous…

Check out this mule dude – a donkey blinded in a freak accident being nursed back to health with special sunglasses. Jonty the donkey was rushed into a specialist donkey hospital after stepping on a sharp thorn. The thorn was removed, but the stress from the operation led to a chronic eye problem. Now in an effort to restore his sight, Jonty has to wear these specially-made sunglasses which protect his eyes from harmful UV rays. Jonty was treated by expert staff at the animal hospital in Sidmouth, Devon, ran by The Donkey Sanctuary. Veterinary Surgeon Vicky Grove said: ‘The stress of the injury triggered the recurrence of a chronic eye problem. ‘Jonty suffered an immune-mediated inflammation of his whole eye. He had ulcers on his cornea, his eyes were…

KEEP THE FLORALS AND PATTERNS Just because it’s not warm and sunny doesn’t mean the florals have to hide. Switch the flowery summer dresses to a floral shirt paired with jeans, or ditzy print midi dress and tights for a warmer look – this goes for all prints for those who enjoy some pattern in their wardrobe. For the day-to-day, a patterned jumpsuit is a versatile statement piece – perfect for pairing with casual trainers or a pair of killer heels. ADD BOOTS TO YOUR LOOK Leather, suede, patterned or plain? Boots are a staple piece for all outfits. A classic Chelsea boot will take you about your day while a chunky platform will  vamp up your night-time style. Whether you’re dressing up and pairing them with a dress or…

Mhairi-Rose Stewart, 22, Glasgow. Heading back into the changing rooms, after a successful game of hockey, I wondered if I’d finally made it into the clique. I’d scored a great goal out on the pitch, and my teammates had all been singing my praises. But as I began to get undressed the taunting started all over again. ‘Oi, thunder thighs,’ one of the girls sniggered. ‘I can’t believe you scored, fatty,’ another joined in. I hadn’t been accepted into the group after all. Aged 12, I stood out like a sore thumb in comparison to the other girls. They were skinny and I was curvy, with my family’s trademark bum and boobs. I’d always been good at sport and dance, and as a result of that I had muscular legs,…

Running for over 40 years, The Westfield Health British Transplant Games are a celebration of life. Taking place in different host cities every summer, the games see teams from hospitals across the UK come together to compete in a medley of sports. The four-day event attracts around 1,000 transplant athletes and more than 1,500 supporters. For more info, visit britishtransplantgames.co.uk. To find out more about how you can become an organ donor, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk.…

HAUNTED MANSIONNOTTINGHAM Could you take a stroll around the grounds of one of the most haunted buildings in Nottinghamshire? There are few finer ways to spend an evening than strolling through the beautiful Deer Park of Wollaton Hall – but there are many dark secrets amongst the trees. Discover the tragedy that led to a poor mother endlessly searching the lake. As you walk around the haunted grounds, you’ll learn many stories of real encounters around Wollaton Hall. As you visit the lake, Camellia House and the Doric Temple, you’re sure to meet some spooky tales. • Tickets cost £6.60 • visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk BUS ROUTE TO HELLYORK Discover York’s sinister side on this one-hour Ghost Bus Tour, led by a hellishly hilarious guide. Visit some of the city’s spookiest sights, and…

Charlotte Cordall, 27, Nottinghamshire Looking around at all the actors sipping on Champagne, I was in awe. It was 2001, and I was at the premiere of the film The Navigators, having played the role of Rose. I was just eight years old, but loved acting. I’d always had the best parts in school plays, and I was so excited to be in a proper film. ‘This is so cool,’ I said to Mum, grinning. ‘You’re my little star,’ she beamed proudly. But, just a week later, I found my mum desperately gasping for breath, clutching hold of her throat in the kitchen. I was terrified, and had no idea what was happening. ‘She’s dying,’ I sobbed. It turned out to be just a panic attack, and Mum recovered, but…

Danielle Barnes, 34, Nuneaton Looking at my tidy house, I smiled. It was 4 December 2018, and I’d done all my chores before midday. Time to relax! A self-employed hairdresser, I ran my own little salon from home, but had no more clients that day. The house was quiet, as my partner Mark, 36, was at his job as a heavy-goods vehicle mechanic, and our eldest son, 7, was at school. It was a welcome afternoon off – you see, I was five-months pregnant with my second child. So I got a cuppa and turned on the TV, but didn’t fancy anything – so I grabbed my phone… ‘I’d have jumped for joy, if not for my baby bump!’ I’d enjoyed bingo years ago, and had been thinking of trying…

It would go down as one of the most twisted love affairs in crime history. An older woman grooms her toy boy into a killer. But with all crimes of passion, it was a complex road to murder. Whilst most children grow up with fond memories of their family, Jaime Ramos, seven, grew up with no parents and an uncle who sexually abused him for 10 years. His mother’s suicide when he was just two, may explain his intimate relationship with his teacher at 17, and his obsession with Patty Presba, 47, at 21. Following his difficult upbringing, Jaime found himself joining the California Conservation Corps – a work camp for growing children. Jaime felt secure with older women, and quickly fell into the hands of his manipulative camp minder,…