Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2025 i Woman & Home

The idea that chocolate is good for one’s memory are words that fill me with utter joy. As Easter approaches, and there’s an abundance of eggs in the house, our feature on pages 104-105 may, likewise, pique your interest! Susanna Reid, queen of breakfast television, is this month’s cover star. On the w&h shoot, fresh from GMB, her energy levels are not of someone who has been up since the crack of dawn. Instead she’s full of life, happily giving us a real insight into the woman that wakes us up each morning. Susanna might carry out some tricky interviews but her tough side is a million miles away from the person standing here today. And despite winning the Royal Television Society’s Network Presenter of the Year award last year,…

FRESH SPRING SCENTS…

Right from the start of his royal life, Prince William made it clear he would do things his way. When he saw the proposed guest list for his and Catherine’s wedding, including several hundred heads of state and foreign royalty, he went to his grandmother. ‘I went to her [the Queen] and said, “Listen, I’ve got this list, not one person I know – what do I do?” and she went, “Get rid of it. Start from your friends and then we’ll add those we need to in due course. It’s your day.”’ That intervention was crucial – it meant that the couple could invite who they wanted (more than half of the 1,900 guests ended up being friends and family), and set the tone for both the wedding and…

What are you like first thing? I’m a mum, so my mornings are very routine. I’m up at 6.45am to drop my son Ben at the bus stop at 7.20am. I’ll scoot through the papers to look for ideas for my radio show for the day and send some notes to the producer. Four days a week, I’ll pull on my workout leggings and make myself do 40 minutes of exercise. I know I’ll have a better day if I do. ‘I always knew that I could go back home’ What is your biggest fear in life? Anything to do with my parents or son not being well or safe. I have health anxiety, but more for other people. All the things that scared me in the past have happened,…

TROUSERS TO SHORTS These Explorer Women’s Zip-Off Trousers, with useful pockets and UV protection, are quick-drying, lightweight and transform into shorts when it’s hot. £59.99, mountainwarehouse.com STEADY SHE GOES Made of lightweight carbon fibre, these telescopic poles provide reliable support on a range of terrains. £67, tradeinn.com SNUG AND CHIC Being visible on a walk is always a good idea, so why not do it in style in this lime green teddy borg fleece jacket from Next? Stylish and toasty, you are sure to stand out from the crowd. £48, next.co.uk FIND YOUR WAY Perfect for beginner hikers, this lightweight compass has a snap hook fastening, so it can be attached easily to your backpack. £4.99, decathlon.co.uk FOOT SURE These stylish Orla Kiely hiking boots are breathable, comfortable and waterproof…

Well SPOTTED ✢ A polka-dot print is as classic as it gets. To make it warm-weather-ready, swap monochrome for a soft butter yellow. ✢ It’s all in the little details – the flattering empire shape and preppy collar keep this frock feeling fresh. Power PAIRING ✢ Give the two-piece a youthful spin with a cropped shirt. Don’t be afraid of the shorter length – the high-waisted trousers provide balance. ✢ Cream accessories keep the look sophisticated. Flower DELIVERY ✢ Introducing your new all-occasion dress. Designed for holidays, special events and everything in between, it’s a ready-made outfit that requires little effort. ✢ Bring out one of the colours by adding a bright accessory. Or, for a more pared-back finish, you can always rely on timeless tan. Sharp SUITING ✢ A wide-leg…

Spring is finally here and we all need to lighten up. As we peel off those winter layers, do the same with your make-up. Now is the perfect time to refresh your routine to look revived and re-energised. Swap those high-coverage foundations for something more luminous, and consider brightening up your eye and lip shades to put a spring back in your face – and step. PERFECT YOUR BASE Mastering this step will create the right foundation for the rest of your look. 3 Steps to flawless coverage Being able to expertly apply concealer means you can be more minimal with your base – plus, it will help any imperfections disappear. Make-up artist Aimee Connolly shares her tried-and-tested tips: LESS IS MORE Apply small dots of concealer rather than large…

