Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2022 i Chat Specials

DIRECT TOYOUR DOORSTEP ENJOY THESE GREAT SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS: • Never miss an issue with convenient home delivery• Get the magazine for less than you'd pay at the newsagent!• The most shocking true-life stories, puzzles, prizes, real-life crime and health-tips packed full of surprises in every issue SUBSCRIBE NOW Call 0330 333 1113 Quote A44R  Lines open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm UK time Or visit www.magazinesdirect.com/A44R TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Offer closes 31st October 2022. Offer open to new s ubscribers only. Direct Debit offer is available to UK subscribers only. *£11.75 payable by annual Direct Debit. Please allow up to six weeks for delivery ofyour first subscription issue (up to eight weeks overseas). The full subscription rate is for 12 months(50 issues) and includes postage and packaging. Ifthe magazine ordered…

Claire Montello, 41, from Derbyshire Switching off the telly, I sighed to myself. Alone again, I thought. It was 23 January 2020, and my husband Francesco, 64, had been away all day. Working as a carer, he often had to do 48-hour shifts. He’d been gone since 7.30am and was only due back home the following day. I missed him terribly when he was away, but I was so proud of the work he was doing. Now, at around 9.30pm, I’d grown bored of the telly. ‘I guess I’ll have an early night,’ I said to myself, heading upstairs to the bedroom. Slipping into my pyjamas, I decided to listen to some music on my MP3 player to help me drift off to sleep. I listened to it most nights,…

This month Why is it important to keep your car as clean as your home? The car represents you, so be as proud of it as you are of your home. It’s an expensive item. As well as keeping the maintenance up at the garage, why wouldn’t you keep it clean inside? Plus, isn’t it such a nice feeling to drive along in a nice, clean car? What is the best way to keep the car clean? I’ve partnered with the good people at Welcome Break, to give my tips and tricks for keeping cars clean. Get a handheld vacuum and duster. Every time you get out of the car, take your rubbish with you. Don’t let rubbish build up. If you spill something in the car, clean it up…

Jo Howarth is an advanced therapist and mindfulness practitioner. She works with schools, individuals, and businesses, teaching them to look after their mental health and emotional wellbeing. (thehappinessclub.co.uk) Bad sense of humour Q My husband has a great sense of humour but sometimes his comments about me are more cruel than kind. Should I just laugh along? I know that he’s only joking. Arabella, Leeds A Do you feel hurt by what your husband is saying? If so, why should you just laugh along? Personally, I would talk to your husband and explain how his comments make you feel. You can’t change someone’s behaviour but you can ask them to show you compassion. Then, I would take some time to look at the comments that hurt and see if you can…

Lauren Loan, 31, from Chester-le-Street, County Durham Hearing my phone ring, I saw my sister Katie’s name flash and smiled. The two of us were thick as thieves – we spoke every day. As we chatted, she asked what I was up to. ‘I told you,’ I said. ‘I’m having that op tomorrow to remove my tubes.’ It was relatively minor, but something she’d ask about. ‘Oh, I must have forgotten,’ Katie said. On the day she forgot again, and I didn’t hear from her until Mum reminded her. That wasn’t like Katie at all – she was the most organised person I knew. Then in August 2020, she forgot our Mum and Dad’s 40th wedding anniversary, too. It was so out of character, and I was worried about her.…

SKIN CONCERNS Is your skin becoming affected by the menopause? You’re not alone. That’s why Boots have createda range that is dedicated to targeting your skincare concerns around perimenopause and menopause. From cooling mists to brightening serums, the Skin:Edit is designed to help boost your confidence during this time of change. Meet the range: 60-second miracle On the hunt for an intense treatment to bring your hair back to life? Hair masks are a wonderful treat, but we don’t all have time to let them sink in for five minutes. So, TRESemmé have launched their 1 Minute WOW! range to target your specific needs in just 60 seconds. £4.99 each, available from Superdrug. Hydrate Intensive Treatment Instantly nourish your tresses to visibly heal dry ends, creating noticeably healthier hair. Smooth…

Fancy yourself as a bit of a brainbox? Test just how smart you are with these tough teasers… Just for FUN FILM AND TV 1 In the classic 1987 film Dirty Dancing who plays Johnny Castle? a Patrick Swayze b John Travolta c Mel Gibson 2 Who is Sandra Oh’s co-star in BBC series Killing Eve? a Jodie Comer b Phoebe Waller-Bridge c Emilia Clarke 3 What does Tom Hanks compare life to in the famous movie Forrest Gump? a A bouquet of roses b A box of chocolates c A rollercoaster 4 Who played Winston Churchill in The Crown? a John Lithgow b Neil Maskell c Timothy Spall 5 In which city do Ross and Rachel get married in Friends? a New York b London c Las Vegas 6 Who played the lead role in…

