Innehållsförteckning för October 2025 från Pick Me Up! Special

What an issue we’ve got for you this month! If you’ve ever fancied a nibble on the crown jewels, then our life-size-cake maker, Emma is right up your street (p28). And meet brave Gunner, the little lad saved by a rummage in the hospital freezer (p14). We’ve also got some shocking true crime, from the sex brute freed to strike again (p6) to the horrific case of pregnant mum Arnima (p54) whose husband’s actions defy belief. We’ve got puzzles, fun and bargain buys galore too, so there’s truly something for everyone. Enjoy!…

Ffion Pemberton, 33, North Wales Believe it or not, there were no warning signs when I first met Lee Mullen in 2013, aged 20. Admittedly, Lee, then 26, had served time for car theft but he was gentle with me. We dated in 2014. When I broke my leg in a car accident in November that year, he was my rock. In lots of pain and reliant on crutches, I was housebound for months. Terrible timing, as I’d just moved into my new place. Lee moved in too. Every day, he carried me to the sofa and tucked me under a blanket. Then he bustled around, painting, wallpapering, even fitting new flooring. ‘Anything for you, sweetheart,’ he’d smile. I felt so lucky. But as the months passed, cracks appeared. Lee…

Holly Lewis-Vale, 35, Bridgnorth, Shropshire From the racks of baby clothes, I picked out an adorable button-down shirt. ‘This is perfect,’ I said to my husband Jamie, then 30. It was June 2020 and, with our baby boy Gunner, then 7 months, growing quickly, we’d popped to the shops to get him some bits in the next size up. Only, our little lad had a big head! Unless there were buttons on his clothes, I often struggled to get them on. Still, Gunner was a gorgeous, happy boy. Always smiling, he loved his grub and was hitting his milestones. Smiling, rolling, crawling. And he adored his big sister Daisy, then 3. But as the months passed, Gunner’s big head got bigger. His forehead was really starting to protrude. His belly…

Dropping off his 4-year-old son to his ex-wife for the summer in 2020, Timothy Lewis hoped that it was the start of a positive change in their relationship. He and Danielle Dauphinais had divorced when their son, Elijah, was a year old in 2017. Timothy had taken primary custody of him. But now Timothy was struggling with Elijah’s behaviour, and couldn’t cope with him and his other children as well. Danielle was living in New Hampshire with her boyfriend, Joseph Stapf, and their toddler in the basement of Joseph’s mum’s house. Timothy believed they had more support to deal with Elijah’s behavioural issues. At first, everything seemed to be going well. Neighbours reported seeing Elijah playing with trucks in the sand next to the lake behind his house. Running and…

According to Guinness World Records, China is the least flat country, with how many feet between its lowest and highest points? Fit these numbers into the grid. One number doesn’t fit. This is the answer. 3 digits 142 355 430 504 508 655 692 698 754 850 4 digits 1272 1325 1649 3107 4302 4891 4970 5149 5281 5497 8404 9407 9500 5 digits 29534 30586 39204 40324 42806 57261 59093 85449 86254 95907 97277 98130 6 digits 201352 358788 365726 7 digits 1976167 5636479 8971824 8 digits 44152610 57531318 70535601 90845531 Your answer:…

Greek salad with orzo Enjoy a taste of the Med with this filling take on the classic salad. SERVES 4 PREP 20 MINS COOK 10 MINS ● 150g orzo● 100g broad beans● 1 cucumber, peeled, halved lengthways, seeds removed and chopped● 200g cherry tomatoes, quartered● 1 red onion, peeled, halved and thinly sliced● 200g feta cheese, crumbled● Handful mint leaves For the dressing: ● 1tbsp red wine vinegar● 2tbsp olive oil● 1tsp dried oregano 1 Cook the orzo in a pan of boiling, salted water for 9 mins. Drain and rinse under cold water, drain again. Meanwhile, cook the beans for 4 to 5 mins in boiling water, drain and, when cool enough to handle, pop them out of their skins. 2 Put the orzo and broad beans in a…

