Innehållsförteckning för 27 February 2025 från Chat

So many ordinary families have battled incredibly hard times. Talking about them is very brave and helps others know they’re not alone. It makes me really grateful for the women who share their stories in Chat every week. In this issue, Daniela opens up about carrying twins, then learning one had sadly passed away (p38). Now she’s raising adorable little Orla, while remembering Daisy, the twin she’ll never know. We send our love to her and her wonderful family. Have a great week, PS If you’re entering the puzzles online, this is the link to use: comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Caroline Lyons, 42, Haddington, East Lothian Watching him stood outside his mum’s house in jeans and a hoodie, old feelings came flooding back. The skinny, mousy-haired teenager I remembered was now a balding man who’d filled out and got tattoos. But I was still smitten. ‘All right gorgeous,’ Steven, then 33, smiled. As his brown eyes met mine, I felt like a kid again! It was September 2015 and I’d reconnected with Steven a few weeks before. Childhood sweethearts, we’d dated when I was 15 but lost touch after school. In the years since, we’d both married, had kids. But I’d come across Steven’s profile on Facebook following the breakdown of my 12-year marriage. Single too, he’d been keen to meet in person. And our chemistry was stronger than ever.…

WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 Gardener and TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh says that making what has been his most ‘pinch yourself’ moment? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the five-word prize answer. ACROSS 11 Drawing tool (6) 12 San _, US city (9) 13 Monster (4) 14 Persuade (8) 15 Large Greek island (5) 16 Italian city (6) 17 Underground prison (7) 18 Self-sufficient (11) 20 Zombie film, _ of the Dead (5) 22 Bewilderment (9) 24 Started (5) 28 Entirely (7) 29 Stretchy (7) 32 Grab, seize (6) 34 Fragrant (8) 36 Most fortunate (8) 37 Chore or task (6) 39 Nickname for the police (3,4) 40 Sound of a sneeze (7) 45 Amusing (5) 47 Previous day (9) 48 Corroded (5)…

Eggs in the freezer Q I’m 32 and single, but I might want kids one day. Is egg freezing expensive? Julia, Leicester A Freezing your eggs can be a good choice if you’re in your 30s and haven’t found a partner yet but want to have children in the future. Egg freezing allows you to keep your eggs at a younger age, which can help with getting pregnant later. Research shows that younger eggs usually lead to better results in IVF. In the UK, the cost of freezing eggs can be quite high. It typically ranges from £3,000 to £7,000 for one cycle, not including storage fees, which can be around £300 to £500 each year. Some private health insurance plans might cover part of the costs, so check with…

Boyfriend gives me the ick Q I rushed into a relationship but now, a year on, I’m stuck not knowing how to end it. We were just desperate for love and ignored all the red flags. I can’t stand him any more, even the way he looks annoys me. He seems to think everything is fine, while I’m looking for the escape route. I feel embarrassed as I told everyone he was ‘The One’ and splashed it all over social media. Lou, 42 A You’ve hit the ick stage and it’s blimmin’ hard to come back from that, sweetheart. This relationship burnt out fast and it’s OK to admit that. You’re not trapped. Is it just that he’s not right for you? Or is it a case of resetting boundaries…

3 Ways to… stay safe from romance fraudsters Here’s some advice on how to avoid being emotionally and financially wrecked… 1 Be vigilant Criminals create fake online profiles on social media and dating apps to trawl for victims. They’ll often go to great lengths to build trust before trying to steal either money or personal information. Sadly, it’s depressingly common, say Santander - 50% of Brits have received unsolicited romantic or flirtatious messages online, which turned out to be scams*. Do a reverse image search on a search engine to show whether the photos have been taken from another website or social media platform. 2 Spot the red flags There are some quite common warning signs - for example, romance fraudsters will often declare strong feelings for their victim after just a…

Tyran McNown, 44 Carefully weaving twigs together, I formed a nest. Held it out to my son Blake, then 6. ‘Perfect,’ he said. It was June 2022,and we’d spotted an abandoned baby bird in the garden. Built it a home. My boy was kind and caring, shared my love of nature and animals. We knew how precious life was. When Blake was just 1, his dad had passed away from a heart condition. Ever since, it’d been me and my little man against the world. Just then, my phone pinged. Hey! What are you up to? It was my old pal Tyler, then 32. We’d dated three years earlier for a few weeks, but stayed friends. I sent him a picture of the nest. Later that evening, he called for…

Stefani Anderson, 39 Butterflies swirled in my stomach as I took my seat in the restaurant. My heart fluttering, I hoped this conversation would go well. It was September 2024, and I’d been seeing Dan, then 50, for a year, after meeting through Facebook. Recently though, we’d done nothing but argue. So we’d arranged a date night. A chance to reconnect. I already had three children from a previous relationship, Nathan, then 20, Alyssa, 18, and Jonathan, 16. After being single for three years, there was a spark between me and Dan that sent shock waves through my body. He had a shaved head, tattoos and piercing blue eyes. And as he sat down opposite me, he looked so handsome. ‘I don’t want us to keep fighting,’ he said. ‘Me…

