xet hdrj d6u

LOOK YOUNGER

HEALTH REPORT

Is your house Hairstyles KILLING YOU?

‘Prince Charles

ISEXCLUSIVE MY INTERVIEW DAD!’

ROYAL LATEST

Why Kate and Megh WON’T SPEAK Losing weight

COST ME MY BEST FRIEND

The hidden caloriets in your breakfas

REV

CAT TO REPLACE HOLLY?

TV star wants more time with her family !

This ISSUE The year is racing by, isn’t it? And, as our calendars begin to fill up, I suspect time will pass even more quickly. Soon quiet nights in will be replaced by meals out with friends or barbecues in the garden. But, while we’re cautiously emerging from lockdown and enjoying having more places to visit than garden centres (!), we should perhaps try to balance that with retaining some moments of tranquillity. (Some might call it GET 6 ISSUES having your cake and eating it!)

OF WOMAN MAGAZINE Talking of food, take a look at FOR £1* HALF p30 to discover the hidden calories PRICE in your breakfast – it’s a real eye-opener.

Have a lovely week.

Hannah Fernando, Editor

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YOUR LIFE

23 Don’t Tell Me I Can’t… …be happily unmarried ✱ 24 Real Life ‘Prince Charles is my dad!’

Exclusive interview 29 Feel Great BMI… is it still relevant today? ✱ 30 Eat Well, Feel Great The hidden calories in your breakfast revealed ✱ 32 Real Life Losing weight cost me my best friend ✱ 34 Health Report Is your house killing you?

38 Real Life How we learnt to love our bodies 47 Real Life The picture that means so much

YOUR TIME

Smart swaps can help keep your weight stable

If you are staying in and don’t want to miss out on your favourite magazine, remember you can download Woman from the App Store or Google Play Store directly to your smartphone or tablet

18 Let’s Shop! Get summer ready 36 Recipes One-pot puddings in an hour!

40 Ask The Experts Family, medical, pet and sex problems resolved 44 Travel Forest bathing breaks 48 Homes Be bold, be brave 50 Books, Puzzles and Starscope 54 Short Story Love me, love me not 58 Bingo Win with us!

60 On The Box What to watch ✱ On the cover

Woman, incorporating Woman’s Illustrated and Woman’s Mirror, is a Registered Trademark of Future plc. Cover printed by Walstead UK Limited, text printed by Walstead UK Limited. Published by Future plc, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Distributed by Marketforce (UK) Ltd, a Future plc company, 3rd Floor, 161 Marsh Wall, Canary Wharf, London E14 9AP. Tel: +44 (0)1225 442244.

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What A Week! Jane McDonald: ‘Better days are ahead’ Cover Story Cat to replace Holly?

Celebrity Mike’s royal revelations Celebrity Sheridan Smith: ‘My priorities have changed’ The Royal Insider Why Kate and Meghan won’t speak We Love Your Style Ranvir Singh Talking About… The silver splitters View From The Back

21 Fashion High street chic ✱ 26 Beauty Look younger hairstyles

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ABOUT Y YOUR NEWS OU!

WE BRING YOU THIS WEEK’S LATEST GOSSIP

Jane ‘BETTER

DAYS ARE AHEAD’ to me.’ Jane, 58, added, ‘It’s been a tough time for us all recently and I know that better days are ahead.’

Jane revealed Ed had died from lung cancer. A Twitter statement on the star’s account read, ‘Ed passed away on Friday 26 March. He had been battling lung cancer for the last few months.’

Our thoughts are with you, Jane.

Devoted couple Eddie and Jane

CELEBRITY PET of the week

YES

100% Saira Khan’s pup Vera clearly loves being held like a baby. Cute!

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OVER TO OU! WE ASKED YOU ON TWITTER: Actor Martine McCutcheon, 44, has been signed to a modelling agency. Would you consider a career change later in life?

WORDS: ROBYN MORRIS. PHOTOS: ALAMY, FILMMAGIC, PA IMAGES, INSTAGRAM @IAMSAIRAKHAN, @RICHARDBLACKWOOD, ITV/SHUTTERSTOCK, GETTY

G

rieving singer Jane McDonald has thanked fans for their support after the death of her fiancé Eddie Rothe at 67.

‘I want to thank everyone most sincerely for the wonderful cards and messages of support that I have received since the awful news was announced that I had lost my beloved Ed,’ she wrote on her website. ‘I’m so touched by each and every one.

‘All the kind thoughts and words have meant so much

IS THAT YOU, CLAUDIA? We had to do a double take when we saw this photo of Strictly’s Claudia Winkleman back in the 1990s, without her trademark thick fringe and heavy eyeliner. Hosting Pyjama Party in 1996 with Katie Puckrik and Michelle Kelly, Claudia, who was just 24 at the time, looks totally different with lighter, longer hair styled in a messy updo.

The BBC has also released a throwback clip of Claudia, now 49, from the same year. The presenter was talking about dating on the BBC’s then daytime show Good Morning with Anne and Nick, leaving fans stunned at just how unrecognisable she is now compared with her look back then.

But, while there’s no denying the TV star looked great in those days, we love the look she’s since adopted, with her now-signature eyeliner.

MAN OF THE

MOMENT!

RICHARD BLACKWOOD: The comedian, 49, is in great shape, rocking his inkings.

Quote of the week

‘YEAH, BREAKFAST IS ORANGE CAKE – SO WHAT?’

All the

Comedian, actor and author Dawn French on starting the day her way

LATEST GOSSIP ‘WE WERE BEYONCÉ’S INSPIRATION!’ Posh Spice, aka Victoria Beckham, has revealed that pop queen Beyoncé was inspired by the Spice Girls. ‘I met Beyoncé a few years ago and she said to me, “It was the Spice Girls that inspired me and made me want to do what I do,”’ Victoria said, adding, ‘I think that’s quite something.’

Which Spice would Beyoncé have been?

COURTENEY: ‘FRIENDS REUNION WAS EMOTIONAL’ Actor Courteney Cox, who played Monica Geller in Friends’ 10-year run, has opened up about filming the highly anticipated reunion episode. ‘It was unbelievable and so emotional,’ she said. ‘It was great, we had a lot of special surprises and it was fantastic.’

Can’t wait to see it!

The way they were: Friends in the 1990s

A FAMILIAR FACE ON ALBERT SQUARE Former Love Island star Dani Dyer will join her famous dad Danny on EastEnders next month, playing a cab driver! Dani will appear for just a brief stint in the soap but, while she’s not playing a relative of her dad’s character Mick Carter, he’ll be one of her passengers.

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Is Holly about

TO QUIT? After her extended break from This Morning, it seems Holly Willoughby may be ready to move on

H

olly Willoughby has been part of the This Morning furniture alongside Phillip Schofield for 12 years now, but is that all about to change?

The duo always have the school holidays off, but Holly surprised viewers when she announced that she was having an extra week away from the show after the Easter break.

‘Working on something else next week which I can’t wait to share with you all,’ she candidly wrote on Instagram.

Holly and Phil Holly’s followers quickly guessed that on This Morning she could be working on Midsomer Murders, after cast members Neil Dudgeon and Nick Hendrix said they would like her to appear in an episode during an interview just about me having my dream and everyone on This Morning. And one fan questioned fitting round it, it’s about putting family first whether she was leaving the daytime show and making that choice.’ for good to ‘explore other options’.

And with popular presenter Cat Deeley It perhaps isn’t too far from Holly’s thoughts, becoming a hit with viewers while standing in with her hinting that she’d like to spend more for Lorraine, could she be Holly’s successor? time with her family. She’s admitted, ‘It’s not

New priorities Holly, 40, has spent years building a

Cat was a big hit with viewers on Lorraine 6

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successful career and undoubtedly can choose what she does and doesn’t want to do.

But, when it comes to juggling her family, she is in no doubt that they take priority.

Last year, the presenter took a few days off from This Morning to take care of her children, Harry, Belle and Chester, after two of them became unwell with COVID-19 symptoms. At the time, co-host Phil explained, ‘Holly is dealing with childcare.’

And Holly has since revealed that when COVID first swept the nation, she was close to taking a longer break from the show to stay at home with her family.

‘Right at the beginning when we didn’t know that much about it and the schools were closed and there was about two or three weeks where I think there was a real pull for me to stay at home,’ she said.

Cover Story

The kids come first for Holly

Could Cat step in?

If Holly did decide to move away from This Morning,

Cutting back This wouldn’t be the first time Holly has stepped

back from work to focus on her family. Last year, the star left panel show Celebrity Juice. The show’s frontman Keith Lemon revealed that Holly told him, ‘It’s been 12 great years but I want to spend time with the family.’ And in 2018, she stepped down from lifestyle brand Truly, explaining that she wanted to prioritise family life. ‘You cannot have it all,’ she said. ‘I’ve had the most incredible opportunities this year but it’s also overwhelming.

‘Truly was something I was very passionate about, but my husband has a really high-pressured, busy job and I have three kids and other projects.’ She added, ‘My son Harry has really got into football and I want to be able to take him there so he can do what he loves. I didn’t want to be in a position where I was working in the evenings and couldn’t be with them.’

And as Holly is now worth an estimated £10 million, it’s safe to say she doesn’t need the money.

So could we have a new daytime queen in town?

Watch this space!

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PHOTOS: ALAMY, ITV, INSTAGRAM @HOLLYWILLOUGHBY, KEN MCKAY/ITV/SHUTTERSTOCK

there are a number of options for ITV to look at, including regular step-in Rochelle Humes and Friday presenter Alison Hammond – to name just two. But someone who has proved particularly popular on the channel lately is Cat Deeley, 44.

After returning from America, where she and husband Patrick Kielty lived for 14 years, Cat joined Ant and Dec on Saturday Night Takeaway for a Chums reunion – a spoof of Friends from their hit show SM:TV Live, which they hosted together from 1998-2001. The reunion sketch went down a storm with fans, who labelled Cat ‘genuine’ and ‘a breath of fresh air’. One even commented that it is ‘criminal that Cat isn’t on UK TV more’.

She then stepped in for Lorraine on her daily breakfast show during the Easter holidays, which was also extremely well received. One viewer commented, ‘Love Cat Deeley! Please keep her ITV.’ While another added, ‘How nice is Cat Deeley on Lorraine, she’s great. Give her a show!’

And it seems Cat is keen to get her foot back in the door at the channel, as she gushed about her time on Lorraine, ‘I’m so happy to be back at ITV.’

Mike’s royal

revelations

Zara’s husband seems to forget he is part of the Royal Family and spills all the secrets!

M

arrying into the Royal Family is not something to be taken lightly.

There are many strict protocols to be followed, including not expressing an opinion on political matters, no public PDAs and only making major personal announcements through the Palace.

But while most of the family take these rules very seriously, Mike Tindall, 42, likes to steer away from tradition and often releases details about his wife Zara’s family on his own terms.

Megxit

WORDS: REBECCA CALDERWOOD. PHOTOS: ALAMY, INSTAGRAM @GOODBADRUGBY, PA IMAGES, GETTY

While most of the Royal Family have remained tight-lipped about their feelings towards Prince Harry and his wife Meghan stepping down as senior royals, the dad-of-three has been pretty open. During an appearance on Good Morning Britain, Mike explained he was ‘supportive’ of the couple. He said, ‘They’re busy doing what they’re doing, and I just want them to be happy with what they’re doing and be happy with each other.’ But the sweet admission comes as no surprise, as Mike is known to share a close bond with the Duke of Sussex.

Baby joy

Most royal couples make an announcement through the Palace when they’re expecting, but Mike announced the news of his and wife Zara’s third child on his podcast The Good,, The Bad & The Rugby. Surprising his co-hosts, he said, ‘Had a little scan last week – third Tindall on its way.’ And soon after Zara gave birth to their son, Lucas, he was the first to tell the world.

Describing the birth, Mike said, ‘Arrived very quickly. Didn’t make it to hospital.

[Gave birth] on the bathroom floor.’

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Prince Philip’s funeral

Alongside his wife Zara, the former rugby star was one of the few guests to attend the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh. On his podcast, he described the service as ‘eerie, [because] it was with no crowds’.

He added, ‘Hopefully he is looking down and he was happy with the day.’ He also gave a special mention to the Queen, who was forced to sit away from her children and grandchildren due to restrictions. Mike said, ‘She’s amazing, literally amazing.’

Celebrity

Christmas at Sandringham Christmas is often a time for sharing – and Mike did just that yet again on his podcast, giving an insight into the celebrations at Sandringham. When asked whether Christmas is good at the castle, Mike said, ‘Yeah it is good.

Christmas Day is a little quieter because it’s actually a cold buffet [as] they give everyone the day off, and their big day is Christmas Eve.’ He also added that the family all sit around to watch the Queen’s speech together.

One of the family Cancelled celebrations

Mike spilled the details ahead of his mother-inlaw Princess Anne’s 70th birthday last year.

During an appearance on The One Show, he revealed that they had been planning a family event in Scotland, but were forced to cancel.

‘We did have plans,’ Mike shared. ‘It would have been up in Scotland. But obviously with COVID, and Aberdeen has been locked down a bit, I think everything’s been scaled back.’

In 2018, while appearing on TV ahead of the Sussexes’ wedding, he praised the Firm for their warm reception. ‘The best thing about the Royal Family is that they’re so lovely, they’ll spot the people who are looking a bit nervous and take all that tension straight out [of] the room,’ he explained. ‘That’s what they’re amazing at, then suddenly you’re in the family and they welcome you with open arms.’

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‘MY PRIORITIES HAVE CHANGED’ Since welcoming her baby son Billy with fiancé Jamie Horn last year, Sheridan Smith is putting family life first

S

heridan Smith has had a tough few years by anyone’s standards.

Following the tragic death of her dad Colin in 2016, she halted her work on the West End stage to focus on her struggles with alcohol, depression and exhaustion.

Thankfully, things began to get back on track for the muchloved actor, and she soon met he now-fiancé Jamie Horn. The pai Relaxed and were keen to start a family of happy with baby their own and welcomed baby Billy and Jamie son Billy in May last year.

For Sheridan, life is now all about taking time for herself an her family rather than overworking – and and he’s looking at me and I know he loves she’s already noticed a change. ‘I don’t me back and he needs me.’ think I’ve ever felt like this before,’ she Sheridan adds that, while she once turned says. ‘Regardless of anything going on to alcohol and partying to deal with her in my career, I’ve always felt insecure, problems, she certainly doesn’t now. worried about what people thought of Explaining the impact motherhood has me. And now I feel happy.’ had on her mindset, she says, ‘I’ve looked Despite making sure she doesn’t turn in the wrong places – in ni htclubs, her back on her career going out completely, her priorities drinking, couldn’t be more different. pushing myself with work.

