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YOUR LIFE

It’s the love story none of us wanted to end. But now, 15 years on, Brad and Jen seem closer then ever. Will the best looking couple in showbiz reunite? Turn to page 6 for all the goss. Christmas might be a distant memory but my love handles are a daily reminder of all that wonderful cheese! If you’re feeling the same, try the diet plan on page 32. And to cheer yourself up on these short days, treat yourself at Curvissa – ﬁnd 20% off on page 20. Enjoy! Hannah Fernando, Group Celebrity Director

25 Don’t Tell Me I Can’t… Launch a business at 40 26 Real Life My husband vanished at sea 32 Lose weight, feel great Eat six meals a day and slim! 36 Real Life Proud to be… Women embracing their milestone birthdays 42 Real Life ‘I can’t compete with my party animal mum’ 53 Real Life The picture that means so much

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Let’s shop! Chinese New Year Fashion High street chic Fashion Luxe for less Beauty Luxe for less Beauty 10 ways to a sparkling smile

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Woman, incorporating Woman’s Illustrated and Woman’s Mirror, is a Registered Trademark of TI Media Limited. Cover printed by Walstead UK Limited, text printed by Walstead UK Limited. Repro by Rhapsody Prepress. Published by TI Media Limited, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Distributed by Marketforce (UK) Ltd, a TI Media Limited company, 2nd Floor, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HU. Tel: +44 (0)20 3787 9001. Back issues: 01795 662976; support@mags-uk.com or order at http://mags-uk.com/browse-by-publisher/ ti-media.html. All prices correct at time of going to press. ©TI Media Limited, 2020. All rights reserved and reproduction without permission is strictly forbidden. We cannot be liable for the safe custody or return of any solicited material. We do not accept or return unsolicited manuscripts. Editor reserves the right to shorten or modify any material submitted. TI Media Limited and/or its associated companies reserve the right to reuse any submission in any format or medium. We cannot take responsibility for manuscripts or photos sent in. TI Media Limited, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Tel: 020 3148 5000; ti-media.com. Subscription rates: One year, 50 issues (including postage): UK £62.40; Europe €177.35; USA $116.30; rest of world £135.85. For enquiries and orders, please email: help@magazinesdirect.com. Alternatively, from the UK, call 0330 333 1113, or from overseas, call +44 (0)330 333 1113 (lines are open Monday-Saturday, 8am-6pm UK time).

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What A Week! The latest celeb goss Cover Story Jen & Brad: What’s really going on? Celebrity Joe Wicks: ‘I want more children’ Celebrity Is that YOU? Celebrity Growing closer? Matt Smith and Claire Foy Style on trial The week’s best and worst dressed stars Talking about Raped abroad View From The Back

WE BRING YOU THIS WEEK’S LATEST GOSSIP

Ruth’s lifestyle

OVERHAUL R uth Langsford is back on the ﬁtness bandwagon after her ‘life was turned completely upside down’ following the death of her sister, Julia Johnson last year. The 59-year-old has been sharing her journey on Instagram and told her followers she’s trying to walk 10,000 steps a day with the help of her dog, Maggie. She said, ‘TRYING to get back on my #10000steps a day… Maggie’s my motivator!’ Ruth went further to prove

how motivated she is in 2020 as she didn’t even let the poor weather conditions put her off: ‘Walked VERY briskly to it’s SO cold.’ Having los sister so suddenly it’s perhaps no surprise that Ruth is making her and Eamonn’s health a priority. According to our insider, ‘Ruth wants to look after everyone she cares about and loves, and there’s no way she will watch her husband harm his own health – he’s everything to her.’

Ruth with her sister, Julia Johnson

Ruth is focusing on her health

of the week It looks like Ricky Gervais enjoys being the ultimate playground for his pups. So cute!

YES

22.7%

77.3% OVER TO U! After Katie Price was trolled for kissing her 17-year-old son Harvey on the lips we wanted to know – do you think it’s wrong?

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Two years since splitting from husband of 17 years Matthew Robertson, Davina McCall has revealed the ‘emotional turmoil’ that followed their divorce. Davina, 52, said, ‘Going through a divorce is a traumatic experience that needs to be navigated carefully. ‘Two years on, we have both grown as people and we can now co-parent happily and acknowledge that it was the right thing for us to do even though it involved absolute emotional turmoil.’ The pair have three children, Holly, 18, Tilly, 16, and Chester, 13.

MAN OF THE

MOMENT!

RICKY MARTIN: The Livin’ la Vida Loca star brightens up our day in this sun-soaked snap.

Royal quote of the week

‘PROBABLY NOT WHILE I’M COMPETING. IT WOULD BE A LITTLE BIT HARD COMMUTING!’

All the

LATEST GOSSIP

PAUL’S GUEST APPEARANCE Great British Bake Off star Paul Hollywood’s new girlfriend has roped him into judging the local pub’s Bake Off competition to raise money for The Smarden Parish Council. Paul – who split from Summer Monteys-Fullam last year – is dating 36-year-old pub landlord Melissa Spalding. Fair play!

WORDS: GEORGIA FARQUHARSON. PHOTOS: GETTY, INSTAGRAM @ALEXJONESTHOMSON, @RICKYGERVAIS, @RICKY_MARTIN, @RUTHLANGSFORD

Davina ‘divorce was TRAUMATIC’

Zara Tindall on whether she’s considering relocating to Australia

ALEX ‘NERVOUS TO GO BACK TO WORK The One Show star, Alex Jones, revealed she wa ‘nervous’ to retur work after her maternity leave came to an end. The 42-year-old said she felt ‘anxious yet excited’ in a candid Instagram post following the birth of her second child in May last year. ‘I’m out of practice,’ she added.

Alex with her sons, Teddy and Kit

BAD NEWS FOR BEATRICE? Princess Beatrice’s upcoming nuptials to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi will not be broadcast on television, despite ITV screening Beatrice’s sister, Princess Eugenie’s wedding back in 2018. It comes after Princess Beatrice’s father, Prince Andrew, stepped down from royal duties following a ‘disastrous’ Newsnight interview discussing his friendship with convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.

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t’s the story the world wants to read – that former golden couple Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt are reunited. This year will mark the 15th anniversary of a split that sent shock waves through Hollywood and left fans asking: if Jen, now 50, and Brad, 56, couldn’t make it work, then who could? Since then, they’ve both remarried and divorced – and, at the recent Golden Globe Awards, Brad spoke on the record about his former wife for the ﬁrst time in almost a decade. When a journalist bluntly – but correctly – told Brad fans were desperate for him and Jen to be snapped together on the red carpet, he replied, ‘I’ll run into Jen. She’s a good friend.’ Then, referring to Jen reuniting with her former Friends co-stars on Instagram last October, he joked it would be the ‘second most important reunion of her year’. So, what’s really going on?

Are they

more than JUST FRIENDS? Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt are the stars of the love story we just can’t get over

Cover Story

They weren’t photographed together at the awards, but Brad and The Morning Show star Jen were seen leaving, albeit separately, the same after-party at the Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood, and our sources inside say they spent some of the evening together. ‘Jen and Brad shared plenty of banter,’ our insider says. ‘They exchanged views on the night’s winners and losers and spoke about show host Ricky Gervais’ jokes. A few of their team members stood in front of the area to make sure they got plenty of privacy. ‘It was always Brad’s and Jen’s intention to hang out at the party. They’ve made a point of downplaying how often they spend time together, but that’s purely to keep people from prying or getting too excited. Brad left the party ﬁrst and Jen stayed on for a while with her friends.’ We’re told Brad and Jen know there’s still a huge

Jen arriving for The Late Show in October

SECRET MEETING

Sunset Tower Hotel, West Hollywood

Soon after Jen’s split from husband Justin Theroux and Brad’s messy divorce from Angelina Jolie, the pair started meeting in secret. A source at the time said, ‘From their ﬁrst meeting, it was clear that their friendship is still as strong as ever. They decided to meet up, and now they’ve had several encounters. They’re just friends, but everyone would love to see them get back together!’ After reconnecting, Brad was spotted sneaking into Jen’s 50th birthday party in Los Angeles last February – suggesting they’re closer now than they’ve been in years.

WORDS: JACK WHITE. PHOTOS: PA IMAGES, GETTY, FILMMAGIC, GC IMAGES

PARTY PALS

level of interest in them as a couple, which is why they won’t spend time together in public. Our source adds, ‘There’s a real respect shown towards them by their peers – who deﬁnitely see Brad and Jen as Hollywood royalty – and a widespread acknowledgement of how cool it is that they’re close again. But what they both wanted to avoid at all costs was a media circus, and they’re pleased to have pulled that off.’

I’LL BE THERE FOR YOU Days before appearing at the Golden Globes, Jen was spotted on holiday with her rumoured new boyfriend, ﬁlm director Will Speck. Meanwhile, Brad was most recently linked to Charlize Theron, although she later denied they were involved romantically. Brad made a joke about this as he accepted his gong for Best Supporting Actor in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, telling the audience, ‘I wanted to bring my mum, but I couldn’t because any woman I stand next to, they say I’m dating. It would just be awkward.’ The camera then panned to

Jen, who was seen laughing at her ex-husband’s joke, no doubt able to relate to his words. But, away from any dating rumours, our insider reveals Brad is someone Jen trusts completely, and he’s made it clear he’ll always be there for her. Our source adds, ‘It’s true they’ve grown close again, but romance just isn’t on the cards. Jen and Brad know they can go to each other for advice on prospective partners, and they’re so glad they’ve managed to get to this place.’ It seems that, for now at least, these two really are just good friends…

In 2004, during their marriage

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Celebrity

‘I want

MORE CHILDREN!’ Joe Wicks tells Woman why he and his wife aren’t ﬁnished with their family yet

WORDS: CHRISTINE SMITH. PHOTOS: PA IMAGES, INSTAGRAM @THEBODYCOACH

here’s no denying The Body Coach, AKA Joe Wicks, is a busy man. He and his wife Rosie have only just started settling into being a family of four, having welcomed their second child, Marley, just before Christmas – only 16 months after they had their ﬁrst, Ind Now the 33-year-old, who ha nine bestselling cookbooks u his belt, is on a mission to en g families to cook from scratch and exercise together. Here, Joe tells Woman why he’s bringing his children up very differently to his own upbringing, and why he won't stop at just the two…

Hi, Joe! You’ve recently become a dad for the second time. What do you love about fatherhood?

I really enjoy helping Indie to become a sensitive and loving person. As a kid, I had a very hectic upbringing, but we

Cooking from scratch is Joe’s passion

With Indie before Marley was born

ecide as how we a situation take a breath

and chill out. Are you hands-on?

I love being a dad and I love being present. I leave my phone downstairs and I do bath, bottle and bed. Indie is obsessed with The Gruffalo and Nighttime Bunny books and I read them over and over again. She loves it. So are you more chilled since becoming a dad?

Massively. And Rosie is amazing, I am learning from her. A screaming baby in your ear at 3am is such a hard mental challenge, but she never gets impatient and never snaps. I look at her and think, ‘Wow, if she can, I can too.’

I would love to have three or four children if I can. Why did you get involved with Gousto?

I had a big opportunity with a supermarket but they wanted to do ready meals and I needed to ﬁnd something I believed in. Gousto’s mission is to get families cooking, helping people make healthy choices and I love the fact nothing goes to waste. Do you do the cooking at home?

I used to do all the cooking but now we choose the recipes together and Indie helps. We give her lentil dhal, curries and risottos… she is so adventurous because we started her so young. What’s next for you?

Would you like more children?

As well as going into schools to encourage children to exercise, I am bringing out a new Wean in 15 recipe book in May, which I am really excited about.

I deﬁnitely want more! I think we are going to have a little break now. Now I have got a girl and a boy, I don’t feel in a rush to have another one. But yeah,

✱ To ﬁnd more information about Gousto’s ﬂexible and healthy recipes, go to gousto.co.uk

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Louise loses the curls Having risen to fame in girl group Eternal, Louise Redknapp, 45, (formerly Nurding) was a fresh-faced girl-next-door type with a casual fashion style. When she attended the BRIT Awards in 1997 at 23, she copied the iconic Baby character’s look from 80s film Dirty Dancing with

a curly perm. But fast-forward 22 years, and the now solo singer’s grown-up look is more eye-catching and sleek – mainly thanks to the popularity of hair straighteners!

Lorraine turns back time

Having graced our screens on breakfast TV for three decades, Lorraine Kell 60, looks younger than ever – and she’s not afraid to admit it. ‘The 80s and 90 were not kind. I cring a bit, looking back,’ she has confessed. ‘Fashion is something I’ve never bothered ab Sometimes I look back and say, “What on earth was I thinking?”… If you look back at the 80s – and people say I look younger now – it was really the hair.’ Lorraine’s winning the anti-ageing war, thanks to her lighter, layered hair today!

Is that YOU?

We take a trip down memory lane to see how different our favourite celebrities looked when they first started getting papped…

Coleen’s in the mood for fashion

The Nolan Sisters singer-turned-Loose Women-panellist was very much ‘of the time’ in this throwback snap from the 1995 National Television Awards. These days, she’s switched her bright-red, bouncy barnet for smoother, dark-brown locks and has broken away from her staple black outfits. Today, she’s more ‘in the mood’ for experimenting with a wardrobe of different coloured outfits.

WOMANMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Stacey ditches the fake tan…

When Stacey Solomon first stepped into the limelight on The X Factor back in 2010, her hair was bleachblonde and, judging from this paparazzi pic, she’d piled on the fake tan. Nowadays, Stacey, 30, goes for the more natural red-carpet look – and it’s paying off, as the mum-of-three looks younger than ever!

Celebrity

uth glams p gracefully

TEVE FINN, FILMMAGIC,PA IMAGES, ALAMY

essed down for a cinema emiere in 2010, This orning’s Ruth Langsford ed to step out wearing ranny’ cardis and scarves, ut these days, at almost 0 and with her own QVC shion range under her elt, she opts to go superam whenever she can.

