Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2025 i Chat Specials

Welcome to the September issue of Chat Monthly! You’re in the right place if you’re looking for fun puzzles, tasty recipes, beauty and fashion bargains, the latest home trends and loads of shocking real-life stories. Meet Francesca, who tells us how she got slinky scoffing pasta (p14). Yes, really! Amazing Steffni shares why she’s still smiling despite living with a challenging condition where her head is kept in place with 15 screws (p32). And Danielle tells us all about her daughter Jessie, the little cutie who won a fight for her life with the help of a famous cowgirl (p52). And that’s just the start! Have a great month.…

As Kert’s eyes locked with mine, he just smirked and closed the door. No, no, no! Kert hadn’t come to save me at all, he was guarding the door. He’d known what Jordan was doing to me in the toilet and he’d just let it happen. Just as evil as his brother. After, as Jordan led me back to the party, he hissed, ‘Don’t say a word.’ Wiping away tears, I wanted to tell Torrey. But how could I? It would ruin Georgina’s birthday party. And I was afraid of Jordan. Kert too. So I said nothing. Forced a smile when Mum came to collect me. Back home, sore where Jordan had hurt me, I wept in my room. Hopefully we won’t see them again, I thought. But weeks later,…

Francesca Bell, 41, Bakewell, Derbyshire Clutching the zip of my work trousers, I tugged and tugged. No use.‘Nothing fits,’ I groaned to my husband Nick, 39. It was March 2024 and I had a work conference the next day. Working from home as a marketing manager, I only saw my colleagues once a year at this do. I hadn’t tried on any formal clothes for months. And now that I’d dug out my size-18 smart slacks and put them on, either they’d shrunk or I’d grown. I reckoned I knew which. Usually I wore loose layers and stretchy leggings. Perfect for chasing around after our sons Seb, 6, and Josh, 4. For as long as I could remember, I’d been on the bigger side. And I only had myself to…

Lindsey Thwaites, 53, Chapeltown, South Yorkshire The smell of shepherd’s pie wafted through the air in the kitchen. My tummy rumbling, I picked up my checked oven gloves and leant forward to open the oven door. Only, as I bent over, my black and white Border collie Brian, then 2, stuck his nose right where it was least welcome. ‘Brian!’ I said, standing upright with a jolt. He’d stuck his snout right up my bum! ‘I don’t know what’s got into him,’ I tutted to my husband Dave, then 69, as I plated up. ‘He never used to do this.’ Every time I turned around, Brian was there trying to get a good old sniff of my undercarriage. I put it down to the problems I’d been having ‘down there’.…

Bethany Wood, 33, Rye, East Sussex Slicing through the water, I reached the other side of the swimming pool. Aged 10, I loved swimming. Enjoyed dancing and other sports too. In fact, my parents encouraged me to do as much exercise as possible. You see, aged 2, I’d been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF). The condition causes a build-up of mucus in the body’s tubes and passageways. It’s harmful to the lungs and digestive system. Docs had warned my parents that I would be lucky to live to adulthood. But despite the devastating prognosis, my parents were positive. Encouraged me to live a normal life. I had daily physio on my lungs, medication, and regularly used a nebuliser. Often I felt wheezy, had a sore tummy after eating. But I…

When Sally’s little girl Steffni was born, she was like any other baby. She learnt to sit unaided, began crawling and even took her first teeny tiny steps. There was no sign anything was wrong. But as Steffni grew into a toddler, her mum noticed things starting to change. ‘My mother didn’t realise anything until I was around 2,’ she explains. ‘I was constantly falling down when I was walking and I wasn’t catching myself, so she ended up contacting the doctor.’ What followed would change their lives forever. She was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which causes progressive muscle weakness that worsens over time. Usually affecting males, Steffni’s diagnosis was extremely rare. You could never make me hate my life or myself ‘Like, one in 50 million!’ she…

1 Cool down Exposing our faces to icy temperatures causes the blood vessels to constrict, making the skin appear tighter and more taut. It won’t have a long-term effect, but it’s a nice treat before a big event or whenever you need a pick-me-up. Botanics Ice Rollers, £16, Boots, are designed to be stored in the fridge and will assist with lymphatic drainage too, helping your face look more sculpted. 2 Lift with blush Adding colour makes your cheekbones look higher, and your lower face seem narrower. Apply your chosen shade to the tops of your cheeks, moving in a loose ‘C’ shape from the apples upwards and outwards to the base of your brow. Attitude Oceanly Cream Blush Stick, £28.50, ecco-verde.co.uk, goes on beautifully. 3 Try a tool GESKE Sonic Facial Roller…