But now, Sheridan has been an acting with this star for decades, starting out in little baby, the BBC’s Two Pints of Lager and a Packet I’ve found that I’m at of Crisps, and has since starred in many peace with everything.’ successful TV and stage productions Fans are noticing including Gavin & Stacey and Legally Blonde. the change in the However, despite her glittering career, her doting mum, too. personal life has been filled with anxiety and ‘You look so happy self-doubt. Now Billy has, she says, shifted and relaxed,’ one said her perspective. on social media, while ‘I never knew I would be this person – another wrote, ‘You a mum. Things used to seem so complicated, are simply glowing and now suddenly everything is so simple,’ with happiness.’

‘I KNOW HE LOVES ME A new perspective BACK’

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In 2011, with her beloved late father, Colin

Celebrity

Slowing down

Eleven months after giving birth, Sheridan is slowly getting back into work again and has just wrapped up her first Channel 5 drama since becoming a mother. However, she’s not prepared to burn herself out – for which she has little Billy to thank.

Speaking to comedian Rob Brydon, she said, ‘Your priorities change when you have a baby. We’re happy when we’re younger to go off doing filming jobs and being in a trailer in the middle of nowhere doing crying scenes all day. But filming dramas is months away from your family and it is pretty lonely.’

Taking on a lighter workload, including fronting BBC1’s Pooch Perfect, has also benefited her relationship with Jamie, 31. The star adds, ‘When I was younger and ambitious and had no ties, I could do months on end. My fella said, “It’s so nice to have you come home after being with dogs all day because you’re buzzing.” I’m not coming home with angst.’

‘I FEEL SO AT PEACE WITH MYSELF’

It’s no secret that Sheridan has battled with her mental health in the past – a problem which also haunted her during pregnancy.

In her ITV documentary Becoming Mum, she said, ‘It’s such a huge thing to have a baby.

If you’ve had a mental-health issue in the past, you worry it will rear its ugly head again. I’d hate for the wheels to come off.’

But Sheridan, who turns 40 in June, appears stable and grounded. She says, ‘I feel I’ve really achieved something. I’m looking forward to the future. Jamie wants to get married, so yes, that’s on the cards.

But I feel so at peace with myself, and because of everything I’ve been through and spoken about, I feel more connected to people than ever.’

With co-star Stanley in Pooch Perfect and (inset) in Funny Girl in 2016

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WORDS: REBECCA CALDERWOOD. PHOTOS: BBC/BEYOND PRODUCTIONS, GETTY, INSTAGRAM @SHERIDANSMITHSTER

Looking ahead

The royal

By royal biographer Duncan Larcombe

Royals at war – again?

sister-in-law following her he irony of Meghan, Duchess of encounter with Harry at the Duke Sussex, penning a book about the of Edinburgh’s funeral, but the bond between father and son was Palace will not be drawn. not wasted on the royals.

Kate, as we have said before, So why did Meghan write about the is often the peacemaker and has one subject critics are likely to argue always had a very close relationship she knows little, if anything, about? with Harry. Remember when he Whatever the inspiration, children’s described her as the sister he never books are big earners if you can garner had? I’m pretty sure if she could enough publicity – a skill the new give Meghan a call to try and help author, in my opinion, has in spades. smooth things over, she would. But And, if Meghan’s storytelling Has Kate tried to it’s just not that simple any more skills match her ability for self-publicity, make peace with and that’s why Kate and Meghan then she is surely in line for this year’s her sister-in-law? won’t speak. Perhaps when more Booker Prize for literature. water passes under the But, as details of a new range of hampers from M&S, but bridge that will change, Meghan’s latest venture this wasn’t just any family gathering. but for now, it’s tricky for were made public, the The slick video – which even had its them both. contrast between the own soundtrack – was designed to So sensitive is the issue, former actor and her show a young family united by a strong that the Firm has treated sister-in-law the Duchess bond and at ease with one another. the enquiries in the same of Cambridge could barely During the Oprah interview, Harry manner their colleagues be more obvious. said his brother was ‘trapped’ in the have dealt with questions Because in the same week very institution he and his wife had about the man who claims that publishers of The Bench the courage to escape. to be Charles and Camilla’s pushed out the press release It is hard to draw any other love child (p24) – simply bragging of their new Meghan’s children’s conclusion than that this was William do not engage. signing, a video showing and Kate’s attempt to hit back at Meanwhile, Prince William, what family life is like within the book The Bench is out next month Harry’s claim and show that a happy Kate and their three children Cambridge clan was released family life is possible for members were seen playing on the by the Palace. of the Royal Family. beach, toasting marshmallows on an The same people who – I’m told – Whether they like it or not, the recent open fire and laughing as they gave have fielded calls all week and refused behaviour of the Sussexes has plunged a unique insight into life inside the to be drawn into a running commentary William and Kate into a transatlantic Cambridge family. on Kate’s relationship with Meghan. popularity contest they never would Yes, at times it looked like a carefully There are rumblings that Kate may have wanted. choreographed advert, or the release of have extended an olive branch to her

PHOTOS: GETTY, PA IMAGES. THE BENCH, PUBLISHED BY PUFFIN, 8 JUNE 2021

T

From the palace

Her Majesty posted a tribute to her great-grandson Archie as he turned two, but COVID, coupled with the Sussexes fleeing Britain, mean the Queen has missed the past 18 months of Archie’s life.

A Palace source lamented, ‘All Her Majesty wanted to give her great-grandson for his birthday was a cuddle. It’s [terrible] that circumstances have stopped him getting to know the head of the family.’

Princess Anne’s feisty side This week th

e Princess Roya l’s third cousin, Princess Olga, claimed Anne was not one to be reckoned w ith, back in the day. Accord ing to the desce ndant of Tsar Nicholas II , when the pair h ad eyes for the same m an, Anne had a unique way of seeing off her love riva l. Olga said she was o n the receiving e n d of a royal boot up the backside as they rode horses . S ee m s surprising to me…

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WORDS: KIRSTY NUTKINS PHOTOS: DAVE BENETT/GETTY IMAGES, DOUG PETERS/EMPICS ENTERTAINMENT, KEN MCKAY/ITV/ /SHUTTERSTOCK

r u o y LOVE

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THINK PINK

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL

WORKING IT

This flirty floral summer dress is a great choice for the Good Morning Britain star, showing off her slim, Strictly-toned legs – especially in those teetering heels!

Rocking a plunging, sequined jumpsuit with a nude underlayer on the red carpet for the 2020 National Television Awards. Surely Ranvir’s boldest – and best – look to date!

Looking the business in a tailored outfit, Ranvir wears a smart black top and trousers with classic court shoes, paired with glamorous earrings and an oversized clutch.

WOMAN

r STYLE

Ranvir Singh

Celebrity

SELLING SUNSET

GOLD RUSH

BRIGHT SIDE

Ranvir proves less is more in this elegant dress with a belted waist and flattering sleeves. She styles it with tan accessories, including another pair of classic courts.

For the 2016 ITV Gala at the London Palladium, Ranvir stepped out in a Grecian-goddess inspired gown, wedge heels, simple accessories and an eye-catching clutch.

A real wow-factor look for the news reader, who keeps accessories to a minimum and lets this bold, patterned jumpsuit speak for itself.

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The silver SPLITTERS As one of the richest couples in the world prepare to divorce after 27 years of marriage, we take a look at the growing numbers of people choosing to call it a day later in life

E

nding what you hoped would be a lifelong commitment is never an easy decision. And going through a divorce can be an upsetting, stressful and frustrating process.

But, while the overall numbers of people divorcing are down in the UK, according to counselling service Relate, the number of couples in their 60s cutting ties is gradually increasing. Even billionaire super-couple, Bill, 65, and Melinda Gates, 56, recently announced their amicable split after 27 years of marriage.

But why shouldn’t divorce signal the start of a new chapter – a chance to celebrate freedom and enjoy it? Dubbed the ‘silver splitters’, more divorcees in their 60s than ever before are signing up to dating apps and solo holidays.

Woman investigates why starting afresh in your 60s, far from cutting you adrift, could be the making of you.

Bill and Melinda Gates’ high-profile break-up came as a shock

‘I’VE NOT ONLY SURVIVED THE END OF MY MARRIAGE – I’VE THRIVED’ Counsellor and author Caroline Buchanan, 67, lives in west London

When my decree absolute arrived via email eight days before my 60th birthday, in October 2013, I felt a mix of emotions – sadness and also relief. My now ex-husband had left the family home the previous year, after 13 years of marriage. At the time,

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I was devastated, but by now I’d realised that crisis is an opportunity to grow, and I was starting to feel excited about my future, alongside a new-found sense of freedom and the belief that no matter how hard and traumatic it had been at the time, divorcing was, without a doubt, the best thing for us both.

Of course, like most marriages, our wedding day back in April 1999 had been full of love, optimism and hope, but slowly, over time, we both realised that we’d become very different people and that the relationship had stopped

making us happy. It wasn’t a quick or easy realisation, and the split was tough. Of course, I’d never dreamt I’d be divorced and single later in life, and it filled me with a lot of anxiety. Would I spend the rest of my days alone?

Feeling positive I decided that, as I fast approached 60,

it was time I learnt how to be alone and focus on myself for a while.

Initially, I sought counselling to deal with the pain of the separation, and spent more time with friends and family

Talking About

‘IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE ADVICE AT THE RIGHT TIME’

until I started to feel better and gain clarity on what I wanted from life.

I developed a passion for country music, attending gigs and concerts regularly, and I finally sat down and wrote the book I’d been wanting to write for years. So, by the time I held my divorce papers in my hand that day in October 2013, the worst was definitely over and I was starting to feel positive about my future.

The years that followed have been my most productive, fulfilling and happiest yet, and while I’ve stayed single through

choice, it has given me more time to be creative. I’ve had more time to work on my writing, including publishing a self-help book called The 15 -Minute Rule for Forgiveness, sharing skills I learnt during and after my divorce, and I now write an agony-aunt column for a local newspaper. I’ve had a lot of fun, too, and have been on a few dates.

Through it all, I’ve got to know myself better and I’ve realised just how courageous and independent I am.

When I first separated from my husband, I was afraid of being on my own forever,

‘I LOVE MY OWN COMPANY’

WORDS: FRANCES LEATE. PHOTOS (MAIN POSED BY MODELS): ALAMY

Emma Lawler, a partner in family law at Langleys Solicitors, says: We have seen a steady increase, over the last decade, in divorce rates of the over-60s an d, while this is the result of a few facto rs, we have also seen a simplification of the divorce process itself. Things lik e being able to initiate a divorce pe tition online has meant that cases are be ing dealt with quicker and at a fractio n of the cost.

While the administratio n side of a divorce has been mad e easier, the dividing of marital asse ts is where the process can become co mplicated, and where it is imperative that both sides seek legal advice. This is especially true for the older gene ration, who are more likely to have been married for a significant amou nt of time. The dividing and quantifyin g of 25-plus years of contributions to a relationship can be very difficult fo r both the couple and the courts.

It is important for thos e thinking of getting a divorce to m ake sure to take advice at the right tim e, and enter the process knowing what to expect. If you adopt a pragmatic and practical view of the proceedings an d try not to get caught up in any unne cessary disputes, it will be easier to deal with the divorce amicably, quickly and cheaply. ✱ langleys.com

but now it doesn’t faze me at all.

I love my own company and, for the first time in my life, I’m learning to do what makes me happy. I’ve not only survived the end of my marriage, but in its wake, I’ve thrived.

To anyone else going through a divorce later in life, as daunting as it can be finding yourself single, remind yourself every day that you don’t need someone else to make you happy. Embrace your freedom, enjoy yourself and celebrate the start of your new chapter. ✱ caroline-buchanan.co.uk

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READY We’ve found everything you need to dine al fresco y

From £2.75 Picnic rug, £25, John Lewis & Partners Jug, £24.99, Robert Dyas

Reusable straws, £2.75, Ikea Trio snack bowl, £12, Next

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Let’s Shop!

Stack together to save space s

Wine glasses, £10 for four, John Lewis & Partners

Citrronella candddle, £3, Dunelm Dresss, £40, sizes 6-18, River Island

Keep everything chilled

Salad bowl, £10, Matalan

Sunglasses, £16, River Island

Family cool bag, £20, Dunelm

Bondi Sands SPF50 Lip Balm, £5, beautybay.com

Perfect for four people

COM OMPILED BY: BECKY JOINER-O’RIORDAN

Solar lantern, £6, Poundland

Picnic hamper, £50, John Lewis & Partners Shoes, £12.50, Matalan

WOMAN

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Fashion

High street CHIC Designer style on a budget

Gillian Anderson

Dress, £75, sizes 6-16, omnes.com

Vicky McClure

GET THE LOOK Stand out in a bold orange satin midi dress like the 52-year-old actor.

The flattering style cinches her waist and skims over thighs while subtle puff sleeves are great if you’re conscious of upper arms.

GET THE LOOK Line of Duty star Vicky, 38, oozes modern sophistication in this tan boyfriend blazer. Pairing the oversized jacket with slim-fit trousers keeps her proportions in check for a chic, relaxed look.

Necklace, £25, orelia.co.uk Blazer, £25, sizes xxs-xxl, Primark

Bag, £26, Next

Shoes, £19.99, New Look

Anita Rani GET THE LOOK TV presenter Anita, 43, injects some flower power into her wardrobe with a statement print. The key is to keep accessories simple and let the dress take centre stag ge.

COMPILED BY: JOELY CHILCOTT. PHOTOS: GETTY

Dress, £45, sizes 10-28, Damart

Trousers, £14, sizes 6-22, F&F Clothing

Shoes, £45, Charles & Keith

Glasses, £19, Specsavers

Eva Longoria GET THE LOOK Add a pop of colour to a neutral suit like Hollywood star Eva. The 46-year-old plays with textures by teaming the cream loose fit two-piece with a cobalt satin blouse for extra style points.

Blazer, £24.99, sizes xs-xxl, H&M Earrings, £1.50, Primark

Rings, £24, Oliver Bonas

Trousers, £24.99, sizes 8-22, H&M

Shirt, £29.99, sizes xs-xl, Zara Boots, £22.50, George at Asda

Shoes, £19.99, M&S WOMAN 21

…

T ’ N A C I E M L L E T DON’T

...be happily unmarried

When it comes to her love life, Roz Colthart has no regrets

W

hen I was younger, I thought I would get married and have children one day. But now, looking back, I’d simply assumed this because everyone around me expected it.

Why wouldn’t I get married, settle down and have children, just like everyone else did? Only, it wasn’t long before I realised marriage wasn’t something I particularly aspired to.

Dropping out of a Business degree at 18, I went to work in Disney World in Florida for a year and, while there, I caught the travel bug and started a career in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry soon after.

While I had relationships, including one in my 20s that lasted seven years, the idea of marriage never seemed to fill me with the same excitement and desire that it did some of my female friends. I was too busy enjoying my career as a marketing director for a hotel chain and exploring other countries in my free time to think about settling down in one place, let alone with one person.

By the time I was 30, I’d got pretty used to the endless warnings from strangers at friends’ weddings about how my biological clock was ticking, or unsolicited reassurances about how the man for me was out there somewhere.

‘Don’t worry, you’ll meet Mr Right one day. Then everything will change,’ people would smile, pitying me.