Stripped-down Emma Emma Willis, 43, presenter of family shows including The Voice, was a bra model at 25 The yummy mummy still has amazing abs, but today she wins fans with her chirpy personality, ash-blonde locks and sharp tailoring.

ate goes classy

he Duchess of Cambridge ouldn’t party the night away London’s Whisky Mist these ys, but before she was mum George, six, Charlotte, four, d Louis, one, she’d hang out the nightspot with her ter. Kate’s hair has hardly anged, but she’s swapped r pashmina for a sash and ra, living every little girl’s ncess-dress-up dream.

This Morning host Holly styles it out

Her daily outfits sell out faster than a gym membership in January, but Holly Willoughby hasn’t always been such a trendsetter. In this 2005 snap, her frumpy, brown ensemble made her look much older than her years (she was 23). It may have been the height of fashion back then, but today’s blonder, fresher look, fitted outfits and bright smile mean minimal m she needs to maintain a youthful glow.

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Celebrity

GROWING

CLOSER?

Matt Smith and Claire Foy are said to be taking their on-screen romance into the real world

aving played husband and wife in the ﬁrst two series of The Crown, Matt Smith and Claire Foy have since starred as a married couple in the play Lungs at the Old Vic Theatre, set to transfer to New York. They have also been spending more time together, amid rumours that Matt has split from his girlfriend of ﬁve years. Body language expert Judi James tells us what’s really going on…

(Left) As Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth in Netﬂix’s The Crown

WORDS: HAYLEY MINN. PHOTOS: DAVE BENETT/GETTY, BACKGRID, NETFLIX

‘Extraordinarily cute’

In this picture, Judi says ‘Matt’s eye-attention is focused on Claire’, while Claire’s ‘extraordinarily cute expression’ is one ‘you might use to impress someone and – again – ﬂatter them, rather than an expression you might use with someone you’d known for years’.

‘Flattering and ﬂirty’

This picture shows that, ‘Claire and Matt are close in real life as well as on screen, as they use the kind of interest signals that look ﬂattering and even (in Claire’s case) almost ﬂirty,’ Judi says. The fact that Claire is beaming is ‘a grin of approval and interest for his words and his delivery’, rather than just a polite smile.

Eyes for each other

According to Judi, this picture shows Claire and Matt ‘cutting themselves off from any other people using mutual, eye-to-eye contact’; and she noticed the fact the couple are standing in ‘very close proximity’ to each other. We wouldn’t get this close to a lot of our friends – come on guys, who are you trying to kid?

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o STYLE Our pick of the best and

WORDS: SELINA MAYCOCK. PHOTOS: GC IMAGES, SIPA USA/PA IMAGES, GETTY

THIS WEEK’S BEST DRESSED

EMILIA FOX

The Silent Witness star has got us all talking about this lipstick-print jumper as Emilia, 45, brings a cheery look to beat the January blues. 14

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AMANDA HOLDEN

It’s not often we see radio host Amanda, 48, wrapped up warm for winter but she looks like a stylish Queen of Hearts in this cream fur jacket and roll-neck combo.

KYM MARSH

Kym, 43, knows how to rock a chunky knitted jumper dress, teaming it with thick black tights and boots for extra style.

onTRIAL

Celebrity

worst dressed this week

THIS WEEK’S WORST DRESSED

OPRAH WINFREY

Talk show legend Oprah, 65, might have just gone on the road as part of her 2020 Vision tour but did she forget to look in the mirror? Should have gone to Specsavers…

JODIE WHITTAKER

As star of Doctor Who, Jodie, 37, has got us asking who let her wear this awful suit? It’s the bizarre print that has us thinking it should have stayed in the TARDIS!

NICOLE KIDMAN

Actress Nicole, 52, looks like she’s hit up lost property with this oddly put together outfit. If only she had spent more time finding a good stylist instead... WOMANMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Support has been shown for the teenager who reported rape

Is this HOW WE TREAT

VICTIMS? Raped, blamed, and failed by authorities

tumbling from court, covering her face beneath a scarf with a mask showing a drawn-on pair of stitched-shut lips, this young woman’s message was clear. In the last six months, she’d been stripped of her dignity, freedom and basic human rights, and effectively silenced. Yet, despite their best efforts, not even a judge and the full force of the Cypriot police service could take her voice.

‘The ﬁght will go on to clear my name,’ she vowed, clutching her mother’s arm as she headed home to the UK. Supporters held signs and chanted ‘we believe you’, echoing the uproar felt by many that an injustice had played out on the international stage. The unnamed teenager had been enjoying a working holiday in Ayia Napa before starting university when she reported being gang-raped by a group of Israeli men in July 2019. Initially, police arrested 12 suspects, before turning on the then-18-year-old, accusing her of lying, quizzing her for hours without a lawyer, and pressuring her to sign a statement recanting all allegations. While the men were released without charge, she spent ﬁve weeks in jail, 16

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accused of making false allegations UK police promised to treat until being released on house the woman as a victim arrest. Following a trial, where prosecutors hounded her for six hours, dismissing bruises she attributed to being pinned down as ‘jellyﬁsh stings’, she was convicted of Georgina Mortimer, 49, is a doctor ‘public mischief’ and handed a fourwho lives in Hertfordshire with her month suspended sentence. two daughters, aged 19 and 17. Her supporters and women’s rights Waking up in the pitch black at 3am, advocates screamed about corruption I felt the weight of a man on top of me, and misogyny towards sex-assault victims his hand around my throat, pinning me in some foreign, perhaps less progressive, to the bed as he raped me. Yet, while the countries. Foreign secretary Dominic terror was overwhelming, I also felt utter Raab said he had ‘very serious concerns’ disbelief that this was happening. about her treatment, while UK police I’d only arrived at the shared villa in promised to treat her as a victim, St Lucia 30 hours earlier, in February offering family-liaison and victim2016. It was supposed to be a dream support services on her return. Caribbean holiday, where I’d learn to Yet, the Cypriot authorities aren’t ail. That evening, I’d without their supporters, and some njoyed myself at a trolls have even abused the teenager reet carnival before online. The fallout of this case is etting a taxi back, huge, and with more women now nd now here I was, coming forward with similar stories ardly able to breathe of victim-blaming, oppression nd sure I was about and contemptible treatment by be murdered. I was authorities abroad, Woman nly saved when a investigates the repercussions and an, who’d heard me lessons that could be learned...

‘POLICE DIDN’T EVEN TRY’

Talking About

‘RAPE HAS A DEVASTATING LEGACY’ hartered ychologist Eva ea, author of Willow Ashwood: he Girl Who anced with ragons – a novel bout relationship trauma says: ‘Rape can have a long-term impact on a victim’s life. It affects the deep, primitive part of the emotional brain and, consequently, a victim’s life becomes organised around lack of safety. Any rape can have a devastating legacy, even more so when a teenager is

‘MORTIMER’ IS NOT HER REAL SURNAME. WORDS: EMMA ROSSITER. PHOTOS: THE SUN/NEWS LICENSING, GETTY

At least 315 Brits reported being raped abroad in 2018, according to Foreign Office ﬁgures

gasping for air, opened my bedroom door, causing my attacker to ﬂee. The police were called and I was taken to hospital, where doctors carried out a forensic examination and my pyjamas kept as evidence. But that’s when any real help stopped. I was then taken back to the villa to give a statement, bizarrely in the presence of the officer’s four-yearold daughter. It was too raw and fresh, so as I stood shaking, I gave officers as much information as I could.

Losing hope

They told me they’d investigate but I got the impression it wasn’t a priority. In shock, I tried to continue with the holiday but was too traumatised, so contacted the British High Commission, who got me on a ﬂight home. However, despite being thousands of miles from where I was attacked, nowhere felt safe. In June 2016, I was told police had still not processed my medical samples because there was no

lab on the island. When I pushed, they said there was no point until they had DNA from a suspect, too. I did research and found there were lots of unsolved crimes in St Lucia. ‘They’ll never catch him,’ I realised. Now, when I see cases like the poor girl in Ayia Napa, it brings the trauma back. The police treated her appallingly, and after my experience with authorities abroad, I believe her and I think she’s so brave to have reported it in the ﬁrst place. I’m worried, too – it’s hard enough to report a sexual assault, and this will scare more victims into staying silent. Now I’ll never go back to the Caribbean – and when I go abroad, I don’t venture anywhere too far aﬁeld, and certainly not alone. Accepting my attacker got away with it doesn’t make it easier, it upsets me deeply, and more needs to be done to help victims like us who’ve been denied the justice they deserve.

raped by a gang. Part of the trauma response is that victims might feel it didn’t happen or wasn’t real. When a victim is also faced with a hostile response, this might further reinforce the “unreality” of their predicament. It’s possible the teenager retracted her allegations to survive the horror of gang rape. There’s a risk this case might prevent other victims of rape from coming forward. I would commend the courage of the teenager in her ﬁght for justice, however, she’ll need a lot of support.’

VICTIMS ABROAD

If you’ve been the victim of a rape or sexual assault overseas, The British Embassy will help you: ✱ arrange for someone to accompany you to a local police station ✱ arrange a medical examination or ﬁnd an English-speaking doctor ✱ get advice on sexually transmitted infections, abortion and pregnancy, according to local laws and customs ✱ get advice, professional help or counselling – both abroad and in the UK. However, reporting a crime abroad can be tricky. There can be language barriers and different laws, and in some countries, being the victim of rape or sexual assault could even be considered illegal. But the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) can offer advice anrrrrrd support. UK police don’t have jurisdiction to investigate an attack that has taken place abroad. However, once you return to the UK, police and the FCO can help with any support you may need. One company that aims to bridge the gap is Justice Abroad Ltd. Co-founder David Walters says, ‘It can be hard to get support abroad due to differences in culture, language, accessibility, cost and the foreign judicial system. We support victims by advising them on foreign systems and the work of the Foreign Office. We aim to empower and support them in taking their case forward to achieve justice and the best possible outcome.’ ✱ For support, visit rapecrisis.org.uk. For legal help, visit justiceabroad.co.uk

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Earrings, £28, Butler & Wilson

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Chinese NEW YEAR

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Fashion

High street CHIC We prove you don’t need to splash the cash to dress like a celeb

Davina McCall

DameEmmaThompson

GET THE LOOK Copy Davina, 52, by dressing in one ead-turning shade. Red looks chic Bag, £42, Oliver Bonas when teamed with arker accessories.

GET THE LOOK Looking effortlessly cool, Dame Emma, 60, works the utility trend well, adding her own twist with fab metallic loafers.

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GET THE LOOK Singer Frankie, 31, looks stunning in yellow and black, a winning colour combo that’s easy to wear.

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W E ’ R E LO OK ING F OR W OMEN JUST L IK E YO U T O A P P E A R I N OUR M AG A Z I NE S . E V E RY O N E ’ S W E LC O ME , S O A P P LY T O D AY !

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...launch a business at 40 Busy mum Lucy Parley wanted to embrace her creativity

F WORDS: LUCY PARLEY. PHOTOS: INSTAGRAM @KATHRYNPARSONAGEPHOTOGRAPHY

illing another Royal Mail bag with parcels ready to send to customers, I couldn’t believe how popular my Christmas-jumper collection had been. As I left the post office, my mind whirring with new designs, I was thrilled to be busy doing something I loved – and something I never thought I’d have the nerve to do.

Since going back to work as a sub editor in July 2012, a year after having my ﬁrst child, Reuben, life had been a busy juggle. I’d been harbouring dreams of starting my own business, but it felt a long way off. Then,whenmydaughter,Lois,arrivedin 2013, life became even busier. But I knew I wanted to do something for myself, too – I needed a creative outlet. My husband Simon, 43, was a sales director and happy to support me, but he’d get frustrated with me for not believing in myself. ‘You’ll never know until you try,’ he would insist. Slogan T-shirts was an idea that kept buzzing in my mind – my signature school-run style was jeans, cool T-shirt and leopard print trainers, so a T-shirt line would suit me perfectly. But what did I know about starting a business? Plus, endless issues kept my dream at bay. My father was recovering from chemotherapy for bowel cancer and I suspected Reuben had ADHD. Life was exhausting and I began to wonder if I’d ever have the energy for anything else. Around November 2018, I met a friend for coffee and chatted excitedly about my ideas. When she asked what was stopping me, I made my usual excuses of needing to do more research, feeling like my focus should be Reuben. ‘Just do it!’ she said,

Lucy with her biggest fans, Lois and Reuben

g g y be a great mum and do something for you.’ She was right, I had to take the leap. So, despite still feeling out my depth and, worse, suffering extreme mum-guilt, I created four collections of organic, ethical, slogan T-shirts. And in March 2019, the month I turned 40, I launched my business. I called it My Other Life – because this business was about the other part of me – not the mother, the sub editor, the wife – but the creative entrepreneur. By then, Reuben had an official ADHD diagnosis, which was a relief. I had conﬁrmation that I wasn’t being a useless mother who couldn’t cope, and my boy wasn’t being wilfully naughty – there was a neurological reason behind it. My T-shirts celebrate our busy lives and many aliases, poking fun at reality and ﬁnding humour amid the chaos. Bestsellers include ‘School Run Chic’, ‘Eat, Sleep, Wing it, Repeat’ and ‘Look on the Bright Side’. Then, in December, I ventured into hoodies and Christmas jumpers, too. Ten per cent of my sales go to ADHD Surrey UK, as its Facebook group has kept me sane and the hard-working women running it are doing such amazing work. Friends have modelled my collections, and

‘I HAD TO TAKE THE LEAP’

m also part of a hugely supportive hatsApp group of mums who’ve also nched their own businesses. As the ing goes ‘when women support men, amazing things happen’. know my family is proud, too. uben, eight, and Lois, six, are always ing people that ‘Mummy makes T-shirts!’ and Simon and I often play with ideas once the kids are in bed. Then there’s my mum, Angie, 70, who helps with post-office runs. It’s scary launching your own business, especially when you have self-doubt and you’re wondering if you’ve left it too late or whether you’re able to balance it. But if I hadn’t found my creative outlet, I wouldn’t have been the truest, happiest version of myself. I’ve discovered there’s never a perfect time to follow your dream, but sometimes you just have to take the leap and wing it as you go.