Emma, 43 Heart pounding, I sat on the sofa with my phone in my hand. As I typed the words into Google, I couldn’t believe what I was about to do. Dating sites for attached people, I searched. Then I clicked on Illicit Encounters, the first website that came up. What if I get caught? I thought, panicking. A quick glance across the sofa reminded me I needn’t have worried. My husband Joe, 44, was engrossed in the football on TV. Would he even notice if I stripped down to my undies? I wondered. When we’d first got together our sex life was sizzling. Now, in November 2023, a decade and two kids later, our marriage was barely clinging on. Conversations revolved around the school run and whose turn it…

Foolproof chocolate fondant Rich and indulgent, this classic is easier to master than you might think. SERVES 8 PREP 5 MINS COOK 15 MINS ● Cocoa powder, for dusting● 275g dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids)● 225g unsalted butter● 400g caster sugar● ½tsp vanilla extract● 5 large eggs, beaten● 200g plain flour, sifted You will need: ● 8 metal pudding moulds or ramekins brushed sparingly with melted butter 1 Heat the oven to 140C Fan/Gas 3. Dust the buttered pudding moulds or ramekins with cocoa powder and shake out the excess. Set them aside. 2 In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the chocolate and butter over a low heat. Remove from the heat and stir in the caster sugar and vanilla extract. Leave to cool slightly. 3 Whisk the eggs into…

Border views Perched on the border of England and Scotland, Berwick ping-ponged between the two kingdoms 14 times. It ended up as part of England and, to protect it from attack, was enclosed by mighty stone walls and deep ditches. Over 460 years later, you can still wander the wide, flat ramparts, which takes about an hour. Alternatively, join a two-hour guided tour (£9 for adults; kids free; explore-northumberland.co.uk). Shore thing Berwick is blessed with unspoilt beaches. ‘Little Beach’, near the pier and lighthouse, is great for rock-pooling and fossil-hunting, while sheltered Fisherman’s Haven is the place for a dip or a dog walk (dogs are allowed all year round). Walk over the 17th-century stone bridge from Berwick to find Spittal Beach – a long expanse backed by a children’s…

Scorpio 23 October – 21 November While Halloween is in late October, you’re feeling witchy throughout, as Mars makes you want to put others under your spell. Watch your temper around the 20th. Call 0905 789 4157* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates Sagittarius 22 November – 21 December Like many Sagittarians, you don’t know what’s coming next from significant others. On the 29th, Mercury enters and communication is on your side. Call 0905 789 4158* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates Capricorn 22 December – 19 January Something has undermined your ability to move forward recently, and it’s dispiriting. From mid-month positive developments help, especially news near the 24th. Call 0905 789 4159* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates Aquarius 20 January – 18 February Potentially…

What doesactor Benedict Cumberbatch say is a perfect day? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the six-word answer. ACROSS 11 _ Stone, Basic Instinct actor (6) 12 Metal (9) 13 One who inherits (4) 14 Fungus (8) 15 Person who avoids animal products (5) 16 Red semi-precious gem (6) 17 Blue cheese (7) 18 Small country in Rome (7,4) 20 First Greek letter (5) 22 Long-running game show about letters and numbers (9) 24 English county (5) 28 Stumbled (7) 29 Gives up work (7) 32 Where boats are kept (6) 34 Said again (8) 36 Married men (8)  37 Attractiveness (6) 39 Canadian city (7) 40 Tools for harvesting crops (7) 45 Liz _, former PM (5) 47 Exactly the same (9)…

Rhiannan Egan, 27, Manchester Dressing for school in my bedroom, my tummy rumbled. But I didn’t care. For the first time in ages, I hadn’t woken up worrying about money. Instead, I’d been thinking about my boyfriend Phil. It was spring 2012, and things had been tough at home for Mum, me and my older sister. Mum had split from Dad years earlier and worked three jobs to pay the bills. But some days, the fridge was empty. At 14, I was constantly worrying about how we’d get by. But now Phil was around, things were different. ‘I’m here for you,’ he told me, soon after we’d got chatting on Facebook. Phil, 21, was an estate agent who played professional ice hockey and even worked as an extra on Hollyoaks…

