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AMAZI GE REAL LIF & FU PUZZLES

M ea ls t im pr es s

SHE KILLED HER HUBBY

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Whose a pretty boy?

ISSUE 2

Gunned down

I WAS BALD I WAS HELD A Surprise!

R8 - January 23 - February 20 2020

Trapped

R U O Y PER BUM THLY MON AG M

Sick

A CAR CRASH E T A M L U O S A

Unexpected

IED S M R A Y M IN

e Stolen from m

Monster

G A M FE LI LA E R L A IN IG R O E TH

Amazing stories & so much

MORE!

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Big prize puzzles True crime Food Bargains Health Fashion l

ON SALE EVERY THURSDAY

WELCOME TO YOUR MONTHLY SPECIAL OF

February special

COVER PHOTO : GETTY STOCK IMAGES: GETTY AND ALAMY

ebruary is the month of love, but if you find yourself single, don’t worry! Why not pamper yourself instead and spend the day with your favourite girlfriends? We’re sure you’ll love our handy guide to throwing a ‘Galentine’s Day’ party for you and your favourites (pg12). Speaking of doing good deeds, we’ve been so inspired this month by Katy (pg10). After being diagnosed with leukaemia as a toddler, she spent most of her childhood in hospital. Today, she’s spending her time giving back to those who helped her through such a difficult time in her life – she’s even made a career out of it! We’re sure her parents must be so proud of her. Many things can bring out the best in us, but it’s often animals that do the trick. When Lauren (pg32) adopted a new puppy with special needs, she was daunted by what the future would hold. But little Roo soon melted her heart, and we’re sure she’ll melt yours, too. We always admire the bravery of parents, as we’ve seen with Tanya (pg47). The new mum almost lost her baby to a condition she didn’t even know he had, and now, she wants to warn us all about the hidden dangers. She doesn’t want anyone else to go through what she did. As well as plenty more real life stories for you to enjoy, we also have some fantastic recipes to make the most of eggs (pg20), a guide to the best theatre shows to catch this year in London’s West End (pg26), and a gorgeous selection of outfits to wear on date night with your partner or dearest friends (pg56). Look out for some beautiful essentials for your next dinner party (pg49), and don’t forget to grab your Pick Me Up! March Special, on sale 20 February. Enjoy!

Gail x

Hide and seek On which p this month Me Up! can this loved u bear?

___________ ___________ Answer on pg

On the cover

6 I was held captive by my rapist 8 My boyfriend didn’t know I was bald 22 My baby died in my arms because of his daddy’s lies 34 A car crash brought me a soulmate 54 She killed her hubby and framed their son 64 I make parrots look fly!

More real life 10 19 30 32 38 40 42 47 52 62

Little pick me ups Key to success Not half bad! Extra special Resident evil Lend a hand Burning issue Hidden danger Burst with pride More little pick me ups

Fun features

12 Throw a Galentine’s Day party! 15 Perfect Pear recipes 18 Grab a slice 20 Easy eats 26 Days out 28 Pick Me Up! quiz 36 Travel – Cornwall in winter 41 Look amazing 48 How are you, Dad? 49 Home – come dine! 50 What’s trending? 5 Your style Your stars Love is in the air

our favourites ur pick me ups ainwaves our dilemmas ealth and happiness

itor: Gail Shortland Senior Writer: Laea Marshall Feature Writers: Rosie ass, Hannah Poon, Nia Dalton Senior Designer: Victoria Elliott Designer: ily Kelford Junior Designers: Yazz Williams, Hollie Moxham, Mel Walter

Did it hurt? When you got shwo. t by cupid’s arro

Howny! fun

Best friends Buddy looks like he’s posing for this pic! Nailed it. Holly, Bristol

My girlfriend and I always celebr valentines with a date day. Why not eat out for three meals? Rachael, Rochester

Day at the races My boyfriend and I went for a day at the races and we won! It wasn’t much at all but it paid for a drink, we came home happy.

Is your name WiFi? Because I’m feeling a connection.

What do farmers give their wives on Valentine’s? Hogs and kisses

Berry nice friends went away for the weekend to a e and we tucked into melted chocolate strawberries on the evening. Lush! , Milton Keynes

Twins Here’s me and my nan Christine! Everyone says we look identical. Hollie, Bristol

Going on an adventure Whenever my best friend and I go on a girls’ trip, we love to explore without a map! You end up seeing so much more of the city. Maddie, Bolton

What do you call two birds in love? Tweethearts

ANIMAL MAGIC

What did one volcano say to the other? I lava you

Our readers have captured their adorableanimalsoncamera...

Frozen Our university lake completely froze over! The poor ducks. Nina, Reading

Udderly adore you! They call it puppy love, but I call it cow love! These calves were adorable. Layla, Essex

Slurp! Is there any meal better than a classic tomato spaghetti? I could eat it every day of the week. Mandy, Lancaster

Bat dog Pup to the rescue! H.Moxham, Plymouth

Just keep swimming Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mabel having a paddle in a trough. Harriet, Bristol

at first How ! Do you believe in love y sight or should I walk past funn again?

Beach day

A dozen roses Look what arrived anonymously in the post! I wonder who it could be. L. Daniels, Wales

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Milo having the last lick of my ice-cream! Sharing is caring. Keely, South Gloucestershire

aking up in a sheen of sweat, I desperately tried to catch my breath. Looking around my bedroom, it was pitch black, and I was terrified. Swinging my legs out of bed, I crept across the bedroom where Mum and her partner Andy Wilson, then 23, were asleep. ‘I’ve had a bad dream,’ I whispered into the darkness. Andy stirred first, peering at me standing by the door. ‘Get in,’ he smiled, quietly lifting up the duvet. ‘There’s nothing to worry about.’ It was summer 1996 – and, at five years old, I still liked the comfort of my mum when I had a nightmare. She had a way of cuddling me back to sleep within minutes. This time, though, Mum hadn’t stirred, so I’d climbed in next to my stepdad instead. Clambering in between the two of them, I closed my eyes and started to drift off. Just then, I felt Andy take hold of my hand. WhatÕs he doing? I thought. Then, without saying a word, he guided my hand down his shorts. ‘You’re my special little girl,’ he whispered softly. Then he forced me to touch him while Mum slept soundly beside us. ‘If you ever tell anybody about this, they’ll never believe you,’ he warned me sternly afterwards. A towering 6ft 3in bloke, Andy was intimidating at the best of times, and I knew not to cross him. ‘I won’t,’ I whispered. Not wanting to stay in their bed, I waited for Andy to fall climbed out and crept b own room. Cowering in my bed quietly into my pillow. I didn’t really unders what’d happened. But I knew how it made me feel and I didn’t like it. From then on, Andy would try to get me on my own whenever he could. One day a few months later, while Mum was out, he asked if I wanted to go to the sweet shop. ‘Come on, we’ll take the van,’ he leered. The ‘van’ was actua old ambulance that An

N E K TA

Sara Hitchen, , rom Lancashire, knew her stepdad wasn’t taking her out to get sweets… parked in the back yard. He’d stripped the interior, fitted it with benches and beds. He’d blacked out the windows and installed a little cooker. But as he led me to the old vehicle, I knew he wasn’t taking me to get some sweets. Too afraid to say anything, I kept silent. ‘Lie down,’ he barked at me, pointing at the makeshift bed. I did as I was told. As Andy unbuckled his belt, all I could do was watch in terror. Then, in the back of that dingy old ambulance, Andy raped me. Terrified and unable to fight him off, I lay there in complete silence

WORDS BY HARRIET ROSE-GALE PHOTOS: SWNS AND PA

He told me to lie down in the van

My childhood had been ripped away

until he’d finished. Then I ran back into the house, sobbing uncontrollably. The rest of the day, I was in agony. I was so sore, I could barely walk. From then on, Andy would make up reasons for me to join him on ‘trips’ in the ambulance. Once, he even parked in a supermarket car park and abused me. He’d take photographs as well, documenting his sick abuse. A year later, after I’d t d i A dy police what for, but determined to m. ave to leave now,’ d. o young to tion anything, I ed my brothers sisters as we acked a few clothes n our rucksacks and et off. For the next few ears, we moved etween campsites d temporary ommodation around ountry, never g anywhere long or people to know Mum pulled me out

The abuse went on for years of school and I spent most of my time with my siblings. Moving around so much kept us under the radar when it came to social services, too. Sometimes, I’d spot other kids and desperately want to go over and introduce myself – but Andy would never allow it. ‘You stay here,’ he’d snarl. I was becoming more and more isolated from the world around me. All the while, Andy kept up his horrific campaign of abuse. It made me sick to my stomach each time he beckoned me over. But what could I do? I was trapped. My childhood was being stolen away bit by bit. Mum spent most of her time sleeping, or out, meaning Andy had

R EAL LIFE

Now I’m doing my best to move on He tried to justify his actions in court

the run of things. He made sure any doors and windows were always locked, the curtains always drawn. My siblings and I were prisoners in our own ‘home’. We weren’t even allowed to go outside without his permission. There was emotional abuse, too. One morning, Andy locked me in the bathroom, only opening the door once to dump a pan of plain pasta and hot dogs on the floor. ‘That’ll have to last you the whole day,’ he laughed menacingly. Where once I used to wake from my nightmares, now I was living one – with no way out. Then, one day in late 2003, when I was 12, one of Mum’s friends came to visit. I vaguely remembered him from when I was younger, and then I remembered that he’d been friends with my biological dad. Luckily, he was still in touch with

him, and, away from earshot, I managed to convince him to give me an address. A few days later, I turned up on Dad’s doorstep. ‘I’ve been trying to find you for years,’ he sobbed as we clung to each other. He’d even gone through the rubbish of our last permanent home, hoping to find a forwarding address. That night, I went home and told Mum the news. ‘I’ve found Dad,’ I said. Andy, who overheard what I was saying, went white. The next morning, he’d packed his bags and left. I think he knew th moment my dad wa back in the picture, h abuse was over. Mum was heartbroken. She didn’t understand it, tried to convince Andy to return. But he wasn’t having any of it. A few years after reconnecting with Dad, I finally felt ready to tell him what had happened. ‘Andy abused me,’ I blurted

I felt there was no escape

on the phone one night a couple of years later, when I was 14. Dad was devastated, and begged me to go to the police. But I was too scared. ‘I just want to move on,’ I said. In the end, Dad called them. I was angry with him at first, but as they took my statement that evening, I started to feel that I’d done the right thing. Later, I was horrified to discover that another victim had come forward, too. Andy was arrested soon after, and a trial date was set. I felt sick, petrified I’d have to give evidence. I didn’t think I’d I didn’t have the strength to face him

have the strength to face him. Thankfully, on the second day of the case at Preston Crown Court, Andy decided to enter guilty pleas on six charges. Andy Wilson, then 36, admitted two rapes, two counts of attempted rape, indecent assault and sexual intercourse with a girl under 13. He’d already admitted four separate counts of sexual activity with a child. The court heard he’d fathered children with his second victim. Utterly depraved. Shockingly, he even tried to justify his actions in court. He asked his defence barrister to inform the judge that at least ‘he was not a sexual offender in the bushes, waiting to pounce.’ Sick. In March 2009, Wilson was entenced to 15 years in prison, with a further 10 to be served on licence. I did my best to move on. Wilson only served nine years before he was back on the streets – and I hate the thought that he could be nearby at any moment. I have a family of my own now. Being a mum has changed my ife for the better, although I’m probably a little overprotective. Now, my children mean the world to me. I’ll never, ever let anyone hurt hem the way Wilson hurt me.

Just for

Sudoku

FUN

To solve the puzzles, each 3 x 3 b each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9. The numbers in the highlighted squares will give you the answers.

8 2

1 3

5 1

3 4

2 9

3 8 2 6 1 4 5 6 9 1 3 7 4 5 9 6 4 2 5 8

When Lottie Burch, 25, from Suffolk, finally revealed the truth to her boyfriend, she was worried he’d run a mile…

Your answer________________________

3 7 5 2 7 8 2 1

9 5 1

7 6 4 9

1 7 8

3 8

4 7 6 8 6 4

Your answer________________________ 3

5 8 2 4 7 1 6 2 4 8 1 9 2 4 3 9 3 6 7 8 7 1 5 2 9 4

Your answer________________________ 8

WORDS BY HATTIE BISHOP IMAGES: SWNS

alling out from the top of the stairs, I wanted my mum to come and check on something. ‘My head feels weird,’ I shouted down to her. ‘What is it darling? Oh I see…’ she said coming to inspect the back of my scalp and noticing that chunks of my hair had fallen out. I was only eight and to discover clumps of hair missing was really distressing for me. My mum, Glenda, 54, took me to our local GP, in Long Melford, Suffolk, and I was quickly diagnosed with alopecia areata multilocularis – an autoimmune condition where the body attacks the hair follicles. ‘Your hair may grow back but it will always fall out again, I’m sorry,’ the doctor explained. I broke down in tears, desperately sad that I’d never again have a full head of luscious long locks. They’d prescribed me some

Answers on page 61

School bullies mocked me

special shampoos and tablets but nothing seemed to work. As I grew up, the bald patches worsened, and even low ponytails and clever hair styles couldn’t disguise the fact that I thinning all over. I became very self-conscious especially at school where the c bullies had started to pick on me. ‘You are beautiful with or without hair!’ my mum would reassure me. ‘I’m different to everyone else, I just want to be the same,’ I wailed, unable to absorb her kind words. It was especially hard having to watch Mum do my sister Hannah’s lovely long hair for our street dance competitions. As I grew up into my teenage years my eyebrows and eyelashes began to fall out, too. On top of that, my mates were all getting boyfriends - whilst I was left on the shelf. ‘I don’t think I’ll come this time, I’ve got family stuff to do,’ I lied when my friends invited me anywhere at the weekend. But even hiding away didn’t help my alopecia and my hair continued o fall out at a pace. Things got so bad that my mum eventually had to plead with the

RET I’ve learned to love myself school to let me study at home four days a week, as I just couldn’t hack the jibes and feeling self-conscious week after week. ‘It’s school prom soon, and I’ve got an idea for you,’ my mum told me excitedly one afternoon over a cuppa. ‘Mum I’m not going, I’ve told you,’ I said turning away from her sulkily. ‘Not even if we go wig shopping?’ she asked with a twinkle in her eye. Later that day we turned up at my mum’s friend’s hairdressers, Look Good, Feel Better, in Long Melford, Suffolk. They had very kindly offered to gift me an amazing black, pixie crop wig to wear. ‘I love it so much…’ I said, bursting into tears when I looked in the mirror. It was such an emotional moment - I finally felt like a proper girl again. The next weekend I was the first to suggest a shopping trip into town with the girls and for once I didn’t shy away when a camera was whipped out for some snaps. ‘It’s amazing to just feel… normal for once!’ I confided in my friend, on our walk home from town later that day. After my exams and with a bit

Confident more confidence, I got a job in a local supermarket and loved wearing my wig each day. I got a boyfriend and gradually grew the confidence to confide in him about my hair, but his reaction was not at all what I was expecting. ‘As long as you keep the wig on at all times it should be OK - it’s just weird that I’ve got more hair than you,’ he told me bluntly. After that I made sure to always keep my wig on at all times, even in my sleep, which was really uncomfortable and meant I was barely sleeping some nights. We stayed together for almost three years because I didn’t know any better, but I gradually realised that he was not right for me. ‘I want someone to fully accept me for who I am, hair or no hair,’ I

I tried to hide the real me from him

told my mum once I’d broken it off with him. After that I decided to focus on work and hanging out with my friends. But after being single for a year, I was beginning to miss someone to go out to dinner with and nuggle up to, o with the help of some friends got myself a Tinder account. Almost mmediately I potted a guy alled Jon, 28, hat I’d seen on ocial media efore as he was iends with eople I knew. I liked the fact at he was pposite to my ormal type and wiped right aight away. We started atting and got like we’d own each her years. Within a week n suggested ng on a date d we had a great night out together. ‘Best date I’ve been on hands down,’ he told me. ‘Me too, I’d really like to see you again,’ I replied, figuring it was best to be straight forward. Over the next few weeks - which were the lead up to Christmas and New Year - we saw each other a lot, as having mutual friends meant that we were always bumping into each other. I was worried about explaining that I was bald and wearing a wig, but things were going so well I decided not to think about it too much. So when Jon told me in January that he was having to move out of his flat, I jumped at the chance for him to move in. ‘But it

EAL LIFE makes perfect sense! You’re here all the time anyway,’ I said excitedly. Jon moved in the next week and things were almost perfect. It was lovely having him there, but having to pretend about my hair was really not ideal. I felt like I was being dishonest too and he was so nice it just didn’t feel right - but I didn’t know how to tell him I was almost bald! One day at work I got a text. It was from Jon explaining that he’d booked us a weekend away. Oooh can’t wait! I messaged back excitedly. But inside I was wondering how the hell I was going to keep the lie up on a holiday? But finally, I plucked up the courage and wrote a text to Jon explaining everything. Freaking out at the possibility he’d react like my last boyfriend had, I turned my phone off. When I finally turned it back on and saw his reply, relief washed over me. I had actually already heard about your alopecia but I wanted to give you space to tell me yourself. You’re beautiful to me no matter what, he’d written. I nearly cried with happiness. That weekend I slept with my headscarf on for the first time in front of Jon. We’ve now been together for four years and things have gone from strength to strength. Jon helps me decide what wigs go with what outfits and continues to make me feel stunning every day. I might have lost all my hair but finding the love of my life has more than made up for it. I can finally be myself

WORDS BY HANNAH POON PHOTOS: SWNS

e l t t i L e M k c i P s! Up When Victoria Bryceson, 33, from Cumbria went to Borneo, she came back with more than she packed…

’ BEST FRIEN

alking around Borneo on my one-month trip to climb Mount Kinabalu, I was shocked by the amount of helpless stray dogs. Everywhere I turned there were malnourished, disabled dogs – desperately in need of some TLC. I soon realised I needed to help and extended my trip by a further two months. I fostered three beautiful dogs

I knew I needed to help

I couldn’t leave them! – Miracle, Star and Tess – who are all now five. I very quickly fell in love with them, and brought them back to the UK with me. As soon as I got back, I decided to start my own animal charity – Miracles Mission. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy and I was going to need funds, so I

hen aty ayne, 21, from Colchester, got the all clear, she knew she had to give something back...