We squeeze them into tatty old bras, bounce them through workouts and are often critical of their appearance. But there are plenty of ways to show your boobs some love – and giving your breasts the TLC they deserve can boost your confidence too. Turn the page to find out how. 1 GET YOURSELF MEASURED Wearing the correct-sized bra not only keeps you secure and comfortable, it could also take years off your appearance. ‘An ill-fitting bra may lack proper support, leading to sagging breasts over time,’ says anti-ageing expert Dr Radmila Lukian. Despite the benefits, over a quarter of women have never had a bra fitting, says research by Pour Moi – and many will feel the effects of wearing the wrong bra, including back and shoulder pain, chafing…

With warmer days and gardens in full bloom, spring brings joy to many. But for others, it leads to irritating and sometimes debilitating symptoms. Over a quarter of Brits are thought to suffer from hay fever, and many pop an antihistamine tablet to help with itchy eyes, streaming noses, coughs and headaches. These over-the-counter drugs work, but there are side effects. Here’s what you need to know. 1 THEY CAN STOP YOU FEELING SICK Antihistamines can help with different allergies, and they can also ease nausea, vomiting and may be used to treat conditions that affect balance like vertigo. ‘Certain types, such as meclizine, work on the brain’s balance centre, calming the signals that make you feel dizzy,’ explains GP Dr Ramit Singh Sambyal from clinicspots.com. 2 PROLONGED USE COULD…

The shops are awash with sugary Easter treats. Fact. Sugar isn’t good for us because too much of it can cause heart disease, high blood pressure, and increase the risk of strokes and the likelihood that we will suffer from an inflammatory disorder. I know what you’re thinking – this is going to be one of Deadman’s dull ‘Don’t do that, do this instead’ columns. It really isn’t. It’s going to be an Easter treatment of what I have been saying for years. Treat your body with respect and feed it 80-90% of the time with whole, natural foods rather than made-up chemical ultra-processed stuff pretending to be food, which – and I can’t say it any clearer than this – is going to do you harm. That leaves, you’ll…

1 THE SURPRISE Sandford Orchards Katja Rosé Martinotti-style cider, 8%, £10.33, case of six, £47, sandfordorchards.co.uk The best thing we tried all day. Light, crisp sparkling dessert apple cider with subtle fermented flavour from rondo grapes. A real gem, and ideal to sip in the garden with lunch. 2 ENGLISH FIZZ Candover Brook Rosé, Hampshire, £38, candoverbrook.co.uk Elegant, traditional method sparkling wine from Hampshire. Named after the chalk stream – featured on the label – that runs through the estate and is home to a few remaining white-claw crayfish. 3 SOUTH AFRICAN SPARKLY Laborie Rosé, £15.89, southafrican wines.co.uk This pale-blush Cap Classique traditional method wine has plenty of ripe berry and pomegranate flavour, and a honeyed finish. Enjoy with seafood dishes or some nibbles. 4 DINNER PARTY DELIGHT The Black…

Chocolate eggs BEST NOVELTY BUY Lamb & Mint Chocolate Easter Eggs Sandwich, 135g, £11.95, Hotel Chocolat A novelty take on classic mint chocolate with a cute lamb detail. This fun sarnie has mint milk chocolate ‘bread’ with a crispy layer of feuilletine, to add a delicious crunch. BEST SALTED CARAMEL Sapphire Milk Chocolate Egg with Sea Salt Caramel Gems, 250g, £21.50, Chococo A stylish egg hand-decorated with splashes of colour. Inside the vibrant packaging, you’ll find delicious caramels. Great for older children and teens. BEST HALF AND HALF Belgian Milk & Blonde Chocolate with Caramel, Pretzel & Honeycomb, 240g, £7.50, Morrisons Salty and sweet with a delicious and creamy chocolate shell. If you’re a fan of honeycomb, you won’t be disappointed by the heavenly combination. BEST MINI EGGS Quail Eggs,…

