Table of contents for 26 February 2026 in Chat

Welcome to this week's Chat… Ever find yourself saying, ‘I'm too old for that’? You see a new trend or read about a new hobby, but discount it because of your age? If that sounds familiar, turn to p23 right now! You need to read Sarah's story. When she was 67, she did her first parkrun and loved it. So she kept going back and progressed from walking to jogging to running… Now she's closer to 80 than 70 and weighed down by a clutch of gold medals. If she can't inspire you to get stuck in, I don't know what will. Have a great week,…

Emma-Louise Kelly, 34, Blackpool Stirring the dinner on the stove, I called out to Siri. ‘Can you text my friends and ask them if they are free this weekend?’ I said. It was January 2022, and I was always asking the virtual assistant on my phone to message my pals when my hands were full. Life as a single mum was very busy. But that was how I liked it. See, I used to work as a DJ, but found myself caught up in binge-drinking and party drugs. Then when my dad Nicholas died suddenly in 2015 and I gave birth to my daughter shortly after, I knew things had to change. She was my focus now. I got myself on the straight and narrow and moved from Blackpool to…

Simone Adams, 38, Dudley, West Midlands Pink squishy skin, a perfect button nose. As her beautiful eyes stared up at me, my heart swelled. ‘Our girl,’ I gushed to my husband Kevin, then 31. It was January 2018 and, already parents to our boys Brohgan, then 7, and Regan, 4, we were delighted to welcome our little lady, Maebh, to the family. ‘You gave us all a scare,’ I said. A week earlier, at 34 weeks, I'd been booked for an emergency caesarean after problems with my placenta. But Maebh had other ideas. Fifteen minutes before the op, labour kicked in, and with one big push, our darling daughter had arrived. Now, with my tiny 3lb 11oz baby in my arms, our family was complete. Only, moments later, a nurse…

In July 2022 Jen Shah stood in a New York courtroom. The woman who had spent months insisting she was innocent was now changing her plea. Guilty. Prosecutors dropped the conspiracy to commit money laundering charge in exchange for her plea switch. Jen was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison. As part of her plea deal she agreed to forfeit $6.5m and will also pay up to $9.5m in restitution. Jen's husband and kids attended her hearing, where she expressed remorse for her crimes. ‘I am deeply sorry. My actions have hurt innocent people,’ she said. In February 2023, Jen reported to Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas. And in May 2025, a photo emerged of her jumping ropes in jail. Alongside it, a note that thanked her ‘Shahmazing’ supporters and said…

1 Start with natural light Even in winter, aim to be outside within 30 to 60 minutes of waking, and stay out for at least 10 minutes, says GP and holistic doctor Dr Nirusha Kumaran. ‘This will help to set your circadian rhythm (your internal body clock) and improve your cortisol (stress hormone) balance. You'll also sleep better at night and be more energised as a result.’ 2 Time your cuppa Wait to have your first coffee or tea of the day after you've had your breakfast and ideally 60 to 90 minutes after waking, says Dr Kumaran. ‘This prevents you from experiencing a cortisol spike-and-crash, and it can also make your caffeine boost last for longer.’ 3 Sip on water Even slight dehydration will cause tiredness and poor concentration,…

Sue Dawson, 66, Welton, Northamptonshire With his shiny red leather jacket and blond curls, I couldn't keep my eyes off my boyfriend. He was such a rock star! It was 1985 and we'd met 11 years earlier, back when I was 15 and Adrian was 16. Now, we were living in London, where I worked for a record company and Adrian was a talented guitarist, playing in pubs and clubs. ‘Let's finally set a date for our wedding,’ he said. We'd got engaged years earlier but had never got round to it. Now though, I couldn't wait. In 1987, we tied the knot and moved back to our home town in Northamptonshire. Our son James came along in 1993, followed by Hannah in 1998. ‘Time I got a proper job,’…

Our spark has fizzled Q I love my partner, but lately I feel like the spark is gone. I don't feel excited or in love the way I used to. I want to fall in love with them again, but I don't know how. Our sex life is basically non-existent too. How can I reconnect with my partner and bring back those feelings? Sue, 51 A Long-term loive doesn‘t always sizzle Sometimes it's just a humming noise in the background. Work together to bring that noise back with an adventure, a date night, something mischievous. Share how you're feeling and that volume will be back up to 10 before you know it. You just need to turn it up together. Home alone and lonely Q I recently started working from…