WORDS BY HATTIE BISHOP PHOTOS: SWNS

pending most of my childhood in and out of hospital, I knew very early on what I wanted to do with my life. ‘I’m going to be a nurse when I’m older,’ I grinned to my mum. That was towards the end of my treatment, because in December 2000, I was diagnosed with leukemia – I was only two-and-a-half. Afternoons spent wandering around Colchester Hospital were just a part of my routine. But it was OK, everyone was super kind and I didn’t really understand what was happening. I was just deemed ‘Smiley Kate,’ as according to my mum,

Tracy and my dad, Paul, I never let anything get to me. Even when my hair fell out, I remained positive. I was just glad that I was now bald like my two older brothers. Little did I know, the two of them had actually shaved their heads to match mine. I never let me diagnosis get me down and within two years, I was given the all clear – of course, I wasn’t aware of that. ‘You’re not poorly anymore,’ Mum smiled, bursting into tears. And soon my hair even grew back, too! Of course, I still needed regular check-ups, but that didn’t bother me. I admired the nurses who

I smiled no matter what

set up a vegan festival in Leeds. The event made 16k and was enough to set the charity up and get it going for a few months. I employed a friend who I’d worked with in Borneo to run the charity over there. Between us, we managed to get local vets to volunteer to treat the dogs and neuter them. When we

realised how successful it was, we expanded to Egypt. The situation was dire, and thousands of cats and dogs needed our help. When I flew over to Egypt to help set up the new animal clinic, a little dog called Ella brushed up on my legs. She was missing a leg and was very poorly, so I couldn’t leave her. I decided to bring her back to the UK to foster, but when we found out she had a broken back and various other illnesses, I knew consultants who helped me still worked there, too! ‘Do you recognise me?’ I asked walking up to one of the consultants in the lunch hall. ‘Smiley Katie!’ he gasped. I now get to work with the nurses who helped me when I was little. There are just no

where my passion grew from ‘I can make child way they helped m parents one day. ‘That sounds lik plan, Katy,’ Mum b There was no st after that. At 16, I was offic discharged from t I focused on my st I put all my time guess what, it paid In October 2019 from Anglia Ruski as a qualified nurs Mum and Dad w proud, and they tr super hard not to c A few days later walked into Colchester Hospit once again. Only this time, I wasn’t a patient. I was a full-time working nurse. I never gave Some of the up hope nurses and

I couldn’t let her go. Overall, we’ve rescued and rehomed over six housand ovely dogs and cats. If they live n a safe area nd are ooked after, we typically t them stay, ut if they’re in anger or sabled, then e try to home them. I now run 20 vegan festivals a year all over the UK to help fund the charity, and each one is a major success. I’m so passionate about the work we do! We have so many volunteers and people who want to help, and my friend Wesley has come to stay with me to help care for my four precious puppies! To find a vegan festival near you, visit their website: veganeventsuk.co.uk.

T S I R U O T

’

We saw all the landmarks

Her smile made it all worth it

Shannon Summerfield, 21, from Cardiff, wanted to make a difference...

feels for me! It’s the greatest thank you I nd now

My parents were so proud of me

’ve always been passionate about social care. My stepsister Eve, 18, has cerebral palsy and my brother, Michael, 11, was diagnosed with autism. So I’ve always helped to look after them. My mum is a mental health nurse, so I suppose a mixture of that, and watching my siblings, has meant I was destined for social care. I was working parttime in a local supermarket, but it just wasn’t giving me any joy in life. So, I handed in my notice and started applying for jobs in in the care sector. That’s when Dimensions offered me an interview. I couldn’t believe it, and within an hour they’d offered me a job. ‘You’ll be looking after a lady called Wendy,’ I was told. I was a bit nervous on my first day in February 2018. Although I’d always looked after my siblings, this was a whole new world. But me and Wendy hit it off straight away. She’s a super lovely 40-yearold woman who was diagnosed with autism. Just like me though, she is

super active and loves to try lots of new things. ‘Do you want to try trampolining?’ I asked her. ‘I would love to,’ she said. Soon, we were doing lots of things together; trampolining, swimming, going to the gym and doing arts and crafts. We would chat about our interests and it didn’t take me long to realise she’s a royalist. So, one Saturday, I turned up at her place with a suitcase. ‘I’m going to London today. Do you want to come with me?’ I asked Wendy, excitedly. If I told her beforehand, she would have become excited, so I decided to surprise her. ‘Yes!’ she

WORDS: HANNAH POON PHOTOS: SWNS AND GETTY

It was what I wanted to do

squealed at me. I’d already packed her bags, so the two of us and another carer got the train and went to London for the day. She loved every second of it. We even met the Queen at Madame Tussauds! As it was the first time I’d taken someone on a trip I was a bit scared, but seeing Wendy smile made it all worth it. Before we left, we stopped at Buckingham Palace. We had the best time, and it reminded me why I do my job. Wendy still talks about it now, nearly five months on! Sometimes, when I am out with Wendy people stop to praise me. If I’m honest, I don’t know why it’s such a big deal. I love my job, and I’m so glad that everyday, I get to walk into work and make someone’s life a little better!

We had an instant connection

LIFESTYLE

� � D � ’ � � � � n � � G� edicatedtocelebratingfemale hip–what’sbetterthanthat? Who invented it?

alentine’s Day: A fictional holiday created by Leslie Knope in a 2010 episode of Parks and Recreation that falls on 13 February (Valentine’s Day Eve) every year. Once upon a time, Galentine’s Day only existed in a fictional movie – now, it’s celebrated all across the world. It is a day to honour the best friends in your life. And unlike Valentine’s Day, we can all take part in it! Ironically, 13 February has long been considered ‘Mistress Day’ when unfaithful men take out their side chicks, leaving 14 February for their wives and girlfriends. Thankfully, we’ve swapped it for better celebration!

Appreciation

How do I celebrate it?

e are here for any excuse to throw a friends’ get-together. Galentine’s Day is all about ladies celebrating ladies, and y can do that however you like to. In Parks and Recreation, they kick it boozy brunch style, but you can go out for a meal and drinks, send a simple ‘thanks for being my friend’ card, or host a pyjamas party – which what we’ll be doing. The most important part is that you celebrate the women in your ife. Or, if your bestie happens to

Keep you r diaries fr ee on 13th Feb ruary the girls are getting together !

be a guy, bring him along, too – the more the merrier! Real friends have your back h the good, the bad and ugly. Whether that be rrying you home after a ight out, supporting you hrough break-ups, or istening to your endless rants on the phone – riends are golden. Experts say that good ndships increase your an, boost your immune system and make you feel happier. What better way to celebrate your gal pals than a whole day dedicated to loving each other?

Party expert tips

E WORDS BY NIA DALTON IMAGES: GE

vent Planner Hayley Smith believes a Galentine’s party for your best girlfriends doesn’t have to be extravagant and stressful to organise. Here’s Hayley’s top tips to throw the perfect party for your gal pals:

1. STRESS FREE – A girls’ night is about fun and laughter. The dress code should be whatever everyone feels the comfiest in. 2. DON’T WORRY ABOUT BEING DELIA – If prepping food isn’t for you, then choose frozen party food or platters from the supermarket. Make it simple, tasty and don’t fret the calories. 3. TINSELLED TOUCHES – You can buy colourful paper plates to avoid washing up, posh wine glasses to make it fancy, and posh chocolates to indulge in. The little sparkles make it special! 4. FINALLY, PICK A SELECTION OF MOVIES AND RELAX – Enjoy yourselves and just be yourselves – a girls’ night is the best form of therapy. And a whole lot cheaper.

Gift guide for your squad

f you’re feeling a little spend can treat your BFFs this Gale These girl power gifts won’t di Best babes keyring, £5, Sainsbury’s

Make it personal !

Wine and dine

there anything better than a heart-shaped pizza? : you can call up most local pizza takeaways in advance they’re happy to shape your pizza for you! Alternatively, e your own at home. It’s fun to decorate and choose your toppings. on’t let the gals get hangry (hungry + angry). Everyone es picky food– think strawberries dipped in chocolate, pcorn, crisps and dips and waffles and fruit. You can make your own cocktails or mocktails to match o Treat yourself

Heart pin, £4.95, bombayduck.com Glow getter highlighters, £8, wildandwolf.com Tote bag, £3, Sainsbury’s

Future feline socks, £7.99, yesiwantit.com

Letter trinket dish, £9.50, bombayduck.com

Always a winner!

Kiss from a rosé

his delicate mocktail is the perfect party drink for you and your friends. Find more alcohol-free cocktail recipes at www.eisberg.co.uk.

Cheers BFFs!

YOU WILL NEED:

Girl power vases, £35, Audenza

Alphabet candle, £9.50, bombayduck.com

Girl boss stacking bangle, £25, screampretty.com

 100ml Eisberg Alcohol-Free Rosé  ½ pink grapefruit  ½ lemon  Elderflower cordial  1 tsp sugar  Rose petals to garnish

METHOD:

1. Add 100ml of alcohol-free rosé to a mixing glass. 2. Squeeze grapefruit and lemon into the glass, add a splash of elderflower cordial and finish with sugar. 3. Stir the mixture until chilled and then strain into a sugarrimmed glass and sprinkle with rose petals to add an extra touch of glamour – enjoy! Pack of 28 mini balloons, £6.95

Paper garland, £9

Party deco

o be the hostess with the mostest, fill your home with decorations. It’ll set the mood and be a lovely surprise for your guests. A fool proof way to make this Galentine’s Day extra special! If you don’t want to break the bank, work with what you’ve got at home. Choose a colour scheme and stick to it – if you’re opting with pink, find everything pink in your home and bring it into the party space. Look for candles, pillows, vases and throws. Or if you want to go all out, Bubblegumballoons.co.uk have got everything you’d ever need to throw a bash. If you’re going with a classic pink and red theme, these decorations are Loved up balloon bunch, £35 perfect for you…

Sisters before misters bubble, £30 Pack of 14 confetti balloons, £9.95

Confetti hearts, £5.95

Love balloon banner, £8.75

r o f t Jus N

FU 1

e i g g i The b 4

British pop superstar Adele has said hat she knows she’s written a good ong when…what? To find out, solve e crossword then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the five-word answer. 7

20 21

31 32

37 38

40 41 43

42 45

52 54

STOCK IMAGES: GETTY

ACROSS 11 Female royal (8) 12 Small fruit dropped into a cocktail (5) 13 Dried grape (6) 14 Leg joint (4) 15 Watched over, protected (7) 16 Member of a school board (8) 17 Frogman’s gear (3,4) 18 Lift emotionally, give encouragement (7) 19 Scottish valley (4)

21 Contagious organism (5) 23 Open-toed shoes (7) 24 Cook in a lot of boiling oil (4,3) 28 Remain (4) 29 Large European deer (3) 30 Scientific supposition (6) 33 Tea-cake for toasting and covering in butter (7) 35 and 20 Down, Asian island state (3,5) 36 Leave to sit in water before washing (4) 38 January to December (4)

39 Fountain-pen fluid (3) 40 Exact copy, often of a valuable or historic item (7) 42 Alternative to petrol (6) 43 Curved line (3) 44 Drinks slowly (4) 48 Fastest land mammal (7) 50 Not from these shores (7) 51 Main stem of a tree (5) 54 Parched, dry (4) 56 Milk processing factories (7) 57 Store of weapons (7) 60 Flock tender (8)

61 Jumbled-up letters puzzle (7) 63 Large sea-fish often sold canned (4) 64 Health centre (6) 65 Marine animal which forms reefs (5) 66 Middle of a target (8) DOWN 1 The Age that came before Iron (6) 2 Actor’s stand-in (10) 3 Flightless sea-bird (7) 4 Normal (5) 5 Disease caused by 21 across (4) 6 Feeding-place for feathered friends (4-5) 7 Calibrated metal items use to balance scales (7) 8 Part of a country (8) 9 Drilling platform (3, 3) 10 1,094 yards or there abouts (9) 18 Stow away in a secret place (4) 20 See 35 Across (5) 22 Web surfer’s system (8) 25 Summer umbrella to make shade (7) 26 Cures (8) 27 Secret store (5) 31 Information offered in a court case (8) 32 Cooking pot (8) 34 Spread you either love or hate (7) 37 Learned ability (5) 41 Chortle, guffaw, giggle (5) 44 Filmed audition of an actor or actress (6, 4) 45 Prime Minister during the Second World War (9) 46 Single diamond or card game for one (9) 47 Charges for services (4) 49 Those who have paid to come in and watch (8) 52 Road or rail bridge, often across a valley (7) 53 Thorny blackberry bush (7) 55 Rely upon (6) 58 Irritates (6) 59 Illegal payment, backhander (5) 62 Friendly force (4) Your answer _____________ _________________________ _________________________

Answers on page 61

Try these recipes on date night, made using Holy Moly dips! For more inspiration visit www.holymolydips.com

pear! Avoc ados

Holy Moly fudgy chocolate brownies

RECIPES CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AMY LANZA (@NOURISHING.AMY) STOCK IMAGES: GETTY

 120g Holy Moly Smashed Avocado  240ml plant-based milk  70g maple syrup  50g coconut sugar  150g plain flour  1 tsp baking powder  55g cacao powder  1 tsp espresso powder  Pinch of salt  60g chocolate /chunks

METHOD:

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C Fan/180°C and line baking dish (24cm x 16cm) with parchment pape 2. Place the avocado, milk, syrup and sugar in a blender and process until smooth and creamy. 3. Mix together the flour, baking powder, cacao powder, espresso powder and salt in a large bow 4. Pour the wet avocado mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips, saving a few for the top. Pour th batter into the prepared dish, smooth over the to and sprinkle over the remaining chocolate chips. 5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until firm to the touch centre. 6. Allow to cool for 30 minutes before slicing and they will be fudgy and delicate but firm up as the

Mint chocolate avocado mousse!

 1 pack of Holy Moly Pure Avocado (150g)  1 large banana, ripe  35g dark chocolate, melted (plus extra for garnish)  1 tbsp raw cacao powder

 1 tbsp mint extract  1 tbsp milk (room temperature)  1 tbsp maple syrup, optional  2 tbsp coconut yoghurt  1 handful of mixed berries

METHOD:

Makes 2

. Melt the chocolate and add to a small food processor or blender with the Pure Avocado, banana pieces, cacao powder and mint and blend until smooth and creamy. Add the milk to thin, if necessary. Taste and add the maple syrup if desired, and add more mint if needed. 2. Spoon into two small bowls, top with the coconut yoghurt, some berries and extra chopped chocolate. Enjoy straight away. Or leave in the fridge covered and add the yoghurt and toppings just before serving.

Holy Moly mighty green avocado smoothie bowl

 150g Holy Moly  2 tsp wheatgrass Smashed Avocado powder  2 bananas  2 scoops vanilla  160g steamed and protein powder frozen cauliflower  200ml coconut milk (or 1 ½ frozen Serving suggestions: bananas) strawberries, coconut  60g spinach yoghurt, buckwheat,  1 tsp spirulina powder peanut butter

Makes 2

METHOD:

1. Place all the ingredients for the smoothie bowl into a blender, holding back ½ of a fresh banana. 2. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding more liquid as needed to make a desired consistency. 3. Pour into two bowls and top with the remaining banana (sliced) and any other toppings.

Check out this amazing advice from our reader Open a stuck lid

Ice ice baby

To keep your ice frozen in a cooler bucket, sprinkle salt onto the ice. It’ll stay cold for much longer! Yasmin, Leeds

If you can’t open a stubborn jar lid, try running hot water over the lid for a minute or two, wipe down and then open. Chloe, Exeter

Hydrate, feel great!

I bought myself a timemarked water bottle to track my daily water intake, as part of my New Years resolution. You can do this by drawing lines on your plain bottle, too. Nicki, Bradford

feel way to uff each ewspaper you can. oes dry remove wspaper. da, erdeen

Lemon fresh

Squeeze the last bit of lemon juice by putting a spoon or a fork in the middle of a half and moving it up and down. Tulia, Bristol

Unclog drains

Run hot water down the drain for a minute and then sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda down the drain. Slowly pour 1 cup of vinegar then flush with hot boiling water. It’ll unclog easily! T. Newton, Brighton

Scribble away Bin juices

Put old newspaper at the bottom of your bin to absorb food juices. Harriet, Salisbury

When you want to cross out words you don’t want to be legible, instead of scribbling over them, write random letters and words over the original. Anya, Portsmouth

PINK LADY APPLE ROSES IN PUFF PASTRY

OUR

SUPER EASY TIPS

Serves

culinary twist on a traditional bouquet of roses, these are almos too lovable to eat! As tasty it is tasteful. Preparation: 20 minut Cooking: 30 minutes

This month...

TRAVELLING STRESS-FREE WITH YOUR D

For most dog owners, a holiday isn t complete without their four-legged friend. Thanks to the number one company for dedicated dog-friendly holidays PetsPyjamas, you don’t need to leave your furry friend in a kennel ever again. Follow their travelling top tips…

YOU WILL NEED:

 2/3 Pink Lady apples  1 lemon juice  50g melted butter  1 sheet ready roll puff pastry, thawed  2 tbsp cinnamon  3 tbsp caster sugar  1 sprinkle icing sugar

1 Pet passport

ww. Find more recipes at w n-the-kitchen pinkladyapples.co.uk/i

TO MAKE:

1. Slice your apples in half and remove the core but keeping the half apple intact. 2. Thinly slice your apples and put into a microwaveable bowl with the juice of a lemon (to prevent browning and to make the apples more pliable). Cover with cling film and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes to soften. Leave to cool. 3. Open up your puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. Cut lengthwise into 6 even strips. 4. Brush each strip with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and caster sugar. 5. Start at one end of the pastry and place your apple slices halfway up the

Don’t forget a passport! A pet passport is required to travel to the EU and to reenter the UK after your holiday.

2 Packing

Pack food, treats, water, travel bowl, collar, lead, chews, toys, pet coat and their favourite blanket to keep your pup happy.

pastry (so you can fold the pastry over later). Place the apple slices along the pastry, overlapping slightly as you go. Leave a gap of few centimetres at the end to stick the pastry together. 6. Fold over the bottom half of the pastry and roll from the end that you started placing the apples first. Lightly press the excess pastry to seal together. 7. Place into a lined muffin mould. Cook for 30 minutes at 180°c or gas mark 4. Cool on a wire rack, then sprinkle with icing sugar to finish. Enjoy!