‘Oh, I’m not worried. I love my life,’ I’d reply, describing how I travelled and had the career of my dreams. Yet I always

Free spirits Roz and Mark sensed they didn’t really believe me – after all, how could I possibly be happy without a family of my own?

As the years passed, well-meaning friends would tell me that I was missing out by not having a husband or children.

It became increasingly annoying, and I’d find myself forever justifying my life choices. It was almost as if, as a happily unmarried woman, I wasn’t fulfilling my allotted role in life or following the script like I should, and people were put out by it.

Because of the reaction I’d get from other guests at weddings regarding my single status, I often found myself leaving early, feeling miserable and judged. I started to feel like an outsider just because I’d chosen a path that didn’t involve having a ring on my finger.

At 37, I went to work on a luxury residential ship, selling apartments and travelling to beautiful places, yet I’d still get asked when I was going to settle down. Sadly, a few friends started distancing themselves from me, admitting it was because they felt we didn’t have much in common any more.

It was upsetting, but it certainly put into perspective who my true friends are.

I’m not going to change to suit everyone

WORDS: FRANCES LEATE. MAIN PHOTO: HELEN PUGH PHOTOGRAPHY

‘I DON’T NEED A MAN TO VALIDATEME’

else, and I certainly don’t need a man to validate me.

Over the years, I’ve had relationships, and I’m currently dating a lovely man – Mark, 52 – who values his independence as much as I do mine. Now in my late 40s, I sometimes get asked if I regret not marrying and having children, and I’m tempted to ask those people if they regret their life choices, but I don’t.

I just wish they’d ask me if I’m happy – because surely that’s all that matters?

✱ Roz is the founder of salonstudios.co.uk, making it possible for any hair or beauty professional to realise their dream of running a salon.

Yes, you can

AND REMEMBER…

✱ You can meet new pe ople and visit exciting places, travellin g solo. Book a solo trip with a tour operator like solosholidays.co.uk ✱ Research suggests th at unmarried people tend to be healt hier as they have more time to focus on their wellbeing ✱ Do what makes you happy, regardless of what anybody else tells you WOMAN

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WHY I KNOW I’M PRINCE CHARLES’ SON Could claims that the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall had a secret love child be true? Woman investigates

T

he Royal Family is often plagued with rumours of scandals, coverups and affairs. But now, one man is making the sensational claim that he is the secret love child of Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

If verified, this claim would put Simon Charles Dorante-Day, 55, second in line to the throne, before Prince William.

Adopted at eight months old, the British-born engineer, who now

Dr Elvianna Dorante-Day, 53, is married to Simon and lives in Brisbane, Australia. She and Simon have six children together.

‘I first met Simon in 1992. I’d moved to Brisbane to study nursing, and he was my neighbour. He’d arrived from the UK four years earlier, at 21, looking for a fresh start. We bonded over the fact we’d both been adopted as children.

I was still in touch with my birth family,

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lives in Australia, was conceived in 1965.

Charles and Camilla didn’t officially meet until 1970, but Simon believes this is part of a cover-up, in which his eye colour was surgically changed and his teeth ground down to hide any family resemblance.

Simon has written letters to the Queen and demanded a DNA test, but the Palace has refused to acknowledge the claims, so he is now gathering evidence to put before a court. It seems that he and his wife, Elvianna, won’t rest until they get answers. They tell Woman their story.

but Simon had never known his true heritage, and his adoptive mother didn’t like to speak about it. I knew it was tough for him, and when we had our first child, also called Simon, in 1994, he decided to trace his roots.

Our son had been born with bright-blue eyes, which I found surprising as both mine and Simon’s were brown, but then Simon told me he remembered his irises being surgically altered when he was a child. He’d also undergone a procedure as a teen to have his teeth ground down, to change their shape. As a doctor, this sounded very strange to me, and the more we unpicked his past, the more things just didn’t seem right.

Simon had never seen his birth certificate, and his adoption certificate

was handwritten, which is unusual.

The woman named as his birth mother appeared to be a pseudonym, there was no father listed, and it looked as though the papers had been falsified.

As Simon opened up, he told me stories of his adoptive grandparents working in a royal household, where his nan, Winifred, was a cook and his grandad, Ernest, was a gardener.

Aged five, he’d overheard a conversation in which his nan told his adoptive mother that visitations had to stop. This was followed by a meeting with a woman, who he believed to be his birth mother, and a man in uniform, at a naval base in Portsmouth.

Slowly, we began piecing the story together, and everything led back to

‘HE HAS A REGAL AIR ABOUT HIM’

Real Life

‘IT HURTS THEY WON’T ACKNOWLEDGE ME’

Simon says: ‘I spent years repressing memories, but now I’m certain that I am Charles and Camilla’s son. They met briefly in 1965, when Charles was 17 and Camilla 18, then she disappeared from the social scene, and I believe this is when she gave birth to me. The woman I met, aged five, looked just like Camilla, and I’m certain Charles was there, too.

It hurts that they won’t publicly acknowledge me, but all I want is for them to admit I’m their son. I know it would cause upset with the succession to the throne, which is why they won’t agree to a DNA test. I’ve sought legal advice and I’m gathering evidence.

Although I don’t have a court date, I’m confident I will get my case heard.

I want to be reunited with my birth parents, and I believe Camilla has tried to get close to me in her own way, like when she visited Australia in 2018 for the Commonwealth Games. I have royal blood, and I see the likeness between myself and my children with both sides of Charles’ and Camilla’s families every day. I’ll never stop fighting for the truth.’

Simon’s adoptive grandparents’ royal connections. We believed they had been entrusted with an illegitimately born baby.

When Winifred fell ill in 1998, Simon flew back to the UK to see her. In their last moments together, she pointed to a photo of Charles and Camilla in the paper, and confirmed they were his birth parents. When Simon told me, I believed it immediately. Deep down, we’d had our suspicions, and this was the validation we’d needed.

Simon’s adoptive mother refused to help, and the revelation drove a wedge between them. She wouldn’t tell her side of the story, and they stopped speaking.

Charles and Camilla Simon visited officially first met at Portsmouth council

a polo match in 1970

for his adoption records soon after, but they had mysteriously disappeared.

We wrote letters to Charles and Camilla, telling them that Simon was their son, and even to the Queen, but we never received any reply.

People think that we are trying to make a claim to the throne, but while we would both be happy to step up to the job, we just want to bring our family together.

Simon has a regal air about him – he likes to address problems and help people in our community.

I’ll stand by Simon no matter what, but I hope that, one day, Charles and Camilla will embrace their long-lost son. It’s the least Simon deserves.’

Woman’s royal columnist, Duncan Larcombe, says: ‘Claims that Charles and Camilla’s secret love child is at large seem more at home on Jeremy Kyle than in the corridors of Buckingham Palace. No matter how plausible Simon’s childhood story might be, he shouldn’t expect to be calling the future king “Dad” any time soon. Nor is he quite ready to challenge Prince William’s birthright and start planning what the country might look like in the hands of King Simon.

The royals’ policy is clear: “Don’t engage”. It’s a strategy that has served them since long before Queen Elizabeth II. This includes what some might see as a reasonable response, such as a flat denial or official dismissal of the claims.

The reason the Palace has stayed silent in these circumstances, and always will, is because making any comment would simply give it “the oxygen of publicity”.

As plausible as Simon’s account may be, he will, unfortunately, only ever face a wall of silence from the Palace.’

WOMAN

25

WORDS: FRANCESCA WOODSTOCK. PHOTOS: GETTY, FACEBOOK/SIMON CHARLES DORANTE-DAY

Simon believes he is part of an elaborate royal cover-up

‘MAKING ANY COMMENT WOULD GIVE IT THE OXYGEN OF PUBLICITY’

CURTAIN FRINGE

If you’re worried about forehead lines, the easiest way to disguise them is to have your hink stylist cut in a 70s-style fringe. Thi k Brigitte B i itt wBardot, soft, sweeping and low maintenance. This age-defying look e creates soft framing around the nd face, accentuates cheekbones an hides wrinkles. Jennifer Lopez wears e hers with longer sections at the but sides to blend with her long hair b hs. this style works on all hair length Ensure you blow-dry your fringe with w anoil a round, barrel brush like Morocca Ceramic Barrel Brush Size 25, £11.25, £ feelunique.com, to curve the hair inwards for a flattering look k.

Jennifer Lopez

LONG CROP

Dame Emma Thompson

Y T U A E BKNOW-HOW

Short hairstyles elongate your neck and show off bone structure. If you’re braving a big chop, take inspiration from Dame Emma Thompson, with shorter sides and some length on top. Try using a hair wax or pomade like label.m Dry Volumising Paste, £14.95, lookfantastic.com, for definition. Take a small blob between your palms, warm it up and gently rub it into longer sections, then lock in the style with a firm hold hairspray. We love Tresemmé Extra Hold Hairspray, £3.05, Superdrug.

AGE-DEFYING

WORDS: EMMA NORTH. PHOTOS: GETTY

hairstyles Roll back the years with these flattering cuts

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Beauty HOW DO YOU CARE FOR YOUR HAIR?

THE MIDDLE PART

This year side-partings are out – the modern way to part your hair is down the middle, à la Catherine Zeta-Jones. To o achieve this youthful style, drag a tail com mb (we like Bleach London Tail Com e £5, bleachlondon.com) from the tip of your nose to the crown of your head. If your hair tends to falll flat this way, a texturising spray like Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Texturising Spray, £6.99, Boots, will add some root lift.

A WEEKLY MASK Dame Helen Mirren

SHOR WAVY BOB

e holy grail hairstyle for knocki g off years has to be the chin-len ngth bob.

For 2021, try a gently curl F urled style that add dds volume to fine, flat fl hair, like Dame He a small-barrelled tong like ke Babyli yliss Rose Blush Curling Wand, £ babyliss.co.uk, to create waves before adding texture with a salt spray. L’Oréal Stylista The Beach Wave Mist, £5.99, Superdrug, will give some ‘oomph’ to hair that falls flat.

Catherine Zeta-Jones

CHOPPY BOB

This season it’s all about layers and plenty of them. To achieve the choppy bob texture is crucial, but that can be tricky with fine hair. By using a thickening shampoo and conditioner like OGX Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Shampoo and Conditioner, £6.99 each, Boots, hair will be plumped up, making it much easier to style into a choppier, chicer ’do just like Emma Stone’s.

Emma Stone

Keep your hair hydrated with a hair treatment once a week. Kristin Ess Strand Strengthening Reconstructive Moisture Mask,, £12,, Boots,, is great for all hair types and keeps hair soft and shiny.

TRY A SCALP SCRUB

Product build-up can cause hair to become dull and greasy, so try using a gentle exfoliator like The Hair Boss The Scalp Scrub, £7.99, Superdrug, to deep-clean oily roots.

REGULA TRIM

Rachel Weisz

GLOSSY, SLEEKK AND CHIC

The Hollywood blow-dry has gone to the next level with ultra-glossy s shine this spring. To get your locks in top condition with mirror-like shine, apply a nourishing hair oil like Percy & Reed I Need A Hero!

Wonder Treatment Oil, £26, percyandreed.com, before you blow-dry. Once you’ve finished styling, spritz with Umberto Giannini Shine Blast High Gloss Shine Spray, £6.75, Boots, to really up the shine stakes.

To keep hair looking its b st, a regular haircu essential. Book i eve six to eight weeks o have the ends chop d off, maintain your styl and prevent split ends forming.

HEAT PROTECTION

Heat styling can damage your hair, so keep it safe with a heat protectant like Beauty Works Heat Protection Spray, £3.95, justmy look.com. It will stop your hair from frying when using tongs or straighteners.

WOMAN

27

FEEL GREAT Here to help you, the easy way

With fitness expert Annie NEW COLUMN

BMI... is it still relevant today?

A

To be told someone is on the cusp of obese, when actually they’re just muscular or of big build, can be very damaging.

I spend my life telling customers who seek help to improve health and reduce fatness (theblastplan. com) NOT to hold up weight as the only means of gauging health or fat-loss progress. A tape measure and that pair of trousers from three years ago are much better goals.

INTERESTING FACT: The Body Mass Index was invented in the 1830s by a chap called Lambert Adolphe Jacques Quetelet, a Belgian mathematician, sociologist and statistician, who immersed himself in the studies of human traits, in a quest to further study the ‘average person’ and therefore an ideal. He collected his data primarily from white European men.

The Quetelet Index was never meant to be used to measure a person’s health or wellness, but somehow in the late 20th century it became rebranded as the BMI we know today.

MOTIVATIONAL SAYING

‘Eating well is a form of self-respect’ Give CALCULATING this a BODY LiteTour Body Tape Measure for Body go... Measuring, £4.98, amazon.co.uk A way of keeping an eye on your body composition is to use a tape measure.

Choose three or four measurements like waist, hips, thigh and chest.

Re-take them every 7-10 days.

WOMAN

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PHOTOS: ANGELA SPAIN/WOMAN & HOME/FUTURE, GETTY. ANNIE DEADMAN IS A FITNESS COACH AND CREATOR OF THE 21 -DAY BLAST PLAN (THEBLASTPLAN.COM)

few weeks ago the papers were ringing with news that the BMI calculation could possibly be a bit out of date. ‘No s**t,’ I muttered.

Never been a fan and here’s why. The BMI (body mass index) is a simple equation used in the medical profession to determine if someone’s weight is healthy. What they’re really trying to do is use weight as a means of determining fatness (with a view to making a judgement about their health).

The BMI is calculated using just someone’s height and weight. Not their age, or gender, how much muscle they have, what their diet is like, or their lifestyle. No. Just by dividing weight in kilos by the height squared. So, take me. I’m 61kg, but a short a**e at 5’3” (160cm). I keyed all that into the NHS calculator and my BMI came out at 24.7. The comment alongside said ‘you’re at the higher end of the scale and you should keep an eye on your weight’.

You could hear a pin drop. It’s what I expected, though.

I am of sturdy build and my weight is relatively high for my height. I’m strong, eat well and I’m fit as a fiddle. Weight doesn’t determine your health, or how much fat you have, it just tells us your... erm... largeness. So, sisters, I don’t think the BMI formula alone should be used as a one-size-fits-all calculation to determine the fatness of any patient.

The hidden calories

IN YOUR BREAKFAST Make brekkie better for you with these simple swaps

B

reakfast is known as the most important meal of the day, the one that will keep you going until lunch without the need for a 10am nap. ‘Research published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association showed that breakfast eaters tend to have a healthier diet overall,’ says Rob Hobson, Healthspan’s head of nutrition. ‘While breakfast skippers have been shown to be more likely to lead an unhealthy lifestyle, according to research published in the journal Circulation.’

AVOID PROCESSED FOODS FIRST THING

But if your breakfasts are regularly laden with hidden sugar or salt, or contain processed products that don’t fill you up, you’ll either crash mid-morning or eat more later. ‘If you under-fuel at breakfast you’re likely to feel ravenous by the time afternoon and dinner come around, making it more likely you’ll reach for snacks or order an unhealthy takeaway. It also makes it much more likely you’ll overeat,’ says Zoë Palmer-Wright, nutritionist and spokeswoman for wellness brand Foga.

