Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2025 i Chat Specials

Welcome to the July issue of Chat Monthly! Get ready for a mega mix of fun puzzles, fab fashion, bargain home buys, speedy beauty fixes and tons of real-life stories. There’s Faye (p52), whose cleaning business took an unusual path. India, who went on a protein-packed diet that we don’t suggest you try at home (p62). And Kiera, who learnt the terrifying truth about her first love (p56). Plus gripping true-crime reads – like the innocent man who spent 25 years in jail for a crime he didn’t commit (p16). Have a great month. July Special p8 p56 p52 p62 p34 p16…

Sarah Keavney, 45, Manchester Whizzing down the slide, I heard a voice I recognised. ‘Fancy seeing you here!’ called out Peter, our neighbour. I turned to see him striding across the park with a wide smile. Peter lived on the same road as me, my mum Karen, then 24, and my younger brothers Craig, then 4, and Lee, 2. Would sometimes appear when we were playing in the local park. Once, he’d even turned up at a caravan park where we were staying. ‘What a coincidence!’ he’d laughed. Just 6, I didn’t take much notice of him. Then, one evening, Mum had a night out planned with some neighbours when the babysitter let her down. ‘Peter’s kindly offered to look after you instead of coming out,’ she told me. After,…

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. As 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 really don’t want us to keep on fighting,’…

Heel hell Q I’ve started running and I’ve developed an agonising pain in my heel. It’s worse in the morning. What can I do? Linda, St Albans A You may have plantar fasciitis, a common issue for runners where the tissue connecting the heel bone to the toes gets inflamed. Try regular calf and plantar fascia stretches (search for ‘heel pain’ on www.nhs.uk for a useful video). Rolling a frozen water bottle or tennis ball under your foot can help, too. Opt for shoes with good arch support and cushioned insoles. Avoid high-impact activities and consider low-impact exercises, like swimming. Painkillers can help, as can losing weight, if needed. If symptoms persist, see your GP, who might refer you to a physiotherapist or podiatrist. They can suggest exercises, insoles or…

When Richard Rojem was released from prison in 1982, he swore he was a changed man. Convicted of sexually assaulting two teenage girls, he’d served his sentence. And now, he’d fallen in love with his cellmate’s sister. Mindy Cummings was divorced with two children. Longed for a better life for her kids. Richard moved to Elk City, Oklahoma, to be with her. A fresh start. The couple married and Richard became stepdad to Mindy’s kids. But in March 1984, Mindy filed for divorce. Turned out Richard hadn’t changed at all… Mindy’s daughter Layla, then 7, said he had sexually abused her. Richard denied having touched Layla, desperate to reconcile with his wife. But Mindy refused to give him another chance. After she reported Richard to authorities, he was briefly sent…

Over the Sea to Skye by Sue Moorcroft (£9.99, PB, Harper Collins) With her marriage in ruins, Valentina escapes to Skye for a summer of healing with her young son, Barnaby. However, a chance encounter with a charming American complicates her plans for a quiet reset. Surrounded by stunning scenery and the support of her sisters, Valentina begins to rebuild. But when heartbreak calls her home, she must decide where her future lies. A warm, emotional finale to the Skye Sisters Trilogy. We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough (£22, HB, Orion) Moving to Larkin Lodge should be a fresh start for Emily and Freddie, but noises in the night, windows mysteriously opening and foul smells plague them both. The trouble is, the couple have their own dark secrets, as…

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CODE CRACKER ANSWER: BOREDOM FILL ME IN ANSWER: LAHORE JUMBO PUZZLE ANSWER: BOB THE BUILDER THE BIG QUIZ ANSWER: NEW YORK WORDWISE Abet, abut, back, backer, bake, baker, bare, bark, bate, beak, bear, beat, beau, beck, beta, brace, bracket, bract, brae, brake, brat, braw, break, brew, brut, brute, buck, bucket, burka, burke, caber, crab, cube, curb, kerb, rebut, tabu, tuba, tube, tuber ANSWER: WATERBUCK LINKWORDS SUPPLY, CARBON, BEAUTY, FORKED, MINDED, CASTER, TESTED, WELDED, POSTER, SINGLE ANSWER: CRETACEOUS CROSSWORD ANSWER: SOUVENIR CIRCLE TIME ANSWER: PESTLE WORD JUMBLE ANSWER: TRALEE Stories republished in Chat Passion Series appear as originally published in other Future magazines. Any material submitted to Chat Passion Series must be original, not copies or duplicated to other editors. Upon submitting material you warrant that you own or have the right…