3 By car

Invest in a dog seatbelt. Smaller dogs might prefer a travel crate, which will stop them from moving about.

4 Public transport

Check ahead when booking a taxi to see if they’re dog friendly. Dogs must be on leads on buses and tubes.

5 Travel breaks

Stop for regular comfort breaks so that your dog can stretch their legs and move. Offer water every few hours.

Winter fire

If you’re making a toasty fire this winter, you can use crisps to kickstart them. The fat, oil and chemicals in potato crisps make them a perfect firestarting material. Hayley, Bath

Cooking tip

If I’m putting onions in a salad, I chop them up and soak them in water and lemon juice before. It takes the edge off and stops them from smelling! Kitty, York

To keep your buttons in place, simply paint a bit of clear nail polish over the threads. Julie, Chester

When you arrive, show your pooch around the grounds to get your dog used to their new surroundings.

7 Safe place

Create a space in your room for your dog to feel at home.

8 Exercise

Keep your dog well exercised so don’t get over excited by all the new friends they meet in public areas.

9 Hygiene STOCK IMAGES: GETTY

Button up

Remember these are YOUR tips - we haven t tried them ourselves

6 On arrival

Pay attention to your dog’s hygiene during your stay. If your dog is prone to getting mucky, make sure you keep them clean and fresh on the go.

10 Mindful

Be mindful of other guests when relaxing or dining with your dog.

GRAB A

SLICE

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE? The results are in! A survey by YouGov has revealed the UK’s top 10 favourite pizza toppings. Where do you stand? 1. Mushrooms 6. Sweetcorn 2. Onions 7. Tomato 3. Ham 8. Jalapeñ 4. Pepperoni 9. Spinach 5. Pineapple 10. Fish

We eat an average of 731 pizzas in our life!

9 February is National Pizza Day! How are you going to celebrate this nationalfavourite? CHEESY DOES IT

Did you know?

hile no one knows when National Pizza Day was created, we do know when pizza itself wa invented. The original dish was created by the Roman made out of flatbread covered in herbs, sauce an cheese. What we would recognise as the modern pizza wouldn’t come aroun until the 18th century, whe people of Naples started using garlic, basil, cheese and tomatoes to cover the bread. Thanks Italy!

WITH PIZZA

45% of Brits say they would choose pizza over all other food when ordering a takeaway. According to a survey by PerfectHome, that increases to 50% when narrowed down to just London.

It goes way back!

Famous faces

elebs have to keep up with their diets, but sometimes they do like to indulge in some delicious pizza goodness. What are their favourites? BEYONCÉ Although known for favouring vegan pizzas, this star’s go-to pizza choice involves extra tomato sauce and jalapeños.

In love with the shape of dough

Yes, as if Hawaiian pizza wasn’t controversial enough, it turns out that its name is also somewhat misleading. Located a long way from Honolulu, Greek-Canadian Sam Panopoulos is the man who is regularly cited as having created this pizza in his Ontario restaurant in 1962. The savoury and sweet topping has gone on to cause endless pizza party debates over the decades.

ED SHEERAN His pizza starts with a traditional sauce and cheese pie, then he tops Diva delicious! it with French fries and rolls it up to dip in ketchup.

The royal cheese

HAWAIIAN PIZZA IS ACTUALLY CANADIAN

KATE MIDDLETON The Duchess is an avid pizza lover and often indulges in a royal pizza featuring prosciutto and sausage toppings.

Out of this world

because of its overwhelming size, the pizza measures 1.98 square metres and is cooked in a rotating oven for an hour before being placed in a custom-made box. This monster would set you back about £230 and would require a 48hour notice period before you want it delivered.

PIZZA OF THE FUTURE

The future is now, and it’s coming in delicious printed food form. Tech company BeeHex has been harnessing technology to 3D print pizza! Funded by NASA, the printer’s intended purpose is to create a way for astronauts to make their own personal pizzas while out on missions. The nifty little robot will be able to 3D print and bake a pizza in six minutes!

: ALAMY AND GETTY

EAL LIFE I’ve always known what music can do

Ceri Rawson, 37, Wales, is sharing the power and love of music...

WORDS BY HANNAH POON PHOTOS: SWNS

fter completing my master’s degree in music therapy at Angelia Ruskin University, I was total thrilled. I’ve always been into my music and for the past few years, I’d been a respectable music teacher in a secondary school. I absolutely loved my job, as it allowed me to open my students up to an entirely new world. But soon, I realised that music can do so much more than that. So, that’s when I decided to take my career a step further and train in music therapy. I got my first job at Claire House Children’s Hospice, where I would help patients connect with music. After that, I started working for MHA care home charity as a music therapist, but after having three children, I decided to take a step back to raise my family. But music had a place in my heart just as they do, and I knew with it, I could help others. So I rejoined MHA, as they were

looking for a music therapist to come in to do one-to-one and group sessions with their amazing residents who were living with dementia. I have to do this, I thought to myself as I reapplied. And soon, I started working there again two days a week and I quickly fell back in love with my job. As a care home charity, MHA recognise the importance of music therapy and understand that it can help their residents who are living with dementia. So, twice a week, whether it’s individually, or with 30 people in a group, we sit down and engage and interact with the music. As the majority of people who come to the sessions are 60 plus, I typically play pre 1980’s music, as this will hopefully help to spark lost and forgotten memories. In my sessions, there are no rules. Some people like to sing, some like to dance and some just like to sit

The aim of the session is to spark memories that they may have lost. Sometimes it is clear that they are resonating with the music, as they’ll be singing along and socially interacting with one another. And sometimes, you can only see it by the slightest movement in their hands or body. In group sessions, I don’t always get the chance to talk to everyone about how the music makes them feel, but I can see it. Thankfully, with the help of the carers in the home, in the group sessions, there’s always someone to talk to if they wish. I always try to make sure my sessions are suited to the people in the room. If I know a particular song brings back sad memories for one person, then I will avoid playing it when they are there. Music is a great way to bring people together, but for people living with dementia, it helps to stimulate the emotional state. It can bring to the surface memories and feelings that they may have forgotten over the years. Unfortunately, dementia currently has no cure, but with music therapy, in the short-term, we can help to reduce the symptoms. I’ve noticed their anxiety drop, their appetite come back and an allround happier personality. In many of my group sessions, family and friends are welcome to

I can see them engaging with it

It can help to spark memories

join and many of them have told me that they’ve seen a glimpse of the old personality their loved one once had before dementia took hold. I’ve always known music can have a positive influence, but since working with people who are living with dementia, it has shown me just how powerful it can be. I’ve now worked for MHA for eight years and for me, there’s no going back. Last year they launched their national campaign, which aims to raise awareness about music therapy and encourage other care homes to make it a permanent fixture. I’ve seen the positive effects music therapy can have, and I hope that one day, it’s available in every care home up and down the country. To find out more about MHA care homes and their music therapy initiative, visit: www.mha.org.uk

Music therapy usic therapy draws on the theraputic relationship that is established and developed through engagement in live musical interaction and play between a therapist and client. In music therapy, therapists draw upon the innate qualities of music to support people of all ages and abilities and at all stages of life. A range of styles and instruments can be used.

ve up some delicious delights with the help of British on eggs. They are are one of natur trientods and fit into many diets and lif

Sourdough French toast with fried egg & grilled halloumi  1 thick slice of sourdough bread  2 large British Lion eggs  1 tbsp milk 1 knob of butter red pepper sp red wine vinegar

 1 tbsp olive oil  50g halloumi che  Salt  Pepper  Parsley to garnis

HOD:

STOCK IMAGES: ALAMY AND GETTY

eat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan. Wrap the red pepp r onto a roasting tray and cook in the oven for about t. nwrap the pepper and leave to cool. Peel and remove th to long strings and season with red wine vinegar, olive oil a Heat up a heavy base frying pan or a griddle pan and (kee high) grill the halloumi cheese on both sides until golden bro slice into strings similar in size to your roasted pepper. 4. Using a fork, beat the egg and milk together in a shallow b enough for the sourdough slice. Dip the bread in the egg mix, flip and leave to soak for a minute. Melt the butter on a medium size frying pan and fry the eggy bread on each side for about 2-3 minutes. 5. In another pan, fry the second egg till the egg white sets but the yolk is still runny. 6. Place the toast on a plate, spoon over the peppers, halloumi and top with fried egg. Season with salt and pepper and parsley to garnish. Enjoy!

Serves

Croissants with scramble eggs & slow roasted toma

r e p p o t s w o h S breakfast! 20

Serves

2 croissants  4 large British Lion eggs  2 tbsp double cream  1 knob of butter  2 medium sized tomatoes, sliced into 2cm thick rounds  2 springs of rosemary, roughly chopped  Salt  Pepper  Olive oil

METHOD:

1. Preheat the oven to 130°C/110°C fan. Place the tomato slices on a roasting tray lined with baking parchment. 2. Generously drizzle olive oil over the tomatoes, sprinkle with sea salt, pepper and chopped rosemary. Roast for an hour, or until the tomato slices soften. 3. Beat the British Lion eggs and double cream together in a bowl and season with salt. 4. Heat a medium heavy base frying pan. On a low heat, melt the butter. Add the eggs and cook until desired consistency is reached, constantly stirring with spatula. 5. Cut both croissants in half. Spoon the scrambled eggs over each bottom half and cover with tomato slices. Close with the croissant top and enjoy with a cup of tea!

Giant couscous salad with soft boiled eggs  150g giant couscous, cooked according to instructions on packaging  1/2 lemon, juiced  Salt  Pepper  Olive oil  80g of chard/cavolo nero, stems removed, chopped

 2 beetroots, cooked  40g pumpkin seeds, toasted  Cress or rocket leave  2 large British Lion eggs, soft boiled  2 tbsp creme fraiche  1 tbsp mustard  1/2 lemon, juiced

METHOD:

Great for lunch!

Serves

1. On a medium size frying pan heat up a tablespoon of olive oil. Fry the cavolo nero/chard for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. 2. In a large mixing bowl, season the couscous with salt, pepper an lemon juice. Transfer onto two large plates or bowls. 3. Top the couscous with the greens, diced beetroots, pumpkin seeds and finally soft-boiled eggs and cress. you’re after a richer meal use the mustard dressing. Mix all the ingredients together and spoon over the salad

om Daley’s poached egg bowl 20g cherry tomatoes /2 small red onion tbsp parsley (flat leaf or curly) 2 large British Lion eggs 1/2 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for toasting the rye bread crumbs

 1/2 tbsp red wine vinegar  1 garlic clove, crushed  1/2 slice rye bread, torn into very small pieces  30g baby spinach, washed  Salt  Pepper  1 slice of rye bread, toasted

ETHOD:

Cut the cherry tomatoes into quarters. Finely slice the red ion. Roughly chop the parsley. Mix together with 1/2 tbsp olive l and the red wine vinegar, season with salt and pepper and set aside. 2. Mix the crushed garlic with the rye bread crumbs. Heat 1-2 tsp olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Once hot, add the garlic and rye crumbs, season and toast for 2 minutes until crispy a d fragrant. Set aside. a saucepan of water to the boil, turn down the heat to a gentle simmer and slowly ack the eggs in, one at a time. mmer for 2 minutes exactly. emove with a slotted spoon nd drain on kitchen paper. . Put the baby spinach into he bottom of a bowl, top with most of the tomato alad, both poached eggs and nish off with the remaining omato salad and the garlic ye crumbs. Season again with salt and pepper and eat mmediately with a slice of oasted rye bread on the side. 5. You could substitute boiled eggs for poached eggs, assemble in a tupperware Serves container and take to work for unch or to the gym for a post workout snack.

For more information visit eggrecipes.co.uk

Breakfast focaccia baked with eggs, herbs, cherry tomatoes and parmesan  400g bread flour  1 sachet of activated dried yeast  1 tsp salt  1 tsp caster sugar  250ml lukewarm water  3-5 large British Lion eggs

 150g cherry tomatoes, halved  60g pitted olives, halved  5 springs of thyme  30g parmesan, rated  Salt  Olive oil

METHOD:

1. In a large bowl mix together flour, yeast, salt and sugar. Make a well in the middle of your flour mix and pour half of the water into it. Use your hands to knead until all the ingredients are combined. Add the rest of the water and knead for about 5 minutes. 2. Cover the bowl with a damp kitchen cloth and leave in a warm place for 30min. 3. Transfer the dough onto a deep roasting tray (32cm x 20cm or smaller) generously covered with olive oil. Stretch it to the sides and push down with your fingers Serves making dwells. 4. Drizzle the dough with olive oil. Make 3-5 egg size balls with tin foil and press them onto the dough leaving space in between for topping 5. Use tomatoes, olives and thyme to fill the gaps in betwe foil balls. Press all the toppings down into the dough. Sprinkle e parmesan over and leave for another 20min. 6. Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan. Bake the focaccia for 15 minutes, until golden brown. Crack the eggs and transfer each onto a small ramekin. Take the focaccia out of the oven and remove the tin foil holders from the dough. Transfer the eggs into the holes and put the tray back into the oven for another 5 minutes or until the egg whites are set. 7. Serve with more olive oil and sprinkling of sea salt flakes.

S ’ Y D DAD

e tru baby, but Aisha Harris, 20, from Plymouth, never imagined what he would do...

WORDS BY HARRIET ROSE-GALE IMAGES: SWNS

kimming through the Facebook message on my screen, my face dropped. He’s asked me to let you know that he’s breaking up with you, it read. Charming! I thought to myself. I’d been with my boyfriend for three months, and he’d got his best mate, Lee Sweet, 26, to dump me over social media. After that, Lee and I got chatting, and I decided to get the ultimate revenge by hooking up with my ex’s pal, and it wasn’t too long before we were a couple. Just a few weeks later, I discovered I was pregnant. A huge smile crept across Lee’s face when I told him the news. Our relationship was new, and we hadn’t planned on having a baby so soon, but once the shock wore off, we were both so excited. I broke the news to my stepmum, Jackie, and once she got her head around it, she was supportive. Lee was unemployed. He told me he had anxiety, so I felt sorry for him, but he still managed to go to pool tournaments. Still, I vowed to work as hard as I could to save money and provide for our little one. As the months went by, my bump grew and grew. Lee came to all of the scans with me and it was incredible seeing our baby wriggle about on the screen. At our 20 week scan, we found out we were having a little boy. Made up, I started scouring Facebook for

second-hand babygrows, a Moses basket and all of the baby essentials we’d need. I showed Lee the bargains I’d found, but he never seemed to be very interested. He seemed more set on playing pool with his mates than preparing for our baby. I was getting fed up with his laziness, but I desperately tried to make things work, as I wanted us to be a little family. On 17 November 2016, doctors decided to induce me – a few weeks early. Lee and Jackie came to the hospital with me. While Jackie helped me focus on my breathing throughout my labour, Lee just sat on his mobile. ‘Will you get off your phone?’ I huffed at him. ‘I’m just keeping everyone updated,’ he insisted. I knew he was playing games. ‘You can do that later when the baby’s here,’ I told him. After four hours, our son was born at 4.17pm, weighing a tiny but healthy 5lbs 8oz. ‘He looks like a little alien,’ I laughed, as midwives placed him gently on my chest. I wanted our

I adored every second with him

He was my little angel little boy to have a unique name – one that no one else in his class at school would have. We settled on Ruben – Roo for short – like the baby kangaroo character in Winnie the Pooh. After a night in hospital, I was able to take Roo back to the mother and baby unit with me. I struggled to breastfeed, so I had to give him formula from a bottle. Roo suffered with colic and reflux, too – which meant the poor thing was constantly throwing up. He was generally a happy, bubbly little lad, but he had a set f lungs on him – and took o screaming the place own when he was hungry, needed changing or wanted a cuddle. We were allowed home a few days later, and after a few months, we got into a routine, and it became a bit easier. Although Lee and I didn’t live together, we still saw each other every day, and Roo and I could stay at his flat three nights a week. I hoped

he’d be a doting dad, but he wasn’t very hands on at all. He left dirty nappies and night feeds to me. When Roo was six months old, I asked Lee if he’d like to look after him overnight. ‘I don’t mind,’ he replied. ‘Well, either you do want to spend time with your son or you don’t,’ I told him. ‘I don’t mind either way, but let me know.’ ‘Fine, I will,’ he said. Lee came over and we played with Roo and his toys for a while before I gave him a bath. Roo was having a whale of a time, splashing about in the water. I gave him a kiss and a cuddle before Lee took him. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow, little man,’ I said. ‘Be good for Daddy.’ I was relieved to have a night of unbroken sleep. The next morning at 7.20am, the buzzing of my phone woke me up and I realised it was a missed call from Lee. I rang him back straight away. ‘Is everything OK?’ I asked. ‘There’s something wrong with Roo,’ he said, sounding panicked. I

R EAL LIFE

Brutal killer grabbed my keys and ran the short distance to Lee’s flat – still dressed in my pyjamas. As I got outside, I spotted an ambulance and my heart dropped. Sprinting to the building, I bashed on the window until I was let in. ‘Where is he? What’s happened?’ I cried, worried sick. Roo was lying on the floor. He was unresponsive and floppy, and was making hiccupping noises, gasping for air. Hysterical, I couldn’t bear seeing my baby boy in such a state. ‘We need to get him to hospital,’ the paramedic told me. They bundled him into the ambulance and I climbed in with him, followed by Lee. Medics drove Roo and I to Derriford Hospital where he was rushed straight into resus. I wasn’t allowed in with him and I felt so helpless pacing the corridors – waiting for news. Doctors

eventually came and explained that Roo had been put under anaesthetic because he’d kept having seizures. ‘He’s suffered two bleeds on the brain,’ the doctor told me gently. Confused, I couldn’t understand what had happened. ‘His injuries are what we’d expect to see if he had been in a car crash,’ they told me. In complete disbelief, I couldn’t stop crying. How could this have happened? I thought. The doctor told me it was either down to an infection, or Roo having been shaken. ‘It must be an infection,’ I said. ‘Lee would never do that to him.’ Police were called and social services attended the hospital to speak to me and Lee. Doctors told me they needed to get Roo to Bristol Children’s Hospital as soon as possible to be

My baby had been violently shaken

treated by specialists. I travelled up with him and gave Lee £90 to follow up when he could – but he had to stay behind as officers wanted to ask him a few more questions. When we arrived, Roo was whisked away and I was told o sit in a waiting room. After a few hours, one of he doctors gently pulled me o one side. ‘We don’t think your son is going to make it, he said. ‘He’s very, very poorly.’ I refused to believe him. ‘My baby will pull through his,’ I insisted. My family arrived by that vening and we took it in turns eeping a bedside vigil for ttle Roo. He looked so fragile hooked p to machines and covered in ll kinds of wires. Although I could see him, I wasn’t allowed to touch him. Medics suggested that there as no way his injuries had een caused by an infection, nd I slowly realised that Lee must have done this to our efenceless little boy. I refused all contact with him nd his family – focusing all of y attention on Roo. Doctors needed to run tests determine Roo’s brain nction, but they couldn’t until s levels had come down. They suspected he was going be completely brain dead. He was kept alive with breathing tubes and they had to use a suction implement to remove saliva from his mouth. It was clear he couldn’t swallow or breathe by himself. Lee was told he was able to visit Roo to say goodbye, as they thought Roo wouldn’t make it. I couldn’t believe the man who may have been capable of doing this to our son was able to see him. My family and I were kept on a separate floor of the hospital while Lee was granted an hour with Roo. The next night, as I sat with Roo, doctors told me that he was brain dead. There was nothing more they could do – as soon as they took him off the machines, he would slip away. I had to say my final goodbyes to my baby. I sat with Roo and read him his favourite book – The Gruffalo – one last time,

trying to hold back tears. ‘He’s been on life support for long enough, he shouldn’t have to suffer any longer,’ I said. Doctors turned off the machines and I held Roo in my arms as he passed away. The colour quickly drained from my little boy’s body and I barely recognised the baby in my arms. My auntie told my family and they all rallied around me. Things had been rocky between me and Lee, but I never imagined he’d do something like this. And worst of all, he’d lied about it – even came to the hospital to see Roo dying. Thankfully, Lee was arrested. In June 2018 at Plymouth Crown Court, Lee, now 27, pleaded not guilty to murder, but admitted one count of manslaughter. The court heard that he lost his temper when Roo wouldn’t stop crying and shook him violently. He got just five years and four months, but with time off, he’ll be out by December this year. I’m now campaigning for the sentences for manslaughter to be increased and for lying defendants to be denied an automatic discount to their jail term. After the court case, Roo’s body was finally released to us and we held his funeral. We asked mourners to wear onesies and pyjamas to accompany Roo on his ‘final sleep’. It breaks my heart that I will never hold my little Roo in my arms again. I’ll never kiss his chubby cheeks, and worst of all, I’ll never hear his first words or watch him take his first steps – that was snatched away from me in the worst way possible.

