Table of contents for 2 November 2023 in Chat

Boo! We’ve packed this issue with Halloween treats, from real-life witches (p23) to Joy, who’s made a killing in the business of murder mysteries (p24) – plus delicious spooky snacks to bake at home (p40). We’ve also got a couple of stories about women who got a different kind of fright… Jennifer, who found another woman’s undies in her bed (p44), and Celina, who’d been married for years when she learnt she was related to her hubby (p34). Now that is scary! Have a great week,…

Settling on the sofa with a bucket of popcorn, I flicked on the telly. Jamie Lee Curtis’ character Laurie Strode from the film Halloween filled the screen. In the next shot, serial killer Michael Myers raised his knife… I shut my eyes, then opened them again, hooked on the action but not daring to watch. It was Halloween 2018 and I found the scary films on TV a thrill but when I turned them off, the blood and gore faded. Until one evening in March 2020 when I was 20. Me and my mate Max Yates, then 19, had been out in his little black Clio. Turning the corner into a quiet road Max pointed out of the driver’s window. ‘Look, there’s Martyn Logan,’ he said. Martyn, then 29, was…

What do actors Kristen Stewart and Tina Hobley have in common? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the fourword prize answer. WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 ACROSS 1 Presents (5) 4 Corridor (4) 6 Young people (8) 13 Coming down to earth (7) 14 Morgan _, actor (7) 15 Remove hair with a razor (5) 16 Young horse (4) 17 Mixes (6) 18 Tooth covering (6) 20 Short letter (4) 21 Be of the same opinion (5) 22 Liam _, Taken actor (6) 25 Thrilling (8) 28 Spooks (6) 30 Bird of prey (5) 32 Writer of music (8) 34 Children’s play area item (6) 35 Simple card game (4) 38 Payment method (6) 39 Divine messenger (5) 40 Relative (6) 43 Optimum (4) 44 Disney film, _ and the Beast (6) 45 George Michael hit, _ Whisper (8) 48 Actor, _ Witherspoon (5) 49 A dozen (6) 51…

Why does it hurt when I go running? Q I had to stop marathon training because of pain in the side of my knee. My GP says it’s runner’s knee – what’s that? Emmie, Stockport A Runner’s knee isn’t really a diagnosis, but a catch-all term for problems that can affect runners. Pain in the outer side of your knee could point to the most common form, iliotibial band syndrome – or ITBS. Your iliotibial band is a layer of tough tissue that runs down the outside of your thigh, between your hip and knee. Sometimes it can rub against the lower end of your thigh bone as you run, causing it to become inflamed and painful, particularly when you are running downhill. This is ITBS and is most likely…

1 Think ahead Plan out all your meals – including snacks – for the week ahead. One study* revealed that individuals who planned their meals were found to have a healthier, more varied diet and lower levels of obesity. Then, organise your list in categories according to the layout of your local supermarket. This will reduce the time you spend accidentally browsing – and sometimes buying – things you don’t need. 2 Buy less meat With just one meat-free day a week, the average person can save £17.67 per month, says Natalie Mitchell from homehow.co.uk. By opting for plant-based proteins, such as beans, lentils or chickpeas, which are best value when dried, you’ll also be reducing your risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. 3 Avoid impulse buys Don’t shop when hungry,…

Meringue ghost pops Boo! These lollipops are great for adults and kids alike MAKES 7 PREP 20 MINS, PLUS COOLING COOK 1 HR ● 150g egg whites ● 300g caster sugar ● 50g dark chocolate, melted You will need: ● Large piping bag ● 1.5cm plain piping tube ● 7 lollipop or cookie sticks (not plastic) ● Small disposable piping bag ● Baking sheets, lined with baking paper 1 Heat the oven to 100C Fan/Gas ½. Whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Slowly add half the sugar, a spoonful at a time, whisking well after each addition, then whisk in the remaining sugar. 2 Spoon the mixture into the large piping bag fitted with the plain piping tube. Pipe ghost shapes onto the baking sheets, at alternate sides…