Yes, you can

BUT REMEMBER…

✱ Work out your angle and brand values. What will make you sta nd out? ✱ Think about ﬁnance s. What’s your goal? How much will yo u need to sell a month? Do you still ne ed your old job? ✱ Find the balance. St arting your own business can involve cr azy hours. Work out a system, pr ioritise and ﬁnd downtime to avoi d burnout. WOMANMAGAZINE.CO.UK

The family visit the coast to remember Ben

The couple with Tabby, Hector and Monty

Rosie and Ben celebrating their wedding day

Ben ﬁlled the house with happiness

VANISHE A day that started so normally for Rosie Moss and her children ended in utter tragedy

t’s a question some of you may well have found yourself Googling in despair, although I hope most of you haven’t, or will never have to: ‘How do you tell your children their dad is dead?’ The night I typed that into my phone, as I sat by the window, is etched onto my memory forever. Back then, I still held on to the vague glimmer of hope that Ben, my husband, was still alive, perhaps suffering amnesia or too injured to call. But in the months since that day, me and my children, Monty, now nine, Hector, seven, and Tabitha, two, have been forced to accept a new kind of reality, one their Dad isn’t part of.

It was one evening in March 2018 when Ben asked me if I’d be OK looking after the kids while he went scuba diving the following day. Tabby, our youngest, was only six months old, so I’d have my hands full, but I didn’t mind. Ben had loved scuba diving since we’d tried it on our honeymoon in July 2008. After that, he’d 26

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taken it up as a hobby and got very good at it, only after we started a family, opportunities to head out to sea had become less, and I knew how much Ben wanted to get back in the water. When he left the next morning, I kissed him goodbye and made a jokey comment, warning him to be back in time to help put the kids to bed. As the day drew on, I started preparing dinner – spaghetti bolognese – for when Ben returned, and bathed the kids. When I checked the time and realised it was 6.30pm, I felt a flash of annoyance. Ben should’ve been back by now, instead I was having to wrestle three children into pyjamas by myself. It was then I heard a knock on the door. I told the boys, then seven and five, to finish getting ready for bed while I grabbed Tabby and headed downstairs, thinking maybe Ben had forgotten his keys. But when I saw the two police officers on the doorstep, and they asked if I was Ben’s wife, panic flooded me.

‘There must’ve been an accident,’ I thought, showing the officers into the lounge. Had Ben crashed his car on the way home? Only, they explained that Ben hadn’t returned from his scuba dive, and that he was missing, presumed dead. With Tabby still in my arms, I let out a howl like a wild animal. The officers explained that Ben had been diving off the coast near St Margaret’s Bay in Dover, around 45 minutes from our home. He’d last been seen by a friend who he’d been diving with around 11.30am, but hadn’t returned. The coastguard had been leading a search, but he’d been missing for hours.

Coming to terms As I listened to them talking about Ben, it felt surreal. How could my husband have gone missing at sea? He was competent, a strong swimmer. It didn’t make sense. With my parents on holiday, I asked the officers to call my friend Vikki, 39, while I tried to compose myself before going to check on the boys. Somehow I managed to get the children into bed, but as I retreated to my bedroom, I knew there was no way I’d sleep. Instead, I sat by the window, looking up at the night sky,

Real Life

SEA

thinking about Ben – if he was alive and how cold he’d be, lost in the freezing sea. Vikki arrived and did her best to comfort me, but later that night I got a call from the coastguard telling me they were putting an end to the search. I slowly started to realise Ben wasn’t coming back. Giving false hope to myself or the children would only be more distressing in the long-run. That’s when I started searching for ways to explain to my children their daddy was gone. I sifted through pages of advice, but there were no easy answers. After breakfast the next morning, I told the boys that Daddy had died. All the forums I’d been on said it was important to use that word for a sense of closure, but I struggled to hold back my own tears as I watched their innocent faces crumple. Monty sobbed, while Hector struggled to understand. Over the next few weeks, I felt like a robot, getting up to take the children to school, cooking, cleaning, but my head was elsewhere. I kept expecting a call to say Ben’s body had been recovered, but that call never came. On top of the

Rosie had to adjust to being Mum and Dad

Ben loved being in the sea emotional grief, there was endless admin to deal with, too, because Ben was legally only classed as ‘missing’. Without a body, everything became complicated – it was impossible to get a death certificate, affecting our mortgage, car insurance and life insurance. Our vicar allowed us to hold a service without a coffin but it was still difficult to accept Ben had really gone. As the days and months without Ben crawled by, I had to go to the High Court to secure a presumption of death order, just so I could legally manage our financial affairs. Fighting for that certificate while battling through unending grief took every bit of energy that I had left. On the year anniversary of Ben’s death, I took the children and some other members of our family up to the coast where Ben spent his last hours. We wrote notes that we put in glass bottles and sent out to sea for Daddy to read. It was cathartic for us all. Now, it’s been almost two years, and there are still days I have to rush into

WORDS: KARA O’NEILL, HATTIE BISHOP

‘THAT CALL NEVER CAME’

another room to bury my head in a pile of laundry so the children won’t hear me screaming and sobbing. Before, our house had always been full of happiness and laughter, now it just feels empty. Getting into bed without my husband to warm my feet on or snuggle up with is so painful.

Our new normal The worst thing is we’re still not entirely

sure what happened to Ben. Due to the lack of a body, the coroner – who extended her condolences to me and my family – had no choice but to record an open verdict. It’s thought that Ben might have been unwell when he went into the water and got into difficulties quite quickly, but we’ll never know for sure. The boys have struggled. Monty, in particular, has taken Ben’s death hard, but with the help of bereavement charity Holding On Letting Go, he’s been able to make some sense of his anger. Tabby is still too young to understand, and it breaks my heart she’ll have no memories of Ben and what a brilliant father he was. There have been hard days, and I’ve no doubt more will come, but Christmases and birthdays are the toughest. Opening presents without Ben snapping pictures and taking videos of the kids’ excited faces is something I’ll never get used to. But it’s our new normal now – as a family of four instead of ﬁve. It’s not what I pictured, but I’m just trying to be the best Mum and Dad to my children that I can possibly be. WOMANMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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‘GUIDED TOURS are a great way to see somewhere new’ Going on a Travelsphere holiday means making new friends and uncovering hidden gems, as Amanda Atkinson found out in India

e all have a dream holiday, whether it’s a far-flung destination or coming home feeling like you’ve experienced the local lifestyle. But as exciting as travel can be, language barriers, time constraints and lack of information can mean not being able to see everything you want to. A flexible guided tour holiday with Travelsphere is a great way to make the most of your time away. It provides expert Tour Managers to help with everything you need, whether it’s making sure your suitcase gets from A to B or sharing special places with you. Amanda Atkinson travelled to India with her husband on a Travelsphere guided tour and says it was the best holiday they’d ever had. ‘India was our first tour but since then we’ve been with Travelsphere to China, South America, Sri Lanka, Cuba and South East Asia,’ she says. ‘Everything is organised and you don’t need to worry about anything because your Tour Manager is there to help you. You do lots of things you probably wouldn’t have done on your

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own. The Tour Managers and Local Guides are fantastic.’ Travelsphere holidays are more than a schedule and seamless organisation. Go for a street walk Amanda says it’s the little things that around Delhi with some made their tour of India so memorable. former street children. ‘We went to the Taj Mahal at dawn and as Amanda and her husband the sun came up, it changed the colour of took part in the street the building. The sky was pink then it walk around Delhi during faded into blue, so seeing the palace their trip, part of the Travelsphere Cares change colour was really a wow moment. programme with the Salaam Baalak Then I had a surreal experience sitting on Trust, an organisation that provides the bench where Princess Diana sat and safe housing, counselling, education we had a group photo. There were and shelters to over 5,000 children in about 22 of us, all very different New Delhi. ‘We were taken on the Amanda but we got on really well.’ tour by children who used to live went on a It’s not just places that make on the streets before being Grand Tour of a Travelsphere holiday, but the helped by the charity,’ she says. India, from people. Amanda says, ‘The ‘They showed us where they had £3,049 socialising aspect is why we been living and that was a real

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

continue to choose group travel.’ Amazing places, experiences to treasure for a lifetime and new-found friendships – it’s all included. ✱ To book a Travelsphere holiday or for more information, go to travelsphere.co.uk or phone 0800 987 5028.

insight into local life.’ With more than 18 million kids living on the streets, India has the highest concentration of street children in the world. Funds from the programme are used to provide scholarships and job placements for the children, as well as resources for the shelters.

Beauty REUSABLE MASK Charlotte Tilbury Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask, £18 The fabric of this innovative at-home treatment is infused with hardworking ingredients to leave your skin glowing.

100% NATURAL DEODORANT The Natural Deodorant Co Clean Deodorant Balm, £12.50, naturaldeoco.com Sodium bicarbonate stops the bacteria that cause body odour.

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PLASTIC-LESS SHAMPOO Ethique Tone It Down Purple Solid Shampoo, £14, ethique.co.uk Keep brassy tones at bay in blonde or silver hair by washing with this purple-toned bar once a week. It’s sulphate-free so won’t produce lots of lather.

RECYCLABLE PACKAGED TOOTHPASTE Georganics Natural Toothpaste in Spearmint, £6.90, georganics.com Day-to-day changes make the difference, so trading in your toothpaste and turning off the tap while you brush is a great way to be eco-friendly.

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with water at home, so lasts longer than regular liquid washes. A brighter complexion in no time.

FAIRTRADE BATH OIL Magnificent Bath Oil, £2.95, Lush This tangerine-scented bar is water-free and made with skin-nourishing blends of Fairtrade shea butter and jojoba oil for an uplifting soak.

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Use smooth toothpaste

Whitening toothpastes are a great way to maintain your smile, but make sure you pick carefully. ‘Use whitening toothpastes without micro granules,’ says cosmetic dental surgeon Dr Nina Bal. ‘Many whitening toothpastes are very abrasive. They give an illusion of whitening the teeth but actually remove enamel, making the tooth even more porous.’ We love gentle yet effective Arm & Hammer Natural Clean + White, £2.99.

Have a blast

If you’re worried about stains on your teeth but can’t commit to pricey professional whitening, airﬂow polishing could be the perfect solution. It can be performed by your hygienist and involves blasting a mixture of water, air and ﬁne powders to deep clean the front and back of your teeth. It’s good value, usually osting around 25, is very omfortable and fts coffee or ed wine stains articularly well.

10 a sparkling ways to

SMILE Teeth-perfecting tips that really work

Try a tan

Lightly bronzing your skin is a brilliant way to make your teeth look whiter and your eyes brighter. Few of us can be bothered with a full spray tan in January, so instead, add a few drops of Tanologist Self Tan Drops Light, £9.98, to your face cream for a subtle glow that’ll have the desired brightening effect.

WOMANMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Scrub up

Hydrated, flake-free lips make for a healthier looking smile, so try exfoliating yours a few times a week with Burt’s Bees Conditioning Lip Scrub, £6.99. The micro-fine honey crystals and nourishing cacao seed butter help to soften lips from the first use.

et set

pik ss Plus er, es you ostling

e ng jets of odge food ve plaque um ’ll be with y clean no time.

Beauty

Cool down

Warm-toned lipstick can accentuate yellow tones, so pick a lip shade with cooler undertones instead. Blue-reds and plummy berry shades do the trick, as do clear icy silver, such as Gl

Mout betw

‘Use a ﬂuoridated mouthwash at a separate time to brushing to reintroduce ﬂuoride into the mouth,’ advises dentist Dr Christian Guenin, speaking in collaboration with Curaprox. ‘Fluoride exchanges with enamel to make a more resilient surface and reduces demineralisation when you eat.’ Try Waken Mouthwash in Peppermint, £8, Boots, which tastes as lovely as it looks in your bathroom.

Nail biting doesn’t just ruin your manicure, it can also affect your smile. ‘Anything you bite down on has an effect on your teeth, not just the food you’re biting into. Constantly biting and chewing on your nails will damage your teeth over time,’ explains Dr Christian Guenin at Holford Curaden.

If you like a glass of ﬁzz but worry about enamel-eroding sugars, pick drier styles like cava or champagne. ‘There’s around one teaspoon of sugar in each glass of prosecco, compared to ½ a teaspoon of sugar in each glass of champagne,’ says London dentist Dr Richard Marques. ‘It’s a good excuse to opt for the posh stuff if you can.’

‘Cheese is one of the few indulgences that is actually good for your teeth as it can neutralise the effects of sugar or acidic treats,’ says Dr Reena Wadia. ‘That’s a good reason to treat yourself to a nibble (or two) at the end of your evening meal.’

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COMPILED BY: FIONA MCKIM. PHOTOS: GETTY

Don’t nibble nails

Drink it dry

Say cheese!

Eat 6 meals a day

& SLIM!

Whether you’re counting down to a big event or looking to ﬁnd your ‘best you’ in 2020, the SlimFast 3.2.1. Plan can help

f you’re like 42% of people who say they suffer from fear of missing out (FOMO) when they’re on a diet, then here’s some good news – the SlimFast Plan helps you lose weight while eating up to six times a day. With a huge choice of meal replacement shakes, bars and snacks, the hardest part will be choosing which to try next!

THE SLIMFAST 3.2.1. PLAN

The SlimFast Plan is simple, straightforward and takes the guess work out of dieting. Designed to deliver 1,200-1,400 calories a day for women and 1,600 calories a day for men, this creates a calorie deﬁcit of 600-800 calories a day, helping deliver a 1-2lb weight loss per week. A daily plan will include: ✱ 3 x 100 calorie snacks ✱ 2 x meal replacement shakes or bars ✱ 1 x 600 calorie meal (1 x 800 calorie meal for men) SlimFast meal replacement powders, ready-to-drink shakes and meal bars each provide a third of the recommended daily intake of 23 vitamins and minerals.