A BALANCED BREAKFAST

So breakfast is good for you – but, of course, only if it’s balanced and healthy.

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‘For a slow, steady release of energy swap high-sugar breakfasts for eggs, avocado or salmon – if you start your day with a mixture of fibre, healthy fat and protein your meal will be digested more slowly and any sugars will be released more steadily into your system,’ explains Zoe. ‘Blood-sugar levels will stay stabl you’ll avoid the blo sugar roller coaster can seriously desta mood – and stress hormones won’t be activated by the food you’ve just eaten.’

HEALTHIER ALTERNATIVES

While it might be tempting (and convenient) to reach for a bowl of sweet cereal or grab a pain au chocolat and a latte when you’re out, these options won’t provide much nutrition or tick off your all-important five a day. ‘Breakfast is a good opportunity to notch up your daily fruit and vegetable intake,’ says Rob. ‘You could try avocado on toast, adding fruit

, tomatoes into scrambled egg,’ he suggests. ‘If you’re a woman over 40 you may be concerned about your health post-menopause. This includes bone health, so it’s really important to include calcium-rich foods, such as dairy, dried fruit, green veggies and tofu, which you can scramble,’ he says. ‘And nuts, seeds, berries and lentil sprouts contain plant oestrogens that may help with certain symptoms of the menopause – these are easily added to breakfast dishes.’

Eat Well, Feel Great

BREAKFAST SWAP SHOP

These breakfastt alternatives will give you a tasty – yet more nutritious – start…

SWAP Some fruit yogurts contain a lot of sugar.

For example, a Müller Corner Strawberry Shortcake Yogurt contains around 20g sugar – that’s two-thirds of the RDA. FOR Natural yogurt and fresh fruit.

QUICK-AND-EASY BREKKIE TRADES 4 Fried eggs FOR poached eggs 4 Full-fat milk FOR almond milk 4 Cheese on toast FOR avocado on toast 4 Fried bacon FOR smoked salmon 4 Cornflakes FOR All Bran with berries 4 Fruit juice FOR veg-based green juice

SWAP Out and about? A Starbucks Cheese & Marmite Mini Ciabatta has 1.9g salt – nearly a third of the RDA. FOR Starbucks Five Grain Oatmeal, which contains very little salt but a hit of protein and fibre.

SWAP A Pret A Manger 12oz Mocha may be delicious but it contains more than t two-third ds of the RDA for sugar. anana & FOR A Foga Ba Turmeric Plants shake (£2.75, Foga.co o) – a creamy, indulgent alternative with h no added sugar.

SWAP Start your day with toasted white bre ead and jam? Both hav ve a high GI that could cause you to cra ash mid-morning.

FO OR Rye, wholemeal or granary bread – these have a lower GI so you’re more likely like to last until lunch – topped with a dollop of peanut butter made from 100% peanuts.

While high in fat, it’s also rich in protein. Try Meridian Smooth Peanut Butter (£2.80, Sainsbury’s).

SWAP A Costa mediumsized whole milk latte is a comforting way to start the day but it’s calorific packing in 212 cals.

FOR A Costa medium semi-skimmed cappuccino (5g fat, 155 calories).

SWAP Cereal bars can contain more added sugars than you think.

A Stoats Raspberry & Honey Breakfast Bar includes golden syrup and more than a third of your sugar RDA. FOR A dried fruit bar such as Larabar (£1, Tesco), which only contains natural sugars.

WORDS: DEBRA WATERS. PHOTOS (POSED BY MODEL): ALAMY, GETTY * STUDY LED BY OXFORD UNIVERSITY **AS GROWN BY THE UK & IRELAND MUSHROOM PRODUCERS. VISIT MUSHROOMSAREMAGIC.CO.UK

SWAP A 30g serving of Crunchy Nut corn flakes contains around 11g of added sugars – more than a third of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of sugar.

FOR Lizi’s Low Sugar Granola (£3.70, Tesco), which has less than 2g sugar per 50g serving. It also has a low glycaemic load (GL) to keep blood sugar steady and help you feel fuller for longer. A typical serving size of granola is around 3 tbsps, or typically 40-45g.

SWAP Love a bacon sarnie? Three slices of bacon in a large white bap contains more than 2.7g salt (almost half your RDA) and, if eaten daily, increases the risk of bowel cancer by 20%*.

FOR Two slices of Burgen Soya & Linseed bread, with pan-fried vitamin D-enhanced mushrooms** (sold at Sainsbury’s and Tesco).

WOMAN

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Losing weight cost me

MY BEST FRIEND When Tess Stimson made lifestyle changes, her friend began acting differently towards her

A

s I sat down to plan a long-postponed house-warming gathering with a few friends last week, my husband Erik, 49, leant over my shoulder to read the guest list.

‘What about Jackie*?’ he said. ‘Aren’t you going to invite her?’

‘We’re not friends any more,’ I said.

‘But you do everything together!’

Erik exclaimed. ‘She’s your best friend. What’s happened?’

‘My diet,’ I said. Because the sad truth is, when I decided to get fit and lose weight 18 months ago, I lost more than the extra roll of fat around my waist.

For years I’d been fairly active, rock-climbing, playing tennis and working out regularly, and even after having three children, Henry, now 26, Matt, 23, and Lily, 18, my figure snapped back pretty easily without much effort on my part. Even when I hit my 40s, I managed to avoid the dreaded middle-aged spread.

But then, in 2016, I had a nasty skiing accident, which damaged my right knee and necessitated being taken off the mountain on a stretcher.

I couldn’t walk for a month, and was on crutches for a further six weeks. Some intense physiotherapy followed, and I regained my mobility, but the dance and fitness classes I used to love were out.

My best friend, Jackie, 50, was incredibly supportive, driving me to and from physio sessions and Tess before her consoling me with a bottle of skiing accident wine when I felt down. We met

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10 years ago, when our daughters were at school together, and quickly became close.

She got along well with Erik, too, and when she went through a divorce eight years ago, I was the one who helped her move out and start again.

Erik used to babysit so we could go on a girls’ night out, and I felt closer to her than my own sister. She’d always been a bit skinnier than me, and I never minded letting her shine. After all, I was happily married, and she was now back on the singles market, so it only seemed fair.

Self-conscious In the wake of my accident, my weight slowly started to creep up. Gradually I went from a size 10 to a 12, then a 14, and finally a 16. I told myself it was to be expected at my age, and it was foolish hankering after my 20-something, pre-kids figure.

But I started to feel self-conscious about my body, and began dressing to hide it in shapeless dresses and loose clothes.

Jackie told me the extra weight suited me, and reminded me that after 40, you have to choose between your face and your figure. She was always bringing me handmade chocolates or a gooey eclair to perk me up, though she never had a dessert herself.

Then, the summer before last,

Real Life she and her daughter came on holiday with our family to California. We spent a week in San Francisco, eating out at some of the city’s best restaurants, and I admit, I did overindulge a bit.

When I got home and saw the photos of myself, I was shocked.

I looked awful! A size 16, I was by no means big, but having been a size 10 for most of my life, I just didn’t think my rounder face or bigger arms, legs and tummy suited me.

I decided to do something about it before I gained any more weight.

I bought an expensive knee brace and started going to the gym, working out six days a week. I began to hike every weekend, and ditched the processed foods and sugar, too.

At first, Jackie was really encouraging.

She came hiking with me a few times, and told me how happy she was for me as the pounds fell off. But then she started acting differently.

when a friend loses weight, and it can change the dynamic between you if one of you has got used to being the ‘skinny’ one.

I started to dress in baggy clothes again when I was around Jackie, to hide my new figure, and always complimented her on how she looked. But she started to make excuses not to see me, and when we did meet up, the atmosphere was tense. Neither of us knew how to be with each other any more.

We began to see each other less and less, until, finally, we stopped talking altogether. When we ran into each other in the supermarket recently, we both mumbled a polite ‘hello’ and quickly scurried away.

It’s such a shame that a 10-year friendship has been lost for no real reason, other than what I can only assume is a bit of jealousy and envy.

Now my weight is back to where it should be, I have so much more energy and enthusiasm for life. And despite losing a good friend, I’ve made some new friends who are also into fitness, and this autumn we plan to hike the Grand Canyon together.

I don’t feel judged when I’m with them, and there’s no negativity, only support and encouragement.

I’ve left the door open with Jackie, sending her Christmas and birthday cards wishing her well – but, sadly, I think that our friendship is over.

Sometimes, you just develop different interests and grow apart. And if someone can’t be happy for you when you make a healthy lifestyle change, then maybe you weren’t really friends in the first place.

‘SHE KEPT PRESSING ME TO EAT’

✱ One in Three by Tess Stimson is out now (£7.99, Avon)

WOMAN

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*NAME HAS BEEN CHANGED. WORDS: TESS STIMSON. PHOTO: DAN CALLISTER

Feeling undermined

I mentioned that I was planning on wearing a pair of leather trousers to a party and she said, ‘But leather trousers are for skinny people.’ Before, she’d always encouraged me to wear whatever made me feel comfortable.

She kept pressing me to eat puddings when we went out, saying things like, ‘Go on!

Indulge yourself. You’ll work it off, anyway.’ Jackie was my best friend, and I didn’t understand why she was trying to undermine my progress like this.

I was careful not to go on about my fitness programme – there’s nothing more boring than a friend who harps on about how many tricep dips she’s done that morning. And I wasn’t fanatical about my diet, either: I still had a few glasses of wine on a girls’ night out.

Then, one day, Jackie accused me of taking diet pills. ‘No one loses 2st at our age without cheating,’ she said. I was really hurt. It had taken a lot of effort to get fit again, and she knew that – she’d seen me sweating and gasping for breath on our hikes and how I’d pushed myself to keep going.

I’m not naive – I know some women can feel insecure Super-fit Tess today

On holiday together, before it all went wrong

Is your house

KILLING YOU? Indoor pollution and hidden toxins all around the house are hazardous to our health. Here’s how to make your home safer

P

ollution is known to cause or worsen many health problems, but some of the things that make our homes lovely – from cleaning products to the paint we use to spruce things up – can make us ill.

According to the My Health My Home campaign, indoor air can contain up to 900 potentially dangerous chemicals, particles and biological materials that can cause various health problems. Because we spend, on average, 90% of our lives indoors, we’re being exposed regularly.

‘Cleaning, decorating and cooking can all add to the amount of harmful toxins in the air,’ warns Wendy Davies, Health Advice Manager for Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation.

‘There’s a lot of noise about outdoor air pollution, but indoor air can be more hazardous, particularly for young children and the elderly,’ says Peter Howarth, Professor of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine at the University of Southampton. ‘This “toxic home syndrome” occurs when families are exposed to a potent mix of airborne pollutants arising from poor home ventilation, causing respiratory and skin diseases,’ he explains.

The seasons can exacerbate things, too. ‘During winter, indoor air quality can deteriorate rapidly as households are frequently airtight, meaning there’s little to no natural ventilation of everyday pollutants,’ he adds.

‘Winter dampness causes condensation – the main source of mould growth.’

We’re sharing tips for minimising the risk to your health from everyday chores.

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WOMAN

Candles

These often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be toxic to humans and pets. Avoid paraffin wax and choose natural soy or beeswax candles scented with essential oils or phthalate- and paraben-free fragrances, and keep rooms ventilated when using.

Try AromaWorks (£10.49, hollandandbarrett.com)

Cleaning products

‘Look for cleaning products labelled allergy- or scent-free – they tend to contain lower levels of harmful chemicals,’ says Wendy. ‘Choose solid or liquid cleaning products over sprays, which you breathe in more easily, and use water and a damp cloth to clean where you can.’

Try TINCTURE Everyday Cleaning sets (from £14.09 for the set, amazon.co.uk) – these are 100% natural and non-toxic

Carpets

These are a haven for harmful particles, including dust mites, fungus and pet hair that can trigger asthma and allergies. If you don’t have wooden flooring, buy a vacuum with a HEPA filter.

Try Henry Allergy (£199.99, currys.co.uk)

Cooking with gas

C Cooker gas can give off c carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and formaldehyde, which are linked to cancer and respiratory issues. Use an extractor fan or open a wind dow o when you cook to o minimise their inhalation.

Paint

Dange

In the UK, in Some paints release VOCs. air pollutants Open windows while thousands of painting, and wait for the a year and are a paint to dry before using with tens of m the room. You can buy pounds in hea paint with little or no VOCs. costs* Lakelandpaints.co.uk sells 100% VOC-free one-coat paint

Drying washing

Drying washing inside releases VOCs – particularly carcinogens acetaldehyde and benzene – as well as moisture that can encourage mould. Dry your clothes outside or in a ventilated room.

Ventilation is your friend

‘Inadequate ventilation is associated with the build up of non-allergenic noxious fumes, which are detrimental to health,’ says Peter. ‘Mould caused by poor ventilation and increased humidity raises house dust mite allergen levels, which may worsen respiratory and skin conditions.’ Use an extractor fan or open windows when cooking and bathing, keep internal doors open to allow airflow and open windows daily to air rooms.

Health Report

POWER PLANTS ‘Some houseplants have the ability to remove pollutants such as xylene, formaldehyde, benzene and ammonia from the air,’ says David Domoney, author of My House Plant Changed My Life (£9.99, DK). ‘They do this by absorbing toxins with their leaves and pushing them into the soil where they’re broken down by microbes. The more plants, the greater the chance to clean the air – though it also depends on their type, size, maturity and positioning, as plants are dependent on light, air circulation and humidity levels.’

ndoor s cause deaths associated illions of althcare

HOW GOOD IS YOUR INDOOR AIR QUALITY? According to the BEAMA**, these are some of the symptoms of indoor pollution: Short-term Allergic reactions Coughing and sneezing Fatigue Headaches Watery eyes Long-term Allergic and asthmatic symptoms Cardiovascular disease Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Lung cancer Respiratory infections and conditions

4 Orchids ‘My top pick for improving air quality,’ says David. ‘Their leaves can clean the air of the toluene toxin – a compound that’s released by nail varnish, glue and paint. Orchids also release oxygen at night, making them a great choice for your bedroom.’

4 Spider plant ‘These can reduce the amount of formaldehyde in the atmosphere that comes from varnishes, polishes, detergents and building materials.’

4 Peace lily ‘Their dark foliage and white bracts add a sophisticated aesthetic and they extract high levels of formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene and ammonia from the air.’

4 Dwarf mountain palm ‘The foliage is very popular and can effectively remove airborne ammonia that can lead to respiratory irritation.’

4 Dragon tree ‘This filters benzene from cigarette smoke and petrol-fuelled cars from the air.’

WOMAN

WORDS: DEBRA WATERS. PHOTOS (POSED BY MODELS): GETTY, ALAMY. *THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS. **BEAMA IS THE UK TRADE ASSOCIATION FOR PROVIDERS OF ENERGY TECH. IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH, SEE YOUR GP

r!