For most mothers, the thought of their child ever harming them seems unimaginable, but women are becoming the prime targets of their abusive, even dangerous sons, more often than we realise. Alex Iszatt, behavioural criminologist, says, ‘Matricide is one of the most brutal forms of murder, made even more disturbing by the fact that it violates one of the most fundamental human bonds – the relationship between mother and child.’ Perpetrators in 90% of parricide cases – the killing of a parent – are overwhelmingly sons, not daughters, and the 2,000 Women report by the Femicide Census shows that in 172 cases of matricide, women were killed by their own sons ‘There is a warped paradox at play because the woman who gave life becomes, in the killer’s mind, the…

GO FOR A WALK When: Every day. Why: Physical activity triggers the release of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, a lack of which has been linked to depression and fatigue. And natural daylight elevates levels of mood-boosting vitamin D and resets your sleep/wake cycle for better sleep. You don’t have to trek for miles – just 10-20 minutes of brisk walking a day will help lift your mood. No one to hug? Cuddle a pillow or your pet – both will prompt a flood of oxytocin. WEAR BRIGHT COLOURS When: Three or four times a week. Why: Studies have shown they elicit a positive emotional response, including feelings of happiness and excitement. You don’t have to go mad if you’re not feeling bold – a colourful scarf or some bright…

Nick Johnson, 64, Warminster, Wiltshire Reaching for my wife Lisa’s hand, the consultant’s remarks echoed around my mind. ‘I’m afraid you have ovarian cancer. You only have three to five years left to live.’ It was March 2015, and with those few words, it felt as though our whole world had fallen apart. But Lisa, then 51, was made of stronger stuff. ‘I’m not letting this define me,’ she vowed. ‘I’m going to make the most of whatever time I’ve got left.’ ‘Then I’ll help you,’ I promised her. Lisa and I had been married for almost 22 years, together for 30. My soulmate, I couldn’t imagine life without her. I took early retirement from my job as an IT manager to look after Lisa as she underwent surgery and…

When Karla and Angel met online, there was an instant attraction. ‘I started noticing that she’d like my stories on Facebook,’ says Angel. Thinking she was ‘really pretty’, he decided to text her. The young couple soon fell in love with each other. And two years on, they’re now engaged. As successful content creators, their videos get millions of views. But not everyone is happy to see the two of them together. And it’s fair to say that their love is different. Because Angel, now 18, is severely disabled. He has a condition called arthrogryposis, causing joint deformities which limit his movement. He can’t walk or do certain tasks independently and has spent his life in a wheelchair, needing round-the-clock care. He was unsure if he’d ever find a partner.…

Maggie Rastall, 62, North Wales As my daughter Emma, then 35, made a brew, I began tidying up the toys scattered around the room. ‘Leave that Mum, the kids will only make a mess again,’ Emma laughed. ‘It’s my pleasure,’ I said. And I meant it. Working as a food delivery driver and, before that, a taxi driver for 37 years, I enjoyed doing what I could to make life easier for folk. Emma was a mum to 10 children, and was expecting another baby with her husband Lee, 40. As he worked long hours, I was always happy to help with the kids. If I wasn’t spending time with her, I was with my son Dewi, 34, and daughter-in-law Elsa, 28. Family and friends meant everything to me, as…

VESTS STYLE TIP An excellent transitional piece. Wear sleeveless designs alone or layer over tops. POLO TOPS STYLE TIP Collared knits have a cool, retro feel and look great dressed down with denim. JUMPERS STYLE TIP Invest in light fabrics to ease into the new season – they’re perfect for layering. CARDIGANS STYLE TIP Leave a few buttons undone at the chest to create a flattering V-neckline. Chunkier knits work well worn open.…

Carolyn Burton, 43 As I walked out of the airport, I blinked in the bright sunshine. The desert air warming my skin, people bustling around me, I was ready for a fun-filled trip away. Only, when I saw a chauffeur beside a limo holding a sign with my name, I came to a stop. ‘You didn’t!’ I shrieked at my husband Chris, then 40. Grinning, he helped me in before pouring me a glass of champagne. ‘Happy 40th!’ he said, clinking his glass against mine. It was July 2021, and turning 40 had been a big deal for me. I was a mum to two beautiful kids, Thomas, then 17, and Cadance, 19, from a previous relationship. But now they were almost adults, I was looking forward to the next…

