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welcome to this week’s chat…

Not many of us can claim that it was love at first sight! That’s why I love Paris’ story (plO). How did the most irritating customer at her bakery end up putting a bun in her oven?! Parents Victor and Jessica want to remind you that, despite appearances, they’re just like me and you (p44). And there’s a chilling story about the tragic outcome of a bitter custody row (p16). We’ve got tons more real life and all your favourite cash prize puzzles. Plus great-value fashion (p12) and recipes for people who love to cook but hate washing up (p40). Ideal! Stay safe I and well this week.…

picture perfect

I got to see some truly breathtaking views while on holiday in Vietnam in 2017. This one was simply stunning! Laura Knott, London Is it just me or does my beagle, Daphne’s, ball look a bit like a coronavirus?! Kate Williams, London I love this picture of me and my daughter, Zoe, soaking up the sun in Antibes during summer 2019. I hope we can go back again soon! Trix Burns, Belfast Here I am having fun in Malaysia with my housemate in late 2019. We didn’t get to go away in late 2020 due to the circumstances but here’s hoping we can go somewhere exotic later this year! Stacey Baldwin, London My 1-year-old son Miller loves his new burger van. He also sells pizza, tacos and shakes and is always open for business. He’s that dedicated to…

crying out for help

Lucy Bailey, 24, Newcastle-under-Lyme Dialling the number, I waited for the familiar voice at the other end of the line. ‘Hi, love,’ my dad Jonathan, 50, said. ‘How’s things?’ I asked. ‘I’m really missing normal life,’ he said with a sigh. It was summer 2020 and I knew Dad was struggling due to the pandemic. Lockdown had been tough on him and he was missing his usual busy schedule. Known as Bazza to his friends, Dad was one of the kindest people I knew. Every Christmas Eve, he’d be out on the streets handing out sleeping bags and warm blankets to the homeless. He set up community support groups and was constantly volunteering or donating to charities. He loved the gym and was a family man, too. Each Sunday, he’d look after my son Arnie, 9 months. He…

‘supporting those in need’

A spokesperson for Facebook says, ‘Our thoughts go out to Mr Bailey’s family at this difficult time. We can confirm that the live-stream was deleted very soon after being posted and this further post has also now been removed at the family’s request. We take the responsibility of keeping people safe on our platforms seriously, and we will continue to work closely with experts like Samaritans to ensure our policies continue to support those in need.’ If you or somebody you know needs help, you can call Samaritans any time, day or night, for free on 116 123…

win! £500 cash!

NUMBER JIG Written mathematically as 10!, what is the factorial of 10? Fit these numbers into the grid. One number doesn’t fit. This is the prize answer. 3 digits 212 237 298 343 420 630 664 706 823 856 4 digits 1547 5 digits 34015 34228 50678 50815 61452 61781 61878 64326 68822 74299 88732 97700 6 digits 138032 327682 377776 601701 613201 622755 881873 7 digits 1046514 1952111 3628800 7242308 8 digits 80923490 WIN £250 Puzzle 2 Your answer: SPIRAL XWORD What relation is actor Tamzin Outhwaite to Holly Willoughby’s husband Dan Baldwin? 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 prize answer. 1 Dromedary or Bactrian, eg (5) 2 Camp toilet (7) 3 Quilt (9) 4 _ Parker, Inspector Lynley actor (9) 5 Wars of the Roses House of _ (9) 6 Docklands Light _ (7) 7 Spun thread, or story (4) 8 US state whose capital is Lincoln (8) 9 Real, genuine (9) 10 Looney Tunes’ Wile E. _ (6) 11 Painting support (5) 12 Room for science experiments…

just genius

Dry ice Fill a small bowl with cold water and ice cubes and leave your nails to soak for a few minutes after painting them. It will help the varnish set and allow your nails to dry quicker. Jemma Haworth, St Helens The gloves are on! If you struggle opening jars, simply wear rubber gloves to loosen the lid. The extra grip allows you to open it with ease. Gill Kinloch, Blackburn Ready, steady, scrub! If you’re struggling to remove the residue at the bottom of a burnt pan, take some kitchen foil and roll it into a ball before scrubbing. The foil is excellent at removing the stains. Elizabeth Williamson, Carlisle Supermarket sweep If you don’t have a pound coin to put in your supermarket trolley, use the round end of your house key. Margaret Anderson, Sunderland Tin out of tin Who…