Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2024 i Woman & Home

Annabel Croft’s likeability, vulnerability and ability rightfully, in my opinion, cemented her in the semi-final of Strictly Come Dancing. Participants often talk about going on a journey but none perhaps quite as much as the former tennis ace who lost her husband, Mel, suddenly, only four months prior to donning her dancing shoes. The BBC show has seen her catapulted once again into the limelight and, in her words, helped her through her ‘horrendous’ grief. Annabel’s strength in the face of adversity is admirable and her relatability unquantifiable for so many of us who have lost a loved one. I hope her story on page 18 will resonate and help others going through something similar. Annabel tells us, ‘We’re all still trying to process it. I just think about what’s…

EASTER TABLE…

Margot Robbie After starring alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street in 2013, the 33-year-old Australian actor founded production company LuckyChap Entertainment. She went on to make a slew of hit films including I, Tonya and Bombshell, receiving numerous nominations for Academy Awards, BAFTAs and Golden Globes along the way. Barbie, which she produced and starred in, was the first film directed by a woman (Greta Gerwig) to make a billion dollars. When Barbie won a Golden Globe Award for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, Margot said, ‘This is a movie about Barbie, but it’s also a movie about humans. We made it for you and we made it with love.’ Emma Stone As one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors, 2024 is surely Emma Stone’s year. At just 35,…

If you’ve ever wondered about living with your best friends or a group of like-minded people, you’re not alone – co-housing is becoming increasingly popular. Over the past two decades, 11 new co-housing projects have been developed in the UK, while 15 existing properties have been redeveloped for the purpose and another 25 schemes are being planned. As well as sharing costs, the support, friendship and sense of community can be an uplifting way to enjoy life to the full. Here, three women share the planning, pitfalls and pleasures of communal living. ‘WE DECIDED TO GO FOR IT!’ Anne Thorne, 71, is an architect from London. She designed Cannock Mill Cohousing in Colchester, Essex, and now lives there with her husband Andrew, along with 26 other households. It was during…

My five-year-old daughter is adamant that she is going to marry her best friend Sophie* when she’s older. They’ve got it all planned out. Sophie will carry the baby in her tummy because my daughter Olive* doesn’t want the operation (she knows she was born via a Caesarean). But Olive will be the one to look after the baby at home while Sophie goes out to work. Because work, she believes, is boring. ‘When I grew up, schools were prohibited from mentioning that queer people even existed’ My first instinct when she told me this was to panic – what if Sophie has had the same conversation with her parents and it looks like my wife Jenny and I are pushing some kind of queer life onto our daughter and…

LUXE FOR LESS…

Azelaic acid is the latest beauty must-have for achieving that elusive glow. But it has actually been used by dermatologists for decades as a gentle way to treat lots of skin issues. Azelaic acid is produced by a yeast found naturally on our skin, and while it’s called an ‘acid’, it works differently to AHAs or BHAs because it has a soothing, calming effect. ‘In clinic, I use it extensively because it’s so well-tolerated,’ says skin expert Dr Sam Bunting. ‘In adult acne, many women also suffer from skin sensitivity, so their tolerance of retinoids and benzoyl peroxide can be tricky. Azelaic acid is a lifesaver.’ Used alongside retinoids, azelaic acid can help build the skin’s tolerance and prevent irritation, but it’s also brilliant at targeting pigmentation, melasma and redness,…

Prep for the new season Along with better weather can come sneezing, itchy eyes and a runny nose, but taking action now can help reduce hay fever symptoms later, says pollen expert Dr Beverley Adams-Groom. ‘The grass pollen season usually starts from late May to July, and is the main culprit in 95% of cases, while the tree pollen season starts in April or May.’ Already suffering? You’re not alone – almost half of adults in the UK experience hay fever symptoms, according to Allergy UK. What’s more, climate change is extending the pollen season, so Brits are struggling for longer. Talk to your GP or pharmacist about taking a short course of non-drowsy antihistamines before the start of the season. ‘Using steroid nasal sprays a week or two before…