Cities and culture New Zealand’s urban life is as exciting as its landscapes. Dive into galleries and museums, superb food scenes and impressive architecture, backdropped by towering peaks and glinting oceans. 1 AUCKLAND City of sails Cheek by jowl with natural wonders, New Zealand has lively, cosmopolitan cities with great dining, shopping and entertainment options. Auckland, your arrival hub on the North Island, encircles two stunning yacht-dotted harbours. Sprawling out from the 328m-tall Sky Tower, with fabulous views from its level 60 deck, are Auckland’s suburbs. These range from Parnell with upmarket boutiques and famous French foodie market La Cigale; to hip, affluent Ponsonby, arty Grey Lynn, and St Helliers and Mission Bay with their beaches, cafes and restaurants. Savour Auckland’s dynamic food scene on a tour with The Big…

British-Irish author Kit de Waal writes from the heart, and is celebrated for her compelling stories of marginalised lives. Born in Birmingham to an Irish mother and a Caribbean father, she draws on her multicultural background to create authentic, empathetic tales. Her bestselling debut novel, My Name is Leon, tells the story of a mixed-race boy in foster care, and was adapted into a BBC drama. Her new novel, The Best of Everything, is about kindness and the love that finds you. I was writing another book when I came up with the idea for The Best of Everything. It was about a compendium of characters, all of whom were going to have equal weight, when two characters – Paulette and Frank – came forward. Paulette seemed to be saying,…

RACHEL JOYCE is the author of six international bestsellers, one of which – The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry – she adapted into a musical. To celebrate her latest novel, The Handmade God, she reveals the books that changed her life on page 179. What’s your hidden talent? As a child, I wrote doll’s-house-size books, and once wrote The Lord’s Prayer on a sixpence. Later, I did paintings the size of a postage stamp. I am still very good at darning tiny holes. I guess I am a secret miniaturist. Award-winning author KIT DE WAAL talks about her latest book The Best of Everything on page 177 – and tells us it’s never too late to start writing. What’s your hidden talent? I have very beautiful handwriting – a fluke…

MOCHA MOUSSE…

There are times when truth, free speech and even democracy feel under threat. In January, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg announced his company was ditching fact checkers. On X (formerly Twitter), it’s now down to the online ‘community’ to call out potentially dangerous misinformation. Meanwhile, ‘fake news’ has become a handy expression for rubbishing opinions that don’t tally with your own. So who can we trust for reliable news? In the UK we are fortunate to have extraordinary female journalists throughout the media, ready to fearlessly hold power to account. Take The Sunday Times political editor Caroline Wheeler. She recently won Journalist of the Year for pursuing the contaminated blood scandal, a 23-year crusade that eventually led to an £11.8bn government payout to victims. In January, former Computer Weekly journalist Rebecca Thomson…

Samantha Gilchrist began her career as a wedding photographer, but long hours and a lack of work-life balance led her to reconsider her options. In 2017, she discovered that 14th-century manor house and wedding venue The Ravenswood, near her home in Sussex, was up for sale. It felt like fate, so she decided to take a leap and buy it along with her business partner, Stuart Guy. Fast forward to today, and they now own and manage 12 luxury wedding venues – with nine across the UK and three in the US. Here Samantha, 43, who lives in East Grinstead, Sussex, with her husband, Garion, and their toy poodle, Teddy, shares her career journey and reveals what it takes to create a couple’s perfect day. ‘One couple wanted baby alligators…

STOMPCAST Each week, Dr Alex George takes a walk with wellness experts and celebrities through a location of their choice. Expect insightful conversations with a soundtrack of birdsong, waves or rustling leaves. RAMBLINGS Clare Balding walks with inspiring people, such as Jackie, walking The Pilgrims’ Way to celebrate five years of sobriety, and a group of retired medics who have all suffered a cardiac arrest. THE NATIONAL TRUST PODCAST Showcasing the UK’s many walks, landscapes, gardens and more, this is a perfect blend of history, nature and stories.…

