Table of contents for 12 March 2026 in Chat

Welcome to this week's Chat… There's a lot in the news about kids using social media, and one strong voice raising the alarm is Esther Ghey, who shares her heartbreaking story on p6. Her daughter Brianna was murdered by two teens and Esther blames the shocking crime on the damaging online content shown to her girl's killers. Before her untimely death, Brianna's phone addiction caused her trauma, too. That's why Esther is supporting our sister magazine, Woman's Own, in their campaign to ban social media for under-16s. If you share her worries, sign their petition on p7. Have a great week,…

Swishing in, my daughter Brianna, then 15, flicked her long, auburn hair. ‘Here I am,’ she declared, her manicured hand clutching her pink smartphone. Dressed in her favourite fluffy white coat, with perfect make-up, she looked gorgeous. Except… ‘Why are you wearing such a short skirt, Brianna?’ I sighed. Ready for an argument, she raised a neat eyebrow. Another battle I'm not going to win, I thought. Brianna was very strong-willed, knew her own mind. Born a boy, Brett, in 2020, aged 14, she'd started living as Brianna, a trans girl. I'd lovingly accepted her. So had my husband Wes, Brianna's stepdad, then 26, and her sister Alisha, 16. We all just wanted her to be happy. But with poor eyesight, asthma, ADHD, autism and social anxiety, life was tough…

Holding a tiny newborn in my arms, I smiled at my colleague. ‘This is the best job in the world,’ I said. It was February 2017, and I'd been working as a midwife at Birmingham City Hospital for the last 18 months. Aged 25, I was young and energetic, so the 12-hour shifts didn't bother me. The work was rewarding. Especially the unlimited baby cuddles! But half way into my shift, at 2am, I found myself on the floor in a hospital corridor. One moment I'd been walking to the front desk, the next I was flat on my left side. ‘Are you OK?’ a colleague asked me. ‘I must've slipped,’ I said, feeling dazed. Jumping up, I got back to work, putting it down to heat and tiredness. But…

YOU'RE THE JUDGE! As Kathleen McLean started chatting to hunky surgeon Ingolf Tuerk online, she was drawn to his rugged good looks. It was November 2017 and both Kathleen and Ingolf, who used the nickname Harry, were newly single, having both recently finalised divorces. With his bulging muscles and handsome face, Harry was labelled an Arnold Schwarzenegger lookalike in medical scrubs. Chief of urology at St Elizabeth's Medical Center in Boston, he was plastered on billboards promoting his work. Single mum Kathleen was a reiki master, psychic and medium, and liked helping people, too. A match made in heaven, it seemed. The couple enjoyed dinner dates, live music and rides on Harry's motorbike. After a whirlwind fourmonth romance, Harry proposed marriage. Kathleen and her three children, Sam, Sophia and Grace,…

New UTI treatment Q My daughter keeps getting urinary tract infections, and antibiotics don't seem to work. I've read about a new medicine called Blujepa – what is it, and could it help her? Vivian, Wrexham A Blujepa is a new antibiotic recently approved in the UK for uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women and girls aged 12 and over. It's effective even for bacteria that's grown resistant to other treatments. But it won't be available on the NHS until mid-2026. In the meantime, daily D-mannose supplements can reduce the recurrence of the infection, and good hydration is key. Reducing caffeine and fizzy drinks helps, as does wiping front to back. Encourage your daughter to wear breathable underwear and avoid holding urine for long periods. Speak to your GP for advice. What's this…

In the passenger seat of my mum's silver Hyundai car, I looked out at the cold dark night as we chatted away. ‘How was work?’ Mum asked, her eyes on the road. ‘Good, thanks,’ I replied, turning up the volume on the radio. It was just after 5pm on 27 January 2021. Mum, Sue, then 60, was driving me home from my job as a nursery nurse apprentice. Only 19, it was a job I loved. I adored kids. But when I wasn't working I enjoyed running and going out with friends. The youngest of four, I still lived at home with Mum, and my dad, Rocky, 50. And as I didn't drive yet, luckily Mum was happy to ferry me to and from work. Soon we were both singing…