When 62-year-old Mitch and his wife Chela, 40, take their family to do the weekly shop, they get more than a few looks. Because with 10 children in tow, dressed in coordinating outfits, it’s hard not to miss the larger-than-life family. ‘People think our family is a cult,’ jokes mum Chela. ‘Even the doctors when we were having the last child in hospital asked, “Are you guys a cult?”’ adds Mitch. The couple’s ‘fun, loving’ family consists of twin daughters Orial and Chena, 16, along with daughters Chelece, 15, Chala, 13, Chanay, 8, Chalay, 6, Chandelle, 4, and Asriel, 2. Plus there are the couple’s two boys, Orien, 12, and Orisen, 10. Mitch explains that he first met Chela at work. ‘I was singing in a restaurant and she requested…

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 answer. HEIDI 1 Which first name links Heidi’s goatherd friend in the Heidi novels, the husband of Lois Griffin in Family Guy and Bill Murray’s character in Ghostbusters? (5) 2 What was the nationality of author Johanna Spyri, who published stories of the orphan Heidi between 1880 and 1881? (5) 3 Heidi Klum, Tommy Hilfiger, David Bowie and Gwen Stefani appeared as themselves with cameos in which 2001 comedy directed by and starring Ben Stiller? (9) REBECCA 4…

20 UNDER £20…

GUILTY The jury deliberated for just 90 minutes before finding Sarah Boone, 46, guilty of second-degree murder. In November 2024, her lawyers filed a request for a new trial. They claimed alleged prosecutorial misconduct, but it was denied. In December 2024, she was sentenced to life in prison. During her sentencing, she maintained her accusations that Jorge had abused her. Said that he had ‘kicked, punched, spit on, raped, stabbed, choked’ her. ‘I forgive myself for falling in love with a monster. And no matter how grotesque he may have become, I still loved him, hoped and forgave,’ she said. But Jorge’s family couldn’t forgive his killer. Jorge’s daughter, Ana Victoria Torres, said her father’s death had left her battling chronic depression and anxiety. She said that for the first year…

Hubby’s secret phone Q I was cleaning out my husband’s car the other day when I found something that made my stomach drop. He has a secret second phone. I haven’t turned it on, as I’m afraid of what I’ll find. But I’ve not confronted him either. I can’t stop thinking about it and imagining the worst. What should I do? Cheryl, 44 A First of all, take a deep breath! A friend could have dropped the phone in his car, or it could be a work thing. There’s no point spiralling until you know. Well done for not snooping, love. If you want the truth, the best thing to do is casually tell hubby what you found. How he responds will tell you everything. Nobody overreacts like a man…

Do I have an STI? Q I’m 30 years old and my discharge changes throughout the month. Is this an STI? Kat, Salford A Vaginal discharge can vary depending on your menstrual cycle and is usually nothing to worry about. Normal discharge is typically colourless or milky, and women may have small or large amounts. Unusual discharge, which could point to a sexually transmitted infection (STI), may change in colour or consistency and may have an odour. Green or yellow discharge can indicate STIs like gonorrhoea, while greyish, watery discharge is common in bacterial vaginosis. If you notice any unusual discharge, see your GP. Regular STI screenings are recommended too, especially if you have multiple partners, to ensure early detection and treatment. Skin cancer concern I have a brown mark on…

OR24 ASM Perhaps this one was forbidden because it’s too easy to fake? FA24 NNY Banned because it’s being reserved for Sweet Ms Adams, obvs. AS24 HOL There were simply too many bad drivers to pick a suitable owner for this one. W24 UKR The Highway Code does say you should drive or ride with both hands on the wheel! SH24 GED Not just an innocent bird. Maybe Austin Powers needed this one to find his mojo? PS24 CHO Norman Bates called, he wanted his number plate back. FF24 RTD DVLA bosses worried this number plate could cause a bit of a stinker! TO24 ERR It took us a while to figure this one out. It’s really willy silly.…

Spicy sausage bake A handy spice blend adds a flavour boost to this simple dish. SERVES 2 PREP 20 mins COOK 30 mins ● 1tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling● 6 pork or chicken chipolatas● 1tsp Moroccan spice blend (look for ras el hanout)● 1 red onion, cut into wedges● 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and cut into thick slices● 200g cherry tomatoes on the vine● 1 pitta bread, torn into chunks● Hummus, to serve (optional) You will need: ● Oven-safe frying pan or skillet pan 1 Heat the oven to 200C Fan/Gas 7. Heat your frying pan on the hob to a medium high heat. Add half the oil and fry the chipolatas for 5-8 mins, tossing regularly. 2 Add the ras el hanout to the pan with the onion and pepper…

Danielle Mosson, 40, Tamworth, Staffordshire Three balls of energy rushed past me into the garden. ‘Howdy, partner!’ my daughter Jessie shouted, racing around outside with her older brothers. It was March 2024 and Jessie, then 3, Max, 7, and Jack, 11, were pretending to be cowboys. With two boisterous sons, I’d dreamt of pretty princess dresses and dolly tea parties when Jessie was born. She looked the part, with her beautiful blonde ringlets. But my little Goldilocks was more interested in playing footy with her bros. Wrestling, dinosaurs and playing cowboys. And just like them, she was always covered in mud or scraping her knees. Typical kids. But one day in April 2024, during a family holiday in Wales, Jessie complained that her ankle hurt. ‘Maybe she fell over and…