Laying out the picnic blanket in the garden, I basked in the sunshine, taking in the blue, cloudless sky, the hum of bees. And the hunk in trunks sitting in a deckchair just a few feet away… It was June 2021 and Aleks, then 30, had recently rented a room in the house share where I lived. Peering over my sunglasses, I admired his muscular frame. At 6ft 5in, with broad shoulders and a rippling torso, he was built like a swimwear model. ‘All settled in?’ I asked him, trying to start up a conversation. Aleks just shrugged. ‘It’s OK, I guess,’ he replied, standoffish. But I wasn’t deterred. ‘I know the landlord, it’s a lovely place. You’ll fit in in no time,’ I chattered. I was going through a…

Palette London Vintage Rose Nail Paint, £8, palettelondon.com This brand new dusky pink nail varnish will look great on your nails, whatever the season. Not only is it 70% plant-based, it also strengthens your nails, is longlasting, has a gel effect finish and is free from 21 potentially harmful ingredients. Use this super glossy polish for a professionallooking manicure for a fraction of the price. W7 Pink Blur Loose Powder, £4.50, w7makeup.co.uk A finely milled pink powder that will be the perfect product to help your make-up look flawless and last all day. Use under the eyes to prevent concealer creasing, on your T-zone to prevent shine and to brighten the rest of your face. The pink tones help to even your complexion and balance colour.…

It was 30 March 1991 when the body of 23-year-old Rachael Johnson was found by a horrified passerby. The single mum to a 3-year-old had died of blunt-force trauma. Tracing her last steps, detectives discovered Rachael had spent the previous evening out with a friend in Akron, Ohio. Only, her friend had got a puncture during the drive back at 2.30am. She’d pulled over, and Rachael had got out. ‘I’ll make my own way home,’ she’d said, while her pal drove the rest of her way back on the flat tyre. Rachael never did make it home. Her body was found on the street. She had been raped repeatedly, stabbed 10 times in the chest. Her body doused in flammable liquid and set alight. During the post-mortem, a DNA profile…

Dear Elijah, I wasn’t paying much attention that night in March 2019, as I flicked through the TV channels. You, my little Elijah, then 2, were tucked up in bed. But thank God I settled on that chat show, because it saved my life. Celebs were talking about checking for breast cancer. I’d not heard of any Black women like me having it, and I was only 28. Yet, as a single mum, I decided I should check. In the shower the next day, my fingers fell on a grape-sized lump in my right breast. When tests confirmed it was breast cancer, you were my only thought. My loving, sensitive boy. What would you do without your mummy? I had to survive. Days later, in June 2019, family gathered for…

YOU’RE THE JUDGE! On 31 October 2017, a manhunt was underway. After being called to a flat in Cedar Creek Landing, Jacksonville, Florida, officers had discovered a gruesome scene. Not a haunted house, set up by Halloween revellers. This horror was all too real. Two women had been shot in the head. One, Ashlee Rucker, was dead. Her sister, Lisa Rucker, was somehow still alive, but choking on her own blood. And now, among the Halloween partygoers and trick-or-treaters in ghoulish fancy dress, a real monster was at large. Ashlee’s boyfriend, Chad Absher. Ashlee, 30, had met Chad one spring day just over three years earlier. Swept up in their love story, the two soon moved in together, along with Ashlee’s young son. Only her family soon suspected that her…

Q My boobs are starting to look puckered and wrinkled! Is that normal – and how can I stop it? Gill, Wandsworth A Depends what you mean by ‘puckered’. An area of skin on just one breast that’s dimpled, crinkled or pulled inwards should be checked immediately, as it’s a possible sign of cancer. But ordinary wrinkles can also affect your breasts, particularly in the skin between them (so-called cleavage wrinkles), which appears crinkled and crepey. The major culprit is the sun, so use sunscreen or cover up outdoors. Smoking, age and an inherited tendency to wrinkles can also be partly to blame. Sleeping on your side or wearing a bra that squeezes your breasts can leave skin creases in your cleavage. Wearing a comfortable bra, even at night, can…

