Innehållsförteckning för August 2025 från Chat Specials

Welcome to the August issue of Chat Monthly! You’re in for a real treat. We’ve got brain-teasing puzzles, the latest summer fashion trends, bargain buys for your home from just £1.50, and tons of moving and shocking real-life stories. Grace was friendly to her new workmate but she and her boyfriend lived to regret her kindness (p6). Tameka found herself falling in love with a man behind bars – now they’re wed (p62)! And brave Katie shares how she made sure that her childhood abuser faced justice at last (p52). Plus loads more. Have a great month.…

Stephanie Ayre-McManus, 34, Hebburn, Tyne and Wear A familiar face walked past my house and I stuck my head out of the window. ‘Hi stranger!’ I called out. It was March 2015 and I recognised Rob from years ago. In our early teens, a big group of us would hang out at the park. I’d sit on the grass chatting with the girls, while he played footy with the other lads. Since then, we’d followed each other on social media, said hello in passing. But, now 24, I was surprised to see him in my quiet cul-de-sac. ‘What are you doing round this way?’ I asked. Rob explained his mum lived four doors down. ‘I’ve moved in with her,’ he said. Catching up on news, I told Rob about my job…

Do I have genital warts? Q I’ve discovered small, hard lumps near my penis and scrotum. Are they warts? Steve, Bristol A They could be genital warts, especially if they’re hard and appeared after you had sex. Genital warts are caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can emerge weeks, months or even years after sexual contact with an infected person. Using condoms may reduce the risk of transmission but they aren’t foolproof. It’s crucial to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis. They’re treatable, with options like cryotherapy or loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). Avoid over-the-counter wart creams meant for hands, as they can cause irritation. Is bleeding after sex normal? Q I’m 48 and recently single. I’ve had a couple of sexual encounters and spotted…

Next Prairie style Inspired by the hit TV show Yellowstone, embrace this ranch look with classic cowboy accessories B&M Summer fruits Pick out these punchy prints and citrus shades to give your decor a seasonal update…

I wao Hakamada had a soft spot for animals. A quiet boy, he’d bring home stray cats and birds, giving them names. The youngest of six, Iwao was closest to his big sister Hideko. With just three years between them, Iwao looked up to her. Always stood next to her in family photographs. ‘We were always together when we were children,’ Hideko told reporters. ‘I always knew I had to take care of my little brother.’ But, aged 19, he found his own way when he started boxing at a gym near their family home in Shizuoka, Japan. Turning professional at 23, he managed to bag a record for the most matches boxed in a single year by fighting 19 opponents over 12 months. Threatened, beaten, deprived of sleep, Iwao…

C’est La Vie by Ian Moore (£9.99, PB, Summersdale) Subtitled Adventures of an English Grump in Rural France, this is a perfect bit of escapism for anyone who’s ever dreamt of jumping ship or changing their lives. Six years after he departed ‘dreary Crawley’ for a Loire Valley idyll, Ian is challenged by the vagaries of travelling back to the UK to do comedy gigs, his family’s ever-growing collection of maladjusted animals, and the fact that his newly created writer’s retreat has a distinct lack of punters. Self-effacing and witty, Ian has crafted a perfect, feel-good holiday read. Love, Sex & Frankenstein by Caroline Lea (£18.99, HB, Penguin) In this powerful feminist retelling, we meet 18-year-old Mary Wollestoncroft Godwin and her stepsister Claire in 1816 as they flee London and…

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Grace, 31, London As the face popped up on the work monitor, I smiled. ‘Hi Karl,’ I said. ‘How are you?’ It was October 2022 and Karl Chads, then 40, had recently joined my team at a management company where I worked. A bid writer like me, helping to win new clients. Our manager had asked me to take Karl through some procedures, on a one-to-one video call. Working from home every day, I was used to chatting to colleagues online. Well-spoken, in a suit and tie, and with loads of experience, I’d expected Karl would be an asset to our team. Only now, speaking to him for the first time, I wasn’t so sure. With a robotic demeanour, Karl never cracked a smile. And as days went by, I…

Jordan Neely had a hard start to life. In 2007, when he was just 14, he lost his mum Christie when she was strangled to death by her boyfriend. After, Jordan was plagued by mental health issues. PTSD, depression, schizophrenia… He was in and out of hospital. Troubled, unstable, often homeless and on the streets of New York. During good periods, Jordan was a Michael Jackson impersonator. He’d busk in Times Square and on the subway for money. But it wasn’t long before Jordan started having frequent run-ins with police. In instances where he seemed suicidal, they took him to hospital. Other times to a homeless shelter. It was clear to everyone who knew him that he needed help, proper support. By 2023, he’d had more than 40 ‘aided case’…

Karen Heffernan, 51, Glasgow With my pyjamas on and my black and white kitty, Mr Frank, sitting on my lap, I picked up the remote and started searching for a new series to get stuck into. Ding dong. Right on time, the doorbell rang. Like most evenings, I’d ordered myself a large pepperoni pizza with dunkers and cookies to keep me company while I binge-watched TV. Afterwards, I’d tear open a family-sized bag of chocolate and munch until my eyes felt heavy. ‘Time for bed,’ I yawned to Mr Frank, catching a glimpse of the clock at 2am. And as I rolled off the sofa, I was already thinking about what takeaway I’d order tomorrow. It was January 2023, and working in HR, I sat at a desk all day,…