I’ll never see him grow up

Crack it

Just for

FUN

Work out which lette number represents. We’ve give you some letters to start, so you can instantly put in the letter J wherever there is a 20. Do this for all the starter letters. When you’ve filled the grid, put the correct letters into the answer boxes at the bottom to spell out a word.

Office romance

Should I take the risk?

I 16

YES

Number fit Which one of the li mini grid?

568 906 589 980 608

Pick Me Up! reader Julie from Shropshire says: If you really like this guy, then go for it! I don’t think you should hide your emotions just because you work together. I assume if you’ve got to the point that you like him, then you’ve been flirting and chatting? He probably likes you, too! Some men don’t like to make the first move! And even if he doesn’t like you, at least you know. It may be a little awkward, but this is where you need to be confident and professional. The awkwardness will go. Good luck!

5 Answers on page 61

Pick Me Up! reader Hayley from Oxford says: In my book, workplace relationships are a big no no. If you tell him that you like him, not only will you risk it being awkward for yourself, but for the entire office, too. While you’re at work, you need to be professional and not allow your emotions to take over. Even if things were to go your way, it could cause problems down the line. What if you got together and it didn’t work out? I would avoid this altogether and remain professional.

If you really like this man then you have to take some action, but maybe you don’t have to be so overt as to tell him outright that you like him. Call me old fashioned, but men do like to do some of the chasing, too, so I think you’d be wise to create an opportunity (or two) for you guys to be alone together so that he has the chance to ask you out should he wish to. One thing I do know is that if a man really likes a woman, he will pursue her, so if he doesn’t grab the opportunities that you present him with, then take that as a hint and move on.

JO SAYS:

Your answer______________________________ 24

like a guy that I work with, but if I tell him, and he doesn’t like me, I’ll have to see him every day and it will be mortifying. Should I take the risk? Mel, Hastings

dilemmas nternational Executive Coach of the Year, Confidence & Human Behaviour Expert Jo Emerson answers your questions. Grab her book Flying for Beginners: A Proven System for Lasting Self Confidence on Amazon.

Is it wrong to keep pushing?

y husband and I have two children and I’d love to have a third, but he has said he doesn’t want any more. I’m heartbroken that he’d take this decision from me. Shall I keep pushing until he gives in? Amy, Southampton

Pick Me Up! reader Jane from Sussex says:

You’re not the only one in the relationship, and discarding your husband’s feelings in this matter is not the answer. Wanting or not wanting another child is a serious discussion and the two of you need to be on the same page. Pressing him on the issue could drive him further away and your two existing children will feel the brunt of it.

JO SAYS:

This is a serious issue and one that could badly affect your marriage if it is not resolved. I would urge you both to talk this through with an experienced counsellor who can help you find a path forwards together. On the one hand, it would be cruel to a bring a child who is not wanted by its father into this world, not to mention a violation of your husband’s free will. However, on the other, I see that it is desperately difficult for you to feel you have another child in you that you cannot bring into the world. I feel for you both – please get some help.

YES

Pick Me Up! reader Priya from Truro says:

Why shouldn’t you? If you believe their reasoning, then it sounds like they weren’t trying to be mean. If you have the money and you can afford it, then you should go. It’s always horrible feeling left out, but if you believe them, then you should go and have a good time. Maybe suggest that next time, they ask you first, as they did hurt your feelings.

Feeling left out

Would it be silly to go?

’ve found out that all my friends are going on holiday together and they haven’t invited me. When I found out, they said they thought I couldn’t aﬀord it and if I want to come, I can. I’m hurt, but should I still go? Anna, London

Tough choices

Pick Me Up! reader Hollie from Hull says:

Absolutely not! Any good friends would have asked you beforehand. I think it’s time to question their loyalties. Even if you couldn’t afford it, they should have offered, but the fact that they didn’t suggests that they wanted to go without you. Not inviting you was nasty. I don’t think these are people you want in your life.

JO SAYS: If you can afford it and want to continue your friendship with these people, then I think you should swallow your pride, take them at their word and go on holiday with them. It might also be worth gently explaining to each of them (individually) that they did hurt your feelings, and that you would rather be given the option to decide for yourself whether you can afford things or not in the future. Don’t let this ruin your friendship with these girls. Go have fun with your friends, and I hope you have a wonderful holiday!

IMAGES: GETTY

YES

Pick Me Up! reader Lois from Cardiff says: At the end of the day, you’ll be the one who has to carry the child and give birth. Whilst the decision isn’t entirely your own and you need to keep your husband’s opinions in mind, I don’t see the harm in nudging him a little more. Try and find out why he doesn’t want another child and counteract him with the reasons you do. Hopefully he will come around!

DAYS OUT

e n e c s f o e g n a h c A

We love a performance and we can’t wait for these shows to hit the stage this year. ACT – TIM APOLLO Whoopi’s back!

oopi’s back! Starring the iginal 1992 film cast, Sister mes to London! Following hly anticipated tour, Sister will make its final stop the West End. Watch is hilarious musical as eloris Van Cartier’s life takes a dramatic turn when she is witness to a murder. Taken into witness protection and disguised as a nun, this year Whoopi returns o her iconic witty ole. This is a tale f friendship, sterhood and more importantly, usic. Oh happy ays! 29 July – 30 ugust – Book ckets now

An act of true love It’s worth it

PRETTY WOMAN – PICCADILLY THEATR

t’s time to say hello to our favourite sass working girl. With classic scenes that are iconic – we all know the one – this West End musical is set to be a hit. Fans of the 90s film will get to see Vivian and Edward enter centre stage as they relive our favourite movie moments. As Vivian looks for a knight in shining armour, Edward is desperate to hold onto his newfound love. So, put on your finest outfit, shop until you drop around the streets of London and relax to this classic romance tale. Book your tickets now. If you don’t, it will be a big mistake! Big! Huge!  From 13 February – Book tickets now

THE ADDAMS FAMILY UK TOUR - VARIOUS VENUES AROUND THE UK

eturning for 2020, Matthew White is bringing the nation’s favourite gothic family to center stage. Touring in 2020, the Addams family must face their toughest challenge yet… acting ‘normal’. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, is all grown up and has a shocking secret that only Gomez knows – she’s fallen in love with a sweet young man from a ‘normal’ family. With his cherished Morticia in the dark, will Gomez manage to keep his daughter’s secret until the two families meet for a fateful dinner with hilarious consequences? Join our favourite gothic family, plus Uncle Fester, Lurch, Pugsley and more for a heart-warming story of love, family and friendship… with a twist!  Find dates and venues www.britishtheatre.com

re u s e y’r your e h T elt to m arts all he again over

FROZEN - THEATRE DRURY LANE

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD – GIELGUD THEATRE

Step back in time

fter an extremely successful Broadway debut, London is finally getting this award-winning adaptation of the classic novel. Known as one of literature’s towering symbols of honesty and compassion, lawyer Atticus Finch seeks the truth in a town that seems determined to hide it. But don’t expect this to be the tale you’ve always known. This new adaptation sees the classic in a different light, so expect some twists and turns along the way. With such positive praise from America, we’re sure this will be the show of the year!  – 8 August – Book tickets now

Based on the classic novel

BACK TO THE FUTURE – VENUE TO BE CONFIRMED

ased on the 1985 science-fiction movie, Back to the Future follows the story of rock ‘n’ roll teenager Marty McFly who is transported back in time after a ride in a time-travelling DeLorean, invented by Dr. Emmett Brown. Featuring iconic songs from the movie, the show will see the two main stars battle to return to real life and save themselves from the past. Directed by Tony Award winning director John Rando, this is set to be a spectacular ride!  Dates to be confirmed – Tickets on sale 24 May 2020

WORDS BY HANNAH POON IMAGES: ALAMY AND GETTY

Will they succeed?

re you ready to face the cold? Following the release of Fro 2, in Autumn 2020, our favourite ice queen comes to life. They melted your heart through the big screen, but now Elsa and Anna will cast their spell on the West End. With your favourite songs and a brand-new score from Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, this breathtaking musical will send shivers through your veins. As the two sisters fight for love and hope, our favourite icy fairytale will capture our hearts again. So, let it go and say hello to Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Sven and of course, Olaf!  Autumn 2020 – dates and tickets to be confirmed

Fancy yourself as a bit of a brainbox? Test just how smart you are with these tough teasers… Film and TV

Who directed the first two Harry Potter films? a Chris Columbus b David Yates c Steven Spielberg

Who plays Prince Philip in season three of The Crown?

a Rami Malek b Ben Hardy

a Daniel Radcliffe b Matt Smith c Tobias Menzies

Which actor links the films X-Men, Bohemian Rhapsody and TV Soap Eastenders?

N U F

c Tom Hardy

How many contestants are on each team in University Challenge? a Four b Six c Eight

r o f t Jus

In the final season of Game of Thrones, who was crowned King?

a Jon Snow b Bran Stark c Robert Baratheon

Which film does the song Into the Unknown, star in?

a Frozen 2 b The Lio King c Matild

5 16

Showbiz

Sussex ho was spend crowned winner their of 2019’s I’m a Christmas Celebrity? in 2019? a Jacqueline Jossa b Kate Garraway c Cliff Perisi

IMAGE: GETTY, PA AND ALAMY

8 28

a Africa b England c Canada

Which Who Kardashian presents is said to be the daystepping away from time TV show This the family business? Morning during a Kim Kardashian term-time? b Khloe Kardashian c Kourtney Kardashian

Where did the Duke and Duchess of

a Amanda Holden and Phillip Schofield b Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield c Rochelle Humes and Phillip Schofield

Music the name of Harry Styles’ latest album? a Fine Line b Fine Hair c Fine Boy

Who sang the 1997 song My Heart Will Go On? a Cher b Whitney Houston c Celine Dion

Ed Sh team with which Americ superstar for 2019 hit I don Care? a Selena Gomez b Ariana Grand c Justin Bieber

Whic grou relea We Built This 1985?

Food and dr

Which fastfood chain is the latest to release their first ever vegan burger? a KFC b McDonald’s c Burger King

What has Skittles slogan be n since 1994?

a Taste the sun b Taste the rain c Taste the rainbow

20 Thatcher’s Cider brewed? a Newcastle b Somerset c Cardiff

a Cinnamon b Blueberries c Chocolate

a Mussels and chips b Prawns and chips c Cod and chips

Mocha is a coffee usually flavoured with which substance?

Considered a national dish of Belgium, what is Moules-frites?

General knowledge

a s Princess Charlotte’s full name?

Kanye West release the album College Dropout?

Which Oasis a 2004 single b 2005 n the Brit c 2006 ward for British Justin ngle at the Timberlake 996 Brit achieved his Awards? Roll With It first UK number one onderwall with which single? p Crying Your ut

a Bye Bye Bye b Rock Your Body c Sexy Back

A caravan is a group of which

a Poseidon b Hades c Zeus

Charlotte Bronte is the author of which famous novel? a Agnes Grey b Wuthering Heights c Jane Eyre

a Horses b Camels c Pigs

According to Greek mythology, who is Hercules’

aK bQ cU

animals?

Which is the only letter in Scrabble to have a value of five points?

ANSWERS: 1A, 2A, 3B, 4C, 5B, 6A, 7A, 8C, 9C, 10B, 11A, 12C, 13C, 14B, 15A, 16A, 17C, 18A, 19C, 20C, 21B, 22A, 23B, 24B, 25C, 26C, 27A

a Charlotte Camilla Diana b Charlotte Elizabeth Diana c Charlotte Pippa Middleton

father?

F L HA , n re d il h c r e h h it w y la p to Too big , d n la e Ir m o fr , 6 3 r, a b n u Majella D … n o ti ic d d a rb a c r e h t u c to d ha

Before

ugh the d out a less glitzy

My size got in the way

geous!’ I it!’ for a size straight to t. I had other thing t of g ions. n’t in the pe of my as I to marry er of four 34, I was sed on plans than ny weight. he big day September t great own the le. ook ’ PJ me. lways

been big, but I had never let it bother me, and it had never bothered PJ. Settling into married life, we fell into a routine of cosy nights in and Chinese takeaways and our lives became more hectic when I fell pregnant with our daughter, Leah, now nine. My pregnancy was quite smooth, but I found myself eating lots of junk food. By the time Leah was born, I was bursting out of my size 22 clothes. I tried to cut down on the snacks, but soon I relied on bars of chocolate and bags of crisps to keep me going. In 2012, PJ and I knew we wanted to give Leah a sibling and started trying straight away. When I fell pregnant with a baby girl, we were over the moon. I started preparations for baby number two, but only a few weeks in, I started bleeding. ‘You’ve lost the baby, I’m sorry,’

the doctors said. I immediately ‘How could th cried to PJ. ‘We can try ag comforting me. ‘I know,’ I said When I got hom straight to the kit around to see wh I was so physic mentally exhaust bec big I wh and on p on f bre to 2 S would try to slim whole food group but it never worked and soon was back to my old ways. In 2014, we decided to was time to start trying for a baby again. ‘I’m pregnant!’ I said. ‘And we’re having twins!’ I told

We suffered a lot of heartbreak

I feel like a new wife

with the children. ‘Can we play with my ball outside?’ Leah asked me one day. ‘Dad will play with you in the garden,’ I smiled. ‘I need to stay here with Tommy.’ Crouching down beside him, I started playing with his toys. After a few minutes, my legs started to ache being on the floor. I tried to get up, but I was stuck! Shuffling around on the ground, I eventually managed to hike myself up by grabbing onto the couch. ‘Is everything ok?’ PJ asked coming back inside. I was mortified at how out of breath and flustered I was. ‘I need to do something about my size,’ I said to him. ‘I’m going to join a slimming class.’ ‘Alright, love,’ PJ laughed, kissing my cheek. ‘I’m serious. I need to make a change or else I’ll just keep getting bigger,’ I sighed. PJ had heard it all before, but this time I was determined to make a real lifestyle change. I had heard some of my friends talking about a weight loss group called Unislim, and I signed myself

up to join. ‘Have fun,’ PJ smiled, dropping me off at my first meeting. ‘Maybe I shouldn’t go,’ I said. I started to worry what everyone would think when I walked in and was convinced all eyes would be on me. ‘Don’t be daft, you’ll enjoy it,’ he smiled. Walking into the hall, I was called up to step on the scales. I couldn’t believe it when they flashed up 20st 13lb. ‘I didn’t realise I was so big!’ I gasped, red-cheeked. At the end of my first meeting, I raced home and cleared out the cupboards. ‘I’m tracking everything from now on,’ I announced. I started eating three meals a day, adding fruit and vegetables into every meal and swapping takeaways for home-made healthy pizzas and curries. I loved the new foods and the kids did too. ‘This chicken curry is delicious,’ I said to PJ, impressed with my cooking. Before long, I noticed the

I was mortified by my weight

was struggling to fit into a size 26. ‘I’m just too busy to work out,’ I told myself. Between running after Leah and trying to take care of Tommy, I was constantly tired and became lazy

pounds began to slip off and my confidence started to soar. I even roped my brother, Patrick, into coming along when he dropped me off at my meeting. ‘Why don’t you come in? It’s definitely worth a try!’ I said. ‘Why not,’ he shrugged and soon he started going every week and was down 6st himself! ‘You look amazing,’ PJ said. ‘It’s like I have a whole new wife.’ ‘Stop it!’ I laughed. I felt great and started to throw out all my old, baggy skirts and replaced them with smaller, figurehugging outfits. I even bought trousers for the first time in years! After going to the meetings every Tuesday for 18 months, I fitted easily into a size 10. Stepping on the scales at my meeting, my jaw dropped. ‘You’re 10st 10lb!’ my coach said, reading the scales. I had lost 10st 3lb – nearly half my body weight! ‘I can’t believe it,’ I cried. I was so proud of myself. My transformation was rewarded even more when I was nominated for Unislimmer of the year 2018. Before, I made so many excuses and was scared to get on the scales. Since joining Unislimmer, I’ve made lots of supportive friends and changed my life. Now, I have more energy to play with the kids and I love taking them to the park or have a kick around in the garden. ‘Let’s go outside!’ I say to Leah. For the first time, I feel like I’m being the best mum that I can be and I know I won’t ever go back. I am half the person I used to be, but twice as confident and happy.