Along with queuing and salt and vinegar crisps, pubs are part of our national DNA. So much so that the then prime minister, Boris Johnson, closing them during the pandemic, expressed regret for ‘taking away the ancient, inalienable right of free-born people’ during his announcement, making the entitlement to a swift half sound so serious you’d imagine it’s enshrined in the constitution. In 2024, more than 400 pubs in England and Wales called time, bringing the total number to below 39,000*. Overnight, once-welcoming doors remained locked, and worse was to come as the pub trade’s steady decline sharpened. Covid and cost-of-living crises combined to give many landlords a hangover no hair of the dog could fix. In 2024, more than 400 pubs in England and Wales called time, bringing the…

Seaside STAYCATION ‘Pack mix-and-match outfits in easily blended colours to deliver endless style from a few pieces. Think light linens, breezy dresses and clever versatility, like a bikini top that can also be worn as a bra, to carry the same outfit from morning strolls through to sunset drinks.’ Safari STYLE ‘Stay relaxed and stylish with breathable fabrics, sturdy footwear, and a statement hat that can be rolled for easy packing. Stick to versatile pieces in a colour palette that can handle the adventure while looking effortlessly chic.’ City BREAK ‘Make the most of a short break by packing essentials into an oversized bag in case your suitcase goes missing: with stylish hand luggage, you’ll be good to go when you arrive at your hotel. Wear shoes on the flight…

THIS MONTH ✢ Eye infection✢ Losing senses✢ Painful feet Q Both my eyes are red – they look horrid. I don’t think I have an infection, but they feel sore and the light bothers me when it’s bright outside. I now wear sunglasses all the time – please can you help? A It could be conjunctivitis – if it’s an infection. This often starts in one eye and spreads to the other and can be accompanied by a gritty sensation. Speak to your pharmacist, who can advise on over-the-counter medication if it’s caused by a bacterial infection. If your eyes are watering a lot, it might be an allergic conjunctivitis rather than an infection. Again, your pharmacist can recommend products to help. In older patients, a very painful red eye…

Easter egg cheesecakes Whizz 8 Hobnobs to a fine crumb, then blitz again with 25g melted butter. Spoon into 4 medium chocolate egg halves, then drizzle with 2tbsp of salted caramel. Beat 250g lighter soft cheese and 125g caster sugar until smooth. Add 300ml double cream and ½tsp vanilla bean paste, then whisk until thick and fluffy. Divide between the eggs, smoothing the top. Chill for a couple of hours to firm up. Decorate with more salted caramel and Easter chocolates.…

Chocolate mousse cake A rich chocolate sponge generously filled with a layer of chocolate mousse, topped with billows of Baileys cream. Serves 8 • Prep 30 mins, plus cooling and setting • Cook 35 mins For the sponge cake: 140g plain flour140g caster sugar35g cocoa powder, plus extra for dusting1tsp bicarbonate of soda½tsp baking powder50ml vegetable oil1 medium free-range egg50ml buttermilk For the mousse: 325ml double cream250ml whole milk3 medium free-range egg yolks25g caster sugar150g dark chocolate, roughly chopped2 gelatine leaves, soaked in cold water for 5 mins For the topping: 175ml double cream1tbsp Baileys1tbsp icing sugar½tsp cornflourSmall Easter chocolates, such as Mini Eggs, Malteser Mini Bunnies and Flake (optional) You will need: 20cm springform tin, lined 1 Heat the oven to 160C Fan. Sift the dry cake ingredients into…

ON TEST Cook meat perfectly Why we like the Meater Pro Taking away the stress of a big roast, this Bluetooth meat thermometer promises perfectly cooked meat. Insert the probe into your joint or chicken, then use the app to select how well done you want it. Once in the oven, the probe sets to work and the app will tell you when to take your meat out and how long to rest it for. The bonus It also works a treat on smaller cuts of meat like steaks, and is both waterproof and heat resistant enough to use in a deep fryer and on a barbecue. How much £129 Where to buy store-uk.meater.com TREAT YOURSELF If you like red – especially subtle oaked spice, strawberry and red cherry flavours…