Gemma Stevens, 34, Worthing, West Sussex Introducing my new fella Jolyon, then 31, to Grandma Enid, then 87, she winked. ‘He’s nice,’ she whispered. It was December 2022 and we’d only been dating for a few weeks. But Grandma’s approval meant everything to me. She liked him so much, she even used their first meeting as an excuse to get her wedding photos out. ‘I love your dress, Grandma,’ I smiled. I’d seen snaps of her in the cream, knee-length, roll-neck gown before. Me and my twin sister Stella were always getting her albums out as kids. But though it was from 1958, it looked more elegant and timeless than ever. ‘It’s designer, I got it from Bond Street in London,’ Grandma said proudly. She explained how normally she’d never…

Nichola Martin, 53, Maidstone, Kent Looking down at the two blue lines, I giggled then called to my husband. ‘Guess what?’ As Michael walked into the bathroom, and saw the test in my hand, he laughed too. ‘You’re joking?’ he said. ‘What’s one more baby in the mix?’ I smiled. It was March 2010 and our boys Harry, then 17, Jack, 14 and Woody, 4, were ecstatic to have another sibling. I was 38, a bit older this time round. But at our 20-week scan our little surprise baby looked healthy. And the doc had another surprise for us. Our fourth child was our first girl! I rushed out to buy cute little pink dresses and headbands. At the end of July, I was relaxing at home in the front…

YOU’RE THE JUDGE! Michael Morton had everything he could want. MA beautiful wife, Christine, 31, and a happy 3-year-old son, Eric. In August 1986, there were no two people he’d rather spend his 32nd birthday with. They went out to a restaurant near their home in Austin, Texas. But Michael’s birthday wasn’t the only celebration. A few weeks earlier, Eric had undergone heart surgery. Now, with their little boy recovering well, Michael and Christine were looking forward to the future. The evening was perfect. Only, the morning after the meal, Michael wasn’t in the best mood. Before he set off to work as a supermarket manager, he wrote Christine a note. Stuck it to a mirror in the bathroom. In it, he expressed his disappointment. Because Christine had turned down…

Chloe Rollins, 38, Croydon, south London Racing up the pitch, mud covering my legs, sweat running down my face, I couldn’t have been happier. Growing up, I’d been the sportiest girl on the block, and now, in 2009, aged 22, I was playing rugby for the Harlequins Ladies team in the Women’s Championship. I’d joined while studying sports science at the University of Roehampton. Loved training and playing several times a week. A bonus was being able to eat whatever I wanted. I was very strict about my diet, but it meant I could indulge in the occasional sweet treat without worry. At 5ft 8in, I could guzzle chocolate and cake every day without going over 10st. After finishing uni, I trained as a PE teacher. Qualified and got a…

Audacious herbaceous Many border perennials offer plentiful, showy blooms on long stems. Grow your favourites and aim for a succession of flowering times, so there’s always something to cut. These beauties flourish in pots too: • Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) ‘Summer Pastels’ – stiff, flat-headed flowers in soft hues, with ferny foliage. H60-70cm. • Dahlia ‘Caitlyn’s Joy’ – tightly rolled petals in coral, pink and burgundy. H1.2m. • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) ‘Cherry Brandy’ – wine-gum red, daisy-like flowers. H60cm. • Phlox ‘Prospero’ – scented cottage stalwart with panicles of pale-edged, lilac flowers. H90cm. • Peruvian lily (Alstroemeria) ‘Indian Summer’ – funnel-shaped blooms in copper-orange and yellow. H75-90cm. Cultivated bunches A vase twinkling with blooms is one of life’s little luxuries: a fast pick-me-up that brings a stylish flourish to a room and a…

Sun-kissed skin Nothing boosts body confidence like a tan. Isle of Paradise Express 30-Minute Mousse, £21.95, amazon.co.uk, develops in just 30 minutes. Wash off and you’re left with a sun-kissed glow that continues to develop over the next four to six hours. If you prefer a deeper result, just leave the guide colour on for longer – up to three hours – before hopping in the shower. The tan itself is tinted, so you get to enjoy a flattering glow right from the get-go. 30 MINUTES Plump wrinkles Wunderlift 60 Second Wrinkle Reducer, £20, wunderbrow.co.uk, is powered by retinol, hyaluronic acid and vitamins A, C and E to improve wrinkles over time, with a flexible, firming matrix that helps lift, firm and tighten skin in just one minute. After your moisturiser…

Kiera Cook, 22, Swindon last My phone beeped and my stomach fluttered. It was January 2017 and, aged 14, I’d just got a text from the boy I fancied. I really like you, it said. I’d met Claudio, then 15, through friends just a few weeks earlier. Chatty and funny, I’d fancied him straight away. Now I knew the feeling was mutual. Our first date, days later, was so much fun and before long we were inseparable. Giggling in McDonald’s, cuddling in the cinema. My first boyfriend. Only, my mum Cheryl, then 48, wasn’t keen. ‘I have a bad feeling about him,’ she frowned. ‘Stop being overprotective,’ I sighed. Claudio was perfect. But, seven months into our relationship, I saw another side to him. Out one evening, he refused to walk…