Emma Jayne Morris, 55, Aberdare Scanning the kitchen counter, I did a mental check list. Flour, eggs, butter, sugar… It was time to get stuck in. The month was August 2010, and with our daughter Jasmine’s 17th birthday approaching, I’d vowed to bake her a cake. I’d picked a cake shaped like a Twilight book for my vampire fan. Sure, I hadn’t baked much before. But how hard could it be? So I bought a recipe book and just followed the instructions. Soon my kitchen counter ingredients were a silky batter being poured into a baking tin. Half an hour later, I was pulling a sweet-smelling cake out of the oven. ‘So far, so good,’ I said to my husband Owain, then 34. And when it came to decorating, my…

3 OF THE BEST… BASKETS STYLE TIPS 1 Make these simple swaps Switch out stark whites for soft creams, crisp cottons for slubby linens and abstract shapes for more fluid forms. 2 Keep to subtle shades Add interest to an otherwise neutral scheme by adding sage green and dusky pink to your palette of off-whites. 3 Choose rustic pieces For the laid-back look, choose textured fabrics – think soft linens alongside boucle pieces. Pick out accessories that look handmade too, like braided baskets and sculpted ceramics.…

With sleek locks and glowing skin, curvaceous Alexis sets hearts pounding whenever she sets foot in a room. But although the fellas may have their blood pumping, they don’t stand a chance of jumping into bed with her. ‘I’ve chosen to be celibate for seven years now,’ she explains. After a ‘wild’ period in her 20s, Alexis became fed up with dating and decided to focus on herself. ‘In my 20s I experienced a lot,’ she says. ‘The young lady I was in my 20s is the complete opposite of who I am now in my 30s.’ But it hasn’t been an easy ride. ‘In the beginning… it was a bit challenging, due to my decision, which was pretty much different than my peers around me at the time,’ she…

Arnima Hayat’s parents always knew that their daughter was special. Intelligent and caring, she had a bright future, they were sure of it. When she was 9 years old, Arnima and her family relocated from Bangladesh to Australia. Her parents hoped that it would open up more opportunities for their beloved daughter. And Arnima flourished. As she got older, it was clear what a gifted student she was. And when she was a teen, she was accepted at Western Sydney University to study medicine. Arnima was so excited. ‘Papa, one day when I become a doctor, I will earn a lot of money. I will buy you a house. I will buy a BMW car. You will see,’ she told her dad. A family girl, Arnima was very close to…

Natalie Welsh, 37, Grimsby, Lincolnshire Hiding away in a corner of the playground, I ate my sandwich, hoping nobody would spot me. It was 1996 and, aged 8, I was bigger than the other kids at school. I felt self-conscious eating in front of them, so I never had lunch in the dining hall. Instead, I’d find a quiet spot and scoff quickly – at least, that was the hope… ‘Alright Fatty Natty!’ a voice shouted across the playground. My face reddened as laughter followed. The nickname Fatty Natty followed me through primary school, and into secondary too. My sweet tooth and lack of portion control were my downfalls, along with a habit of snacking. By the time I was 15, I weighed 16st. That, along with my thick glasses…

Benji Madden and Cameron Diaz Hollywood golden girl Cameron, 52, surprised fans when she first started dating her now-husband, rock-band star Benji, 46, in 2014. While many wouldn’t have put the couple together, they tied the knot after just eight months of dating, having first been introduced by Benji’s sister-in-law, Nicole Richie. They welcomed daughter Raddix in 2019 and son Cardinal in 2024. Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande Eyebrows were raised in 2023 when it was revealed that singer and actor Ariana, 32, had split from husband Dalton Gomez and moved on with Wicked co-star Ethan, who also ended his marriage. Despite many suggesting it wouldn’t last, as we went to print the couple still appeared to be going strong. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce In 2023, two worlds collided…