35

One-pot PUDDINGS

IN AN HOUR!

These stress-free recipes are easy to follow and allow you to make a delicious homemade dessert in 60 mins or less

Salted caramel apple pie This modern take on a classic is the ultimate crowd-pleaser.

SERVES 4 PREP 10 MINS COOK 35 MINS ✱ 30g butter ✱ 85g dark muscovado sugar ✱ 150ml double cream ✱ ¼tsp salt ✱ 500g Bramley apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1.5cm dice ✱ 1 x ready-rolled puff pastry sheet ✱ 1 egg, beaten ✱ 1tbsp demerara sugar ✱ Cream or ice cream, to serve YOU WILL NEED: ✱ Deep, lidded pot (roughly 25cm wide and 11cm high) 1 Preheat the oven to 220C/Gas 7.

In your pot, over a low heat, melt the butter with the dark muscovado sugar, cream and salt. Once the sugar has dissolved, turn the heat up and boil rapidly for 3 mins, stirring, until you’ve got a thick sauce. Turn the heat off.

2 Add the apples and mix in the sauce until combined. Pile them up slightly towards the middle of the pot.

3 Use the pot lid to help cut a circle of puff pastry. Brush with beaten egg and place the pastry, egg-washed side up, onto the apples, tucking the edges down the inside of the pot. Finally sprinkle the pastry with the demerara sugar. Pop in the oven straight away and bake for 25–30 mins until the pastry is crisp, risen and golden brown.

Per serving: 725 cals, 49g fat (27g saturated), 61g carbohydrates

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WOMAN

Food Ed’s tip We recommend serving with cream or ice cream, but custard will be a hit too!

Recipes Strawberry, lime and elderflower surprise pudding

With a light soufflé-like sponge and lots of zingy fruit, it’s hard not to fall in love with this simple pud.

SERVES 4 PREP 15 MINS COOK 40 MINS

COMPILED BY: JESSICA RANSOM

✱ 70g soft unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing ✱ 250g strawberries, hulled and halved ✱ Zest and juice of 2 limes ✱ 175g caster sugar ✱ 50ml elderflower cordial ✱ 250ml milk ✱ 3 eggs ✱ 50g plain flour ✱ Double cream, to serve YOU WILL NEED: ✱ Deep, lidded pot (roughly 25cm wide and 11cm high) 1 Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6.

Grease the base and halfway up the sides of your pot with butter.

Arrange the strawberries in your pot then sit this in a large roasting tin. Boil a kettle for use later.

2 Put the lime zest, sugar and butter in a bowl. Squeeze the limes into a jug (to get approx 50ml).

Add the cordial and milk. Don’t worry if it curdles.

3 Separate the eggs. Using an electric whisk, whisk the whites until they form firm peaks. Cream the sugar and butter in another bowl for 3 mins until combined.

4 Add the egg yolks, one by one, to the creamed butter, zest and sugar. Mix in a third of the flour followed by a third of the milk mixture. Repeat until all the flour and liquid are added and the batter appears smooth.

5 Using a large metal spoon, fold the egg whites into the mixture until smooth. Pour the mixture into the pot. Fill the roasting tin with boiling water until it’s 4cm up the side of the pot. Transfer to the oven and cook for 40 mins, until golden and firm to the touch. Cool for 5 mins then serve with double cream.

Per serving: 503 cals, 21g fat (12g saturated), 67g carbohydrates

Coconut, mango and pineapple pudding Food Ed’s tip Look for mangoes that are ripe, but not so soft that they’ll break when diced.

Food Ed’s tip Fresh elderflower will be ready to harvest towards the end of May, or you could make your own cordial.

This comforting recipe gives you a taste of the Caribbean.

SERVES 6 PREP 10 MINS COOK 40 MINS ✱ 2 ripe mangoes, peeled, stone removed, cut into 1.5cm dice ✱ 435g can crushed pineapple, drained ✱ Zest and juice of 1 lime ✱ 3tbsp dark rum ✱ 2tbsp demerara sugar ✱ 85g unsweetened desiccated coconut ✱ 140g caster sugar ✱ 2 eggs ✱ 75g plain flour ✱ 1½tsp baking powder ✱ A pinch of salt ✱ 50g vegetable oil ✱ Coconut yogurt or cream, to serve YOU WILL NEED: ✱ Wide, shallow, lidded pot (30cm wide and 6cm high)

1 Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Add the mango to your pot. Set aside 150g pineapple. Add the rest to the pot with the mango, lime zest and juice, rum and demerara sugar.

2 Bring the pot to a simmer over a medium heat. Cook for 5 mins, lid on, occasionally stirring. Cook uncovered for 5 mins more or until most of the liquid has reduced and the mango is soft. Turn off the heat.

3 In a bowl, mix together the coconut, caster sugar and eggs. Mix in the flour, baking powder and salt to create a thick batter. Add the oil and reserved pineapple. Mix well. Pour the batter over the mango and pineapple mixture.

4 Cook in the oven for 30 mins until risen and deeply golden on top.

Cool briefly then serve.

Per serving: 400cals, 17g fat (9g saturated), 53g carbohydrates

RECIPES: Foolproof One-Pot by Alan Rosenthal (£12.99, Quadrille) PHOTOGRAPHY: Rita Platts

WOMAN

37

How we learnt to

LOVE OUR BODIES

Nearly a quarter of all women say they feel uncomfortable in their own skin.* We speak to four who’ve learnt to embrace their physique

‘I KNEW I HAD TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE’ Anupa Roper, 43, lives in Countesthorpe with her husband, Greg, 47, and their two children, Maya, 11, and Ayden, 10.

I was at secondary school when I first noticed my body wasn’t developing like my friends’. Their childlike, skinny frames began to fill out proportionally as they developed curves, but mine stayed the same. When my PE teacher referred to me as ‘sparrowlegs’, I was taken aback.

From that moment on, I tried to divert attention from my skinny legs, always wearing trousers in a bid to hide them.

After having my children, Maya in May 2009, and Ayden in October 2010, I maintained my size-6 figure, but my ‘sparrowlegs’ left me with no confidence.

My husband, Greg, told me I was lucky to have such a slender physique but I just saw my boyish figure as a huge flaw.

It wasn’t until the kids got older that I started to readdress the way I saw myself

and not let my insecurities dictate to me how I should dress or how I should feel. I didn’t want my children growing up with a complex about their bodies, and I knew I had to lead by example.

I began wearing skirts and dresses showing my legs, and even got a few compliments from friends.

My confidence grew and, determined to help other people embrace every part of themselves, I wrote a book.

Sparrowlegs, released earlier this year, seeks to help children with body-confidence issues and teach them that, although we might all be different, we are all worthy of the same love Anupa wants and respect. to help others

LEGS

✱ Sparrowlegs (£8.99) is available at amazon.co.uk

‘I FOUND AN INNER CONFIDENCE’ Sophia Husbands, 41, lives in Slough.

She is a consultant and founder of wellness brand Love Happy Body.

I had never thought that my nose was too big until another pupil at school measured the width of it in a maths class as a joke.

I remember laughing along, but deep down I was mortified and it left me feeling incredibly self-conscious.

Then, in my early 30s, a partner one day pointed out that I ‘wasn’t conventionally beautiful’. I was so hurt and we parted ways shortly after, but his words stayed with me for a long time, leaving me feeling ugly and unwanted.

After the split, I spent time focussing on ✱ @lovehappybody on Instagram myself and learnt that self-appreciation

NOSE Now, Sophia is happier than ever

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goes a long way. I began walking to build my stamina, subsequently dropping two dress sizes, and spending time in front of the mirror telling myself why I liked my features, such as my nose and my eyes.

I realised being ‘conventionally pretty’ wouldn’t make me a better person, or kinder, more ambitious, or more intelligent. And I understood that my complex with how I looked was actually driven by other people’s opinions, not my own. Once I stopped worrying about what everyone else thought, I found an inner confidence I didn’t know existed. Now, in my 40s, I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I just wish I’d found my confidence sooner.

Real Life

‘I REALISED MY BODY WAS INCREDIBLE’

a healthy diet and strict exercise regime. By the time I was in my mid-20s, I’d dropped down to a size 10. I’d assumed losing Prodding my stomach in the mirror weight would solve my and grimacing at what I saw, I problem, but my stomach reminded myself of my mum. Many was no flatter. Over the times when I was growing up I saw next few years, I obsessed her doing the exact same thing, over it, wearing looseattempting to suck everything in to fitting clothes to hide it. make her tummy appear flatter.

Then, in early 2010, after Her actions meant that from an giving birth to my daughter, early age I had a preconception my mentality shifted entirely. of how a woman’s Looking at my stomach was supposed postpartum body to look. And when in the mirror, I, too, found myself for the first time with a rounded tum as in my life I was I entered adulthood, appreciative I spent the next two of the stomach decades desperately I had because it trying to get rid of it. had given me my Especially when a baby. I realised boyfriend at uni poked just how incredible my tummy and asked my body was and I if I’d been drinking actually felt proud of it. too much booze.

Since then, I’ve A comment at uni made Desperate to lose stopped obsessing Mel worry about her shape weight, I put myself on over my flaws and Mel Sims, 48, lives in Dunmow with her daughter, 10. She is the founder of Mooze 12%, a lowercalorie alcoholic spirit.

TUMMY

I appreciate every part of my body, tummy rolls and all. It’s so easy to be hard on ourselves, but our bodies are unique and that is what makes us all beautiful.

✱ moozebooze.com

MUM’S PASSING PUT THINGS INTO PERSPECTIVE’

years, I debated whether to have breast-reduction surgery.

I was in my 20s when insecurities By the time I was in my 40s, I was a about my breasts began to brew. size 16 and my cup size had increased My larger-than-average 32FF to a 34JJ. I was convinced the sheer bust made me feel incredibly selfweight of my bust would give me a conscious. And while my friends hunched back in the coming years and opted for sexy, lacy pieces from I decided surgery was the only option. lingerie shops, I was left tearful leaving But before I got round to saving up the store, as the size of my chest meant and booking an operation, in 2019 that I was restricted to ugly, ‘practical’ the sudden passing of my mother, bras. There were a lot aged 84, put things into of women who said they perspective. I realised envied my naturally that life is short, and big bust, but I wanted to risk my own by going nothing more than to under the knife, or to have a flatter chest. spend my time worrying When I married my about what clothes husband, Rob, in June I can or can’t wear, 2011, I wore a white, was utterly senseless. sleeveless wedding dress I’ve since learnt to but my chest was so accept and love all parts heavy, I spent the day of my body because pulling up the top of they make me who I am. the gown, which At 50, I’m happy and Sarah’s chest size took somewhat tarnished the healthy – and, after all, the shine off her big day occasion for me. Over the isn’t that what matters?

BUST

WOMAN

39

WORDS: FIONA KINLOCH. *STUDY COMMISSIONED BY GILLETTE VENUS

Sarah Lee, 50, lives in Worthing with her husband, Rob, 45.

Ask SUZIE

OUR DAUGHTER WON’T TALK TO US

Q

Our son was married for four years to the love of his life. She died last year and, fortunately, had made legal arrangements that her two children would be his after her death. He loves them like his own. We’re retired and have always wanted to move into the area where he lives. A house has come up near his, and it means we can become childminders and support them. They are overjoyed, but our daughter is upset. She said that we were abandoning her and our ‘real’ grandchildren, and, if we went, she’d never talk to us again.

We’ve rung her, called round, texted and emailed but she won’t talk to us. We’re still going, but it breaks my heart.

Sibling rivalry can compromise parents

Suzie says

I’d try one more round of all those methods of getting in touch, with the clear and brief message: ‘We’re really sad you’re so upset but we will always love you and will always be ready to talk.’ It’s interesting that most siblings are convinced the other is the favourite, and resent any suggestion that they might be. When the dust settles, why not send regular, loving updates, making it clear that while her brother needs the support for now, it doesn’t take anything away from her, and you hope to see her soon.

A

I’m bored of hearing about his day

Q

My husband and I both struggled with our jobs over the first lockdown and were on furlough for some time. I’m back at my job but he lost his. I’m full of admiration for him that he swallowed his pride and went out to get a job that’s keeping him busy – instead of working in an office, he now drives a delivery van. But I’m getting fed up with his accounts of the trivia of his

GET IN CONTACT

arsh Wall, ily Dilemmas, 161 M m Fa at e zi Su to e Writ ail with you can send an em London E14 9AP, or om. ksuzie@futurenet.c as to m le ob pr al on your pers Susan Philippa, Linda and Dr to e rit w so al n You ca an email s above or send them es dr ad al st po e th at t.com to woman@futurene with your problem 40

WOMAN

day – his routes, his customers, and the orders he takes out.

Suzie says

Try to understand why he does this. He’s taken a step down in his own eyes, and fears he has in yours, too. So he really needs to make his day and his status important, not only to you but to himself. I don’t suppose he did this before, because he didn’t feel the need to. Tonight, greet him with, ‘I’d love to hear about your day, and tell you about mine.’ Label it ‘our end-ofthe-day offload’ and change the subject after you’ve spent that half-hour talking about work.

A

IS SHE IN AN ABUSIVE MARRIAGE?

Q

During a work call, a colleague’s husband burst in and screamed abuse at her. When he realised he was on camera, he turned charming, and she acted as if nothing had happened. At the end of the call, I messaged her and asked if she was OK, and she said ‘Of course! Why wouldn’t I be?’ I don’t want to leave it at that but I don’t know what to say.

Suzie says

A terrifying number of women and children suffer horrific abuse, which sometimes ends in major injury or death. I believe you have a responsibility to pursue this.

Tell her: ‘We saw what happened and it’s not OK. His OTT behaviour followed by the instant charm act plus your denial rang alarm bells with me. I think you should call Refuge on 0808 200 0247 for support and help.’ I only hope she accepts your care.

A

PHOTO (POSED BY MODELS): GETTY

Ask the EXPERTS

Solve your family dilemmas with expert advice

Ask DR PHILIPPA

Woman’s GP Dr Philippa Kaye answers your questions

Can I get drugs to make me eat less?

Q A

I have heard about a new drug to treat obesity which is a once-a-week injection.

Is it available from the GP yet?

Philippa says

The appetite suppressant semaglutide can be given as a daily pill or as a weekly injection.

In trials, it was shown that a third of patients given semaglutide lost one fifth of their body weight and, after

AVOIDING SMOKING

Q

During lockdown, I was so scared about getting COVID-19 that I stopped smoking and I haven’t done for seven months. But I am worried that, when the pubs open and I get back to socialising I will start again. What can I do?

Philippa says

Knowing that socialising and alcohol are a trigger for you to crave cigarettes is helpful, as you can try to prepare yourself psychologically that it may initially be challenging.

Tell your friends that you have stopped, so that they can support you – as opposed to offering you cigarettes. You may find that having something in your fingers, such as a lolly stick or cocktail stick, is helpful during times when cravings kick in!