Growing up isn’t easy, but for 19-year-old India, from Southport, a string of bad relationships left her feeling physically and mentally broken. ‘Since I was young I’ve been in toxic relationships that have made me feel unsafe. I was in such a bad place,’ she explains. The teen says how could the world be so horrible to her and she couldn’t see how life would get any better. At rock bottom, she knew something had to change. ‘I just started to think, I can’t use it as an excuse, I need to use it to motivate me to try and get better,’ she says. India admits she was ‘4-5st overweight’, and in a bid to find herself in a happier place, she attempted to overhaul her lifestyle. ‘What I was…

Top tip Don’t be afraid to mix prints. Stripes and leopard are a perfect match. Total outfit cost £48 THE TOP Elevate your denim with a fun striped tee. We’ll always love the classic Breton, but this fresh green and white palette creates an uplifting feel. Try switching jersey tops for a lightweight, short-sleeved knit. It’s perfect for the British climate and a great between-seasons piece. Top tip Switch the skirt for a sarong on beach days. Total outfit cost £47.98 THE SWIMSUIT Look chic at the beach in a classic nautical-inspired costume. The crinkled fabric allows for a flattering fit, as it’s designed to stretch with your body. Make your holiday wardrobe work harder by treating swimwear as a top and layering it with a skirt, shorts, or a…

GUILTY Mark Norwood was found guilty of the murder of Christine and jailed for life. After the verdict, Michael Morton, who’d spent 25 years in jail after being wrongly convicted of his wife’s murder, hugged Norwood’s family. ‘It’s not a celebration,’ he said. In November 2013, Michael returned to court, to see former prosecutor Ken Anderson disbarred and jailed for withholding crucial evidence during the original murder trial in 1987. ‘There is no way that anything we can do here today can resolve the tragedy that occurred in these matters,’ Judge Kelly G Moore said. ‘I’d like to say to Mr Morton, the world is a better place because of you.’ Michael channelled his energy into campaigning for the Michael Morton Act. A law to help prevent wrongful convictions, which…

His mum and dad hate me Q My boyfriend’s parents clearly dislike me. We’re from very different worlds, his family life was stable, while I grew up in care. I’ve tried to connect with his mum, suggesting coffee dates, but she always brushes me off. I just feel like I’ll never be good enough. My boyfriend insists they like me but I can’t help feeling like an outsider. What should I do? Vicki, 24 A Sounds like you’ve put yourself in a tough spot here, pet. Have they ever actually said they don’t like you? It seems as though you’re the one who has issues with your background and childhood trauma and it’s making you feel inadequate. The most important thing is that your boyfriend has your back. As long…

As Brandyce gyrates in her skimpy leggings, her girlfriend Paris poses behind, proudly clutching her curvaceous bottom. So far, so sexy. But the couple’s YouTube videos have caused an online sensation due to Brandyce and Paris’ surprising size difference. At 6ft 1in and 25st, Brandyce towers over petite Paris, who stands at 4ft 11in and 8st 9lb. The couple’s videos clock up thousands of views, plus hundreds of comments. Some are complimentary, applauding the couple’s celebration of love in all its forms. Others are cruel. ‘People call me a cradle snatcher,’ Brandyce, 31, says. Although there is a nine-year age difference between them, Paris, 22, is a fully consenting adult. ‘They say I’m 11 years old,’ Paris scoffs. The comments can be hard to take. ‘Someone wrote, I think the…

Fill your basket with these tasty treats for a sunny family meal Top tip Adding a slice of cheese will give an extra flavour boost. Bagel club sandwich Two faves come together in this classic combo with a twist. SERVES 6 PREP 30 MINS COOK 8 MINS ● 8 rashers smoked bacon● 6tbsp light mayonnaise● 4tsp wholegrain mustard● 18 bagel thins● ½ iceberg lettuce, shredded● 8 slices cooked turkey● 16 sun-blushed tomatoes, drained● 1 bunch watercress or 1 punnet mustard and cress You will need: ● 6 mini flags or cocktail sticks (optional) 1 Heat the grill to medium. Grill the bacon for 8 mins, turning as needed, until just becoming crispy. 2 In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise and mustard. Spread the cut side of the bagels with the mustard mayo.…

You couldn’t imagine a more normal family than the Doermans. Chad, 32, was a hands-on dad, his wife Laura a stay-at-home mum. Between them, they had three adorable boys, Clayton, 7, Hunter, 4, and Chase, 3, plus Laura’s daughter from a previous relationship, Alexis, 12. Chad was the coach of his boys’ baseball team. Took his lads fishing, go-karting and swimming. The perfect dad. Pictures showed the three blond boys smiling, happy. Giving the thumbs-up to the camera. Their pretty little home in Monroe Township, near Cincinnati, Ohio, was surrounded by fields. Room for the kids to run and play. A home filled with laughter, hugs and love. Chad worked hard as an insulator, and after an early start on 15 June 2023, he knocked off at lunchtime. Headed back…