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HOW TO FOLLOW

✱ The selection below of pick and mix breakfast, lunch and dinner suggestions can be used as your one 600-calorie meal on the SlimFast 3.2.1. Plan. The beauty of the plan is its flexibility; you Model, actress and TV presenter decide what works for you. Kelly Brook is the latest celebrity ✱ Busy day ahead? Use SlimFast ambassador to join SlimFast. ‘Since products throughout the day and starting my journey with SlimFast and enjoy your main meal in the evening. losing 2st, I’m really happy. It’s not Or if you have more time during the just about the weight, it’s about day, then use your 600 calories for a the confidence and happiness delicious lunch treat and the SlimFast I’ve gained. I feel on top of products for when you’re on the go. the world, thanks An example of a day following the to SlimFast!’ SlimFast 3.2.1. Plan: Breakfast: Advanced Vitality Raspberry Crush Shake Snack: Banana Lunch: Chocolate Crunch Meal Replacement Bar (Choose one) Snack: 1 pot of low-calorie yogurt ✱ American Style Dinner: Katsu Curry Pancakes, serves 4, Snack: Chocolate Nutty Nougat cals: 360 per serving Snack Bar Mix 150g flour, 1tsp baking powder and a pinch of salt. Then add 100g ripe bananas, 8tbsp milk, 1tbsp vegetable oil, 2 eggs and 1tsp vanilla extract/ essence until smooth. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix to a smooth batter. Create small pancakes and fry on a medium heat. Wait for bubbles and then flip. To make the chia jam

Slim like a celeb!

BREAKFASTS

Start your day off with sweetcorn fritters

Lose Weight, Feel Great

LUNCHES

LOSE UP TO

2 l b PER WEE

(Choose one) ✱ Sausage & Sticky Tomato Sandwich, serves 4, cals: 535 per serving Place 500g tomatoes, 2 sprig of thyme, 2tsp oregano, 2 chopped garlic cloves in a large baking tray. Drizzle with 1tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1tbsp olive oil and ½tbsp honey. Grill, stirring occasionally and, once the tomatoes have started to break down and release juices, leave them to bubble and thicken. Grill 12 low-fat sausages and 4 ciabatta rolls (90g each). Slice sausages and drizzle with the hot relish. Serve with rocket leaves. ✱ Carrot and Red Lentil Soup, serves 4, cals: 149 per serving Fry 1 small onion and 250g carrot (chopped) in 1tbsp olive oil. Add 1ltr of vegetable stock after 5 mins. Add 125g red lentils and simmer for 25 mins. Blend and serve with chilli ﬂakes and coriander. ✱ SlimFast Chocolate Crunch Meal Replacement bar, cals: 217 cals. ✱ Tuna Fishcakes, serves 2, cals: 595 per serving Mash 110g tuna, 200g ketchup, 1tsp mustard and then form into 2 ﬁsh cake shapes. Dip into the beaten egg, remove and then cover in 35g breadcrumbs and place on to a baking sheet – bake at 220C/Fan 200C/Gas 6 for 30 mins. Serve with ½ avocado sliced between two, watercress and ¼tbsp olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice, drizzled.

The perfect lunchtime treat

Please your sweet tooth with these American pancakes add 160g frozen berries, 4tbsp water, 20g chia seeds and 2tbsp maple syrup to a small pan. Heat over a low heat for about 5 mins until the berries have broken down and the seeds absorbed. Serve with the pancakes and yogurt (240g shared). ✱ SlimFast Vitality Raspberry Crush Shake, cals: 260 per serving Made with skimmed milk. ✱ Very Berry Muffins, serves 4, cals: 99 per serving Preheat oven to 210C/Fan 190C/Gas 6. Mix 50g wholemeal plain ﬂour, 1tsp baking powder, ⅛tsp bicarbonate of soda, 1 scoop of SlimFast Summer Strawberry shake mix, ½tsp cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Then add 1 large egg white, ½tbsp olive oil, 60g plain yogurt (0% fat), 45ml semi skimmed milk, 30g honey and 1tsp vanilla extract/essence. Mix into a smooth batter and fold in 40g blueberries. Spoon

the mixture into a non-stick muffin tray or into muffin cases. Spray with a few sprays of oil to prevent the muffins sticking. There is enough mixture for 4 muffins. Bake for 11-12 minutes. ✱ Sweetcorn Fritters, Avocado Salad & Egg, serves 2, cals: 590 per serving Mix 150g flour, 80g sweetcorn, 50g feta, 1 egg, 2 chopped spring onions, chilli flakes, salt and pepper in a bowl. With wet hands, form the dough into 4 equal-sized balls. Heat a non-stick frying pan to a high heat and then place the balls into the pan two at a time and squash them with a fish slice into a flat fritter shape. Dry fry the fritters on each side for a couple of minutes until golden. Mix 250g chopped tomatoes, 1 avocado, 2 spring onions and coriander to a bowl. Season and add the olive oil and a squeeze of lemon/lime. Poach your eggs and serve on the fritter.

SNACK IDEAS

(all around 100 calories) ✱ 1 large boiled egg ✱ Gin/vodka and diet tonic ✱ 1 SlimFast Chocolate Caramel Bar ✱ 1 pot of low-calorie yogurt ✱ 1 packet of SlimFast Sour Cream & Chive Flavour Pretzels ✱ 1 crumpet with Marmite ✱ 1 banana ✱ 2 satsumas ✱ 1 small bunch of grapes

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DINNERS

(Choose one) ✱ Fish & chips with minty peas & smoky mayo, serves 4, cals: 597 per serving Preheat the oven to 220C/Fan 200C/Gas 6. Place 2 large sweet potatoes, skin on, cut into chip shapes (400g), 2 large potatoes, skin on, cut into chip shapes (400g) and 4-6 large carrots, skin on, cut into chip shapes (400g) on a non-stick baking sheet and drizzle with 3tbsp olive oil, massaging it well into the vegetables. Mix together 40g polenta and 2tsp smoked paprika in a small bowl and then sprinkle over the chips. Season well and place in the oven for 45 mins or until browned. Turn them half way through. Meanwhile, place 1 beaten egg into a shallow dish. Place 60g wholemeal bread in

a food processor and whizz until breadcrumbs form. Mix the breadcrumbs with 30g grated Parmesan cheese and place in a shallow dish. Pat 4 fillets of white fish, such as cod, haddock or pollock (560g skin removed), dry with kitchen paper and dip each one in the egg and then the breadcrumbs. Place the fish on a non-stick baking tray and spray with cooking oil. Place the fish on the shelf above the chips and bake for 20 mins, or until golden and cooked through. Cook 280g frozen peas according to the packet instructions. Drain and mix with 30g half-fat creme fraiche and a few mint leaves. Season well and blitz in a food processor to form a puree. Mix in 100g light mayonnaise and 1tsp smoked paprika together and serve with the fish and chips and pea puree.

TAKE PART IN THE SLIMFAST CHALLENGE AND SEE WHAT YOU COULD ACHIEVE! VISIT SLIMFAST.CO.UK OR @SLIMFASTUK #ICANJAN

Classic meals, such as ﬁsh and chips, are still on the menu

Why not try getting the family together for cottage pie? ✱ Cottage Pie, serves 4, cals: 559 per serving Preheat the oven to 220C/Fan 200C/Gas 6. In a large saucepan, add 700g chopped potato and 500g swede. Cook until tender and add ¼tsp nutmeg and 50g grated cheese and mash well. Season with salt and pepper. Fry 1tbsp olive oil, 150g chopped onion and 2 chopped garlic cloves to a non-stick frying pan and fry gently on a medium heat for a few minutes before adding 400g beef mince. Brown the meat

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and then add chopped carrots (x2), celery sticks (x4) and courgette (x1) and sweat gently for about 10 mins until the vegetables soften. Add ½tsp thyme, 1tbsp Worcestershire sauce and 3 x 400g tinned tomatoes. Stir and add 2 beef stock cubes dissolved in boiling water. Simmer for 30 mins, add 48g tomato purée. Place in ovenproof dish and smooth over potatoes and swede with a fork. Add 50g cheese and bake for 20 mins until golden. Serve with 300g green beans.

✱ Chicken Katsu Curry, serves 2, cals: 600 per serving Mix 2tsp curry powder and 2tsp garlic granules with 75g 0% fat Greek yogurt. Add 600g mini chicken fillets and mix well. Leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 30 mins. To make the sauce, add 2tbsp olive oil, 1 clove garlic, 1 thumb-size piece of chopped ginger, 2tsp curry powder and 1 bunch coriander stalks (chop the stalks and reserve the leaves) into a non-stick pan and cook on a gentle heat for a few mins. Add 1 medium onion, 2-3 large chopped carrots, 2 finely diced sweet potatoes (skin on) and fry for 10 mins, stir occasionally. Add 850ml boiling water with 1 chicken stock cube. Let the sauce simmer for about 15-20 mins or until the vegetables are soft. Then add 1tbsp cornflour mixed into 2tbsp cold water and 30g mango chutney. Stir well and simmer until sauce thickens. Meanwhile whizz 2 slices brown bread in a food processor. Preheat heat the oven to 220C/Fan 200C/Gas 7. Take the chicken and coat each fillet in the breadcrumbs and place on a baking sheet. Once the fillets are coated, spray them with vegetable oil and put in the oven for 20 mins. To make pickled cucumber, use ⅓ of a cucumber in a bowl. Add ½ red chilli, mint leaves, 2 sliced spring onions and a squeeze of the lime juice to a small bowl. Then stir in your cucumber. Season well. Cook 250g wholegrain microwave rice according to the instructions. Serve with the remaining coriander.

FREE for every reader: SlimFast Readyto-Drink Shake

With 23 essential vitamins and minerals and just 204 calories, SlimFast Ready to-Drink Shakes are perfect for those on the move. Choose from Chunky Chocolate, Café Latte, Summer Strawberry, Simply Vanilla, Blissful Banana, Cookies & Cream and Mint Chocolate ﬂavour.

Mix things up with a quick and simple prawn stir-fry ✱ Prawn Stir-Fry with noodles, serves 1, cals: 499 per serving Cook 1 nest of rice noodles. Stir-fry 160g mixed veg with 1 crushed garlic clove, 140g raw prawns and 2tsp Tamari soy sauce. Serve with 2tsp sprinkled sesame seeds.

✱ To the customer: This coupon is valid in the UK only and may be used as full payment towards a free SlimFast Ready-to-Drink Shake 325ml. Only one coupon valid per person, per transaction and will be valid at all participating SlimFast stockists subject to availability. Please do not attempt to redeem this coupon against any other product, or promotional offer as refusal may cause embarrassment and delay. Void if reproduced, altered, or expired. Coupons cannot be sold, transferred or auctioned. Not available online. Photocopies are not accepted. Valid from 21 January to 4 February. ✱ How to claim Take the coupon to a participating SlimFast stockist to get your free SlimFast Ready-to-Drink Shake 325ml. T&Cs apply. See coupon for details. Offer valid until 4 February 2020. Customers can only redeem one product, per coupon, per transaction. ✱ For retailers: KSF Acquisition UK Ltd will refund the face value up to a maximum of £2.15 of this coupon provided that you have taken it as payment of a SlimFast Ready-to-Drink Shake 325ml in accordance with the customer terms. KSF Acquisition UK Ltd reserves the right to require proof of purchase, or to refuse redemption of defaced or damaged coupons or those that have not been correctly redeemed. Please submit coupons to Valassis Ltd, PO BOX 6199, Nuneaton, CV11 9HQ by April 17 2020.

Serve this tasty chicken katsu curry for date night

Food Not Fomo by SlimFast (£12.00, SlimFast UK, PB). Available from Amazon.

‘IT’S FINALLY ALL ABOUT ME’

Clare O’Reilly is a journalist who lives in Plymouth with husband, Jon, and three children, Eddie, 15, Sammy, 11, and Annie, eight. As someone who spent her first four decades desperately trying to fit in, the day I hit 40 felt like an epiphany – like I had finally arrived. I’d met Jon at 23, and my 20s and 30s were spent raising our children and trying to establish a career and financial security. I was working excessively long hours in Australia, New York and London around childcare arrangements. Put bluntly, life was about everyone else but me, yet at 40, for the first time, I feel like I’m in a position where the hard work, sleepless nights and tears (mine, not the children’s!) are paying off. I’ve become slightly selfish, making things more about me and less about the brood or ‘him indoors’. The Clare of my youth was a people pleaser – she’d go out when she didn’t want to, forgo what she wanted, in order to keep everyone else happy – but the Clare of today can please herself without upsetting anyone. I’ve discovered that the two things aren’t mutually exclusive. Turning 40 is a privilege denied to many. I’ve lost friends who died way before they should have, and I’ve watched others bury their own children. It’s a cliché for a reason – life really is too short for regrets. I’m here and healthy and gloriously happy. I’ve lived a life of good fortune, but I’ve worked hard for it, so now life can be ‘AAM’ – All About Me!

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‘BRING ON THE FUTURE!

Carolyn Coles runs a holistic market stall and lives in Bishop’s Stortford with her husband, Brian, 49. They have two children, Leanne, 26, and Jack, 19. I was in my late teens when my dad, Edward, then 41, suffered a stroke. As his health deteriorated, I became his carer. I married Brian in 1992 at the age of 23, and the following year, we had our daughter Leanne. I spent the next 16 years juggling motherhood with looking after Dad, until he passed away in 2009. By then, I was also mum to Jack, nine, and with him and Leanne, then 16, at school, I suddenly had more time. I’d always been interested in alternative medicine, so I trained as a holistic therapist. My dream was to launch a business selling crystals, but I lacked conﬁdence, so ﬂoated through the next few years directionless. Last September, with my 50th birthday looming, I gave myself a stern talking to. Apart from my two wonderful kids, I had little to show for half a century. ‘It’s time to challenge yourself,’ I thought. So, in the October, I set up a stall at the local market, selling crystals, incense and Himalayan salt lamps. Becoming a businesswoman overnight was overwhelming and I was anxious, but people loved my little stall. Most of my adult life was spent caring for others, and I’d had little time to get to know myself. Now I feel like I’m starting again. I’m not just a mum and wife – I’m Carolyn, too. At 50, I don’t fret about others’ opinions. I’m excited for the future and can’t wait to see what I’m brave enough to experience and achieve.