WORDS: ROSE GOODMAN. *JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY. PHOTO (POSED BY MODEL): GETTY

A

3

WAYS TO BOOST YOUR HEALTH THIS WEEK The scientists have spoken!

Try these easy ways to achieve a happier, healthier life

one year of weekly injections, lost an average of around 3st. The medication affects appetite, so you are simply less hungry. It is currently licensed for patients with diabetes, not those with obesity, so is not available from your GP. But, depending on your BMI and other risk factors, the appetite suppressant liraglutide (Saxenda) has been shown to be effective and may be appropriate and available.

Giving HIV the boot

Q A

I was told there is a medication you can take to stop you getting HIV. Do I need to take it every day and should I be?

Philippa says

PreP is pre-exposure prophylaxis, meaning medication you take to decrease your chances of contracting HIV. You don’t need to take it every day. It is given if you are going to have higher risk sex, for example male-to-male anal sex with a new partner, but please do use barrier contraception as well.

You can get a free HIV test from the website freetesting.hiv – knowing your status is very important as, if you are positive, there are effective treatments which mean that having HIV will not affect your life expectancy. Treatment to bring your viral load down to undetectable also means you can’t transmit the virus to someone else.

The combination of testing, effective treatments and PreP means we have the potential to stop HIV entirely!

Hot choc for weight loss

Research* shows swapping snacks for hot chocolate can help you lose weight because it may stop you craving high-fat, high-carb snacks. If you’re counting calories, opt for low-sugar drinking chocolate. Try Cadbury Highlights Milk Chocolate Drink (£3.99 for 220g, Tesco).

DEALING WITH THREADWORMS!

Q

Schools are back and my kids have already had a diarrhoea and vomiting bug, nits and there’s a case of threadworms in the class.

What are those and what do I do?

Philippa says

Children do tend to pass some infections between them, and nits and worms are common. Threadworms are so named because they look like pieces of white thread. They live in the intestine and come out of the anus at night to lay their eggs. This leads to itching around the area and the eggs are picked up on fingers or under fingernails. Children then touch something like a door handle, the next child touches the handle and puts their fingers in their mouths, and so the eggs get into their own intestines.

Threadworms are treatable with over-the-counter medications and the whole family need to be treated. Particular hygiene measures also need to be taken, such as wearing pants at night in bed and washing hands immediately after waking, as well as washing bedding. But you don’t need to treat it unless your child starts being itchy!

A

Perfect posture

‘When we sit, certain muscles relax, others work overtime to compensate. Over time, a slouched, seated position creates postural problems,’ says David Kingsbury, pilates coach for the fitness app Eastnine. The solution?

Strengthen glutes and back, and lengthen your chest, shoulders and hip flexors.

Download Eastnine fitness for guided routines (free, iOS).

Boost immunity

Stay well this summer with Pukka Herbs new Organic Power Immune supplement. This blend of vitamins and natural herbs can boost your immune system, and help relieve symptoms while also aiding a speedy recovery (£24.99 for 60 capsules, uk. pukkaherbs.com).

WOMAN

41

Ask LINDA

Woman’s vet Linda Simon answers your pet problems

OUR ADOPTED CAT HAS ‘CAT FLU’.

WILL HE BE OK AND CAN WE GET IT?

T

The viruses are speciesspecific, so humans can’t catch them, nor can dogs or rabbits. However, other cats in the same home are at high risk. Viruses can spread from cat to cat and can be picked up from surfaces such as contaminated food bowls.

Common symptoms of cat flu include sneezing, runny eyes and loss of appetite. If

bacteria are also involved, there may also be thick, runny nasal discharge.

Sometimes ulcers develop in the mouth, which can cause excessive drooling.

Cats with cat flu tend to have flare-ups during times of stress. Some cats will need antibiotics; others may need hospitalisation if severely dehydrated. Most can be nursed at home.

While there’s no cure, there is plenty you can do to help.

Let your cat rest, offer warm and tempting foods, and gently clean any crusting from his eyes and nose.

There are vaccines available to protect cats against many strains of flu, and ideally all cats should be vaccinated from nine weeks.

Prevention is the best option, but you can ease your cat’s symptoms

Why does my rat have a lump on her belly?

ny new lump that is growing or changing should be looked into further by your vet. This is especially true if a tumour is fast-growing or ulcerated (bleeding).

A

This lump on your rat’s belly could be a number of things, but we would want

to check for an abscess, fatty lump or mammary tumour (tumour of the mammary gland or breast tissue).

If she does have a mammary tumour, these are rarely painful, but can grow big enough to limit movement, at which point they may well cause discomfort, which is why you should see a vet quickly.

Often, lumps can be removed surgically under general anaesthetic, and can then be sent off to a lab for analysis in order to get a definitive diagnosis.

In some rats, lumps regrow, so make sure you keep a close eye on the area ongoing.

‘IN SOME RATS, LUMPS REGROW’

Tumours in rats are common, but always get them vet checked

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MY DOG’S GUMS SEEM TO HAVE TURNED BLACK. DO I NEED TO BE CONCERNED? lot of dogs will have some black pigment on their gums, and this is rarely cause for concern. Gum pigment can darken as they get older.

It’s important to rule out dental disease, so check for other signs like bad breath, bleeding gums or calculus build-up. Your vet can check for any growths or cancer. Breeds such as cocker spaniels and chow chows are affected most often, and growths can be seen on the gums and lips as well as the tongue and palate. In this case, a biopsy will give a diagnosis, and there is usually some scope for putting together a treatment plan.

A

PHOTOS: GETTY

he term ‘cat flu’ describes an upper respiratory tract infection that affects many cats in the UK. In 80% of cases, the culprit is either feline herpesvirus or feline calicivirus infection. These are infectious and can spread rapidly to unvaccinated cats.

Some cats are carriers who shed viruses without showing symptoms themselves.

Ask SUSAN

Expert solutions for your sex and relationship dilemmas E

3

Must he know how many I’ve slept with?

Q

I love my boyfriend very much, and he’s recently asked me to marry him.

But the way that we feel about sex is really quite different. In particular, he’s only had two or three partners but says that he now regrets even having that many.

I haven’t actually dared to tell him that I’ve had a lot more partners than he has. In fact, I’ve always fudged the issue if he’s asked me. But should I tell him the truth before we get married?

DATING ISSUES

Q

Mydaughter’sbeensupportive sincemyhusbanddiedthreeyears ago,especiallysincethearrivalof mygrandson.ButwhenIstarteddating andshefoundthatmynewmanandI sleeptogether,shethrewastrop.Idon’t knowwhyshe’sagainstmybeinghappy.

Susan says

Perhaps after your husband died and your grandson was born, your daughter got a fixed idea of how life would be – her being your main company and she and your grandson the central interest in your life. Instead, you have outside interests and a sexual relationship with someone who’s not her dad. You need to reassure her how important she is to you. She needs to realise you deserve a full life apart from her.

A

Susan says

It’s definitely best to come clean here. Otherwise, you risk having to ‘fudge’ for ever, and that could turn into uncomfortable lying. Plus, you both need to know if the difference in your sexual history is likely to be a problem between you. If you can’t see eye to eye on this issue, it’s best to find that out before you get married.

A

Why can’t I get aroused any more?

Q

Since Easter, I’ve noticed that I gradually have less and less sensation in my genitals. At first I thought I’d just had sex too vigorously, or used my vibrator too much. But now I hardly feel anything, all the time, and I am starting to get a bit annoyed about it. What should I do?

Susan says

What you should do is get yourself along to see your doctor. Because, while shortterm loss of genital sensation can be down to too much sex or vibrator action, any long-term issue probably isn’t. Hormonal imbalance can cause the problem – so if you are menopausal or peri-menopausal that could be it. And stress can also be to blame. Your GP will be able to diagnose and help you to find the right solution to the issue.

A

PHOTOS (POSED BY MODELS): GETTY, ANGELA SPAIN

IT’S TIME TO MAKE SEX MORE FUN!

Q

We’ve always had a great sex life, and my husband particularly likes me to use my hands to help him climax. But during lockdown we had a lot of sex, sometimes twice a day every day and frankly, we’re getting a bit bored with our usual moves.

Have you any killer suggestions for ringing the changes in what we do?

Susan says

Given that you’re experienced, my best suggestions will be variations on what you already do well. Try varying the lube with ones that offer different tingles.

Vary the temperature, warming

A

your hands with a hair dryer, or cooling them with ice. Vary the rhythm and speed you use, with lots of pauses so he’s waiting for the next incredible sensation. Or, turn a ribbed condom inside out so he feels the texture as you use your hands.

REASONS HE CAN’T PERFORM THAT AREN’T DOWN TO YOU If a man can’t get or keep his erection, the go-to conclusion for many women is ‘It’s all my fault’. But very often, it’s something else entirely.

He’s stressed

His body may be telling him to prioritise concerns about job, money or family over sexual activity. Offer understanding and patience, and his erection will come back when the stress disappears.

He’s taking tablets

If he’s just started a medication regime, or changed an existing prescription, he needs to check with his doctor. Many medications which have side effects can be replaced with alternative ones that don’t do this.

He’s ill

Erection difficulty can signal a condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure or hormone imbalance.

Support him to make an appointment and to clearly describe his symptoms so that the doctor can diagnose correctly.

WOMAN

43

Travel ideas for when life gets back to normal

FOREST BATHING

WORDS: REBECCA GAMBLE

breaks

Boost your wellbeing by immersing yourself in woodland tranquillity with these stunning getaways

T

he Japanese practice of forest bathing is the simple relaxation method of being calm and quiet amongst the trees. It can help both adults and children de-stress, and improves health and wellbeing in a natural way.

The ultimate R&R: a sauna with a view

DOME COMFORTS

Get closer to nature in a Forest Dome at Finn Lough resort in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland.

The transparent domes give uninterrupted views of beautiful woodland, and at night you can stargaze from your four-poster bed.

There’s also the Elements

Soak away stress in the hot tub

44

WOMAN

Spa Trail, a self-guided experience that takes you through a series of cabins, including a Finnish-style sauna and a hot tub; each overlooks Lough Erne, so you can relax while watching the water and wildlife.

HOW TO DO IT: Stays in a Forest Dome from £265 per night, B&B, including complimentary bike hire; Lake Suites from £175 per night, B&B, including complimentary bike hire. The Elements Spa Trail costs from £85 per person. finnlough.com

Bay Tree Barn is the perfect base for exploring

Woodland wonder

Sleep under the stars at Finn Lou h

Embrace the solitude of the stunning Brechfa Forest in Carmarthenshire, South Wales. Feel stresses melt away as you take in the breathtaking natural beauty by meandering along one of the several circular waymarked walks.

Look out for birds of prey, including red kites, and listen for the hoot of owls at night. And make sure to visit Brechfa Forest Garden, where you’ll find a fabulous variety of trees from all over the world, including giant redwoods from California, eucalyptus from Australia and European species such as sessile oak, walnut and spruce.

HOW TO DO IT: Brechfa Forest Barns offers four nights in Bay Tree Barn (sleeps four), from £595. brechfaforest barns.co.uk; 07590 923 604

Find rural bliss in the Highlands

SCOTTISH RETREAT

Get away from it all in a cosy cabin in Strathyre, Perthshire (known as the ‘gateway to the Highlands’). Enjoy the peace of Strathyre Forest as you try to spot beautiful wildlife, including red squirrels and pine martens. Explore the many Forestry Commission routes, which you can take on foot, horseback or bike; the more adventurous may want to admire the scenery from the water, with a canoeing trip on Loch Lubnaig.

HOW TO DO IT: Forest Holidays offers three nights in a two-bed Silver Birch cabin from £505. forestholidays.co.uk; 03330 110 495

Top tips for beginners Enjoy the idyllic scenery at Strathyre

Turn off all your electronic devices to help you relax.

Move through the forest slowly, so that you can see and feel more.

Take deep breaths, exhaling for twice as long as you inhale.

Stop and smell what’s around you.

Real Life

The picture that means

SO MUCH

Philippa remembers learning how to feed the lambs with her dad

Philippa Elwell is determined to make her dad proud

I

can still remember the sweet smell of the grass and the sound of the little lamb bleating as I crouched down beside my father, Tony, while he coaxed it to drink milk from a bottle.

We were in T-shirts because the weather was so warm, and as I reached out to pat the fluffy bundle, I felt so lucky and proud to be ‘working’ alongside my dad.

Growing up on a farm in the 1970s, I had an idyllic childhood. When we weren’t at school, my younger sister and I would be outdoors, helping our dad with the livestock. We’d herd cows, feed the hens and, in the summer holidays, we’d be out until sunset, helping Dad stack hay.

When we were hungry, we’d go inside, where our mum, Rosemary, would serve us a home-cooked meal, often with the milk, eggs and cream from the farm.

Things began to change

As I grew older, I marvelled at Dad’s stamina. Dairy farming is tough work and involves early mornings and late nights, but Dad was so strong and fit.

I moved out to go to university, then travelled before meeting my husband, Phil. We’d visit Mum and Dad often, and in the early 2000s, they told us they were thinking about retirement plans. Dad was almost 60 by then, he’d had a life of hard graft, so they decided to sell off the dairy herd in 2002.

But Dad seemed lost and low.

At first, we thought it might be depression, but things slowly started to get worse. Dad would wander off for the day without telling anyone. Once, he drove himself to the train station,

Philippa with her dad on her wedding day in 2004 travelled into London and was found confused and alone the next morning at Gatwick Airport.

Dad was finally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2006, aged 63. He refused to admit anything was wrong, instead, in his more lucid moments, he’d cover any confusion with silly jokes. But as the years passed, his condition became worse. He became doubly incontinent and his speech was affected, too.

In 2011, Phil and I, along with our two children, Rhiannon and Lucy, moved back to the farm in Surrey to provide Mum with some extra support. We’d got planning permission to build a house, but ust as it was finished, Dad was moved into full-time care. By now, he was no longer communicating and needed roundthe-clock supervision.

Watching my dad deteriorate was

WORDS: KARA O’NEILL

‘HE’D COVER CONFUSION WITH JOKES’

devastating. Though he couldn’t remember my name, there was a flicker of recognition and he seemed in high spirits.

Over the next few years, Mum and I raised money for Alzheimer’s Research UK. I ran the London Marathon and we held annual coffee mornings at the farm.

Sadly, Dad died in December 2018, but I’d mourned him a long time before that.

I choose to remember Dad as the man I see in this picture, feeding the lamb, not the shell of a person he was at the end.

By moving back to the farm, my girls have experienced the childhood I was lucky enough to have.

Dad never really got to know them, or see them on the farm, but when I show the girls how to feed the lambs, just like Dad showed me, I know he would be so roud. I’ve seen how easily life can be atched away, so if ere’s something you arn to do, do it now, hile you still can.

With daughters Lucy (left) and Rhiannon

For help and pport, visit zheimers searchuk.org

WOMAN

47

BE BR

Geometric prints add an instant update Lampshade, £30, B&Q

Dash geo bedding set, from £20, Next Plant pot, £19.50, Oliver Bonas

Wall clock, £20, Habitat

Patterned rugs COMPILED BY: ESME CLEMO. PRICES CORRECT AT TIME OF WRITING.

