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AGE P O T O L F OLLOW

9

I was a tomboy who loved a street kickabout

F O E G ED

ingy d a o t in a e -y e n n d le y o b t n ? e in il a g a n u s e h t A s t ra n g e , s e e s r e s h e ev ld u o W . k r a p r a c d undergroun

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hwack, thwack, thwack went the ball between my boot and the rough bricks of a wall.

I was having a kickabout in the street, a nine-year-old footballmad tomboy. There was so little traffic on my gran and grandad Eleanor and Stuart’s road, I barely even looked up.

It was the school half-term in October 2000 and my mum Rhona was at work, so I was here.

‘Don’t go out of the street,’ Gran called from the doorway.

A bright, chilly day, she’d insisted I wore a jumper.

‘Oh, and remember – fish and chips tonight,’ she said.

Perfect! She’d always spoil us!

There were four of us kids. I was the patient big sis to Craig, eight, Graeme, five, and Mark, four. Though in truth, I could have been a fourth son. You wouldn’t catch me drawing lippie on a Girl’s World!

Head down, this was my happy place – practising my free kicks.

I noticed a figure in the corner of my eye.

That Darren Cornelius.

I’d seen him about before.

His family had recently moved to the area – they lived

on the same side of the street as Gran but further up.

He was standing outside the semi-detached houses opposite.

Really tall and big, he looked a couple of years older than me.

I’d never spoken to him, as he never joined in with the rest of us kids when we played out.

But now he crossed the road, walking towards me.

Maybe he wanted to join in, after all?

I went back to thwacking the ball.

But suddenly he grabbed my arm. I was stunned as his grip tightened.

‘What are you doing?’ I asked.

But he led me silently down the road.

I was holding the ball, let it go and it bounced quietly to a stop.

I was such a skinny little thing – he was twice my size.

I felt like I didn’t really have a say in the matter as to where we were going.

But I asked nonetheless.

Darren just looked at me, still saying not a word.

We marched past the church and shops. I wasn’t scared, just confused. Where was he taking me and why wasn’t he talking?

But I was worried about what

d The knife was plunge at ro into my back and th

Gran would say when she realised I’d left the street!

‘Where are we going?’ I asked again.

Darren still didn’t reply.

Instead, he led me to the bus stop.

A maroon and white double decker, the number 28, pulled up.

Darren hustled me on, paid my fare and we stumbled up the stairs.

I sat by the window, Darren sat next to me.

My mind was whirring as the bus pulled off.

We were even farther from Gran’s now…

Darren yanked me off it 15 minutes later at Fountain Park, a leisure complex.

There was a Wimpy and a Pizza Hut, sandwiched between a cinema and bowling alley.

Why are we going here?

I was feeling nervous now.

I was so far from Gran’s little street.

But Darren bustled me across a small patch of grass and down some stairs to the underground car park.

What was down here?

It was eerily quiet as we entered through an emergency exit door.

Down some metal steps, to the bottom of a dark and cold stairwell.

This didn’t feel right.

Darren Cornelius was big enough to scare me

I knew the leisure park was far from Gran’s home – and safety

I found my voice again, timid now, trembly.

‘I want to go home,’ I said. ‘I’m going to tell my Gran what you’ve done.’

I hoped threatening him with being told off would make him take me back…

But he reached for one of the zips on the big dark coat he was

I could feel a sticky wetness in my stomach, my white T-shirt and jumper staining red.

I’m going to die!

With a final lunge, Darren thrust the blade into my throat, right at the front.

The walls started to swirl.

As if through a tunnel, I heard a clattering as Darren dropped the knife on

the floor.

‘Stay down there and don’t move,’ he barked.

Then he ran up the metal steps and into the daylight.

I crouched on the ground, fighting for every breath.

I can’t stay here, I need help!

Somehow, I crawled to the

My eyes widened as he pulled out a knife wearing.

My eyes widened as he pulled out a knife.

‘No!’ I cried.

I was sobbing now.

He plunged the blade deep into my stomach.

It felt like I’d been punched.

There was no pain, just the feeling of a blow. Shock…

At last he spoke.

‘Sorry,’ Darren mumbled.

He didn’t stop, though.

He held my small body and jabbed and slashed at me, like a pick at a block of ice.

I tried to wriggle free of his grip. No good.

In seconds my left leg was bleeding, my right elbow too.

As I fell forwards, I felt thumps on my back as he stabbed me four times.

‘No,’ I gurgled, blood dripping from my mouth to the concrete.

stairs, slowly climbed up the em. ged to I reached the door, manag push it open. ght My eyes squinted as sunlig swamped my face.

‘Help,’ I croaked, clutching g my throat.

Blood oozed through my fingers.

Then I saw a young woman sitting at the same bus stop we’d w got off at.

Staggering across the patcch of per grass, my blood-soaked jump sticking to my stomach, I somehow managed to reach her.

Her eyes widened. bbed,’ ‘Please help, I’ve been stab I begged.

She gasped in shock.

‘Lift up your T-shirt,’ she ssaid.

I did and she went pale.

‘Call 999,’ I whispered. he ‘I’ll call an ambulance,’ sh nodded, getting out her Nokiia

Stairway TO HELL

phone.

‘No, the police,’ I managed.

I knew Darren had to be caught.

But everything was spinning around me – the sky, the bus stop, the grass.

A heavy tiredness pulling me down.

With that, I collapsed.

When I came to, I was in an ambulance, a paramedic pressing a dressing into my wounds.

‘It’s OK,’ he said. ‘You’re going to be OK.’ I was in and out of consciousness as they rushed me to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh.

Everything was a blur, I had no idea what was happening.

It was hours later that I finally came round, in intensive care.

Mum and Gran were next to me, their pale faces all wet streaks.

And as I lay there it all came flooding back, the bus ride, that car park, park the fear… fear I’d never done anything to Darren, why had he abducted me, stabbed me?

I’d been knifed eight times! It didn’t make sense.

I’d been in surgery to stitch up the stab

I wasn’t going to let my ordeal stop my life

wounds.

The one in my throat had missed my windpipe by millimetres.

Gran choked out apology after apology.

But this wasn’t her fault, the only person to blame was Darren.

I told everything to the CID officer who came to see me, gave him Darren’s address too, just opposite Gran’s.

‘I don’t know why he hurt me,’ I cried.

‘Don’t worry, we’ll get him,’ the officer said.

I was let home after a week, spent another two barely moving from my pink bed.

Staring blankly at my football team poster, I struggled to take in what had happened.

I wondered about the woman who’d helped me.

She saved my life.

Mum told me that the police had picked Darren up.

Still, it took a fortnight for both the bruising and my anxiety to calm down down.

I went back to school, started all again, assured playing footba afely out of the way.

Darren was sa later, I even And a few weeks w went to Gran’ss.

But as I walked towards her art was racing. house, my hea over to where I refused to look l had lived. that monster h Gran didn’t like talking about pened. what had happ I could see the guilt in her eyes every time I looked at her. I hat she was knew wh g: ‘I’d gone to check thinking na a few minutes on Kitrin earlier, if i only I’d not let her out that afternoon…’

But I vowed to her, ot stopping me ‘He’s no coming here.’

Then Mum sat me down. en’s only being sent ‘Darre e accommodation to secure onths,’ she for 17 mo explained bitterly.

Turn the page to read more...

Class REUNION

A

fter lots of legal to-ing and fro-ing, a judge had agreed with Darren’s lawyer that the 11-year-old had a mental age below eight, the age of criminal responsibility in Scotland.

While he was charged with attempted murder, this 17 months was the only ‘justice’ I’d see.

Now I know He was clearly wrong in the head, there’s a freak of evil. I couldn’t accept it. brighter ‘He tried to kill me,’ I sobbed. days ahead But there was nothing we could do. st half After being ‘inside’ for just his term, Darren was let outt – and back home.

One day, I was at Gran’s, when something made me turn my head.

‘No,’ I cried, stumbling back.

Darren was standing by his house, staring at me.

I ran inside, heart pounding.

‘This isn’t fair,’ Gran raged. ‘He shouldn’t be back on this street!’ who g got stabbed’.

But Darren didn’t My true self seem to be finished was so much with me. more – in my He started turning 20s I had a up in my school couple of playground, seeming ’s relationto search me out. ie rd a Sarah H ships with Time and time e c friendly fa women. again Gran d e hadn’t chang But I still complained to the felt defined council, complaining he shouldn’t be let near me, that the key thrown by that day, Darren was back his family should be moved away. away,’ Mum by him. in the news for ‘Why should we have to move, fumed.

In 2019 he was his violence because of him?’ she spat. ‘We’ve But the case given a further 10 done nothing wrong, Kitrina’s the collapsed. years yea minimum in jail, victim!’

Still, I knew violence was part for stabbing another inmate – In the end, Mum took civil of Darren. murderer Marcello Pacitti. action to get a restraining order to I left school and got a job as Darren would never change. stop him hounding me.

‘But I can,’ I thought. a housekeeper in a hotel.

And eventually, his family did I’d always wondered about the Darren was in the news yet move out after the police raided woman who’d helped me at the again. This time he’d repeatedly the home – we’d no idea what for. bus stop. stabbed a stranger, Daniel ‘But as long as they’re gone,’ I’d not seen her or spoken to Sweeney, in March 2007, leaving Gran sighed.

G her after I collapsed. him scarred for life.

He still lived in my head, though.

Now I needed to.

The judge gave him a rare As I got older, I hated being on I had to put that day behind me. lifelong restriction order – after my own, I didn’t dare walk m And I thought that finding her a five-year detention period, he anywhere alone. would bring me some closure. would stay behind bars until he I flinched if I passed a man on So I shared my story and was considered safe to release. the street and he put a hand in his appeal in a local paper.

I read on, sickened that he’d pocket. p Days later, I had a Facebook claimed he was stabbing an I expected an arm to shoot out, message from a lady called invisible man only he could see.

Sarah Hardie.

He knew exactly what he was a paw to grab me.

I think I’m the lady you’re ‘And I’ve had a nightmare again,’ doing.

I screwed the paper up in anger. looking for, she wrote.

I’d sob to Mum, waking in a deep I can’t believe it, I replied.

If only he’d been treated like sweat in the middle of the night.

Sarah, 46, was now a My family were enraged when the attempted murderer he was mum of two, a dog groomer we aged 11, it could’ve helped his w read that Darren had been and lived near Gran. victims after me. tried for sex offences against two We arranged to meet and girls when he was 15.

The stink of Darren seemed to g in November last year, we ‘He’s obviously a monster, and follow me. met in a coffee shop.

Wherever I went, I was ‘the girl should’ve been put inside and had

PICTURES: GETTY, KATIELEE ARROWSMITH/SWNS, PERTHSHIRE PICTURE AGENCY, SWNS

AN

2EAL

8

PEOPLE

Q As told to Clare Berrett & Lucy Moses (stories@realpeoplemag.co.uk)

yy Twenty years on and her friendly face was the same.

‘Thank you so much,’ I said, hugging her.

‘I only did what anyone would’ve done,’ she said. ‘I came with you in the ambulance.’

‘Did you?’ I cried. ‘I’d no idea.’

‘I held your hand the entire time,’ she said. ‘Wanted you to know someone was with you.’

I choked out a thousand thanks.

For every stone-cold psychopath like Darren Cornelius, there’s a Sarah Hardie, a ray of kindness.

I have to believe that the world is filled with more people like her.

What Darren did changed my childhood forever.

But thanks to the strength of my family and meeting the woman who saved my life, I have a future free of the shadows.

Kitrina McKenzie, 30, Edinburgh

I’m putting my past behind me

E L Z U P

L

ACROSS 1 Down payment (7) 8 Athlete’s jump (6) 11 Fuss, bother (3) 12 Spanish friend? (5) 13 Group of bees (5) 14 Downton ___, hit period drama in which 63D played Lady Rose (4) 16 Book ledge, eg (5) 17 Rub out, delete (5) 18 Prepares for publication (5) 19 Wager (3) 20 Colourful parrot species (5) 21 Take pleasure in (5)

1

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31

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WHOPPER! Solve t b boxes wil

23 Taking everything into account (7) 25 Not analogue! (7) 26 Sleeps loudly (6) 28 ___ Scott Thomas, 63D’s co-star in the recent remake of Rebecca (7) 31 Go ahead (7) 34 Cutlery item (5) 36 Skipper (7) 38 Japanese art of paper folding (7) 39 Path between two buildings, eg (5)

and, uesti

41 ___ Branagh, 63D’s director on Cinderella (7) 44 Minutiae, ins and outs (7) 47 Toiled (6) 48 Our Queen (9) 50 ___ West, 63D’s co-star in BBC Two’s forthcoming The Pursuit Of Love (7) 52 Little devil (3) 54 Clothing label (3) 56 Wise bird? (3) 57 Rising agent in bread (5) 59 Thing from outer space (5) 60 Odds and ___, betting chances (5)

62 Break up (5) DOWN 64 ___ Fiennes, 63D’s 1 Loathe, hate (7) co-star in The Dig (5) 2 War And ___, Tolstoy’s 65 Don’t ___ the applecart, epic novel turned into saying (5) a miniseries starring 63D (5) 66 Grease (3) 3 Condensed version (of the news, eg) (7) 67 Mamma ___! Here We 4 Tongue bumps that help you experience Go Again, musical sequel flavour (5,4) starring 63D (3) 5 Thingammy bob! (6) 68 Covered in perspiration (6) 6 ___ Blanchett, actress who played 63D’s 69 ___ Anderson, The Crown wicked stepmother in Cinderella (4) actress who trod the 7 Tricky, hard (9) boards in London’s 8 Ironing, hoovering, etc (9) West End with 63D in 9 Become aware of, register (7) All About Eve (7) 10 Fleshy ear parts (5) 15 Sing – like a lonely goatherd? (5) 20 ___ Smith, Dr Who and The Crown star, PQ: Which small screen icon is 63D set to play in a forthcoming TV miniseries? (6,8) also 63D’s ex, who appeared with her 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 8 9 10 in Pride And Prejudice and Zombies (4) 22 ___ Hamm, 63D’s Baby Driver co-star (3) 11 12 24 Aerial (7) 27 Mrs Sheep? (3) 14 15 29 Tear (3) 30 Feed, provide for (7) 16 31 Preserved in vinegar (7) 32 Electronic post? (5) 17 17 18 33 ___ Boyle, director of Yesterday, which starred 63D (5) 19 20 34 Bird that brings babies! (5) 35 Pungent bulb (5) 22 21 23 24 37 Ghost, spirit (7) 40 Electric fish? (3) 25 42 Sense of self (3) 43 Vote into power (5) 27 26 28 29 28 29 30 45 School after primary (9) 46 ___ Oldman, 63D’s Darkest Hour co-star (4) 47 You wave it to surrender! (5,4) 32 33 34 35 49 Mirage, trick of the eye or mind (8) 50 Put off (of doing a thing) (5) 51 Horse’s noise (5) 53 Film, eg, set before another one (7) 37 38 55 Greedy person (7) 58 Season before winter (6) 59 Permit, let (5) 40 39 41 42 43 61 Japanese rice dish (5) 63 ___ James, actress and star of new drama The Pursuit Of Love (pictured) (4)

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Tea towels, £10, M&S

Honey pot, £5, Dunelm Tea bag tidy, £2, Dunelm

Baking set, £18, Next

Glass, £4, Matalan

COMPIL ED BY: MILLIE GOOCH

BEE Homeware buy to get buzzing g about…

Hanging ornament, £5, Next

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Cushion, £15, M&S

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10 10

8 Who made history at the Brits by becoming the first female band to b win Best Britsh Group?

12 What brand of pickle was named after the Midlands village where it was first made?

15 Pick out three types of clock.

16 In the Monday’s Child rhyme, what day’s child is ‘full of grace’?

17 Based on the character from 101 Dalmatians, Emma Stone is playing the title role in what new live-action film from Disney, out this week?

18 On what day of the week is Halloween this year?

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2 In the rhyme, on what day was Solomon Grundy born?

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1 What TV show has been won by Peter Sawkins, Rahul Mandal and Candice Brown?

11 Mercredi is the French name for what day of the week?

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7 What day of the week is missing from the Whigfield hit: ___ Night?

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19 What is the ‘toad’ in the ld a dish toad-iner ell m n the-hole?

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Little Mix

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10 What Mexican dish consists of tortilla chips covered with melted cheese and other toppings?

We dn es da y

Pep iola rd Gua

6 What song includes the lyrics, ‘Maybe, I don’t really want to know, How your garden grows, I just want to fly, Lately did you ever feel the pain, In the morning rain, As it soaks it to the bone…’?

9 What TV show, that’s been hosted

by Sara Cox, Melanie Sykes and now Siobhan McSweeney, was won earlier this year by Jodie Neale?

Live r ve Fore

5 Brock is another name for what nocturnal British animal?

Heart

4 The book of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new, soon-to-be-open musical, Cinderella, has been written by which 2021 British Oscar winner?

go Bin

3 Find five underwear items.

t ea r e G sh Th Briti e Off k Ba

Briefs

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Here’s one to get you in a spin! All of the answers to the questions can be found on Real People’s Roulette wheel. For your chance to bag £250, have a go at the quiz, eliminating the black or red section containing the answer, or answers, to each question as you go. When completed correctly, you’ll be left with just one section, which contains your prize answer. Write this on the entry coupon on page 67.

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20 Find five radio stations.

21 Freitag is German for what day of the week?

22 Which European city hosted the Eurovision Song Contest last weekend?

23 Who is the manager of Premier League title winners Manchester City?

13 What TV show, currently searching for its 2021 winner, has been won in previous years

by Clare Bradley, Juliet Uzor and Charlotte Newland?

24 What TV show has been won by Dhruv Baker, Simon Wood and, earlier this year, Tom Rhodes took the crown?

14 Complete the joke: What do you call a three-legged donkey?

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25 What day of the week is named after the Norse god of thunder?

4 2 E G A P O T LLOW FLO

If only we could’ve stayed like this

Iain and Charlotte ir e h t n o d e t a e h c d a h p a r t n e rs t o b e together, but could they cheat death?

PICTURES: FOCUS FEATURES, LIZ HENSON PHOTOGRAPHY *NAME HAS BEEN CHANGED

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h packages of he salad whizzed a the conveyor be As I checked the machines, I caught the eye of Charlotte Drake, one of the line supervisors.

‘Morning,’ she smiled over the din.

‘Morning,’ I grinned back.

Even in a blue hairnet, Charlotte, 24, got me all flustered.

When it was time to clock off as a 29-year-old s factory production manager, I drove to a nearby pub.

I checked into one of their rooms.

A few minutes later, there was a gentle rapping on the door.

‘Finally,’ I gasped, kissing Charlotte.

Only now, her blonde locks were free of her hairnet, no machines roaring either…

‘I know,’ she gasped, fumbling for the buttons on my shirt.

We fell into bed, started making love as East 17’s Stay Another Day played softly on the radio.

Afterwards, she curled into my arms.

‘I wish we could stay like this,’ I sighed, stroking her hair.

‘Me too,’ Charlotte said.

But our time together was limited.

Because we were lovers.

Illicit lovers.

I’d been married to Donna* for five years.

And Charlotte was in a longterm relationship.

But as soon as I’d laid eyes on her a few months earlier in 1995, I’d felt something stir inside me.

She had a smile that lit up the room…

A few of us would often go for a drink after work, and Charlotte and I had found ourselves drawn to each other.

‘I used to be a punk rocker,’ she’d told me.

‘No way!’ I’d laughed.

‘Yep, I had two rows of spiky hair.’

She was so full of life.

So when we’d found our fingers subtly tracing each other’s, I’d been unable to stop m lf.

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PEOPLE

II’d gasped, as we’d ended up in a d darkened street behind the p pub, b, snogging. ‘I never wanted to be someone who cheated.’

‘You’re right,’ Charlotte had said. ‘I feel awful.’

But she was the woman I wanted.

Now, a few weeks later, we went to a house party.

Nobody noticed as we slipped upstairs and had sex.

‘Oh God,’ she cried afterwards.

Her boyfriend was on his way!

‘I’ll disappear,’ I said, bolting out of the back door.

Back home, I got into bed with Donna.

‘Good time?’ she mumbled.

My cheeks b burned. I could still smell Charlotte.

‘Yep,’ I croak ked.

Then I turneed my back, feeling grubby and ash hamed.

I’ll tell her so oon.

But before I ccould, Charlotte pulled me aside at work.

‘We’re over,’’ she said curtly.

‘Why?’ I crieed.

‘It’s not work king.’

Then she wa alked away.

My comeupp pance.

I deserve to kno ow what hurt is.

So I vowed to work on my marriage, forg get about Charlottte.

er said than done.

Being around her at g y work was agony.

It got easier when I moved jobs.

Then Donna and I welcomed a baby daughter.

I adored being a dad, but my marriage was passionless.

And I constantly thought about Charlotte.

If I heard Stay Another Day, I’d be transported back to the pub… I ached for her.

Over time, we became friends on Facebook.

A dangerous game, as I’d spend hours scrolling through her photos.

‘Still gorgeous,’ I’d think, seeing photos of her camping.

Another was of her jumping in a puddle.

Charlotte lit up the room

I could hear her laugh gh as if she was w b beside me. g I never commented, though, never messaged her.

Then in 2015, she posted that her beloved greyhound had died.

By then I was 49 – Charlotte, 44.

Before I could stop myself, I was sending her a message…

Sorry to hear that, I typed, hands shaking.

These were floodgates that shouldn’t be opened again…

But when her reply pinged back, my heart began racing.

Thank you. How are you?

We started exchanging messages.

When she said she was now single, I felt a tingle of excitement.

I also have early stage Parkinson’s, she admitted.

It was a condition where the brain lost nerve cells over time.

Movement becomes limited, muscles stiffen, limbs can tremor uncontrollably, and a sufferer’s memory can fade.

‘But I’m fine,’ she s insisted.

We loved to It didn’t

walk our dogs, Patch and Jack

ssex for the first time ssince our twenties.

‘I’ve missed you so m much,’ I whispered.

When it was time to leave, I was devastated.

‘I can’t lose you again,’ I vowed.

‘But you’re married still,’ she sighed.

Back home, Donna spotted mud up the car frrom driving through co ountry lanes to Charlotte.

‘You only cleaned th hat at the weekend,’ sh he frowned.

Hot with shame, I mumbled, m ‘It was muddy in n the yard.’

And then I knew.

She didn’t deserve m more betrayal.

And I had to be with Ch harlotte properly.

I will love When the time was Charlotte to right, three weeks on, I sat s Donna down in our the end kiitchen.

‘It’s over,’ I croaked.

‘I’ I m so sorry.’ bother me b me, it was a long-term long term ‘Is there somebody else?’ she illness that stretched too far into said, upset. tthe future to worry about.

I nodded and told her We met up for a drink a few days about Charlotte. later, as friends.

My daughter, 14, was there.

Still, I lied to Donna that I was Her eyes knifed me with m meeting some mates for a pint. sheer disgust.

‘Hi,’ I grinned, as Charlotte ‘I didn’t mean to hurt you,’ w walked into the bar. ‘You’ve I pleaded. changed your hair.’

‘Yes,’ she laughed. ‘I’m dark now. Does it suit me?’

‘Definitely,’ I said. ‘Still drinking white wine?’

She nodded.

We caught up, filling in the past 20 years. She worked at Aldi now.

Then I drove straight But I wanted an answer. to Charlotte’s.

‘Why did you end things with She hugged me so tight. us?’ I asked eventually.

‘I wish we hadn’t hurt people,’ Charlotte stared down. she sighed.

‘The boss told me I’d get the sack But it was too late for that. if I didn’t end things,’ she sighed.

A few days later, we went to choose a dining room table.

‘I needed that job.’

Walking through the car park, It was a relief. She’d not stopped Charlotte took my hand. loving me.

It’d been so long since I’d felt Then it was time to go. this closeness, passion.

‘It’s been lovely,’ I smiled, giving ‘No more hiding,’ I thought. her a peck goodbye.

My daughter couldn’t accept it Then her lips lingered a little too and wanted nothing to do with me. long on my cheek.

‘I should’ve been honest years Those feelings were still there. ago,’ I insisted to Charlotte.

We’d exchanged numbers, We loved watching Would I Lie and for the next couple of days to You?, taking our greyhounds, I skulked at the end of the garden, away from Donna, to call Charlotte. Patch and Jack out.

And we loved our holidays to Until eventually…

Lanzarote and Greece…

We couldn’t help ourselves ‘We wasted all those years any longer. apart,’ I said, as we stroked hands I drove to hers. across the sunlounger one day.

As soon as I arrived, ‘We’ve plenty more to come,’ we didn’t speak. she agreed, but there was a hint Closing the door behind us, of a forced smile. we started snogging.