Keli Lane had a dream. A big one. She wanted to compete in Australia’s water polo team at the Olympics. Born in Sydney in 1975, she’d grown up in a sporty household. Her father Robert Lane was a well-known surfer and rugby player. But in 1992, aged 17, Keli fell pregnant with her high-school boyfriend’s baby. Young and frightened, she decided to terminate the pregnancy. Told no one. Afterwards, Keli split with her boyfriend, but two years later, she fell pregnant again after having an affair with a married man. Again, she had a termination. Focused on her goal of representing her country in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. She began working as a PE teacher while competing in water polo at an elite level. In 1994, she started dating…

1 Watch when you brush Tooth enamel naturally declines as we age, but acidic foods, such as many fruits, can speed that up. The remedy? Our saliva. It takes around 30 minutes for the natural liquids in our mouth to neutralise the acid - so brushing during this time could damage enamel. ‘Instead, rinse with water after eating or try sugar-free mints and gums with xylitol for added protection,’ says hygienist Anna Middleton. 2 Time your mouthwash Is your usual routine to brush then follow with a minty rinse? Using mouthwash straight after cleaning your teeth can ‘wash away the fluoride from the toothpaste, diluting its preventative effects’, says Harley Street dentist Dr Richard Marques. Use mouthwash at a different time of day for the most benefits. 3 Use a straw…

Lucy Castle, 40, Hinckley, Leicestershire Watching my son toddle across the lounge towards his toys, I shuffled forward on the sofa. ‘Mama,’ Ronnie, then 1, called, stretching his little arms out to me, wanting me to play. I pushed up on to my feet, but a wave of dizziness crashed over me. Pins and needles shot through my legs. All I could do was sit back down, watch him play from the comfort of the sofa. It was March 2024 and I’d been experiencing these dizzy spells, especially after eating, ever since Ronnie was born. During the pregnancy I’d been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. The doc assured me that it’d pass once the baby came. But it’d been over a year now, and something didn’t feel right. ‘Go back to…

One of the most famous surviving depictions of the Roman Emperor Augustus is the Prima Porta statue, which depicts the armour-clad emperor alongside which deity riding a dolphin? Solve the crossword, then read down the shaded squares to find the prize puzzle answer. ACROSS 1 Crustacean (4) 5 Common red flower (5) 7 Created (4) DOWN 2 Tear(3) 3 Purchase (3) 4 Unwanted emails (4) 6 Baked pastry dish (3) WIN 4x £20 Puzzle 10 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Her white dress is ordered, the flowers chosen. But there will be no music or champagne at Bronwen’s upcoming wedding. Because the mental health worker, from Toronto, Canada, is engaged to a man in a maximum penitentiary prison. ‘I’m marrying a man serving life,’ Bronwen explains. ‘I’m having my honeymoon behind bars.’ Bronwen first met convict Justin in 2003, when she accompanied a friend who was visiting her own boyfriend in prison. After being introduced to Justin, Bronwen explains how he courted her from his prison cell. ‘He was always very polite,’ she says. But Bronwen was reluctant to enter into a relationship with an inmate. ‘He was trying to get my number and I was saying no, I was refusing all of his advances.’ ‘I had just turned 18,…

Daniela Stockmann-Ward, 34, Harrogate, North Yorkshire Stepping off the plane after a dream holiday in the Maldives, I should’ve been gutted it was over. Instead, I’d never been more excited. It was December 2021, and I’d landed back in the UK pregnant and engaged! My fiancé Dave, then 30, and I had been trying for a baby for 14 months. I’d popped a test in my suitcase, hoping to surprise him with news on our hols. He’d packed an engagement ring! Now, it was a double celebration. Having previously suffered one heartbreaking miscarriage, I booked an early scan at eight weeks. Dave held my hand as the sonographer scanned me. ‘I can see a heartbeat,’ she said. Then… ‘Hang on, I can see two!’ ‘Twins?!’ I shrieked. We’d prayed for…

Q Should I be adding vitamin C into my skincare regime? Elaine Sutton, Hove A Vitamin C is an incredible skincare ingredient used to naturally brighten your complexion and boost radiance. There are lots of products out there that will help you add radiance but a vitamin C serum, cleanser and moisturiser will be most effective at giving you the best results. Start off by using Nip + Fab Vitamin C Fix Cleanser, £12.95, nipandfab.com, in the morning to clean your face, correct hyperpigmentation and improve your glow. The lightweight gel will deeply cleanse without drying out. The most effective way to start using vitamin C is by choosing a hard-working serum with a low percentage like 3 or 5%. Once your skin can tolerate it, then invest in Revolution…

