Pick Me Up! 25-Apr-2019

Growing up, you think you’ll become independent and not need your mum any more. But for me, these past few years have proved just how much I still need her. In December 2014, I began having a host of health problems. Fibroids, cysts, even found a tumour in my stomach. All this meant that sadly I’d need a full hysterectomy. I was 44 then but had still hoped I’d have kids. Now there was no chance, I was crushed. Though Mum was devastated too, she was strong for me. But my health problems didn’t stop there. I’ve since been diagnosed with Ocular myasthenia gravis and I have had another benign brain tumour. But with every appointment, check-up and surgery, Mum is right by my side. Thanks Mum - I don’t…

My horse Troy and I feeling the love after a very sunny ride. Sophie White, Denbigh This cheeky sea lion stole a kiss while I was on holiday in Fuerteventura. Samantha Mckibbens, Glasgow I’ve always said I’m a big kid, and I think this pic of me on a children’s slide just proves it. Jill Corvishley, Davenport Which Donald Duck is more adorable? The real deal or my 4-month-old son Ashton? It’s definitely Ashton… Ellen Warren, Halesowen My lovely daughter Lucy, 10, giving her cousin’s pug some cuddles. Now she wants one too… Lisa Marshall, West Wickham How cute do my granddaughters Billi, 4, and Georgi, 2, look all dressed in denim! Patricia Cordon, Cheltenham I was on board the Endeavour , a replica of the ship Captain Cook sailed…

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Being a single mum to three kids, it’s not always easy to make new friends. But when I got chatting to Laura, then 29, at her barbecue in 2013, we were laughing away within minutes of being introduced. Living just around the corner from each other, we started meeting up every few weeks when our kids were at school. Having three each, we needed a child-free afternoon now and again, letting off steam about what mischief they’d been up to. Sharing advice and anecdotes over a cup of tea, I loved time with Laura. Even our kids got along like a house on fire. In September 2017, our conversation shifted from the youngsters we already had, to one on the way... Alexis was massive, not a man to get on…

Slowly coming round, I heard Laura sobbing madly. I tried to work out where Alexis was, and realised I was lying on the pavement in a pool of crimson blood. My cheeks were throbbing and I could barely open my eyes. ‘What happened?’ I murmured. Hospital doctors thought I’d been in a serious car accident Laura was sitting on the floor, her head in her hands, a bruise blooming on her pretty face. Alexis must have hit her. We weren’t safe. I climbed to my feet, blood pouring from my face, and grabbed Laura and my friend. ‘We need to get out of here,’ I said. Luckily, the taxi driver had waited. But as we slammed the door of the cab, we heard thunderous footsteps - Alexis. ‘Go, please,’ we…

As I gnawed on a barbecue chicken wing, my eyes were drawn to one of the waitresses in the restaurant. She was tastier than the chicken! I recognised her from a picture I’d seen on a friend’s Facebook page, knew her name was Sylvia. Her cropped haircut, tomboy dress sense and delicate features reminded me of someone I adored. The hottest person on the planet in my opinion... Justin Bieber! It was 2012, and I couldn’t stop looking at this gorgeous girl. But as I sat there with friends, I couldn’t utter a word about the butterflies rippling through my stomach. You see, no-one - not even my closest pals or parents - knew that I was a lesbian. As far back as nursery school, I’d known I was attracted…