3 Ways to… Save on breakdown cover for your car Don't pay more than you need – here's how to get it for less. 1 Choose the right level Work out what kind of cover you need. The most basic option is roadside assistance, where a breakdown van will come to you and either fix your car on the spot or tow it to the nearest garage. If you'd prefer protection at home, consider home assist, which covers situations where your car won't start or has other issues. More comprehensive policies are available if you need additional cover, though these usually cost more. Before buying anything, check whether you already have breakdown cover included elsewhere – for example, through a packaged bank account or as part of a car purchase. If…

Shereen Simmonds, 34, Runcorn, Cheshire Climbing on to my uncle's lap, I wrapped my arms around his neck. ‘I'm going to marry you one day!’ I said. With that, he began tickling me all over. It was 1997 and, aged 6, I adored Uncle Jason, then 25. He was actually my cousin – my mum's sister's son. But I called him my uncle because he'd been raised by my nana and grandad. And he called me ‘princess’. He came over for dinner all the time and I'd go to his house for a few hours after school. We'd watch TV and play video games together. I loved hanging out with Uncle Jason. One day, when I was 7, we were play-fighting in his living room. But as he wrestled me…

TEXT Simply text CHATB followed by a space and your answer/s (spaces between answers please) full name, door number and postcode to 63333 Texts cost 50p plus standard network charge (maximum 160 characters per text). When you enter by text, you may in future get SMS marketing messages from Future plc and Chat. If you want to receive these, please end your text with OPTIN. Texting tips Don't put any spaces in an answer that has several words: eg: CHATISTHEBEST not CHAT IS THE BEST. If the answer is a name, you need only give the surname: eg: CLOONEY not GEORGE CLOONEY. You can use capitals or small letters, but don't use any commas, etc. Leave out answers you don't wish to enter. INTERNET Join our Chat Comp Club now and…

Dear Emily, The moment we first met is etched in my memory. It was July 2023, and I ran an evening dress business from home. You came bounding through my door, full of personality. Warm and bubbly, you chatted away as you browsed the dresses in my storeroom. You told me all about what inspired you to enter your first pageant. As the official dress sponsor, I was providing all the competitors with gowns. A few months later, we saw each other again at a pageant Christmas social. We sat next to each other and giggled the night away. Despite a 15-year age gap, we had so much in common. Me and my husband Toby, then 45, had four daughters between us. At 28, you had a young daughter with…

RETRO STYLE TIP Colour blocking and graphic details create a fun look which works great with jeans. Add accessories in matching colours to make the trainers pop. SLIP-ON STYLE TIP A winning trainer for style, comfort and ease, their sleek silhouette makes them the perfect addition to a pair of wide-leg tailored trousers. WHITE STYLE TIP A classic for a reason! Embrace their versatility and wear with anything from maxi dresses to jeans for a fresh, minimalist look. FROM £15 CHUNKY STYLE TIP Balance out their bulkier shape with a pair of straight-leg jeans. Try adding sunglasses and a baseball cap for ultimate cool.…

Elle Mortimer, 32, Billericay, Essex True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Tucking into my sandwich I felt a familiar tightness in my chest. ‘Excuse me a sec,’ I sighed to my cousin Zoe. It was July 2021, and we were having lunch in the garden. I'd been having dizzy spells and blackouts ever since I'd given birth to my youngest, Ted, six months before. Docs said they were panic attacks, caused by postnatal anxiety. They'd only last a few seconds at a time. And sure enough, just then, everything went black. Coming round, Zoe and my mum Pauline, then 56, were peering over me as I slumped in my chair. ‘Elle, that's a seizure, not anxiety,’ Zoe, a paramedic, frowned. She insisted I let Mum take me for an MRI scan. Two days…

Used extensively in the past as a fixative in perfumes, ambergris is a substance derived from what animals? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Grates = RAPS + S = RASPS. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. WIN 2 × £25 Puzzle 9 Grates Haste Shreds Attempted Punctuation mark Underground drain Throttle Highways Duvet Loathes Part of the hand Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