THIS MONTH ✢ Heavy periods ✢ Belly button bacteria✢ Hepatitis A Q I had jaundice and discovered I’d picked up hepatitis A. My GP told me to rest for a while and my system would sort it out. I want to know how on earth I caught it and what effect will it have on me long term? He was too busy to explain! A Hepatitis A is incredibly common in countries where the water and sewage supplies are poor – an infected person passes the virus on through their bowel motions. Drinking dirty water contaminated with hepatitis A or eating fruit and veg that have been washed in contaminated water can result in infection. Shellfish can also be contaminated through sewage. Generally speaking, eating cooked food is fine so…

Broccoli and walnut pesto pasta Whizzing the broccoli into the sauce makes it creamy without adding calories. Serves 2• Prep 10 mins• Cook 15 mins 150g trofie pasta or other small pasta shape30g walnuts, toasted200g broccoli, florets and stalkSmall pack basil leaves, plus extra to serve30g finely grated Parmesan (or use a vegetarian alternative), plus extra to serveZest and juice 1 lemon1 garlic clove, crushed2 tbsp olive oilPinch chilli flakes, or fresh chilli 1 Cook the pasta according to the pack instructions. 2 Make the pesto by whizzing the walnuts in a food processor with the remaining ingredients until fairly smooth. Taste and season, and add more lemon juice, if you like. 3 Drain the pasta, reserving about 100ml of the cooking water. Return the pasta to the pan with…

Inspiration for a beautiful abodehome trendsPresented in partnership with As a new season arrives, so does the urge to revamp and decorate our spaces. This ‘out with the old and in with the new’ attitude usually amounts to a few new cushions and a swap around of furnishings. But, if you’re looking for a large-scale room refresh, colour is key. For the ultimate spring scheme, try pops of pastel to update a neutral room. Feeling brave? Opt for hot pinks and oranges to add energy to your interiors. Or if you prefer a calmer colour palette, look at the cool tones to give your home a relaxing feel. SOFT PASTELS Pastels don’t have to be confined to children’s rooms. Sorbet shades of dusky pink, pale yellow and soft mint can…

Exciting ways to get away from it allperfect escape SKIATHOS OUR PICK FOR Beach bums THE ISLAND Emerald pine-wooded Skiathos, memorably featured in the original 2008 film Mamma Mia!, is endowed with over 60 beaches – a surplus of silky sand in exquisite settings that few islands can match. Most of the beaches are on the south coast, culminating in Koukounaries, a stunning mile-long crescent of cream-coloured sand and shallow turquoise waters, backed by a wooded lagoon. The island’s one town, Skiathos Town, is a jewel. Embracing a bijou harbour, it’s packed full of top-notch restaurants, bars and night spots. THE STAY Peacefully isolated on a cliff overlooking the sea, yet only a five-minute walk from the buzzing heart of Skiathos Town, Chrysoula’s Guest House was originally the summer villa…

AN OPERATIC LEGEND Diva by Daisy Goodwin (£20, HB, Bloomsbury) Hailed as one of the greatest opera singers of all time, Maria Callas’ life was as dramatic and fascinating as her vocal range. In this fictionalised historical story, Goodwin delves into the Greek soprano’s extraordinary talent, hard-won fame, the pressures placed upon her, and her chequered love affair with rich shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. It’s a heartbreaking, insightful and compelling read. SHOCKING PAGE-TURNER Day One by Abigail Dean (£16.99, HB, HarperCollins) What could be worse than a gunman barging into the middle of a primary school play and opening fire? After the shocking Day One massacre, the loved ones of the victims are faced with a second act of terror against their town from those who say the event was…