In 2018, her health started Then we went upstair had

PRECIOUS LOVE

to deteriorate.

For three years she’d so ’d been b well – it was like her Parkinson’s didn’t exist.

‘I can barely walk upstairs,’ she panted one day.

Every movement became slow and stiff.

After a brain scan, we were sat in the consultant’s office, holding hands.

‘You actually have Multiple System Atrophy,’ he said.

He explained it was a rare, degenerative neurological disorder, causing gradual damage to the nerve cells in the brain.

Its early symptoms were the same as Parkinson’s.

‘Can you do anything?’ I begged.

He shook his head.

‘It’s much more aggressive,’ he explained. ‘You’ve about two years to live.’

‘No!’ Charlotte howled.

I gathered her in my arms.

‘It’ll be OK,’ I sobbed.

But my Charlotte was dying.

‘We’ll fight this together,’ I vowed.

I hadn’t ruined one marriage to not see this through.

Over the next months, her legs weakened quickly.

She needed a wheelchair.

‘I need to get my licence for this,’ I joked.

Her grip was so weak now, too.

We wasted all those years apart I had to help her drink, eat, carry her to the toilet, wash her…

Eventually her voice would go, too.

‘I don’t regret anything,’ I whispered to her in bed.

By the end of last year, she could barely breathe a word.

Every day now was an added bonus.

‘I just wish you’d be my wife,’ I said.

I’d asked her numerous times, but fiercely independent, she’d always scoffed that it was ‘just a bit of paper’.

But now, she nodded.

It was the middle of lockdown, so I had to apply for a

We were meant to be together

The wedding used all her strength special licence at Blackburn Register Office.

We finally had it arranged for 20 January this year – Charlotte’s 50th birthday.

The night before, she used what little strength she had to record the words ‘I will’ on to the iPad. And the next day, there was no music, just me stood next to Charlotte in her wheelchair.

She was clutching a bouquet of pink and white flowers, wearing a cream dress.

‘You look beautiful,’ I smiled.

But we were both in tears, as we said our vows.

‘Till death us do part,’ I gulped.

Charlotte used her iPad to say hers.

After 25 years, I’d finally married the woman I was meant to be with.

How many days will I get with her?

Nowhere near enough.

With a new diagnosis of breast cancer, every day could be Charlotte’s last.

But I will love her to the end, as I always have done.

Iain Belsham, 55, Rossendale, Lancs

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PUPIL’S PET

Anna’s boy loved school – only, his education needed a reboot…

AS TOLD TO MIYO PADI PICTURES: SWNS

F

lying through the air, my kids Alan, nine, and Nicole, seven, squealed themselves silly on the trampoline.

So when Alan groaned the next day in March 2017 that his leg hurt I guessed it was from too much bouncing.

I took him to A&E at Newham University Hospital in London.

‘They’re being very thorough for what’ll be a sprain,’ I said, calling my husband Piotr, 41.

But the next day, test results shattered our happy family.

Alan had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

‘It doesn’t hurt, Mum,’ he grinned, dosed up on meds.

I didn’t have the heart to explain the battle he was facing.

But he took chemo in his stride and months on was back at school.

‘Did you know about this king Henry VIII?’ he’d chatter on the walk home, telling me all about his favourite history lessons.

But Alan and school soon began a game of hokey cokey.

In September 2019, just as we moved to Ipswich, a routine check-up found he’d relapsed.

Alan, 12, only managed a few days at Copleston High before being hospitalised.

14 4

Alan couldn’t even hug Piotr in lockdown

The dinky digital helper sat in class while Alan was shielding

W S O T O B O R He had chemo, immunotherapy, py radiotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, all without complaint.

But normal tween life was passing him by.

‘I can’t wait to go back to class,’ he sighed.

It seemed possible as his treatment ended, but then lockdown hit.

Walks were ‘Alan is out of the vulnerable to question coronavirus due tto his suppressed immune system,’ the doctors explained.

That meant no walks round the block and certainly no school.

Piotr, who continued working as a lorry driver, even had to move into the shed for months.

Nicole had lessons online, but A Alan wasn’t well enough.

When the schools opened in autumn, he was still shielding. g Then I got a call. ‘We’ve been offered a robot to help Alan return to class,’ a teacher explained.

The AV1 robot, which cost around £2,500 and was provided by education group the Raedwald Trust, had a camera and a speaker.

‘NORMAL LIFE PASSED HIM BY’ It looked like a little marble bust and would sit in class in Alan’s place and he could interact from home with his tablet.

‘Yesss!’ Alan cheered when I explained.

He duly sat at our kitchen table last November with his iPad. Up popped his classroom.

‘Hi, Alan,’ the teacher smiled.

When my son had a question he pressed a button and a light went on at the other end.

Come break-time, the teaching

assistant even took the robot into the p playground. yg Watching Alan giggling along with his pals, my heart soared.

A little slice of normality at last!

For two months, he joined in with the whole school day then started online learning when schools closed again in January.

With no signs of cancer and his immune system recovering, this March he was finally healthy enough to return to the classroom after a year and a half.

‘You nervous?’

I asked on his first day.

‘Nah,’ he smiled. ‘It’s like I’ve been there all along.’

All thanks to a little robot, in a class of its own!

Anna Slomka, 41, Alan’s Ipswich bounced

back now

3...

E L S I A N I Y A W A W O ST The jacket was now a cosy bed!

Sarah’s pet came on the weekly shop, the cheek of it… he front door flew o open pen with a blast of toddler-wailing.

‘What is it?’ I asked, scooping three-year-old Connie Mae into my arms.

She wriggled free.

Her face contorted, gulping sobs rattling from her little body.

‘There’s a snake in my coat,’ she wept.

Eh?!

‘She’s been like this all the way round the supermarket,’ my partner, Adam, 39, groaned, putting down the Asda bags.

Our youngest of our four kids had screamed down the aisles.

Apparently staff even had to calm her down!

And Adam then had to stop the car on the way back. It was a cold day this but, January but

Eva (front) solved the mystery for me, Adam and Connie

Even our pooches have a pink paradise

inside now, I pulled off Connie’s padded red Minnie Mouse coat.

I had a look in the pockets, patted it down.

Nothing.

‘There’s no snakes, a start, I looked S-s-surely darling,’ I assured her, at Eva, hovering giving her a cuddle. by my bed. there was Toddlers, eh?!

‘What is it?’ no snake ? at ‘Must have just been I asked. co e th in another meltdown,’ I ‘I know reasoned to Adam, sending h C why Connie was screaming,’ she her off to play with now dry eyes. gasped. ‘I found Woody in her coat!’

I hung the coat up on the kitchen What?! Woody was our two-yeardoor. We soon forgot all about it. old hamster!

We’d been here before, after all, He was supposed to be locked up with our other kids – tight in his cage in the spare room…

Connor, 22, Olivia, 19, But Eva had woken up for the loo in the night and seen the coat wriggling. and Eva, 11 – and knew She’d knocked it off the door with toddler moods changed a broom and out Woody’d come! with the wind.

The cheeky blighter looked none That night, we tucked in the worse for his little adventure.

Eva and Connie – the only How long had he been there?! two still at home – then We guessed the girls had turned in for the night. forgotten to put him back in his cage ‘Mum!’ after playing with him the day before.

Waking up with

rning g the coat inside-out outt tthere here Turnin were holes where the lining had been nibbled at. Our Woody had made himself a nice bed of the stuffing!

‘He must have started wriggling when she got in the car seat,’ Adam realised.

When we told Connie the next morning, she couldn’t stop laughing.

‘Woody was trying to cuddle me,’ she giggled.

Sadly, though, it seemed a supermarket sweep was the last thing on Woody’s bucket list.

He passed away not long after.

Hamsters only live two to three years, after all.

He’s now resting in peace under some flowers in the garden.

Get your coat, Woody.

You pulled on our heartstrings!

Sarah Walton, 42, Leeds

Online trolls took umbrage at our Umbridge style!

spectacle Lost a bet with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen? Nope, Maria is pink and proud!

T

Maybe Wood y wan to see the wo ted rld

earing off the wrapping paper, I laughed at the joke I’d known was coming.

‘Told you I’d do it,’ my stepdad Michael Heslop, 62, chuckled.

A pastel pink kettle and matching toaster. Err… lovely?!

It was May 2019 and my fiancé Aaron Mordey, 28, and I were celebrating getting engaged and buying a home together all at once.

My stepdad had been threatening to buy us these bubble-gum housewarming gifts for months.

‘Thanks,’ biker Aaron laughed with an eye roll. g I’d never been a girly girl, loving

cars and bikes, but had always had a thing for pink clothes – something my stepdad had run away with!

Moving into our new four-bed semi that month, our kettle and toaster were pride of place in the kitchen.

Days on, I was out shopping when I spotted some pink sofa cushions.

‘They’ll match the kettle,’ I thought, chucking a pair in my trolley.

But once I started, I couldn’t stop.

In came puffy pink throws, rugs, curtains and a double bed with a velvety pink headboard.

‘I quite like it,’ Aaron admitted as our house flushed flamingo.

With it being spring, the blossom from the tree out front matched my theme. A sign, surely?!

Family

Aaron’s bike got a wheel-y fun update

began buying us anything pink they spotted. And I was getting fussy – no hot pinks, fuchsias or coral here.

It had to be pretty, soft pastel pink.

We re-did the walls of the kitchen diner, and even the dogs couldn’t escaped the pinkscape!

We converted the spare room into a mini bedroom for Jeff, an Alaskan malamute Siberian husky cross, and Bow, a Siberian husky, complete with pink bedspread and jazzy wallpaper.

In January last year I even did the front door.

‘You know,’ Aaron said, ‘I think I’ll do some of the plastics on my bike.’

So, while I finished the door, he painted his motocross bike.

‘Ta da,’ he smiled, standing back from his

PINK PALACE 00cc that now looked fit for a princess. Talk about secure in his m masculinity!

There’s not a corner of our house, where I work from home running a business personalising gifts, that hasn’t had a brush with blush.

‘I’m famous for starting all this,’ my stepdad likes to crow, joking he should carry around a pen to give out his autograph as the pink-stigator.

It’s not to everyone’s tastes, though.

‘It’s… pink!’ Aaron’s blokey mates gasped when they came over.

It’s not that bad, I’m not Dolores Umbridge from Harry Potter!

When our story went online, the comments were cruel. Physical age 29, mental age nine, one wrote.

Best of luck when it comes to selling! came another.

We laughed. Our home was for us, not anyone else.

In all, the makeover has probably cost about £10,000.

Worth every pink pound, I say.

Maria Alison, 29, Sunderland

We’re a pink pair and proud of it!

15 5

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PUZZLE EXTRA +

PUZZLE EXTRA

MILK SHAKE We’ve shaken up all seven letters of an every day word (below). Can you work out what it is? Each letter can only be used once. This is your prize answer.

Solution on page 19.

Listen up, mum, kids can’t spend much more than eight hours a day playing hopscotch, counting leaves in trees and winding the dog up! Get them over ’ere, give ’em a pencil, push these puzzles under their noses and listen to their brains start to whizz. What a kindness you’re doing.

What’s that? No it’s not wrong to put your feet up and watch Homes Under the Hammer. In fact, it’d be rude not to!

OMG! AARRGGHHH EEK!

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Sounds like you might have your work cut out here – I mean, how do you look for noises in a word search? Yikes! Look for all the comic book staples in the grid. All are hidden, except one – which one? Solution on page 19.

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PICTURES: BIGSTOCK, GETTY

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Use the picture clues to sound out the name of a family film. Answer on page 19.

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VRONK WHAM WHOOSH ZAP ZOINKS

PUZZLE EXTRA + Junior PUZZLE EXTRA + Junior PUZ

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PUZZLE ZZLEE EXTRA EX + Junior PUZZLE ZLE EXT EXTRA + Junior PUZZLE EXTRA +

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Doris isn’t happy.

But what’s her beef?

Well, she can’t work out how to get to the other field for the cow pow wow now!

Can you help her moo-ve through the maze until she reaches Flo and the rest of the gang for the teepee party? Solution on p19.

Junior

+ Junior PUZZLE EXTRA All wannabe secret agents need to work hard on sharpening their observational skills. Put yours to the test here by spotting the 10 differences between these two photos of Netflix hit Yes Day. Check the solution on the next page.

1

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PICTURES: BIGSTOCK, NETFLIX

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SUM BUDDY TO LOVE MOO

Of A Kind

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Although the pictures of keepfit Florence, below, appear to be the same, look very closely and you’ll see only two are identical – which two?

Solution below.

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MOO!

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22 24

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SOLUTIONS P16 – OMG! Aarrgghhh Eek! P t hidden: Whoosh 6 – Milk Shake wesome P16 – Which Moo-vie Am I? P Solution: Five children + Hand + Eat = Five Children And It

P17 – How Cow Pow Wow! Turn the page upside down to see the solution.

29

Each colour of Florence’s rosettes represents a different digit (1-9).

The numbers provided in the top grid are the column and row totals. With the value of one of the colours given, can you work out the rest?

Answers below.

C

MOO! D

MOO! E

MOO!

P18 – I - Spy A2, A4, A5, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, C1, C4.

P19 – Sum Buddy To Love

4 1 6 8 9

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P19 – Moo Of A C & F.

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Kellie Mason, 25, from Ellesmere Port, could only watch as her sister took the words of her little ones with her, to the end…

PICTURES: BIGSTOCK, FOCUS FEATURES *NAME HAS BEEN CHANGED

r

s r e t t e l f o

h heck…

Hearing your footsteps coming down the corridor, I knew World War 572 was on the way.

‘I just…’ I began, a six-year-old gabbling through lips covered in your fave lippie.

‘Out!’ you ordered, 16 and fuming I was in your room and at your make-up again.

Just another day for us two. We grew up fighting like cat and dog, didn’t we, Sis? ‘You’ve been at my blush,’ you’d rage.

Or your mascara, eyeliner, gloss.

None of it was safe from my little hands!

But I wanted to be just like you, you were my only sister alongside brothers Daniel, 12, and Conner, two.

Gorgeous and never a hair out of place.

Even those years you worked at the zoo, the world was your catwalk.

You’d be elbow-deep in elephant poo with a full face on.

Your glam ways didn’t even change when you were pregnant.

When I was 10, you had your first daughter, my niece, Tia. Gone were the lippy wars between us – you had more important things on your plate.

And we really bonded, didn’t we?

You saw me not as annoying little sis any more, but besotted auntie to your baby, who was first to volunteer to change nappies and burp her after a meal.

Three years on, you had your second daughter, Emma*.

Their dads came and went.

On your own, having the girls brought out the maternal side in you.

‘You sure you’ve got everything you need?’ you’d fuss when I was in my teens and your go-to babysitter.

‘Yeah, just go,’ I’d insist, watching you head off for drinks with mates looking immaculate as ever.

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um

When you decided beauty was the job for you, it made all the sense in the world.

I watched on at your steely determination, fitting in courses and work round your girls.

First you trained to do hair, then nails, lashes and massages.

‘Let me try this out?’ you asked one day, slathering my face in some pongy cream.

Next week, it was my lashes you were filling in with individual falsies.

From not letting me near your make-up, you couldn’t get it on me fast enough!

Other things had changed too.

Like how we discovered the joys of spending time together.

I’d come over for our weekly movie nights.

Just me, you and your girls.

Watching their sisterhood grow, closer than we’d ever been as kids, was incredible for us both.

And, Sis, it was all thanks to you.

You were devoted to your daughters. You worked yourself into the ground to spoil them.

But, ‘My chest hurts a bit,’ you admitted in 2018.

The doctors gave you a rainbow

of inhalers for asthma.

Our mum, Bernadette, 53, was just getting over breast cancer.

Maybe, Tara, we were all too wrapped up in that to take notice.

Besides, you didn’t fuss and looked as good as ever.

But that perfect skin and gorgeous flowing hair was deceptive.

A mask to the truth.

Soon you were getting nosebleeds and, eventually, confessed to passing blood on the loo.

I’ll never forget the day of your big hospital appointment in March 2019.

I was home when Mum walked in, her eyes bloodshot.

‘It’s cancer,’ she sniffed, the words tumbling out with the tears.

Cancer in your bowel, and tumours in your lungs and kidneys.

‘She’ll have her chemo and be fine,’ I told myself.

You were my big sister, the one that led the way. You had to be OK. Besides, surely if Mum could fight it off then you could too?

I wouldn’t cry. And, sis, you didn’t either.

‘I can beat it,’ you said dry-eyed next time I saw you.

You were fit, healthy, only 32.

And you had your girls to live for.

Feeling better today, taking the kids to the zoo, you posted on Facebook beside smiling selfies.

Though you’d shared your diagnosis, to all the world you looked fine.

Better than fine.

You, me and Daniel as kids

ted to I (left) wan ou y be just like

You looked radiant.

But then the chemo tore through you, didn’t it?

Eight stone soaking wet, you were no match for the endless rounds.

You still did your makeup and hair every day but you were shattered.

‘Want some popcorn?’ I whispered in the dark, as some horror flick played at the cinema.

I looked over and realised you were fast asleep.

Despite your fighting, the cancer spread to your stomach.

Surgery to fit a stoma uncovered a tumour on your ovary.

‘They reckon it’s the size of an A4 piece of paper,’ you said.

A hysterectomy beckoned.

It’d take the tumour there out, along with any hope of having more kids.

Devastating for you.

‘I always wanted more,’ you sniffed as you recovered from the op.

That was the only concern.

Your children. Current and future.

But the cancer had looted your dreams.

Then it took your present.

Under your fake lashes and permanent brows, you shrunk to skin and bone.

You donned an array of different wigs to cover your thinning hair.

Long brown ones, short blonde bobs.

‘Take it off,’ I asked once, seeing it was itching you.

‘Never,’ you insisted.

You had to look your best, Sis. Not even your girls were allowed to see you without your hair. But soon there was no hiding the truth.

‘You have two years,’ the doctors said.

Sitting beside you, I sobbed and you leaned over to hug me, comforting me more than yourself.

I didn’t want to lose you, Tara. I couldn’t.

Days on, I hovered as you sat the girls down at your kitchen table.

‘Mummy’s poorly,’ you admitted. ‘And I won’t get better.’

Sh o

g

f rom the

Tia will neve r forget your s mile Tia’s love for you was clear

Glam till the en wore wigs, e d: You ven though they itched Tia, 12, broke down while Emma, nine, looked at you, confused.

She was disbelieving like me.

How could her glamorous mummy not be all right?

‘Let’s make some memories,’ you ordered, booking everything in sight.

I cherish the tinkling of your laughter on our holiday to Prestatyn, North Wales.

You didn’t have the strength for bowling, and kept getting gutter balls.

But it made for a lot of giggling with the girls.

On Christmas Eve 2019, you asked Mum if you could come and stay with us.

You had Tia while Emma was at her dad’s.

Bringing in armfuls of Tia’s pressies, your face was drawn with exhaustion.

Too tired for the stairs. We set you up a bed in the dining room.

You laid there, eyes glazed watching reruns of Benidorm.

‘Tia loves that Harry Potter duvet cover,’ I said one afternoon, trying to coax you into a chat.

‘Yeah…’ you mumbled but your spark had been pinched out like a candle.

Next March, you were moved to a hospice.

Emma’s letter tugged at my heart I was by your side almost every day, Sis. Mum and our dad, Chris, 53, took turns staying the night.

The girls came too.

None of us could stand being away from you.

‘Stop flirting,’ you croaked one day

You had a stunning smile – like a necklace of pearls – but I didn’t see it again.

On 13 March last year, you barely opened your eyes.

‘I love you,’ I said, before leaving with Tia at 7pm.

Dad was on the night shift.

I spoiled Tia that night, Tara, letting your eldest stay up late watching telly.

Around midnight, I’d just sent her to bed when Dad texted two earth-shattering words.

She’s gone.

I’d known it was coming, of course.

But I couldn’t get my head around it.

I rang him and accused, ‘You’re joking?’

But his muffled sobs told me this was all too real.

You were dead at just 33, barely a year since your diagnosis.

I walked into 13-year-old Tia’s room, eyes streaming.

She knew before I even opened my mouth.

We held each other and wept.

Then we headed to the hospice in the early hours.

Emma’s dad brought her along too and we sat beside you, holding your hand and telling you we loved you.

As you were moved to the morgue, I cleaned out your things.

Make-up, of course. And those wigs.

Then, in a

drawer, I found a stash of letters.

Pages and pages, neatly folded.

Dozens of letters from your girls.

I’m going to miss you Mummy.

I love you Mummy.

Why can’t you get better?

Each plea was like a nail to my heart.

What could they have done to you?

But you’d saved every last one.

So now I’m writing to you, Tara.

To tell you that I love you.

To tell you that your girls are safe.

They are being loved and looked after and they’re thriving.

Though it’s so hard without you, your resilient little pair are a testament to you.

I’m helping all I can.

I’ll make sure Tia and Emma never forget how much you loved them.

As for me, the mark you’ve left on my life will never fade.

I’m at your grave every weekend, putting down fresh flowers and wiping your smart black marble headstone.

You look good, Tara. Even now.

Your spark had been pinched out when Dad laughed with the nurses.

Soon, though, you couldn’t muster the energy to speak.

But that steely fire that’d put me in my place as a kid remained.

‘Don’t you dare,’ your eyes would say when Dad tried to change the channel on the telly.

You’d point to your wig when it needed straightening.

A madam to the last.

When I wasn’t with you, I tried to be a mum figure to your girls.

We talked about you constantly, reminiscing on the good times.

‘I’m going to write Mummy a letter,’ Emma said one day.

‘You do that,’ I gulped.

She took it in to you and I didn’t pry, just watched your greying face nod and smile as you read it.

O As told to Joe Cusack and Miyo Padi (stories@realpeoplemag.co.uk)

I visit your grav e every weekend , sis

lth ss

e n i p hap

&

ROSIE’S STORY

Take That migraines!

FEATURE: CLARE BERRE TT PICTURES: SWNS

T

I had a little patience – then I met Gary!

hey call us ‘Mad Thatters’ – Take That fans, old enough to know better!

But what can I say? I’d been to every concert going, knew every lyric. ox and Rosie ot B of it b A The Greatest Day played pretty I’ve been much on loop inside my head. was Barlow-ready…

My partner, Richard Robinson, a Take joked he had competition with Richard now.

That fan Gary Barlow. sitting on my head.

Later that day, for years If only!

A splitting migraine. the boys crept into ‘I’ll need Botox before I’d stand Not today! the bedroom. a chance with Gary,’ I laughed.

‘I can’t move,’ I croaked to ‘It was brilliant,’ ‘Don’t be daft,’ Richard smiled.

Richard, 41, thinking I was about to Daniel whispered, But I had so many laughter lines, throw up. gently sitting on it was always at the back of my ‘Stay in bed,’ he said, well the mattress. mind that I might want to get practiced by now. ‘I’ll draw the ‘Sorry I missed it,’ I managed, something done about it. curtains.’ feeling rotten.

Oh, who was I kidding?

I’d had what doctors first thought These migraines – 30 a month now Where would I find the time were hormonal migraines aged 13.

– ruled my life.

But with 10 to 15 of them a month, for a nip and tuck with my two So I begged a neurologist, ‘I can’t it became clear it was something boys Daniel, six, and his brother go on like this.’ worse: chronic cluster Joshua, four?

‘There’s Botox,’ he said. ‘It’s migraines.

I was hardly Posh Spice! available on the NHS for serious Richard says I Over the The pair of them were cases.’ ! w no e ag years I’d giddy in January, 2015, ‘I’d always joked about that,’ don’t about to perform with tried all I smiled weakly. their school in the Young sorts of He explained that it was a Voices concert at the painkillers. neurotoxin, a poison made by a Sheffield Arena.

But the only bacteria, that relaxes muscles.

‘Do you think you’ll hear thing to do Perfectly safe, so long as it’s not us tomorrow, Mummy?’ was to ride ingested into the stomach. my Daniel grinned. the agony ‘It blocks the chemicals called ‘Oh definitely,’ I agreed. neurotransmitters that carry pain out in a I wouldn’t miss it for signals from your brain,’ he said. darkened the world.

Well, anything was worth a go. room.

Only, the next morning So at my first session at Spire Hall ‘I’ll miss it felt like the world was & East Riding Hospital, the doctor their said, ‘You’ll have 31 injections concert,’ I wept to

MIGRAINES g th e FAC T S WHAT? A migraine is usually a moderate or severe headache felt as throbbing pain on one side. They affect one in every five women and one in 15 men. There are different types, including migraine with aura, where just before the migraine you see flashing lights, and without aura, where it happens without specific warning signs.

SYMPTOMS: An intense headache on one side that gets worse when

22 2

you move, and prevents you carrying out normal activities. You may also feel sick, be sensitive to light and sound, and feel very hot or cold.

