Pick Me Up! Special Best Of 1 2017

These cute little bundles will melt even the hardest of hearts. Especially when you read how the pair of sweeties were born after their mum and dad found a double yolk in a bag of Haribo sweets and took it as a sign that twins were in the bag… so to speak ( p8 )! But there's nothing heart-warming about she-devil Kayleigh North ( p52 ), who battered her sister's mate with a drain cover, leaving her scarred for life. In contrast, born with tiny stumps for legs, inspirational Kanya ( p24 ) models lingerie and, an accomplished skier, she hopes to make the 2018 Winter Paralympics. For more shocks, turn to p38 , where Natasha tells how she and her baby just escaped before their car became an inferno.…

Ahoy there! He’s always had an eye for the ladies, and here’s Captain Jack Sparrow with me (left) and my friend, Nicola. Nicki Lynch, Rishton Spiritual stancee Here’s my friend, Tuppence, 25, practising her yoga moves while on holiday in India. Nina Charbecks, Carlton Colville Hello kitty The stray cats in the town of Phaselis, Turkey were very friendly! Gina Skinner, East London Best of Friends ‘I’ll be there for you…’ Me and my friend, Maggy, enacting the theme song from Friends in New York. Louise Curzon, Widnes Love match I was impressed that my boyfriend, Matt, found a tie to match my dress for a family wedding at Healing Manor. Laura O'Connell, Merthyr Tydfil Getting wiggy Occasionally, my mum, Linda, and I like to let our hair down. Lee…

Cat's the life! Summertime and the livin’ is easy... especially if you’re my cat, Milly. Liam McParland, Huddersfield Furry tired Of course I’m listening to you… not! Sometimes, it’s hard to keep my beagle Snoopy’s attention. Karen Gethins, Worcester Mucky pup My Jack Russell, Dillon, got in to the spirit of things at our local charity colour dash. Caroline Burgess, Ipswich Let's hop to it! Our new maid is very particular when it comes to plumping up the cushions on the sofa. Charlotte Joseph , Lelant Egg-static Sophie has just laid two eggs, and Emerald is very proud – my lovebird family. Marie Morgan, Telford…

When I got together with my Paul, I didn’t think he’d have any deep, dark secrets. We’d been close since school and had got together when I was 21 and he was 19. He wasn’t fazed by the fact I had a 3-year-old son, and he loved Nathan as if he was his own. Paul could be shy, but it never felt like he was hiding anything from me. Until the first time he stayed over. I woke in the middle of the night to find him on all fours, eyes wide in terror. ‘Help me! Help me!’ he bellowed, petrified. ‘It’s OK,’ I told him. ‘You’re having a nightmare.’ Next morning, we had a laugh about it. ‘What were you dreaming about?’ I asked. ‘I don’t know,’ he replied,…

We had a giggle about the sweet story at the scan Tall, dark, handsome and so friendly, Dean Carr had been the love of my life since we met through some friends. By 2015, we’d been together three years and often talked about the future. ‘When we get back from Mexico, let’s come off the Pill and start thinking about marriage and babies,’ I said. ‘Sounds like a plan,’ Dean, 31, smiled back. My friend, Sarah, was getting married in Mexico in April. The week before the ceremony, about 50 people flew over. We had some brilliant nights. But the mornings after... ‘I feel awful,’ I moaned to the girls. ‘I can’t stop being sick.’ ‘We’re the same,’ they sighed. ‘Must be the local tequila!’ ‘My period’s late, too,’ I…

My tiny feet were dwarfed by my Grandma Shirley’s high heels. ‘Look, Gran - I’m just like you!’ I squealed. ‘He certainly takes after me!’ chuckled Gran, then 52, to my mum, Linda, then 31. I was only 4 at the time - a little boy called Darren. My younger sisters and I loved our dressing-up box, filled with old clothes and handbags. I enjoyed playing with dolls, too. But, growing up, I was expected to be the big brother. Mum and Dad were concerned about my feminine behaviour and, when I was 5, they took me to a consultant, who told them that I’d ‘grow out of it’. I remember examining my genitals, feeling disgusted. My body didn’t match my feelings. I tried to fit in at school, but…