Ask The Experts Relationship, family

Rustic

Table lamp, £35, Tesco

Mirror, £160, Garden Trading

Check basket, £19, Oliver Bonas

FARMH

Steel chicken, £12.50, Sainsbury’s

Cabinet, £125, IKEA

Check cush Mix up patterns and prints in w y

Tartan cushion, £12, M&Co

Cane cushion, £18, Dunelm

Homes

MHOUSE

Opt for checks and textures to create this cosy country look

Metal bedframe, from £179, duvet cover, from £15, mirror, £100, side table, £39, cushions, from £16.99 each, tray, £28 for set of two, table lamp, £48, vases, £32 for set of two, all Very

Cosy throws Stick to woven or check styles to top your bedding.

Tartan blanket, £40, National Trust

Herringbone throw, £12, Argos

Check throw, £19.99, Very

Ladder bookcase, £99, Dunelm

Mug, £10, Laura Ashley

Lampshade, £19, Morrisons Bedside table, £55, Argos

Framed print, £9, Sainsbury’s Double duvet, £19, Morrisons

Tray, £16, JD Williams

EXPERTS

Solve your family dilemmas with expert advice Ask SUZIE

IS HE CHEATING? Q I was promoted last year and it’s meant I now travel. One week every month I’m away from home Monday to Thursday. My husband said he was fi ne with this, but now we’re arguing and he says it’s because I’m paranoid and jealous. He has a work colleague and it seems to me she’s become a lot more. It’s not just that I know he sees her most evenings I’m away but they seem to text each other all the time. He swears there is nothing going on but it seems she snaps her fi ngers and he jumps.

Suzie says A Apologists insist that as long as you haven’t actually ‘done it’, it’s not an aff air. They often go further and

Infi delity doesn’t have to be physical

Is my daughter being truthful? Ask the insist constant contact, sexy texts and even getting naked but not having full penetrative sex still means it’s not an aff air. Tosh. If one partner spends more emotional intent on another person –and seeing her most evenings, texting each other and even turning away from you most certainly counts as emotional intent – something is most certainly going on. Book a session with a counsellor and thrash it out. You both need to hear what the other feels. The result may be staying together or parting. Whichever, it’s better to have an honest conversation than carry on as you are. See relate.org.uk for help in your area. GET IN CONTACT Write to Suzie at Family Dilemmas, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP, or you can send an email with your personal problem to asksuzie@ti-media.com. You can also write to Dr Philippa, Linda and Susan at the postal address above or send them an email with your problem to woman@ti-media.com Q My daughter will be fi nishing her fi nal year at university soon and she has landed a job in California in her profession. We’re delighted for her and so proud, and she’s bursting with excitement and anticipation. There’s one problem. She’s been seeing a young man for the last two years and I don’t think he knows anything about this. He still talks about ‘their’ plans to set up home here in the UK. Should we say anything? Suzie says A One of the sad aspects of the social media generation is that they’ve lived their entire dating experience in a world where people can be ghosted and cut off when no longer wanted. She doesn’t need a lecture but I would tell her what was said to you and ask her if she needs any support in doing the decent thing and fi nishing with him properly. Your discussion may cause her embarrassment but she’ll feel far worse if she does it the cowardly way.

OUR GRANDKIDS ARE AT RISK Q We often have our young grandchildren to stay or take them for days out. We have child seats fi tted in both my and my husband’s cars and are very careful. So I was shocked when our son-in-law dropped them off a few weeks ago in his car, with no car seats. He was offh and, saying it was only a mile or two and he drives carefully. I now realise that most times he takes them out he does it in his car rather than the family car, with no child seats. What should we do?

Suzie says

AThere are plenty of parenting issues about which you might need to take a step back. Except when it’s a matter of safety. There are no half measures when it comes to car seats. However carefully you drive, you may get hit by an idiot who isn’t taking care. Tell him in no uncertain terms that unless he’s prepared to realise this and act accordingly, you’ll bring your daughter into the conversation and let her impress it upon him. PHOTO (POSED BY MODELS): GETTY

Ask DR PHILIPPA

Woman’s GP Dr Philippa Kaye answers your questions

Will I need dentures? Q My mother lost all her teeth, but I am 60 and my teeth seem to be OK still. Should I expect to need dentures like my mother and most of her generation did?

Philippa says A If you have healthy teeth and regularly attend the dentist then I hope that you will not need dentures. The teeth of generations past were indeed often in poor health, due to sugar in the diet, poor dental hygiene and a lack of fl uoride, which is essential for healthy teeth. Depending on where you live there may naturally be high levels of fl uoride in the water, or if not, the local authority may add it to the water to improve dental health. Brushing your teeth twice daily, attending the dentist for regular check ups and treating any problems if and when they arise will all help.

COULD CANNABIS BE THE CURE? Q My husband has always suffered with anxiety; do you think using CBD or a cannabis-related product could be useful?

Philippa says A Cannabis is illegal, so I can’t recommend it. There are two components of cannabis, THC is the part that makes you high and CBD, which is legal in the UK. However, researchers have looked at the results of more than 80 studies into cannabis and mental health issues and have concluded that there is no evidence that medical cannabis could relieve symptoms. Also, there is evidence that it can worsen or contribute to anxiety and depression. I’d advise that your husband sees his GP.

Worried city pollutants are ruining my health Q I wonder if you could help clear up a conundrum I have. I take the Tube to work every morning in London; is there more pollution on the Tube or walking in the streets next to the cars? Which is better for my health?

Philippa says A From a cardiovascular health and fi tness point of view, walking is defi nitely better than sitting on the Tube. But the Underground has some of the most pollution in the UK, especially due to years of accumulated dust and deep lines with little ventilation. It seems that the risk on the Tube is greater than the risk of walking in the street and, if diesel cars are banned in London (as they are due to be in Bristol in the daytime), then this diff erence will become even greater. So it may be better in many ways to walk!

BREAST CHECKS ARE SO PAINFUL Q I am due to attend my latest mammogram, but I always hate going for it; they squish my boobs really hard and it hurts. Isn’t there another test they can do for breast cancer, like a blood test?

Philippa says A There is a national screening programme for breast cancer, which off ers mammograms every three years to those between the ages of 50 and 70 (though you can ask for one after 70 three yearly, you just won’t automatically be sent a letter). The mammogram involves taking an X-ray of the breasts. They are placed between two X-ray plates and there can be a short lasting, squishing sensation. Currently there isn’t a blood test, but a new one is being researched that could detect breast cancer even up to fi ve years before a lump, or another symptom occurs. This test looks for auto-antibodies that could signify cancer. However, it’s still in the trial stage, so at the moment the screening programme is the use of mammograms. But please, do go to your mammogram.

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

Go pro It might seem strange, but popping a probiotic might nip a niggling headache in the bud. A study from ProVen Probiotics showed that those people who took a probiotic once a day for six months had a 30% reduction in headaches.

Teeth safety If you’re after brighter teeth, try Glow32 Teeth Whitening System (£30, Boots). The whitening strips and pen combo deliver results without the use of peroxide for a glowing smile.

Oats for

your tea Looking to swap out your usual cow’s milk for something diff erent? Califi a Farms Oat Barista Blend (£1.95, Whole Foods) is still high in calcium (good news for our teeth and bones!), and has a deliciously creamy taste when added to tea and coff ee.