TREATMENT: There’s no cure, but many people find lying in a dark room helps.

Others find eating does the trick, or feel better after being sick. Pain-killers can ease symptoms as can anti-sickness medicine.

Acupuncture and Botox can also be used.

INFO: nhs.uk

Two other types of headaches st common type M TENSION HEADACHES: The mo nt ache on both of headache, it feels like a consta for 30 minutes to sides of the head. It usually lasts ss and anxiety, stre several hours. Causes include ture. Women tiredness, dehydration and poor pos n men. tend to suffer from them more tha are excruciating M CLUSTER HEADACHES: These d, often felt hea attacks of pain in one side of the re common mo around the eye. They are rare, but hout warning, in men. They begin quickly and wit a sharp, burning and the pain is often described as o get a red and or piercing sensation. You may als in one. watering eye and a smaller pupil

Up to £150 for your health story

or a Got something to say about your health ag.co.uk plem recent op? Email: stories@realpeo

All I could do w as lie down when migraines struck every 12 weeks.’

‘Thirtyone?!’ I spluttered.

I had visions of being left like Jackie Stallone, my face pulled all over the place!

But they weren’t just on my forehead, they were down the side of my ears and neck and across the tops of my shoulders.

I left the hospital feeling stung, but full of hope.

Two days later, another migraine.

‘Brilliant,’ I sighed, fearing the Botox had failed.

But quickly it was just a dull headache.

‘I’d normally be bedbound,’ I gasped, as I went about the house.

After a few sessions, I was only having between five and eight migraines a month, and all far less severe.

It wasn’t quite a magic bullet but it felt the next best thing.

Especially as Richard noticed it in my face.

‘You don’t age,’ he said.

‘I can’t move my eyebrows, but it’s worth it!’

And hilariously, I was Gary Barlow-ready.

Really, as I’d won a competition to meet him!

I was all nerves outside a Leeds theatre in August 2018, not that you could tell from my face.

He was promoting his show there, Calendar Girls.

‘Hi, let’s get a selfie,’ Gary smiled.

As he cuddled me, I felt like a teenager.

He signed my right wrist, and I later turned it into a tattoo!

My ‘Greatest Day’?

Maybe!

But getting my life back thanks to the Botox is up there too.

I’ve had near on 800 injections now – Posh Spice, eat your heart out!

Rosie Jeffrey, 41, Elloughton, East Yorkshire

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2 ‘THE ODD BIT WON’T HURT’

1 ‘YOU CAN’T GET SUNBURNT IN WATER!’

TRUTH: Getting sunb ur occasionally could be nt dangerous and the ef fect adds up the more tim es it happens. According to Cancer Research UK , getting sunburnt just once every two years can triple your risk of melanoma, the dead liest form of skin cancer .

TRUTH: Half a metre below the surface of water, 40 per cent of the sun’s UV rays can still hit you. Plus, the cooling effect of water means you might not notice you’re burning. Experts advise reapplying sunscreen after a dip, even if it boasts that it’s ‘water-resistant’.

10. ‘YOU CAN’T GET BURNED THROUGH CLOTHES!’

TRUTH: While covering up will block most of the sun’s rays, thin summer clothing can still let some through. Remember to wear a wide-brimmed hat too, that can help protect your face and eyes.

9 ‘YOU ONLY GET SUNBURNT WHEN IT’S HOT!’

TRUTH: It’s not the heat, but the sun’s UV rays that are damaging. These are strongest when the sun is highest in the sky, but are likely to be less damaging later even if it’s warm. One trick is to look at your shadow. If it’s shorter than your height the rays are likely to be strong.

n r u b n u S

S H T Y M

Hello sunshine!

It’s time to rays our game and slather up outdoors. But some of our most common sun-addled assumptions could leave you red in the face…

LEARN THE LINGOer:

UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin causing ageing and wrinkles UVB rays give you sunburn, turning you lobster red!

PICTURES: GETTY

8 ‘YOU CAN GET SUNBU IF IT’S CLO get TRUTH: You c st sunburnt on overcast days, especially if you are fair-skinned, as up to 80 per cent of UV rays can filter through the clouds.

As well as weather, look out for the day’s UV Index. At three or above, prepare to protect you skin.

7 ‘YOU’RE AFE IN THE S E

TRUTH: Staying out f t sun between 11am-3pm is sensible.

However, beware that reflected rays can still be damaging. Sand, for instance, can reflect as much as 25 per cent of UV radiation.

If in doubt, slap on the sunscreen.

GET 6 ‘YOU CAN’TT SUNBURN SS!’ THROUGH GLAblock

ss does TRUTH: Gla ngerous da most of the ut much less UVB rays, b . So, though on UVA radiati it is still y, k is it’s less r ffer skin su possible to ough a damage thr r long e window aft fact, a US exposure. In at car th study found end a lot of sp o h w s driver heel are at w e th time at r. f skin cance extra risk o

3 ‘A TAN IS HEALTHY!’

TRUTH: If you develop a tan, it’s a sign of damage – your skin is trying to protect itself.

And once you have one, a tan only offers minimal protection against more sun damage, while going bronze thanks to a sunbed offers even less, according to Cancer Research UK.

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4 ANY SUNSCREEN WILL DO!’

TRUTH: No sunscreen offers total protection. The NHS says to aim for SPF30 or above to protect against the most dangerous UVB rays. Bear in mind that a higher SPF might give you more protection, but the effect tails off – it’s not a licence to sunbathe all day. Also, look for one with a four-star rating that protects against UVA radiation, which can still damage skin. And check expiry dates!

5 ‘SUNBURN IS PINK AND PEELING SKIN ONLY’ Not a fan of sunburn?

Check out our faux glow tips on p.58…

TRUTH: If your skin turns pink it’s a sign that the DNA in your cells has been damaged by the sun. But damaging UVA rays don’t cause it to go red. And while those with darker skin may not see reddening, they can still suffer.

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N

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Large iron beam used to support

PICTURES: GETTY

+

GOANDARRO

making fruit

Solve the puzzle in the usual way.

When completed correctly, the yellow boxes, reading top to bottom, left to right, will spell out your prize word. See p67 to enter.

Nil, nought

Passage at the back of the mouth

Sixth month

Orb, globe

Shriek in fear, eg

f you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise, If you go down to the woods today, you’ll barely believe your eyes… because EVERYBODY is there! Maybe nip to the local park, then? Full! The sports field round the back of… packed! Try Morrisons’ car park – you’ll be lucky!

Picnics are the new birthday parties, the new music festivals, the new normal. If you’re not having or going to a picnic, my friend, you ain’t living!

And why not? It’s safe, it’s outside, there’s fresh air and sunshine and space. Soak up the lively atmosphere, embrace the laughter, banter and chatter, or have your posh cheese and crackers, pour a glass and lie back with a book over your face and your headphones in.

However you prefer to do it, this chic picnic hamper from LIVIVO will see that you do it in style!

The traditional wicker basket comes packed with four glasses, cutlery sets, and ceramic plates.

There’s also a corkscrew and bottle opener, salt and pepper shakers, with an insulated coolbag, four napkins and a blanket in matching grey and yellow funkypatterned linen.

All you need now is food, plonk and three friends.

Simply, solve my Go And Arrow for your chance to win…

Sixty minutes Desire, impulse Aura

In favour of

Asks, ‘Will you marry me?’

‘Speak’ lyrics like Jay-Z, eg Crimson Aloe ___, plant

All people

This, that and the ___ saying

Issue

Soaks up Whacks, thumps

Foot digit

Day before Capital of Greece

Region, zone Division of a school year

Incisor or molar, eg Jetty

Verminous rodent

Tool for cutting wood

Greek god of love Finishes

Curved yellow fruit Casserolelike dish

Enter online at www.realpeoplemag.co.uk

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AGE P O T O L F LLOW

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REAL

CRIME

O T E TIM

s e l z z u p d n a r e d r u m f o S E

G A P 4 2 n i f l e s r u o y y r u B

25 25

’s n e r a K – it f o t s a le e Contrary was th ! w o r a in ll a s e s p r o patch had pitiful c

A

barter too good to miss, that’s what it was.

Green-fingered Bruce McArthur was just starting up a landscaping business when, in around 2008, he asked his sister’s friend, Karen Fraser, if she’d like to do a swap…

If she let him store his equipment in her double garage then he’d keep on top of her gardening for free.

He’d mow the lawn, take care of the plants, keep it neat and tidy.

Calling it the ‘best deal ever’, Karen was delighted that her home in Mallory Crescent in north Toronto, Canada, would be so well looked after. And by someone so nice too.

Bruce was a kindly man in his fifties who lived alone in a flat just six minutes’ drive away.

Tubby and grey-haired, he also worked as a Santa at shopping centres over the festive season.

Now Christmas had come early for Karen.

Bruce was a family man too.

Though he’d begun having relationships with men in the ’90s and separated from his wife, the marriage had given him two kids.

By the time Karen met Bruce he was a doting grandad.

‘I never once saw him lose his temper with anyone,’ Karen said of her sweet-natured gardener, adding ‘he was considerate, generous and cheerful’.

Bruce would sometimes come over up to three times a day and had a key to use the bathroom t. He’d donate

bouquets of stunning flowers to charity events.

He also brought whole planters full of beautiful blooms to Karen’s garden.

Large pots full of stunning lush sweet potato vines, towering Mandevilla and showy begonias.

Bruce told Karen the generous gifts were his pleasure.

After all, that way he and his crew could look at them while they ate their lunch. Bruce’s ‘crew’ was an ever-changing rotation of blokes.

Sometimes it was his son who’d come by to help. Other times it was different men.

One of them, Skandaraj Navaratnam, was a 40-year-old who’d moved to Canada from his native Sri Lanka in the ’90s as a refugee.

Karen noticed the charming, well-dressed man straight away thanks to his ‘fabulous smile’.

But she never saw him again.

There were always other helpers coming and going, though.

One was Majeed Kayhan, 58.

Unlike Skandaraj, Majeed was poorly dressed. He picked up a shovel and seemed to struggle with the work.

Usually so even-tempered, Bruce appeared a bit peeved.

So much so that Karen emailed him to ask if Majeed had kept his job. Bruce never replied.

Probably too busy being everyone’s best mate… or searching

for his next hook-up.

Self-employed with my own landscaping business… so many nice-looking guys out there, Bruce wrote on his profile on gay dating site silverdaddies.com, saying he was looking for sex partner(s), a relationship, friends, beside a smiling snap.

It’s unclear if Karen knew about Bruce’s sexuality but she did know she Ron and Karen were r could trust him, and shocked by what thei that counted for a lot of e bl gardener was capa as the local area turned scary.

Starting in September 2010, men began going missing – never home countries.

They were suspected to have to be seen again. Karen saw vanished from the Church and posters going up featuring the Wellesley area, known as disappeared, mostly Middle Toronto’s gay village. It’s a part Eastern and South Asian men.

Some were refugees and many of the downtown, packed with were newly arrived in Canada – a restaurants, shops, gay bars and safe haven from the homophobic nightclubs. culture and laws of many of their Fear was building in the LGBTQ community of a serial killer on the hunt.

Two men went missing in 2010, another in 2012… Was it a coincidence that they had similar backgrounds? Middle-aged gay men who’d gone missing from the same area.

Men were In late 2012, in response to going public pressure, Toronto police missing in launched Project Houston, Karen’s a task force to investigate the locale disappearances of three men.

They were Skandaraj

Red-FINGERED

Police combed gardens for clues

Bruce was ‘considerat e, generous and cheerfu l’ Navaratnam – the well-dressed man Karen had met – married and closeted Abdulbasair Faizi, a 42-yearold machine operator, and Majeed Kayhan, the other man Karen had met working for Bruce.

Strange.

Since Bruce was linked to the men, he was interviewed as a witness.

But in April 2014, the taskforce was closed down.

Police suspected the disappearances were unrelated. There wasn’t even any clear indication that the missing men were dead.

They’d simply vanished.

Some even thought they’d travelled home.

But, in August 2015, it happened again. Fifty-yearold artist Soroush Mahmudi vanished from his home in the Scarborough area of Toronto.

Whatever was still happening, it was a long way from Karen’s quiet life in the suburbs and her personable landscaper. Even the cops seemed to think Bruce was a nice bloke.

Until, that is, in June 2016, a man reported that he’d tried to strangle him during sex.

The man claimed he’d been led into the gardener’s van, which was lined with plastic, and lay down on a fur coat before Bruce wrapped his hands round his throat.

But Bruce voluntarily turned himself in to police, explaining it was all a misunderstanding. The charges were dropped.

Police found Bruce’s version of events ‘credible’. They might

not have reached this conclusion had a 2003 conviction for assaulting a sex worker with a metal pipe shown up, but Bruce had been granted a record suspension, wiping his conviction from background checks.

And men just kept going missing.

In April 2017, it was 44-year-old Turkish man Selim Esen who vanished. Two months later, on 26 June 2017, 49-year-old LGBTQ activist and barman Andrew Kinsman disappeared. He was such a well-known figure in the area that missing person flyers

a press conference ‘the evidence today tells us that there’s not a serial killer’.

Yet another taskforce was set up, called Project Prism.

This time, officers linked up the disappearances. A profiler created an image of the person they’d be looking for – probably male with a blue-collar job.

Bruce McArthur was the prime suspect. His past conviction had finally been uncovered. He also had links to several of the men, having been friends or in sexual relationships with them after meeting through

Police found traces of blood in the van featuring his face went up everywhere.

Police sprang into action, searching Andrew’s home. And on a calendar under the date he’d gone missing – 26 June – was written one word.

Bruce.

When officers scoured CCTV, they spotted Andrew getting into Bruce’s van around the time he’d vanished.

Police seized the rusty maroon van and found traces of Andrew’s blood inside. But they needed more.

All the while there was growing fear among the LGBTQ community. People were terrified.

In December 2017, Mark Saunders, the Toronto chief of police assured

gay dating apps.

Bruce was put under police surveillance. Officers watched and waited.

On 18 January 2018 Bruce entered his flat with another man, known only by the pseudonym John.

Suspicions aroused, the police rushed inside after them.

By the time they did, a naked John was already handcuffed to Bruce’s metal four-poster bed, with a leather bag over his head.

Bruce was holding a roll of tape ready to seal up the man’s mouth.

Bruce McArthur, 66, was arrested. With his victim rescued, the flat was searched.

Bedside drawers were stuffed

Karen’s home became a crime scene

with sex toys, ropes, duct tape and a pair of leather gloves as well as an eight-inch metal bar covered in tape.

The police also found photos on Bruce’s computer.

Many, many photos.

They were of more than half a dozen men.

All already dead.

Some of the men had had their heads and beards shaved post mortem. Their corpses had each been posed with their eyes taped open.

Some of their naked bodies were wrapped in the same fake fur coat. Others were dressed in a hat.

Most had an unlit cigar hanging grotesquely from their mouths.

Sick trophies.

Each of the photos was saved under a folder with a different name. Ominously, the last empty folder was named ‘John’...

Desperate to find the bodies, police scoured McArthur’s client list. All those homes he’d had access to…

The same day of McArthur’s arrest, 73-year-old Karen got a knock on the door. Two police told her she had five minutes to leave so they could perform a search.

Staring at them in horror, Karen thought of refusing. That is until a visibly upset officer told her that Bruce had been arrested.

Understanding then that this was serious, Karen and her partner, Ron Smith, agreed to be taken to the police station as officers scoured their garden.

When interviewed, Karen was shown an array of photos. Most of the men she didn’t know.

But two she did – Skandaraj Navaratnam and Majeed Kayhan – they were the men McArthur had brought over years apart.

When the tape was turned off, Karen finally asked what Bruce was suspected of having done.

She couldn’t believe it when she was told he was alleged to have committed several murders.

Surely the police had the wrong man?

‘Karen, don’t waste your sympathy on that man. We’ve never had as much evidence,’ an officer told her eventually.

That’s when she knew it must be true.

Her kind, generous Bruce was a suspected serial killer.

But just how close the case would come she still couldn’t know.

Turn the to read

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FEARTILISER!

PICTURES: GETTY, ONTARIO’S SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE, PA, TORONTO POLICE/BBC

T

he next day, cadaver dogs were led on to Karen’s property and showed a strong interest in five of McArthur’s huge fibreglass planters.

It was a cold Canadian winter, the ground thick with snow. The heavy planters were frozen to the ground. Police heaved them up and transported them to a forensics centre….

The planters were cracked open and revealed skeletal dismembered remains.

Seven men were found buried in various planters, including Clockwise from upper left: Selim Esen, Andrew Kinsman, Majee d the two men Karen had met.

Kayhan, Dean Lisowick, Kirushna Kumar Kanagaratnam, All had been chopped up and Abdulbasir Faizi, Skandaraj Navaratnam and Soroush Mahmudi many had been strangled.

One of the men – Majeed Kayhan – was found just five feet Faced with overwhelming meeting, McArthur had asked from where Karen had last seen evidence, McArthur provided John if anyone knew they were him leaning haplessly on his shovel. a statement of facts where he together. Married and not out The bodies had been buried right admitted killing each of the men about his sexual orientation, under her nose. in his home or van in sexually Worse still, on hot days when motivated crimes.

John had said no.

Bruce wasn’t around, Karen had He’d then chopped them up, When they’d got into got her watering can out. ‘We were buried them in the planters and McArthur’s home, he’d asked John watering the planters where the transported them to Karen’s home. to undress quickly then told him victims were buried,’ she said, In January 2019, 67-year-old they were going to ‘try something describing the realisation as McArthur appeared in court. different’ before handcuffing him ‘incredibly horrible’.

The evidence was so disturbing to the bed and covering his head.

Karen and Ron had to leave their that those in the packed Appearing in court, a stooped home of 32 years for nearly a courtroom were warned that pensioner in a black jumper and month while police worked on the hearing it could impact their baggy trousers, it seemed almost land, combing for clues. mental health. ‘Ask yourself if unthinkable that McArthur had Then, months on in the July, you need to be here,’ warned done these things as he police came back. This time they prosecutor Michael Cantlon. repeatedly confirmed ‘guilty’ wanted to check a ravine behind The courtroom was then to each of the eight charges of the home. shown the disturbing images first-degree murder against him.

Karen had thought the worst found on McArthur’s computer The victims had been identified was over. But, within hours, police and a ziplock bag full of his as Majeed Kayhan, Selim Esen, had found the remains of an eighth victims’ hair which was found Skandaraj Navaratnam, Andrew man, 37-year-old Kirushnakumar near a Toronto cemetery.

Kinsman, Dean Lisowick, Soroush Kanagaratnam.

John also spoke. An immigrant Mahmudi, Abdulbasir Faizi and from the Middle Kirushna Kumar Kanagaratnam.

East, he told the They were aged between 37 and Bruce’s bedroom courtroom that he’d 58 years old. Two had never was home to met McArthur on been reported missing. dating app GROWLr McArthur admitted he’d killed many horrors in summer 2017. the men between 2010 and 2017, The men had making him one of Canada’s met on several most prolific serial killers. occasions but A month on, he was handed McArthur refused eight life sentences and told to give John his he would not be eligible for phone number. release for at least 25 years.

On their last Karen sat in court watching

Q As told to Miyo Padi

(stories@realpeoplemag.co.uk)

soil Police searched ns for human remai in Karen’s garden proceedings, shocked at the change in McArthur.

‘I knew a man who was always energetic, enthusiastic, always eager to get on to the next thing.

This is just a shuffling, broken man. As he should be,’ she said.

She also wrote a victim impact statement, though reminded everyone that ‘if I’m a victim, I’m at the bottom the list’. Yet her life has been forever changed.

Trauma tourists now drive down her street, slowing their cars for a nose at the house of horrors.

Karen too memorialises the victims, lighting a candle on her porch every night, though she’s trying to move on from what’s happened. A priest and an imam have come in to bless the property.

The orange garage doors that made news reports around the world are now painted grey and covered in a song lyric that reads poignantly We are One. We are how we treat each other when the day is done.

Just last month, a damning report found ‘systemic discrimination’ towards the LGBTQ community within Toronto police had ‘impeded’ the investigation.

If there had been more care for these marginalised victims, McArthur could have been caught before eight men lay dead pushing up Karen’s daisies.

Karen’s life has been changed forever

t of You Both Adele Parks, HQ

a pily married Hap to the gorgeous Mark, and sttep-mum to thheir two lovely boys, everyone iss baffled when one day L igh simply Le , same week, Kai disappears. The ife of a wealthy the glamorous w vanishes as if into so businessman, al have the women re thin air. So whe een t is the link betw gone – and wha e? Your jaw will nc their disappeara t in this easy-tois tw g bi e th drop at r. lle ri th read, pacy

Greenwich Park Katherine Faulkner, Raven Books

Who doesn’t like reading about smug people’s perfect lives beginning to crumble? And there’s certainly guilty pleasure to be had in this edgy story which follows posh Helen who meets single mum-to-be Rachel at an antenatal group.

They form an unlikely friendship and soon cracks appear in the lives of the quartet of main characters.

Spooky, sinister and deftly put together – this is a cracking thriller.

The Wild Girls Phoebe Morgan, HQ

Falling TJ Newman, Simon & Schuster (out 10 June)

If it seems too good be true, perhaps it actually is. And it’s perhaps what ffriends Alice, Hannah and Grace sshould have thought when they rreceive an invitation to an alleexpenses-paid safari break in B Botswana to ccelebrate the bbirthday of FFelicity, the pal they fell out with two years before.

But under the hot African sun, events take a very dark turn in this sinister revenge thriller.

e Are you desperat e an pl tto get on a m aand jet away from be ’t it all? You won . is after reading th s As a plane head ya to New York, only ow the pilott’ss k kn handful of crew kidnapped by en be ve family ha to ’s been ordered terrorists and he But Captain Bill crash the plane. … Fasten your an Hoffman has a pl lute thrill ride so ab seat belt for an flight attendant. er penned by a form

The Festival Sarah Naughton, Trapeze Think the scariest thing at musical festivals are the portaloos? Think again as you head away with old school pals Lenny, Orly and Mel, who mark a 40th birthday with a trip to the festival they first attended as teens. As well as strong cider and stinky tents – there’s real danger afoot.

With plenty l t off redd herrings h i to trip you up, this blast from the past has some terrific twists.

he Perfect Lie Th Jo Spain, Quercus

ht There’s a great big shock rig e siv plo ex s at a the start of thi thhriller – which finds Irishbborn Erin, who thought she wa w s living the dream life by tthe sea in Long Island with he h r handsome policeman n husband, starting to questio d ve lie be er ev e everything sh th a in. But as she’s charged wi her ve sa to e has to battle criimee she didnn’tt commit sh d. tte own life. Dark and deftly plo

PICTURE: GETTY

Deity Orenda Matt Wesolowski, n pop

d whe The world is shocke loses his life tal megastar Zach Crys mansion st re fo e ot m when his re t, in the wake Bu . nd ou burns to the gr of two young of his death, and that on his ad female fans found de seen as a be groundss, should he traggic genius, or a creepy e ator? pred The host of i Stories’ ‘Six poodcast, Sccott King, investigates thhe mystery inn this chilling taale that feels toorn from the h adlines. he

acy crime page-turners to help you do the time!

T Killing The Kind JJane Casey, Harper Collins Guilty, or not guilty?

You’ll be scratching yyour head and starting to suspect everybody b d in i this thi thriller. th ill Legal eagle Ingrid is chilled when her colleague is murdered, as she knows the killing is the work of the stalker who has haunted her since she defended him.

But as people around her start to die, her stalker claims he is the only one who can save her. Prepare to be kept up all night by this page-turner.

The Maidens Alex Michaelides, W&N (out 10 June )

college, At an exclusive Cambridge c lecturer handsome and charismati er spell over Edward Fosca casts a sinist by one, one his female students, until, rapist the n Ca the girls begin to die. ile saving wh , ler Mariana unmask the kil nd of one frie a c , who is her student niece dead the of wh girrls, o call themselves ‘The Maidens’?

A very creepy m multi-layered murder m m mystery wi w th an aatmospheric ssetting and a killer twist.

The Dinner Guest BP Walter, HQ

This is one dinner party you won’t want to miss! It begins with a murder – a guest is found frozen, standing over the corpse of a host, bloody knife in their hand. But just why has Rach el turned on the friends who invited her into their home? This de but novel is stuffed full of secre ts and twists, with brilliantly belie vable characters, and a deft plot.

A thriller to feast on.

Q By Deirdre O’Brien

2EAL 299 PEOPLE

Pregnant young mum Laura fought like a wounded lioness when a nightmare descended from above.

PICTURES: GETTY, ITV NEWS

H

eading upstairs on the cold night of 12 January 2018, 27-year-old Laura Sugden planned to switch on her electric blanket.