POWERFUL PROSE Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion This is a marvellous collection of essays, most of which deal with California. I read them in the 1960s, which made me want to move there. It also made me want to write like Joan Didion. I never did. She had a darker vision of the world, but it was captivating in its craftsmanship. She’s talking about her younger self, but mostly talking about the degeneracy of a culture. DARK COMEDY P.S. Your Cat is Dead by James Kirkwood ‘It’s New Year’s Eve, your best friend’s just died, your girlfriend has left you and there’s no one to talk to except the gay burglar tied up in your kitchen.’ How could you not read that novel? It inspired me to write openly…

Dance SLEEPING BEAUTY Birmingham Royal Ballet’s magical rendition of this fairy-tale classic is dancing its way across the UK this spring. With Tchaikovsky’s glorious music played live by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, it’s not to be missed. Until 27 April; brb.org.uk Exhibitions ICONS OF BRITISH FASHION This spring, Blenheim Palace celebrates fashion from past to present, with clothing, accessories, archival materials, drawings, photos and patterns from designers including Stella McCartney and Vivienne Westwood. 23 March to 30 June; blenheim palace.com ENTANGLED PASTS This new exhibition at London’s Royal Academy brings together over 100 major works to explore the role art plays in shaping narratives of empire, enslavement, resistance, abolition and colonialism. Until 28 April; royalacademy.org.uk Theatre THE KITE RUNNER Touring the UK and Ireland, this theatrical adaptation of the bestselling…

It’s been said that journalism is the first rough draft of history. And certainly the past couple of years have been momentous in terms of royal reporting. The death of Queen Elizabeth II, the accession of her son, the internecine warfare of the Sussexes’ departure from royal life and Prince Andrew’s downfall. But one biographer has been given inside access to the first year of King Charles’ reign – and this portrait of a kind-hearted, emotional, compassionate yet highly indulged man is as close as we’re likely to get to the King, who was diagnosed with cancer last month just days after undergoing an operation for a benign enlarged prostate. In Robert Hardman’s Charles III, he charts the events of a seminal moment in time – when our longest-serving monarch…

C.L. TAYLOR is a Sunday Times bestselling thriller writer who’s sold over two million books in the UK, which have been translated into more than 30 languages. On page 175, she talks about her latest novel, Every Move You Make, which is out on 28 March. What’s your worst fashion mistake? I went to Zumba classes when my son was a baby. They said they were doing a fancy-dress class at the end of term, so I dressed as a pirate, complete with an eye-pencilled moustache and beard. I walked in and everyone else was wearing neon 80s leg warmers and headbands. ELEANOR TUCKER is a features writer and author of Thanks for Sharing. She’s working on a fiction project but she’s been distracted by the re-emergence of some of…

‘I’m proud of all my lines because they tell my story’ What are you like first thing in the morning? I’m pretty good. I’m a morning person and I like to get up early. I like routine, and as part of that, I have breakfast and do my exercise, whether that’s Pilates, running, yoga or taking the dog up the mountain near my house, and that’s my time. What’s your worst habit? Rubbing my eyes. I’m a real scratcher and I’m constantly rubbing my nose or my eyes, or scratching my head. I’m a real fidgeter and I’m very conscious of it when I’m filming live TV. Someone asked me if I’m anxious, so maybe I’m not as relaxed as I think I am. If you’re at home alone, what…

We live in a world where emojis convey more emotions than words, and LOL is a universal language of amusement, so it’s unsurprising that the art of modern manners finds itself in the midst of a quirky and unpredictable dance. Every generation thinks the ones that follow are ruder and less courteous. It’s a belief that dates back hundreds of years and will continue forever. Are we getting ruder? Maybe. But what has definitely changed is how easily we can interact with others, giving rise to the opportunity to annoy, irk and offend. Manners and etiquette are simply a series of conventions we follow to be nice, so we all rub along with others with little conflict. But whether it’s a passive-aggressive post, someone making a speakerphone call on the…