Window treatments can make a room scheme, bringing a finished look together while offering practical solutions for your space too – think thermal linings and blackout blinds. While window dressings are easier to change than paint or wallpaper, they can still be a substantial part of a decorating budget, so you want to get it right. MATERIAL MATTERS Talking fabrics with Emily Mould, design director at Villa Nova. ✢ When choosing fabrics to add to an existing scheme, start with a point of reference already in the room, such as a favourite piece of artwork or object. ✢ If starting with a blank canvas, consider how fabrics, colour and pattern will shape the space. Bold patterns and vibrant hues make a striking statement, while plains and semi-plains offer a more…

CHARMING MISADVENTURES My Naughty Little Sister by Dorothy Edwards As a child, I loved this collection of stories. I loved it because it was about sisters, a subject I have only just been brave enough to tackle. It made me realise that there are people who watch in the world and find things to love in the way they observe, and that I was one of those people. A TRANSFORMATIVE NON-FICTION READ A Voyage for Madmen by Peter Nichols In 1968, nine solitary men set out to try and sail around the world, alone and non-stop. Ten months later, only one of them crossed the finishing line. It taught me how a journey not only transforms a person but also reveals their hidden self. It paved the way for The…

GEMINI 21 MAY – 20 JUNE Don’t be surprised if you lack energy before the 21st. By the 24th you’re taking on the world – after the 26th even more so. The 30th brings a confidence boost. Call 0905 789 4152* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates CANCER 21 JUNE – 22 JULY The Full Moon on the 12th could see an unexpected development with a child, lover or friend. Hear them out. The 22nd is for hot dates. Call 0905 789 4153* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates LEO 23 JULY – 22 AUGUST Go-getter planet Mars in Leo helps you make up for lost time. You’re genuinely moving forward now. Make time for romance; the 22nd is a peak day for love. Call 0905 789 4154*…

STAR LETTER ‘WOW’ That’s the only word I can use to describe w&h March edition. I loved the International Women’s Day feature, and there were so many strong women in the issue. Their candidness and honest reflections of life provide us with advice, friendship and humour. Thank you to all involved. I can’t wait for w&h Christmas Live in November! Julie LESS ALONE Thank you for Rebecca Muggleton’s article about cancer [March]. Our son, who has a family, has been fighting cancer for nearly four years. Reading about another family going through the same awful experience gave me comfort – we’re not on our own. I wish Rebecca and her family all the best. Mary DIGITAL DATING After reading Lynne Wallis’ article on internet dating [March], I wanted to give…

My bedroom at home is spacious, my mattress comfortable, yet for a really good night’s sleep, I need to be squished into my little camper van, listening to the sea and wildlife hunting for scraps. For the first half of my life, the prospect of camping would have made me shudder. The pandemic upended everything. I never wanted to share germs with 200 other people on a plane again. Wild life I dreamt of the open road. I was far from alone in my desire to roam. During Covid-19, demand for camper vans skyrocketed – sales in July 2020 went up 71% on the previous year*. On social media, I began following digital nomads, envious of their freedom, cute gingham curtains, sun-bleached hair and wild swims. With ‘knowledge’ acquired by…

Spring is here and with The Salt Path, starring Gillian Anderson, hitting our screens on 25 April, we’re celebrating the transformative effects of walking. Based on Raynor Winn’s bestselling memoir, the film charts how she and her husband – facing homelessness and his terminal diagnosis – set out to walk the 630-mile South West Coast Path. ‘Psychologists think when we physically move away from something, we leave it behind emotionally as much as geographically,’ explains Annabel Streets, author of The Walking Cure (£14.99, HB, Bloomsbury). And once we’re walking, our muscles produce chemicals that can affect our cognition and alter our mood too. The therapeutic effects of walking will come as no surprise to these three intrepid women, who share the reasons behind their special walks. ‘I KNEW I COULD…