Driving along a quiet country road on 10 September 1996, a man named Bobby spotted an abandoned bright red Toyota lying on its side, the engine running. He knew straight away who it belonged to. Sally Snowden McKay, then 75, owned a grand, lakefront mansion nearby called Snowden House, which dated back to 1919. In fact, it’d been her father Robert who had first established the small, quiet community of Horseshoe Lake, Arkansas, a generation before. Sally was known in the area for her kindness. A high-spirited and happy woman, willing and ready to help anyone. Worried for her welfare, Bobby stopped at a nearby boat shop and called on the help of its owner, Levi. The men quickly drove to Sally’s home to find her nephew’s car backed up…

Feeding your neighbour’s cat while they’re on holiday, you find their diary. Do you… a) Put it back where you found it b) Don’t read it, but tell your neighbour to find a better hiding spot next time c) Read the whole thing cover to cover, twice Your best friend has bought a horrible new dress for a date. Do you… a) Suggest she wear else that you know she looks amazing in b) Tell the truth and risk hurting her feelings Keep schtum and let her look awful You see a man get out of his posh car and walk off, then notice he’s dropped a £50 note. Do you… a) Chase him down to give it back b) Donate it to charity c) Pocket the dosh? He clearly doesn’t need it! Clothes…

Kiera Taylor, 20, Preston, Lancashire High up in the sky, the cold breeze whipped through my hair. Huddled up with a group of friends, we all grinned. ‘Say cheese,’ someone shouted, snapping a pic. It was July 2010 and, aged 5, I was celebrating my friend Georgina’s birthday. We’d come to Blackpool Tower for a party. We’d giggled on the ground floor as we’d stepped into the lift. It had whizzed us right up to the top of the tower. So exciting. Peering down at the beach and buzzing pier, way below us, I beamed. ‘This is the most fun party ever,’ I told Georgina, then 4. A family friend, Georgina’s mum Torrey, then 48, had known my mum Samantha, then 28, for years. Our families had recently started spending…

 Janet Smith, 70, Newport With a gummy grin, my son Colin, 10 months, put one podgy foot in front of the other. His first steps. It was June 1983. Me and my husband Colin Snr, then 30, also had Darren, 7, Patrick, 5, and Daniel, 2. A noisy, happy home. Only, seeing Colin on his feet, I felt uneasy. He had haemophilia, a rare genetic blood-clotting disorder that meant once he started bleeding, his body couldn’t stop. Even tiny injuries left him at risk of internal bleeding. If a bruise developed, he needed an emergency blood transfusion in hospital. Sure enough, days after his first steps, my little adventurer toppled over. ‘Oh no,’ I cried, as a bruise formed on his bottom. At hospital, as Colin was given a transfusion,…

Kelly Kennard, 41, Verwood, Dorset Balloons filled the front room, presents were scattered across the kitchen table. It was July 2023 and my daughter Laionie’s 18th birthday. As she bounded down the stairs, me and her dad David, then 40, brothers Deon, 19, and Brandon, 15, and her little sister Charlotte, 5, all burst into song. ‘Happy birthday, love!’ I said, wrapping her in a hug. My little girl was suddenly all grown up. ‘Doesn’t seem two minutes since you were Charlotte’s age,’ I said. Now Laionie had a proper job as a compliance officer at an insurance company, dreamt of travelling the world in a camper van. She had her whole life ahead of her. We celebrated with lunch at an Italian restaurant, and I bought her a pearl…

When Patrick O’Hara received a letter from the NHS in November 2023 about a home visit, there was no reason for the 71-year-old to question it. After all, as a retired environmental analyst who’d worked with asbestos, he was used to having frequent health checks. The letter, from the Community Associated Nursing Team, was soon followed up with another, this time offering a Covid booster vaccine. Someone would pay him a visit between 9am and 1pm on 22 January 2024. And they did. When Patrick opened the door, he was confronted with a man wearing a black beanie hat, tinted glasses and a face mask. He introduced himself as community nurse Raj Patel, showed an ID card. Patrick invited him into the home he shared in Newcastle with Wai King…

The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins and Sawyer Robbins (£18.99, HB, Hay House UK) In case you missed the impact of The Let Them Theory – the viral sensation that’s taken the self-help world by storm – this book is ideal if you want a no-nonsense, relatable guide to help you improve your life. In it, Mel explains how to stop wasting energy on what you can’t control and focus on things that really matter instead. Filled with advice on When Sleeping Women Wake by Emma Pei Yin (£20, HB, Quercus) A moving historical debut that’s almost guaranteed to make you reach for the box of tissues. Set in the time of the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in World War One, its title refers to a Chinese proverb…

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