Around five months pregnant, she was no doubt tired after a date night at celeb chef Gino D’Acampo’s restaurant in Hull with her partner, housing officer Shane Gilmer, 30.

Precious time, just the two of them.

Laura’s daughter, Isabelle, three, was staying with family that night. Shane also had two daughters from a previous relationship. But this unborn little girl – who Shane had named Ella – would be their first together.

So much to look forward to for a couple so perfect, that friends teased them for being so in love…

After excitedly talking over their wedding plans and imminent new arrival over a slap-up Italian dinner, they’d headed home to Southburn, a remote hamlet of just a few houses in East Riding of Yorkshire.

Now for that blanket.

As Laura reached the upstairs landing she spotted a dark stain on her normally immaculate cream carpet just beneath the loft hatch.

Odd. That hadn’t been there when they’d left.

She suddenly had the feeling that someone was in the house.

Senses tingling, Laura knew just who she thought it was too.

Little Isabelle’s bedroom door, always left ajar, was closed. Laura pushed it open. Inch by inch.

Light from the

30 30

n Laura Sugde to is trying save others from her fate

O T ENG nearby bathroom illuminated the darkened room just enough for her to see a figure inside.

It was just who she’d suspected – the family’s reclusive next-door neighbour, Anthony Lawrence, 55.

In his hand was something long and black pointed straight in her direction. A gun?!

‘What the f*** are you doing in my house?’ Laura asked. Then she shouted downstairs to Shane, bravely hollering, ‘Don’t come up, he’s got a gun.’

Laura backed up into the hallway.

But Lawrence followed, pushing her into the master bedroom and shoving the pregnant woman on to the bed.

Ignoring his partner’s pleas to stay away, Shane launched himself up the stairs.

Lawrence darted back into the hallway towards him while Laura scrambled under the covers.

Terrified, she called 999, let the call connect then stashed the phone in the pocket of her denim

Laura and Shane had a fun night eating out in Hull

maternity y dress.

‘What the f*** is that?’ she heard Shane ask.

Then there was agonised moaning, followed by Lawrence dragging Shane into the bedroom on his knees, blood pouring from him.

He’d been shot through the right arm. Not by a gun but by the thing Lawrence had in his hands – a lethal crossbow.

‘Is that going to kill him?’

Laura asked.

A dark smirk broke across Lawrence’s face.

‘Yes,’ he said. ‘And I’m going to kill you too.’

But her baby!

Laura pleaded with her attacker that she was pregnant.

‘Why are you in my house?’ she asked, trying anything she could think of to give help time to arrive.

‘You got me evicted,’ Lawrence replied.

Laura denied any knowledge but Lawrence said creepily ‘I’ve been listening to you both for the last year.’

Suddenly, things made sense.

When the couple had first moved in, they’d been pally enough with Lawrence.

He’d even walked their dogss as a favour.

But Laura’s dad, John, J a retired d Lawrence police officer, noticed had prison tattoos on n his hands.

And it wasn’t long g until his behaviour had grown difficult.

In January 2017, Lawrence L had been playing loud music late at night. When Shane went w round wrence had to confront him, Law emerged with an axe e and threatened to kill him m.

The couple called the police.

They’d go on to rin ng four more times in the next 12 months m after noticing the overpowering wering smell of cannabis seeping through the wall into asthmatic Isabelle’s bedroom.

It had to be coming from Lawrence – their only adjoining neighbour. The family suspected he was growing it. But no police action was ever taken.

So they’d informed the letting agents who managed the properties. Lawrence was handed an eviction notice – but told he was being turfed out due to renovations to spare Laura and Shane any further confrontations.

Since then, Lawrence had twice dumped manure on their drive…

Now Laura realised he knew for sure it was his neighbours who’d

Short at 5ft 7in and stocky, he pushed her down, straddled her and forced the head of the crossbow bolt into her neck.

The cut was so deep that Laura’s larynx and voice box were exposed. Yet she still managed to throw Lawrence from her Anthony an nd pin hi and him down.

Lawrence L Lawrenc ce’s eyes was the sho owed a gliimmer of fear. neighbour He cllearly hadn’t from hell expe ected his victtims to fight back k so fiercely.

Frrantic, Laurra begged Shan ne for help.

‘I can’t,’ c Shane said, stricken.

Whe en Laura snatched a look at him, Shane was crying.

Lawrence took his chance, throwing her off him m and fleeing.

He climbed up into tthe loft.

It was how w he’d got into the prop perty and how he’d le eave again – The bolts had been having removed altered to make breeze blocks from them more deadly the two properties’ lloft spaces.

Fleeing h home, g through g his dropp d hi i it b h ’d Lawrence then climbed into installed a listening device on his his blue Vauxhall Meriva and side of the wall. drove off. e walls had For a year, the Now it was just Laura and ars. literally had ea Shane. He told her to run. ed in the bedroom Now, trappe ‘If you don’t go and keep you ng partner and with her ailin and the baby safe I’ll never forgive a man intent on killing her, you,’ Shane gasped.

Laura could only plead.

He was fighting for breath, d she’d call the She said sobbing, staring at her hard. police and letting agent and She’d later describe it as m she’d been lying. tell them ‘the look someone gives you ng b***h,’ ‘Lyin when they are going away wrence Law for a long time’. ressponded. ‘Blah, ‘Be strong, I love ah, f***ing blah.’ bla you,’ he told her.

He H pulled the lever Laura summoned on his crossbow. the energy to run Thunk.

T downstairs, open three A heavy metal bolt with an backdoor locks and sprint 20 arrow at the end and a sharp point meters to a neighbour’s house. at the other sprang forward.

There, she banged on the It sliced into the top of Laura’s window, her blood streaking head. the glass.

Lawrence then turned and left Neighbour Thomas Rymer and the bedroom. his wife, Zoe, initially thought Stunned, Laura pulled the Laura had gone through the arrow out. With it still in her hand, windscreen of her car. That’s the brave young mum stumbled how much blood there was. off the bed. She managed to reach It gushed from a frantic Laura’s Shane and squeezed his hand. head, matting her blonde hair.

But Lawrence wasn’t done.

While the sleeves had stayed He returned to the room, white, the rest of her T-shirt was another crossbow bolt in his hand. now crimson with sticky rivers Incredibly, 5ft 2in pregnant Laura of it. found the strength to leap up and As Laura waited for emergency throw herself at him, but he got crews, Shane too made a 999 call the better of her. from their home nearby.

F

WALLS HAVE FEARS

Police found the home covered in blood

Shane begged Laura to save herself He’d made it downstairs to the phone, terrified Lawrence had kidnapped Laura.

‘I love my children,’ he told the operator, pleading for help but sure he was about to die.

‘Oh my god. I really, really wanted this baby, I really wanted it. I feel like I’m fading. I’ve lost so much blood,’ Shane said.

An ambulance was dispatched to the scene but they had to wait.

Police were unsure where the attacker was, so had to put armed response in place before help could enter the property.

When officers and paramedics finally entered the house, they found Shane on the floor covered in blood but alive.

may have increased his susceptibility to blood loss during the horrific attack.

Laura was so scared of falling asleep after the attack that she asked surgeons to operate on her wounds under local anaesthetic.

When informed Shane was dead, though, she struggled to see the point in going on.

‘Death was nothing to the pain of losing him,’ she said.

While Laura grappled with her loss, police launched a manhunt for Anthony Lawrence.

He was located on 14 January in a motorhome in a rural lay-by at Langdale End. The 55-year-old was already dead, having taken an overdose of painkillers.

In his home, police found three crossbows and bolts altered to make them more lethal.

Two lives were over but one was miraculously just beginning.

Laura and Shane’s daughter, 5lb 9oz Ella-Faith, was born in June 2018.

Laura said the birth had ‘healed my heart’.

To this day metal remains embedded in Laura’s head but she has turned down surgery to remove it due to fear of upsetting her children.

‘She just looks exactly like her dad,’ Laura said of Ella-Faith, adding she’d told the now threeyear-old her daddy is a star in the night sky.

Her mother is a true star too.

Laura is now campaigning for crossbows, which are currently unregulated, to be licensed. This will necessitate background checks, similar to those for firearms.

Shane’s sacrifice in telling Laura to run that night and her strength in doing so likely saved her life and that of little Ella-Faith.

Laura’s continuing battle for a change in the law may well save more lives yet.

The arrow sliced into her head ‘It was Tony, he came in through the loft,’ Shane managed.

By the time he was whisked to Hull Royal Infirmary he had gone into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at 12.15am the next morning.

A Home Office forensic pathologist would later conclude Shane had been killed by the crossbow bolt.

It had fractured his right arm before passing into his body, breaking his rib, damaging his right kidney and liver.

Finally, the bolt had become lodged in Shane’s spinal column.

The report also found Shane had a heart abnormality, which

Q By Miyo Padi (stories@realpeoplemag.co.uk)

3 31

+ Mugshot +

Just

FOR FUN

Try on this troublesome trio of teasers for size! As they’re just for fun, you can check all your answers on p48.

Good grief! What’s happened here? This is a dodgylooking character if ever I’ve seen one. What’s that? It’s more than one person? I knew that! Ahem. Right, so, below is a mug shot made to drive you mad. Can you figure out which famous twosome have been melded together here to make this frightful face and, for a bonus point, how are they connected? Answers on page 48.

BREAKIN’ Have you got this crim’s number, or, rather, numbers?

Fill the grid using letters in the word BACKFIRED only.

Each letter must appear once in every column, row and 3x3 square When completed correctly, transfer the letters in the numbered pink squares into the key grid at the bottom and it will reveal the answer to the question below, in red.

I R B F C B E K D I R F I K B 4 C A Our felon w caught was using a f fake what?

C E 1 K E F

2

D A D I R B 3 R I 5 C F D K A R D B K C I 6 K R

1 2 3 4

K C E

F I

5 6

1

TARGET

15

PICTURES: BIGSTOCK, GETTY

Solve the clues below and write your six-letter answers in the circular grid starting from the appropriately numbered space in the outer circle and moving inwards to end in the ‘A’ of the pink inner circle. When completed correctly, the outer ring, reading clockwise from ‘1’ through to ‘15’, will reveal the name of a UK landmark (9,6). You can check the solution on page 48.

1 Mystery, puzzle 2 ___ McCall, Masked Singer judge 3 Type of lizard 4 Chronicles Of ___, series of books by C S Lewis 5 ___ split, popular dessert 6 Fictional place where everything is perfect 7 Largest country in the world by area

2 3

14 4

13

8 Pre-decimal British coin 9 Capital of Cuba 10 According to the saying 12 – it never lies!

11 Most northern US state 12 Triangular-shaped Indian snack 13 Japanese car manufacturer 14 ___ May Alcott, author of Little Women 15 ___ Fox, Silent Witness actress

A 6

11 7 10

8 9

32 32

5

S NETFLIX S E N K R A D O T N I T N E C S E D A : M A THE SONS OF S David Berkowitz

N

killed six people

Maury Terry investigated for decades

LL

E

BLOOD STREAM…

A

Go for a steady flow of the best crime docs with these wicked watches

C R E IM U R E

s of etflix’s true crime offering for May is The Son take new very a ss, Sam: A Descent Into Darkne tics, the on an old case. For many true crime fana in the cks atta murders of six people in seemingly random summer of 1977 are well-known. investigation The killing spree terrorised New York, the ory and, becoming the biggest manhunt in NYPD hist id Dav r kille al seri g when caught, the dog-blamin year67now The my.

Berkowitz was launched into infa es seri new this but, old has been locked up for decades ut abo ered nsw claims, one huge question remains una king alone? that summer of fear – was Berkowitz wor sniffing Journalist Maury Terry dedicated his life to four-part out the truth before he died in 2015. This ute detail min in ses wca exhaustive investigation sho up in the you llow swa his meticulous research. It will

life-long obsession with a killer darkness off one man’s life weren’t. who was caught and, perhaps, more who warning for It’s eye-opening, but the filmmaker has a down that any armchair sleuths: ‘Be careful of going it hole [on this rabb a n dow t rabbit hole. Maury Terry wen ’ out. k bac case] for 40 years and never got

T

et detective: How long you’ll spend playing duv Four episodes at an hour each

THE TI M

ACCUSED OF MURDERING BENT COPPERS: CROSBBCS2 &IIPLNAYEGR OUR SON: THE STEVEN CLARK STORY THE LINE OF DUTY ITV HUB The time you’ll spend waiting for Tommy Hunter to pop up: Three episodes of 60 minutes or the past few weeks, you, like us, have likely been obsessed with the fictional H-hunt of Line of Duty.

If the BBC series’ end has left a bent cop-shaped hole in your heart, then the true story of historic British police corruption recounted in the BBC’s Bent Coppers: Crossing the Line of Duty could just fill that spot.

The docuseries tells the story of A10 – the UK’s first internal anti-corruption unit, which inspired the writers of Line of Duty. Starting in 1969, it’s a twisted saga covering how i h poliice were B i ish Brit once deeemed most the m

Missing AC-12?

Catch their real life counterparts

ES: BBC PICTURES

GSTOCK, GETTY, ITV, NETFLIX GS

F

g reputable in the world and the shockin es Tim The by red fall from grace uncove newspaper when a warren of corruption was discovered in the Met. It has it all – a secret network of The Met’s ddodgy coppers, backhanders, illicit rep sank r ordings, insider interviews and rec . arc a hive footage. Forget ’ello, ’ello, ’ello after the e, dby goo e, dby shocking Itt’s time to say goo nings and get truth was ggoodbye to a couple of eve se that of eelbow-deep in the muck tho reported ppolice our streets. Jesus, Mary and JJoseph and the wee donkey, it’s good!

The time you’llll spen nd d in the acccused’s shoes: 60 minutes ith murder victims themselves unable to tell their stories, we often hear of their lives and fates from their families.

Sometimes, we’re told the tale by investigators.What new truecrime documentary Accused of Murdering Our Son:The Steven Clark Story gives us is unique – the story of Steven Clark from his parents, the very people once accused of killing him.

Steven was 23 when he walked into a public toilet in Saltburn, North Yorkshire, on 28 December 1992. He’s never been seen

W

Steven vanished in 1992

Doris and Charles wer e accused decades late r aggain. It was his is parents, nts Doris and Charles, who reported Steven missing.

But nearly three decades went by.

Then, in September 2020, a shocking development – an elderly Doris and Charles were arrested and questioned on suspicion of Steven’s murder. This new ITV documentary shares their story of being arrested, but never charged, with harming their son. Between the cuffs being slapped on and the charges being dropped five months on, the Clarks invited former police-officer-turnedjournalist Mark Williams-Thomas into their lives to chronicle what was happening. Just how does it feel going to the corner shop and picking up a newspaper with your face all over it, blaming you for the murder of your son? Tune in to find out.

Q By Miyo Padi

33 3

G N I T R COU We’ve all rolled up our sleeves this last year. DIY haircuts, en homeschooling, gard e renovations? They’r re no problem. But the ings that th in a rt e c re a k Hands up if you thin rt. an th r just call for an expe you know bette out, a qualified lawyer…

If your ticker gives ed with rg a h c rt u o c in e ’r u nd if o you need a doctor. A us would want the hottest of murder? Well, most baddies. They f o h c n u b t n a g o rr a is lawyer going. Not th tter and went for a DIY defence… be reckoned they knew

Train wreck!

PICTURES: GETTY, YOUTUBE

I

t was a day like any other as a train approached New York’s Merillon Avenue station on 7 December 1993. Until, from nowhere, one of the passengers – 35-year-old unemployed Colin Ferguson – started shooting.

The terrified crowds scrambled, trying fruitlessly to get away as Ferguson calmly walked through the carriage, pulling the trigger every half a second and repeating, ‘I’m going to get you.’

He killed six people and wounded 19 more before passengers bravely tackled him to the seats and held him until police arrived.

Despite Ferguson being diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder, he fought his lawyers’ efforts to have him declared mentally unfit to stand trial and then got rid of them altogether.

‘A crazy man cannot defend himself,’ one of the lawyers warned, but the courts allowed it, ruling Ferguson competent.

To add to the circus, the trial was televised. The whole nation had a front-row seat as d against the s charged with.

In rambling, contradictory and confusing speeches he claimed he had brought the gun onto the train but had fallen asleep and someone else must have committed the shooting. He also insisted the government had implanted a computer chip into his brain…

Colin Ferguson’s rambling Referring to speeches convinced no one himself in the third question himself before person, Ferguson deciding ultimately not to do badgered the traumatised so. He also requested – witnesses. The first person unsurprisingly rejected – to he’d shot, Maryanne Phillips, bring then-President Bill explained how she’d played Clinton to the stand. dead after being shot at pointFerguson promised he had blank range.

Ferguson asked if she’d kept experts who’d prove his innocence but, in the end, her eyes closed. ‘Yes,’ she none appeared. The trial was a replied. ‘So you wouldn’t come saga that became so infamous back and shoot me again.’ it was parodied on comedy Another victim, Elizabeth show Saturday Night Live Aviles, was pushed to describe with the actor playing the man who’d shot her in the Ferguson asking witnesses back. ‘I saw you shooting who shot them, then ducking everyone on the train, OK?’ as they pointed. Ferguson was she snapped. convicted on 17 February 1995 As for defence witnesses, and jailed for 315 years.

Ferguson sought bizarrely to

Taxi for the truth!

W

hen he took the decision to represent himself, few but those who work in the courts knew British murder trials as well as Christopher Halliwell, 52.

After all, the former taxi driver was already a convicted murderer. He’d confessed in an October 2012 trial to the brutal killing of 22-year-old Sian O’Callaghan and been sentenced to at least 25 years.

Halliwell had abducted Sian in his taxi in Swindon on 19 March 2011.

When arrested days on, he took police to Sian’s body dumped in Oxfordshire then offered up ‘another one’.

Halliwell then led officers to the body of 20-year-old Becky GoddenEdwards, who’d been missing since January 2003. She’d been strangled and buried in a Gloucestershire field.

Confessing to both crimes, Halliwell told police he was a ‘sick f**ker’. Yeah, no kidding. However, as he hadn’t been cautioned, his confession to Becky’s killing was ruled inadmissible in court.

Becky’s distraught mother, Karen, said that if police had followed the rules her daughter ‘would never have been found, she would have never come into the equation’, but it initially seemed justice would evade the family.

Eventually, though, new evidence was uncovered from a sex worker who said Halliwell was ‘besotted’ with Becky, and from forensics linking him to the field, allowing the charges to be brought.

It was September 2016 when Halliwell stood up in Bristol Crown Court acting as his own legal representation.

He denied murdering Becky and said she’d been killed and buried in the

Sian O’Callaghan was abducted in Halliwell’s taxi

TER

DI

Lawyering UP

Death wish

Christopher Halliwell’s confession was inadmissable

Memorials were s a psychiatrist held for the ‘worst with the US , ps or te C rrorist attack on al ic Med ’s an as H US soil’ post-9/11 Nidal primary managing reeling responsibility was responsibility e ic rv se to ‘switch of th al of he e l that on said he’d decided d the menta an it 2009, had’. their own people. But, in late sides’ and wage ‘ji . ng ci ra yers objected, d w in la stand-by c uld turn co is H was his own m anted an was nst them asan seemingly w nied. ai H ag As a Muslim, Has ng said n yi Hasa sa Nidal ployment . This was de l e this. They panicking about de he the death penalty sides’ lik hed ‘switc he re , the wanted justice.

In closing remarks , ‘Do not be to Afghanistan whe t. On ba m e jury d him may have faced co prosecutor told th hen a report foun W d. ke ac nfused; do not cr co he be t r, an nt, Has led; do no te 5 Novembe is pe m m co on lly e ta fir en ed m en ng his life. t himself at his The 39-year-old op oled. He is not givi en fo es be pr re to d d oo ie H pl ap is is not e Fort taking his life. Th ilitary trial. e m ar a his colleagues at th s. In just e – W l tia ar t-m cour xa his debt to military base in Te his gift to God, it’s dge Colonel Tara ju , ry le ta will op ili pe M 13 d lle t will no now and red e de H or y. t et bu 10 minutes, he ki ci , so ed re d ag an , Osborn nt woman tyr.’ too. including a pregna not ever be a mar main on the case re to . his rs rs ye he w ot la 30 an y – but wanted to give up ilt ’d gu he d if ea ut pl B wounded more th to d ie n Hasan tr d firing whe at’s just what ry Hasan only stoppe e for his beliefs, th wed under milita lif lo al t s n’ or as ct w do is th gh August ou nalty cases. an would do. On 23 all police shot him. Th as left as pe H h at de r fo s le ru an w ted on . saved his life, Has 2013 he was convic d to face the music n. ha w e do H st 32 of ai w s e hi th de in ts of mur r and itnesses w un co no paralysed from d 13 lle ca e an th as H ntenced scribed imony and ed murder and se st pt te The US Senate de m no te d at re fe of e e, th defenc a report as than mass shooting in to death. make much more to il ed so in S cl U de on ution. ck , ta re at t he is w or t rr en te He is awaiting exec worst g statem in en e op f ic ie rv br se a e Th . he took since September 11 rstandably t in a wheelchair, sa de un as w ity commun

Psycho pass?

The family of Becky GoddenEdwards were distraught field by two drug dealers.

He refused to identify the men but admitted he’d driven them to and from the field. He claimed injuries witnessed by his GP the next day – a broken finger and scratches to his face – were from a fight with a passenger.

The jury didn’t buy it, taking less than three hours to convict him of murder on 19 September 2016. Four days on, Justice John Griffith Williams sentenced Halliwell to life imprisonment and imposed a rare whole life order.

The judge called Halliwell’s version of events a ‘cock and bull story’, describing him as ‘both calculating and devious’ and telling him that, in this case, ‘life means life’.

Halliwell replied ‘thank you’ and smirked at Becky’s grieving family from the dock before being led away.

Q By Miyo Padi

(stories@realpeoplemag.co.uk)

I

n Cobb County Court in September 2012, the prosecution described the man charged with murdering 30-year-old flight attendant Karmen Smith as a ‘brilliant psychopath’.

Feet away stood the man they were talking about – 35-year-old Waseem Daker.

But he wasn’t in the dock. Daker was acting as his own lawyer, waltzing around the courtroom in normal clothes, without shackles.

The crime had happened on 23 October 1995 in Karmen’s Georgia home. She’d been bound, stabbed twice and strangled. When her five-year-old son Nick returned from school he was stabbed 18 times, but miraculously survived.

The prosecution alleged Daker committed the crime as he was

obsessed with Karmen’s roommate, Loretta Spencer Blatz.

He had called a terrified Loretta 100 times a day and shown up at her house at all hours.

Once she’d found him hiding in her wardrobe with a gun.

Daker was furious about Karmen’s attempts to stop him harassing her friend.

Police suspected Daker of murder but couldn’t prove it, so he was jailed for 10 years for stalking Loretta instead. Then, in 2009, DNA advances proved hairs on Karmen’s body belonged to him.

Daker proceeded to manipulate the system – sacking his lawyers then promising to reinstate them in exchange for a seven-month delay in the trial, before changing his mind at the last minute and going forward with representing himself.

Finally, though, the day had come.

‘This is a case of obsession and revenge,’ the prosecutor told the jury.

Smith’s flatmate Waseem Daker stalked Karmen

Daker studied law while in prison They accepted though that Daker, who had an extremely high IQ, was ‘probably’ the smartest person in the courtroom.

Brilliant, no doubt. But a stonecold psychopath. Having boned up on law in prison, Daker denied being involved in the killing. He said the hairs could’ve transferred from when he’d seen Loretta.

She and Karmen’s son Nick, then 21 and still bearing the scars of the stabbing, were forced to face Daker in court with duct tape on the floor to stop him coming too close.

‘He was enjoying it,’ said Loretta of being cross-examined. ‘He gets to stand there across from you after all the things that he did.’

After more than two weeks of testimony and 45 witnesses, it took the jury five hours to find Daker guilty on 11 charges and sentenced to 47-and-a-half years in prison.

2EAL 355 PEOPLE

FOR d daughter year-old kicked n e th d e lt u a s s a y ll a Jade was sexu ants w t r e b o R r e th o r b ’s to death. Sharon on… is r p m o fr e s a le e r ’s r to stop their kille

D

ouble killer Thomas John Park is about to go before a parole board to be moved to an open prison.

Twenty-three years ago, Park had been dating 22-year-old Sharon Lester for just a few weeks, when he stabbed her more than 100 times in the early hours of Sunday 13 December.

It was a frenzied attack with a pair of scissors. No one but Sharon and her attacker will

36 6

ever know exactly what happened that night but, in a six-day trial at Liverpool Crown Court, it emerged that he had also sexually assaulted, then shaken and battered to death her two-year-old daughter, Jade, brutally kicking her repeatedly in the head.