Hitting milestones can be daunting, so we spoke to three women who are embracing their big birthdays in style

‘LIFE GETS MORE EXCITING

Hilary Whelan is an actress and model who lives in Alconbury with her partner, Ian, 54. She has a son, Adam, 31, from a previous relationship. Ageing never worried me, and turning 60 always felt so far away. I assumed I’d slow down, have less energy – yet, by the time the milestone arrived, my life was completely different from how I’d imagined. Growing up in the 70s, my dream was to become an air hostess, but I never had the opportunity. I married at 21, had my son Adam in 1988 and got a job with a utility company. At 45, I got divorced – but, instead of fearing it, I embraced it. In July 2005, I met Ian, then 40, online and we began exploring the world, visiting Asia, Africa and South America. At 58, I fulfilled my early dreams and trained as cabin crew, then spent an incredible year travelling Europe. In 2018, Adam, then 30, and his wife, Kimberley, 36, had my beautiful grandson, Billy, and I wanted to spend as much time as possible watching him grow up. By then, I’d given up the gruelling hours of cabin crew, so I signed up to be a film extra and model – something teenage me would’ve guffawed at. It meant I had the time and flexibility to help with Billy. I’m not the slender size 8 I once was, but at size 14, I stay active, spending hours playing with Billy, who’s one. Life just gets more exciting, and I feel comfortable in my skin. I’m planning to spend my seventh decade travelling the world with Ian, cherishing each moment.

WORDS: MISHAAL KHAN, CLARE O’REILLY. PHOTOS: NICKY JOHNSTON. HAIR AND MAKE-UP: CARL STANLEY, SARAH JANE GREEN. STYLIST: VICKY HILLMAN. CLARE’S DRESS, F+F AT TESCO; SHOES, NEXT. CAROLYN’S DRESS, DOROTHY PERKINS; SHOES, NEW LOOK. HILARY’S DRESS, M&S; SHOES, NEW LOOK

BE...

Real Life

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HOT BUYS to try

PESTO PERFECTION

When time is short, basil pesto will always come to the rescue, but for a ﬂavour change try Filippo Berio’s new pestos, Chargrilled Pepper and Grilled Vegetable. They give an instant ﬂavour hit and, as well as serving with pasta, they’re great for d otato, spreading over pizza and sh or chicken. £2, 190g, Ocado.

BRILLIANT BROTHS

men with Itsu ilable in three ramen, classic mushroom – at h M&S stir-fry veg, in, such as Chilli ns or Sweet Soy n Steaks, and taurant-style utes. £2, s 2.

WHETHER YOU LIKE YOUR COFFEE FROTHY OR FLAT, ALPRO BARISTA SOYA, OAT AND ALMOND MILKS ARE MADE FOR GREAT TASTING DRINKS. £2, 1LTR, TESCO AND SAINSBURY’S. Cool blue

The p recyclable and compostable s double thumbs up from us. £5, 500ml, Co-op.

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Classic blue is the Pantone colour of 2020 and set to be a big trend for kitchens as well as soft furnishings and accessories. Creating calm and conﬁdence, it’s the perfect colour to keep your kitchen a stress-free zone. Start by updating a few basics, such as this Scandistyle Navy Daewoo Stockholm 1.7ltr Jug Kettle, £26.99, studio.co.uk.

Food News

NOT SEEN THAT BEFORE!

Try a

Three low-cal lunches.

TREND

GOURMET NOODLE POTS Just add a splash of water to enjoy Mr Lee’s vegan Dragon Fire Vegetables and Zen Garden Vegetables Noodles. They’re under 208 cals, gluten-free and plant-based. £2.50, 58g, Asda, Holland & Barrett and Ocado.

VEGAN LUNCH BOWLS High in protein and ﬁbre, ﬁid nourishing lunch bowls will keep you feeling fuller for longer. Choose from Black Bean Chilli, Chickpea Tagine and Sundried Tomato & Lentil Ragu, which all come in at less than 360 cals a pack. £3.50, 400g, Ocado and Sainsbury’s.

GOOD HEALTH IN A BOTTLE

Although it’s been around for 2,000 years, keﬁr, which means ‘good health’ in old Turkish, is hitting the headlines at the moment as a simple way to improve your gut health. Made from milk and live gut-friendly cultures, it’s high in protein and calcium and tastes a bit like tangy yogurt. Not just for drinking, it can also be used for making dips, salad dressings, overnight oats and desserts. Try Biotiful Dairy Kefir, £1.45, 250ml, Waitrose and Ocado. For recipe ideas visit biotifuldairy.com.

WARMING SOUP Yorkshire Provender Richard’s Carrot & Red Lentil soup is less than 150 cals per half pot and the winning recipe of the Big Broth competition, raising money for Centrepoint and helping homeless young people. £2.60, 600g, Waitrose.

ROLL UP, ROLL UP

Higgidy, the home of delicious pies, has added Miso Mushroom Vegan Rolls to its meat-free range. Made with chestnut and porcini mushrooms, pearl barley and spring onion with a touch of miso and soy, wrapped in vegan puff pastry and topped with a crispy kale seaweed crumb. £2.60, 6-pack, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose, £1, 2-pack, Boots.

NO & LOW

BOOZE NEWS

If you’re powering through dry Jan or just cutting back, this week’s top tipples include an alcohol-free lager and G&T, and a light ﬁzz.

ZERO BEER Cobra Zero is fresh, smooth and zesty, just like the original but contains no alcohol. Just the thing with a takeaway curry and great with Thai food too. £3, 4x330ml, Asda and Ocado.

FRUITY FIZZ Calling all Lambrin there’s a new fruity Rhubarb ﬂavour. G for a girly night in when you don’t w much booze (it’s 5% alc) but fanc glass of ﬁzz. £2 Bargain Booze

TYRRELLS HAS MADE ITS MIXED ROOT VEGETABLE CRISPS BIGGER AND CRUNCHIER, £2.49, 125g, SAINSBURY’S AND WAITROSE. E-FREE G& red with Ita r and four b p Irresistible G&T is a ref e-free alter s it up with a slice for histicated s nk. £2.95, 7

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Tasty traybakes

Make cooking easy with these ﬂavour-packed, fuss-free recipes

Tarragon chicken and fennel bake with baby carrots and pearl onions This might just be the easiest traybake in the world, requiring very little preparation.

SERVES 4 ✱ 1 large fennel bulb, trimmed, cut into eight, fronds chopped ✱ 12 baby onions or small shallots, peeled and trimmed ✱ 16 baby carrots, washed and trimmed ✱ 8 free-range chicken thighs and drumsticks, skin on ✱ 4 cloves garlic, crushed ✱ 2tbsp chopped fresh tarragon ✱ Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon ✱ 3tbsp olive oil ✱ Salt and pepper ✱ 5tbsp dry white wine ✱ 4tbsp crème fraîche ✱ 1tbsp wholegrain mustard You will need: a large roasting tin 1 Preheat oven to 220C/Fan 200C/ Gas 7 and grease a large roasting tin. 2 Place fennel pieces, onions, carrots and chicken in the tin. Scatter the garlic, tarragon and lemon zest over the top. Pour over the olive oil, season and mix. Turn chicken skin side down. 3 Bake for 30 minutes, then turn everything so chicken pieces are skin side up. Bake for another 25–30 minutes. 4 When it’s ready, remove the chicken and vegetables to a warm platter and cover. 5 Put the tin on the hob over a high heat, add the wine and let it reduce a little. Turn the heat down, add the crème fraîche and mustard and whisk gently to make a sauce. Add the lemon juice and mix well. Drizzle over the chicken and vegetables. Before serving, scatter the reserved fennel fronds. Per serving: 616 cals, 44g fat (13g saturated), 19g carbohydrates

Recipes

Spicy sausage traybake with apple and parsnip This quintessential winter traybake takes just a few minutes to prepare. It’s perfect for when you need to feed people quickly on a frosty evening SERVES 4 ✱ Small handful of sage leaves, ripped into tiny pieces ✱ 3tbsp olive oil ✱ 6-8 good sausages ✱ 2 red onions, peeled and quartered ✱ 300g peeled butternut squash, cut into chunks ✱ 2 small parsnips, peeled and chopped into chunks ✱ 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled,

cored and cut into chunks ✱ 1 red pepper, deseeded and cut into chunks ✱ 3 cloves garlic, chopped ✱ 1 red chilli, deseeded and thinly sliced ✱ Salt and pepper You will need: a traybake or roasting tin 1 Preheat the oven to 200C/Fan 180C/Gas 6. 2 Set aside a teaspoon of ripped sage leaves.

3 Pour the oil into a traybake or roasting tin. Tip in the remaining ingredients and mix well so everything is coated in oil. 4 Season well and place in the oven for 40–50 minutes, stirring halfway through to make sure it’s not sticking. Sprinkle with the reserved sage and serve. Per serving: 397 cals, 21g fat (5g saturated), 41g carbohydrates

Honey-roasted carrot and cumin tart A light, elegant tart that looks like a piece of modern art. The dense sweetness of honey-roasted carrots is complemented by fresh green dill and lemony cumin.

The Tin & Traybake Cookbook by Sam Gates (£16.99, Robinson). Photography Jen Rich.

SERVES 6 ✱ 300g long, slim carrots, trimmed and peeled ✱ 2 tbsp olive oil or cold -pressed rapeseed oil ✱ Salt and pepper ✱ ½tsp cumin seeds ✱ Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon ✱ 1tbsp runny honey, plus 1tsp for drizzling ✱ 150g ricotta ✱ 20g Parmesan, grated ✱ 3tbsp chopped fresh dill ✱ 220-250g ready-rolled puff pastry You will need: a traybake and roasting tin 1 Preheat oven to 200C/Fan 180C/Gas 6 and grease a traybake and roasting tin. 2 Boil the carrots for 7 mins, then drain and slice in half lengthways. If they are large, you might need to quarter them lengthways: they should be roughly the same height and thickness. 3 Place the carrots in the traybake tin and toss in the oil, salt, pepper and cumin seeds. Cover with foil and

roast for 20 minutes. Remove the foil, toss with the lemon juice and 1tbsp of honey and return to oven, uncovered, for another 30 minutes. 4 While they are roasting, mix the lemon zest, ricotta and Parmesan together with half the chopped dill. 5 Lay the puff pastry in the roasting tin and score a 2cm border around the edges, without cutting all the way through. Prick the base with a fork and bake for 20 mins or until golden. Remove the pastry from the oven and gently press down on the centre, so the border is higher. Leave to cool slightly. 6 Spread the ricotta and dill mixture over the pastry. Place the carrots across the width of the tart and brush with juices from carrot tin. Bake for 15–20 mins until pastry is crisp and golden. Sprinkle with the remaining dill, drizzle with a teaspoon of honey and serve. Per serving: 306 cals, 17g fat (7g saturated), 32g carbohydrates

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I can’t compete with my

PARTY ANIMAL MUM WORDS: EIMEAR O’HAGAN ©THE SUN/NEWS LICENSING. PHOTO: LANCTON/FABULOUS/NEWS LICENSING

One mother-daughter duo explain why their roles are reversed when it comes to going out and having a good time

THE DAUGHTER ‘SHE CAN DRINK MOST PEOPLE UNDER THE TABLE’ Eileen Roell, 31, manages a doggrooming salon and lives in London. Lying in bed the other night, I was falling asleep when a familiar noise woke me. Downstairs, I could hear my housemate Sue tottering around in her heels, the clink of a glass as she poured some wine, then music blaring from the living room. Sighing with exasperation, I shouted, ‘Keep the noise down, some of us are trying to sleep!’ Sue is my 60-year-old mother. She’s a party animal and shows no signs of calming down. She can drink most people under the table, owns the dance ﬂoor at a party and never knows when to call it a night. By contrast, I’m the sensible one. My parents separated when I was a toddler, but remained friends. I had a happy childhood, but Mum was deﬁnitely more bohemian than the other mothers at the school gates. She’s always loved to have a good time. When I was a

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teenager, it would be me telling her to turn the music down, and four years ago she broke her leg at Christmas, because of some over-enthusiastic dancing at a festive party. I’d cringe when I started bringing boyfriends home and they’d comment on how ‘hot’ Mum was, while my friends sometimes seemed more interested in hanging out with her than me, because she was ‘so much fun’. We clashed more when I was a teenager. I never felt I could measure up to her big personality. It’s not unusual for teens to rebel against their parents, and for me that meant becoming very sensible. When friends started experimenting with alcohol and getting drunk, I tried it but hated the taste and just didn’t feel the need. I moved out aged 18 to go and work as an au pair in New York, and when I returned to London I rented a ﬂat of my own.

Then, ﬁve years ago, I moved back in with Mum as it made ﬁnancial sense for us to share. While she does exasperate me at times, now I’m older I’m able to appreciate her fun side. I do feel overshadowed at times. I’m not a boring person and when I’m with my own friends I can be bubbly and loud, too, but with Mum I’m quieter and let her take the limelight. The secret to our relationship is that we accept who we both are. I might nag her about the fact she smokes when she drinks, and I text her at 2am telling her it’s time to come home, but I don’t try to curtail her social life. It’s her life and she should live it as she wants. And vice versa, she would never pressure me to stay out late when she wants a big night. When I was younger, I might have wished she was more like other mums – sensible and a bit dull. Now I wouldn’t change her for the world.

Eileen and her mother live together – but differently

Real Life

THE MOTHER ‘I’M NOT LETTING AGE PUT THE BRAKES ON MY SOCIAL LIFE’ Sue Saunders, 60, is a painter decorator and lives in London. I was 28 when I had Eileen, and I was the ﬁrst of my friends to have a child. As much as I adored her, I was determined that becoming a mum wasn’t going to make me boring. I know that for some women having a baby puts a stop to their socialising, but not me. Eileen’s dad Herbert, now 60, and I loved going out, and if my mum wasn’t free to babysit, Eileen would come to art-gallery openings and restaurants in a sling when she was a baby, and when she was a little older I’d put her down to sleep in the spare bedroom of friends’ houses when we went to dinner parties. Just as I didn’t let becoming a mum curtail my social life, I’m not letting age put the brakes on it either. In the past, it would have been unheard of for a woman of my aping around ce ﬂoor, but glad times are nging. There still ght be a few sed eyebrows hen I start

dancing but I never feel inhibited by what anyone thinks of me. I’m happily single and have a fantastic bunch of friends, plus a good relationship with Herbert, so I’m never short of partners in crime to have fun with. For me, the best nights are the ones that begin as a quiet drink and end at dawn, dancing around my living room. I love a couple of glasses of white wine, but I certainly don’t have a problem with alcohol. If I’m not partying, you’ll ﬁnd me at home drinking a cuppa in front of the TV, perfectly content. Despite the fact both her parents love to party, Eileen hasn’t followed in our footsteps. She’s far from boring, but unlike me she knows when to call it a night. She’s so different from me but she’s happy and secure, so I have no desire for her to change. I admire the fact she doesn’t need alcohol to have a good time. Although people might think I’m an extrovert, I can feel shy around new people – but after a glass or two, my party animal comes out. I think it’s more common for her generation to be teetotal or arely drink, whereas it’s not he norm for people my age. I realise I can be a bit irritating t times. Not long ago, Eileen was dating someone, and arrived home and decided it would be fun to pour us all a rink, ignoring Eileen’s eyeolling in my direction. She is ery tolerant and that means we don’t fall out, even when ur lifestyles meet head on. I recently turned 60 and have o wish to hang up my party hoes. I plan to hold on to my ie de vivre – and my glass of auv blanc – as long as possible.

