Innehållsförteckning för 7 August 2025 från Chat

Welcome to this week’s Chat… This week, read about Briana, who found the one and fell in love (p23). The only problem was that Luke, the man who stole her heart, was a stranger who lived in Derby – 3,000 miles away from Briana’s Canadian home. They’d started chatting while playing video games, but their feelings were real, so she booked a plane ticket. Not just to visit, but to live with him, forever! I won’t spoil it for you, but if you like happy endings, you’re in for a treat. Have a great week,…

Tina Davis, 57 Standing in my living room, I watched my husband Ronnie’s face drop as I spoke. ‘I want a divorce,’ I said again. It was February 2018, we’d been separated for ages. Sure, once, we’d been happy. Friends as teens, we’d lost touch then bumped into each other in the gym years later. Divorced, with two sons, Mark, then 17, and Mason, 14, romance hadn’t been on my agenda. But we fell in love. After marrying in November 2007, everything was perfect. Until it wasn’t. After we began arguing over everything, we’d decided to have a trial separation and Ronnie had moved out. That was 18 months ago. I’d enjoyed seeing friends more, spending time with Mark, then 28 and Mason, 24, and their families. There’d been no…

Knives out After making place mats for our static caravan, my clever niece Cheryl had leftover waterproof fabric. She didn’t like the idea of flies in contact with knives and forks when eating outside, so she crafted some matching cutlery pockets to keep them covered. Chris Hanson, Gillingham, Kent Light-bulb moment After changing a light bulb, I noticed that the inner tray inside the bulb box would fit the base of electric toothbrushes. What a cheap, easy way to store them in your bathroom! Sandra Dodd, Shrewsbury, Shropshire £25 For every photo tip that we print Eggcellent idea! On a road trip through France, we fancied boiled eggs for breakfast, but couldn’t find any egg cups. We cut up the cardboard egg box and used that instead. Sue Cotson, Cottingham…

WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 What do actors Paul Giamatti and Forest Whitaker have in common? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the five-word prize answer. ACROSS 1 Value (5) 4 Musician who released the 1999 album Play (4) 6 Large creature with a trunk (8) 13 Against the law (7) 14 _ Bloom, actor (7) 15 Dish (5) 16 Novel by Jane Austen (4) 17 Alter (6) 18 Gentle, kind (6) 20 Betting chances (4) 21 Holy person (5) 22 Agree to receive (6) 25 _ City, state capital of Utah (4,4) 28 The _, gallery in Paris (6) 30 _ Sunak, former PM (5) 32 David _, Peep Show actor (8) 34 Paper hankie (6) 35 Facts and figures (4) 38…

Help! My vulva hurts Q I have burning, throbbing pain in my vulva, especially over the clitoris. It comes and goes, and is worse with anything touching it - like leggings. I’ve been told it’s vulvodynia. Please help! Laura, Swansea A I’m so sorry to hear you have this as it can be difficult to manage, but there are ways to improve it. Wearing loose cotton underwear and avoiding scented products can help. Your GP may suggest numbing or hormone creams, pain relief, antidepressants or nerve medications. Some women benefit from pelvic floor physio, biofeedback therapy, dietary changes or even surgery if the pain is localised. Massage or acupuncture can also be useful. It may take time to find the right treatment, so keep in touch with your GP, a…

The National Gallery of North Macedonia in Skopje is based in a building that was originally built as what? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Plinth = SAND + T = STAND. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. WIN 2 x £25 Puzzle 9 Plinth Light fabric Legal documents Move over ice Unadorned Defeats Singing group Russian currency Gather information Skin growths Embarrassment Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Dumped by my pal Q My best friend has been distant lately, always ‘busy’, yet I often see on social media she’s out with other people. We used to be inseparable – wine nights, heart-to-hearts, laughs till our stomachs hurt. Now it’s like I’ve been quietly replaced. No argument, no falling-out… just silence and cold shoulders. I don’t know if I should confront her or just let the friendship fade. Vicky, 50 A Letting the friendship fade would be like mourning without a funeral, petal. Speak to her without confrontation. But know what you want from it. Are you ready to hear it if she wants to move on? Message her and tell her you miss her. Ask if you’ve done something wrong. If she doesn’t reply, that tells you…