It is an allegation – despite leading police to her body – he denies to this day.

Jade was wearing just a pyjama top, and her body was in a bin bag Park found in the

Sharon was found in a rolled-up blanket at her Liverpool home

kitchen, which he subsequently dumped on waste ground.

Park was jailed for life for each murder, and sentenced to three years, to run concurrently, for having indecently assaulted a child.

But the convicted paedophile is now due for a hearing that, if successful, will see him moved to an open prison for the remainder of his sentence and then released back into society.

Open prison has minimal security and can allow eligible prisoners to spend most of their day away from the prison on licence.

Meanwhile, Sharon’s family fear that as he has not shown any remorse he may still be a danger to women and children and

led Det Supt Russ Walsh ller the hunt for Jade’s ki feel a life sentence, in this case, should mean life.

Sharon’s youngest brother Robert, 43, says, ‘Good behaviour? He has never shown remorse. Despite all the evidence against him, he has never even admitted the full extent of his crimes.

‘Our family, especially my mum, live with this every day and it doesn’t sit right with me that he would spend the remainder of his sentence in an open prison which, presumably, means he is then looking at release in 2023.’

Park has never been

CALL IT JUSTICE?

There was a frantic

continues to search to find little Jade deny that he had committed the murder, despite helped her decorate the home his conviction she had by then and I was close and the fact the to the baby.

Sharon had body was found ‘She was a lovely little girl. I only been on the route saw her regularly. dating Park fo r from his house ‘But that Christmas, I’d just a few weeks to Sharon’s. turned 21 and moved into my ‘When CID own apartment and we hadn’t arrived at my seen each other for a while. I mum’s house, never even met Park and I’ve she collapsed screaming,’ beaten myself up so many Robert, then 21, Robert recalls of the morning times about that… but you was living in a they were told of Jade’s death. can’t change the facts.’ flat in the city ‘She had been clinging on Sharon was buried in the centre. to a hope that the baby was still same coffin as Jade, with her ‘My nan alive but now we just arm around her daughter. called me, but ‘There is nothing we can do she was making had another body…’

Robert agreed to identify to change what happened no sense,’ he his niece. recalls. to my sister,’ Robert says ‘She kept simply. ‘But repeating: “Your we couldn't mum’s found live with Sharon and she’s ourselves had to ring the knowing he police.” could prey ‘In the end, I took ‘I will never ever forget that. on another little child or myself down to my That last image in my mind – another mum. sister’s house.

Jade didn’t even look like a two‘I just can’t see how, if ‘It was cordoned off but I said year-old but you know your he came out, he could be a to the officers: “I’m not own and, later, CID told us she normal person. That is just stopping here, that’s my sister’s had been sexually abused. It’s how we feel.’ place.” sick. Horrifying…’

Robert is calling for Park ‘It was then they told me Recalling growing up, he to be handed a whole life tariff, there was a body inside and my said, ‘There were four kids, please sign the petition using mum had been taken to the three now, and we were a closethe link below. police station and they could knit family in drive me there.

Everton. There was ‘That was when it started to only a year between O https://www.change.org/p sink in that the body might be Sharon and I and / dear-boris-johnson-and-priti Sharon… but no one knew she was a really where the baby was. No one quiet girl, introvert patel-prevent-the-release-offound Jade for another 24 really – a lovely murderer-and-paedophilehours.’ person, softthomas-john-park-to-an-openThomas John Park was hearted… prison-in-2021-and-the-possible tracked down that evening ‘Her relationship release-into-the-public-inwith Jade’s dad was to a pub. short-lived and they He led police to Jade in the 2023/u/28915344 drifted apart, so I early hours of the morning but

Thomas John Park could still be a danger, says Sharon’s family prosecuted for robbery. It’s believed he returned to the house several times after Sharon’s murder to remove property, including rings from her dead body and tried to sell them.

She was discovered rolled up in a blanket under the stairs after Sharon’s mother let herself into her daughter’s house in a frantic search for her missing child and granddaughter, accompanied by Sharon’s 10-year-old sister Jane.

Q By Siobhan Wykes

(stories@realpeoplemag.co.uk)

PICTURES: ALAMY, GETTY, PA

She had been sexually abused

Despite a lack of evidence, police jailed Colin Stagg

Young mums were being slaughtered in front of their babies… But the cops had it all wrong

PICTURES: ALAMY, BIGSTOCK, GETTY, METROPOLITAN POLICE, SHUTTERSTOCK, YOUTUBE

S

ome 500 people were on Wimbledon Common when one of this country’s most shocking murders took place.

There were dog walkers, joggers and even the Metropolitan Police Commissioner’s wife…

But nobody saw or heard a thing that morning of 15 July 1992.

And that’s just how the man creeping in undergrowth beside pathways had planned it. Watching from the shadows with a knife, he was waiting for the right woman to come along. Young blondes were his type, even better if they had small children with them.

Spying Rachel Nickell, 23, heading his way with her tiny son, he readied himself.

And sprang…

A dog walker stumbled across her mutilated body shortly after. The brutality was hideous. Beautiful Rachel had been stabbed 49 times.

Some blows had practically decapitated her, she’d been raped and left half-naked, and all in front of her little boy.

Two-year-old Alex clung to her blood-soaked body. ‘Wake up, mummy,’ he kept repeating.

The murder was headline news for days, its viciousness shaking the nation.

Detectives questioned users of the common and knocked on nearby doors. Hundreds of suspects were interviewed over the killing, 32 of them arrested and released, but cops were no nearer to catching their man.

Two months after Rachel’s death, BBC’s Crimewatch broadcast a suspect’s photofit.

Several callers gave the same name.

Colin Stagg.

G N I P NAP

The unemployed loner, 29, lived in Roehampton near the common.

He’d already been questioned because he walked his dog there.

In fact, he’d been on Wimbledon Common on 15 July.

A forensic psychologist, Paul Britton, had compiled a suspect profile and the police decided Stagg fitted it very nicely. But there was a large problem – no forensics linked him to the crime.

So detectives, aided by Britton, devised Operation Edzell to get a confession. It proved the most controversial police investigation in modern criminal history, tarnishing the reputations of the Met and Britton for years to come.

with it, desperate to please ‘Lizzie’.

In the end, she practically offered sex if he’d admit to killing Rachel.

She told him, ‘If only you had done the Wimbledon Common murder, if only you had killed her, it would be alright.’

‘I’m terribly sorry, but I haven’t,’ he replied.

Despite no evidence, Stagg was charged with Rachel’s murder on 17 August 1993.

It couldn’t have been better for the real killer, had he planned Stagg’s arrest, too.

The sadist who’d butchered Rachel was in the clear, free to kill again. His next murder would be even more horrific, and he had the twisted pleasure of watching Stagg suffer in his place, too.

It was the luck of the devil, the flip of fate that let a monster murder on…

Stagg spent 13 months in jail before his Old Bailey trial. But there, furious judge Justice Ognall promptly threw out the case, slamming Operation Edzell as ‘deceptive conduct of the grossest kind’.

Shamed, the Met formally acquitted Stagg in September 1994, but said they weren’t looking for another suspect. His ordeal had only begun.

Public mood was ugly. It seemed Stagg had got away with murder, a feeling shared by Rachel’s family.

For 14 years, he was Britain’s most hated man.

People constantly abused him in the street. His home was graffitied.

Nobody would employ him…

While in Autumn 1993, the real killer had struck again. His target this time was a young mum in Plumstead, south east London.

And this time, her young child was not spared his depravity.

Like Rachel, blonde Samantha Bisset, 27, was seeking modelling

Countless women paid the price

38 8

It looked very much like a honeytrap, with an attractive undercover cop sent to groom Stagg for five months.

Pretending to want a relationship with him, ‘Lizzie James’ talked constantly to Stagg about her kinky fantasies. One involved a knife pressed to her skin during sex.

Stagg, a virgin, went along

et’s Stagg matched the M e-fit of Rachel’s killer

work. Like Rachel, she’d caught the attention of a maniac. He’d spied on her in her basement flat as she walked around naked and had sex with her boyfriend.

By the time she realised she was being watched, it was too late.

On 3 November 1993, armed with several knives, the killer had forced his way in.

Senior investigators had never seen a crime scene like it. A bloodbath so horrifying, it left the police photographer who documented it off sick for two years.

Samantha had been stabbed over 70 times, severing her spinal cord. She’d been sexually assaulted, likely after death.

Stripped naked, she’d been posed on a cushion and cut open.

Then, pulling back her rib cage, the killer had exposed her internal organs.

He tried to cut off her leg, took part of her womb as a trophy. Her daughter Jazmine, four, was raped and smothered in her bedroom.

She was left surrounded by toys.

It was Samantha’s boyfriend who found the pair.

‘I think it was a madman, a psychopath,’ he told the media later.

For Detective Superintendent Micky Banks, it was a race against time.

It wasn’t a case of if the ‘Plumstead Ripper’ killed again.

It was when.

For the first six months investigators had nothing.

Then came a lucky break… an overlooked fingerprint previously assumed to be Samantha’s.

It actually belonged to a Robert Clive Napper.

Several local people had previously flagged him up to police.

They just hadn’t paid attention.

In October 1995, he pleaded guilty to the killings on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Q As told to Vicky Powell (stories@realpeoplemag.co.uk)

thE

G Rachel Nickell’s death shocked the nation The site of Rachel’s killing at Wimbledon Common Sent to Broadmoor Hospital, he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and Asperger’s.

Samantha’s heartbroken mum, who identified her body, collapsed and died two days before Napper’s trial. She was 53 – and she’d been convinced Napper had also murdered Rachel Nickell.

DS Micky Banks agreed.

He further believed Napper was the ‘Green Chain Rapist’ who’d carried out 106 rapes on a series of walkways around Plumstead Common over five years.

The three investigations were separate cases with different detective squads.

Each dealt with random acts of extreme sexual violence against young women, often blonde, often with kids present…

Many attacks involved knives

Samantha and Jazmine were next to be attacked

and all happened within 20 miles of each other.

Two investigations focused in or around Plumstead. Yet nobody in charge made a link. Criminal profiler Paul Britton even worked on two of the investigations.

In all, cops missed six chances to catch Robert Napper, one of the most dangerous sexual sadists this country has ever known. Countless women paid the price.

The devil’s luck really was on Napper’s side.

In October 1989, he’d told his mum he’d raped a woman on Plumstead Common. Pauline tipped off local cops, only to be told no attack had happened.

She broke all contact with her son.

Had cops looked harder then, they’d have found a mum, 31, had been raped in front of her kids in her house backing on to the Common in August 1989.

It was the first Green Chain rape.

Napper later admitted to two rapes and two attempted rapes on Green Chain paths.

Victims picked him at an ID parade.

One woman, 22, was pushing a buggy when Napper stripped, raped and battered her in May 1992.

She was lucky to survive.

That was seven weeks before Rachel Nickell’s murder.

In August 1992, two individuals rang cops saying the Green Chain Rapist e-fit resembled Napper.

IL

K C U L Of DE V

It escalated to rape, the violence intensifying, until it ended in frenzied sex murders.

Napper would not admit to being the Green Chain Rapist unless investigators find forensic evidence.

But in 2008, after years of denying he’d ever been to Wimbledon Common, the then 42-year-old pleaded guilty to Rachel’s manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.

He only confessed when forensics made it impossible to deny it any longer.

Napper remains in Broadmoor, a terrifying devil’s luck finally run out.

Colin Stagg’s freedom finally came with Napper’s guilt.

Stagg received a formal apology from the Met and a £706,000 compensation payout.

It was his physical resemblance to Napper that had made him a suspect.

It was just one of that day’s awful ironies.

For Rachel Nickell, it was deciding to go to Wimbledon Common.

Sick of getting harassed by men at her local parks, she thought it would be safer.

Robert Napper made his way to Wimbledon Common from the other side of south London.

After so many complaints about attacks at his regular hunting grounds, he felt a new area would make it easier to avoid detection.

He also thought it was safer there.

It was a cruel twist of fate that destroyed many lives forever.

He was twice asked to give blood at the local police station but didn’t go. Nobody followed it up.

Investigators finally eliminated him because he was taller than one witness description.

In October 1992, he was arrested for stalking a woman and a search of his bedsit found a .22 pistol, ammunition, two knives and a crossbow.

There were notes on restraining people, a London A-Z map marking local areas and a blonde woman’s gym card.

Napper got an eight-week custodial sentence for firearms offences. Astonishingly, no further inquiries about the search were made.

When a gun in a metal box, with his prints on, was found on another common in April 1993 he wasn’t even questioned.

That July, four months before he killed Samantha and Jazmine, a couple phoned the police. A man was spying on their young, blonde neighbour.

Cops arrived and spoke with Napper.

An officer’s logged notes read, Subject strange, abnormal, should be considered as a possible rapist, indecency type suspect.

He’d been ‘strange’ even as a small boy. His home life was troubled, there was domestic violence and Napper spent time in foster care.

Robert Aged 12, a family friend raped him. The offender was jailed but Napper the attack unleashed a darkness in n evaded Napper. He started spying on his justice for sister when she was naked. Then hee so lo ng turned to spying on local women.

O My Name Is Lizzie, a four-part drama on the police investigation into Colin Stagg, will be shown on Channel 4 soon.

– JAILED AT LAST –

Murder will out and genes too – as these fiendish families prove...

G U L S

and booze Crushed pills cocktail ly made a dead

Keeping mum

A

fter finding her 84-year-old mother, Betty Guy, dead in bed in her Pembrokeshire home on 7 November 2011, Penelope John rang 999 to explain her mum had suffered with bowel and stomach cancer before passing away.

Understandably, with her age and health as it was, the death was chalked up to natural causes. No post-mortem was carried out and Betty was cremated just days on.

But four years later, a woman came forward to police to say her ex, Barry Rogers, had confessed to killing Betty – his

maternal grandmother.

He’d apparently warned the poor woman, ‘You want to be careful or I’ll do to you what I did to her.’

Police decided to bug the home of his mum – Penelope John.

In one recording they heard Rogers tell her, ‘you have got nothing to worry about, it’s me that’s done the act… keep your story the same’.

At another point, Penelope asked her son, ‘Did I text you when I said I crushed the diazepam up and crushed the zopiclone up and put it in her [indecipherable]?’

When the pair appeared at

Penelope was quick to tell police her mum was sick Swansea Crown Court in early 2018, denying murder, it was discovered Betty had never had cancer.

Also, Rogers had told not just one but four exes in all of what he’d done.

The prosecution case was that

50-year-old Penelope had plied her mother with a cocktail of crushedup drugs and whisky before her son, 33-year-old Rogers, put a pillow over his nana’s face and smothered her.

In February 2018, both were convicted of murder and handed a minimum of 11 years each in jail.

The judge told them the unthinkable killing had been committed, ‘on a belief, a misguided belief, held by each of you that the murder was an act of mercy’ but added ‘what you did was murder. Each of you is equally culpable.’

A relative said Betty ‘was no way ill enough to warrant a mercy [killing]’.

It was cruelty, not compassion, she received.

PIC TURE S: BIGSTOC

K, GE TT Y, PA , YOU

TUBE

S r e t s n o m y e n o M es and Mark was shot seven tim n, 60, An re, nfi killed. Hearing the gu er her aft ed ran downstairs and chas in her d an t husband and son barefoo nightdress. one The pair grabbed Ann’s ph with a and Diarmuid smashed it sledgehammer. is worth ‘I hope you think the land it now,’ he said bitterly. gunshots Minutes later, there were

Ann was terminally ill and planned to leave the farm to Mark. Her husband and other son were furious. But g h d a T d murder? Could Diarmuid an s fle it really get owned two ri that bad? s. ye t, As it turned ou A rk’s er, A dispute over rural Tragically, last Octob Ma law old ar, -ye 59 ve n, wenty-fi father, Tadhg O’Sulliva land turned fatal uid rm Dia r, the graduate Mark O’Sullivan bro le litt and his was scared for his life.

23, stood at the m Ann’s O’Sullivan, mu his in at te no a ed sh sta He doorway of Mark’s bedroom ed rifi ter s wa th medicine bag saying he 6.30am and opened fire wi ing to nn pla re rk we r Ma the as bro es d rifl an his dad two legally held . es elv ms sic the n ren Fo the d d. kill him an lay in his bunk be ng over from The O’Sullivans were fighti tests showed DNA traces re ac 511 ’s ily fam the inheritance of both men on the guns. farm in Cork.

T

2EAL 400 PEOPLE

in the field. walk It took Ann half-an-hour to s in’ house the 750 metres to her cous to raise the alarm. rmuid The bodies of Tadhg and Dia d been were then found. Both ha wound. t ho killed by a single guns ling er Police believe that, aft kil . es elv Mark, both men shot thems su le icide.

Murder followed by a doub fore In a cruel parting shot, be taking their own lives the men had warned Ann that she would have to live with the guilt of what had happened for the rest of her days.

bad blood Pop goes the evil

R E T H G W

You shall not pass!

hen autistic 18-time marathon runner Gary Dean started training on a footpath near his Barnsley ho 2016, the mother of all feu me in ds began.

The footpath ran along so land owned by the Daws me on family.

They had plans for it and believed Gary running there had co st them £300,000.

The Dawson mother, Carol her son, Scott, were enrag , and ed and tried to have Gary prosec uted but it didn’t work. They then spread

Gary Dean cherished his regular run route

The killers lay in wait with an air rifle

false rumours about him , inc telling locals he’d tried to luding lure kids into the woods.

Gary’s wife, headteacher Caroline, found graffiti da ub her car that read Stay aw ed on ay Baz and paedo. Still, Gary persiste d.

The Dawsons got a restra ining order and erected a Stay away sign on a stile leading to the pa th he used to access the land.

But Gary was resolute to continue his morning runs. It was his routine, after all.

On 6 September 2018, the Dawson mother and son lay in wait for Gary. They shot him wi th rifle and beat him to death an air wi rocks and twigs before lea th ving his body in a ditch.

They planned to return wi th a digger and bury Gary bu t a passing dog walker fou nd him first.

In August 2019, 41-yearold Scott Dawson and his mo ther Carol, 72, were convicted of murder at Sheffield Crow n Court after a complex five-week trial.

Both got life.

Carol’s minimum term wa s 26 years and Scott’s 31, red uced on appeal to 15 years and 26 , respectively. ‘I have little doubt you both encouraged the other to act… You both fed off the venom within each other.

Th toxic mixture led to murd is er,’

Q By Miyo Padi

(stories@realpeoplemag.co.uk)

kid’s ball coming over the fence... gone xx, It’s a normal occurrence for most she merrily of us, an annoyance for some. replied. ut when one swooped over into the But en of 34-year-old Kelly Machin’s Bollen, 29, ester home in summer 2016, she and her red and popped it. dad, 47, Kelly Machin elly was an alcoholic. Her neighbour, had scored -of-four Natalie Bollen, was furious an own goal. The deflated a r kids’ property being destroyed. pair appeared in child’s ball wanted revenge and roped her dad, court charged am Gary Jelly, into helping her get it. with manslaughter. ter 23 August 2016, the father and Bollen’s barrister called it ‘an hter burst into Kelly’s home. Bollen impetuous moment of madness’ and punched her neighbour in the said, ‘the consequences face while her old man pushed were far beyond Kelly into a coffee table, anything she could fracturing her rib. Having given have imagined’.

Kelly a roughing up, Jelly’s defence said, the pair left. ‘he initially went there Natalie But that broken to do the right thing by roped rib led to internal his vulnerable daughter her dad bleeding. On and then did the wrong 5 September, in to help thing and lost his control’.

Kelly was found But the judge ruled they dead on her sofa. showed little remorse. Jelly and I hear the Bollen were both convicted of nightmare neighbour manslaughter and jailed for has died, a friend seven years at Leicester Crown texted Bollen.

Court in May 2017.

Yes dead and

w a l n i r e h t o m S d then here are mother-in-laws an l. there is Bachan Athwa his Her son, Sukhdave, married en Wh s 16. wife Surjit when the bride wa chan , Ba on ars ye r Surjit gave birth fou d taught the an r hte ug snatched her grandda ’. Charming! little girl to call her ‘mummy ventry-based Co y Little wonder then wh the unhappy Surjit soon had enough of eel. After 11 marriage – and its third wh de it clear ma years with Sukhdave, she e. orc she wanted a div d also started A customs officer, she ha at Heathrow. an affair with a colleague m was Sukhdave’s overbearing mu coming be n so r horrified at the idea of he 27 , 98 -year-old a divorcé. In December 19 to India with Surjit reluctantly travelled Bachan ing.

Bachan for a family wedd . ne alo returned to the UK back She claimed Surjit had flown d. ive arr r ve ne ahead of her but she’d It was years before frightened relatives felt able to approach police with the truth – Bachan had boasted she’d had Surjit

T

strangled and dumped in a river back in India for bringing dishonour on the family.

In September Surjit’s body has 2007, a landmark never be en found case was broughtt aragainst 70-ye old Bachan Athwaall anndd dave Athwal, her son, 43-year-old Sukh dy had at the Old Bailey. Surjit’s bo who’d le op pe never been found, the the court t killed her never caught. Bu ther-of-16, heard Bachan, a grandmo family to had decided as head of the to India. her ‘get rid’ of Surjit and lure with his ed liv ll sti o Sukhdave, wh lieved to be s wa , mum in West London her over th wi ns have finalised the pla nd fou re tea and biscuits. Both we r. rde mu guilty of first the re They we tor people in UK his y to be convicted of an outsourced honour killing as Bachan got a minimum of 20 years behind bars and her son was handed at least

Sukhdave and his mum Bachan plotted murder over tea

1

AP Into cold darkness, a three-year-old had vanished and a shocked community saw the light…

PICTURES: BIGSTOCK, CHANNEL 4, GETTY, YOUTUBE

E

very parent’s worst nightmare…

At 7.15am on Thursday 16 January 2014, 33-yearold beautician Rosdeep Adekoya went into her son’s bedroom at their home on Ferry Gait Crescent in the Drylaw area of Edinburgh. Mikaeel Kular, three, was gone.

She searched everywhere but the little toddler had vanished.

Normally Mikaeel would have slept in the same room as his twin sister, Ashinka, while his mum and siblings, Tarun, nine, David, seven, and five-year-old Renuka, shared other bedrooms. But the night before, he’d been put to bed alone around 9pm.

Now no sign of him.

Could he have wandered outside into one of the poorest areas of the Scottish capital?

Formed around the historic mansion Drylaw House, the area of Drylaw is primarily made up of social housing built up in the ’50s to rehouse occupants of nearby Leith.

Little Mikaeel was out there somewhere. The tot’s beige hooded jacket and brown Clarks shoes were also missing.

‘I don’t think the boy could have got out by himself. It’s quite a heavy door,’ said upstairs neighbour Frank Arthur, 72, of the communal entrance.

As reports circulated round the local area, complete strangers hit the streets looking desperately for the tiny 3ft boy, described as possibly still wearing his grey dinosaur pyjamas.

Though police said they were keeping an ‘open mind’, Rosdeep suggested Mikaeel must have got out of bed, climbed on a stool and unlocked the front door.

42

A terrifying toddler mishap...

But temperatures overnight had dropped to just two degrees.

Locals were asked to check their gardens, sheds and vehicles.

Frantic in their search, a dozen forensics officers scoured every inch of Mikaeel’s flat, hundreds more police were deployed on to the streets.

A ground, air and sea search was launched.

Airports were contacted in case someone tried to smuggle the little boy out of the country.

Imagining their own children snatched from their beds no doubt, hundreds gathered to join a search of the shoreline at nearby Cramond.

‘I would be absolutely devastated if it was my wee boy and I would want every person in Edinburgh to stop what they were doing and come to look for him,’ one mum said when news crews asked why she’d joined the search.

Mikaeel’s dad, Zahid Saeed, who didn’t live with his son, helped all he could with inquiries.

And a policewoman, describing the little boy’s mum, Rosdeep, as ‘distraught’, said she was being given specialist support, adding ‘we are very concerned for her.

We just want to be able to give her some news or let her know he is safe and well... I remain optimistic’.

But… ‘It’s getting dark, it’s getting colder, please help us,’ the officer pleaded to the community as night fell.

In response, locals and emergency services searched

thro gh th h h the th ight. i ht Next morning, work was underway to see Mikaeel’s face plastered across digital billboards throughout the UK as the searches continued.

A dedicated tip line was set up and 150 calls came in, but there were no confirmed sightings.

CCTV also drew a blank.

Mikaeel’s mummy posted a video of him smiling and eating an ice cream at Nando’s just days before.

Well wishes flooded in.

But hope faded as a second night of searching began. Surely if Mikaeel had left the house alone, he’d be cold, hungry, confused?

flowers, teddies and tributes flowers decorated the streets outside the little boy’s home.