Cynthia Ruth Wood was a free spirit. Known as ‘Cindy’ by her friends, the 33-year-old mum was kind and loving. In the summer of 1984, she was working in a nursery, had three children, aged 3,5, and 12, plus a stepdaughter, then 20. But she was embroiled in a bitter custody battle with her ex-husband Barry Wood. She’d accused him of physically abusing one of her children, a son from a previous marriage. Cynthia felt optimistic about her chances in the court case. Especially when a hotel janitor named Charles Michael Stevens approached her, promising damning information about her ex that would help her case. She agreed to go on a date to find out more. On 6 June 1984, Charles picked her up from her home in Bradenton, near…

Jackie Perrins, 55, from Worksop Do you have a nickname? No, I’ve never had a nickname. But I do love being called Nannie by my two grandchildren! What’s your favourite meal? I really like Italian food, particularly a big wedge of lasagne, which I adore served up with chips and a side order of cheesy garlic bread. What would your ideal weekend entail? A weekend spent enjoying quality time with my family, including my grandkids, is what I love the most these days. We enjoy family days out to the Tropical Butterfly House and Clumber Park, which are both nearby. What’s your favourite TV programme? I’ve watched I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! from the very first series and, when it’s on TV, I cancel my diary and watch…

The Small Magellanic Cloud dwarf galaxy mostly falls in the region of a constellation named for what bird? The answer to each clue (apart from the first) begins with the last letter of the preceding answer. The shaded squares will spell out the one-word prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 2 Your answer: 1 Panda food plant (6) 2 Pungent cooking bulb (5) 3 Ice cream with three flavours (10) 4 Item of jewellery (8) 5 Kit, tools (9) 6 Star sign represented by a bull (6) 7 Autumn month (9) 8 Romantic flower (4) 9 Former country by the Berlin Wall (4,7) 10 Junior (7) 11 Sylvester Stallone film character (5) 12 Children (9) 13 Breakfast food or juice (10) 14 Hard wood (4) 15 Male monarch (4) 16 Greed…

After her first collection sold out, Kate Ferdinand is back with her biggest F&F Active collection. Prices start at £10. Sizes from 6-22 F&F at TESCO Sizes from xs-xxl GEORGE at ASDA Introducing the brand Gym Locker. A new generation of modern sportswear designed to be worn in and outside the gym. Prices start at £7. Sizes from xs-xxl TU CLOTHING at SAINSBURY'S Tu Clothing has partnered with world-champion dancer Oti Mabuse to launch Reaktiv, a range of activewear and luxe loungewear apparel. Prices start at £10. Sizes from 8-20 NUTMEG at MORRISONS Cosy jumpers and longline cardis are perfect for lounging and staying stylish and comfortable during yoga sessions. Prices start at £6.…

Janine Price, 49, Sennybridge, Powys True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Rummaging through my wardrobe, I searched for something I could wear. ‘Nothing dark,’ I decided. It was November 1997 and I’d recently developed what looked like pretty severe dandruff. Soon, random patches of dry skin appeared on my arms and torso too. A dermatologist diagnosed psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition, causing the skin to become inflamed, scaly and itchy. When light treatment, in hospital failed, I tried some home remedies, hair oils… Everything made my hair greasy, the white flakes more visible. In June 1998, I gave birth to my son. Muddled through the following years, seeing private dermatologists, trying any suggestions. Even old wives’ tales, like oatmeal baths or applying mashed carrots to my scaly patches. In May 2006, I had…

Singer Ed Sheeran and actor Michael Sheen share what middle name? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Move to music = DANE + C = DANCE. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. WIN 2x £25 Puzzle 9 Move to Prickle Injures Demon Monster Terrible smell Boxing Pay money Leafy veg Wallows Deceive Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Tuna and pepper tart It may look like a lot of effort but it’s a doddle. SERVES 6 PREP 10 MINS COOK 30 MINS ● 325g puff pastry sheet ● 3tbsp sun-dried tomato paste ● 290g jar roasted peppers, drained and quartered ● 225g tuna in oil, drained ● 100g baby spinach, washed 1 Heat the oven to 180C Fan. Put a baking sheet in the oven. Unroll the pastry and put onto a greased baking tray. With a knife, mark a border 2cm in from the pastry’s edge all the way round. 2 Spread over the tomato paste and arrange the peppers, tuna and spinach on top. Drizzle over some of the tuna oil and season with black pepper. 3 Bake, directly on top of the baking sheet (this will…

Aries 21 March-20 April Venus in your sign helps you make new connections in your working life. This will take you closer to where you want to be. Stay focused on your vision. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May As an Earth sign, being in nature helps you to feel energised. So make time to take walks outside and you will feel your connection to yourself and others grow. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Jupiter in your sign gives you the strength to make some big changes by the end of this month. If you are feeling overwhelmed, take smaller steps forward. • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Now would be a really good…