Ghostbusters (1984) Three eccentric parapsychologists start their own ghost-catching business and have to save New York from a shape-shifting demon. Fun fact: The number of the Ghostbusters hotline in the film was run in real life during the film’s release. Callers heard a pre-recorded message saying calls couldn't be answered as the team were busy busting ghosts. Scare factor: Coco (2017) Youngster Miguel is transported to the Land of the Dead, and has to seek help from a musical ancestor to get him back home. Fun fact: Keep your eyes peeled and you’ll spot references to other Pixar films, such as The Incredibles, Finding Nemo and Toy Story. Scare factor: Casper (1995) After moving into a crumbling mansion, the daughter of an afterlife therapist is recruited by Casper, a friendly…

3 ways to… dodge spending tricks Don’t accidentally shell out on more than you meant to. 1 'Free trials' could cost cash Enjoying a free trial of a service can be tempting, but always read the small print first. In many cases, you’ll be asked to provide payment details in order to get the free trial and it will be up to you to cancel in time if you don’t want to start paying for the service after the free period ends. To avoid being charged, check when you’ll need to cancel and make sure you do it by that date. 2 Beware of 'bargains' Seeing offers advertising huge discounts can be hard to resist. But before you get carried away, stop and think. If the discount is on something you…

Shetland BBC1 ● As the crime drama returns for its eighth series, Ashley Jensen stars as DI Ruth Calder, who goes back to her native Shetland Islands after 30 years away. She’s been working for the Metropolitan Police in London and she’s back to retrieve Ellen Quinn (Maisie Norma Seaton), the vulnerable witness to a gangland murder. Meanwhile, Tosh (Alison O’Donnell) is now Temporary DI at Lerwick Police Station, and she soon has to pause her investigation into a string of mysterious animal deaths to help find the young girl before it’s too late… Look out for Downton Abbey’s Phyllis Logan and former EastEnders villain Don Gilet among the cast. DON’T MISS DON’T MISS Time BBC1 ● There’s a change of both cast and scenery when Jimmy McGovern’s BAFTA-winning prison…

E.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter, £14, elfcosmetics.co.uk Mega-popular Halo Glow is even better now, thanks to a shade range extension – there are now 12 options to match a variety of skin tones. Use it as a primer to add a gorgeous glow underneath your make-up. Arkive The Body Hybrid Mousse, £13, Boots Add a flexible yet long-lasting hold to any hairstyle with this feather-light mousse. The formula adds gloss and shine without leaving hair looking greasy. Bondi Sands Squeaky Clean Reusable Make-up Pads, £12.99, bondisands.co.uk Ditch the wipes and stock up on these reusable make-upremoving pads. Just add water to lift away dirt, grime and make-up – perfect for your first stage of cleansing. Urtekram Shine Lavender Shampoo, £5.75, amazon.co.uk Certified organic, this shampoo will give a gorgeous,…

What’s your fave horror film? I’m not a big fan of horror films, they have me hiding behind the sofa. But if I had to pick one, it would have to be a spooky classic, like Halloween. And your favourite thing about yourself? I’m kind and always try to help others. Even if it’s just something small, like surprising a friend with a postcard or a bunch of flowers. I want to make the world a little brighter! Best memory this year so far? My most fun memory is taking our 2- and 5-yearolds to CBeebies Land at Alton Towers, seeing them screaming in delight on the kids’ roller coaster. It was a great day – they went on every ride and loved them all! If you could swap lives…

A place where the Beatles performed in the 60s, what’s depicted in the LS Lowry painting The Royal Iris? The number next to the clue tells you which line the answer’s in. We’ve put a section in to start you off! There may be two Across answers in one line. Down words fill themselves in. The shaded squares spell out the one-word prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 2 1 Cleft, fissure • Pass the tongue over 3 The making of amends 5 Make a mistake • Pork product 7 Tales of the _, with Hammy Hamster 9 Cigarette end or counterfoil • Nimble Your answer:…