WORDS AND IMAGES: SWNS

R EAL LIFE

After

Proud of myself

Movie links! Name the films in which these stars appear together to link Margot Robbie with Jonah Hill.

t for

FUN

____ ____ _ ____ __ _________

Lauren Salmon, 33, from Kent, certainly backs the underdog…

__ __ ____

WORDS BY HATTIE BISHOP PHOTOS: SWNS

___ ___ _____

crolling through his phone, my son Luke was trying to make an important decision. ‘I can’t choose,’ he mumbled to me. A few days before, in July 2019, I’d agreed to get him a puppy for his 15th birthday. His dream present. He’d always wanted one, and I felt he was finally old enough to take on the responsibility. He was such a kind boy, too. Suffering with psoriasis, he’d

STOCK IMAGES: ALAMY

________

She had six little legs

Answers on page 61

been bullied badly at school. But despite it all, he had such a good heart, and I knew he’d take good care of a puppy. ‘What about a Staffie or a Rottweiler?’ I said, trying to drop a hint. They’d always been my favourite dogs, and I’d hoped Luke would agree with me. The next morning, Luke let out a loud cry. ‘Mum! I’ve found the puppy I want!’ he said. Peering at his creen, I was hoping to see a ittle Staffie… But the pup he’d found on the rehoming website was something else altogether. She had six little legs! ‘Spider dog,’ Luke grinned. I frowned. Of course I felt sorry for the poor thing, but I just didn’t have the time to take in a puppy with special needs. I was a single mum to four kids

R EAL LIFE She is active and brave

She’s melted our hearts

– Luke, Ruby, nine, Elli-Grace, seven, and Ameliya-Jade, four. I was also juggling work as a fulltime care worker. ‘Please Mum?’ Luke begged, his eyes wide. Given his struggles at school, his empathy didn’t surprise me. ‘Look,’ he went on, showing me a video. ‘She jumps around on her back legs like a kangaroo!’ he said. As much as I fought it, this little pup’s big eyes melted my heart. ‘Go on then,’ I said to Luke. Later that day, I called the breeder, who explained that the pup was the runt of a litter of 10, with a Staffie mum and a chocolate Labrador dad. She was born different. Her left front leg was divided into two paws – one with four pads and the other with one. On her right leg, there was

elevision. And whenever he ft the room, she’d whimper out. As I expected, uke was very esponsible, waking p at 5am every orning to lift Roo Luke chose her nto a puppy pad for out of every dog wee. And at 8am sharp, e served her ummy breakfast. As time went on, another extra limb. Roo’s confidence grew. But sadly, all four of them When we took her to Pets at flopped around, useless. Home for her injections and micro‘The poor thing,’ I cried. chipping, they gasped. The following day, the kids and I Vets checked Roo over, said she drove over to Essex to meet the was perfectly healthy – for now. puppy in person. When she’s fully grown, she’ll When we arrived, the little pup need specialist consultations and stood on her back legs to possibly amputatio greet us, her front legs of her extra limbs. flailing in front. Knowing this And we all fell in love! would be costly, ‘We’ll take her,’ I I set up a smiled to the breeder. GoFundMe Back home, she page. crawled around One lady got in amazingly quickly, touch via considering how awkwardly she moved – Facebook, saying bum in the air, using her strong back wanted to buy Roo wheelchair. legs to propel herself forward. We’d already ch ‘What shall we call her?’ I asked. one – from a comp ‘Roo,’ Luke said. in Sussex costing ‘Like kangaroo.’ It was certainly a better name than £400. It would be an Spider Dog! honour, she said. Roo was quite nervous at first, When I sitting next to Luke as he watched

We fell in love straight away

popped Roo into it a few weeks later, she gave me such a dirty look! But, practising in the garden, we realised its potential. Using her back legs, Roo would spin around in circles at first. But now she’s worked out how to move in different directions. And she does it at speed! I’ve even contacted the Supervet about Roo – I loved to watch Noel Fitzpatrick on the telly, and hoped he could help. His team have since reviewed Roo’s pictures and say she’s not a candidate for surgery until she’s fully grown. For now, we’ll wait. She’s six months old and still visiting different vets. Roo’s got her six paws well and truly under our table and has hopped her way straight into our hearts.

Our sixth member of the family

H S A R C A terrible acciden Marshall, 33, from Leeds, realise what she wanted…

WORDS BY HATTIE BISHOP IMAGES: SWNS

aughing out loud with the girls, I was having such a good time away. ‘She is absolutely hilarious!’ I chuckled, watching an act at the Fringe comedy festival in Edinburgh. After recently turning single, it was so nice to let my hair down and have fun with my friends. As the weekend came to an end, we all clambered into the car to travel home. Knackered, I quickly fell fast asleep in the back seat. Then suddenly, I awoke to an almighty loud crash . I felt my body thrown forwards as the car hurtled down a hill, and then everything went black. When I opened my eyes, I was in

They thought I wouldn’t survive

With the girls in Edinburgh

a hospital bed. ‘What’s happened?’ I asked, feeling groggy. ‘You were involved in an accident, caused by another car,’ a doctor explained. ‘You’ve suffered multiple injuries as a result, including a broken back, four broken ribs and a punctured bowel.’ Aching and shocked, I took the news in. Luckily, my friends were all safe – I was the only one who had to be airlifted to hospital. A policeman at the scene had predicted that I wouldn’t make it past 24 hours. Thanks to the Great North Air Ambulance Service, I’d survived two weeks. My parents explained that I’d spent them in an induced coma. ‘We’ve barely left your side,’ my mum Melanie said, relieved to see me awake. Over the next few weeks, they remained by my bed as I recovered. And two months later, I was released from hospital. Unable to walk more than a

I felt like my life was over few ste ha ba my daily physio appointments and watching endless amounts of daytime TV, I thought about my life before my accident. It made me upset to picture the happy, independent girl partying in Edinburgh just weeks before. Then one morning, a message arrived from a guy I used to date called Rich. I heard about your accident. I hope youÕre OK, he said. It was sweet of him to think of me, so I replied to say thanks, and thought nothing more of it. Rich and I had met through a mutual friend and went on our first date together a while back. We challenged each other to spend a pound and bring a surprise present to the date. I’d bought him a Kinder Surprise egg – and he loved it. Cracking it open to find a plastic blue dinosaur ring, he laughed. ‘You’re definitely the winner, Hayley,’ he smiled. As the weeks passed, we saw each other a few more times, but I

I’d only recently got out of a long term relationship. ‘Can we just be friends?’ I asked him one day. Agreeing that it would be hard to avoid our feelings for each other, we stopped seeing each other after that. Booking a girls’ holiday to get over the heartbreak, I tried my best to move on. I enjoyed the single life, and went to Edinburgh with the girls. Then I had my accident. And as time passed, I thought of Rich every now and then. Still struggling to walk far, I was nervous when a friend invited me to a birthday party. ‘I haven’t been out like this,’ I told Mum. ‘It’ll be nice to see everyone,’ she said to me. Knowing Rich would be there, I apprehensively agreed to go. Clutching my drink at the party, I looked around the room. ‘Hi, Hayley,’ a voice said. I turned round to see Rich smiling over at me. ‘How are you?’ he

EAL LIFE

We made new memories together

Rich helped me so much

you on the weight machines,’ Rich smiled, signing up to my gym to help get my strength up. When I felt weak, ch cooked tea and ned the house. d on the second ary of my accident, me on time was different – I didn’t feel upset, I felt angry. Confiding in my mum, I told her how Rich wasn’t there for me during my accident. And now he wanted to pick up the pieces. ‘I don’t think you know how you feel,’ she said, raising her eyebrows. Struggling to work t ti

sparkling ring inside. ‘Will you marry me?’ Rich said, on one knee. I swore and cried, and then I screamed, ‘Yes!’ Months later, I was slipping into my wedding dress ready for the big day. Spinning around in the mirror, I admired the low-cut back, showing off my scars. I’ve hidden my body for so long, and Rich has taught me to love the skin I’m in. Walking down the aisle, I wasn’t at all selfconscious. Instead, I was proud. Looking at Rich waiting at the altar, everything felt right. ‘You look absolutely incredible, Hayley,’ he cried. Rich and I exchanged vows and became husband and wife. ‘I wish I could have been there for you when you had your accident. ‘B t I’ll d lif making it said in his

He made me feel safe and beautiful

It was the first one since we’d been together. ‘Now we can make happier memories on this date,’ he grinned. Carrying my bags whilst we explored, he slowed down so I could keep up. Then the year after, he took me out for a picnic and passed me a Kinder Surprise Egg. Just like on our first ever date together. ‘It can’t be any better than a l i di i ’ I id l

me feel so ed for. as so asked warmly. Relieved to see him, we soon started chatting away. He was just as kind and handsome as ever. After the party, we started tal again and went on a few dates. Then one day, Rich told me th he liked me. My confidence had been knocked since my accident, and started to panic. ‘Until I like myself again, I ca be with anyone,’ I told him. Just like the last time, we sett as friends. Except this

mazing!’ I ng a video bulance saved my ating me day. do this?’ I ch. st smiled. s an ble day for f us. r my nt, I ht life as I t would be

Meant to be My recovery wasn’t easy

then Rich d out and me realise it ly just . w, we’ve ur whole re ahead s. truly lieve that verything appens for reason. Rich and I ere always t to be her. ust took us e while to se it.

TRAVEL

l l a w n r Co ornwa may e one o e mos beautiful places in the summer, but it has a lot to offer in the colder seasons, too. WHERE TO STAY

WORDS BY HANNAH POON IMAGES: GETTY

o matter where you are in Cornwall, you’re never far from a hotel. Right in the heart of Falmouth over-looking Gyllyngvase beach, is the wonderful St Michael’s Resort – a luxury 4* hotel and spa. With spectacular views, extraordinary rooms and an out-of-this world spa, you’ll never want to leave. Extraordinary After a recent £8 million redevelopmen rooms there is no place like it. So, book to stay this fantastic resort and get access to a facilities. With an indoor swimming pool, outdoor hot tubs, gym and sauna, it’s got everything you need. And if you really don’t want to leave, their 2AA rosette restaurant and bar will happily satisfy your taste buds. stmichaelsresort.com

There’s no place like it

Spectular views

So many plants to see

WHERE TO VISIT

ornwall has plenty of places to visit that will keep you entertained. And if there is one thing Cornwall is good for, it’s plants. With the Eden Project and beautiful gardens, there are plenty to see. At the Eden Project, they home the largest rainforest in captivity. With stunning plants, exhibitions and stories, nature has never seemed so fun. With lots of activities, this is a great family visit all year round. After all, it’s heated to cater for a tropical rainforest! You won’t even know it’s winter! If you want to stay outdoors then a trip to Trebah Gardens is a must. Stretching over four miles of footpath, you can explore canopies bursting with exotic blooms. Follow the vibrant tunnels of colour that cascade down to the private and secluded beach on the Helford River.

WHERE TO EAT

t’s not a trip to Cornwall without a visit to one of Rick Stein’s famous restaurants. Overlooking the iconic Fistral Beach is one of his casual and laid-back eateries. Serving delicious fish and chips on the beach, as well as Asian inspired dishes, this is a must visit. Delve into a crunchy battered fish or give the Goan chicken curry a try. No matter what you fancy, you won’t be disappointed. With gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options available, there really is something for everyone. And you never know, you might even get to catch a glimpse of the man himself! www.rickstein.com

Mouth watering treats

A SHOPPING TRIP

Travel

The famous Kynance Cove

NEWS Ski getaway!

L TAKE A WALK

hen you think of summer in Cornwall, you typically think of surfing. In winter, however, it’s all about coastal walks. There are plenty to choose, from easy to tough, you can go on a simple stroll or a long hike. The walk from Lizard Peninsula to the famous Kynance Cove, consists of a 4.5-mile trek along the picturesque coastal Path. It’s worth taking a camera, as along the way you may spot a friendly seal or even a pod of dolphins. And when you get onto the grass, their may be some brown cows having there lunch. Once you arrive at the cove, take a stop in their café, which serves some of the best bacon sandwiches around! BEWARE OF THE RATTLESNAKES!

t may not be Oxford Street, but the city of Truro (more like the size of a big town) has lots to offer. Along with your typical high-street names, it has an abundance of small, independent shops. Take a walk along the cobbled streets and into the arcades for some beautiful treats. Then, once your all shopped out, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from – even some on the River Allen! Before you leave, make sure to check out the spectacular cathedral, which is one of the most historic buildings Cobbled streets in Cornwall! of Truro

THE NEARLY THERE TREES

o matter where you’re travelling from, getting to Cornwall takes HOURS. And let’s be honest, an hour spent on the A30 is never fun. But any Cornwall lover knows what to look out for… the nearly there trees! Marking the border between Cornwall and Devon, a small copse of trees on the left-hand side is a sigh of relief to anyone travelling down south. While your journey may not be over, when you see these trees, you’re nearly there!

aunching in February 2020, the prestigious Swiss ski resorts of LAAX and Davos Klosters will come together to offer the opportunity to experience something truly unique – The Ski Getaway Reinvented. This seven-night package invites passionate skiers, novices and those in search of a winter wonderland break alike, to experience the luxury of private charter travel for a fraction of the price and enjoy 500km+ of pistes across 2 ski areas. Maximum skiing time, minimum hassle – no waiting time at airports or lengthy transfer times. From London to the slopes in just under 2.5 hours, this certainly reinvents the ski getaway! The escape: Jump on board a BA operated 32-seater jet at London City Airport. Fly straight into the small, independent airport of Altenrhein in the Swiss mountains, where a waiting luxury bus will transfer you to your first resort 50 es away. rices from £1,550 www. heskigetaway. o.uk

A place of wonder

Not far to go now!

There’s nothing like it

S BY GAIL SHORTLAND IMAGES: GETTY AND PA

When a community searched for a little girl, they discovered a monster in their midst...

hen a child goes missing, a whole community holds their breath. Jessica Ridgeway was a typical 10-year-old girl. She loved butterflies, the colour purple, and performing in her junior cheerleading squad. She’d playfully rebel at bedtime and make up funny ances to make people laugh. ber, 2012, Jessica e in Westminster,

Colorado, to walk to school. But she never arrived. The community turned out in their hundreds to search for the sweet little girl. Her devastated mum, Sarah, made several desperate pleas for her safe return. After two days, Jessica’s backpack was found in a town called Superior, about six miles from her home. It contained her glasses and her cheerleading pom-poms. Six days

after her disappearance, a severely dismembered torso was discovered in bin bags, dumped in a field just off a main road. It was Jessica. The community were heartbroken – and terrified by the horrific crime. Who would take a young girl and dismember her? Was the killer Grisly details still walking were revealed among them? The local residents started to suspect their friends and neighbours. Police were out on the streets in death and told friends he wanted to force and parents fearfully escorted study mortuary science. their kids everywhere. He usually wore black. Purple ribbons were tied around Police took a DNA sample from trees in Jessica’s memory. Austin, but days later, his mum The police put out a plea for Mindy called 911. any information. ‘I need you to come to my house, They revealed that a wooden my son wanted to turn himself in for cross from a necklace had been Jessica Ridgeway’s murder,’ she found with the remains. told police. Did anyone recognise it? She asked them to hurry. On 19 October, the police were Austin came onto the phone and given a tip off. admitted killing Jessica. They were given a name – Austin He said he would give himself up Sigg, 17. with no resistance. He lived a mile away from Jessica The dispatcher asked about his and had been known to wear a criminal record. wooden cross. ‘The only other thing that I have pite being done was the Ketner Lake incident ligent, Austin where the woman got attacked. That The community ad dropped out of was me,’ he said. searched everywhere chool and was Incredibly, Austin had admitted now at college to an attack on a jogger that studying happened four months earlier. forensics. He’d used homemade chloroform He’d been and had ambushed her from behind, bullied at but she managed to escape. school because Sadly, little Jessica hadn’t been of an unusually so lucky. igh voice. Once Austin was in custody, his Austin had a confessions grew worse. nation with He told police that some

Jessica was abducted as walked to school and on she e call revealed her drea phone dful fate 38

EVIL

Jessica had asked her killer repeatedly whether she would see her mum again. He lied and said she would. After brutally sexually assaulting her, he cut her hair and made her dress in his clothes. Experts suggested ld have been part of isted fantasy. ustin then strangled ica with his wn hands. When he ticed that she as still witching, he rced her into e bath of ot water. Methodically, he cut up er body with a saw from he garage – keeping some arts, such as her skull – nd dumping others. Experts testified that Austin had got a ‘sexual hrill’ from the ismemberment. Austin’s mum admitted hat her son had been aught looking at violent hild pornography years earlier and that he’d He’ll spend his received therapy. life behind bars On the day of his confession, she’d come home from work and Austin had said he had omething to tell her. sexual assault and kidnapping. ‘ m a monster,’ he told her. The charges included the failed He then gave her all the horrific attempt to kidnap a female jogger in details of his crime. May 2012. His mum was emotional through Austin wouldn’t face the death the proceedings. penalty as he was 17 at the time of Jessica’s family the attack, but he was tried as an told the court how adult due to the nature of the crime. her death had The court in Colorado heard just destroyed them, h d d A ti Y Jessica’s legacy lives on

but her mum refused to talk at length about her trauma. ‘I don’t think the defendant has a right to hear how he has affected me,’ Sarah said. ‘Once we walk out of this court room, we will no longer remember his name, only the legacy Jessica left behind.’ The court watched a video of Jessica’s life in pictures, and her smiles filled the court room. In November 2013, Austin Sigg, then 18, was sentenced to life in prison, plus 86 years to be served consecutively due to all the separate charges against him. The judge said the case was crying out for a life sentence. ‘Evil is apparently real. It was present in our community on October 5, 2012,’ he said. ‘I expect you to spend the rest of your natural life in prison.’ Austin remained emotionless as he was handcuffed and led away from the court room. Jessica’s family, and a whole community, could be reassured that Austin would die in prison. He had to be stopped. The park that Jessica was walking to on the day she disappeared has since been renamed Jessica Ridgeway Memorial Park. It has been filled with purple slides and swings, and decorated with butterflies. The play area is a haven for children and a permanent reminder that Jessica was more than just a victim. She was a beautiful, 10-yearold girl who inspired a community to unite against evil.