Mikaeel’s nursery, where parents described him as a ‘happy, smiley wee boy’, closed as a sign of respect. Counsellors were brought in to support the children.

But how on earth could they understand it when the discovery shook grown adults to the bones?

That night, over 500 people attended a candle-lit Edinburgh memorial for the little lad they’d taken to their hearts. Many thought of his family. That poor mother…

But, just as the candles were snuffed out, it was confirmed that his ‘devastated’ mother, the one who’d begged police and locals to search for her son – Rosdeep Adekoya – was the person who’d been arrested and now charged with Mikaeel’s murder.

She’d already confessed, but not before leading the nation on a merry dance.

It was only when mobile phone data evidence was put to her that she’d cracked.

‘It was an accident and I panicked,’ she told police before leading them to her son’s body.

Adekoya had long struggled with managing her five children. Mikaeel had, at one time, been put into foster care.

Once returned to his mother, he’d been under supervision by social services but this had ended weeks before his death, despite social workers not

A body was found in a suitcase

Police led the search for missing Mikaeel…

If he wasn’t alone, his fate may be even worse.

People across the UK held their breath, lit candles, sent prayers.

Everyone hoped this little boy could be found safe. But, shortly before midnight on the Friday, all hope was dashed.

Police found the toddler’s body dumped in a suitcase in woodland behind Dunvegan Avenue in Kirkcaldy, 25 miles from his home.

Officers confirmed that ‘a suspect’ had been detained in connection with the death.

By mid-morning, a sea of

…as locals scoured the area for clues

OS

A coastguard se arched Cramond shore

Drylaw, Edinburgh

boy ST

Mum-of-five Rosdeep had struggled with Mikae el

Mikaeel was be until he vom aten ited

having seen him for a month.

An autopsy revealed Mikaeel had died of internal bleeding as a result of blunt force trauma to the stomach. He’d been beaten so badly his little body bore more than 40 separate injuries.

Adekoya admitted that the violence had started after a family trip to Nando’s the Sunday before when she’d taken the video of Mikaeel smiling with his ice cream.

Later, he was sick. Twice.

His mother, whose internet history showed searches for

I find it hard to love my son and Why am I so aggressive with my son? and I love all of my children except one, flew into a rage.

She’d hit the tot to the head and body with a closed fist.

The next day, when he’d vomited for a third time, Adekoya had dragged him to the shower by the arms, laid the toddler with his stomach over the edge of the bath and beat him to his back.

Over the days that followed Mikaeel, who hadn’t been at nursery since the Christmas break, grew listless as a result of his injuries. But Adekoya refused to get her son help for fear of his bruises being discovered.

Meanwhile, she posted inspirational quotes to Instagram such as As long as you are breathing you still have the chance for a better and happier life.

But Mikaeel wouldn’t breathe much longer.

On Wednesday morning, Adekoya found her son dead on his bedroom floor.

The mum-of-five then wrapped the body in a duvet, put it into a suitcase and drove it to the woods.

She knew the area well as it was just behind her sister’s home.

She hid the suitcase under a bush, covered it with twigs.

The next morning, she dialled 999 and fooled the nation that she’d just found her son missing.

y was initially y charged g Adekoya with murder but, instead, pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of culpable homicide in August 2014. She also admitted attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

Her defence solicitor, Brian McConnachie QC, argued in mitigation before sentencing.

‘There is no sentence your lordship can impose in this case which will be deemed sufficient by what appears to be an ill-informed mob who are no doubt at this moment waiting to express outrage and indignation,’ the barrister said of the strength of public outrage to the case.

He went on to explain Adekoya had struggled with her father’s death when she was 16 and hadn’t adjusted to life as a single parent to five children. He attributed her actions following the death to pure ‘panic’.

The High Court in Edinburgh was also told Adekoya was suffering ‘mild to moderate’ depression.

But the prosecutor, Alex Prentice, said Adekoya enjoyed ‘going out with her friends, drinking to excess’.

Pictures on her social media showed her fraternising with known drug dealers.

Neighbours suspected the children were left alone during Adekoya’s frequent nights out.

Passing sentence, the judge Lord Glennie said he felt Adekoya’s remorse was ‘genuine and heartfelt’ but added that her crime was ‘cruel and inexcusable’.

‘Striking a child once is bad enough,’ the judge said.

‘Striking him

Q As told to Miyo Padi (stories@realpeoplemag.co.uk)

heavily and repeatedly with hand and fist when he was being sick again and again simply beggars belief.’

The judge said the mum’s misleading of volunteers and rescue crews was a ‘serious matter’.

He also, however, pointed out ‘there is no history of violence by you towards any of your children… I do not suppose that you really understand why you did what you did’.

The judge sentenced Rosdeep Adekoya to 11 years in prison.

A case review into social services involvement concluded Mikaeel’s death could not have been prevented.

No accountability there.

And many feel Mikaeel’s killer also got off with a slap on the wrist.

Last month, less than seven years into her sentence, 40-yearold Rosdeep walked free.

Mikaeel’s father, Zahid, claimed he only found out about her release from the newspapers.

‘I thought it was a joke, I couldn’t believe that she was out so soon,’ Zahid said, ‘the system has truly failed Mikaeel.’

But, though they couldn’t save him, the community showing up for Mikaeel is a gift his father will never forget.

He added, ‘I am very thankful for the Edinburgh community.’

Each and every person who walked the streets day and night looking for Mikaeel likely put themselves in his mother’s shoes.

They imagined the living nightmare she must be enduring.

The truth should be a wake-up call to us all.

Tributes were left outside Mika eel’s home

to w o w o n k o Wa t d? e r e d r u g n i avoid get a d s r o o d e o watch

Darren Sykes told Paul (left) and Jack about his new trains

S Y O T H T I W S BIG BOY

Clare had tried to stop Darren ving access

arren Sykes, 44, had been divorced from his ex-wife Clare for just two weeks in October 2014 when he splashed out £600 on a new model railway set.

It seemed a strange thing for a man Clare had described as physically violent and an abusive stalker to do.

Clare had gone so far as to try to get the courts to block access between Sykes and their boys – but this was denied, with the dad being allowed five hours of unsupervised contact a week.

The day of his big purchase he texted their sons Paul, nine, and Jack, 12, telling them about their new toy. All I need now are two engine drivers, Sykes wrote.

Enticing for any kid.

The seemingly doting father set up the huge track in the attic then picked the boys up from their grandma’s. On the way he stopped at the garage, loading petrol into

containers.

As his sons headed up to their incredible new toy they had no idea the whole thing had been a trap to corner them in an inaccessible part of the house.

While they played, the abhorrently evil Sykes walked round the house sloshing the petrol about.

Next he placed a chair under the handle of the door so no one could get in. Or out.

Sykes then sent a series of texts telling friends and family he’d be at peace before lighting 16 separate fires in the Penistone, Barnsley home.

Brave young Jack attempted to save his little brother but the youngest succumbed to the smoke, as did his cold-hearted dad.

Jack lived long enough to tell fire crews his dad had set the blaze on purpose, before dying five days on in hospital.

Unspeakably cruel.

Q By Miyo Padi

W

hen 18-year-old Jolee allan’s ex-boyfriend Loren Bunner invited her out on a hike ‘as friends’, she e agre a ed. It was a great chance to get som m. ’gra the fres f h air and take some snaps for with d, Their relationship hadn’t been goo g ing possessive and 20-year-old Bunner grow jealous. But now Joolee had moved on. She was seeing someone new and about to start uni.

It’d be nice to see Bunner and keep things cordial.

The night beforee the trip Jolee jokingly texted a friend, if somethinng happens to me, Jolee Callan you’ll know who wanted to I was with. stay friends The next day, he 30 August 2015, the h PPi h ti trail near their pair set off walking the Kiba homes in Alabama, taking Bunner’s dog along for the jaunt.

They wandered the countryside, taking ia. photos and uploading them to social med e Oh, ya know. Just enjoying the view, Jole er. aph togr pho the as ner posted, tagging Bun r ove out ing look The photo showed her a cliff, her back to the camera. a Within minutes, Bunner had pulled out tore et gun and shot her twice. The first bull a hole through the back of Jolee’s head, indicating she’d still been looking out at the view.

When the teen collapsed, Bunner then and turned her over, looked her in the eyes d. hea shot her once more in the fore As if that wasn’t horrific enough, he then shoved Jolee off the 40-foot cliff – all

Brian Healless insisted on a private spot to meet

Alex Davies was looking for love

QUIET ‘CUDDLES’

e can cuddle, ddl just j t nott in i public, go to a more discreet spot came the message on gay dating app Grindr. I’m not out yet and like to be discreet about it.

Alex Davies, 18, thought the message from Brian Healless, also 18, in April 2019 sounded fair enough.

So the pair decided to meet up not in a busy well-lit area or a hotel but in the village of Parbold, West Lancashire, halfway between their homes.

Alex couldn’t have known Healless

This view was the last thing Jolee saw

bbecause she wouldn’t take him back.

Returning to his car, Bunner called 911 aand said, ‘I want to turn myself in.’

In July 2017 he admitted Jolee’s murder and was sentenced to 52 years in prison.

After sentencing, Jolee’s dad Michael sai his daughter ‘was a sweet, sweet, said that sweet, good girl’. A girl so kind-hearted she k when her controlling ex fancied a wal agreed in good faith.

Bunner couldn’t stand the rejection

CHARITY AT THE DOOR

Healless then headed back to his home h in Chorley, deleted the memory from both handsets and hoped that would w be enough to wipe any contact b between the pair.

Alex’s body was discovered on 1 May. M Meanwhile Healless was moving on, trying his pitiless ploy on four other t unsuspecting men online.

Each of them he begged to meet in the same circumstances – somewhere quiet in the country. He asked one of the men what phone he had, then immediately googled how to wipe the data from a handset of that type.

Before he could strike again, though, police tracked Healless using Alex’s phones. He’d been smart but not smart enough, leaving the location data available.

Last March, Healless was jailed at Preston Crown Court for murder and told he’d serve at least 24 years of his life term. Doubt there’s much cuddling where he’s going.

Kind Judith Richardson welcomed a ‘charity’ man

S

eventy-seven-year-old Judith Richardson was no fool. Living alone, elderly and vulnerable, she wasn’t about to let just anyone into her Hexham, Northumberland home.

But then again, they say that’s where charity begins…

So when a stocky man with sad eyes came to her door in August 2011 brandishing two Age UK leaflets, Judith let him in.

He was a charity worker after all, just there to offer her some support.

But the man, Graeme Jarman, 48, had selected Judith as his target the day before. He’d been watchinng, Gr me Jarman’s s waiting for the right time to employ bru l ack beg a his ruse. almost mmediate Once he was inside, Jarman pounced. He whacked Judith over 30 times with a hammer before leaflets cruccially ransacking her home and stealing her covered in thee fingerprints of handbag and jewellery. He then her attacker. Jaarman was returned to batter her once more, arrested and the jury at his fracturing the elderly woman’s skull Newcastle Crown Court murder and leaving her for dead. trial heard he had a string of It was only when Judith’s bag was previous convictions,, including found dumped in a bin soon after that the rape at gunpoint off a an eagle-eyed member of the public teenage girl. alerted police. They went to Judith’s He’d bragged to his vi im, ‘I address to check on her and found am your everyday psych path.’ her dead.

In court, prosecutor Richardd In the hallway were those charity Smith QC said that in tricking

Judith,, Jarman’s ‘methodd was mpple. He took wi him two aflets issued by the charity e UK. These are likely ly to m the have been obtained from Age UK shop shortly be re the murder.’

Jarman was jailed for life for murder in July 20122 and sentenced to a minimum term of 35 years, with the judge saying, ‘he will be detained until he is an old man’.

Let’’s hope he’s not elderly, frail and in need of a helping hand... He won’t deserv

PICTURES: S: CLA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, GETTY, INSTAGRAM M I LANCASHIRE POLICE, PA PHOTOS, SHUTTERSTO CK, YOUTUBE/NORTHUMBRIA POLICE

HIKE

h d spentt time had ti googling li how h muchh pressure was needed to break a skull. Or that he came to their remote countryside meeting point armed with a kitchen knife.

This was no cuddle. Healless launched himself at Alex, stabbing him an unthinkable 128 times. Several wounds on their own would have been enough to kill Alex, but Healless kept on going.

He then dragged his still-breathing victim behind some trees, covered him with branches and stole his two mobile phones.

GOTCHA!

45 5

E R I F K C QU I

Just

FOR

Sabotage! Some nasty We’ve done our best t can’t repair. Can you ris the letters in the pin Think you or will you See how load your wits agai

SSQ: American Charles Osborne suf t an m r late k o ledg an piit ty dozen, below. on p48.

1 Which

2 Which film

Canadian comic is the host of BBC Two’s new jewellery-making competition All That Glitters ?

took home the Best Picture gong at the Oscars last month?

3 Who won the first ever series of I’m A Celebrity…

Get Me Out Of Here ?

5 The new 4 Lisa Riley plays which member of the Dingle clan in Emmerdale ?

series of Call The Midwife is set in what year?

7 Who i

6 Directed

by Guy Ritchie, who played the Genie in the 2019 live-action remake of Disney’s Aladdin ?

the m s back on o an ur This T himself in screens as ime W a new ith Ala s n Part eries of ridge ?

10 Emma Stone brings to life which famous black-andwhite haired Disney villain in a new film out this week?

8 What type of animal is Mr Jingles in the 1999 film The Green Mile ?

9 What was the theme song of hit US sitcom Friends ?

11 Who is sharing hosting duties with Warwick Davis on the new series of Tenable ?

46 46

12 Which DC villain has been played on the big screen by Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger and Jared Leto?

ACROSS 1 Say what? Let’s begin at the ___ (9) 5 Picture A What is this? (7) 8 Nonsense, gobbledegook (9) 12 Say what? Let’s ___ make up (4,3) 14 Mother names her favourite champagne! (4) 15 Picture B Can you name this broadcaster? (3,4) 17 Say what? ___ the mother of invention (9,2) 18 Picture C What is the first name of the character she’s played on and off for over 25 years in EastEnders? (5) 19 Behaved – like a thespian! (5) 20 Distribute, give out (5) 22 New recruit (5) 24 What is the French word for ‘sugar’? (5) 25 Bride’s partner (5) 26 Say what? You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it ___ (5) 27 Hot chocolate (5) 29 Say what? I play fast and ___ (5) 30 Say what? It’s a ___ of beauty (5) 31 Entice (5) 33 Say what? I only live a stone’s ___ away (5) 35 Solve the anagram MITIL 37 Say what? He’s no ___ shakes (5) 38 Bar fight, eg (5) 39 Ancient object (5) 42 Wall ‘decoration’ that will measure and record your growth, as you get taller (6,5) 48 & 11D Picture D Who is this comedian? (7,6) 49 Say what? Try that on for ___ (4) 50 You lot! (7) 51 Angler (9) 52 & 40D Picture E What is her name? (7,6) 53 Eight-sided (9)

DOWN 1 What is the capital of Argentina? (6,5) 2 Picture F Who is he? (3,3) 3 Solve the anagram TARIE 4 Say what? I’ll put the fear of ___ him (3,2) 5 The Beano, eg (5) 6 Say what? I’m taking each day as it ___ (5) 7 Say what? I wouldn’t wish it on my worst ___ (5) 8 Stares at – the stars? (5) 9 Say what? Gimme a ___! (5) 10 Doomed, destined to fail or have bad luck (3-5) 11 See 48A 13 Back to the beginning – the very first box! (6,3) 16 Proceeding, moving forward (9) 21 Say what? I’m ___ my guns (8,2) 23 Say what? You don’t know ___ of the word (3,7) 26 Say what? Double, ___ and trouble (6,4) 28 What is the alternate name for Celsius? (10) 32 Lacking flavour, bland (9) 33 Small orange-like citrus fruit (9) 34 In what area of London’s East End did the notorio Jack the Ripper murders take place? (11) 36 Say what? Desperate times call for desperate ___ (8) 38 Say what? It beggars ___ (6) 40 See 52A 41 Say what? I’m living the ___ (5) 42 What is the name of the Trojan woman whose face is said to have launched a thousand ships? (5) 43 Living ___, unmarried cohabition (slang) (2,3) 44 Say what? There’s no accounting for ___ (5) 45 Stadium (5) 46 Solve the anagram ROOST 47 Precise (5)

T

Jus t

FO FU R N

ne’er do well has tried to hamper your fun here by vandalising this puzzle o put it back together for you but there’s still some damage that we just se above this ruffian’s ruinous plan, complete the crossword and discover k squares, thus answering the Spoilsport question? Solution on p48.

ffered a ‘bout’ of something for 68 years – what was it? (7) 4

3

2

1

6

8

14

13

12

5

11

10

9

16

15

A 17

19

18

F 20

22

21

23

C 25

24

26

27

28

E B

D 30 3

1

33

32

34

E 35

A

36

37

D

41

42

44

43

49

48

F 51

52

45

46

50

53

47

40

PICTURES: BIGSTOCK, GETTY

39

38

·

START

Just

FO R FUN

RACE PICTURES: BIGSTOCK

Poor old Rita has got herself involved with Lenny the love rat – yuck! Can you get her through the maze and back to her senses? Be careful to avoid the tricksy traps Lenny has laid of an engagemen i and tickets for a mini break, th , or it’s game over. Chec the solution below.

HER SENSES

Just

FOR FUN

IT’S A PLUNDERFUL LIFE!

You have 10 minutes to make as many words of three letters or more as you can out of the nine-letter word below. Plurals are allowed, but proper nouns are not. Letters can only be used once in each word. All words are in everyday use. Answers below.

R Just

FOR FUN

P46 QuickFire Quiz

1 Katherine Ryan, P32 Target P32 Mugshot M h t 2 Nomadland, Practice Mash-Up 3 Tony Blackburn, 1 Enigma, 2 Davina, Prince Charles and Camilla, 4 Mandy, Duchess of Cornwall 3 Iguana, 4 Narnia, 5 1966, Connection: Royal couple 6 Will Smith, 5 Banana, 6 Utopia, 7 Russia, 8 Guinea, 7 Steve Coogan, 9 Havana, 10 Camera, P32 Breakin’ Baddies 8 Mouse, 11 Alaska, 12 Samosa, Felon caught using: Fake ID 9 I’ll Be There 13 Toyota, 14 Louisa, I R E B C D F A K For You, K B F R E A D I C 15 Emilia.

10 Cruella de Vil, Mystery UK landmark: D C A F K I R B E 11 Sally Lindsay, C A B E F R I K D Edinburgh Castle 12 The Joker.

E K D A I B C F R R F B A

F I D E

I K R C

C D I K

D B A R

K C E F

A E K B

E R C D

B A F I

A

P46-47 Spoilsport – SSQ: Hiccups

P48 It’s A Plunderful Life

ACROSS 1 Beginning, 5 Cupcake, 8 Gibberish, 12 Kiss and, 14 Mumm, 15 Zoe Ball, 17 Necessity is, 18 Sonia, 19 Acted, 20 Issue, 22 Cadet, 24 Sucre, 25 Groom, 26 Drink, 27 Cocoa, 29 Loose, 30 Thing, 31 Tempt, 33 Throw, 35 Limit, 37 Great, 38 Brawl, 39 Relic, 42 Height chart, 48 Russell, 49 Size, 50 Readers, 51 Fisherman, 52 Nigella, 53 Octagonal.

DOWN 1 Buenos Aires, 2 Gok Wan, 3 Irate, 4 God in, 5 Comic, 6 Comes, 7 Enemy, 8 Gazes, 9 Break, 10 Ill-fated, 11 Howard, 13 Square one, 16 Advancing, 21 Sticking to, 23 The meaning, 26 Double toil, 28 Centigrade, 32 Tasteless, 33 Tangerine, 34 Whitechapel, 36 Measures, 38 Belief, 40 Lawson, 41 Dream, 42 Helen, 43 In sin, 44 Taste, 45 Arena, 46 Torso, 47 Exact.

Act, Arc, Ark, Art, Bah, Bar, Bat, Boa, Bow, Bra, Bro, Cab, Car, Cat, Caw, Cob, Cot, Cow, Hat, Haw, Hob, Hot, How, Oak, Oar, Oat, Orb, Rat, Raw, Rho, Rob, Roc, Rot, Row, Tab, Tar, Tor, Tow, Two, War, Who, Wok, Arch, Back, Bark, Bath, Boar, Boat, Bock, Both, Brat, Brow, Carb, Cart, Char, Chat, Chow, Coat, Cork, Crab, Craw, Crow, Hack, Hark, Hart, Hawk, Hoar, Hock, Oath, Okra, Orca, Rack, Rock, Rota, Tack, Taco, Taro, Thaw, Wart, What, Whoa, Work, Abhor, Abort, Actor, Batch, Botch, Brock, Broth, Carob, Chart, Cobra, Croak, Roach, Tabor, Throb, Throw, Torch, Track, Wacko, Watch, Whack, Worth, Wrack, Wrath, Broach, Thwack, Whacko.

‘See page 57 for the solutions to my regular weekly puzzles!’

K

TARGET: 25 or less – not bad 26-40 – good going Over 40 – wowee!

P48 – Love Rat Race

es Makes 16 squar ins m O Takes 1 hr 25 s,

O 225g strawberrie hulled weight O 50g ulated sugar O 175g

gran ped, plus unsalted butter, chop light 5g extra to grease O 27 eggs, rge brown sugar O 2 la lla extract beaten O 1tbsp vani O1tsp O 200g plain flour 5g white baking powder O17 chocolate chunks

38p

per square

A taste of erry B ? r e m m su d… nice indee Serves 8 O Takes 10 mins O 300g frozen

TON PIC WORDS: HELEN GARS

ST TURE S: GE TT Y, HE AR

raspberries, plus extra y to decorate O 100g runn t honey O 500g tub full-fa Greek yogurt

2

4

Whizz all the ingredients until smooth. Tip into a 900g ainer loaf tin or freezer-safe cont t 4 hrs. a d freeze until solid, abou an e Using a sharp knife, cut th frozen yogurt into small a food pieces. Whizz in batches in d processor, until smooth an ooth creamy. Return to the tin, sm e extra to level and sprinkle over th ezer raspberries. Return tin to fre for about 1 hr, until firm. rt To serve, allow frozen yogu to sit at room temperature ghtly for a few mins to soften sli before scooping.

1

5

2

60p

3

CHECK THESE OUT!

1

3

plus freezing

+ Sparkling wine exxpert Freixenet has l nched a new lau Spanish Still Wine collection. Soak u the sun with a up gla g ss to hand. £9, available at Ocado.

ies into Chop 175g strawberr to a pan 2cm pieces and put in gar and with the granulated su en simmer 1½tbsp water. Boil, th e strawberries for 12-15 mins until th to a thick, have broken down in jam-like consistency. berries Chop remaining straw into into 1cm pieces. Stir d simmer the strawberry pan an to cool. for 2 mins. Set aside C Preheat oven to 180° d (160°C fan)/mark 4 an cm square grease and line a 20.5 parchment. cake tin with baking move from Melt butter in a pan, re light brown heat and whisk in the r 10-15 mins. sugar. Leave to cool fo nilla Whisk the eggs and va mixture. into the cooled butter king powder, Stir in the flour and ba en mix in until just combined, th . the chocolate chunks epared Spread mixture into pr berry tin. Dollop over straw through the compote and marble a skewer. blondie mixture with until the top Bake for 35-40 mins, ol completely is slightly cracked. Co ing, cutting in the tin before remov e. into squares and serv

per serving

+ Here’s a new range of es delicious rubs and marinad y ok Sm o for barbecue fans. Ox d an BBQ Marinade, Oxo Garlic Herb Marinade, Oxo o Smokehouse Rub and Ox le Spicy Mexican Rub. Availab at Asda, £2

n is + Jam expert Bonne Mama ngs to try: bringing us three new thi and Lemon Curd, Tarte au Citron yogurt.

Raspberry and Blackberry From £2.50, available at Waitrose and Sainsbury’s.

To keep your crumb moist, don’t over-mix your blondie mixture.

49 9

+

WIN!

E

H U R U I S P

I D E V E R

C

A G E N A D E P U N T N E X O

U U

I

T I L E N

BOXING MATCH Here’s a crossword solution that’s been broken up and turned into a jigsaw puzzle. Can you put it back together? Three pieces have been left in their original positions to help you start. When you’re done, the letters in the yellow boxes, read in order, will spell out your prize answer.

See p67 to enter.

F

T

ap, tap, tap, on the yellow treat tin…

‘Now green,’ I smile.

Tap, tap, tap…

‘Well done, Sybil.’

My chicken’s anything but bird-brained!

You can make your mind up about me, training pet chooks!

It’s amazing, though, considering I once had a phobia of birds.