Not that long ago, family secrets had every chance of staying that way – until the boom in DNA testing. It was 25 years ago this month that the first genetic genealogy tests were offered to the public. Since then, 40 million people worldwide are thought to have tested their DNA ancestry through companies such as Ancestry, MyHeritage and 23andMe. While some want to build their family tree, others are trying to find parents, siblings and other relatives, particularly if they’ve been adopted. We’ve seen amazing stories of emotional reunions on TV shows like Long Lost Family, which paint a picture of pure joy. There are medical DNA tests too, which can reveal genetic markers for inherited diseases. However, there have also been some shocks. Actor John Simm found out…

Looking at the light coming in through the window, this photo must have been taken a couple of months after my eldest daughter, Martha, was born in the spring of 2004. I married my wife, Rachel Schofield, in September 2002, Martha came along two years later and then our other daughter, Anna, in 2006. This picture was taken in a small house in Hammersmith, London that we lived in at the time, and I distinctly remember thinking what a big moment it was. She was my first child and I instantly went into hunter-gatherer mode. I worked as hard as I ever worked. I was presenting BBC2’s Newsnight at the time, and preparing to take over the lunchtime radio show on BBC Radio 2, which I began in 2003. Maybe…

For special occasions, I always recommend choosing a simple, elegant silhouette, outstanding jewellery and shoes you can dance in. There is no need to go overboard – this is not the Met Gala. If you want to have a good time, choose a heel height you can handle. For her second wedding, author of Home Matters and writing coach Penny Wincer bought a pair of gold metallic, pearl-embellished flats. ‘I was going to wear platforms but I wanted to feel comfortable all day long and the Emma Hyacinth shoes are like wearing slippers.’ ‘Taking the long view makes the most sense’ Whatever the occasion – ‘Big O’ birthday drinks, a second wedding or summer event – taking the long view makes the most fashion sense. ‘When I bought my wedding…

WHAT WILL KEEP MY NEW HAIR COLOUR LOOKING FRESH? L’Oréal Professionnel Vitamino Color Spectrum Shampoo, £27, lookfantastic.com, will protect colour for up to 100 days, while Jerome Russell Color Bomb, £14.99, amazon.co.uk, is a colour-depositing mask that lasts up to 15 washes. Use like a conditioner to help keep colour fresh and radiant between treatments. DO I NEED A SCALP SCRUB? Trichologist Mark Blake told me that our scalp is ‘the soil that your hair grows out of’, so it’s vital to look after it. We should all be using a scalp scrub at least once a week. New Oribe Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo, £48, and Conditioner, £51, have been formulated for optimum scalp health, using peptides to boost the scalp as well as thicken flat strands. Combine with Oribe…

At the back of my wardrobe is a brown leather rucksack. Inside, you’ll find a wind-up radio and torch, set of screwdrivers, wrench, Allen keys in every size imaginable and a special straw to filter ‘poisoned’ water so it’s safe to drink. I packed this bag about four years ago after watching yet another end-of-the-world movie on Netflix, where civilisation is no more and survivors have to, well, survive. After the film whirred around my mind for days (longer than it did for those I watched it with, it seems), I decided the best thing I could do was prepare for such an eventuality. You’d think this ‘apocalypse prepping’ would bring me peace of mind. Yet I can’t shake the niggling feeling that I don’t know how to use half…

Whether it’s that delectable egg-shaped confectionery or appetising chocolate crafted into every cute animal imaginable (who hasn’t tucked into an Easter bunny?!), the sweet stuff is everywhere at this time of year. If you’re on a diet or simply trying to be healthier, Easter can feel like the ultimate test of willpower. In fact, more than two-fifths of Brits are self-confessed chocoholics*. But while chocolate often gets a bad rap, it’s not as sinful as it’s made out to be. The sweet stuff can be good for you. ‘Chocolate, more precisely the cocoa it’s made from, is actually healthy,’ explains health coach Anne Iarchy. And apart from keeping a smile on our faces, studies show it can also improve a variety of functions. So ditch the guilt, enjoy the treat…