He had a twisted fantasy to fulfil

g n i k Ma f a o ER T S N MO of Jessica’s remains were hidden in the space under the house where he lived with his mum. He said that Jessica had walked past his car the morning she’d disappeared and he’d snatched her. He’d tied her up, drove around, then took her back to his house. For two hours, he kept Jessica in his room. After raping her, he tried to strangle her with zip ties, but they didn’t give him enough ‘leverage.’ So he’d used his hands. When he realised Jessica wasn’t dead, he took her to the bathroom where he pushed her face down into a scalding bath. He then dismembered her body. Austin was calm as he recalled the shocking details. With his confession, and his DNA on Jessica’s remains and backpack, Austin was charged. The brutality of the murder sent shockwaves through America. In November 2013, Austin pleaded guilty to 15 charges, including first degree murder,

Her mum will never forget

R EAL LIFE I’ve found my calling

When c e e Everett, 53, from Southend felt alone, she realised she wasn’t the only one...

WORDS BY HANNAH POON PHOTOS: SWNS

rowing up in a military family, I’ve always known the comfort of a close-knit atmosphere. However, when my marriage of three years broke down in 2014, my life fell apart. We’d been together for five years in total, but to me, he was perfect. Only, that meant I was completely blind to his manipulative behaviour. So, I was absolutely crushed when he suddenly announced that he was leaving me. I had three son previous marriag and me and my youngest son had nowhere to go. I had no bank account, no job, no life. The

break up had robbed me of absolutely everything. Things got so stressful that I even had a heart attack. I couldn’t believe my life had ended up like this. Over the next few weeks, I fell into a dark depression. I’d always known a life of love and comfort, but now it was empty. After a couple of weeks, I couldn’t take it anymore. I just wanted to die. That’s when I knew I desperately needed to talk to someone about was feeling. rung the police line. ‘I don’t want to e here anymore,’ I told the receiver. ‘Yes you do, think about your

It’s so rewarding

, q y reassured me. My mental state had got so bad, that I could only think about how awful things were. I just wanted the pain i my head to go away. Thankfully, after a lon chat, the counsellor man calm me down, but thing nowhere near better. I was prescribed antidepressants, I moved into a council house and for the next nine months, I battled with my mental health. Each day I set myself little targets, even down to making my bed. It was a long journey and most days I just didn’t want to get up. But then one day, scrolling through Facebook, an advert popped up for SSAFA, The Armed Forces Charity. They needed some volunteer caseworkers in the area. As I grew up with military parents, I figured this was something I could help with. I wanted to be part of a family unit again. So, I quickly applied, and not ong after, I had a phone nterview with a member of staff. I was honest about my past and old them everything. I didn’t know if it would affect my chances, but I wanted to be

I’m a strong woman honest with them. Thankfully, they had no issues with it, and four months later I took part in a three-day course to become a SSAFA case worker. The role was to help veterans with anything they needed. Whether it was as simple as getting them a new fridge or helping to get them off of the streets. I helped them in anyway I could. I also set up a veteran’s club. We meet every Thursday and I make everyone lunch. It’s a great way to get them chatting with other people. Last year I also took 54 of them to Normandy for the 75th anniversary of D-day. I have come so far in the past five years, and although I’m helping other people, it’s also helped me. My confidence has soared, and I am now a strong independent woman again. To find out more about SSAFA or to become a volunteer like Michelle, please visit ssafa.org.uk

I set myself daily targets

and beautiful

HING PINKS

k varnishes, £5.50, John Lewis Give p of pink this Valentine’s with these es. Made with natural ingredients, not o your nails vibrant, but healthy, too! Mad e shades are perfect for the Valentine’s e from; Rose, Rose Hill, Duchess Rose.

e t b is ’ n Do ful th ’s e h bas lentin Va Day

tick Colour Intense in Beloved Pink, £12.90, Lavera.com The perfect shade for a romantic night, this bold fuchsia pink will leave your lips irresistib The precious organic blossom butter made of rose, mal and linden will keep your lips moisturised. The colour intense mineral pigments will give long-lasting colour. 3. e.l.f Jelly Pop Flush Blush, £6, Superdrug Your crush isn’t the only thing that should make you blush. This unique jelly textured blush seamlessly melts into the cheeks for a sheer wash of colour and sheen, without the stickiness. Infused with hydrating watermelon and a rich blend of Argan Oil, Vitamin E and Castor Oil, to give skin a 4. Limited Edition Rose Gold S £3.99, Boots Ultimate hydration, a dream plum scent and SPF 15 - what more could y want? Introducing the famous Carmex lip balm formula with a sleek Rose Gold desig Your lips ok and f lous. So, pucker u ’s a new pot in town!

TREAT YOURSELF

WORDS: HANNAH POON, STOCK IMAGES: GETTY

1. Kind Natured, Brightening Jelly Mask, £9, Boots Treat your complexion to the ultimate brightening remedy. Utilising blend of nourishing ingredients to deliver effective exfoliation whilst energising the skin. Harnessing the power of natural ingredients to promote a visibly plumper, firmer and brighter complexion, this grapefruit and ginseng face mask is the perfec remedy for dull and dehydrated skin.

L’Oreal Valentine’s collection

how yourself some love this Scollection. Valentine’s with this beautiful Consisting of three

2. Rosé Wine Bath Bombs, £6 99 Prezzybox Feel fine with w and ‘splash’ out on these Rosé a pearly, they are gorgeously gl soft shimmer. Simply drop on water and it’ll create a calmi colourful bath for relaxing. tipple into your bath, these wi create soapy suds that are sce flavoured wine. 2

3. The Comforter Bath Bom Fizzing to create a fruity foam and white, this cloud-like ball unwind before you hit the hay delightful blanket of blackcurr bergamot oil, this bath bomb resets the mind. Meanwhile, s cypress oil ushers in a tide of comfort and joy. So, sit back a relax in the tub.

gorgeous products, this colle will melt your heart. With a beautiful redesign of yo favourite Paradise Mascara to gorgeous Rouge Signature and Color Riche shades his collection has ou covered this alentine’s day. nd the pink heart ckaging will k gorgeous on our vanity! Paradise Mascara - £11.99  Three Color Riche Lipsticks – £8.99

Pixelate

Just fo r

BURN ISSUE

FUN

Can you guess the three male actors hidden in these pixels?

WORDS BY HARRIET ROSE-GALE IMAGES: SWNS

STOCK IMAGES: ALAMY

Your answers _________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ 42

Answers on page 61

A cleaning p Hayley Cinnamond, 21, from Liverpool, in A&E…

for dinner. I’d bought the bottle a few days before in preparation. My trusted oven had seen better days, and I wanted to give it a good polish before my guests arrived. Then, just as I brought the bottle down off the shelf, it fell out of my hand, dropped onto the worktop and splashed solution all over my left forearm. ‘Oh no!’ I cried, quickly reaching for a tea towel. I figured the lid hadn’t been screwed on properly, nd I was rather nnoyed about it. But there was othing I could do – ur mums were arriving n a few hours, and I had o time to waste. My arm was tingling, ut not burning, so I ran t under a cold tap for bout 20 minutes. After that, it felt fine, o I continued with my leaning and preparing. Only, about four or five hours later, the skin on my arm started to go oddly black. ‘The Oven Brite is rotting my arm away!’ I cried to Stephen. Looking at my wrist, the burn was bubbling, We were cooking a red and irritable. Mother's Day meal ‘You should get that checked out,’ he said. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll do

tanding on my tip toes, I reached up to the top shelf of the cupboard. ‘Gotcha!’ I smiled, grabbing a bottle of Oven Brite oven cleaner. I always made sure to keep it out of reach from my two children – Oliver, 19 months, and Noah, five months. But now, I needed it. It was Mother’s Day 2019, and, as a treat, I’d invited my mum and my fiancé Stephen’s mum over

NING E

R EAL LIFE

Scarred for li fe

It bubbled and burnt

I didn't think it was serious

the cooking.’ Leaving the kids with Stephen, I headed to my local walk-in centre, The Halewood Centre. There, they smothered the burn in hydrogel and bandaged it up, advising me to go to A&E. Arriving at Whiston Hospital, I was referred straight to the burns unit. This is much more serious than I first thought, I worried. After an examination, a doctor tested the pH level on my skin. ‘It should be between six and seven on the scale, but the pH on your arm is 10,’ he said, concerned. Following instructions, I had to sit with my arm under a runnning tap

for two whole hours. ‘It’s not safe for you to go home yet,’ the doctor explained. In the end, I had to stay overnight in order for doctors to change my dressings and clean the burn. They had to make sure the pH level of my skin wasn’t going up. Specialists told me that I might have to undergo surgery – and possibly have a skin graft on my arm. Luckily, I was discharged home to my family the following morning – having missed our lovely Mother’s Day meal. I returned to hospital a week later to check the progress of the burn, and in total it took about three weeks

It wasn't safe for me to go home

al properly. ery time I changed my ing, the skin would rip off m, leaving me in agony. th only one good arm, it lso difficult trying to do things with the kids. Every time I picked them up, it felt as though my skin was pulling. After my ordeal, I decided to

In response...

share my experience with a local paper, and they got in touch with Oven Brite. But because all the safety warnings were on the packaging of the bottle, they said there was nothing they could do. They weren't responsible. Soon after, a lady got in touch to say she’d suffered a similar burn. She’d been wearing rubber gloves and said that the Oven Brite went through her gloves and onto her skin. I was horrified. Now, I’ve got a noticeable scar. I can't believe the damage it's caused, my skin has fallen off and the area is raw. It was the first time I used Oven Brite, and I will never use it again. One splash and you are scarred for life.

n Oven Brite spokesperson said: ‘We are extremely sorry to hear that burns of this severity have been sustained while using this product. Oven Brite does contain a very dangerous corrosive liquid which should be treated with the utmost respect and all the advice on the packaging and bottle should be adhered to. We are duty-bound by various regulations to ensure that this product carries the relevant warnings about the risks associated with the contents, both on the product and the packaging, but that said, unfortunately, accidents can occur, but are few and far between. In the event of skin contact, either directly or from contaminated clothing, the area should be flushed immediately with cold water for as long as possible until the burning has subsided, then seek medical advice.’

Follow it

STOCK IMAGES: GETTY

Crossword

Test your knowledge with this mini-crossword. Can you complete the grid? It might be mini, but it’s harder than it looks.

ACROSS 1 OUTHOUSE (4) 5 VOLCANIC MATTER (4) 6 REMAINING (4) 7 EXTRA BENEFIT (4) DOWN 1 PIG FOOD (4) 2 POSSESS (4) 3 ETERNALLY (4) 4 UNLIT (4)

Solve the puzzle to spell out a term related to the picture. The arrows show you where to put your answers. The answer is spelled in the yellow squares.

Just for

FUN

Your answer ______________________________

1 5 6 7

Zoomed in Can you guess what this picture is? Your answer _____________

Answers on page 61

INSTANT APPOINTMENT

Chronic worry

Dr Paul Stillman, family GP and adviser to the Health & Food Supplements Information Service (www.hsis.org). Painful problem

Pain relief

days stuck in bed. What can he do? Jackie, Liverpool First and foremost, he should get moving. People often think the best way to manage back pain is to rest, but in actual fact continuing to be active and carrying out his daily activities will help much more. Rest could actually make things worse. The five S.T.E.P.S found at www.mindyourbackuk.com are

ne way to help. They give advice about how to incorporate gentle stretches and exercises, checking anding, sitting and eping posture as well king at topical products to manage back pain. This includes heat therapy such as Deep Heat to help soothe muscles and restore movement, cold therapy such as Deep Freeze to help provide fast pain relief and anti-inflammatory Deep Relief Anti-inflammatory Gel which provides effective relief from back pain.

Feeling forgetful

Constantly tired

My husband has Q awful back pain and often spends

My 80-year-old father keeps forgetting things Q but won’t go to the GP when I

mention it. What can I do? Jen, Leeds We can all forget things, and this can go hand in hand with age, but can also signal a more serious problem with memory. Maybe you could reassure your father by letting him know that you would accompany him to the doctors, l i i h t i likely to appointment. lso keep a diary ulness to see of things he is g, the cy it occurs and ing else is ning in his life. till refuses to u could visit P with the y information ee what they ggest. Memory loss

I read online that feeling Q tired all the time can be because of an iron deficiency. Is

that true? Lily, Winchester Feeling tired could well be a sign of iron deficiency. Iron plays a significant role in helping with the formation of red blood cells, haemoglobin and transporting oxygen around the body. It also helps us maintain good energy levels and helps with the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Iron also plays an essential role in maintaining a healthy immune system. If you’re feeling tired, first review your diet to ensure there are enough sources of iron included. Red meat is a source of highly bioavailable haem iron, while beans, nuts, dried fruit, wholegrains and fortified breakfast cereals are all good sources. If you are concerned your diet may have nutritional deficiencies consider taking a daily multivitamin.

What’sonyourmind?

Alwaysworrying

I seem to worry about everything. Even the little things cause me reason to worry. It’s starting to interfere with my everyday life and I’m miserable. What should I do?

orrying about an unpaid bill or a first date is normal, but worry becomes excessive when it’s persistent and uncontrollable. It can take a toll on your emotional and physical health and can start to feel very draining.

consider what you do have the power to change. If you’re a chronic worrier, accept the uncertainty and try to stop focusing on the worst-case scenarios.

Challengeyourself

Give yourself some time out from relentless worrying. Get up and get moving – exercise is a natural way to ease your anxiety. By focusing on your body, you can interrupt the constant flow of worried thoughts that keep running through

It might feel like there is no way out from over analysing and worrying, but there are ways you can help yourself. Start by challenging your anxious thoughts and ask yourself if there is any evidence that the thought is true? Could there be a more positive way to look at the situation instead? A change in perspective might help you see the situation more clearly.

Interrupt the worry cycle

IMAGES: GETTY AND ALAMY

edical advice provided is for guidance only and does not substitute seeing a doctor. If you have concerns a face-to-face appointment with a doctor is recommended.

Your health +Real-lifeplustrends,infoandadvice

Canitbesolved?

Think about what’s making you feel so worried and start to consider if there is a solution. If the worry is solvable start thinking about how you can fix it. Make a list and create a plan of action. If you can’t solve it then

Take your mind off it

T OR

Tanya Oakes, 28, from Blackpool, k w there was ething wrong her baby…

Make a difference

1 2

Mental health problems are rare.  True  False

Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health problems in the UK.  True  False

IMAGES: GETTY

You can’t recover from a mental health problem.  True  False

There is nothing you can do to help someone with a mental health problem.  True  False People with a mental health problem tend to wait over a year before they tell someone.  True  False

1. FALSE One in four people are thought to experience a mental health problem in any given year, and they’re more common than you might think. They can range from problems like depression and anxiety, to rarer problems such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

FALSE With the right help, you can recover from mental illness. Recovery may mean different things to different people, and your symptoms may not go away forever, but lots of people with mental health problems still work, have families, and go on to lead full and productive lives. 3. TRUE Nearly 8% of the UK population meet the specific criteria to be diagnosed with anxiety and depression, and it’s thought that they are the most common mental health problems in the country. Other common illnesses include PTSD and OCD.

4. FALSE There are lots of ways you can make a difference to someone suffering from a mental health problem. You can check in with them and listen to their worries without judgement. Time to Change offers lots of advice on the best way to help someone who you think isstruggling. 5. TRUE Research by A Time to Change found that up to 60% of people with mental health problems waited over a year to tell the people closest to them about it. They also found that 90% of them experienced some form of stigma, whether from friends and family, at work, in education or during treatment.

WORDS BY LAEA MARSHALL PHOTOS: SWNS

Thismonth,TimetoTalkday(www.time-to-change.org.uk) takesplaceon6February,givingusallachancetobemore openaboutourownmentalhealth.Butcanyoudebunkthe fact from fiction when it comes to mental health problems?

aring at an empty crib, my eart sank. It was December 2011, but nstead of being at home with my husband Matthew, our Conner was in the hospital. Seven months earlier, on 1 May, Conner was born at Royal Stoke Hospital, weighing 7lb 11oz. With auburn hair and big beautiful eyes, my baby boy was perfect. ‘He looks just like you,’ Matthew, now 38, smiled. After routine tests, we were allowed to take him home, where he settled right away. ‘He’s such a good baby,’ I smiled. A few days later, when a health visitor came over, she noticed that Conner had lost a little weight. I continued to breastfeed, but two weeks later, he’d lost more weight. Worried, I took him to the GP. ‘Conner’s just a small baby,’ he reassured me. ‘There’s nothing to worry about.’ Back home, Conner continued to feed, but I never felt like he was getting enough. A few weeks later, he

He+ alth news

A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP

We all do our best to get a good night’s sleep as often as we can, but according to new research, having a good sleep routine could reduce your chances of heart disease and stroke. Scientists from Tulane University in New Orleans calculated a ‘sleep score’ for 385,000 people and found that those who regularly got between seven and eight hours of sleep a night lowered their risk of ever having these killer ailments. The risk was also slashed for those who were deemed high risk due to their genetics.

Get snoozing!