I nearly had a meltdown once when a flock of pigeons flew over my head on a day out in London – a squadron of rodent bombers!

B U I A T H

B A C H L

T E P L E E L D

M P Y O A R O W

B V E R Y N O

Y

N D A N E N D

R Y O W N

+

5 E G A P O T O OLLOW FL

2

PICTURES: BELFAST NEWS & FEATURES, GETTY

I U O N E

R U E N A D U S

Ever heard the one about the chicken owner who refuses to eat eggs?

Maddy explains all…

+

eep your loved ones with you at all times with this solid silver heart locket by Hersey & Son Silversmiths.

Simple yet elegant, this lovely piece would be aw wonderful addition to anyone’s jewellery box.

The pendant comes on a 16-18in chain and can be opened to show a photograph of someone you treaasure. It can also be engraved with the initial of yyour choice. We’ve got one to give away.

FFor your chance to win, simply solve the Boxing Match puzzle, below…

A E T E R R

e k c a cr ! y a w a s k Choo

heartshaped locket

B N I E D E D

L A M I N A

+

It sprang from childhood – Auntie Shirley let her budgie fly We were wingin’ about her house, but I was it with our first terrified he’d four chickens! land on me.

Then, as a teenager, a swan bit my hand! I’d only been trying to take a photo of it for school.

But, in September 2017, aged 46, driving back from visiting my parents, we stopped at a garden centre for coffee. It sold chickens…

‘Let’s buy some,’ my husband,

PETof the WEEK NAME: Simba BREED: Lionhead rabbit AGE: Three LIKES: My best friend, Harvey the Labrador DISLIKES: Cuddles BAD HABITS: Annoying Harvey when he wants to snooze OWNER: Amanda Price, Chester, Cheshire

You’re always so hoppy!

ers

Send us your animal s stories, funny pics & pets of the week – there’s £25 for each one we print!

Write to Real People or email letters@ realpeoplemagazine.co.uk

with Jane Common

ASK NIGEL

Me and Scarlet (right) dote on our feathered friends

Real People’s resident ‘doggie doctor’, Nigel, answers your pet’s problems

Our custommade coop

Anthony, said. hybrids, bred to pump out as many I looked at his face – he was serious! eggs as possible before, bodies ‘Yes!’ our daughters – Scarlet, knackered, dying around age two.

13, and Freya, 10 – chorused.

Can’t we extend their lives?

There was no way out…

I asked the experts. No… A week later, the poultry expert Suddenly those fresh eggs from the garden centre built a foxweren’t very appealing. proof coop for our four 18-week-old I became vegan and Anthony chickens. I stared at them. What had and the girls followed.

I got myself into?

Autumn 2019, the chickens First time I picked one up, I was stopped laying eggs and their tummies expanded. We held them in more of a flap than the bird. But on our laps as they died… they were so gentle and affectionate Watching Miss Havisham, the it was impossible to feel scared. last hen standing, lose her friends, We each chose our own chicken was heart-breaking.

– mine was Mrs Pepperpot, a silky She spent every day with me in black beauty who liked having her the kitchen. thighs massaged.

‘I’m so sorry,’ I told her.

‘No chickens in the house,’ I told After she passed away, there the girls.

But when I walked into the kitchen were four chicken-shaped holes to find Mrs Weasley on Scarlet’s lap, in our lives. nuzzling her, I knew it was hopeless Doing some research, I found to enforce that rule. the Malaysian Serama breed – they Protecting Anthony’s veg patch live between five and seven years, from them was a losing battle too. and produce fewer eggs.

So we turned itt into a chicken run run…

So March last year year, we drove to And they cla aimed Essex to collect six Seram mas the summerho ouse between two and three months old. as their coop.

They’re already the world’s w Talk about crreature smallest breed, weighing just comforts – we g gave hese 250g fully grown, so th them perches, a chicks were crazy cute e – I could heater, fluffy igloo beds, have three in each and carrots, ca abbage es, palm m. d apples courgettes and On their hung on stringss to peck on. firsst night in They repaid us in love the summ merhouse, and laughter… …

Sybil, Janice, Phoebe, I joined the Instagram Dolly, Betty and Lilly munity, chicken comm huddled in the co orner, posting daily p pictures scared.

‘They’re so timid d,’ I fretted. of our girls. weeks!

Not after a few w But, chatting to other Betty’s my favourite, feather fancierrs, I learnt Lilly loves shadowing m me something devvastating. doing yoga everywhere. She’d Our chooks were

with me

How can I put the chill into chinch illa, Nigel? I’m too hot!

Chesney, Telford, Shropshire

The ideal temperature for chinch illas is 10-15ºC so, in the summer, you r cage should be placed in a wellventilated room, out of direct sunlight. And your sand bath, wh ere you’re busiest, should be in the coolest area of the cage. Stayin g chilled is so important for you guy s, Chesney. Heat stroke – early symptoms of which are restlessne ss and feeling thirsty – can be fata l.

Love, Nigel xxx

jump in bed with me if I let her!

Lilly loves a bit of Zoom yoga.

And they all enjoy Anthony serenading them on the piano – the only male in the house, he’s well and truly hen-pecked.

The Seramas do lay eggs – teaspoon-sized – but not that many.

Lilly and Betty waltz into the kitchen – sit on their fluffy cushion in a wicker basket and…

Nigel was helped by PDSA vet Rebecc a Ashman.

‘Pa-pa-pa-paaaa!’ they The PDSA is the UK’s leading veterina ry charity. To donate to the PDSA, visit pdsa.org.uk trumpet. /get-involved Their egg song – they sing it, triumphant, when they’ve laid.

Sometimes I scramble the eggs and feed them to the chickens – it might sound odd but the high protein content helps them grow new feathers after moulting.

‘Hot dawg – our The latest development Reggie’s Bank – a coup in the coop…

Holiday-ready.’

With a lot of flapping and Mic hae l Alla n screeching, Phoebe’s and Alis on Wil l, overthrown Sybil as top hen!

Sto neh ave n, It’s a coveted role, granting Abe rde ens hire first dibs on sunflower seeds and the best bed at night…

Poor Sybil’s beak is really out of joint.

What’s happening?

Who’s in charge today?

Summer’s back on, so celebrate with people ask on your best friend at the four-legged fiesta that is Instagram.

Dogstival. Taking place on Saturday 5 and Sunday With over 6 June in the New Forest, Dogstival is the perfect 31,000 Instaopportunity to let your pup fans, it’s like a petwork after lockdown. soap opera.

Attractions include a doggie Move over diving pool, barkour (Parkour Albert Square, with a terrier twist), treat baking EastHenders is in town! workshops, flyball and agility Maddy demonstrations, talks and one-toMetcalfe, ones on all matters veterinary, 49, and over 140 stalls selling food.

Kettering, Day tickets cost from £8 Northants.

Furry & funny

Get me one!

at dogstival.co.uk

5 51

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Enter online at realpeoplemag.co.uk

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facing a hard um m a to ce i vi d ad er tt b be ve gi n ca No one rself… he e er th en be ’s ho w um m r he time than anot IC BABY THIS WEEK: CLINGY PANDEM

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD ‘Stay at home’ was once government orders, now it’s Chelsea’s baby’s…

AS TOLD TO SU KARNEY

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he two elderly women paused as they walked past us in the supermarket.

‘Hello sweetie, aren’t you gorgeous?’ cooed one to my 10-month-old girl in the trolley.

Ivory looked confused.

She stared back at the woman, whipping her head round to find me for reassurance.

Strangers stopping for a friendly chat were one of the upsides of the pandemic.

The masks were one of the downsides. With most people’s faces covered these days, Ivory couldn’t read an expression, or see a smile to return it.

Hard enough as an adult, never mind as a baby.

Ivory was my beautiful gift in the middle of so much misery.

Being stuck at home with her and her big brother, Jenson, four, had been a pleasure.

But as she grew older, the effects of living in this strange way were beginning to show.

The next morning, I grabbed my bag and took a deep breath.

‘Mummy’s off to work now, little one,’ I said, plastering on a big smile as I kissed and cuddled

Y TO HELP OUR PANEL OF MUMS IS HAPP Katie Tang, 33, mum to Kobe, 10 months, says, ‘I’ve created a soft photo album for my son so he always has a little picture of me when I’m not with him. He adores it; I often catch him looking at it.

It’s a small fluffy book called a Panda Photo Album from vertbaudet.co.uk. Just insert some family pics and it’s ready to ease Ivory’s worries.’

Ivory’s bubble was burst when I returned to work

‘SHE CRIED FOR THE ENTIRE DAY’

M u m K N OWS B E S T Sophie Bishuty, 37, mum to twins Elyana and Emeera, 18 months, says, ‘My daughter, Emeera, struggles to be away from me too. I always say the same thing when I leave and when I return, to help her make the link that Mummy always comes back.

Try leaving Ivory for very short bursts on your days off, to help her get used to you being away.’

+ Twenty lucky readers can each bag an Access All Areas pass to The Baby Show Live @ Home! Join a world of baby shopping heaven from 18-20 June, featuring amazing deals, competitions and product demos.

Plus, this pass unlocks entryy to exclusive expert talks, panel discussions and celebrity interviewss, all accessible for up to one week after the event. Tickets each worth £10. thebabyshow.co.ukk

Win!

her goodbye.

Ivory waved a chubby little hand at me, happily.

Until she saw me step out of the door – and then she went into full meltdown.

All day at work, as a barista in a cafe, Ivory’s crying rung in my ears.

I knew my daughter was in loving hands with her nan – my partner Jake’s mum, Janice, 63.

But since I’d returned to work two weeks ago, Ivory had been in bits. She cried on and off for the

entire day, barely eating, falling asleep from exhaustion.

‘I’m sorry,’ said Janice sadly.

‘I wish I could do more.’

I felt awful for Janice and overcome with guilt for leaving my girl.

It had been so easy with Jenson. He’d been to all the baby groups, was used to

Win!

being with other people.

But Ivory had spent her whole little life with me.

She’d even cry when I left her with Jake, 30.

But only for a few minutes and then she’d get over it, especially if Jenson was there to make her laugh with his funny faces.

When I walked through the door that evening, Ivory lit up like the Blackpool illuminations.

‘Ah ah ah!’ she squealed, crawling over at top speed.

It was as if she couldn’t believe I’d really come back.

It brought me joy and broke my heart in equal measure.

If Ivory had her way, we’d be in lockdown forever.

So how do I help her get over her well and truly burst bubble?

Chelsea Gibson, 23, Droitwich, Worcs

Sarah Conquest, 36, mum to Lacey, six, says, ‘Returning to work is so hard. I went through this with Lacey. It’s not the popular option, but I decided to quit my job and found a job working from home instead. If things don’t improve, you could consider doing the same.’

Are you a mum in need of advice?

me friendly If you’re in need of so mum, email advice from another lemag.co.uk us at stories@realpeop and your u with a picture of yo troublesome sprog.

+ It’s Frisbee but not as you know it.

With its unique aerodynamic design, the Waboba Wingman flying disc can travel for over 130 feet. And its soft, squishy silicone structure means it’s safe for pplayy indoors and out! It folds away to fit snugly in your pocket for fun anny time, anywhere.

Six to win, each worth £5.99. amazon.co.uk

Wi

+ Get ready foor a space adventure witth the Limited Editioon Wooden Silver Rocket from French toy maakers, Janod. A puzzzle of five parts, ready foor takeoff using magnets for easy construction c and play, this is a ttoy that is bound to be treasured for years to coome!

Two up for graabs, each worth £17.99. allmamas children.com HOW TO ENTER For your chance to win, email mum2mum@realpeoplemag.co.uk with Baby Show, Waboba Wingman or Silver Rocket in the subject line and include your name, address and 1. number. Entry closes on 10 June 202 Personal info will only be used to process your entry. See p67 for T&Cs.

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!

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+

+ +

+ + Snuggle up under the stars and take in a film

g, ‘We are sailin , g We are sailin s With Princes d n u Cruises, Aro the UK… ’ ou fancy Hands up if y t class! pfi taking a kee

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isten up, ladies, this here requires your full and undivided attention. So, stand up, rub your eyes, 10 star jumps and shake yourself down because you snooze, you lose – but you comp, you cruise!

As the UK approaches calmer waters, you could be sailing into them, courtesy of Princess Cruises.

We’ve teamed up with the seacation specialists to give one of you lucky lot, plus your favourite person, the chance to relax, rejuvenate and have the time of your life on the Regal Princess, in an amazing prize package worth almost £1,500!

Winners will depart and return from Southampton for their allinclusive, threenight jaunt around the UK coast on their choice of three dates in August: 7th, 14th

and 21st – the height of British summertime!

You’ll really want to make the most of what this fab minibreak has to offer, whether it’s chilling in front of a film showing on the Movies Under The Stars screen, taking in a show at the lavish Princess Theatre, or a talk by a celebrity speaker. Perhaps you’d prefer listening to some live jazz, doing a fitness class or booking yourself in for a facial at the Lotus spa. Whatever floats your boat, there’ll be something for you to enjoy on board.

And when it comes to food and drink, you really are spoiled for choice. Dine at Chef’s Table Lumiere, Crown Grill steakhouse, Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, Crab Shack or the Ocean Terrace seafood bar, all serving delicious menus for a meal to remember. Nom. Nom. Nom.

– It’s time to relax ay make sure you st on massage!

54 54

ainment outside, Enjoy the entert n goes down even after the su

+

+

Your prize includes: + An all-inclusive

three-nights’ sta y for two in a balcony cabin + Full-board dining + Premium drinks + Unlimited Wi-Fi an d gratuities + £250 spending money

But don’t forget OceanMedallion technology, stopping in Vines wine a wearable device that bar, too, for a glasss ena enables abl everything from to start your touch-free boarding, V a le ri e S ingleton is evening off in to easily locating speaking on style, or to see 21 August your loved-one on you off to the land the ship. You can of nod for a blissful slumber even order drinks to your sun lounger using the They boast an impressive selection MedallionClass app, while of world wines, with complimentary tapas and antipasti with any you sit back and soak up sea wine purchase. views by the pool.

Now, just when you thought Did we mention we’ll also your break couldn’t be more be liner-ing your pockets with heavenly, how about making your £250 spending money time totally hassle-free, by to boot?! No need taking advantage of the to pinch yourself, unique and exclusive you’re not dreaming!

For your chance ’ le ag E t to win, simply answer e h ‘T Eddie on is the prize question over Edwards st u g on the right… board on 14 Au Visit www.princess.com fo for further information and more about all Princess cruises.

Take in a first-class show at the Princess Theatre

While you’re o to sea, how a ut bou afternoon te t a?

Rob Rinder w ill jo you on 7 Aug in ust

For your chance to win, simply answer my prize question below. See p67 to enter.

Terms and conditions Prize is subject to availability. Winners are responsible for expenses and arrangements not specifically included in the prizes, such as any necessary travel documents, insurance, passports and visas. The prize is a 3-night Scenic Summer Seacation on Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess for two people. The prize is provided by Carnival plc trading as Princess Cruises (“Princess Cruises”). One (1) winner will be selected from all of the correct entries.

Winners will be notified once selected. Winners will have five (5) working days to respond in full or another winner will be selected. The winner will win a roundtrip from Southampton (UK) with a choice of departure dates on either; 7, 14 or 21 August 2021. Full details of the ship and cruise can be found at: https://www.princess.com/ cruise-deals-promotions/uk/summerseacations/. The prize includes accommodation, on board main meals (excluding speciality restaurants in which a cover charge will apply), entertainment and most facilities onboard. Prize does not include travel insurance (adequate insurance is a condition of travel), travel to or from the ship, parking in Southampton, shore excursions, spa treatments and personal expenses. The winner and their guest must have a full valid passport (with validity for 6 months or more beyond the date of travel), to take the trip, be vaccinated in line with Princess Cruises COVID-19 vaccination policy as set out below and will be bound by Princess Cruises’ booking terms and conditions (visit princess.com). Princess Cruises reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value and reserves the right to withdraw the prize where it becomes necessary to do so, including but not limited to where the cruise is cancelled for reasons outside of Princess Cruises’ reasonable control or as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Princess Cruises Vaccine policy: Given the advanced progress of the UK vaccination programme and strong expressed preference on the part of Princess Cruises’ guests for the limited series of UK coastal cruises, including the UK sailings on Regal Princess on departure dates 7, 14 and 21 August 2021, will be for UK resident, COVID-19 vaccinated guests only. For these cruises the definition of “vaccinated” is a minimum of seven days following the second dose of the currently approved COVID-19 vaccines being administered.

Proof of vaccination and the dates given will be required (approved forms of evidence will be confirmed closer to time of departure) and this will be required to be shown at the terminal prior to boarding. Failure to provide this evidence will result in denial of boarding. There is no age restriction on this series of UK coastal cruises but all guests of all ages must meet the requirements of the COVID-19 vaccination policy. All other Princess Cruises holidays currently on sale do not require guests to be vaccinated.

‘Do you come here often?’

‘I will do now!’

PQ1: What is the name of \PM [PQX WV _PQKP aW]¼TT cruise if you win here?

A) Regal Princess B) Ocean Medallion r ing day, get you az am ch ea er ft A our comfy cabin head down in y

55 55

PICTURES: VICKY LEWIS, LES WILSON

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JUST FOR

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FUN!

1 Female fox (5) 2 Etch (in gold, eg) (7)

Give your brain a boost and pit your wits against these testing teasers. See p57 for the answers.

3

3 Person who doesn’t eat meat (10) 4 African deer (8) 5 Short wide pasta tubes (5)

S-S-S SNAKE 5

I - SPY

Can you spot six differences between these two photos from Netflix series Worn Stories ? As this one’s just for fun, to see if you’re right, see page 57.

1

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S-s-starting at ‘1’, write your answers to the clues in the grid, slithering along in the direction of the S-S-S-Snake. Each answer overlaps the next by one, two or three letterssss…

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A 6 Like finding a ___ in a haystack, saying (6) 7 Foghorn ___, cartoon rooster (7)

PICTURE: NETFLIX

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8 Decorative statuette, eg (8) 9 Go in (5) 10 Historical period (3)

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ITSY BITSY Everybody loves a mini break, right? Well here’s two of ’em!

Find all the sports brands in the grid. All are hidden, bar one – which one?

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NAME +++ +++ GAME Can you fill in the missing letters in each row to make nine different ten-letter words, whilst at the same time revealing the names of two EastEnders characters? The blue column has also been left blank – just to make things a little trickier!

Check your answers at the bottom of the page.

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In the bottom grid, look for all the designer brands. All are hidden in the usual way, except one – which one? Answers to both tiny teasers, below.

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Piece of cake!

Can you beat the clock?

9 1 4 2 5 3 4 6 3 2 9 8 5 7 2 5 3 8 2 9 3 5 7 8 6 9

8 7 5 3 9 4 5 8 7 2 1 3 1 5 1 6 9 4 3 8 3

Not so easy!

Fill the grid using the numbers from 1 to 9 only. Each number must appear once in every column, row and 3x3 square.

Can you beat the clock?

5 6 8 6 3 1 4 2 1 7 5 3 7 8 3 2 2 6 1 7 6 3 2 9 4 5 2 7

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Fill the grid using the numbers from 1 to 9 only. Each number must appear once in every column, row and 3x3 square.

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Just for FUN SOLUTIONS!

PRIZE

ANSWERS FOR ISSUE 15 P9 – The Whopper!

Prize answer: Beverly Hills

P11 – Roulette Prize answer: Donald Duck

P26 – Go And Arrow Prize answer: Prime

P28 – Boxing Match Prize answer: Rattle

P30 – Lost In Moo-Sic Prize answer: A) Never Gonna Give You Up

P30 – Cow-Culator!

Prize answer: C) 85

P31 – Take Your Pick!

Prize answer: A) Netherlands

P36 – Playing The Field Prize answer: Miss

P38 – Prize Question 1

P5 – Reader Puzzle 1

P56 – I-Spy: A1, A3, A4, B1, B4, C4.

1 Casual, 2 Animal, 3 Normal, 4 Barrel, 5 Enamel, 6 Recall, 7 Rachel, 8 Annual.

Mystery capital: Canberra

Prize answer: 15

P42 – Small Wonder Prize answer: Satin

P42 – Nothing For A Pair Prize answer: Wolverine

P42 – Nice Little Earner

1 Resigns, 2 Singer, 3 Reign, 4 Grin, 5 Gin, 6 Ring, 7 Grain, 8 Baring, 9 Bargain.

6 5 2 3 9 7 8 4 1

9 3 7 1 8 4 2 5 6

1 4 8 6 5 2 9 3 7

4 8 1 2 6 5 3 7 9

7 2 6 9 4 3 1 8 5

3 9 5 8 7 1 4 6 2

5 1 3 7 2 8 6 9 4

8 7 9 4 1 6 5 2 3

2 6 4 5 3 9 7 1 8

P57 – Easy

7 5 4 3 2 6 9 8 1

3 9 2 1 4 8 7 6 5

6 8 1 9 7 5 3 4 2

2 6 9 4 8 1 5 3 7

5 3 8 7 6 9 1 2 4

4 1 7 5 3 2 6 9 8

1 7 6 2 9 4 8 5 3

9 2 5 8 1 3 4 7 6

8 4 3 6 5 7 2 1 9

P57 – Tough

Prize answer: Rust

P46 – Diabolical Prize answer: Headphones

Enter online at www.realpeoplemag.co.uk

P56 – S-S-S-Snake: 1 Vixen, 2 Engrave, 3 Vegetarian, 4 Antelope, 5 Penne, 6 Needle, 7 Leghorn, 8 Ornament, 9 Enter, 10 Era.

FO

Not hidden: Burberry

P57 – Name Game Reading top to bottom: Backstroke, Triangular, Distribute, Falsifying, Wholesaler, Breathless, Multiplies, Elderberry, Befriended EastEnders characters: Kat Slater and Ruby Allen.

P70 – Just For The Hell Of It! 5 3 4 6 2 1

Prize answer: Explosive

P42 – I’m Too Hex-y!

Not hidden: Reebok

P57 – Teeny Weeny P5 – Reader Puzzle 2

Prize answer: A) Belgium

P41 – X Factor

P57 – Itsy Bitsy

2 4 3 1 6 5

1 6 5 2 3 4

3 2 1 5 4 6

6 5 2 4 1 3

4 1 6 3 5 2

Wildlife TV presenters: Chris Packham, David Attenborough.

Well done to David & Michelle – £30 on its way!

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PREP SCHOO

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TOP TIPaSnd shave 24 hours before you tan!

1 Exfoliate ws Not just before… articularly dry areas, like elbo p y 2 Moisturise an n oily and knees. at could leave a me th s e c n ra g a fr erfu 3 Avoid any his means no p T . n ta u o y re fo residue be odorant. and, yes, no de

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PEOPLE

DROP DEAD GORGEOUS ne of the newer innovatio ns in glow-getting, tanning drop s work by adding a few drops to yo ur current moisturiser. So th ey’re perfect for dry skin and carry less of a bi whiff than your usual prod scuit-like ucts.

TOP TIPS

1 Less is more! Start off by adding a few drops of colour, you can always add more but you can’t ta ke away.

2 Apply fewer drops when you’re taking on smaller areas – you’ll need more for your legs than you will yo ur face!

3 Some of the top beauty gurus add them to their foundation rather than their face moisturiser, to ensu glow isn’t covered by their re the base layer.

THREE OF THE BEST

O Bondi Sands Pure Self Tanning Drops, £14.99, feelunique.com O Skinny Tan Coconut W ater Tanning Drops, £9.99, Bo ots O Isle of Paradise Self-Ta nning Drops Medium, £19.95, feelunique.com o

The SPR

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IF THE GLOVE FITS… here’s no point spending your cash on tan, only to apply it without the proper tools. Mit ts are cheap and definitely give the best fini sh.

TOP TIPS

1 When using a mitt, don’t rub too har d or you’ll actually end up creating the very thin g you hope to avoid – streaks! Gently does it.

2 Your hands should always be the las t thing you tan, but they only need a light sweep from the mitt with the tan left on it.

3 Clean your mitt after every use and replace it every six months – or it will go green, gross!

THREE OF THE BEST

O NIP+FAB Luxury Tanning Mitt, £6.95, lookfantastic.com O James Read Tanning Mitt, £6.50, feelunique.com O St Tropez Tan Dual Sided Velvet Applicator Mitt, £5, Bo B ots

NT I T E H T E K TA t big on

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59 59

BRI SPA

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tell you what, if I had a pound for every time I thought about what a brilliant cook I’d be if I had a bit more help in the kitchen, well, I’d have enough money to buy this week’s prize, that’s for sure!

Probably. But you don’t have to find the cash to get your hands on this amazing bit of kit – you can win it!

i h’’s lliitt e Ashleig lad was all sweet a little too much

W

A humdinger + of a hand blender!