How do you do? Once upon a time – not that long ago, in fact! – it was frowned upon for women to shake men's hands. Especially men we didn't know, god forbid! It was considered a disrespect on both sides and gave a sense of overfamiliarity. Now though, in settings like the workplace, things have changed. Some cultures may still have their own customs when it comes to physical contact, so make sure you read the room. But generally, when it comes to men shaking a woman's hand, it'd be rude not to. Hold the door As with so many old-school etiquette ‘rules’, men opening doors came down to chivalry. It was about men being gentlemen and treating women a certain way. In modern times though, it doesn't work…

Angela McCurdy, 52, Donaghadee, Co Down Holding my inhaler to my lips, I took a deep breath in. One… two… three… Still my chest felt tight, like my airways were closing. ‘Are you OK?’ my husband Mark, then 44, asked. I shook my head. It was autumn 2011 and Mark and I were at home, having just eaten dinner. Out of nowhere, I'd started struggling to breathe. I'd suffered with asthma my whole life, managed it with medication and inhalers. I'd had many asthma attacks over the years, but this was terrifying. ‘I'm calling an ambulance,’ Mark panicked, dialling 999. Before I knew it, I was being rushed to Belfast's Ulster Hospital. ‘Everything will be OK,’ Mark reassured me. My daughters from a previous relationship, Chloe, then 18, and Beth,…

WIN £500 Puzzle 16 The answers to all but one of these quiz questions can be found hidden in this wordsearch grid, reading forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonally. To help you, we'll tell you that the answers are in alphabetical order in each section. However, one answer can't be found in the grid. This is your prize puzzle answer. TOMATO 1 The annual tomato fight festival of La Tomatina, billed as the world's largest food fight, takes place in which Spanish town? (5)2 In the 1964 children's book by Louise Fitzhugh, what is the name of the main character, whose favourite food is a tomato sandwich? (7) 3 Which Dutch political party has a tomato in its logo? (9) BROWN WORCESTERSHIRE SOY CHILLI Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page…

Linda Zimny, 45, from Kirkcaldy What do you prefer, books or films? I prefer films. Weeks can pass by before I finish a book. However, it doesn't look that way, as I have books piled up everywhere! Most are spiritual or paranormal ones. Do you have any nicknames, and if so, how did you get them? The only one that comes to mind is ‘wee Linda’. I've always been on the shorter side. Do you have pets? I don't. It wouldn't be fair as I travel a lot. Growing up we always had cats, and that would still be my top choice of pet. What's your favourite biscuit with a cuppa? I don't often eat biscuits or cake. But if I do open a packet of ginger nuts, I tend…

Flicking her long, glossy locks, Jen Shah smiled directly into the camera. ‘I make millions,’ she boasted. ‘You gotta do what you gotta do for money… I'm like the Wizard of Oz!’ Jen, then 46, was filming ahead of her reality TV debut on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City in 2020. Outspoken and glamorous, she brought big drama, big hair and even bigger spending. But she said she'd worked hard to get where she was. She lived with her husband Sharrieff Shah and their two sons in a sprawling mansion nicknamed the Shah Ski Chalet. Jen wore head-to-toe designer clothes and had several assistants, AKA the Shah Squad. Spend, spend, spend She claimed to spend $50,000 a month (£36,000) maintaining her ‘Shah-mazing’ lifestyle. Even forking out over $80,000…

Bleeding after sex Q I've noticed some spotting of blood after sex – it's bright red and not painful. Should I be worried? Imogen, Southwark A Spotting after sex is quite common and usually not serious. Occasional light bleeding is often due to minor irritation, vaginal dryness or hormonal changes. However, if it's happening regularly – especially for more than three months – see your GP. Causes can include infections, such as chlamydia, or cervical changes, so make sure your smear test is up to date. Very rarely, it can signal something more serious, which is why seeing a GP is important. They will likely do an examination and may arrange tests to rule out anything significant. Most causes are treatable. In the meantime, wash with water only and avoid…

Sarah Roberts, 76, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire Taking in the view of Table Mountain, I turned to my husband George. ‘It's beautiful!’ I said to him. It was February 2017 and we were visiting family and friends in South Africa. And despite the fact that neither George, then 70, nor I were runners, a friend talked us into completing a parkrun with them in the foothills of the mountain. We'd walked most of the 5km distance but I'd loved the breeze on my face, and the breathtaking views. So much so, that back home, George and I signed up to some local parkruns. At the first session, we joined hundreds of others, of all ages and abilities. What had started out as a stroll quickly turned into a jog. And before…