FASHION All sizes 8-24 TU at SAINSBURY'S STYLE TIP Add interest with wintery textures such as faux fur, plus pops of bright colour. All sizes 8-24 GEORGE at ASDA STYLE TIP Denim skirts are everywhere. Team with a tucked-in tee or blouse to highlight the waist. All sizes 8-22 NUTMEG at MORRISONS STYLE TIP Pair a slinky skirt with a chunky roll-neck for a cool high-low look. All sizes 6-22 F&F at TESCO STYLE TIP A jumper dress is cosy and glam. Wear it with heeled boots or go casual with trainers.…

Paea Wolfgramm, a superheavyweight boxer who took silver at the 1996 Olympics, is which country’s only Olympic medallist? Solve the crossword, then read down the shaded squares to find the prize puzzle answer. ACROSS 1 Earl Grey, for example (3) 3 Comedian, _ Beckett (3) 5 Band, _ Direction (3) 6 Constantly find fault (3) 7 Jamaican music genre (3) DOWN 1 Utensils (5) 2 Stadium (5) 4 _ Bunny, cartoon rabbit (4) WIN 4 × £20 Puzzle 13 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

I'm in love with someone else Q I told a girl at work I’m in love with her. We’re both in relationships we’re not happy in any more. Over the last 18 months we’ve been sending each other steamy texts. She started sending me pics of herself and the other day she sent a topless one. Since I told her how I feel she’s been ignoring me and won’t reply to my messages. What should I do? Leroy, 27 A Sometimes we find ourselves attracted to work colleagues or friends. But are you sure you can share your feelings with this person? She might have simply got carried away and now regrets it. If you feel like you’re in love with someone else, end things with your current girlfriend. This…

27 Oct-2 Nov 2023 Aries 21 March-20 April Do you feel you’re truly living your purpose? With the North Node travelling through your sign, you have the opportunity to embrace a new direction. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May The Full Moon in your sign at the end of the month brings the focus to your body. Make a commitment to improving your health and energy levels. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Laugh a little more and worry less. Try to see all the positives in your life. There’s lots to be grateful for, so focus on what is bringing you the most joy. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Success is yours right…

Q Is it worth investing in skincare designed for menopausal skin? Valerie Thomas, Shenfield, Essex A Hot flushes, dry skin and accelerated ageing are all skin-based symptoms of menopause. To help combat this you might think that you need to turn to dedicated menopausal skincare, but some of these products can be really expensive. Instead look for products that are formulated to cool, hydrate and smooth skin, as they are more affordable yet still just as effective. To help soothe a hot flush, use Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea, £7, cultbeauty.co.uk, to spritz all over your face. Pop in the fridge for an extra dose of refreshment. Keep your skin plump and hydrated with Garnier SkinActive Hyaluronic Aloe Replumping Super Serum, £12.99, Boots, which is…

Chat winners issue 31 (3 Aug 2023) £1,001 CASH P Jackson, Sutton £500 CASH G Howard, West Bromwich L Powell, Coleford £250 CASH S Mills, Lichfield M Goldsmith, Stanley £200 CASH J Werry, Cumbria £100 CASH J McLoughlin, Birmingham A Hazzard, New Milton K Armstrong, Keighley £75 CASH S Guthrie, London £50 CASH P Long, Enniskillen E Jenkins, Llanelli S Barnes, Scunthorpe S Allen, Alford L Matfin, Hull M O’Neill, London £40 CASH M Brush, Antrim £30 CASH P Syrotinski, Cambridge L Parkins, Luton £25 CASH V Gardner, Nantwich E Jenkins, Llanelli Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £20 CASH K Williams, Bristol A Harris, Manchester E Rees, Swansea D Stevens, Wisbech S Tunney, Sheffield S LeBreton, Bradford C Dennis, Torpoint J Scott, Isle of Lewis S…