Spanish chorizo, potato & kale stew Adding a generous helping of frilly kale leaves gives this hearty dish a spring in its step. It’s the perfect meal, come rain or shine. Serves 6 • Prep 5 mins • Cook 35 mins 1 tbsp olive oil1 dry-cured chorizo ring, sliced1 large onion, finely sliced2 garlic cloves, crushed800g floury potatoes, peeled and cut into 3-4cm chunks400g can chopped tomatoes300g kale, woody stems discarded and leaves roughly choppedJuice ½ lemon100g soured cream15g flat-leaf parsley, chopped 1 Put 1tbsp oil in a large saucepan or casserole and put over a high heat. Add the chorizo and sizzle until starting to brown and the oil becomes a deep red. Add the onion, reduce to medium and fry until soft, then add the garlic. 2 Add…

Style your HOME For an instant spring look, pastel colours are a must, alongside the usual Easter animals – chicks, bunnies and lambs. A simple wreath is the perfect addition to a front door, while a display of hanging decorations from a robust bouquet or spray of twigs, arranged in a pretty urn vase, can be added to a sideboard or kitchen island in a nod to the season. Don’t underestimate the power of a cushion – a pretty pastel-striped number will freshen up a living room and bedroom, giving your whole home a spring feel. Set your TABLE Start with your table linens, either a tablecloth or runner to help elevate your table. Next, zhuzh up your regular dinner set by stacking the plates and side plates underneath pretty…

The transformation of this outside area sounds so dramatic that it’s hard to visualise what it looked like before Deborah Boston worked her design magic. ‘After years of living in Brighton, in East Sussex, we wanted a change,’ she explains. ‘So, we moved from our flat out of the city, in 2013, to further up the coast, where we could afford a house with a generous garden.’ Deborah and her husband Jonathan’s Victorian home then needed a lot of attention to turn it into a modern space, with a garden fit for Deborah, who’s a professional florist (@honestwoman.co). While they saved up for a new extension, the couple focused on the garden. Though unkempt, with a lawn, one border filled with sad-looking roses, a few fruit bushes and an overgrown…

A BEWITCHING MYSTERY The Midnight Carousel by Fiza Saeed McLynn (£16.99, HB, Penguin) It’s hard to believe this enchanting novel is a debut. It’s 1920 and Maisie Marlowe has arrived in Chicago from Canvey Island to start afresh. When a beautiful, forgotten carousel enters her world, she sets up a theme park overlooking Lake Michigan. But the carousel hides a dark secret... A story of loss, love and grief, and of a woman forging her way in the world. FRAGILE FAMILY TIES The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce (£20, HB, Transworld) There’s a heatwave across Europe and something’s in the air, as the four adult children of renowned artist Vic Kemp discover. On announcing he is to marry someone 50 years his junior, Vic flees to their family home on…

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF André Rieu Musician and conductor André, 75, lives in Maastricht, Netherlands. WAKE UP I wake up naturally at 7.30am and every day starts with music. I listen to music with my heart. That’s the reason I’ve had so much success; I only play music that touches my heart and when it touches my heart, I’m sure it will touch yours. BREAKFAST I start the day with a cup of coffee and a slice of peperkoek [Dutch sweet spiced bread], then a slice of bread with cheese. Nothing too heavy. At 10.30am I have a second breakfast – peanut butter on another slice of bread. MORNING Directly after breakfast I travel to the studio I built 25 years ago. I’m more creatively inspired early in…

I have lots of hidden talents. The trouble is, they’re so well hidden I can’t find them. What about you? The return of Britain’s Got Talent has inspired me to check for lights buried beneath bushels. What’s your unfulfilled fantasy? Yodelling, limbo, lap dancing? Tempus is fugiting like there’s no tomorrow, so why wait? If you can tame a classroom of rowdy teens with a witty one-liner, clearly a career in stand-up calls. If you’re expert at juggling kids and career, perhaps a job as a circus conjurer beckons? Do you get bent out of shape easily? Make yoga teaching your forte. As a girl, I loved warbling Beatles hits into a hairbrush, but it’s taken me until adulthood to finally test out my tonsils in public. I recently joined…