3 Ways to… save on rail travel Travelling by train over the summer? See how much you can save with these tips. 1 Get in early If you know when you’re going to be travelling, get your tickets sorted asap. Advance tickets usually go on sale up to 12 weeks ahead, and the cheapest tickets can be snapped up quickly. Some companies release them earlier – you can set up ticket alerts at thetrainline.com. If tickets are already on sale, it’s usually best to book as soon as possible as prices tend to increase. But bear in mind advance tickets are non-refundable unless your journey is delayed or cancelled. Although you can change the day or time that you’re travelling, this may cost extra. Find more info on this at nationalrail.co.uk.…

After saying goodbye to my last client of the day, I flopped into a chair. ‘At last,’ I sighed, kicking off my shoes and rubbing my aching feet. Running my own aesthetics clinic, I specialised in laser treatments, microneedling and facials. I loved seeing the smiles on my clients’ faces after their treatments. Boosting their confidence and enhancing their natural beauty. But the hours were long and exhausting. Just then, a text from my best mate, Jodie, then 29, perked me up. Night out on Saturday? You’re on! I replied. Friends for years, me and Jodie always had a laugh. Something I needed more than ever right now. Months earlier, in December 2023, my dad Ernie, 64, had died. I felt a strong pressure against the side of my face…

Chat winners issue 19 (8 May 2025) Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £1,001 CASH R Johnston, Wallasey £500 CASH C Schreder, Sheffield L Taylor, South Molton £250 CASH S James, Southend-on-Sea P Rhodes, Kidderminster £200 CASH V Shaw, Flint £100 CASH A Milner, Looe P Perry, Lincoln E Cadden, Glasgow £75 CASH T Wheeler, Burton-on-Trent £50 CASH M Perry, Walsall N Bellamy, Nottingham H Spencer, Oakham T England, Norwich V Poulston, Congleton P Roberts, Blandford Forum £40 CASH G Alcock, Leek £30 CASH S Marriott, Salisbury L Garman, Leeds £25 CASH C Frost, Mablethorpe J Blexill, Hull £20 CASH C Knott, Worthing R Mayer, Stoke-on-Trent E Puckey, London P Chirnside, London S Jones, Stratford-upon-Avon M Finch, High Wycombe C Goult, Bury St Edmunds J Skelton, Sheffield M…

Annaliese Holland, 25 The school bell rang for lunch and my class headed towards the canteen. But I sloped off in the opposite direction. Hiding away in the girls’ toilets, I pulled a container out of my bag and poured the gloopy liquid into a cup. Sipped it slowly, tiny gulps at a time. Anything more than that and the nausea would overwhelm me. Then, the stomach cramps would start. It was summer 2012, and aged 12, I’d rather have been with my friends, tucking into sausage, mash and beans in the school canteen. But I couldn’t. And I was too embarrassed to let any of them see my gloopy lunch. For the last year, I’d been suffering from an intense feeling of sickness and agonising tummy pains every time…

YOU’RE THE JUDGE! Shy, but kind, Milana Li, then 13, didn’t ask for much. A sweet girl, she wasn’t materialistic. So when her gran, Lydia, took her on a surprise trip to a phone shop and got her a brand new mobile, Milana was speechless. ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!’ she beamed to her gran. Milana had recently had a growth spurt. So Lydia, and Milana’s mum, Assel, took her clothes shopping. But all humble Milana wanted from the day out was a T-shirt and jeans. And while Assel worked hard to pay the bills, working night shifts at a local Nike factory, Milana would look after her beloved little sister, 5. She had a lot of friends too. And recently she’d been mixing with an older…

1 Know what to eat and drink Stay hydrated by nibbling on foods with a high water content, such as watermelon and watercress. ‘Starting the day with a cooling breakfast of Greek yogurt with cucumber, mint and berries and a cup of peppermint or hibiscus tea will help you regulate your body temperature,’ says health and wellness coach Sarah Stannard. ‘Avoid ice-cold drinks – they can actually make you hotter.’ This is because your mouth and throat send signals to your brain to activate processes to warm your body up. 2 Plan ahead for bed Keep your bedroom cool by closing the curtains during the day to keep the sunshine out, says Penny Weston, who runs MADE Wellness Centre. ‘Hanging a wet sheet in front of an open window will also…