D He struggled to gain weight

g p a throat infection. Then, at just a month old, he went floppy in my arms and started vomiting, so I rushed him straight to A&E. There, I was told he just had acid reflux, and I was sent home. But Conner continued to lose weight and was becoming weak. ‘This isn’t right,’ I sobbed to Matthew, so worried. By three months old, he hadn’t put on any weight, so I took him back to the hospital – again, I was told it was acid reflux. I felt like this was a battle I was just not winning. I knew there was something

I’m so proud of my boy

g y y was listening. The following month, in September 2011, I took Conner back to the hospital and demanded that doctors help him. By then, he weighed just 7lb, and they finally agreed that this was something serious, referring him to a respiratory consultant. ‘Have you considered cystic fibrosis?’ he asked. It was a genetic condition that caused mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system, causing lung infections and problems with digesting food. It explained Conner’s wheezing nd struggle to gain any weight. ‘But he was tested for that when he was born,’ I said. As a newborn, Conner had undergone the normal heel prick test, which came up negative for cystic fibrosis. Nevertheless, he was now tested again, and this time, it came back positive. ‘Your son has cystic fibrosis,’ the consultant said. I felt relieved to finally have an answer. ‘At least now we can treat it,’ I said. Sadly, it wasn’t that simple. Conner would need a

Men’shealth Do it yourself

permanent feeding tube. He had an op to have the tube fitted, and by that Christmas, he was still in the hospital. We spent every waking moment with him, and soon, he began feeding through the tube and was starting to thrive. Finally, after a few weeks, we were allowed to bring him home. At first, Conner had to go back to the hospital every night for treatment. After a while, his hospital visits went down to just once a week, and then once a month. He had to wear his feeding tube for two and a half years – it meant he couldn’t eat normally, but when the tube was removed in November 2013, he couldn’t stop eating! But cystic fibrosis had taken its

No one was listening to me

FACT FILE

Nothing stands in his way

toll on Conner’s body. His bones were so weak, he wasn’t able to stand – instead dragging himself across the floor. He only took his first steps when he was four years old. Still, it was such a proud moment. Now eight, he still uses a wheelchair to get around, as he gets tired very easily. And because he was malnourished for the first five months of his life, he has learning disabilities. He’s more like a four year old. But he goes to a special school and is doing really well. He may need a lung transplant one day, and his life is certainly not easy. You wouldn’t know by looking at him – he’s happy and doesn’t let his condition stand in his way. Conner was my little miracle, and I will always be grateful.

ystic fibrosis is an inherited condition that causes mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system. In the UK, most cases of cystic fibrosis are picked up at birth using the heel prick test. Symptoms usually start in early childhood, but the condition gets worse over time. Treatments are available to help reduce the problems caused by the condition and make it easier to live with, but sadly, life expectancy is shortened.

PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING A new test for prostate cancer is being devel by scientists and could involve a home urine t Experts hope it will revolutionise diagnosis o disease by creating an at-home collection kit meaning men wouldn’t need to go into a clini to be tested. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer for men in the UK, but, like all cancers, early detection can ensure a better chance of survival. Find it early

Time to talk

It’s time to talk about postn depression in men... hether it is your first child or your W fifth, welcoming a new baby to the family can be emotionally challenging.

We often assume that the role of the father during this perinatal period should be a provider of emotional support for mothers, but studies now show that as many as 1 in 10 dads experience paternal postnatal depression – and this can rise to Mark Williams 50% when mum is also depressed. Mark Williams, founder of International Father’s Mental Health Day and the #HowAreYouDad campaign, experienced postnatal depression after witnessing his wife go through the traumatic birth of their son. He didn’t know who to turn to and led to him having a breakdown. Eventually, Mark was put on medication and took a course of cognitive behavioural therapy to urn things around. He now focuses his time on Get help sharing his story and campaigning to get the World Health Organisation to start screening dads. Mark Williams is the founder of Fathers Reaching Out (www.reachingoutpmh.co.uk)

What should you look for?

ommon symptoms of postnatal depression include C feelings of unworthiness, sadness, anxiety, and a prolonged lowering of mood and lethargy.

But in men, postnatal depression can look different. ‘There’s more avoidance, overworking, frustration, anger, drinking and substance abuse,’ Mark says. Shifting hormones can play a part - a man’s testosterone levels drop by 50% immediately after the birth of a child. The change in dynamic between the mum and dad is also i ifi t dd l t b th d t ll the rrival is anges the h put a

Learn how t spot t o he signs 48

hip and ents can y d.

Top tips for Dads’ mental health

an Fallon is the founder of an D online community, The Super You Project, where dads support each other through their mental and physical

fitness journeys. He has witnessed the difficulties many men struggle with when adjusting to life as a dad, and it inspired his new book, Start with One Thing. He shares some tips for new fathers:

Connect with people: You may not feel like it, but being around your friends and just talking about what’s on your mind can make a huge difference.

Find support: There is nothing more stressful than feeling isolated and alone when you are going through emotional distress, but there are support groups and online communities that can help. Home-Start (www.home-start. org.uk) offers support, friendship and practical help to with young children in local munities throughout the UK, Self care le Family Action (www. mily-action.org.uk) prov ervices to disadvantag solated families in th Exercise: Many neglect their ph ut exercise i lf-care an well: G ial fo ecosystem wi you’re going through a tough ti eating properly. Be mindful: Don’t be to Eat well spend a little time being thoughts, recognisin dismissing unhelpf Learning to recogn catastrophising and s s even pressed one. Reach e or a doctor. E evention saves m lationships and live Dan Fallon is the author With One Thing: The dad’s no o approach fat loss and fitness, published by ReThink Press, £12.9

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RETURN OF THE PACK gu The only est list yo t will be music to your dog’s ur

STOCK IMAGES: ALAMY AND GETTY

ears to hear that their favourite dog want s to dog festival of 2019 is back for its be on! second year – and now with dogfriendly glamping. Dogstival will once again take plac in the heart of doggy paradise, the New Forest, in the breath-taking location of the Pylewell Park Estate for a weekend dedicated to dog’s enjoyment. Guests can enjoy sea views, a pop-up pizza restaurant, canine cuddles by the campfire and shower facilities. Take a trip to the Dog Pub for a pet-friendly pint, to i ‘chapel’ to capture any fluffy e K9 Chill Out assage and an groom. ally got everything up could ever need! ets are priced 90 for adults on ogstival.co.uk l Festival, 16-17

Get dippy! et your flipping skills ready, Pancake Day is fast approaching! On 25 February, pancakes will be indulged all across the UK to mark Shrove Tuesday. Pancakes don’t just have to be restricted to breakfast. Have them for lunch, dinner and dessert, too! Here’s some food inspiration to get your mouths watering… FOR MAIN: • Goats cheese, spinach and bacon • Garlic creamy mushrooms • Poached egg and ham • Spicy beans, avocado, salsa and chee FOR DESSERT: • Homemade salted caramel sauce • Mango, mint and lime • Nutella and • Greek yoghu b •B Involve the kids

Here’s what you need to know this month…

SEND SOMEONE A SMIL

GIVE IT UP FOR LENT

lcohol? Chocolate? Netflix? A What are you willing to give up this year?

Ash Wednesday on 26 February marks the beginning of l t 40 d f i i

Make a change

SWEET OR SAVOURY?

drinks and smoking are common sacrifices, but often fall through. Leftover Easter eggs, social commitments and stress can lead to bingeing and overeating. I stead of ditching a whole food rink category, and putting rself at risk of a rebound effect, not reduce your consumption make swaps? eplace milk and white colate with high quality dark colate, opt for natural sources ugar, and only drink one coffee y, instead of having a few. y Meat-free Mondays, have s Happy Hours and cook more memade meals. ternatively, make a lifestyle nge. Here’s five different ideas ve up this year… . Have a social media detox 2. Ditch retail therapy 3. Stop putting heat on your ir when you style it 4. Avoid complaining and ativity Stop staying up late

ake yourself look both M funny and thoughtful this Valentine’s! Spread the love with a message – whether that be to your partner or bestie. Of Life and Lemons are the home of tongue in cheek greeting cards for every occasion. They’re designed exclusively by a small in-house team in Essex especially for you and your loved ones. All cards £3.50, oflifeandlemons.co

e Choos your ! rite

Number jig

FUN

A group of mathematicians in Stockholm have calculated that there are how many different ways to tie a necktie? Fit the numbers into the grid, acros and down. One number doesn’t fit. This is the answ

3 DIGITS 153 228 244 281 387 470 579 626 731 792 879 945

2 8

Just fo r

4 DIGITS 1760 2957 3941 4172

5815 6354 7128 8276 9046 5 DIGITS 16044 28532 33923 40101 42587 57152 63193 74147 85469 93235 96116

6 DIGITS 109082 125079 140748 177147 292640 337124 7 DIGITS 1830892 5692877 7886120 8562539 8 DIGITS 46395684

Your answer _____________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ Answers on page 61

e u s s i t x Ne

H MARCC IAL SPE

S MY LIFE

ONE

E WE’RE

IN LOVE? IMAGES: SWNS

I WAS PASSING OUT

A DAY!

ea e,puzz es, ash on, beauty,recipes,home,health... ONSALE20FEBRUARY

ublished by TI Media Ltd, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP (tel: 20 3148 5000). Website: www.ti-media.com Colour origination y Rhapsody. Printed by Walstead UK Limited. Cover printed by Walstead UK Limited. Distributed by IPC Marketforce. Pick Me Up! s a trademark of TI Media Ltd, and is sold subject to the following onditions, namely that it shall not, without the written consent of he publishers first given, be lent, resold or hired out or otherwise isposed of in a mutilated condition or in any other unauthorised over by way of trade or affixed to or as part of any publication or vertising literary or pictorial matter whatsoever. Pick Me Up! does not assume responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and illustrations. TI Media Ltd reserves the right to reuse any submission sent to Pick Me Up! magazine, in any format or medium. Pick Me Up! does not have any direct link to charities mentioned and money donated is at your own discretion. © TI Media Ltd, 2018. ISSN no: 1750-1067.

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 PSO. 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 Ltd 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 5 working days and we aim to correct substantial errors as soon as possible. Font credits: Veteran Typewriter - Koczman Bálint

BURS

FOOD OF LOVE

id you know that salmon is considered an aphrodisiac? It is thought that the omega-3 helps to raise levels of the happy hormone serotonin in the brain and Vitamin B12 also elevates mood – so it’s perfect for Valentine’s Day! Kikkoman Soy Sauce has this delicious recipe which is ready 30 minutes so you can spend more time flirting!

PRIDE

Serves

On the brink of death, ane Meakin, 54, from Stokeon-Trent, knew she had to make a change…

Passionate pink sa mo with avocado salsa  2 salmon fillets, skin on  3 tbsp Kikkoman Soy Sauce  1 tbsp sunflower oil  1 avocado, peeled and chopped  75g ripe cherry tomatoes, halved  400g can cannellini beans, drained  ¼ cucumber, deseeded

and finely choppe  ¼ red onion, finely chopped  1 tbsp freshly chopped coriander, plus extra to garnish  2 tsp red wine vinegar  2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil  Lime wedges, to serve

1. Place the salmon in a dish and pour over 2 tbsp of Kikkoman Soy Sauce and the sunflower oil. Leave aside to marinate. 2. For the salsa, put the avocado, tomatoes, beans, cucumber and red onion in a bowl with the coriander. Whisk together the red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and the remaining soy sauce. Drizzle over the salsa and toss gently to mix. 3. Heat a non-stick frying pan and dry fry the salmon skin-side down for 5 minutes until crisp. Turn over and continue to fry for 3 to 5minutes until opaque and still just pink in the middle. 4. Divide the salmon and salsa among two plates, garnish with a sprig of fresh coriander and serve each with a wedge of lime.

For more Kikkoman recipes and news, visit kikkoman.co.uk and @KikkomanUK on Twitter and Instagram

WORDS BY KATIE PEARSON IMAGES: SWNS

STOCK IMAGES: ALAMY AND GETTY

METHOD:

unning frantically around the tables, I could hear myself panting. Blimey, that’s not good at all, I thought. As a pub manager, I was more han used to being stood on my eet all day long. Suddenly however, I was nding it rather difficult. I didn’t know why, but I figured must have been hungry. So, taking my reak, I tucked into a earty pub lasagne nd chips. As the manager, I idn’t have much me to eat, so when I id, I always opted for ne of the chef’s elicious specials. Hot dogs, burgers nd lasagne were my favourite – long with a helpful portion of hunky pub chips. Running around the pub on my feet all day, I was pretty tired,

and I needed to fuel my body. And anyway, I’d always been quite slim so I had nothing to worr about – at least I though As the years went on noticed that my clothes were getting tighter and my slender figure was looking a little… full. And that wasn’t all of it. I realised that my recent panting was actually a result of indigestion and bad heartburn. It wasn’t great, but I never thought it would be food related. Then, one evening, crashing down on the sofa after a long dinner shift in the pub, my chest started to hurt. ‘Are you OK, Mum?’ my son Dale, now 28, asked. ‘Yes. It’s just indigestion again,’ I reassured him. I headed to bed to try and sleep it

I started having chest pains

R EAL LIFE

E My slender figure disappeared ff, but as the ght went on, pain got worse. ught I was eart attack! Convinced something was wrong, I called 111. I didn’t want to waste anyone’s time in case it was nothing, so I just wanted to get advice. Only, as soon as I started to explain my symptoms, an ambulance was sent. I was quickly taken into Royal Stoke Hospital, where I was given morphine and antibiotics, before being taken down for tests. However, nothing came up. After a night spent in agony, the doctors decided to perform keyhole surgery to find out what was going on inside me. I was terrified, but I knew it was the right thing to do. And so, after kissing my son goodbye, I was wheeled down for

the operation. Then, when I woke up, doctors revealed their shocking Now I’m discovery. proud of ‘Your my frame gallbl ruptu told. ‘ gangr slowly poisoning your bo You’re lucky to be alive.’ It was a complete shock I just thought it was ind Luckily, after a few day allowed back home, wher properly looked after by D my husband Carl, now 51 Only, despite my health refused to change my life In my moment of need wanted was comfort food large glass of wine… Soon, my weight had c 15st 9lb and I was burstin size 24. Even when I was happi down on pub food, I’d nev that big before. That’s when I knew I h my act together. So, in March 2016, I ra sister-in-law Tanja, 52, w important question. ‘Can I join Slimming W

, got home, I threw all the junk food out of the Unhappy fridge, freezer and with how I cupboards. looked It was time for a fresh start. Thankfully, Carl was super supportive and didn’t blink an eye at my binning frenzy. ‘We’ll do it together,’ he smiled. Within a matter of weeks, I’d learnt how to cook for myself, and pub grubs were a thing of the past. I even started exercising! Almost four years on, I’ve shed a huge 7st 1lb and weigh a slinky 8st 8lb. I’m healthy and happy for the first time in a long time. Slipping into my size 8 clothing, I even feel a little sexy! My new figure unleashed a person I never knew existed. Following suit, Carl has even started losing weight, too! you?’ I asked sheepishly. Slimming World has completely ‘Of course. I’ll make sure you go changed my life and I’ve even been every week,’ she encouraged. crowned Miss Slinky two years in a It was something I should have row, before reaching the finals of done ages ago. the Slimming World Woman of the But once I’d made the call, I Year award. suddenly felt terrified. Today, I’m a Slimming World People will judge me I thought consultant and even won Group of

With Tanja and my friend Simon, who was awarded Mr Sleek

What makes a woman turn on the man she loves and her son?

WORDS BY GAIL SHORTLAND IMAGES: ALAMY

aked and dying in a pool of his own blood. That’s how millionaire Lanny Horwitz spent the final moments of his life. After living his days socialising with the elite and living next to his multimillionaire neighbours, Lanny fought for his last breath on his ensuite bathroom floor. Lanny, 66, had been gunned down in cold blood. His killer had used two guns to pump him full of bullets. It was brutal and a crime full of rage. So just what was the reason behind the killing of a successful man? Later, it would be said the motive was one of the oldest known in history. Love, hate and obsession… Millionaire Lanny Horwitz led a privileged life. The entrepreneur had a law degree and had made his money in real estate. His huge sprawling home on the water in the exclusive suburb of Admiral’s Cove in Jupiter, Florida, was luxurious and opulent. Lanny had a son with his ex-wife Donna, then 64, called Radley, 38. Radley worked and lived with his dad. And at the time of Lanny’s death, Donna was also living at the mansion. Lanny and Donna had a complex relationship that spanned over 40 years. They had married and divorced each other – twice. It seemed the couple struggled to live with or without each other. They had been divorced for nine years when Lanny was killed, but it seemed they were trying again with Donna back in the family home. Later, Donna’s diary would reveal her hopes for another fresh start with Lanny. It would also reveal that Lanny was distracted with another woman. From the outside, the

BLOWN

They had a complex relationship

He’d made his money in real estate

Horwitz family looked like the allAmerican dream, but it was a ticking time bomb. On 30 September 2011, Radley alleged that he was woken at 7am with the sound of repeated gunfire. Then he heard the frantic screams of his mother. ‘Your father! Your father!’ Donna cried. Radley said he ran into a horrific scene. Lanny had been shot in the shower through the glass and fallen naked to the floor. Desperately, he’d tried to reach for a phone on the wall, but he’d fallen. There he’d been shot again eight more times. One shot was at close range through the mouth. Radley would later say that in Lanny’s dying moments, he’d ma

He’d been shot through the glass

an awful, inhuman gurgling sound. His killer had tried to make it look like suicide and had left a weapon near his hand. But it would have been impossible for Lanny to have shot himself that many times in that way. The only other person next to Lanny was Donna, looking upset. But could Radley really believe his mother could gun down his

father in cold blood? The security guard on site called the police. Donna refused to talk and requested a lawyer. Investigators looked for signs of a break in or an intruder, but couldn’t find any evidence of another person. There was a speck of blood found on the entry gates, but that was later dismissed as coming from the emergency crew when they arrived. An autopsy revealed Lanny had multiple gunshot wounds to his torso and arms, one in his mouth. The killer had used two guns. There were five bullets in each – only one had missed. As police investigated, they saw that Lanny had been packing before he’d been shot. He had a weekend away planned with a businesswoman he’d been

Living a life of privilege

Mak ing of a NSTE R Radley wanted to help his mum

e l d n i k e r o t d Donna wante But another . e g a i r r a m r e h r e d r u m o t r e woman led h spending time with. Had this triggered a jealous rage from Donna? But they also discovered that Lanny’s finances weren’t all they seemed to be. He’d re-mortgaged his property four times and had made some investments that had failed. Radley was involved in the business, too, and was also struggling financially. Had he been tempted by Lanny’s $500,000 life insurance policy? The police went for the woman scorned. Donna was arrested and charged with the brutal murder of her ex-husband. Just over a year later, in January 2013, the trial started in Florida. Donna, then 66, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. She looked frail in the dock, but made a shocking development in her defence. Donna turned on her son. With

people in the house at the time of Lanny’s murder, accusing Radley was her only other option. The defence team alleged that Radley hadn’t always got on wit his dad, and with the money problems, the life insurance poli was an obvious temptation. They told the court that Radley had harboured ill feelings toward his dad and had even owned a bo on how to hire a hitma They tried to convin the jury that Radley h killed his dad – or had hired someone to do i Radley remained st He testified against mum, but even after a she’d done, he defend her actions by saying that she wa victim, too. Radley claimed that Lanny wa often ‘sarcastic and belittling’ towards his mother, and that she was deeply affected by how he treated her. The prosecution showed the ju that Donna had hoped that she w

Two guns were used to kill Lanny getting another chance with Lanny p spair’ that he was interested in someone else. ‘What you have here is a woman scorned,’ they said. ‘It’ th ld t ti i hi t

broken and he is working on my mind, playing games with me… her diary read. But that sorrow had seemingly turned to anger. After a five -day trial, Donna Horwitz was found guilty of first degree murder and was sentenced to the mandatory sentence of life in prison. The jurors said they never suspected Radley had done it. And Radley held no grudges about being accused, claiming that the defence team had just wanted to help his mum and that’s h t h ’d tdt

Donna turned on her only son

A woman scorned?