Growing up, Mandy was a chubby child. As she got older, she continued to gain weight. By her early 20s, she weighed 300lb – or 21st 6lb. Quiet and reserved, she lacked self-confidence. When she met John in 2007, on the video game World of Warcraft, the pair fell madly in love. Like Mandy, John was overweight too. Together, they decided they wanted to overhaul their lives – and their eating habits. ‘We went on a weight-loss journey together,’ explains Mandy proudly. Their plan achieved dramatic results. John really slimmed down. And Mandy lost 11st. More than halving her body weight! So happy to be 10st 7lb, she was filled with new-found self-confidence. And, as a result of her weight loss, she then began another transformation. One that nobody expected.…

Holding my newborn in my arms, my heart swelled. ‘I can't believe she's real,’ I told Mum who looked on, proudly. With mousy brown hair and beautiful light blue eyes, my baby girl, Milana, was perfect. The birth had been tough, and I'd ended up needing emergency forceps. But now she was here, safe and sound. Back home, I quickly settled into my new role. The nappies were endless and the nights were long, but I wouldn't have changed a single thing. Besides, as a trainee nurse, I was used to night shifts. Then, one night, when Milana was 4 weeks, I was struggling to express enough milk for her bottle. ‘My milk must be drying up,’ I thought. Remembering Sian's advice, I started massaging my boobs to stimulate milk…

L'Oréal Paris Telescopic Extensionist Mascara, £13.99, Boots Level up your lashes with this lengthening and lifting formula, infused with fibres that help to elongate eyelashes dramatically. The brush has over 300 bristles to sculpt and separate each hair for beautifully curled, inky lashes. Schwarzkopf Creme Supreme, £12, amazon.co.uk At-home dye just got a lot more caring. This three-step system protects hair from prep to colour to aftercare, reducing breakage and leaving it healthier, with vibrant, longlasting results. The Inkey List Starter Retinol Serum, £12, spacenk.com Retinoids are the gold standard in antiageing, targeting lines, tone and texture. The downside is they can cause irritation, which makes this gentle starter serum ideal for first-time users or sensitive, rosaceaprone skin. St. Moriz Advanced Bronze Shimmer Self-Tan Lotion, £9.99, Superdrug This bronze-ina-bottle glides…

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DENIM STYLE TIP There's a denim jacket for everyone. A slouchy classic will look great over dresses, while darker washes with clean lines pair perfectly with tailoring. FLEECE GILET STYLE TIP Wear with a long-sleeved T-shirt, wide-leg jeans and sleek trainers for a cool weekend outfit. BOMBER JACKET STYLE TIP Add to a pair of wide-leg tailored trousers and pointed slingbacks for a modern take on workwear. FROM £20 QUILTED STYLE TIP The perfect transitional layering piece. Size up and style over chunky knitwear or hoodies for an effortlessly casual look.…

Turning on the shower, I let the water warm up as I whipped off my clothes. With just a quick turnaround between finishing work as a secretary and heading out for dinner with my husband Dave, then 61, I didn't bother taking out my contact lenses. What's the point? I thought. I'd only have to pop them back in again afterwards. Besides, after being prescribed glasses at the age of 4, I'd been wearing lenses for the past 40 years. But over the next few months, my right eye became sore and irritated. Repeated trips to the chemist for various eye drops didn't help. And by June 2012, it was so painful, the pharmacist referred me to the optician. ‘It could be acanthamoeba keratitis,’ she said. Also known as AK,…

Footsteps ran up the stairs, then a head popped around my bedroom door. ‘Can I borrow £20 for petrol, Mum?’ my son Alex, then 27, grinned. Rolling my eyes, I reached for my bag on the bed. ‘Here you go,’ I said, as he winked at me, cheekily. Alex was always in a rush or forgetting things. Ever since he was little, he went at 100mph. The youngest of three, Alex was the baby of the family. There wasn't anything his older sisters Victoria and Louise wouldn't do for him. He loved fishing, getting into the Christmas or Halloween spirit – any excuse to decorate the house. And he doted on his two young daughters too. Recently, in June 2021, he'd split from his wife and he'd moved back in…