SUNNY SHADES GREAT VALUE PRETTY PLANTER…

With fiery locks down to her waist and long, slender legs, Sam turns heads wherever she goes. So when a man approached her to chat her up, it was no surprise the stunning redhead had caught his eye. ‘This man came up to ask me out on a date,’ Sam says. But she politely declined. ‘I said, “No, I have a boyfriend!”,’ gesturing towards her other half. And though her partner, Cam, had been right beside her the whole time, this man had made the same mistake people often did. ‘Oh, I thought that was your brother,’ he said. Short and stout with a big, bushy beard and shaggy brown hair, Cam prefers a more ‘comfortable’ look than his girlfriend. ‘Her style is definitely more elegant,’ he says. It leads…

Ciara Murray, 41, Enniskillen, Fermanagh Passed a present, I ripped off the pretty paper and melted into a puddle as I saw the pack of adorable, tiny sleepsuits. ‘This baby is so spoiled,’ I smiled, adding it to the pile of other presents. It was October 2015 and, at 36 and a half weeks pregnant, I’d been looking forward to this baby shower with my friends so much. But not as much as I was looking forward to my little one arriving. Though this was my first child, I’d sailed through the pregnancy. Now me and my husband John, then 34, were just excited for the big day. I’d be giving birth at the local hospital, had my bag packed ready with the necessities. We’d decided not to find out…

WIN £500 Puzzle 16 The answers to all but one of these quiz questions can be found hidden in this wordsearch grid, reading forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonally. To help you, we’ll tell you that the answers are in alphabetical order in each section. However, one answer can’t be found in the grid. This is your prize answer. SHASTA 1 In The Horse and, His Boy, the fifth book of C. S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, what is the name of Shasta’s horse? (4) 2 Mount shasta is a potentially active volcano at the southern end of the Cascade Range in which US state? (10) 3 In Hinduism, Shasta is the son of Mohini and which other principal deity? (5) AFRICAN 4 The landlock country of the Central frican…

On a cold, dark night in March 2018, a couple were out driving in Glendale, Arizona. By the side of the road, something unusual caught their attention. It was an infant car seat. Pulling their car over to take a closer look, they made a startling discovery. A baby was sitting inside. It was 10pm. And the child’s parents were nowhere to be seen. So the couple called the police for help. Responding almost immediately, officers looked through a nappy bag and a backpack found nearby. They discovered a wallet, containing an ID belonging to a young woman. Jasmine Dunbar, 21. Was she the mother? Tracing her address, officers spoke to Jasmine’s godmother, who she lived with in nearby Phoenix. She confirmed Jasmine had a 7-month-old daughter, who matched the…

Andrea Richardson, 66, from Great Leighs What’s your favourite mug? My favourite mug says Nanny’s Garden and has the names of my grandchildren on it. It needs an upgrade, as we now have newborn Sadie too. I enjoy my morning cup of tea in the conservatory. Have you done anything lately that’s made you proud? I was awarded a certificate from Barnardos as I volunteer at a baby group. I enjoy chatting with all the mums and seeing their gorgeous babies. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? Not to worry about the things you have no control over. That’s something I’ve had to remind myself a lot lately. What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a bilingual secretary as I enjoyed…

Pedelavium, a Christian ceremony, has what English name, derived from the first word of the verse sung during it? The number next to the clue tells you which line the answer’s in. We’ve put a section in for you! There may be two Across answers in one line. Down words fill themselves in. The shaded squares spell the prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 2 1 Molecule, particle • Chief, foremost 3 Police equipment 5 Morning condensation • Our star 7 Looming 9 Single thing or person • Remain Your answer:…

SLIDERS STYLE TIP This sleek style makes getting them on and off a total breeze. Add pops of colour to classic tan for extra interest. THONG STYLE TIP Pretty beading and metal accents help elevate this flip-flop design. Look for ankle straps for added support. DOUBLE BUCKLE STYLE TIP A summer staple, these comfy flats will give floaty frocks a tougher edge with buckle details. STRAPPY STYLE TIP Perfect for taking you from day to night, look for metallic finishes and animal prints to amp up the glamour. FROM £8…