‘I MAY BE IRRITATING AT TIMES’

Mum and daughter and (above) Sue loves to dance

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Ask SUZIE

OUR SON GAVE EVERYTHING UP

My son did well at school and university, landed a good job and prospered, but about three years ago, he suddenly gave it all up. He moved out of his flat, started ‘sofa surfing’. We gave him his room back (my sewing room for 10 years!) and he’s stayed. He’s had a series of temporary jobs, doesn’t pay us anything and he shows no intention of making any more permanent arrangements. He seems content, and says that he did it because he decided it was a mug’s game paying taxes to a greedy government. We love him but we’ve had enough.

Suzie says

Tell him you’ve had enough of the mug’s game of looking after a fully functioning adult as if he were a child. Be careful that you aren’t dealing with someone masking a mental health problem under apparently cheerful denial. Insist that he sees his doctor for counselling to make sure he isn’t suffering from depression. But if this isn’t the case, and his behaviour is simply the result of realising you will pick up the tab, call him out. Give him notice and tell him you expect him to go back to having to make a living like the rest of us. First, he starts helping around the house, then he gets a job and his own place and if he won’t, he’ll be back sofa surfing.

Should I revisit the past?

I was in love for many years with a man I worked with. We were both single when we met but I never had the courage to approach him. I left to work elsewhere, met a wonderful man and we’ve been happily married for 30 years. I was quite shocked to receive a message on a social media site from this man. He said he was always in love with me but too shy to say so, and

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arsh Wall, ily Dilemmas, 161 M m Fa at e zi Su to e Writ ail with you can send an em ; London E14 9AP, or ksuzie@ti-media.com as to m le ob pr al on your pers Susan Philippa, Linda and Dr to e rit w so al n You ca an email s above or send them es dr ad al st po e th at ia.com to woman@ti-med with your problem 46

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now wishes he had and would like to meet. I don’t feel the same but I wonder if I should meet him, if only to lay the past to bed.

Suzie says

The brilliant thing about social media is that you really don’t have to respond, at all. He has no call on you and you have no responsibility to him. You could simply message back saying, ‘Thank you but no thank you.’ Or you could ignore it. I might wonder what has happened in his life that has now made him think of you. But you don’t have to. You are happily married and I can see no good that could come from seeing him.

Cheerful denial could be a mask for a mental health problem

SHE’S MAKING EXCUSES FOR HIM

My parents are in their late 70s and a few years ago, when they retired, they moved to an area with friends who are also retired. It has the most amazing opportunities to socialise and join clubs and events – my mother is in her element. The problem is my father, who has always been grumpy, wants nothing to do with it. He just wants to sit at home watching TV or reading. Does she go alone and make excuses for him?

Suzie says

Support her in having one last go at giving him a choice – come and enjoy himself with her, or accept she goes on her own while he does his own thing. Then, she should think of herself, and have fun. Don’t make excuses for him, just say he’s not coming. Some couples make this work. It’s far better than trying to make each other be something they aren’t.

PHOTOS (POSED BY MODELS): GETTY

Ask the EXPERTS

Solve your family dilemmas with expert advice

Ask DR PHILIPPA Woman’s GP Dr Philippa Kaye answers your questions

Curing depression with over the counter drugs

I recently read that taking medicines like ibuprofen and aspirin help with depression. How does that work and should I take them?

Philippa says

If you are suffering with symptoms of low mood, anxiety or depression, please ﬁrst of all see your doctor. Ibuprofen and aspirin could interact with other medication

I’m confused about my medication

I WANT TO CHANGE MY DIET

I would like to eat healthily but also in a way that does not impact on pollution – can you advise?

Philippa says

WORDS: ELEANOR VOUSDEN PHOTOS (POSED BY MODELS): GETTY. *MERCOLA AND QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY LONDON

A healthy, plant-based diet is not only good for you but good for the planet too! This includes wholegrains, fruit and vegetables, nuts and seeds. Red meat and processed meat is not only linked to a risk of heart disease and stroke but is thought to be bad for the planet. While high-sugar processed foods aren’t great for your diet, they don’t impact too much on the Earth. Unfortunately ﬁsh, which is good for you, can have a big impact on the environment. I recommend you up the fruit and veg to start!

WAYS TO BOOST YOUR HEALTH THIS WEEK The scientists have spoken! Try these easy ways to achieve a happier, healthier life

you are taking or cause problems. The evidence for them being useful in depression is still in the research stage. Depression is not thought to be an inflammatory disorder, but in some cases inflammation can be seen on scans with some patients who have depression. However this is at the research stage only, please don’t self-medicate and make sure that you see your doctor first.

Q A

Why do the instructions for some of my medicines say take at night and others take in the morning?

Philippa says

That will be because they are thought to work better or be more useful at certain times of day. A medication that has the potential to make you sleepy, for example certain anti-depressants or pain medication, is better taken at night, as you would be asleep anyway. Particular blood pressure medication, such as ramipril, are often prescribed in the morning but the ﬁrst dose taken at night as it could cause dizziness. However, a recent study showed that always taking blood pressure pills at bedtime rather than in the morning could more than halve the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke. Never change the timing of your medication without speaking to your doctor ﬁrst.

Give hemp tea a try

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Snack smart

SOCIAL MEDIA IS MAKING THEM OBSESSED!

My grandkids are obsessed with social media, but the pictures they send don’t look like them. They have been edited. My granddaughter now wants surgery to look the way she does in pictures. Is it safe?

Philippa says

If you are asking if plastic surgery is physically safe, then the answer is yes and no; every surgery has risks including bleeding, bruising and infection, but these risks are relatively small. However, if you are asking about whether or not changing your image to ﬁt an imagined ideal is safe that is different! Instagram is banning face-altering ﬁlters, which can simulate the effect of plastic surgery, and your granddaughter may have been using this to edit her pictures. The company is taking this action in order to focus on the mental health of users as it gives a message that their natural appearance isn’t good enough and needs improving. If your granddaughter is suffering with issues about her body or mental health, please encourage her to speak to a GP.

Feeling a bit peckish? Then why not reach for BEPPS Black Eyed Pea Puff Snacks (£1.79, Tesco)? Made from peas, they contain more protein and bre than raditional risps and atisfy your cravings ust as well.

Take your vitamin D It’s more effective than a ﬂu jab, according to research.* Scientists found that vitamin D helps to reduce the risk of colds and ﬂu – especially in those who don’t get enoug from sunlight or their diet.

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Ask MARTIN

MoneySavingExpert.com’s Martin Lewis will save you £££s

New Year ﬁnancial resolutions youcankeep

It’s easy to take action and it could save you a packet

Here’s what you need to do

This year I resolve to...

..shop & save for next Christmas NOW. Pre-

Christmas is the most expensive time to buy, January sales the cheapest, so if you can, buy now to save next Christmas. Plus put a twelfth of the cost aside each month, in a savings account and let them pay you interest (see point 6). ...check if I can slash £1,000s off the year’s mortgage repayments. Mortgage rates

are near all-time lows. So everyone check right now if you’re getting the best deal. Use mse.me/ mortgagebestbuy or MoneyFacts.co.uk to ﬁnd 48

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your cheapest rate. Then, if it looks like you can save, use a mortgage broker who’ll be able to home in on which mortgage lenders are most likely to accept you. ...take just ﬁve minutes to save £300/year on energy bills. Depressingly more

than 50% of the UK is still on a big-six standard tariff, paying the price cap amount of £1,178/year (for someone on typical use – use more or less and your bill goes up or down). Yet just because it’s a ‘fair’ price, doesn’t make it a good one. It only takes five minutes to put your details into a comparison site and find your cheapest – most big firms’ cheapest deals are only available this way, not by going direct. If you use my mse.me/CheapEnergy Club you also get cashback, or if not use an ofgem.comapproved site. And when you get your results, if you want a name you know or one with a good service record, just scroll down until you find it. You’re still likely to be able save large.

…ﬁnally ditch my crap bank account and earn up to £175. If you didn’t switch

in 2019 and don’t regularly sing your bank’s praises you’re missing out. As it’s the start of a brand new year, many banks have a new marketing budget, and they’re willing to pay you cold hard cash to get you to switch to them. Switch to hsbc.co.uk’s Advance account and you’ll get £175 cash bonus, or ﬁrstdirect.com is now giving a £100 bonus (up from £50), and many also get a 0% £250 overdraft. With both accounts there are min pay-ins and criteria you need to meet so do your reading before applying. Plus you get access to a 2.75% regular saver. ...cut credit card interest by £100s or £1,000s this year.

The easiest way to reduce credit card debt is by shifting debt to a 0% balance transfer card – this is where you get a new card(s) that repays debts on existing cards for you, so you owe it instead, but at a far lower cost, for a small fee. Of course acceptance is the challenge for most. That’s

now easier to ﬁnd out as many cards have eligibility checkers which give your chances pre-application. Or you can see most top cards together in one place via comparison tools, such as the one on my site at mse.me/ balancetransfer. ...check my savings to see if I’m being ripped off. Savings

rates are dismal and dire, many have money whether in normal savings or cash ISAs at just 0.1% or less – so check yours. The very minimum you should be getting is 1.35%, as that’s the best paying easy access account, which is at marcus.co.uk meaning you can move money in or out whenever you want. You can earn more if you’re willing to lock money away, full help at mse.me/ topsavings. ...watch The Martin Lewis Money Show, Monday, 8pm ITV. A free extra resolution

for you, and a free plug for me – how’s that for win-win. My show’s back on air, every Monday until the end of Feb. I’ll be blasting through how to slash your bills – you can’t afford to miss it.

PHOTO (POSED BY MODEL): GETTY

ost resolutions hardly outlast the Christmas turkey leftovers. Yet forget willpower, forget determination, I’ve designed these resolutions for action. Do them now and the impact will last all year long. Best thing is to put aside a couple of hours to blitz through them all – it could save you thousands.

Ask SUSAN

Expert solutions for your sex and relationship dilemmas

Torn between ending things or caring for him

My husband and I have been having relationship difficulties for two decades – frankly, the only thing keeping us together has been our great sex life. But now my husband’s poor health means he can’t get an erection. He is feeling terrible about that, while I’m feeling frustrated and am ready to leave. But I also feel it’s not fair on him to walk out when he’s in so much emotional pain. So should I stay?

My no-sex story

A friend is organising a conference for doctors to help them understand women’s sexual problems. She wants me to talk about the difficulties I had after giving birth – I was off sex for years and it almost ended my marriage. I’d like to but surely my story isn’t interesting.

Susan says

I think it’s important for health professionals to hear from real patients. And the difficulties you suffered are so serious that your story will be hugely useful and interesting to doctors. So say yes. Prepare some questions you’d be happy to answer and rather than giving a presentation, get your friend to interview you using your questions.

Susan says

Are you really ready to leave? If you still care enough to worry about your husband’s pain, it’s likely worthwhile trying again. After so many unhappy years, though, you’ll need professional support – contact relate.org.uk. That said, if after that your relationship still isn’t working, don’t simply stay from guilt.

Are we just friends?

My partner and I were friends for eight years before dating. We thought friendship would mean our relationship would go well, and it does – we get on, have a good life, never argue. But since we slept together I’ve been terrified he’ll leave. I feel very insecure, particularly because out of bed he isn’t any more physically affectionate than before we became a couple. How can I relax and enjoy our relationship?

Susan says

Yes, friendship can be a great basis for partnership but it’s also a very different deal. Sex makes everything more important and means we lose far more. So no wonder you’re feeling vulnerable and it’s not helping that your partner isn’t more physically affectionate – because that suggests he still sees this as a friendship not a relationship. So talk this through. Get clearer signs of devotion, and you will be able to relax and enjoy.

My granddaughter is unsure of her gender

Q PHOTOS (POSED BY MODELS): GETTY

I’m very close to my 17-year-old granddaughter, especially since her mum died. So I wasn’t surprised when she asked for advice about her sexual feelings and the fact she’s unsure about whether she’s really a girl or a boy. But I’ve no idea what to tell her or how to talk to her about it. What should I do?

Susan says

It’s wonderful that your granddaughter turns to you for advice. A good starting point for you both is mermaidsuk.org.uk run by MermaidsUK, an organisation for young people

unsure about their gender, and for their families. The website offers information and resources, and signposts you on to groups, forums and individual support. Its helpline is 0808 801 0400, open MondayFriday 9am to 9pm.

WAYS TO GET THE SEX YOU WANT

Your partner aims to please in bed and you deserve to be pleased. So how to help him deliver?

Reward the good

Be crystal clear with your man when he gets it right. Show him – using sounds, movements and words – when you like what he’s doing and want more of it. Then encourage him to keep on doing, and to repeat it often.

Coach the less good

When something’s not working, it’s kind, not rude, to suggest improvements. The gentlest way is to signal by touch. Words need to be soft requests not barked orders.

Discuss the not good

If he’s getting it wrong, say so. No, not during sex when he might feel criticised, but out of bed yet feeling close. And don’t list the problems, but request what you’d positively prefer.

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History comes alive in a beautiful riverside setting

Shakespeare’s

STRATFORD Tour Tudor buildings, see world-class plays and laze by the river in this picturesque market town

Why go?

WORDS: ZOE WEST. PHOTOS: GETTY

This historic town in Warwickshire is vibrant and popular in its own right, but there’s no denying many visitors flock here because of its association with the world-famous playwright. For any Shakespeare fan, a trip to the Tudor streets and buildings of Stratford-uponAvon is a must.