Even as a young child, I knew my family was different. When we went out, people would gape at us – not just children, but adults too, who should have known better. They were staring at David, my brother, who was born with a very rare chromosomal disorder and has profound disabilities. Not only does he look different, he also shouts a lot, drawing attention. It made me angry when people stared, and defensive of him. Secretly, I also felt frustrated – we couldn’t often do normal things as a family, like travel or go to the cinema. It was terrifying too, as David had seizures where he’d stop breathing. And, of course, it was very sad to know he would never get better. ‘The chances of us having the…

‘We dig about 90,000 bulbs by hand’ Jules Hardy, 45, and her husband Dave run Esker Farm Daffodils in Dromore, County Tyrone. THE IDEA I moved home to Northern Ireland with my husband Dave in 2006. Keen gardeners, we decided to create a daffodil haven – and we started posting pictures on social media. It was only a hobby, but our posts led to people asking if they could buy bulbs from us. We quickly realised that this could be a great part-time business. Daffodil farming tied in well with our teaching jobs, as the major work of digging the bulbs happens in the school summer holidays, with orders sent out in September. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT We worked hard to grow our own bulbs and seedlings. Our children – Theo,…

Katie Holmes in embroidered Chloé kicks, Hailey Bieber in fluorescent orange Nike Shox and Jennifer Lawrence in green suede Adidas Sambas… It’s official, snazzy sneakers are ‘in’ with the A-list crowd. And, much as I like a pair of classic white trainers, I’ve moved over to the bright side. Minimalism is all very well, but bolder footwear is better. And colourful sneakers look great with a monochrome outfit, providing the best of both worlds. As a comfy-shoe lover and long-term sneaker freak, it’s brilliant to see so many women running around town – if not actually running – in trainers. And, the good news is you don’t have to pay designer prices. I’ve always been a label purist when it comes to trainer shopping, and all the sportswear brands sell…

One of the most successful women in the beauty business, Michelle has built up an illustrious career that spans three decades. Having led global brands like Crème de la Mer, St Tropez and MAC Cosmetics, in 2017, she turned her attention to fragrance, founding British perfume brand Floral Street. Focusing on sustainability and inclusivity, the brand has sought to make fine fragrance both accessible and affordable to all. Here, she tells us her tips for long-lasting fragrance and reveals her beauty must-haves. TOP TRICK Well-moisturised skin will help your scent last longer. Ingredients like vanilla are known to linger, and using it in a fragrance helps to bind the other components together to make it last. Or choose eau de parfum over an eau de toilette to ensure that your…

Believe you have lots to achieve, but not sure how to make your dreams a reality? Maybe you’ve always wanted to start a small business or move abroad, but just can’t make the leap? If you’re plodding along rather than reaching your true potential, hypnotist and author Paul McKenna may have the answers with his powerful mindset tricks that could set you on the path to a brighter future. ‘For change to happen in the outside world, it first has to happen in your inside world – your mind,’ he explains. In his latest book, Success for Life, Paul shares his method for tapping into the key psychological states that can shift us into ‘the success zone’. Here’s a taster so you can try the techniques and start transforming your…

Three-ingredient chocolate pots Heat 200g ready-made custard and 200g chopped chocolate in a pan until melted and smooth. Whip another 300g ready-made custard and 300ml double cream to soft peaks. Fold into the chocolate mixture and pour into 8 small glasses. Chill for 2 hrs, then serve, sprinkled with chopped chocolate. Per serving: 381 cals, 29g fat, 18g sat fat, 25g carbs COME ON OVER Enjoy our relaxed Easter menu with family and friends. To start Elderflower martini A boozy classic gets a springtime makeover with this floral tipple. Makes 2• Ready in 5 mins Handful ice cubes25ml elderflower liqueur (we used St-Germain)50ml gin (we used Hendrick’s)50ml dry vermouth2 long thin strips cucumber, cocktail sticks, to garnish 1 Put the ice into a jug or cocktail mixer. 2 Pour in…