Cheryl Wadsworth, 35, Warrington, Cheshire Mine and my fiancé’s eyes were locked on the screen. ‘I can’t wait,’ I said to Phil, then 36. ‘Me neither,’ he grinned. We weren’t about to watch the latest thriller or the ending to a juicy soap storyline. No, it was much better. We were about to see our unborn daughter. It was February 2024, I was 28 weeks pregnant with our first baby. So far, everything had been smooth sailing. We’d bought a cot and a pram. And after finding out we were expecting a girl during a scan at 17 weeks, we’d decorated the nursery with pink butterflies. Now, in the scan room at Warrington Hospital, we were about to see our precious princess on screen again. As the blurry white shape…

Jenna Herycz, 35, Birmingham As my friend Cally chatted away on the video call, I smiled and nodded along. Then suddenly, she paused. ‘OK, what’s wrong?’ Cally, then 31, said, frowning. ‘I’m fine, just tired,’ I said. But there was no way of fooling Cally. Friends for 10 years after meeting through church, we were so close. We had the same personality, both kind, fun and up for anything! We connected right away and it was lovely to meet someone my age who was also a newlywed. But our chats were always over Facetime as Cally lived thousands of miles away in Utah, USA. But even with all that distance, we’d speak every couple of weeks, and she could tell there was something on my mind. Just a week earlier…

Chocolate chip cookies A true classic, we’ve added a sprinkle of salt to make these even tastier! MAKES 15 PREP 15 MINS, PLUS CHILLING COOK 15 MINS ● 100g unsalted butter, softened ● 60g caster sugar ● 60g soft light brown sugar ● 1 medium free-range egg ● 40g ground almonds ● 120g self-raising flour ● ½tsp flaked sea salt, plus extra for sprinkling ● 100g dark chocolate, roughly chopped ● 100g white chocolate, roughly chopped 1 Heat the oven to 160C Fan. Cream the butter and both sugars until the mixture is very pale and fluffy. Mix in the egg. Once smooth, fold in all the remaining ingredients. Chill for 30 mins. 2 Break off walnut-sized pieces of dough and shape into balls. Arrange on a lined baking tray, spaced apart,…

Aries 21 March-20 April As a Fire sign you can be quick to anger, and right now you can use this energy constructively by channelling it positively towards an important goal. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May It’s time to release any unwanted emotions. As a fixed Earth sign it can be hard for you to let go, but it is necessary for you to move forward. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June You would rather think your way out of a situation than feel everything deeply. However, it’s pivotal for you to make time to go within in order to find clarity. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July It’s time to open your heart…

Q My hair’s thinning - is there a quick way to make it look thicker? Clare Wilmott, Bridgend A It’s very common for hair to get finer or for growth to slow as we age – and it can be due to a combination of factors, from health and genetics, to hormone fluctuations. Some people experience more significant shedding or thinning, even female pattern hair loss. When it comes to more serious hair loss, speak to your doctor before seeking out solutions – it could be an indicator of an underlying health issue. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to help cheat the appearance of thicker hair. Fibre powder formulas can make an incredible difference to areas where you’ve lost hair or it’s thinning. They’re powders that contain tiny fibres…

TEXT Simply text CHATC followed by a space and your answer/s (spaces between answers please) full name, door number and postcode to 63333 Texts cost 50p plus standard network charge (maximum 160 characters per text). When you enter by text, you may in future get SMS marketing messages from Future plc and Chat. If you want to receive these, please end your text with OPTIN. Texting tips ● Don’t put any spaces in an answer that has several words: eg: CHATISTHEBEST not CHAT IS THE BEST. ● If the answer is a name, you need only give the surname: eg: CLOONEY not GEORGE CLOONEY. ● You can use capitals or small letters, but don’t use any commas, etc. ● Leave out answers you don’t wish to enter. INTERNET Join our…

Dear Clair, Aged 16, I was mad about music and dreamed about becoming a rap artist. I’d done OK in my GCSEs, was studying bricklaying at college. From a loving family, I had a mum and dad who wanted the best for me and two little sisters who I adored. But I was heading down a very dark path. Hanging around with new mates, I’d ended up in a gang. And I’d become someone I didn’t recognise, carrying a knife. ‘For protection,’ I kept telling myself. But that didn’t stop me from feeling guilty as I hid the blade in my bedroom when I got in each night. I knew my parents would be crushed if they found out. They never will, I thought. Only months later, in early 2022,…