Certain sunshine Whether you’re going abroad this summer or not, Next Summer Sun Perfume, £24, Next, guarantees that every day is filled with sunshine. Bursting with all the best smells of summer, this perfume is packed with mandarin, coconut, exotic flowers and caramel. Pretty petals Stradivarius N.051 A Moment of Desire Eau de Toilette, £19.99, Stradivarius, is like a fresh bouquet of jasmine and rose stems. The fragrance opens with floral notes, but then plum and amber accords arrive for an elegant blend of wearable botanicals. Brazilian beach Just a few sprays of Sol de Janeiro Limited Edition Cheirosa 39 Perfume Mist, £24, lookfantastic.com, will transport you straight to the beaches of Brazil. Teaming creamy coconut, warm vanilla and tropical orchid, this is the ultimate scent of summer. Seaside scent…

Total outfit cost £48 THE CO-ORD A matching two-piece makes everyday dressing easier by creating endless outfits. This pink hue is great for adding colour and will coordinate with the rest of your wardrobe. Swap the blouse for a white T-shirt or the skirt for jeans when you want to mix it up, and add suede boots for a boho vibe. Top tip Straight-leg trousers would also work well with this floaty top. Total outfit cost £44.50 THE TOP A printed ruffle blouse is a great investment that you’ll be able to wear all year round. This paisley print can be easily dressed up for work, paired with neutral cigarette trousers and heels, or dressed down with a denim skirt and trainers. Tuck (or half-tuck) in the top to show…

NOT GUILTY On the fourth day of deliberation, the jury admitted they hadn’t reached a conclusion. Sent back to try again by the judge, they were still unable to come to an agreement. Dismissing the manslaughter charge, the judge asked the jury to focus on the lesser charge of negligent homicide. This time, it took the jury just two hours to decide. Daniel Penny, 26, was not guilty. On one side of the courtroom, cheers erupted among his supporters as he was ushered out of a side door. But Andre Zachary, Jordan’s dad, was outraged. Swearing in anger after the verdict was announced, he was removed from the courtroom. Outside, he made a statement. ‘I miss my son. My son didn’t have to go through this,’ he said. Protesters and supporters,…

How can I help my daughter? Q I’m so worried about my eldest girl. She’s 26 and has just had her third miscarriage. She hardly leaves the house, doesn’t bathe and barely eats. I don’t want to tell her that maybe being a mum isn’t meant to be, but I’m at a loss as to what to do. She answers my calls but she’s so, so sad. Maggie, 56 A All mums want is for their kids to be happy, so I know how much this must hurt. Just keep showing up for your girl. Small acts of care go a long way, so let her talk, cook with her, or sit with her in silence. Whatever she needs, just be there for her. And make sure that she sees her…

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 ⅛in seam allowances throughout, unless stated otherwise. 1 From the plain cotton, cut eight 1¾in squares, one 4in square, two 2½x5½in rectangles, two 1¾x9¾in rectangles and one 8½x9¾in rectangle. 2 From the patterned cotton, cut one 3¼in square, four 2⅜in squares, two 7¾x8¾in rectangles, one 2in square and one 2x25in strip. From the fusible batting, cut two 8½x9¾in rectangles. 3…

Crispy hash and eggs Made with only five ingredients, this speedy dinner is thrifty too. SERVES 2 PREP 10 MINS COOK 20 MINS ● 3tbsp olive oil● 500g potatoes, cubed● 70g pancetta● 2 eggs● 2 handfuls watercress 1 Heat 2tbsp of the oil in a large frying pan. Add the potatoes, season generously and fry for 10 mins until potatoes turn crisp and golden. 2 Push the potatoes to the side of the pan, and add the pancetta. Fry for a few mins to crisp up. 3 Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1tbsp oil in another frying pan, crack in the eggs and fry until cooked. 4 Serve the crispy potatoes, pancetta and eggs with a handful of watercress on top. PER SERVING: 525 CALS, 32G FAT, 7G SAT FAT, 40G CARBS Top tip…

Katie Billing, 25, Surrey My eyes were dazzled as I looked around the room. There were keyboards, guitars, harmonicas… ‘Cool,’ I said, pressing down on a piano key. ‘Do you want to learn?’ my stepgrandad Alan, then 44, said with a smile. I nodded eagerly. Alan had been with my nan since I was 2, so I’d only ever called him Grandad. Now 8, I thought he was so much fun. While Mum and Dad were working, he’d take care of me after school. Reading stories, building forts with sofa cushions and bed sheets. But my favourite thing was the music room, upstairs in the house he shared with Nan. He worked in a warehouse, but at home, he was a keen musician. I loved going in there and playing…

There was nothing unusual looking about Virginia McCullough. In her 30s with bobbed dyed-blonde hair and a pretty face, she was a familiar sight in Great Baddow, Essex. Was often going to or from the family home she shared with her parents John and Lois McCullough. The youngest of five daughters, the McCulloughs must have been proud of her. She was working hard towards becoming an artist. Neighbours described Virginia as ‘quite pleasant’, ‘funny’ and with ‘a dark sense of humour’. And in 2019, when her mum and dad, a retired business studies lecturer, retired to Clacton, Virginia stayed in the family home. She cancelled the TV her parents had rented, even carried it outside herself so it could be easily collected. Over the next few years, she continued going…

As a little girl, when Tameka dreamt of falling in love, she couldn’t have imagined how life would pan out for her. She grew up, got an honourable job as a prison officer, but she was yet to find that special someone. ‘I started at the Department of Corrections in 2015,’ she explains, describing the job as being ‘very tough’. ‘You are around some of the worst criminals in the city of New York all day,’ she says. ‘We use a snap tie so we don’t get choked.’ And you have to have a thick skin. ‘They call you names, at times your co-workers are just as foul as your inmates, so you’re in an environment where you don’t know who to trust.’ So when she received a letter from…