Step closer to your MasterChef dream with this Kenwood Hand Blender. It mashes, it chops, it whisks and it blends quickly and effortlessly, buying you the precious time and energy you need to whip up that sauce, soup, curry or knockout meal you’ve been threatening to make the family for years.

Kiss goodbye to putting the hubby on a promise just because he’s finely chopped a couple of large onions for you! Oh yes, this is a lifestyle change, missus.

It comes equipped with three-angled blades, six blending ribs and an extra large foot – and I don’t care that I don’t even know what that means; I just know all that prep time before meals has been obliterated. Whoa!

For your chance to win, simply solve my prize question, below…

PICTURES: GETTY

+

+

+

+

For your chance, answer my prize question below. See p67 to enter.

PQ2: Which of the following means to cut food into thin strips?

A) Julienne B) Flambé

FO

2 6 E G A P O T LLOW FLO

rinkling my nose, I reached for my fave oil-burning candle.

The greasy whiff kicking up from the kitchen of fried chips and sausages was no match for my Black Opium.

Linen Fresh was another pong I liked.

I found the matches and lit the wick.

Sniffing the air, I carried on with the washing up, wondering what on earth was Black Opium?

In the living room, my middle son, Jenson, five, was playing with his cars.

Obsessed, he knew the name of every type.

‘Lamborghini is my favourite,’ he reminded me, often.

Whenever my hubby, David, 35, a truck driver, was tinkering with a vehicle, Jenson would be hovering, eager to join in.

‘He’s helped me change the discs and brakes on your car,’ said David admiringly.

Not helped too much, I hope!

Along with Jenson, we had Tyler-James, 12, and Jaxon, three.

We’d lived in our threebedroomed semi for over four years and were in the middle of converting the attic into a loft, so the boys could have their own games room.

Last June, with only two more boards to fit, it would soon be ready.

Next day I drove to the shops.

‘Fiat Punto,’ piped up Jenson, pointing out the window.

A minute later, ‘Peugeot 206,’ he said.

Then, ‘Vauxhall Astra, like Daddy’s.’

Maybe this was what Jeremy Clarkson was like at five?

In a shop, I picked up a gas candle lighter.

t…

Refillable, like a cigarette lighter.

Good idea. Safer than matches.

Back home, I went into my bedroom and placed it on a high shelf above my dressing table.

Next day, I unwrapped some chicken breasts and popped them in the oven.

Just tea for four of us – Tyler-James was out at a mate’s.

Twenty minutes later, I fastened Jaxon into his highchair.

David was out in the garden putting the paddling pool away – the weather was scorching.

Jenson was playing upstairs.

Suddenly my ears shattered as the smoke alarm went off.

I groaned.

Left the chicken in for too long.

I finished tying the strap on the highchair and turned around.

Jenson was standing in front of me, looking agitated.

‘There’s a fire accident,’ he began.

‘No, it’s just the tea, darling.

Silly Mummy must have burnt it.’

But his wide eyes continued to bore into mine.

He opened his mouth again.

‘It’s a fire,’ he continued. ‘I’ve tried to put it out.’

Eh? ‘It’s in your bedroom.’

I stared at his eyes… and bolted up the stairs.

Reaching the doorway, rapidly I scanned the room.

Oh My God, he’s right!

Wild flames were shooting up from the duvet on the bed.

Panicked, I went back to the landing.

‘David!’ I yelled, hoping he’d hear my voice in the garden.

‘Fire!’

Seconds later his feet hammered up the The refillable

lighter seemed safer than matches

RAISE A STINK! Upstairs was a black shell of its former self

stairs and stopped at the doorway.

Smoke poured out He took one look, of our windows turned and clattered into for hours the bathroom.

I heard the taps being turned and water splashing into a bucket.

David hurtled past me to the bed and doused the duvet.

But the water made little impact.

If anything, the flames were spreading!

The blaze was now gobbling up few minutes. the pillows, heading towards the POP! curtains and the window...

Shards of glass erupted onto the Frantically, I looked round the grass below, as I ushered the kids room. back.

Up on the wardrobe were The force of the blaze had blown boxes… of perfume and aftershave. out the windows.

Flammable!

POP! Oh no, they’ll explode!

Another window gone.

‘It’s no good,’ panted David.

Flames danced through

The blaze spread in just a few minutes ‘We can’t put it out. Come on, get out of the house!’

Despairingly, I took one last look.

Flames were licking the bottom of the wardrobe – soon they’d hit the perfume bottles.

Time to go!

We thundered down the stairs, David grabbing Jenson.

Fingers fumbling, I undid the straps on the highchair and scooped up Jaxon.

Thank goodness Tyler-James was away.

My heart was hammering as I sprinted out onto the front lawn.

Shaking, I called the fire brigade.

I watched in anguish as ugly flames shot up through the roof and licked the skyline.

The blaze had spread in just a

the frames.

Sirens came from the distance as I looked up at our treasured ‘forever’ family home on fire.

Can any of it be saved?!

Plumes of smoke blocked out the sun.

The fire engines pulled up and men poured out.

Jenson said something.

‘What?’ I asked, turning my gaze from the fire to him.

‘Mummy, it’s my fault,’ he mumbled, his lip wobbling.

‘I’m so sorry,’ he said.

Bewildered, I looked at him.

‘Wand stick,’ he tried to explain.

I tried to fathom what he was talking about.

Then the realisation dawned.

The candle lighter!

Jenson must have taken it from the shelf and pressed the trigger.

A magic fire wand to a five-yearold.

Had my little lad’s curiosity burnt down the house?

‘OK, OK,’ I said, cuddling him close.

After an hour and a half, the blaze was extinguished.

The firefighters helped us in to grab some bits.

The attic and the bedrooms were a black shell.

‘It’ll have to be demolished,’ I sobbed to David.

We were taken to temporary accommodation – a two-bedroom apartment.

During the night I heard Jenson crying.

Poor mite had woken up during a nightmare.

I brought him into my bed and held him close.

Gently next day I coaxed out of him what had happened.

He’d climbed on a chair to reach up for the candle lighter.

‘I’m really sorry, Mummy,’ he sobbed, gasping for each word.

He’d tried to put the flames out himself, with a jug of water!

I blamed myself.

I thought I’d put the lighter out of reach but hadn’t factored in Jenson’s resourcefulness.

His nightmares continued.

‘It’s not your fault,’ I said reassuringly.

But the worry in his eyes wouldn’t leave him.

We talked about fire.

‘If you see any flames, you have to come to Mummy or Daddy straight away,’ I said.

He nodded solemnly.

Anxiety ate me up as we waited to see where we would be living.

But then I took a phone call from the council and sighed with relief.

‘We can go back,’ I wept happily to David.

The attic had fallen through

Q As told to Moira Holden

(stories@realpeoplemag.co.uk)

Despite the damage, the house could still be saved and the bedrooms were badly damaged but the house could be saved.

We were renting, so the council shouldered the rebuilding costs.

But I realised we had no house contents insurance because I’d changed my bank two months earlier and forgotten to change the insurance debit.

We’d have to replace everything ourselves.

Jenson came up to me and held out his hand.

Coins – his pocket money – lay in his palm.

‘I want you to have this, Mummy,’ he said, seriously. ‘To pay for the house.’

My eyes filled with tears.

My darling boy so desperately wanted to put things right.

‘You keep it,’ I smiled, hugging him.

Last December we finally moved back in, our bank account over £2,000 poorer.

But we were back where we belonged. Our house might yet be ‘forever’.

I shudder to think how worse it could have been, if Jenson had persisted with trying to douse the fire himself…

I count ourselves lucky.

One wave of a ‘magic wand’ and we all could have disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Ashleigh Holmes, 29, Darlington

It could’ve been worse for (L-R) Tyler-James, Da vid, Jaxon, Jenson and m e

2EAL 611 PEOPLE

PICTURES: GETTY

Jenson swapped his usual car toys for a magic wand

+

HOROSCOPES for the week of May 27 – June 2

with lume Jenny B

ARIES 21 March-20 April

+GUESS

Navigating a murky situation? This week’s eclipse should shed new light on things. Meanwhile, leap ane Horrocks is still ab fab into something active. as a hapless paramedic in TIME TO TRY: Tying up loose ends Sky1’s Bloods but she’ll before taking on anything more. always be Bubble to us! Her sign has an amazing sense of 21 April-21 May humour too, if buried under Worrying about work or finances? a seriousness and a solid work Under the Mercury retrograde, ethic. What sign is she?

June will be brimming over with See foot of page to find inventive ideas! out if you’re right.

TIME TO TRY: Chasing up some old friends who love a good laugh.

£25!

‘The whispers in the morning, Of lovers sleeping tight, Are rolling by like thunde now, As I look in your eye I hold on to your body, An feel each move you make, Your voice is warm and tender, A love that I could not forsake…¼

the STAR SIGN

J

Stunned by someone’s news?

Let off steam with a gossipy catch-up, then take yourself shopping – it’s birthday season!

TIME TO TRY: If your love life needs a boost, make a bold move!

CANCER 22 June-23 July

It’s all happening beneath the surface. This week’s eclipse might expose a deception, but at least you’ll know the truth.

TIME TO TRY: Popping a black crystal in your bag for protection.

SCORPIO 24 Oct-22 Nov

Who would have thought? Insights gained through June could prompt a surprising decision, so keep an open mind.

TIME TO TRY: Dusting off some old art and craft equipment.

SAGITTARIUS 23 Nov-21 Dec

Avoiding the truth is not an option this month. With Mercury turning retrograde, a simmering issue might finally erupt.

TIME TO TRY: Wearing white or cool blues to tone down tempers.

Friends should have some great advice, so plan a few catch-ups; if movies, music or food are in the mix, all the better.

TIME TO TRY: Joining a book club if you’re after more stimulation.

Take it easy! With three planets in Gemini, juggling might be hard to avoid; just slow down on the spending front.

TIME TO TRY: Tweaking your diet if you’ve been feeling flat.

VIRGO 24 Aug-23 Sep

AQUARIUS 21 Jan-19 Feb

If you’re feeling stressed, it’s time to step back and simplify your life.

Let other people start handling their own problems.

TIME TO TRY: Practising the art of delegation or calling in help.

Games and trivia nights look like fun, and as your brainpower increases, a study course might catch your eye.

TIME TO TRY: Jazzing up your home’s north-west corner to attract travel.

PISCES 20 February-20 March It’s eclipse season! Passions could run high this week, but hindsight should show flare-ups to be storms in a teacup.

TIME TO TRY: Arranging a night out and debriefing with friends.

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PSYCHIC READING

Singing, dancing, drawing… as an urge to express yourself takes hold, you might discover a hidden talent or two.

TIME TO TRY: Splashing out on some colourful new accessories.

ANSWER: CAPRICORN

REAL PEOPLE

For your chance to get your hands on the cash, simply answer the prize question below. See page 67 for full entry details.

What song am I singing?

A Lady In Red B The Power Of Love C Total Eclipse Of The Heart

Cow - A - Bingo!

For your chance to get your hands on the cash, solve the clues and cross off the corresponding number answers that appear on my rosettes. When completed correctly, you will have one rosette over.

The number on it is your prize answer.

See page 67 for full entry details.

CAPRICORN 22 Dec-20 Jan

LEO 24 July-23 August

LIBRA 24 Sep-23 Oct

PICTURES: GETTY

TAURUS

GEMINI 22 May-21 June

-

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It’s so stylish I keep it on display in my cabinet.

What’s it worth, Bob? Lesley Dunn, Essex

popularity of tea and cupcakes, plus the renewed interest in displaying knickknackery, I’d value the set at around £40.

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It’s 77cm high and has brass corner plates and hinges. I don’t know how old it is, Bob, but will I be ? raising a glass to its value? n Ken Wright, Devon

O A cellarette is, quite literally, a miniature wine cellar which would have stood in a dining room for easy access by mine host at a dinner party. In days gone by, officers would have taken such ‘home comforts’ with them to their battlefield quarters hence durable, brass-

£120 bound pieces of furniture are known as ‘Campaign style’.

Yours appears Edwardian rather than Georgian and I doubt it has been to war.

It has an auction value of around £120.

ASK ME

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Factor

£60

Have you got what it takes to be successful??

See if you can learn what that special somethhing is from Drag Race superstar RuPaul. For £1000, use RU to work out the number code for each letter of the alphabet. We’ve placed the Rs, now you do the same with the Us. The number that represents the letter ‘X’ is your prize answeer.

See page 67 for full entry details.

O Although not a First Edition, you do have the complete set of three, plus s they have the original dust covers which is a bonus.

I have seen similar sets selling for around £60.

Watch this!

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his fob watch looks a bit old and well-worn, but it’s still in working order.

How much do you reckon it’s worth, Bob? Jacqueline McGougan, Argyll O The Enicar watchmaking business started in 1913 and ceased trading in 1981. Your dinky fob watch with luminous dial looks to date to the ’30s and has an auction value of around £30.

£30

21

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SEND ME AN EMAIL!

16

Pack up your troubles! bl ! What Wh did this hi well-travelled ll ll d early l 20thh Century canvas-covered cabin trunk sell for at a recent auction?

C £260

HOW TO ENTER For your chance to win, simply answer the Test Your Knowledge question above, then turn to page 67, where you’ll find full entry details.

Issue 18’s item was a Buddha table lamp. Answer B) £160

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If you’d like my opinion on the value of your item, send me a clear photo, with as much description as you can, including size. Give details of markings or labels, and don’t forget to include your full name, address and phone number.

I can’t receive letters during the coronavirus lockdown, but instead please send an email to Bob@realpeoplemag.co.uk.

I cannot value every item sent in or respond personally to emails.

WIN

B £160

22

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Guess the valueaonfd this week’s item

A £60

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y Shakespeare textbooks date back k to when I was at school.

They’re just lying there, gathering dust. I know thatt not all that glitters is gold, but is there a silver lining in their value, Bob? M Crossley, via ema ail i

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E L Z U P

Here’s yourr last chanc to win this week’s fab cash prizes!!

RAIL

£50!

See p67 to enter. r.

… nnott in this game! The names of 12 famous Welsh men and women have been split in two and mixed up in the grid below. Cross out all the matches you make until one remains. This is your prize answer. See p67 to enter.

Small

Here’s a small but wonderful example of the nation’s favourite puzzle. Solve it in the usual way. When completed correctly, the letters in the yellow squares, readingg top to bottom, left to right, will spell out your prize answer. See p67 for entry detaiilss.

ACROSS 1 Prickly Scottish emblem (7) 4 Souvenir (7) 5 Departing (7) 7 Reddened with embarrassment (7) DOWN 1 Male cat (3) 2 Garment arms (7) 3 Sense of self (3) 5 Tennis shot (3) 6 Deity (3)

1

Charlotte

Anthony

Rhod

Bassey

Rob

Sheen

Bale

Katherine

Matthews

Jackson

Jones

Rhys

Gilbert

Michael

Gareth

Church

Brydon

Shirley

Jenkins

Ruth

Cerys

Colin

Hopkins

£25!

2

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3

4

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6

I D O N ’T F O R G E T T H EADGEEV 7 D IA B O L IC AL O N P

7

NICE LITTLE EARNER

Cash in here by rearranging the characters below into a regular nine-letter word. Each letter must only be used once. See page 67 for full entry details.

B R A V O

I’m Too + X-Y! +

£50!

66 6

s

Write the six-letter answers W to the clues in this grid around the hexagons, starting at the point inddicated by the arrows and alw ways in a clockwise direection. When done, the letteers in the yellow boxes, readinng left to right, will spell yo your answer. See page 67.

I

N

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£25!

Multiply by two

Up-to-date, current

Go back (to a place, eg)

Dairy spread

Shriek in terror

Continue (play, eg) after a pause

Chaos

Blood vessel

Wicker container

Holy, blessed

P U ZZ L E Issue 22, 3 June 2021 Closing date: Midnight 16 June 2021

ENTER BY TEXT Type a message starting with RPL22 followed by a space, using no punctuation, with your answer(s), name and address details to: * Texts cost 50p each per text, plus your standard network charge

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P U ) S ( N I H C t Sloshiing down eigh rika’s E , y a d a p o p f o s t in p face said it all…

TURES: GETTY, SWNS

T

he giant pizza practically filled the table as I licked my lips.

‘Help yourself !’ laughed my mum, Lori Olson, 42.

Seconds later my plate was groaning.

Well, I was 16, a growing girl!

Not that my roly-poly family had any sense of portion control.

But as I sank my teeth into melting mozzarella I got a huge shock.

My dad, Edward, 45, had taken a single slice… and was filling up his plate with salad!

‘Dad, what are you doing?’

I gasped.

‘I don’t want to end up like Grandma,’ he said sheepishly, patting his big belly.

I glanced at her picture on the wall.

His mum, Vicki, looked like a smiley big lady.

So big she died of diabetes at 50, a month after I was born.

Which was sad and everything, but no reason to start giving up pizza.

‘More for me, then,’ I shrugged, grabbing another slice or three.

First Dad slimmed down, then so did Mum. Even my brother, Kyle, 19, and sister, Alisha, 13, cut down and hit a healthy weight.

Not me, though.

It made me angry that we didn’t bond over family pig-outs any more and I stuffed my face in fury.

By the time I started Weber State University at 18 I was heading for 21½st.

So that ruled out wanted,

My classmates flitted about in cute skirts and dresses while I trawled online for tarpaulin-size Ts and outsize leggings.

I longed to wear little buttondown shirts and as for jeans – forget it.

I still lived at home and found it hard to make friends because I was so self-conscious.

A part-time job in Subway didn’t help, with a staff discount on massive sandwiches, chocolate cookies and endless soda refills.

Actually, sugary pop was my downfall.

I just couldn’t get enough.

Even when I left college and went from one dead-end job to another, I was addicted to the stuff.

I’d easily glug down at least eight pints every day.

Yes, eight pints.

Weirdly, though, I didn’t spend half my life in the loo.

Water retention was part of the problem.

That gallon of Coke or Dr Pepper washed down sweets, doughnuts, popcorn and cookies between massive meals of whole pizzas to myself and double portions of burger and fries.

Mum watched me balloon and tried to help me stop.

‘I’m worried about your health,’ she said.

But I was in total denial.

‘I’m fine!’ I snapped, busy turning half a loaf into a tower of toast.

Every year I heaved myself to the doctor’s for my annual check-up, heavier c than ever. t

I was following in Grandma’s footsteps

I loved my fun specs, but hated what I saw And every year I just zoned out when she told me I needed to lose weight. ‘I hear you,’ I nodded.

She knew I didn’t, though.

Not really.

I just buried my head in the sandwiches.

From entire cheesecakes to takeaway Chinese banquets, it was just one binge after another.

‘Erika, this isn’t doing you any good,’ Mum pleaded.

‘I don’t want to talk about it,’ I snarled.

‘It’s just how I am.’

Truth is, I’d tried to diet loads of times but couldn’t stick to it.

I’d joined a gym but couldn’t face the embarrassment of going back.

The looks I’d get were either pitying or scathing.

When I tried to take up walking, my knees and feet hurt

so much I never got far.

So I lived with having to buy an extra seat on the aeroplane, asking for another table in restaurants because I couldn’t wedge into the booth, worrying that I couldn’t squeeze into cars.

At least my eyeballs were the right size.

In 2017 I decided to swap uncomfortable contact lenses for a pair of specs.

‘Think I’ll treat myself to some fun frames,’ I told Dad. I soon found a funky heartshaped pair online that I loved.

When they arrived I popped them on excitedly and looked at myself on my phone.

My heart sank.

The glasses were cool but only brought my enormous double chin and chubby cheeks into focus.

Forget pretty in pink, I was flushing crimson!

‘You’re now officially prediabetic,’ the doctor explained grimly.

Tests showed my weight was pushing me towards type 2 diabetes within months.

Suddenly my dead grandma flashed into my mind.

‘I’m hopeless at diets,’ I gabbled.

‘Then I’ll send you to see a surgeon,’ the doc nodded.

She suggested a gastric bypass to help me shed weight.

The top part of my stomach could be rerouted to my small intestine, bypassing the lower part of my stomach.

With a much reduced bag for food to drop into, I’d feel fuller faster.

I staggered home, stunned.

When I told Dad about the diabetes warning, his face crumpled.

This is what I look like?

‘You look just like your For once I took a selfie, grandma,’ he to record my self-loathing. said sadly.

The new specs let me see ‘I don’t want myself only too clearly. to lose you too.’

Unemployed, still living at ‘I know Dad,’ home and fatter than ever.

I whispered.

Even going on holiday was I stared at the miserable. fading photo of Grandma holding One year Mum persuaded me Kyle as a baby. to go swimming and I tried to It was true. pull on the vast pink cossie I was the spitting image of I’d bought. the large, much-loved lady in It was the biggest I could the big polka-dot dress. find… but not big enough.

And her weight killed her.

‘I can’t get it on,’ I wailed.

‘I’m scared,’ I cried.

‘Let me help,’ Mum wrapped me in a hug.

Mum offered.

‘You can do this, She fought with my Erika,’ she promised. flab until finally, she’d ‘You’ve just got to wrestled me into believe that you can, the thing. and you will.’

‘It’s too tight,’ So I saw the I said miserably. surgeon and the ‘People date was set for will stare.’ my operation in Mum wiped the August 2018. sweat from her face The first thing I had and forced a smile. to shrink was my fatty ‘You look fine,’ she lied.

I’m liver, which meant two Then in 2018 I waddled healthier weeks of liquids only. in for my yearly medical. and ‘Want to join me I was still 5ft 6in but happier for a final blow-out?’ now I tipped the scales at I asked Kyle.

30st. than ‘Let’s do it,’ he grinned.

I was only 23 and weighed ever We headed for the more than one-fifth of a Golden Corral, a US ton. restaurant famous for the No wonder I couldn’t find all-you-can-eat buffet. any jeans to fit.

And, let’s face it, I could But there was worse to come. eat a lot.

Having A GAS

I hoped a gastric bypass would help curb my appetite ‘This is my last meal,’ I told Kyle as he handed me a plate.

I was on a mission to say goodbye to grub.

This kind of grub, anyway.

First I loaded up with steak, mash and gravy and mac and cheese.

I went back for more. Twice.

Next I downed two gigantic platefuls of every kind of dessert.

‘This is the last day I’ll ever eat like that,’ I declared, finally pushing away my clean plate.

I didn’t feel panicky, though.

I felt relieved.

A fortnight of protein shakes, broth and ice-pops later, I closed

I didn’t hate selfies any more and shared my weight-loss milestones on social media.

In June last year I got a message on Snapchat.

What gym do you go to? it read.

My heart leapt when I saw the name.

It was Taylor Reichard, 31, who I’d worked with at Subway.

I hadn’t seen him since I was a shy, tubby teenager with a secret crush.

I don’t go to a gym, I wrote back.

Soon we were chatting and arranged a date at a Korean barbecue in Salt Lake City, Utah.

When he collected me in his car, I savoured the look on his face.

‘Wow!’ Taylor gaped. ‘You look different!’

I hopped into the car. Gone were the days of worrying if I’d fit.

And soon we were an item.

New body, tick! New boyfriend, tick!

Next was a new career and I started studying to be a social worker.

In February just gone, I climbed on to the scales and watched the dial stop at my target weight.

‘I did it!’

I shrieked.

Two-anda-half years after the op, I weighed a trim 10½st. I’d lost 19½st.

Mum, Dad and Taylor hugged me, crying as much as I was.

Later, I blew a kiss at Grandma’s photo.

I wish she’d got help too, before it was too late.

But I knew she’d have been proud of me.

Because now when I wear my heart-shaped glasses, I finally like what I see.

Erika Olson, 27, Clearfield, Utah, USA

Grandma’s weight had killed her my eyes on the reinforced operating table.

When I came round I felt pretty rough.

But, after a couple of weeks of liquid meals while my stomach healed, I was allowed proper food.

A nurse placed a small plate in front of me.

On it sat three tiny cubes of watermelon and a piece of salmon the size of a matchbox.

I raised the forkful of fish to my mouth and savoured the taste.

Then the morsels of fruit seemed to melt on my tongue.

When the dolls’ house meal was finished I lay back on my pillows.

‘That is the best thing I have ever tasted,’ I sighed, and I meant it.

For the first time in my life, I felt full.

Back home, I worked up to healthy-sized meals.

I watched the weight fall off, losing 100lb in the first four months.

With it went this huge cloud that had hung over me for years.

I realised food had controlled me, casting a shadow over my whole life.

Now I’ve got the perfe ct bod and the perfect man – Taylor

Q As told to Sharon Wright and Lucy Bryant (stories@realpeoplemag.co.uk)

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PS We’re not complete devils! If you want to know what the mystery words are, see Solutions on p57.

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