STAR LETTER OVERCOMING OBSTACLES I read All You Need Is Love [February] with great interest, as my husband is a wheelchair user. My parents worried about the marriage as they thought we’d be faced with obstacles. We were, but we overcame them all. We’ve been married for 44 years, have two children, and my husband has even received an MBE for services to the local community. I can honestly say I wouldn’t change a thing. Jan SPARK OF JOY After a pretty rubbish Christmas when I lost my dear mum, I spotted your magazine. What a joy from start to finish! Thank you so much for taking my mind off things for a while – I’m now going to buy woman&home every month. Emma GYM-SPIRATION I gave up my career…

‘Gentlemen don’t prefer blondes!’ It’s news set to turn blonde women grey. Apparently, gentlemen don’t prefer them. Results of a global survey reveal that 62% of billionaires marry women with brown hair. The fair-haired come in a poor second, with only just over a fifth of the world’s top billionaires marrying blondes. Research into dating habits has found that over half of UK men prefer a dark-haired partner. This puts them way ahead of the blondes – as just over a quarter of men go for women with flaxen manes. It’s gleeful news for brunettes, as we’ve endured more than our fair share of suffering. As a teenager, I was teased mercilessly by my carefree blonde surfie girlfriends with their hair-free legs. ‘Your thighs could be awarded National Park status!’…

‘REGENERATIVE FARMING IS THE FUTURE’ Sarah Langford, 43, lives between London and Stowmarket, Suffolk, with her husband Ben Gummer and children Wilfred, nine, and Aubrey, seven. Although I grew up in a farming family, for almost a decade I worked as a criminal and family barrister until the birth of my two sons. While I was on maternity leave, my husband unexpectedly lost his job in politics, which created an opportunity for change. We decided to leave London and take on the running of his parents’ 250-acre arable and pasture farm in Suffolk. I quickly realised regenerative farming is the future – it’s about restoring soil that has been depleted by intensive farming, pesticides and fertilisers. As 70% of UK land is farmed, agriculture is a crucial industry when it…

Imagine looking into an aquarium of tropical fish, the only distraction in a small waiting room. I’m holding Warren, my four-month-old baby, and I know that any minute someone is coming to take him and give him to his new adoptive parents. ‘It had been a wound that nothing could heal’ He holds out one chubby hand towards the colourful fish and smiles. Five minutes later, he’s no longer in my arms and that is my last memory of my baby boy – a memory that must last a lifetime. As an unmarried mother with no help from family or Warren’s father, no flat, no job and no nursery place, I had no choice but to give him up. Despite everything I’d tried to keep him, adoption was the best…

I love looking at old photographs – the sort of pictures you find in the attic, tucked away in an old biscuit tin or a dog-eared album. People do such odd things in these photographs. Then, years later, they look at them and ask themselves, ‘What on earth was I doing dressed up like that? Did I really wear that dress, that shirt, that peculiar hat?’ Here I am on a horse, aged 10 or 11. Growing up in Zimbabwe when it was the British colony of Southern Rhodesia, I spent quite a bit of time on horseback. This horse was called Ranger. He must have wondered what this boy was thinking, sitting astride him with a lance. The boy, I think, was impressionable and had clearly read Don Quixote.…

As I settle into my seat, a group of twenty-somethings further up the bus catches my eye. ‘How lovely,’ I think, ‘they’re wearing fancy dress.’ Although it’s 10.30am on a Tuesday morning, so alarm bells are ringing – it seems a little early in the day for an 80s-themed costume party. But what else could possibly explain it? One of them has a mullet, the likes of which was last seen on a member of Black Lace (sorry if reading this means you now have Agadoo on the brain for the rest of the day). Another is wearing a Nik Kershaw-style snood, while a third has more of a Miami Vice vibe going on – white jacket, sleeves rolled up, and espadrilles with no socks. Ironically, a vice in itself…