Winter is coming and we can certainly feel it in the air! As we wrap up warm, we’re all starting to look ahead to the festivities. But we’re not quite there yet, so this November, we’ve got lots to get you in the winter mood. With light shows (pg40), Pumpkin Spiced Wax Melts (pg66) and gripping books to cuddle up with (pg27), winter is all about cosy nights. With lots of intriguing real life, this November, we’re here to keep you entertained. When Faye went away to grieve the loss of her father, she was ready for some down time (pg24). However, just a few days into her holiday, she got the shock of her life. Coming over in excruciating pain, she had no idea just how bad the damage…

Firefighters in Calgary were called to a house that had been reported as being the site of an explosion only to find that is was only a what? The answer to each clue (apart from the first) begins with the last letter of the preceding answer. The shaded squares will then spell out the twoword answer. Images: Getty 1 Type of summer hat (5) 2 Stirring item given to the last in a competition (6,5) 3 Identification items on road vehicles (6,6) 4 Continuing TV and radio drama series (4,5) 5 Largest South American river (6)  6 Drink just before going to bed (8) 7 Wise old saying (7)  8 Library holder of tomes (4,5)  9 Imitation gnashers (5,5) 10 Female leader of a school (12) 11 Faster than the…

Carla Stefaniak was living the dream. Smiling into the camera, dressed in a white spa robe and dark sunglasses as she holds up a mug of coffee, she looked the picture of happiness. And why shouldn’t she? In November 2018, she and her sister-in-law, April Burton, had flown from Florida to Costa Rica for a week-long celebration of Carla’s 36th birthday. Five days of surfing, eating fresh fruit and soaking in hot springs, all surrounded by lush rainforest – idyllic. Avid social media user Carla loved travelling, and documented her trips on her Instagram page – a post on 25 November showed her lying next to an aquamarinecoloured infinity pool. I’m going to miss this place, she wrote in the caption. April had to fly home a day early, so…

Francesca Brooke-Fenton, 37, from Otley, Leeds Snuggling up under the covers, my partner Luke turned to me. ‘Ready?’ he asked. ‘Ready,’ I smiled, and he tapped play. As the film got started, I rummaged down by the side of the bed. I loved the chewy, porky delight ‘Peperami?’ I asked, offering Luke a mini sausagey snack. ‘Go on, then,’ he grinned, taking one. I just had to keep a basket of my favourite meaty treats down by my bed – I never knew when hunger might strike! I cuddled up to Luke, 33, as I chomped down on the smoky sausage stick. It was a typical night for us. Ever since we started dating back in 2020, curling up together with films and snacks has been one of our favourite…

Brian Charley, 84, Bridgwater As the school holidays approached, I felt more than the usual excitement. Me and my friends always looked forward to the weeks of fun ahead. But this time was very different to the usual. It was July 1953 and at 15, I was leaving school for good. ‘It’s time to work, son. What do you want to do?’ my dad, William, then 41, asked. ‘What about Clarks’ shoe factory?’ I suggested. Finishing school on a Friday, I walked into the factory the following Monday and got myself my first ever job. We were paid weekly in a little brown envelope. For a 45-hour week, from 8am to 6pm, I got £2 and 3 shillings. I’d never even held a pound note before – it was so…

Aleema Ali, 18, from Bradford Itching my long, black hair, walking through the front steps, I was finally home. Returning from boarding school on 22 December 2016, I was excited to spent time with my family over the Christmas period. My mum Tihra, 42, dad, Zulfiqar, 47, eldest sister, Bushra, 23, and younger sister, Anayah, eight, were beaming at the sight of me. At just 12, it was lovely to be back with them all again. Only, there was a secret I had been hiding from them all ever since I’d got back. My entire head was set on fire I tried my best to keep it to myself, but the itching had gotten the better of me. ‘I’ve got headlice,’ I admitted, embarrassed. ‘Oh, Aleema,’ my mum moaned, pulling…

Don’t pack away those gardening gloves just yet, as now is a prime time to prep your garden for winter. With some top tips on what to plant, and an exclusive from gardening expert Mark Lane, your outdoor haven will be sure to thrive all winter long. Mark’s top tips for winterproofing your garden Herb your enthusiasm! Greenfingered Mark Lane from BBC Gardener’s World is here to save your garden from the winter blues. From Christmassy crops to planning ahead for spring, get your notebooks out and jot down his pearls of wisdom. PROTECT YOUR POTS AND PLANTS The cold weather can cause cracks in pots. Use bubble wrap and wrap it around the pots, then secure in place with string to protect it. For plants, use horticultural fleece and bring them…

Bikes galore! My husband Terry and I, in Amsterdam for our 25th anniversary. We had an amazing time, however I didn’t realise how many bikes there are in the city, and I almost got run over a few times! You need to keep your wits about you! Emma, Stockport Proud as punch My gorgeous granddaughter has just started her new job as a primary school teacher. Here she is after her first day. I think she looks so smart. I’m so proud of the elegant, educated lady she has become. Helen, Manchester Tingling tastebuds My wife and I recently visited Prague for the first time. Here, I tried goulash, bacon, and potato dumplings for the first time. It was so filling and tasted amazing. It is definitely a recipe I will…