WHERE TO START Begin your visit with a trip to Shakespeare’s birthplace – a timber-framed house located right in the heart of town. Explore his home, listen to tales of Shakespeare’s life and get up close and personal to rare artefacts. For another fascinating glimpse of his

Discover where it all began at the birthplace of the bard 5

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younger self, head for Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall, where he was educated – a wonderful, interactive place to visit, especially for children. As well as the site of New Place – Shakespeare’s family home for 19 years – and his daughter’s home, Hall’s Croft, head for Anne Hathaway’s cottage, the charming 500-year-old thatched home where Shakespeare is said to have courted his future wife. The romantic gardens really are as pretty as a picture. To complete the journey through the bard’s life, pay your respects at the Holy Trinity, where he was laid to rest, near the graves of his wife and daughter.

A Tudor town

With more than 800 years of history under its belt, not only does Stratford-upon-Avon have a rich heritage, it’s also a bustling modern town bursting with shops, pubs and fantastic restaurants. The atmospheric Dirty Duck pub, also known as The Black Swan, is next to the theatres, and you’re likely to see many of the RSC actors enjoying refreshments. The One Elm is the place for Sunday lunch, with cosy booths and a log fire; meanwhile, for brunch, head to the Boston Tea Party, which frequently wins awards for best café in town.

TAKE A DETOUR After you’ve indulged your every Shakespearean whim, pay a visit to Butterfly Farm, the UK’s largest tropical butterfly attraction. Walk among exotic plants and waterfalls, surrounded by hundreds of free-flying butterflies – an ideal rainy-day activity. Or for another family favourite, try Tudor World. This award-winning museum

Walk among the butterflies recreates different areas of Tudor life, interwoven with the history of the listed building. And if it’s a nice day, there’s nothing quite so lovely as taking a short boat cruise along the river.

Catch a show

No trip would be complete without a visit to the theatre, and there are three to choose from. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre and more intimate Swan Theatre share a site on Waterside, in Grade II listed buildings, while The Other Place houses a new 200-seat theatre. As well as Shakespeare plays – King John is currently playing – the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) also creates contemporary works, such as the new musical based on David Walliams’ The Boy In The Dress.

WHERE TO STAY

taying in the heart of town a real treat, and The wnhouse, a 400-yeard building opposite hakespeare’s school, ideal – it’s a fivenute walk from the oly Trinity Church, and o minutes from the C’s theatre. For a hearty ed before heading out, the pre-theatre set menu offers gastronomic delights such as whisky and chicken liver parfait or ale-battered haddock.

Anne Hathaway’s cottage; tasty Townhouse food, inset

Getting there The Townhouse is minutes from the RSC theatre

Stratford-upon-Avon is ell connected to ritain’s motorway and il network – the train ation is just a 10-minute alk from the centre of own. Chiltern Railways ns a direct service om London every two ours, and there’s a West Midlands train om Birmingham very 30 minutes.

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Real Life

The picture that means

SO MUCH

Watching her little girl bravely ﬁghting cancer, Gemma Bird felt helpless, but all was not lost ee the bell my daughter Sophia is ringing? It marks both an end and a new beginning for our family. What you can’t see is the relief on my face and the tears in my eyes, knowing that, after two and a half long, hard years, Sophia is ﬁnally cancer-free.

WORDS: EMMA ROSSITER

I first suspected something was wrong with Sophia, then two, in June 2017. She’d always been loud and independent, singing at the top of her lungs and insisting on walking everywhere. So when she stopped singing and started begging to be carried, I knew something was wrong. At first, I thought it could be chickenpox, as it was circulating in her nursery, but the spots never came out, so I called 111. Doctors advised we take her to our local paediatric unit at Wexham Park Hospital, where Sophia was sent for scans, X-rays and blood tests all day. By 7pm, doctors had a diagnosis. Calling me and my husband, Travers, 37, into a room, they told us Sophia had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) – a rare blood cancer. I should have screamed or cried, but all I could think about was saving Sophia. The doctor explained she’d need chemotherapy, but I was terrified it wouldn’t be enough. That evening, we drove to John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford – where, the following day, Sophia started treatment. She was filled with fluids then they took

bone marrow and blood samples before starting chemo. Sophia was already exhausted and, before long, she couldn’t even keep herself upright. I stayed by her side 24 hours a day, doing my best to stay positive. At night, I’d tuck her in with her favourite teddy, ‘Joy’. Joy has been Sophia’s constant companion ever since she got her for her second birthday, and now became even more integral to her day-to-day life. At one of Sophia’s very ﬁrst blood tests, doctors noticed she was very anxious, no matter how much I tried to reassure her. Spotting Joy, the doctor asked if she was also a patient and, if so, whether she should go ﬁrst. Sophia watched as Joy had the test, and when it was her turn, she sat still while the doctor accessed her Hickman line – a tube that gives direct access to a main vein. From that moment, everything that happened to Sophia happened to Joy, too.

Saved by the bell Sophia

took it all in her stride. Even though she knew she was poorly, Travers and I never told her she had cancer. We didn’t want her to see the hospital as a sad or scary place, and thankfully she never did – although I think that had more to do with the hospital play area and sleepovers Joy went through with Mummy, because when we were it all with Sophia together we never stopped smiling. After a month of ensive chemo, were allowed me. Sophia s on constant dication and had to be alert any fever. Every 14 days, e had a lumbar ncture to see if Smiles and cuddles with Mum, Gemma

Sophia rings the bell that signals the end of cancer treatment

the cancer had gone – and, in September 2019, we finally got the all-clear. Watching Sophia, five, walk down the hall with Joy to finally ring the bell that signals the end of a patient’s time in hospital was one of the most exciting, emotional things I’ve ever seen. For two and a half years, I’d heard the bell ring out for other children, and I’d prayed for the day it was Sophia’s turn. Travers and I will treasure that moment forever. Over the next few years, Sophia will have checkups for cancer and for a tremor across her body she’s been left with, but otherwise we can get back to normal. Now we donate blood regularly – Sophia needed so many transfusions during her treatment – and raise money for children’s cancer charities. We’re just so grateful that our little girl survived. ✱Visit childrenwithcancer.org.uk

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henever I tell people I have nine children, they usually gasp in shock and ask me how I ever manage to get a minute to myself.

While my partner Jamie heads off to his lorry-driving job, I’m in charge of keeping our tribe of kids – six boys and three girls – cleaned and entertained. But we wouldn’t have it any other way and, for me especially, having such a huge brood seems normal, being the second-eldest of six children. Only, one night last May, I had some time to myself and chose to relax on the sofa. I’d just tucked the youngest two girls into bed and kissed them goodnight and, when Jamie arrived home after his day at work, after a little chat about our

Clare won big! days, I decided it was time to relax and I got my phone out and logged onto my Woman Bingo account, while sitting back on the sofa. I’ve been a member since January last year, and I tend to try lots of different games as there’s so much variety. This time, I decided to play a game I’d never tried before called Pirates Plenty – a slot game – and, as I watched the phone

WORDS: FRANCES LEATE. MAIN PHOTO: GETTY

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creen, I saw the jackpots rising. You see, Pirates Plenty is a Daily Double Jackpot game, where there are three jackpots that could be won. There’s the Quick Drop jackpot, which could be won at any time, and the Early and Late Drop jackpots, which are more likely to be won at certain times. ‘I wonder when the jackpots will be won,’ I thought, as I clicked Spin. Suddenly, the word Jackpot appeared on my phone screen and started flashing. Winner! I read, stunned. And, sure enough, the jackpot – a staggering £1,278 – was already showing in my account. Just then, Jamie came into the room. ‘Look!’ I grinned, waving my phone in his face. ‘Wow! I can’t believe it!’ he chuckled. Of course, with nine children, we knew we’d be spending my winnings treating the kids. Just a few days after my surprise jackpot win, I got a call from Woman Bingo. I’d entered one of their promotions and won a night’s stay in a luxury hotel in

Clare won a trip to the ITV studios after her jackpot win

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London with a trip to the ITV studios to see a live show – and with some spending money thrown in!

Time for an adventure A week later, leaving the kids with Jamie’s sister, we set off and, for the first time since the beginning of our 11-year relationship, we found ourselves alone, without the children. ‘I miss them,’ I laughed as we went on a boat tour down the River Thames. ‘Enjoy the peace and quiet while we can,’ Jamie joked. After our lovely night away, I stocked up on new clothes and toys for the kids, and took them away to the coast for a few days at Hastings. Our seaside trip was amazing, and spoiling my kids was the perfect way to spend my surprise jackpot win. I still play regularly and always check the promotions on the site. It’s perfect for lovers of bingo and slots – and, you never know, you could be the next jackpot winner, just like me!

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TRICKY CROSSWORD!

ANSWERS

ANSWER: HAD HER TONGUE PIERCED

hat does actor Jodie Whittaker say she wished she hadn’t done as a teenager? Solve the crossword, then read down the shaded squares.

ACROSS: 11 Apres-ski 12 Ochre 13 Atomic 14 Adze 15 Ellipse 16 Entrants 17 Trooper 18 Tea room 19 Heel 21 Debit 23 Breaker 24 Escorts 28 Oily 29 Etc 30 Old age 33 Framing 35 Gas 36 None 38 Stag 39 Urn 40 Bracket 42 Held up 43 Ebb 44 Wipe 48 Batsman 50 Expense 51 Fiend 54 Visa 56 Piebald 57 Stopgap 60 Disagree 61 Acrobat 63 Race 64 Tureen 65 Stout 66 Deepness DOWN: 1 Spider 2 Generosity 3 Ushered 4 Yield 5 Coup 6 Shoelaces 7 Develop 8 Pastimes 9 Potash 10 Sixteenth 18 Tram 20 Brace 22 Emigrate 25 Organic 26 Bean curd 27 Bough 31 Describe 32 Underpin 34 Magnets 37 Inept 41 Beast 44 Whispering 45 Malicious 46 Excavator 47 Weed 49 Apparent 52 Release 53 Stutter 55 Amazed 58 Accuse 59 Abide 62 Ritz

ACROSS

11 Post-piste fun (5-3) 12 Yellow pigment (5) 13 Nuclear (6) 14 Carpenter’s tool (4) 15 Oval shape (7) 16 Competitors (8) 17 Cavalryman (7) 18 Small cafe (3,4) 19 Part of a foot (4) 21 Amount due (5) 23 Large wave (7) 24 Accompanies (7) 28 Greasy (4) 29 And so forth (abbrev)(3) 30 Senior years (3,3) 33 (Picture) mounting (7) 35 North Sea fuel (3) 36 Nil (4) 38 Male deer (4) 39 Large vase (3) 40Shelf support (7) 42 Delayed (4,2) 43 Abate (3) 44 Sponge off (4) 48 Striker at cricket (7) 50 Outlay, cost (7) 51 Demon, devil (5) 54 Entry permit (4) 56 Mottled (horse) (7)

57 Temporary measure (7) 60 Differ in opinion (8) 61 Circus gymnast (7) 63 Running competition (4) 64 Large soup dish (6) 65 Strong dark beer (5) 66 Distance downwards (8)

DOWN

E V O L U O Y IF S E Z I R P TO WIN VISIT TwHoEmNanmagazine.co.uk

comps.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Web weaver (6) Willingness to share (10) Guided along (7) Concede (5) Military takeover (4) Ties on footwear (9) Evolve, grow (7) Hobbies (8) Plant fertiliser (6)

10 Elizabeth I’s century (9) 18 Bus on rails (4) 20 Pair (5) 22 Settle overseas (8) 25 Pesticide-free (7) 26 Soya product (4,4) 27 Branch of a tree (5) 31 Illustrate verbally (8) 32 Form the basis for (8) 34 Things which attract (7) 37 Awkward (5) 41 Creature, animal (5) 44 Talking very quietly (10) 45 Spiteful (9) 46 Digger (9) 47 Unwanted plant (4) 49 Clear, obvious (8) 52 Let go of (7)

53 Stammer (7) 55 Astonished (6) 58 Blame formally (6) 59 Endure, tolerate (5) 62 Luxury London hotel (4) Editorial Complaints We work hard to achieve the highest standards of editorial content, and we are committed to complying with the Editors’ Code of Practice (https:// www.ipso.co.uk/IPSO/cop.html) as enforced by IPSO. If you have a complaint about our editorial content, you can email us at complaints@ti-media.com or write to Complaints Manager, TI Media Limited Legal Department, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Please provide details of the material you are complaining about and explain your complaint by reference to the Editors’ Code. We will endeavour to acknowledge your complaint within ﬁve working days and we aim to correct substantial errors as soon as possible.

ZZLES THE OTHER PEOPLE

by CJ Tudor (£12.99, Michael Joseph, HB) CJ Tudor has crafted an intense novel that gets right to the heart of what it means to love and grieve. Gabe sees his ﬁve-year-old daughter Izzy in the car in front. At home, he discovers his wife dead and the body of a girl the police are convinced is Izzy. Three years later, For more books the events of that night are information, see emerging – for when justice womanmagazine.co.uk/ isn’t served, some decide to books take it into their own hands…

THIS WEEK’S HOT READ

IF YOU LIKE THAT, TRY THESE… The evil within

She by HC Warner (£12.99, HQ, PB) Ever wondered if beauty is just skin deep? Well, it’s deﬁnitely the case when it comes to Ben’s girlfriend Bella. She’s stunning, but his family and friends feel that something is off about her. Soon, Bella’s controlling behaviour starts to seep out of her. The brilliance of this book lies in how it reveals each perspective. This is a real page-turner.

It’s all ﬂooding back...

The Woods by Vanessa Savage (£14.99, Sphere, HB) Focusing on suppressed trauma, The Woods has a haunting fairy-tale quality that s both immersive and eerie. It’s 10 years since Bella Cooper and her sister Tess went into the woods the day of their father’s wedding. Only Tess came out. Now, she returns and must confront her past.

PHOTO: GETTY

Nowhere else to turn

Happy Ever After by CC MacDonald (£12.99, Harvill Secker, HB) n this chilling debut, housewife Naomi’s desperation for another child leads her into temptation. As a rift grows between her and her husband James, she is drawn to Sean, only to discover that she is pregnant. But it’s clear someone isn’t prepared to let her forget, and Naomi is led into the past. This chilling read really twists perceptions.