Go bold with your flooring choices. The busier the better.

They’re going to get worn and stained, so invest est iin n can b be di disguised. something colourful so accidents c i d

Block geo rug, £50, Habitat

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WOMAN

Bloomingville Marlin rug, £90, Sweetpea & Willow

Cushion, £30, Next

Gradient rug, from £80, Next Wall hook, £21.99, Wayfair

RAVE

Homes

Get creative Wall art is pretty inexpensive these days, one of these simple posters and an Ikea frame won’t break the bank. But if you’re looking for an original piece, you might have to part with a lot more cash. So, why not have a go at creating your own?

Oslo bedding set, from £12, caramel and blush bedding, from £3, cushion, £22, two-drawer bedside table, £79, touch table lamp, £39, vase, £8, fluted tea light holders, £4 each, abstract canvas, £18, all Dunelm

Ca Canv nvas as print prirint nt, £30 £30, Canvas Matalan

Balancing forms no1 poster (witithhoutt frame)), from £8.95, Desenio

Retro curve art print (witithhoutt fraame), from £15, Abstraact House

Vase, £9.99, Dobbies

Circle mirror, £28, Matalan

Wall light, £20, Habitat

Laze armchair, £379, DFS Throw, £25, Habitat

WOMAN

49

PUZZLES

NOW 3 PAGES!

SPIRAL XWORD

W

hat, in a French expression denoting a wild exaggeration, is claimed to have once blocked the port of Marseille?

The answer to each clue (apart from the first) begins with the last letter of the preceding answer. The shaded squares will spell out the one-word answer.

1 Fortress (6) 2 Age at which you can vote in England (8) 3 Small in width (6) 4 Ballroom dance (5) 5 Reanimated corpse (6) 6 Secretly listen in (9) 7 Celebrity photographers (9) 8 Sixth colour of the rainbow (6)

9 Edible bulb (5) 10 City in southern Italy (6) 11 Packed lunch item (8) 12 Good-looking (8) 13 Penguin species (7) 14 Water from clouds (9) 15 Five-armed marine creature (8) 16 Prisoner restraint items (9)

SUDOKU To solve the puzzle, each 3x3 box, each column and each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

WORD JUMBLE

W

hat is the most widely used ‘abjad’-type alphabet in the world today? Unscramble each group of letters to discover six languages. Now fit them across the grid and you’ll spell out the answer to the question.

1 I ROAM 2 NO RAKE 3 IN BAGEL

50

WOMAN

4 HER WEB 5 SHIN LEG 6 CD HUT

Puzzles

JUMBO XWORD

R

ead down the letters in the shaded squares to spell out a cocktail (12)

ACROSS

DOWN

1 Divide, split up (8) 2 Stationary (6) 3 The _ _ _ Show, daily TV programme (3) 4 Exploiting (5) 5 Mishap (8) 6 _ _ _ Bird, film with Saoirse Ronan (4) 7 Add pictures to a book (10) 8 Edition (5) 9 Coldplay hit from 2000 (6)

Answer: SARDINE

ANSWERS

71 Harry Potter’s Hedwig, for example (3)

10 Shrieks (7) 11 Midpoint (6) 12 Enraged (5) 20 Outward show (10) 23 The Emerald Isle (7) 25 Lily Allen’s debut single (5) 26 Melt in liquid (8) 27 Dales and valleys (8) 29 Ruling over (9) 31 Land measure (4) 33 Non-military personnel (9) 34 Grabbed roughly (8) 35 Hurling through the air (8) 37 Significant (10) 40Changed (7)

42 Fruit used to make perry (4) 43 Motive (5) 46 Impersonation (10) 50 The decade before the millennium (8) 52 Students (8) 53 Wild ox (7) 55 Is alive (6) 56 Gesture (6) 59 Ask to a party (6) 60Dark beer (5) 61 Maths chart (5) 62 Enquired (5) 65 Dilapidated building (4) 67 Not at home (3)

JUMBO XWORD Shaded solution: COSMOPOLITAN

9 _ _ _ Minister, TV sitcom (3) 13 Stretches (7) 14 The heir to the throne (7) 15 Remove dirt (5) 16 Performs (4) 17 Loud (5) 18 Customary (5) 19 Go in (5) 21 Take (6) 22 Withstand (6) 24 Ellie Simmonds, for example (7) 28 Bird of prey (5) 30 Very accurate, numerical (12) 32 _ _ _ and the Bunnymen, indie band (4) 34 More than a few (7) 35 Gulliver’s _ _ _, classic novel (7) 36 Type of van used to move house (7) 38 Pinafores (6) 39 Bit by bit (9) 41 Eight pints (6) 44Type of takeaway (7) 45 Referee’s signal (7) 47 Creatures (7) 48 Postcards from the _ _ _, 1991 film (4) 49 Older relatives (12) 51 Helium and oxygen, for example (5) 54 Polite demand (7) 57 Finale (6) 58 Discipline (6) 63 Shoplifter (5) 64 Microbes (5) 65 Evaluates (5) 66 Wicked, sinful (4) 68 Up to the time of (5) 69 Supply (7) 70 Central line around Earth (7)

Answer: ARABIC WORD JUMBLE

TURN OVER FOR MORE!

SPIRAL XWORD

SUDOKU

BOOKS&PUZ

TRICKY CROSSWORD!

ANSWERS

Noah Centineo said he dreams of co-starring with?

To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the two-word answer.

DOWN: 1 Orders 2 Ozone layer 3 England 4 Whispered 5 Impatient 6 Halo 7 Mosaic 8 Replied 9 Prunella 10 Baboon 19 Nile 21 Edit 23 Surprise 25 Culkin 26 Triangles 27 Asparagus 30 Enter 31 Protests 33 Cello35 Twelve 38 Acne 41 Lena Headey 42 Menu 43 Afternoon44 Happiness 46Macaulay 49 Century 50 Innings 51 Mobile 52 Madrid 54 Rocket 57 Lady SOLUTION: ZOË KRAVITZ

ACROSS

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

comps.

ACROSS: 11 Frozen 12 Home Alone 13 Reap 14 Reynolds 15 Aloha 16 London 17 Silence 18 Ian McKellen 20 Meryl 22 Penniless 24 Dance 28 Library 29 Russell 32 Eclair 34 Road trip 36 Twilight 37 Stairs 39 Lioness 40 Bullock 45 Seems 47 Isle of Man 48 Andes,51 Mickey Mouse 53 Panther 55 Abrupt 56 Dylan 58 Nuisance 59 Plea 60 Raindrops 61 Geezer

11 Animated film featuring the song Let It Go (6) 12 Popular Christmas film about a boy who battles burglars (4,5) 13 Harvest (4) 14 Ryan _, Deadpool actor (8) 15 Hawaiian greeting (5) 16 Capital of 3 Down (6) 17 Total quiet (7) 18 Actor who played Gandalf (3,8) 20Mamma Mia! actor, _ Streep (5) 22 Completely without money (9) 24 Move to music (5) 28 Place that loans out books (7) 29 Comedian, _ Howard (7) 32 Cream cake (6) 34 Long-distance car journey (4,4) 36 2008 film starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson (8) 37 Steps (6) 39 Female big cat (7) 40Sandra _, Gravity actor (7) 45 Appears to be (5) 47 Place located in the Irish Sea (4,2,3) 48 Mountain range in South America (5)

51 Character created by Walt Disney (6,5) 53 The Pink _, animated feline (7) 55 Sudden (6) 56 Welsh poet, _ Thomas (5) 58 Something that is annoying (8) 59 Appeal, entreaty (4) 60Bits of water that fall from the sky (9) 61 Informal word for a man (6)

DOWN

1 Puts in sequence (6) 2 Part of the Earth’s atmosphere (5,5) 3 Largest country in the United Kingdom (7) 4 Spoke in a hushed voice (9) 5 Not wanting to wait (9) 6 Saintly glow (4)

7 Picture made up of small stones (6) 8 Made a response (7) 9 Fawlty Towers actor, _ Scales (8) 10 Large African monkey (6) 19 Very long river (4) 21 Make changes to text (4) 23 Unexpected event (8) 25 See 46 Down 26 Shapes with three sides (9) 27 Long thin green vegetable (9) 30Go in (5) 31 Publicly objects (8) 33 Large stringed instrument (5) 35 A dozen (6) 38 Teenage skin problem (4) 41 Actor who is best known for playing Cersei in Game of Thrones (4,6) 42 List of available dishes (4)

43 Period of time following midday (9) 44Joy (9) 46/25 Child star of 12 Across (8,6) 49 One hundred years (7) 50Cricket period (7) 51 Portable phone (6) 52 Capital of Spain (6) 54 Salad leaf (6) 57 Titled woman (4) Editorial Complaints We work hard to achieve the highest standards of editorial content, and we are committed to complying with the Editors’ Code of Practice (https:// www.ipso.co.uk/IPSO/cop.html) as enforced

by IPSO. If you have a complaint about our editorial content, you can email us at woman@futurenet.com or write to us at Woman, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Please provide details of the material you are complaining about and explain your complaint by reference to the Editors’ Code. We will endeavour to acknowledge your complaint within five working days and we aim to correct substantial errors as soon as possible.

ZZLES THE RAILWAY GIRLS IN LOVE

by Maisie Thomas (£6.99, PB, Cornerstone) Arriving in the station now… the third book in the uplifting Railway Girls series, set in 1940s Manchester. As war rages on, the girls are busy, but love is in the air.

Mabel has put the past behind her and her relationship with Harry is stronger than ever. Joan has made amends with Bob, and Dot has found a new purpose in life. Beautifully written, as ever, from Maisie Thomas.

THIS WEEK’S HOT READ For more books information, see goodtoknow.co.uk/ books

An Act of Love

y Carol Drinkwater (£7.99, PB, Penguin) Bestseller Carol Drinkwater returns with a poignant new novel about the power of first love. Sara and her parents are forced to flee war-ravaged Poland and find appiness in a beautiful but dilapidated house in the French Alps. But as the enemy closes in, a shadow falls over the bliss of summer – and Sara’s blossoming romance is interrupted before it can truly begin…

Into the Fire

by Rachael Blok (£18.99, PB, Head of Zeus) In a gorgeous mansion in the Hertfordshire countryside, 11 guests are signing a deal to unite the worlds of tech, politics and the environment. One of them has been receiving online abuse, so DCI Maarten Jansen is invited to keep a watchful eye. When eight of the guests are involved in a helicopter crash, Jansen realises there’s a murderer in their midst – and so begins the third in this wonderful whodunnit series.

PHOTO: GETTY

Love in Five Acts

by Daniela Krien (£14.99, HB, Quercus) This exquisite portrait of the lives of five women is utterly captivating. Each chapter is devoted to one woman and each life overlaps with another. Paula lov er losing her child and husband, while Judith trawls online for a partner. Brida struggles to combine writing and family life, and sisters Malika and Jorinde seek happiness where they can. A beautifully written masterclass in human frailty.

STARSCOPE

Your stars for 18-24 May by Penny Thornton ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr

Life picks up pace, and something looks set to put a sparkle in your eye. Regardless of the challenge, make sure you remain upbeat, though – a positive attitude changes outcomes.

For your reading 09058 172557

☎

TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May

LIBRA 24 Sep – 23 Oct

People in some far-flung places could turn out to be important to your future. So, be prepared to take a calculated risk – the emphasis being on the word ‘calculated’.

For your reading 09058 172563

☎

SCORPIO 24 Oct – 22 Nov

This is a premium period for you when it comes to making investments, whether in terms of money, emotion or talent. Set out your market stall, and wait for offers.

For your reading 09058 172558

Good things happen to good people. The efforts you have put into an endeavour or into an alliance are about to reveal themselves to you. Concentrate only on the positive.

For your reading 09058 172564

GEMINI 22 May – 22 Jun On Thursday the Sun enters Gemini, inspiring confidence and optimism in you.

The more you give, the more will come back to you. This is no time for small gestures.

For your reading 09058 172559

SAGITTARIUS 23 Nov – 21 Dec In the next couple of weeks you’ll know where you are with a relationship. This is not the time to make your move, be patient and see what someone else does.

For your reading 09058 172565

☎

☎

CANCER 23 Jun – 23 Jul

The voice of your hopes and your fears is singing loudly and drowning out all common sense. Seek the facts and put actions on hold unless you know the reality.

For your reading 09058 172560

☎

LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug

This week, collaborations, whether they are of the business, creative or romantic kind, can be set on a firm course.

Ensure you check the small print, though. Just in case…

For your reading 09058 172561

☎

VIRGO 24 Aug – 23 Sep

Putting your faith in people and projects does carry a risk, but you have to ask yourself, ‘What will I lose if I don’t go forward?’ Remember: no risk, no reward.

For your reading 09058 172562

☎

☎

☎

CAPRICORN 22 Dec – 20 Jan

If you know what you want, why wait? Under these stars there is much to be gained and very little to be lost.

Follow your heart, and you’ll have no regrets.

For your reading 09058 172566

☎

AQUARIUS 21 Jan – 19 Feb

The pleasure principle is alive and well in the astrology chart. But do be careful not to go overboard for someone or something without closely checking the backstory first.

For your reading 09058 172567

☎

PISCES 20 Feb – 20 Mar

With Jupiter now newly in your sign, be ready to seize the moment. For some Pisceans, this advice relates to love and for others to a family or property matter.

For your reading 09058 172568

☎

Starlines are updated every Saturday. Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge and last about four minutes. Users must be 18+. You must have the bill payer’s permission. Service provider: Spoke. Helpline: 0333 202 3390.

PSYCHIC SERVICES Contact our team for intuitive guidance… Text WOMAN, followed by a space, your date of birth (DD/MM/YY) and your question to 85100. Texts cost £1.50. Maximum three replies for complicated questions. 18+ bill payers only. Entertainment service provided by ISOMOB Ltd. We cannot discuss health, pregnancy or financial issues. We may send free promotional messages. To opt out of marketing messages text STOP to 85100. Helpline: 0161 726 5432.

WOMAN

53

LOVE ME,

love me not

Was Robert really ready to move on from his past relationship? She had her doubts

W

aiting for Robert Nelson, I check my watch. He’s grey-haired, has a stiff upper lip and is at least 25 years my senior. He came to his first consultation with me straight from work a few days ago, wearing a grey, pinstriped suit, white shirt and blue tie. I see all sorts, so I don’t judge. Only, as the consultation wore on, I swear I started wearing a wig and carrying a gavel.

He stood looking at the walls festooned with pictures. I often photograph my work, so there was Jamella with her thorn-and-rose sleeve that one day she planned to get extended all down her back; there was ‘Roach’ (his nickname) with the angel I’d inked across his chest, her wings just kissing his collarbones; there was Jackson with two huge motorbikes zooming across each bicep.

‘My name’s Jazz,’ I told Robert. ‘My parents didn’t christen me that – they called me Rachel – but I prefer Jazz these days.’

