Innehållsförteckning för December 2025 från Chat Specials

Welcome to the December issue of Chat Monthly, the perfect companion as you hunker down on these cold dark days and nights. Talking of the temp, we’ve found the latest coats to suit you, from just £22. Our beauty team have tips for your best ever skin from top to toe and we’ve got bargain home buys to give your home a cosy update before the Christmas decs come out. Then, there’s our usual mix of shocking, heartwarming and funny true-life stories. Gemma tells us how her adorable beagle Nala sniffed her out a hubby (p12). Try not to giggle when you read about Felicia’s tattoo disaster - and see the pics (p66). And Tiffany shares how she lives with a rare condition that sees her aging seven times too…

Erica Hutchinson, 37 As the words echoed overhead, it was nothing out of the ordinary for me. ‘Level one paediatric trauma,’ the announcement said. I was an ICU nurse, looking after patients in critical condition. I’d spent almost every day for the past eight years in this hospital. Taking bloods, changing dressings, providing round-the-clock care for some of our sickest patients. Hard work, but a privilege to help people. I’d had to get used to the fact that a normal day at work for me was my patients’ worst nightmare. Only, today was different. Hearing the announcement, I knew this case was serious. The patient was a little boy suffering severe burns, in need of urgent treatment. My little boy. Today was my nightmare. It’d started like any other, in…

Cover for jailbird dad? Q My dad got sent down a couple of months back – dodgy dealings at work. But Mum’s telling everyone he’s working abroad. I hate it – why should I have to lie for the family name? I did nothing wrong! I love my dad but he messed up, and now I’m stuck covering for him. Do I carry on lying to protect Mum, or be honest and cause chaos? Maddie, 29 A You’re right to say you’re not the keeper of your dad’s bad choices, love. And you don’t need to cover for him. There’s a middle ground here. No need to lie to those you’re closest to. But you don’t need to shout it from the rooftops, either. If people ask, just say you haven’t spoken…

Natasha Smith, 39, Alvaston, Derbyshire It was one of my favourite scenes. The whole family sitting around the table, peacefully tucking into dinner. In April this year my partner Steve, then 48, and my sons Lewis, 15, and Lyndon, 2, fell quiet as they enjoyed their chicken, rice, houmous and cucumber. Lewis had always loved his grub and Lyndon was growing into a good eater, too. Suddenly, Lewis broke the contented silence. ‘Mum, Lyndon’s gone red in the face,’ he said. ‘I think he might be choking.’ I jumped up, rushing round to Lyndon’s chair. He was making straining noises and looking scared. ‘What do we do?’ Steve panicked. I was flapping too. I put my fingers down Lyndon’s throat, hoping to dislodge whatever was stuck. ‘Mum, don’t do that,’…

A colourful character, often wearing bright sunglasses, Lorraine Cox was ‘the most kind-hearted, loving, generous girl’ and ‘the heartbeat’ of her family. Close to her dad Tony and brother Mark, she missed them and her mates while living in Scotland with her fiancée Elise in lockdown. So, with restrictions having eased in August 2020, Lorraine, 32, visited her dad back in Exeter. On 31 August 2020 she celebrated the bank holiday by having drinks in the city with friends. By the early hours, Lorraine was on her way back to her dad’s house. Drunk and unsteady, she walked alone along Exeter’s High Street. Only, there was a man behind her. He got closer until he was walking alongside her. Then he put his arm around her. There’s no way of…

Surrounded by beautiful countryside, the village of Callands in Cheshire is a quiet suburb. With leafy woodland trails, the area is popular with dog walkers and families. But on 14 March 1998, a shocking discovery rocked the community. Out walking his dog with his young son, a man came across a black plastic bin bag, double wrapped and tied up in a knot. Curious, he poked a hole in it with a stick. And when he peered inside, he found the tiny body of a newborn baby boy. Weighing 7lb 5oz, he’d been dumped like a piece of rubbish. During a post-mortem, it was found that wads of tissue paper had been stuffed inside the baby’s mouth. A murder investigation was launched. DNA samples were taken from the baby and…

Jaymee-Leigh Robb, 27, Chilton, County Durham With dark, curly hair, deep brown eyes and chiselled features, the guy sitting across the table from me was just my type. It was September 2020, and I was at the local pub. Jason, then 19, was a friend of a friend, and I thought he was gorgeous. We spent the night chatting, discovering that we both loved motorcycles and tattoos. This man was too good to be true! The next week, Jason added me on Snapchat, posted flattering comments on my selfies. Soon, he asked me out for drinks, and from that night on we were inseparable. By November, Jason had moved into my flat with me. That’s when I noticed how secretive he was with his phone. Every time it buzzed, he…