CRISP AND COOL ✢ Move over floral dresses, the mood has taken a masculine turn, and smartly tailored separates are moving up the fashion charts. Combine clean lines with feminine fabrics like this lightweight linen.✢ A neat, fitted waistcoat will balance out the proportions of wide-leg trousers.✢ Belts are a great way to add personality to your outfit – try a bold pop of colour or animal print. JUMP TO IT ✢ The denim jumpsuit has firmly earned its place in the category of wardrobe heroes.✢ There are plenty of styles to choose from. We love this straight-leg version with western details.✢ Try layering over a crisp, pinstripe shirt to add a smarter element. EASY ELEGANCE ✢ Want to look effortlessly put-together? A trouser suit is the answer. Once the…

beauty inspirationHow to look your best every day kept the same make-up routine for years – or even decades? While there’s nothing wrong with knowing what suits you, it’s easy for that habit to turn into a rut. Getting playful with make-up will inject new life into your face, and help your complexion look fresher and younger. ‘Make-up should be about having fun,’ urges make-up artist Ruby Hammer. ‘As we age, we lose some of the colour from our faces, so opting for brighter shades is a great idea.’ We hope these beautiful looks will inspire you to try something new. 1 Swap bronzer and contour for A HEALTHY FLUSH ‘Blush gives the illusion of health and vitality,’ says Ruby. ‘With the right shade, you can brighten your whole face…

We can help you live your best lifewellbeing Are you making healthier choices with each year that passes? Or do you worry your body is ageing much faster than you are? Your lifestyle can have a huge impact on how youthful you look and feel, but the good news is, with just a little bit of work, it’s possible to turn back the clock. Don’t know where to start? Take our quiz to see if the date on your birth certificate reflects reality, and discover what changes you can make to give yourself an age-defying boost. TAKE THE TEST Ready to find out your true body age? Ask yourself these key questions to get a real reflection of how healthy you are. Start with your age and then either subtract…

Hands up who’s thinking of cutting out dairy foods? Many of you might be – whether that’s because you have discovered a dairy intolerance or perhaps to reduce the environmental footprint of your diet. Or maybe you have simply decided to adopt more plant-based food habits? Whenever we think of dairy, we think of calcium. And when we think of calcium, we can’t help but think of healthy, strong bones. According to the Royal Osteoporosis Society, our bodies contain about 1kg of calcium and 99% of that is in our bones – so if we do decide to give up dairy, it’s important we are able to get enough calcium to sustain a healthy bone structure. The recommended daily amount of calcium needed for adults varies, but 700-1,000mg per day…

Easter white chocolate cheesecake This no-bake cheesecake will be a real crowd-pleaser. Serves 12• Prep 30 mins, plus at least 2 hrs setting 300g Bourbon biscuits100g unsalted butter, melted250g white chocolate400g soft cheese1tbsp vanilla bean paste400ml double cream180g mini eggs, 100g chopped For the nest: 100g dark chocolate15g unsalted butter45g or 2 large shredded wheat You will need: 20cm springform cake tin, greased and the base lined; 12cm bowl, lightly greased and lined with cling film 1 Whizz the biscuits in a processor to a fine crumb. Tip into a bowl and mix in the melted butter. Press into the base of the tin and 5cm up the sides. Chill for 30 mins. 2 Meanwhile, melt the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering…

Get gut savvy M&S and Zoe, Tim Spector’s innovative gut health company, have collaborated on this new kefir-based gut shot. Made from whole fermented milk and fruit including blackcurrants, strawberries, baobab and blueberries, each serving is packed with over five billion live cultures from 14 strains of gut-friendly bacteria. £2, 150ml, M&S stores or ocado.com Professor Tim’s top tips for a healthy gut ✢ Eat a variety of fibre-containing foods. ✢ Aim to enjoy a diverse range of different-coloured plants. ✢ Eat fermented foods – like kimchi, kefir, kombucha and sauerkraut – every day. They can contain live bacteria (probiotics), and some contain fibre. ✢ Aim to eat 30 different plants a week. This can include herbs, spices, nuts, seeds, wholegrains, legumes and mushrooms. ✢ Swap snacks like crisps or…