STARSCOPE

Your stars for next week by Penny Thornton ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr

This could be an exciting or unsettling week with money right at the heart of it. Stay calm, don’t lose your head and think outside the box. For your reading 09058 172557

☎

TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May

Consider this to be the start of your new year. Whatever’s happened in the past three weeks can be put in the memory box and left there. Be fearless and diversify. For your reading 09058 172558

☎

GEMINI 22 May – 22 Jun

The clues are there if you look close enough – the clues to freedom and independence or the reason recent events have panned out the way they have. For your reading 09058 172559

☎

CANCER 23 Jun – 23 Jul

It’s time to talk money, and it’s time to get other people to step up to the plate. There are new ways around old problems. Why not use the element of surprise? For your reading 09058 172560

☎

LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug

A decision needs to be reached, ﬁrst and foremost about a relationship. Be prepared for a curve ball or two and don’t pull up the drawbridge too soon. For your reading 09058 172561

☎

VIRGO 24 Aug – 23 Sep

Things may not be turning out quite as you expected, and people may not be dancing to your tune. But if you’ve got lemons, what do you do? Make limoncello! For your reading 09058 172562

☎

LIBRA 24 Sep – 23 Oct

Be creative, especially with finances. There is more than one way around an impasse, more than one way to fix a broken fence. Do nothing in a hurry or in a fit of pique. For your reading 09058 172563

☎

SCORPIO 24 Oct – 22 Nov

These inﬂuences inspire change and the unexpected. So, if the ground beneath you starts to move, adapt and learn to dance on a moving carpet. For your reading 09058 172564

☎

SAGITTARIUS 23 Nov – 21 Dec

Events happen quickly and not in a way you may have imagined. But there’s a cosmic plan in there somewhere. Take a breath, take it slow and keep your cool. For your reading 09058 172565

☎

CAPRICORN 22 Dec – 20 Jan

Money may not be the root of all evil, but it’s probably on your to-do list. Maybe you didn’t expect a certain outcome, but it has more potential than you think. For your reading 09058 172566

☎

AQUARIUS 21 Jan – 19 Feb

A new moon in your sign, and a new beginning. The unexpected and the unusual are on the menu, so forget about playing it safe and take a walk on the wild side. For your reading 09058 172567

☎

PISCES 20 Feb – 20 Mar

Making a discovery can be liberating and it can also be discombobulating. But keep remembering that it’s better you know what’s what, than to remain in the dark. For your reading 09058 172568

☎

Starlines are updated every Saturday. Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge and last about four minutes. Users must be 18+. You must have the bill payer’s permission. Service provider: Spoke. Helpline: 0333 202 3390. PSYCHIC SERVICES Contact our team for intuitive guidance… Call 09063 447986. Love & Relationship Psychic Call 09063 447980 Live Medium Call 09061 746340 Calls cost £1.50 per minute plus your phone company’s network access charge. Callers must be 18+. Lines open 8am-11pm every day – calls outside of these hours will be charged. Maximum length for calls is 19.6 minutes. To text your question to a Live Psychic, text WOMAN followed by your question to 87776. Text readings cost £3, plus standard-rate message. Psychics will promptly reply to all messages. When you text a psychic, you may in future get SMS marketing messages from TI Media Limited and Woman. If you want to receive these, please end your text with TIOPTIN. Helpline: UK 0333 202 3392 (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri). Service provider: Spoke. All calls recorded. Readings are for entertainment purposes only. Service is regulated by PhonepayPlus.

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WE BRING YOU THIS WEEK’S LATEST TV NEWS

6SECO0ND

INTERVIEW

Annette Badland

s the latest series of Midsomer Murders continues, the former EastEnders actress tells us about playing pathologist Dr Fleur Perkins and her dream guest star…

What do you like about playing Fleur? It’s wonderful to play a woman who’s not young, but has a mind, a sex life, some interesting hobbies and who can give the boys as good as they get!

Tom Hardy

How have the viewers responded? They like that she can put the men in their place and they relish her dry wit. I have noticed on Twitter I am getting a few more male followers, too!

1979

Fleur features quite a bit in this week’s story, Miniature Murders… The episode focuses a little more on Fleur as she moves close to the Barnabys, which is a lot of fun. Fleur convinces DCI Barnaby to help her unpack and put up shelves, but he’s not too good at it! The show is known for its guest stars. Who’s in this episode? Eleanor Bron. I’ve admired her since I was a little girl, as she is just that bit older than

LOOK WHO’S BACK

I am. She’s intelligent, witty and beautiful. I didn’t have any scenes with her but we did have time to have a laugh together. She’s just terrific. Who would be your dream guest star? Tom Hardy. Why not? He’s top of my list. Most people are dead by the time I meet them, though, but I’d certainly like to see him on the slab! ✱ Midsomer Murders is on ITV

2020

Phil Daniels stars in Call The Midwife on BBC1

Phil became a cult figure for his role as Jimmy in the 1979 film Quadrophenia. In EastEnders, between 2006 and 2008, he played Shirley’s exhusband Kevin Wicks, who married Denise, but met a grisly end in a car crash. He also starred in three episodes of BBC1’s Only Fools and Horses prequel, Rock & Chips, playing Del Boy and Rodney's grandad Ted (2010-2011).

THEN

2007 60

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In Call the Midwife, Phil plays elderly gentleman George Benson, who’s the proud owner of some racing pigeons. When handyman Fred notices George is coughing up blood, Dr Turner examines him and diagnoses a chest infection. But when the antibiotics he prescribes don’t work, Dr Turner is worried it’s more serious. Could George’s beloved birds be making him sick?

NOW

On The Box

DON’T MISS!

Three shows you really need to make a date for this week…

COMING SOON... What you’ll be watching on TV in the weeks ahead…

THE NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS ITV David Walliams is this year’s host at London’s O2. Things could get a bit awkward, though, because David is up against fellow BGT judge Simon Cowell in the TV Judge category!

CATCH UP MEAT THE FAMILY All 4 Meat-eating families share their homes with animals they would usually eat. After three weeks they must decide whether to give up meat and send their pets to a sanctuary or eat them for dinner!

THE WINDERMERE CHILDREN BBC2 This one-off drama tells the true story of a group of young Holocaust survivors who were brought to the UK and sent to the Lake District to recover from their trauma.

THE STRANGER Netflix In this adaptation of the novel by Harlan Coben, Richard Armitage stars as lawyer Adam Price, whose life is turned upside down when a stranger reveals a devastating secret about his wife.

If you missed these shows first time around, here’s the best of BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All4, My5 and more…

KYLIE MINOGUE’S GOLDEN TOUR All 4 Taking in 33 cities across Europe and Australia last year, you can now watch two hours of Kylie’s amazing Golden Tour which includes many of the singer’s biggest hits.

BABY CHIMP RESCUE BBC iPlayer Wildlife vet Jimmy Desmond and his wife Jenny share their home in Liberia, west Africa, with 21 baby chimps who have been rescued from the illegal pet trade.

PHOTOS: ITV, PA IMAGES, ALAMY, BBC, NETFLIX, C4, GETTY

TRENDING NOW BOX SET BINGE CORONATION STREET ITV Maria’s heartbroken when she loses her baby and discovers the reason for the miscarriage is because she’s got measles. When Audrey lets slip that Daniel’s son Bertie has had the same infectious illness, it doesn’t take long for Maria to work out where she caught it and Gary’s on the warpath when he discovers that Daniel didn’t get the tot’s jabs done.

BEAT THE CHASERS ITV This spin-off from hit quiz show The Chase will see brainboxes Anne Hegerty, Mark Labbett, Jenny Ryan, Paul Sinha and Shaun Wallace teaming up to take on contestants playing against them for cash prizes. MAXXX E4 Supermodel Jourdan Dunn stars in this new comedy which follows former boy band star Maxxx (O-T Fagbenle from The Handmaid’s Tale) who’s trying to win back his model ex to prove to the world he’s not a washed-up old has-been.

SPINNING OUT Netflix This 10-part drama follows Kat Baker (Kaya Scodelario) a couple of years after her career as a figure skater hit the skids following a fall. When bad boy Justin Davis (Evan Roderick) is in need of a new partner, Kat reluctantly agrees to pair up with him, but the road to achieving their Olympic dream is far from easy…

WOMANMAGAZINE.CO.UK

View from THE BACK Sam Carlisle says what you’re thinking

Keep it real, please, Chris!

Millionaire radio presenter Chris Evans’ life advice misses the mark for us mere mortals

IRON MAN!

The amount of blood Bob has donated is heroic

Hero of the week, without a doubt, is Bob Downes. Bob, 63, from Hull, has made no less than 74 blood donations in 20 years. NHS Blood and Transport believes he may have saved as many as 450 newborn babies’ lives with his fantastic contribution. Be like Bob – make that appointment and give blood now.

WOMANMAGAZINE.CO.UK

down or organise my family, I wouldn’t have two minutes to clean the kitchen, let alone an hour! And if you don’t have a partner, surely only a professional athlete or someone without a job has the time to run 10 miles every day. Chris, whose Virgin Radio deal was worth £2 million, also reckons money isn’t important (remember that when you’re next struggling to pay the gas bill…). Holidays aren’t important to him either – but, confusingly, he says his own happiness depends on having two booked at all times. Chris’ radio show is brilliant, and his enthusiasm to share his new-found calm admirable. But keep it real, mate. When Ricky Gervais told A-list Hollywood stars at the Golden Globe Awards, ‘You’re in no position to lecture the public about anything. You know nothing about the real world,’ he had a blooming good point.

Adele has reportedly lost 7st in weight

Rumour has it…

How incredible were the pics of Adele on holiday? Her trainer told reporters she doesn’t like exercise much, which makes her weight loss all the more remarkable. Don’t overdo it, though, lovely. You were beautiful as you were – someone like you, but bigger.

ek e w e h t f o e t o u Q

EACH OF US SECRETLY THINKS WE’RE THE ONE WHO GOT LUCKY’

Greg James’ wife Bella says the most romantic thing ever.

Egg-chic

Segway reckons its S-Pod mobile, egg-shaped chair is the future of travel. It has one thing going for it – you look so ridiculous driving one, it’s never going to get stolen.

PHOTOS: INSTAGRAM @ADELE, NHS BLOOD AND TRANSPLANT, PA IMAGES

iven up all New Year’s resolutions yet and turned dry January to gin-uary? Fear not, mere mortal, celebrities have their own advice to get you back on the wagon… The first offering comes from an unlikely source – Chris Evans. Yes, the same Chris Evans who spent much of his 30s falling out of Soho bars and getting through more luxury motors than a James Bond high-octane car chase. That same Chris now claims one of the secrets of a happy life is running five miles to work and five miles home every day. Writing a one-off advice column, he also recommends knocking booze on the head until the weekends and taking time to meditate – even by cleaning the kitchen between 6pm-7pm every evening. He gave up his phone in January 2019. If I gave up my phone, I’d spend so long trying to track

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International, plus all hotel transfers ✱ Three nights in a choice of three-star to four-star superior accommodation, plus breakfast ✱ The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout ✱ Departures available exclusively for solo travellers INCLUDES TOURS AND VISITS WORTH £83

Berlin, Dresden, Meissen & Colditz

✱ Comprehensive sightseeing tour of Paris, one of the world’s most beautiful cities ✱ Paris ‘By Night’ tour seeing some of the worlds most tastefully illuminated buildings ✱ Visit to Versailles, with its astonishing château, grandiose home of the French monarchy ✱ Visit picturesque Montmartre, home of the artists’ quarter and the beautiful Sacré-Coeur ✱ Three nights in excellent quality three-star or four-star with its stunning views of the hotels, plus breakfast city ✱ The services of our ✱ Return rail connections experienced and insightful tour available on selected dates manager throughout from over 50 regional stations ✱ Departures available (supplements may apply) exclusively for solo travellers ✱ Return standard class reserved seat on Eurostar from London INCLUDES TOURS St Pancras International, plus all AND VISITS WORTH £68 hotel transfers

Krakow 5 DAYS FROM £599PP

Selected departures from April to October 2020. Price includes: ✱ Tour of Berlin, seeing the iconic Brandenburg Gate, Norman Foster’s Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie and more ✱ Walking tour of Dresden, ‘Florence of the Elbe’, home to one of the world’s greatest art collections, formerly capital of the Kings of Saxony

FROM £299PP

Price includes:

FROM £269PP

✱ Guided walking tour of historic Bruges, arguably Europe’s most perfectly preserved medieval town ✱ Visit to Ypres and the thought-provoking First World War battleﬁelds ✱ Visit to a traditional chocolatier that creates exquisite Belgian chocolates ✱ Return rail connections available on selected dates from over 50 regional stations (supplements may apply) ✱ Return standard class reserved seat on Eurostar from London St Pancras

4 DAYS

hotel transfers

✱ Visit Meissen and take a guided ✱ Four nights in conveniently located accommodation rated tour of the world-famous four-star superior, with porcelain studio breakfast ✱ Guided tour of Colditz Castle of Second World War prisoner ✱ The services of our experienced and insightful tour of war fame – with entrance manager throughout included ✱ Return flights from a selection ✱ Departures exclusively for solo travellers also available of regional airports, plus all

Selected departures from March to December 2020. Price includes: ✱ Guided walking tour of the medieval city and Poland’s former capital ✱ Visit to Wawel, the castle district, one of Europe’s most striking royal residences ✱ Visit to AuschwitzBirkenau (included but optional) ✱ Optional tour of the cathedral-like Salt Mines, the source of Krakow’s wealth ✱ Return ﬂights from a selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers ✱ Three nights in excellent quality, centrally located four-star accommodation, with breakfast

4 DAYS FROM £429PP

✱ The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout ✱ Departures available exclusively for solo travellers

INCLUDES TOURS AND VISITS WORTH £44

TO BOOK, VISIT WOMRIVIERA.CO.UK OR CALL 01283 742393 QUOTING CODE WOM Offer subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Calls from a landline or mobile are charged at local rates. Travel insurance not included. Lead-in price based on two people sharing and is correct at time of going to press. Single supplement applies. Offers operated by Riviera Travel Ltd. ABTA V4744, ATOL 3430, a company wholly independent of Woman, published by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd. Prices correct at time of print. *See website for full terms and conditions.

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