Gemma Clarke, 39, Rotherham With my eyes on the road, I tried to soothe my passenger. ‘Nearly home,’ I reassured, looking in the rear-view mirror. Howling in the back seat was my new 12-week-old beagle puppy Nala. It was April 2017 and I’d just picked her up. I’d been researching different breeds and thought that a beagle, with their friendly and gentle nature, would be perfect for me. And the second I’d seen Nala’s face, it was love at first sight. ‘She has a heart on her nose!’ I’d gasped, pointing to a little pink smudge on her snout. Now, three weeks later, she was in my car, making a huge racket. Back home, she settled in quickly. But where she’d been calm and snoozy when I’d first met her,…

There was no doubt student Holly Bobo, 20, would make a great nurse. Sweet and kind, she was brought up in a loving family. Her dad Dana worked in the building trade and her mum Karen was a teacher. Along with her brother Clint, then 25, and their dog Rascal, they lived in a rural, wooded area of Darden, Tennessee. On 13 April 2011, Dana woke to find Holly sitting at the kitchen table, preparing for a big test later that day. Karen made Holly a packed lunch, told her she loved her and went to work. Later, at 7.45am, there was a scream from the house. A neighbour phoned Karen at work to tell her. Meanwhile, the sound of Rascal barking woke Clint. He peered out of the window…

Hannah Gibson, 44, Crawley, West Sussex Standing in a nightclub in East Grinstead, I swigged a blue WKD as a bloke caught my eye. Dressed in a white T-shirt and with jet-black hair, he had a really cheeky smile. What a shame he was with another girl! It was July 2001 and I was out with my friend when the girl he’d been standing with walked over to me. ‘My mate thinks you’re beautiful,’ she told me, pointing back to the bloke I’d been looking at. Really? Me? At first I wondered if it was a wind-up. See, I was more used to men mocking my size than eyeing me up. Cursed with a big appetite, I’d been the chubbiest girl in class at school, and a target for bullies.…

Nose woes Q My 12-year-old daughter keeps having nosebleeds that are tricky to stop. What should I do? Kelly, Brecon A Frequent nosebleeds in a 12-year-old can be concerning. Firstly, keep your daughter hydrated as dry nasal passages can trigger nosebleeds. Use a humidifier, especially in dry weather, and apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly inside the nostrils to keep them moist. Encourage your daughter not to pick her nose or blow it forcefully. If it persists, consult your GP to rule out issues like sinus problems, allergies or blood-clotting disorders. They may recommend nasal sprays or cream, or cauterisation if necessary to seal off the affected blood vessels. Can I help him last longer? Q My boyfriend ejaculates almost as soon as he goes inside me. He says…

Gina McGavin, 70, Glasgow Watching my daughters laugh and play, my heart swelled. Laura, then 14, and Gail, 12, could be fighting one minute and then best friends the next. My two were a handful but becoming a mum was the most rewarding thing to ever happen to me. Later, after tucking them into bed, I sat down with my husband Larry, then 34. ‘I don’t know how anyone could abandon their kids,’ I said sadly. My own mum, Mary, had left when I was just 2. I’d grown up with my five siblings and my dad Joe. While I’d longed for Mum to come home, she’d had five more kids then left them, too. Mum flitted in and out of our lives. As I got older, I told myself…

The Pieces of Us by Claire Alexander (£9.99, PB, Penguin) From the author of Meredith, Alone comes this poignant novel that delves into the lives of three generations of women – Minnie, Cat and Ruby McAllister – each confronting life-altering challenges. Minnie battles Alzheimer’s, Cat uncovers unsettling truths about her mother, and Ruby faces a pivotal decision about motherhood. As their paths intertwine, they uncover family secrets and redefine their identities. With themes of resilience, memory and the complexities of womanhood, this novel offers a heartfelt exploration of familial bonds and personal growth. Heart the Lover by Lily King (£18.99, HB, Canongate) A tender, devastating exploration of first love, betrayal and the fateful choices we make at pivotal moments in our lives. Set against the intoxicating backdrop of a final…

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BELTED Robe coats are as comfy as your dressing gown but with heaps more polish. The tie waist will cinch you in, creating a gorgeous hourglass silhouette. QUILTED A casual classic, a padded coat is no longer just reserved for dog walks. Opt for soft quilting to avoid adding bulk, and team with fitted clothes to give shape and definition. SINGLE BREASTED This streamlined style is utterly timeless. Add interest with pops of colour and print or keep it simple in neutral hues. Flattering worn open or closed. BARN JACKETS Defined by its contrasting collar, this country-inspired style is cool and practical. The relaxed fit allows room for layering without feeling too oversized.…