FOUR-LEGGED FRIEND STYLISH SLOGAN BUDGET BUY…

3 ways to… Start saving Our tips and tricks will get you motivated. 1 Visualise the outcome It can be much easier to forgo treats to save money if you keep the bigger picture in mind. Be clear about what you're saving for and remind yourself regularly. Put images of your goal somewhere you'll see them often, such as on your fridge. You could even make a small wrapper with the image to place around your credit card, so you have to remove it before using the card. Staying focused on your goal can make it much easier to resist temptations that move you further away from achieving it. 2 Monitor progress Seeing your savings grow over time can be a powerful motivator, as it shows how even small amounts add…

Top tip Pineapple and sweet peppers make a tasty combo with pork, but this would be great with chicken too. Sweet and sour pork A lighter twist on a Chinese fave, using staples from the store cupboard and freezer. SERVES 1 PREP 5 MINS, COOK 10 MINS 113g tub pineapple chunks in juice, drained, juice reserved 1tsp soy sauce 1tsp cornflour Zest and juice ½ lime 1tsp brown sugar  Splash of rapeseed oil/vegetable oil for frying 1 garlic clove, crushed 1cm chunk root ginger, grated 80g frozen sliced peppers or 3 mixed baby peppers, sliced 2 spring onions, sliced 100g pork medallion, sliced into strips  1tbsp cashew nuts Cooked rice, to serve 1 Mix the reserved pineapple juice with the soy sauce, cornflour, lime zest and juice, and sugar. Set…

Aries 21 March-20 April Confidence is called for now when it comes to making plans for the future. Focus on your main priorities and don't be afraid to put your foot down if needed. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Your sign is ruled by Venus, planet of love and beauty. While you prefer to keep the peace, this week you may need to insist on and enforce some boundaries. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Your worth is not based on how others see you, so please try to remember that. Practise developing more self-acceptance. You're deserving of the best. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Find a quiet space just for yourself to…

Q I have dry lips, but I love wearing lipstick. What's the best way to nourish them? Pam Smith, 61, Sheffield A As we come out of winter, it's not uncommon for lips to feel dry, tight and depleted, which means lipstick won't look its best. Collection Lip Spa Overnight Lip Mask, £5.99, Superdrug, brings lips back from the brink with peptides, avocado oil and vitamin E. During the day, use The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm, £8.50, Boots, to support the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss. If your dry lips flake, the alpha hydroxy acids in Avon Anew Revival Lip Treatment, £10.50, avon.uk.com, will help create a smooth, pillowy surface. Consistency is key, so keep a balm in your handbag or on your desk to top…

What do you like doing while having a cuppa? I stop for a takeaway cappuccino when I go for a walk along the beach near my house. In summer it's bustling with families, and in winter it's silent and empty. A lovely contrast. Which place do you most like to visit? I love York. Each time I go I find something new and interesting, like the history of a building or an old folk tale. I enjoy trying the different coffee shops. It's peaceful to sit and read or watch the world pass by. Ideal way to spend a Saturday night? With my partner Paul, 55. If the weather's drab, we go to the cinema or for a meal out. Sometimes we just snuggle on the sofa and watch telly.…

What does media personality Kylie Jenner say is the craziest rumour she has heard about her family? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the six-word prize answer. ACROSS 11 Select (6) 12 Large spider (9) 13 Charts (4) 14 Put up with (8) 15 Manages (5) 16 Great fear (6) 17 Breathes out (7) 18 Rock band fronted by Robert Plant (3,8) 20 Boasts (5) 22 Straight away (9) 24 Elevate (5) 28 Red semi-precious gems (7) 29 Symbol of Scotland (7) 32 1978 film musical (6) 34 Spring flower (8) 36 Type of garment (8) 37 Heat (6) 39 Patron, backer (7) 40 Mythical creature (7) 45 Nasty (5) 47 Card game for one person (9) 48 Permit (5) 51 William _, playwright (11) 53 Broad streets (7) 55 Guidance (6) 56 Park seat (5) 58 Kept separate (8) 59 In this place (4) 60 Get rid of (9) 61…