That declaration’s always my ice-breaker.

He tried to examine me from head to foot without making it obvious. My inkings, nose-rings and the seven piercings in my ears tend to disguise my university education and my art degree.

‘I’ve only ever been in a tattoo parlour once before,’ he said. ‘That’s sort of why I’m here, you see. My first time was in Brighton when I was 25. It was my first holiday with my future wife. I think we were tipsy most of the time.’

I’d heard many of a tale of tipsy inkings.

‘Jen suggested it. You know, getting matching tattoos – my name on her arm, hers on mine. Nothing too over the top,

the two of us bonding before the big day.

We did have a wedding planned.’

He shrugged off his jacket and handed it to me, loosened his tie and pulled it over his head, then started to unbutton his shirt.

Used to seeing acres of bare flesh, I stood quietly by while he tugged his shirt off one shoulder. His face a little red, he turned his arm towards me.

‘There, you see.’

The twirling, swirling letters of the name Jennifer looked stark against his pallid skin. The word seemed so small and fragile.

‘I need it covering up. Can you do it?’

‘Yes, I can. Do you mind if I take a photo for reference purposes?’

He nodded his consent, so I quickly grabbed my phone and took a snap.

He dressed himself again, seeming much more at ease once back inside the safety of his suit, his tie pinching his throat. ‘Jen passed away seven years ago.

I lost her to cancer.’

‘I’m so sorry.’

‘The thing is, I’ve met someone else. Eve. I told her about the tattoo. She seemed fine with it to begin with, said she didn’t mind.

I mean, before we…’ He blushed again.

Oh, before that. Right. OK. ‘Don’t worry,’ I said. ‘Everybody tells me a story. I’m used to it.’

He managed a smile. ‘After things progressed between us and we became serious about each other, well, it became more of a problem. She said it put her off.’

‘I see. So, how do you want me to cover it up exactly?’

‘I don’t know. I thought you could sketch out some ideas. I would like Eve to see them before we decide on anything

‘THE THING IS, I’VE MET SOMEONE ELSE’

54

WOMAN

permanent. She’d actually like to be here while it’s done – just to, you know, check everything’s OK. Is that allowed?’

Normally I like peace and quiet while I work, not a crowd, but his furrowed brow got to me, as did the panic in his eyes.

‘Yes, that’s all right.’

There’s a fine line between listening and butting in, isn’t there? But I do know people need a nudge sometimes. I’d decided Robert was one of those.

‘Where did you two meet?’

‘The supermarket – not very romantic, I know. Eve came over and said hello. We started chatting and got on like a house on fire. She even asked me to dinner. I’d never been asked out by a woman in my life. I confess I was a little taken aback.

She gave me her number and told me to think it over. She called me later that day, then her calls became a regular thing every night. Then twice a day.’

Eve certainly sounded persistent.

‘Well, it all ended up with us finally going to dinner one evening.’

I guessed, while in the restaurant, she told him he looked handsome. She told him his conversation was scintillating and she laughed at all his jokes. Isn’t that the way to any man’s heart?

The furrows in his brow looked like lines printed across a page.

‘Now, six months later, she’s moving in

with me. The transition period has been a little tricky. Even after seven years, Jen’s things are still everywhere – in the wardrobes, the cupboards. Eve’s having a good old clear-out.’

His lips pinched together. ‘Sometimes she even does it when I’m not at home.

Still, everything ends up in the garage so I can go through it all later myself. She’s cleared out a lot of ornaments lately – and the dinner set, and some paintings that weren’t to her taste.’

‘She sounds like a woman on a mission.’

He hummed. ‘She says it marks a new beginning because I really need to move on. It sounds perfectly logical to me. It feels like the right time.’

He brushed a hand down one lapel.

‘This is all Eve, too. My kids say I look too austere these days. They’re both in their 20s. They moved out years ago. Even so, my being with Eve is all a bit new to them – new to my friends as well. I think everyone assumed I’d be alone forever.’

He frowned again. ‘Still, everyone’s very happy for me – except, I think, Phil at work. He did say something the other day.’

He didn’t elaborate. Instead, the shutters came down, as if he didn’t want to think about what Phil at work had commented.

‘Anyway, back to the design. What do you think?’

I examined the word Jennifer on my phone’s screen. ‘Oh, I could do lots with this. If you’re sure it’s what you want? It’s up to you, of course.’

I stressed the word ‘you’ twice. I then put my phone down and rolled up the sleeve of my T-shirt. ‘I’ll just show you a cover-up I had done.’

I angled my arm his way. ‘This was my first-ever tat. I got it when I was 18, before I went off to uni. I knew my dad would hit the roof when he found out, so I tried to soften the blow a bit. I had Daddy’s girl tattooed on. My dad loathed my interest in tats back then – and art. He always wanted me to be a doctor or a solicitor – even a dentist if either of those two didn’t work out.’

Robert leaned closer. ‘Well, that’s a remarkable cover-up.’

Below a scatter of entwined thorns and hearts, he read the words etched into my flesh. Love me, love me not. He straightened his back.

‘Anyway,’ I said. ‘I’ll do some sketches for you. You can pick them up tomorrow if you want to show them to Eve?’ ‘Right. Is that it then?’

‘That’s it, yes. It’s all over… For now.’ ***** As promised, I made some drawings.

I turned Jennifer into a rose bush, a bird with sweeping wings – and then, just for

fun, a skull and crossbones. I did consider throwing out some of my more radical designs before Robert came to collect them, but in the end I left them in.

‘I wanted to cover a wide range of ideas,’ I explained to my new client.

‘I can’t always judge people’s tastes, and sometimes something a little more “out there” appeals.’

He made an appointment for his inking before he left. ***** So here I stand, waiting. He’s late. Maybe he’s changed his mind. I sort of hope so.

‘Only, no,’ I whisper to myself. ‘There he is in the street.’

The front door opens and in he walks.

‘Where’s Eve?’ I ask.

‘I told her I’d deal with this,’ he says in deep, dark tones. ‘She wasn’t too impressed with some of your ideas, not impressed at all. She knew what you were getting at. The ball and chain you’d sketched and the fire-breathing dragon weren’t exactly subtle. Neither was the witch…’

Now Robert heaves in air and his neck stretches out. He stands like a man doing an impression of Godzilla about to sack a city. I think he’s about to ask for his £80 deposit back.

‘Only, I don’t blame you for what you did,’ he says instead. ‘I knew the point you were trying to make about Eve was right.

It’s the same point Phil made at work.

I knew it and ignored it anyway. Jen was the love of my life. She’ll always be a part of who I am. There’s a big difference between moving on and trying to erase the past from somebody’s life. So…’ He waves a sheet of paper at me, looking nervous as I study what he’s drawn across it. He’s added a few words to the name already on his arm...

I’ll always love you… Jennifer.

‘Well, Eve’s in for a big surprise – I hope she’s ready.’

‘Was your dad ready when you got your tattoo or when you went off to study art?

‘No, he wasn’t. But he got the message.’

Love me, love me not.

‘I know he still adores me, though – all of me, every tat, every piercing, every plan I make.’

Robert nods. ‘That’s good.’ He sounds a bit shell-shocked at himself and his decision, but I think he knows Eve needs this little test. I hope she passes it, for his sake and her own.

‘Are you ready?’ I motion towards the room where Robert’s tattoo will finally be inked in place.

‘Yes,’ he says. ‘I am. I’m ready. No more cover-ups.’

THE END Bailey Morgan, 2021 WOMAN

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© FUTURE PUBLISHING LIMITED, 2021. PHOTO (POSED BY MODEL): GETTY

Short Story

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WE BRING YOU THIS WEEK’S LATEST TV NEWS

6SECO0ND

INTERVIEW

T

CUSH JUMBO

he former star of ITV’s Vera and US drama The Good Fight is among a cast that also includes Geraldine James, Jared Harris and Billy Howle in BritBox’s gripping thriller The Beast Must Die. In the five-parter, Cush plays a grieving mum looking to avenge her son’s death. Here, she tells us more…

How does finding out that the police are not going to investigate affect her?

Cush Jumbo and Billy She decides that the only way Howle (inset) star she’s going to get justice is to Tell us about your character… find the person responsible and kill them.

Frances is a teacher whose six-yearShe’s going to find out where they live, old son was killed in a hit and run. The inveigle herself into their life and kill them. story begins three months later when She hasn’t thought anything past that. the police inform her that they will no longer be proceeding with the How would you describe The investigation into who was responsible.

Beast Must Die? The case isn’t closed, but they don’t It’s dark, but it’s also a thriller because have any leads so they have nowhere it’s gut-twistingly exciting. And because to go. That kind of starts her journey.

How was it filming on the Isle of Wight, where the story is set?

The residents were really welcoming to us. Considering we showed up with a crew of 200 people in the middle of COVID and were blocking roads and I was sailing boats and desperately trying not to crash them, they were really nice! ✱ The Beast Must Die is on BritBox

2021

LOOK

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of how smart the script is and the brilliant cast – it’s also incredibly comedic at times.

Kerry Godliman stars in Whitstable Pearl on Acorn TV… In C4 sitcom Derek, Kerry played care home manager Hannah alongside Ricky Gervais (2012-14). In 2019, they reunited to star as Lisa and Andy in the Netflix comedy After Life. Kerry has also appeared in the ITV sitcom, Bad Move (2017-18), BBC1 army drama Our Girl (2013-14) and Sky Atlantic’s Save Me (2018-20). Most recently, she played Stella Maitland in the C4 drama Adult Material (2020).

THEN

2019

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Kerry stars in six-part drama Whitstable Pearl, which is set in the eponymous town on the Kent coast. She plays restaurant owner Pearl Nolan, whose police career was cut short. When a close friend is found dead, Pearl decides to put her police training to good use by launching her own murder investigation, which ultimately leads her to set up a detective agency… Frances Barber also stars.

NOW

On The Box

DON’T MISS!

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

COMING SOON...

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

EUROVISION SONG CONTEST BBC1 Graham Norton will provide commentary on the final of the world’s biggest music competition, where the UK’s James Newman will be hoping to score high with his song Embers.

CATCH UP 50 YEARS OF THE MR MEN All 4 Matt Lucas looks at the history of the Mr Men characters, created by Roger Hargreaves. The one-off also follows Roger’s son, Adam, as he tries to create five new characters.

BAKE OFF: THE PROFESSIONALS C4 Liam Charles and Tom Allen host as professional pastry chefs compete. In order to be crowned the best in Britain, they must impress the judges, Benoit Blin and Cherish Finden.

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

KATHARINE: THE COMPASSIONATE DUCHESS My5 Find out about one of the lesser-known members of the Royal Family in this documentary which profiles the life and work of the Duchess of Kent.

BOX SET BINGE PHOTOS: ALAMY, ABC, BBC, GETTY, MARK BOURDILLON, NEW REGENCY TELEVISION INTERNATIONAL/SCOTT FREE, RAY BURMISTON

REBEL Disney+ Inspired by the life of Erin Brockovich, this drama follows Annie ‘Rebel’ Bello (Katey Sagal), fighting injustice, especially when it comes to the greed of big American corporations.

Andy Garcia also stars.

Julie Hesmondhalgh stars in this gripping six-parter, which follows five friends who play a prank on their sleazy boss Jack (Aneurin Barnard) when he gets drunk at a staff party. After dumping him in some woods, they return to find him dead, but instead of calling the police, they make a pact to keep quiet about what happened.

MOTHERLAND BBC iPlayer There’s more school-run drama, playdate politics and parenting fails as the comedy returns for a third series. Look out for Joanna Lumley as Felicity, mother of ‘Alpha Mum’ Amanda.

APOCALYPSE WOW ITV2 Set in an outrageous underground club, this bizarre new game show will see Scarlett Moffatt lead groups of celebs as they take part in challenges facing opponents, including one of the world’s strongest men, Master Enormo!

OU ARE HAT YOU EAT HANNEL 5 e show returns – is time it’s being esented by Trisha oddard and Dr , be helping people to ditch their bad eating habits in favour of a healthier diet and lifestyle.

COUNTDOWN C4 The quiz show welcomes its first-ever female presenter when Anne Robinson replaces Nick Hewer in the hot seat, following previous hosts Richard Whiteley, Des O’Connor and Des Lynam.

LL CREATURES REAT AND SMALL HANNEL 5 tricia Hodge will ar in the drama sed on the books Yorkshire vet it returns for a second series. She will take over the role of eccentric Mrs Pumphrey.

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View from THE BACK Don’t look down your nose at cleaners Sam Carlisle says what you’re thinking

After a worker called out her boss, it’s time we all treated each other with the respect we deserve

PHOTOS (POSED BY MODELS): TWITTER @JOECOUSINS89, GETTY, EYEEM, ALAMY, DUNCAN CUMMING/SWNS

I

f there is one skill that has been in greater need than any other in the last 14 months, it is the ability to keep things clean. The most potent weapons against a deadly virus have been anti-viral spray and elbow grease.

So you would think professional cleaners would be held in higher regard than usual. They’ve kept our hospitals, schools and essential workplaces open. Not so in one bank branch, where a cleaner left a note to her ‘cruel’ and ‘aggressive’ boss on her last day before retiring.

Julie Cousins’ heartfelt letter was shared on social media by her proud son Joe, and was quickly shared thousands of times.

Julie wrote, ‘Hi ladies, tomorrow will be my last clean for HSBC. I have made up a bucket of cleaning materials for the next cleaner whoever that may be!

‘I’ve left the job after the way you dressed me down in the office. It was nothing more than aggressive and cruel but that’s a reflection on your

What a ledge!

Cleaners have been the unsung stars of lockdown character, not mine.

‘So going forward, please all of you remember, in a world when you can be anything, BE KIND. Because you are all no better than the cleaner.’

How dare they! My mum and my nan were cleaners.

Many students work as cleaners before high-flying jobs. This physically tough and thankless work is often done before or after everyone else’s working day. But it is just as essential as a cashier in a bank. The snobbery of this boss is beyond words. A job is a job and, if someone turns up every day and works well, they deserve kindness and respect.

More power to your elbow, Julie!

No driver? No thanks!

The miracle that is driverless cars could be on Britain’s streets by the end of the year. Given my lack of technological prowess with my TV remote and my printer, I think I’ll give this particular advance a miss.

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Ade seems to be living the high life…

Technology taken a step too far?

Loved this picture of actor Ade Edmondson, stuck outside his flat.

The Young Ones legend, married to Jennifer Saunders, had to be rescued by the fire brigade. Where comedy’s concerned, he always has been a bit of a ledge…

k e e w e h t f o e t Quo

‘I’MMGONNA GONNA BEREAL WIT Y’ALL – I’M IN THE WORST SHAPE OF MY LIFE.’

After lockdown, even Will Smith has a dad bod.

Con artists

Abhorrent doorstep con artists fleeced Brits out of £18.7 million last year. If you’re offered help by cold callers, ask if you can take a picture of them first. If they’re dodgy, that’ll quickly deter them.