Try the easy or cryptic clues, then rearrange the letters in the shaded squares for the answer. CLUE: Disaster as most of award gets into feline pet’s belly (11). EASY CLUES ACROSS 6 Backbone (5) 7 Unaware (8) 10 Scrutinise (7) 11 Representation (7) 12 Essential food substance (7) 13 Invents (7) 14 Made (11) 19 Pays attention (7) 21 Impersonate (7) 23 Turned rapidly (7) 25 Nuclear energy source (7) 26 Bodily (8) 27 Egged on (5) DOWN 1 Enormous (8) 2 Average (6) 3 Sleeps through the winter (10) 4 Lose one’s temper (4) 5 Affront (6) 6 Deviate (6) 8 Most affluent (7) 9 Compressed (5) 13 Prudently (10) 15 Sewing tools (7) 16 Illustrations (8) 17 Circus performer (5) 18 Considered (6) 20 Insubstantial (6) 22…

Mairi Kerin, 42, West Midlands Adrenaline coursed through me as I high-kicked into the air. ‘Remember your form,’ my sensei ordered. It was 2009, and after eight years of training, karate kicks were second nature to me. I’d signed up for classes aged 19, at university, wanting to spend more time with a boy I fancied. Instead of falling in love with him, I fell in love with the martial art. I gained a yellow belt, then orange, all the way through to brown… Now 27, there was just one belt left. ‘Congratulations,’ my sensei beamed as my grading came to an end. As he handed me a black belt, I was over the moon. I’d achieved the highest ranking! I continued practising six days a week, alongside my job…

1 Switch your protein Aim to get your protein fix from beans, eggs, fish, poultry and tofu, and eat no more than three portions of red meat a week. ‘There’s evidence that eating lots of red meat, such as beef, lamb, pork and goat, is linked to an increased risk of developing bowel cancer,’ says Claire Coughlan, clinical lead at Bowel Cancer UK*. 2 Check your meat If you cut just one thing out of your diet, make it processed meat. That means anything preserved by smoking, curing, salting or preservatives. ‘Almost 13% of bowel cancer cases in 2015 were linked to eating processed meat – for example, bacon, ham and sausages,’ says Claire. 3 Eat more fibre We should have 30g of fibre a day, but most of us only eat around…

Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED * 141 x 3½in squares of mixed patterned fabrics* 60x54in piece of charcoal cotton fabzric* 18x54in piece of binding fabric* 54x54in piece of backing fabric* 55x55in piece of batting* Aurifil 50wt thread in Cream* Rotary cutter* Cutting mat* Quilting ruler FINISHED SIZE Approx 55in square NOTES AND ABBREVIATIONS Sew seams with right sides facing and ¼ inch seam allowance unless otherwise stated. Press all fabrics well before cutting. Press seams open unless otherwise instructed. FIGURE 1 1 Cut the charcoal cotton fabric into: two 3½x47¼in and two 3½x53¼in strips, 40 3½x5in rectangles and the rest into 1¼in wide strips. Cut the strips into two of each of the following lengths: 5in, 13in, 21in, 29in, 37in, 45in, 53in, 61in, 69in – you will need to join…

Top tip If you don’t have sesame seeds add a few extra tbsp of oats instead. Oaty jumbo fish fingers A grown-up twist on a classic – and better for you! SERVES 4 PREP 15 MINS COOK 25 MINS ● 500g salmon, cut into 4 fingers● 4tbsp oats● ¼ tsp dried oregano● 4tbsp sesame seeds● Juice 1 lemon, plus ½ lemon, cut into wedges● 2tbsp rapeseed oil● 2 courgettes, trimmed and cut into sticks● 1 garlic clove, crushed● 200g cherry tomatoes 1 Heat the oven to 180C Fan/Gas 6. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Season the fish. 2 Combine the oats, oregano and sesame seeds in a shallow bowl. Pour the lemon juice into another shallow bowl. Dip the fish in the lemon juice and then the oats,…

As Siera watches butterflies flutter around her, she feels at peace. Her garden is her sanctuary. ‘I want to create a wildlife habitat for all the butterflies,’ she says. ‘I’m creating a space where all of these butterflies can transform and come into their own.’ Something that she can really relate to, as it’s taken years for her to become the woman she is today. Siera grew up like any other little girl. But as a teen, she started to notice differences between herself and her peers. ‘By the time I was 16, I hadn’t gotten a period or started going through puberty,’ she explains. ‘I definitely felt different,’ she says. ‘I felt like, why am I younger than everyone else, physically? Why have I not matured in that way?…

Felisia Greenhalgh, 29, Barnsley Fresh out the shower one day in August 2023, I admired my tattoos in the mirror. Roses winding around my left arm, a Dolly Parton quote on my ribs. ‘I fancy a thigh tattoo next,’ I told my boyfriend Thomas, then 27, later. ‘Go for it,’ he grinned. I loved elephants, so I sent ideas to the tattoo artist. When the day of my appointment came in November 2023, I put on a pair of hot pants to allow easy access to my thigh. ‘That one!’ I smiled, pointing to a stencil of an elephant’s head adorned with flowers. The tattooist placed the stencil on my left thigh. ‘Is that where you want it?’ he asked. ‘Perfect,’ I nodded. As he started, it was painful, but…