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PU midi skirt, £40, M&Co

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OVER THE PAGE: For more looks you’ll love 57

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A blazer isn’t just for work!

BY NIA DALTON STO K IMAG S: ALAM

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FASHION

Jewellery storage

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3 4

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7 59

Februar 2020 MeUp! astro oger a re Petu engro reads your month ahead! Aries

March 21st - April 20th hat feeling of déjà vu, is not for nothing you know. What you need to do right now is recognise which influences in your life are good ones, and who is still trying to use and manipulate you. Luckily for you, Saturn the great teacher is on hand to show you right from wrong and to make it clear who has been trying to pull the wool over your eyes. You won’t be the shy one in the corner this February, especially now that you have powerful information in your possession. Watch out for instant attractions that are about to change ‘everything.’

Taurus

April 21st - May 21st hildren are more prominent than usual. You may find yourself having to take responsibility for the wellbeing of someone who is not getting the support they need. Try not to make this into a crisis, but instead offer some sense of normality, so that they can set their sights on realistic goals and ways of moving in. Changes to the home are imminent, whether you want them or not. In which case, make sure that you are the one who is in control, or all of that will affect you. This could be a sign for you to make that personal change.

Gemini

IMAGES: GETTY AND PA

May 22nd - June 21st

know you think you are acting from the perspective of what’s best for you, but you and I both know that deep down inside you are still considering what other people think. Time to break out of your shell and be the person you were born to be. I want you to start this year as you mean to go on. You are a sign of determination and adventure, you owe it to yourself to see what happens when you let the real you shine. Conversations you have in the first week of January help decide much about the rest of your life. Reach out for support.

Cancer

June 22nd - July 23rd

new way to get on with a difficult face in your inner circle has been offered. You’re not too sure what to do with it, are you Cancer? Try to let down those defences, as you and I know that the atmosphere of late has been affecting you more than you’re admitting (especially after January!) Changes in your work this month force you to rethink where you see your long term future. Money can be saved if you decline doing what you know you won’t enjoy, and what you know will affect your outgoings. It’s time to finally take control of life and love.

Leo

July 24th - August 23rd

here is a real sense of adventure to your stars. No longer are you satisfied with the predictable, but you want to focus on new paths and new options for your future. Just remember to include those who you want to be in your long term plans, or you could end up putting a distance between you, which will be hard to recover from. Admitting what you said you didn’t want, but really do, is your first step to a better life. Watch out for friends asking you to tell lies on their behalf. Now is the right month to begin the story of your destiny.

Virgo August2

- September 23rd

ravery is daring to try when others would not. You have played the patient Virgo for a long time. What needs to happen now is you admitting to yourself and to others, that you are important, too! Dynamics in your personal life have changed due to the home not feeling like yours. Steps you take to recover ownership will be successful, both the first and third weekend of this month. Finances prove tight from the 15th to 17th, so try to plan ahead or your love life could be affected. Someone can’t get you off their mind.

Libra

September 24th - October 23rd

here is a time to talk and a time to be silent this month. You need to watch, wait and listen. Time you spend putting more effort into your personal life will help you to feel more balanced in all areas. You start to feel a sense of purpose again – difficult relationships begin to improve day by day. Try not to belittle a problem in the family which you have just found out about. Invites you get from a face from your past are your last chance to become a part of someone’s life again, so don’t ignore it. Your role here must be that of supporter.

Scorpio October 24

November 22nd

ook in the mirror every day this month and remind yourself what you want from your life. Say it out loud, you are of course a Scorpio. Reaffirming on a daily basis what you need to do will ensure that you end this month with more progress made than you saw throughout the whole of 2019! Just ensure that you don’t lose control or direction. One person in particular may have warped views of what your ambitions are. Children bring good news and improve family times. Someone requites more one-on-one with you.

Sagittarius

October 24th - November 22nd he aspects over the coming weeks make it hard for you to say no to what others ask of you. Try to make sure that you set up some healthier boundary lines or you will start to feel out of control. I see that your routine has changed, but instead of being replaced with one you want, it has been replaced with one which others have set for you. Money you invest in transport this month can save you a small fortune in the next three. Animals link to a friendship you need to rekindle. You may want to check your passport has time to spare.

e l t t i L e M k c i P s! Up

BACK BREAK

WORDS BY SWNS PHOTOS: THE BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION

WORDS BY HATTIE BISHOP PHOTOS: SWNS

For Jennifer Proctor, 25, from Dunstable, a water slide ended in disaster…

s my partner Jodie lay on the sun lounger, I was desperate to get her to go on the banana boat with me. ‘Come on, what’s the worst that can happen?’ I pleaded. Jodie was having none of it. It was July 2019, and we were on holiday in Majorca. And while Jodie wanted to sunbathe on the beach, I wanted to have fun. Eventually, I managed to persuade her, but she wasn’t too pleased when she fell off! The

next day, I had something even better up my sleeve. ‘We’re going to a water park,’ I told her. ‘We’ll start with the smaller rides first.’ Although, I wanted to go on the big rides, too. And when I spotted a nearvertical slide with a 40ft drop, I was desperate to have a go. I managed to convince Jodie, and we made our way to the top. Perched on the edge, we waited for the green light. ‘I need to get off,’ Jodie panicked suddenly. But it was too late. We went over the edge and both let out almighty screams – Jodie’s a scream of pure terror. Only, I was the one who should have been panicked. As I zipped down the slide, I felt my board slip out from beneath me. Now, I was free falling. The next thing I knew, my back was hitting the water with an almighty smack. Immediately,

We wanted to have fun

the pain surged right through my body. I could barely move. ‘Help!’ I cried to Jodie. She thought I was joking at first, but she quickly realised something was wrong. Helping me out of the water, I collapsed onto the sun lounger. ‘I can’t get up,’ I screamed. A lifeguard carried me to the medical room on a stretcher, before I was taken to hospital. ‘You’ve broken your spine in three places,’ the doctor told me. It meant that there was a risk

fundraising target for the BHF’s life saving research. ‘The inspiration for my challenge came to me around 25 years ago, but then it was only something I could dream of because of my health,’ Kieran said. ‘It has been one heck of a journey to get here, ossing the finish line was monumental – I can’t believe I actually finished! ‘The last two years have thrown up many unexpected adventures for me, including meeting my new fiancée Sylvie along the way. ‘I feel I’ve seen the very best of the UK – from our beautiful coastline to the generous people I’ve met on my journey. ‘I am so grateful for the care that meant I could live so long with congenital heart disease and that my second heart has enabled me to do so much.’ Along his journey, Kieran has been supported by BHF-funded researchers, fundraising groups and shop staff and volunteers, as well as hundreds of people from the towns and villages he has passed through. Kieran’s battle with heart disease began when he was just three years old, when he had to have open heart surgery, called

TWO HEARTS

Kieran Sandwell, 49, from Devon, walked 5,000 miles to say thank you...

heart transplant survivor has completed a 5,000 mile trek around the coast of Britain with the aim of raising £20,000 for the British Heart Foundation. Kieran Sandwell decided to take on a ‘Trail of Two Hearts’ to

It was a close call

mark his remarkable recovery from a heart transplant ten years ago, after being diagnosed with congenital heart disease at birth. Kieran set off on 1 February 2017 from London, and started his journey up the UK’s east coast, working his way around the length of Scotland and d wn the west coast, before rming along the island’s thern coastline. lthough he had to take some reaks due to ill health, Kieran’s incredible journey saw him head inland for a triumphant finish last month on Tower Bridge in London. Kieran is now calling for the public’s support to help him reach his £20,000

of paralysis. I needed to have surgery, but the surgeon had to fly over from mainland Spain. All I could do was wait in the hospital bed. Four days later, I had the op. I also had to be treated for sepsis, but I was determined to walk again. Once home, I needed more surgery, and at the moment, I can only walk short distances. Some days, I’m bedbound from the pain. I had to give up the Mustard operation, to repair a condition called Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA). In Kieran’s case, the outflow pipes that leave the heart were connected the wrong way around when he was born. Whilst Kieran’s operation was life-saving, it often leads to patients developing heart failure decades later. By age 35, he was in severe heart failure and was put on the waiting list for a heart transplant. In July 2009, Kieran received his new heart and donated his old heart to BHFfunded research into congenital heart disease. Kieran’s heart was used to improve MRI imaging techniques to predict who with TGA is most at risk of heart rhythm disturbance or heart failure, enabling them to get the best treatment possible.

Now I’m so careful

I didn’t think it would happen to me

MY MISTAKE

My life changed in an instant my job as a restaurant manager and Jodie had to quit hers to care for me. What a disaster. One day at the water park has really changed my life. I’m just so grateful I’ve got Jodie to look out for me. I don’t know what I would have done without her.

When it came to sun protection, Emma Hawke, 36, from Eastleigh, learnt her lesson the hard way...

A huge achievement

ouring a glug of tanning oil onto my palm, I rubbed it all over my shoulders, arms and legs. It was 1998, and at 15, I was obsessed with tanning. Growing up, my family would go on holiday to France every year, stay in a caravan. I would spend the entire time outside, soaking up the sun. ‘I hope you’re wearing sunblock,’ my mum Elaine, now 61, said. ‘Yes, Mum,’ I lied. Sun block? I thought. That won’t help my tan! I never thought about the risks – of course I’d heard of skin cancer, but that was something other people got – not me. Years later, I started a career in medical research. I soon met my husband Neil, 44, and we had our two kids – Sam, now nine, and Toby, six. In 2017, aged 31, I was in a meeting with a group of doctors. Just then... ‘What’s that on your arm?’ one of the doctors – a dermatologist – asked. Looking down, I realised he was talking about my mole. ‘Oh that,’ I blushed. ‘That’s been there for ages.’ ‘You should get it checked out,’ he said. After that, his comment played on my mind. Eventually, I plucked up the courage to see my GP, and I was

glad I did when he referred me to a dermatologist. Six weeks later, at Winchester Hospital, a specialist noticed that this mole was different to others I had on my body. It was darker, had an irregular border, and was itchy. And when he looked at it under a microscope, he saw a dark spot in the middle. ‘We’ll remove it just in case,’ he said. I had the procedure done there and then,and he sent my mole for testing. A few weeks later, I was back for my results. ‘I’m afraid you have a melanoma,’ he explained. It completely floored me. ‘I have cancer?’ I gulped. I knew that this was caused by my endless sunbathing sessions as a teenager, slathering myself in oil. I’d worked on a cancer ward before, so I knew the impact of treatment on patients and their families. ‘What if I’m not here for the kids?’ I cried to Neil. ‘You will be,’ he soothed. That August, surgeons cut a 2cm border around my scar and removed the skin. At the same time, they also did a lymph node biopsy. Four weeks later, I had good news – my lymph nodes had come back clear, meaning the cancer was gone. I now see a dermatologist

To support Kieran on his ‘Trail of Two Hearts’, visit www.atrailoftwohearts.com

WORDS BY LAEA MARSHALL PHOTOS: SWNS

I didn’t know the dangers

Constant reminder every six months, and he’s taught me how to check my own moles, suggesting I photograph them to monitor any changes. That’s when I discovered the Miiskin app. Developed by the British Skin Foundation, it allows me to keep track of each photograph I take of my moles. If I see any changes, I know to see my dermatologist. I’ve learned my lesson the hard way, and now I’m so careful in the sun. I regret not being more careful – I could have prevented this. Since having skin cancer, I don’t let the little things get to me as much – I appreciate life and I know how lucky I am.

KNOW THE SIGNS his helpful ABCDE checklist can help you tell the T difference between a normal mole and melanoma:  Asymmetrical – melanomas have two different halves and are an irregular shape.  Border – melanomas have a ragged or blurred border.  Colours – melanomas will be a mix of two or more colours – different shades of black, brown and pink may be seen.  Diameter – most melanomas tend to be larger than 6mm in diameter.  Evolving – a mole that changes, especially in size or colour over time, is more likely to be a melanoma. Visit www.miiskin.com.

Just for

Strike it

FUN

On your bingo card, cross out all the numbers that appear on the balls. Read the letters beside the remaining numbers on your card from left to right to spell out the answer. F

N I

9 16 22

48 8 23 74

55 37 7

3 35 59

72 40

The slim one

GrandDesigns’ Kevin McCloud s y that he’d like to dig up London’s St James’ Park and turn it into what? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxedoff words to fit the clue, eg, SPIT + E = SPITE. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the oneword answer.

COUNTRY FLOWER OYSTER GEM INDICATE IRON OR LEAD PONG NOT FRESH ANIMAL

____

SPIN

BOOM PEAR PINT MEAL SELL SPIT

ressing my foot on the pedal of the sewing machine, I rotated the navy tartan material underneath the needle. ‘Perfect!’ I said, admiring my handy work. ‘Perfect!’ my African Grey parrot, Coco, copied back. Chuckling, I popped onto Etsy to tell the buyer that her pet’s stylish kilt was complete. Another one bites the dust, I thought to myself. Back in the day, I would never had imagined that I’d spend my time sewing hundreds of different parrot outfits. You see, 40 years ago, my passion for birds was only to the extent of a bird feeder in the garden. That was until a friend who worked for an animal rescue

I wanted to help out

RAGE SALE BEAT

Your answer ___________________________________ 64

agg e Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire, is ruffling feathers with her sewing skills…

18 23 39

72 87

WORDS BY NIAMH BUTLER-WALTON IMAGES: SWNS AND GETTY

Answers on page 61

charity rang in a panic… ‘Could you look after some baby birds, Maggie?’ she pleaded. And before I knew it, I was hand-rearing three fostered African Greys. When they flew the nest to new homes, the house was quiet without their chatter. Missing the bird’s company, I set my heart on rehoming more. ‘I’m buying some Cockatiels to breed,’ I told my husband, Roger. He just chuckled, happy to let me carry on. Over the following four decades, alongside running our taxi and ironing businesses, I bred different birds. But, not just a few – hundreds of them. Then me and Roger retired to Scotland. ‘I can’t give up the birds,’ I told Roger, loving my latest hobby. So, five years ago, I volunteered for a week at the Island Parrot Sanctuary on Kerrera in the Inner Hebrides. When the devoted founder retired, the sanctuary struggled to stay afloat. Forced to move to the Scottish mainland, the charity name was changed to Parrot Trust Scotland in 2016. With a smaller location, it didn’t have enough room to care for all the parrots. ‘I’m going to foster 40 parrots, but just until

R EAL LIFE

They love their outfits

I get all sorts of requests

they find their forever home!’ I told Roger, who was turning pale. Sticking to my word, almost all the birds were rehomed, apart from four of them. My African Grey Coco, who’s 50 now, potters about whistling, alongside my green winged macaw Rocky, who’s 19. Captain is a cheerful soul, compared to Marlon who squawks naughty words. ‘You certainly didn’t learn them from me!’ I tut when he talks. I’m happy with my four divas, and I’m too old and tired for any more. But wanting to continue

helping parrots, three years ago I decided to take up a new hobby in my spare time. ‘I’m going to sew hoodies for parrots to raise money for the Parrot Trust,’ I told Roger one afternoon. Running up a prototype on my sewing machine, I sent out two samples to friends who rehome birds for me – mine wouldn’t consent to modelling. I adjusted them to fit perfectly, and listed my first hoodie on eBay. ‘Someone’s snapped it up already!’ I told Roger, excitedly as

I decided to take up a new hobby

the most fun – I’ve created Halloween hoodies, SWAT body armour and Parrots of the Caribbean costumes so far. If you and your bird want to go as Wonder Woman - I’ve got you sorted! I decided to call my business Babes in the Hood, and I now sell clothes from our website and on Etsy. And my orders fly in from all over the world including the US, Canada, Australia and Israel - even South Africa! All of the clothes are custom-made to fit the measurements of each exotic bird perfectly. The hoodies tuck around the waist, leaving the wings It’s all for a free, and they even help good cause prevent birds from plucking their feathers, too. They also help keep them warm when their owners my first sale went through. take them out for walks on the lead. Parrot Trust Scotland would be They are practical and stylish and cashing it in soon, and I set to work they start from only £11.99. making some more. People love them and I can’t I’ve since created hundreds of believe how well they are selling. wacky outfits, including kilts, Parrot Trust really benefits from vampire jackets and footie tees for my funds, and I’m glad to be of help. football fans. I started off winging it, and now ‘Look at this Pikachu hoodie that my little business is booming. someone requested,’ I said to Roger, All for the love of my parrots! holding up the fluffy yellow design. Find out more about I love how creative people get Maggie’s parrot hoodies at and I really enjoy making their www.babesinthehood.net or requests come to life. Fancy dress is search for Parrot Hoodies on Etsy.

Valentine’s makeup bag, £10, Sainsbury’s Home

Personalised chocolate – I love you more than chocolate, £12.99, gettingpersonal.co.uk

Pink brazilian briefs, £3.50, F&F

Valentine’s annoying you rainbow mug, £2, Sainsbury’s Home

Valentine’s fizzical champagne flute, £5, Sainsbury’s Home

Pink lace plunge bra, £10, F&F

Love

H £1.50, George Home

Treat your better half with these special buys… Date night jar, £2, George Home

Valentine tealights, £4, Paperchase

STOCK

Valentine’s neon word light, £12, Sainsbury’s Home

Gold photo frame, £15, Paperchase

Get yourself into the Valentine ’ Day spirits

iant ar, £30, ome

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