1 KEEP YOUR LAUNDRY FRESH Forget chemical scent additives, air-drying is best for lovely-smelling laundry, preferably outdoors. ‘When that’s not possible and drying has to be done inside, make sure it’s completely dry and well aired to prevent musty smells. Clothing, bed linen and towels will take on a smell if put away when not completely dry,’ says Nancy Birtwhistle, author of The Green Budget Guide (see page 154). ‘For spot-cleaning of dry-clean-only clothing, try a pad dipped in surgical spirit, which will immediately remove make-up from collars, for example, and will quickly evaporate, leaving no trace of a mark and no residual smell.’ Hambledon bookshelf, £650, Alderley cushion cover, £15, linen bedding, from £50, Bayford woven tray, £50 for a set of two, storage jars, from £14 each, glass…

1 Best of the Balkans Celebrate diverse culinary traditions on this cruise for the epicurious, starting in Croatia. Enjoy homemade cheeses and Maraschino liqueur in Korčula, and truffle-hunting in the Istrian peninsula. Rope-grown flat oysters in Ston are a revelation, while a chef-led market tour in Montenegro introduces award-winning olive oils. Sip your way around with Slovenian grappa, Italian limoncello and Albanian raki. ✢ Dalmatian Coast & Balkan Jewels, 14 days from £7,799; seabourn.com 2 Taste the terroir Riverside’s sun-drenched Provençal cruise offers up mouth-watering produce, from Camargue rice paella in Arles to Valrhona artisan chocolate in Tain-L’Hermitage. At Maison Bouachon, in the heart of Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards, you’ll discover how to savour wine and learn how food pairings subtly change it. The cruise ends on a high in Lyon, where…

Up-all-night thrillers are C.L. Taylor’s domain. Suspense, cliffhangers, twists and turns; the popular author’s books have them all. Her breakthrough came when she ventured into writing psychological thrillers after trying romance. She has now written 10 bestsellers, including Richard and Judy picks Sleep and The Guilty Couple. Her latest novel, Every Move You Make, follows four people with one thing in common: they are being stalked. When they attend the funeral of their friend, then receive a wreath claiming one of them will die in 10 days, they decide it might be time to turn the tables on their stalkers. C.L. Taylor lives in Bristol with her partner, son and dog, Lily. ‘Dropping in red herrings is instinctive after a while’ It takes time to process an experience before you…

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF Anita Rani TV presenter Anita Rani, 46, lives in Hackney, east London. WAKE UP I’m quite an early riser. My optimum wake-up time is 6.30am, but I’m teaching myself the art of luxuriating in bed at weekends, which is a joy. I am single and stepping into my next chapter of life, so I don’t wake up with anyone. MORNING I put on the radio, then the kettle. I fill an ornate Indian steel cup half and half with boiled and cold water. Sipping it feels like a morning meditation. My ideal morning involves a half-hour run at around 7am. I don’t run to time myself or do a marathon but for me-time, which continues when I jump in the shower. I’ve got quite…

Famous Aries: Keira Knightley, Emma Thompson, Emma Watson, Victoria Beckham Star sign of the month ARIES 21 MARCH – 19 APRIL On April Fool’s Day you head into three weeks of potential confusion and travel hiccups. A new approach helps solve a tricky situation around the 9th. YOUR MONTHS AHEAD Up until 9th June you have your energetic ruler onside. Use this energy to move forward – it’s your best chance all year. Call 0905 789 4150* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates TAURUS 20 APRIL – 20 MAY Things flow from the 20th. Communication hassles blighting April’s first three weeks ease off too. On the 29th you come into your own when Venus’ influence kicks in. Call 0905 789 4151* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates GEMINI…