1 Have a routine The body and brain respond best to consistency, says Dr Deborah Lee of doctorfox.co.uk. ‘Even at weekends, you'll feel better if you don't lie in too long, because too much sleep can cause headaches and even trigger migraines. We need seven to eight hours of quality shut-eye for optimal health, so try to stick to a regular bedtime too.’ 2 Stretch Stretching can set you up for a more energised and motivated day, says psychotherapist and fitness instructor Eloise Skinner. ‘You'll release feel-good hormones, like dopamine and serotonin, and the fact of completing the task will give you a sense of achievement and set you up for the day.’ Look for guided stretching tutorials on YouTube. 3 Prioritise breakfast Never have time to eat before leaving the house in the morning?…

1 When replying to a funny message, the emoji you use is… A Laughing face, obviously!  B Skull (AKA dying with laughter), NEVER the laughing face  C At least three crying-withlaughter faces, if not more D What's an emoji? 2 The coffee you order is usually… A A flat white  B Cold brew C Cappuccino  D Tea. I hate coffee 3 The socks you wear with your trainers are… A Ankle socks. Meant to be worn and not seen B Branded crew socks – the brighter the better  C The comfiest you can find D Whatever's clean 4 A ‘nice bottle of red’ sounds… A Perfectly fine  B A bit basic  C Sophisticated D I prefer sherry 5 Your love for Harry Potter is… A Still going strong B Over. You loved it once, but have…

Torn between my job and baby Q My job used to mean everything to me, but since having a baby I am dreading going back every day after maternity leave. I can't picture myself at work any more and the thought of leaving my child every day makes me anxious. Part of me feels guilty for not wanting to go back, another part wonders if I even should. How do I figure out what's right for me and my family? Sarah, 28 A Babies change everything. This is a whole new chapter, sweetheart. Priorities have shifted - it would be strange if they hadn't. Let go of old roles that don't serve the new you. What sparks joy in your life right now? Only you know your finances, but if…

Plopping the shopping bags on the kitchen floor, I pulled up a chair and sat down. It was October 2020, and I'd been feeling nauseous all day. At 27, I was a student nurse, juggling coursework with a placement in a hospital. With just one year left until I was fully qualified, I had a position lined up on the vascular ward at Royal Oldham Hospital. My dream job. I lived in my own house, and loved my independence. Only, lately, this sick feeling had been creeping up on me. And my period was late… ‘It was just one time,’ I thought to myself, thinking back to the night I'd spent with an old friend a few weeks earlier. It wasn't something I made a habit of. Afterwards, we'd gone…

A Woman of Substance DON'T MISS C4 ● An impoverished maid in Yorkshire goes on a dizzying journey to become the world's richest woman in this new adaptation of Barbara Taylor Bradford's novel, which was first made into a TV miniseries in 1985. In this eight-part rags-to-riches saga, House of Guinness star Jessica Reynolds and a glammed-up Brenda Blethyn both play Emma Harte as the story of her life unfolds throughout the 20th century and follows her revenge-driven climb to the top, doing whatever it takes to get there. The cast also includes Emmett J. Scanlan, Will Mellor, Jo Joyner and Lenny Rush. The Capture BBC1 ● As the conspiracy thriller returns for a third series, Rachel Carey (Holliday Grainger) is now heading up the Counter Terrorism Command and must…

Walking into the living room, I locked eyes with a man. ‘Hi, I'm Jordan,’ he said, with a smile. It was 2019 and, aged 17, I'd just moved into a hostel, but I hardly left my room. I found it hard to trust anyone. Especially men. As a child, I had been sexually assaulted. Now my attacker was in prison and I was starting a new life. I had some contact with my mum, but mostly I was alone. I'd no self-confidence and it was a scary world out there. But slowly I was making more contact with the other people who lived there, in the communal space. A few days later, Jordan knocked on my door. ‘Want a bacon sarnie?’ He offered, but I shook my head. Still, I…

The weather was cold and wintry as 25-year-old estate agent Stephanie Slater headed to a property viewing in Great Barr, on the outskirts of Birmingham. It was early morning on 22 January 1992 and she'd arranged to show a potential buyer, Bob Southall, around a house on Turnberry Road. But it soon became clear that it wasn't the house that Bob was interested in… As Stephanie made her way upstairs to show him the bathroom, Bob launched himself at her. Armed with a knife, he yelled at the young woman. Told her not to scream, make a noise, fight back. Or he'd kill her. But instinct meant Stephanie did call out. She tried to fight back as Bob pushed her into the bath. Only, when she saw her hand had…