Fiona Arscott-Smith, 63, Leighton Buzzard, Flicking through the pages of my book, I was enchanted. The illustrations of tiny creatures perched among wildflowers had me spellbound. Aged 8, in 1970, I adored the classic Flower Fairies series of children's books by Cicely Mary Barker. Reading all about the acorn, bluebell and forget-me-not fairies. I want to be a fairy when I grow up, I thought. I also collected unicorn figurines. Spent hours in my bedroom playing, reading and making up spells. My love of all things magical continued into adulthood. By my mid-20s, I was still mad on fairies. But life took a different turn when I joined the RAF's catering division at Biggin Hill, Bromley. That was where I met my husband Kevin, who also served in the catering…

Smash burgers and fries Top these diner-style patties with anything you fancy – great for picky eaters. SERVES 6 PREP 5 MINS COOK 15 MINS 300g frozen French fries 3tbsp olive oil 2tbsp chip seasoning (we used Old Bay) 500g good-quality beef mince 1 red onion, thinly sliced in rounds 6 cheese slices (optional)  6 seeded burger buns, sliced and toasted 3 gherkins, sliced lengthways 2 large tomatoes, sliced Green salad, to serve FOR THE BURGER SAUCE 3tbsp ketchup 3tbsp mayonnaise 1tbsp American mustard 1tbsp vinegar from the gherkin jar ½tsp garlic powder 1 Heat the oven to 200C Fan. In a large bowl, toss the fries with 1tbsp oil, chip seasoning and a generous pinch of salt. Spread on a large baking tray and bake for 12 to 15…

Aries 21 March-20 April Venus is in your sign, so luck is on your side in both your romantic and working life. Seize opportunities and know that you're right on track. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Others see you as placid and calm, but may get a shock when they discover you can stand your ground. Don't be afraid to show your assertive side! ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June As an air sign, you're communicative and sociable. Use these skills when you find yourself having to navigate a difficult conversation. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Find new ways of creating more inner calm. If you've been feeling stressed out lately, make time…

Q I'm trying to grow my hair, but it's really slow! How can I speed things up? Fiona Cooper, Brighton A Waiting for your hair to grow can feel like an endless game. So, help things along with affordable buys that encourage your scalp to produce more hair follicles. Start by incorporating a scalp scrub into your routine, like Sephora Collection Cleansing Scalp Scrub, £15.99, Sephora. The gritty formula is made of 90% natural origin ingredients that purify your scalp by removing product build-up and impurities. The motion of the massage increases the blood circulation, which encourages new hair growth, so should help speed up your growth. Follow with L'Oréal Paris Elvive Collagen Lifter Shampoo, £9, lookfantastic.com, which lifts and volumises thin and flat hair for up to 72 hours,…

Finishing school for the day on 9 June 2023, Brooklyn Bashford, then 15, read a text on his phone from Derek – his grandma Elaine's ex-husband. Meet me at Costa, it read. Although the pair had divorced years earlier, Derek was still part of Elaine's life. He was close with her daughter Chloe, then 30, who was Brooklyn's mum, and her husband, Josh, then 33. Chloe called him ‘stepdad’, and he was like a grandad to her four kids. Derek popped in to see them almost every day. He helped with cleaning and decorating, even the school run. After picking the kids up, he'd often take them out for a bite to eat. That day, when Brooklyn walked into the coffee shop to meet Derek at 3.15pm, his two sisters,…

Anyone from your town in the list this week..? Chat winners issue 46 (13 November 2025) £1,001 CASH S Wakely, Bristol £500 CASH H Evans, London L Reynolds, Wolverhamptonl £250 CASH B Jones, Powys MS Colbourne, Cannock £200 CASH A Young, Portsmouth £100 CASH S Branton, Aylesbury K Barrett, Bolton R Long, Lowestoft £75 CASH E Clifford, South Shields £50 CASH M Wigley, Derby J Blundy, Sherborne S Wilson, Great Yarmouth A Craig, Ballymena A Mascall, Shepton Mallet A Etherington, Banbury £40 CASH E Hogg, Ashington £30 CASH M Ford, Chichester A Barnes, Lincoln £25 CASH B Waller, Powys R Griffiths, London £20 CASH S Matthews, Isle of Man S James, Corwen S Evans, Liverpool E Walters, Northampton L Wheatstone, Cwmbran S McMullan, Coleraine D Higgins, Gloucester D Ramsey, Folkestone P…