Claire Whiteside, 40, from the Wirral Sitting at home, a notification popped up on my phone. Hi there. How are you? It was a message on my dating app from a guy named Martin McCrea. Flicking through his profile, he looked nice. Handsome and friendly. So I decided to reply. It was 2016, and although I was single and in my 30s, I wasn’t really looking for love or a relationship. I mostly just used dating apps to pass the time. Sat at home alone, it was nice chatting to people. Hey, I’m good thanks. How are you? I replied, hitting send. We began exchanging messages and I found it easy to chat with him. It turned out, despite him being 11 years older than me, neither of us were after…

Shakardokht Jafari, 45, from Portsmouth Sitting in the living room, I feel a wave of panic and fear hit me. ‘Post-traumatic stress is very common,’ doctors had told me, after my baby arrived. Sometimes, I can go from being happy and peaceful, to worried and sad in seconds. But every time I feel that way, I just look at my little boy. And instantly, the anxiety quickly washes away. Sina, three, is my baby of hope. He distracts me from my life-changing diagnosis… In September 2018, I was having a shower when I noticed a lump on my breast. ‘You should go to the GP,’ my husband Ibrahim, 49, said. I booked an appointment, and saw my GP two days later. ‘It’s probably nothing to worry about, but let’s…

Two jobs in one Straight after cleaning me, I clean my shower! After finishing up in the bathroom, I always rinse down my shower door and walls to remove any leftover scum from my wash. Sue, Poole A tropical scent Whenever my kitchen begins to smell bad, I bake an orange peel in my oven. It sounds a bit weird, but makes my home smell like a tropical cocktail. Maureen, Derby Lose the iron I always hang my husband’s shirts in the bathroom while I shower. The steam gets rid of any creases, and means I don’t have to iron them. Debbie, Manchester Hostess with the mostest If you have guests coming round, the last thing you want to do is serve them dusty glasses. Soak your glasses in white…

Faye Wilkes, 44, from Kent Putting in our personal details, me and my sister Carrie, then 43, finalised our summer holiday plans. A week in Benidorm – just what we needed. ‘I can’t wait!’ I grinned at her. Just a few months before in April 2017, we sadly lost our wonderful dad after a string of illnesses. I was caring for him full-time, but we were both absolutely heartbroken when he passed away. So, we needed some time away for ourselves, and Benidorm Excited, we set off in early August 2018 – thrilled to be staying in a fancy five-star hotel and finally having the chance to put our feet up and rest. Arriving in the middle of the night, we quickly checked in and headed up to our shared…

Comfort food with the family in front of the TV – that’s what cold night’s in are all about. However, comfort food doesn’t have to be unhealthy. The Healthier Comfort Food cookbook from the Dairy Diary is on hand to feed your soul this winter with delicious, nutritious meals. Healthier Comfort Food, £10.50, dairydiary.co.uk RED VELVET SOUP WITH CORN & CREAMY CHEESE SERVES 4 PREP TIME: 30 MINS COOKING TIME: 30 MINS YOU’LL NEED… • 257g butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and cut into chunks• 3 beetroot, halved• 2 large tomatoes• 1 large onion, peeled and quartered, leaving root intact• 1 red pepper, halved and deseeded• 1 tsp ground cumin• 1 tsp ground cinnamon• ½ tsp mild chilli powder• Salt and freshly ground black pepper• Olive oil spray• 900ml vegetable stock• 2 tbsps…

Steve Greenham, 63, Northumberland Hunching over in agony at Waitrose where I worked, I grabbed my stomach as I waited for the usual pain to spread through my lower abdomen. I had suffered with stomach issues for years. After being diagnosed with colitis back in 2018, it seemed like I finally had a concrete answer to my on and off tummy troubles. The diagnosis massively helped me and I was put on medication to alleviate the discomfort. Although, a couple of years later in 2020, my symptoms began to gradually get worse. ‘I’m starting to pass blood when I go to the toilet now,’ I told my wife Gwen, 61. ‘I’m sure it’s nothing more than one of your usual colitis flare ups,’ she assured me. ‘You’re probably right,’ I…

Michelle Ballard, 32, from Colchester As I pushed the buggy along the path, my four-year-old son Freddie was all smiles, taking in the sights of our local park. Swirling around my legs, my two sausage dogs, Frank, six, and Charlie, two, were just as happy to be outdoors. The park was adjacent to our back garden, and the four of us would head out there almost every day, keen to get out of the house for a while. ‘Right, who wants some chicken when we get home?’ I asked the pups, their eyes twinkling at the prospect of an early dinner. Frank and Charlie were like my children – I loved them just as much as I did Freddie, spoiling them with freshly cooked chicken and lots of treats on…