Janet closed the front door of her house and leaned back against it in despair. Another dreadful blind date had been and gone with a man she never wished to see again. Perhaps it was too soon after the divorce to think about finding someone else to share her life with. Maybe it was her destiny to remain on her own. Her friends encouraged her to get out and meet new people, but none of the men they set her up with suited her. This one had only been interested in talking about himself, a bit like her ex-husband. She didn't want to repeat an old pattern which had brought her nothing but unhappiness.
She looked around her small house, which was all she had been able to afford after they had sold the home they had shared for 32 years, and resented its meagre size. Being near the sea was all very well but it was damp in winter and there were too many tourists in summer. Right now it was raining. She could hear it rattling against the window panes. She hated the rain. It made her hair frizz.
She switched on the TV and listened half-heartedly to a game show as she took a bath and changed for bed. Wallowing in misery, she replayed the low points of the evening as she brushed her teeth and slipped between the sheets.
The following dawn she awoke with the usual heavy feeling in her stomach, dreading the day ahead. She worked in a local gift shop. It was next to a cafe where she had a cup of coffee every morning before she opened up. On this particular morning, she chose a table by the window. There was a magazine lying open on it, displaying an article titled The Law of Attraction. At first, she thought it might give her a few tips on how to attract a man, but when she started reading it, she realised that it was about something totally different.
この記事は Woman & Home UK の August 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Woman & Home UK の August 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
15 Ways to Improve Your Memory - Make yours fault-proof with these easy lifestyle tricks
Hunting for your reading glasses only to realise they’re already on your head is frustrating, and we’ve all marched purposefully from one room to another – instantly forgetting why we’re there. Maybe you’re forever losing your keys or get embarrassed when you can’t remember people’s names? Memory lapse is common with age – decline can start from as early as 45 years*, while almost 40%** of people over 65 will notice some form of forgetfulness.
How Healthy is Your Gut? - This month, our fitness expert Annie Deadman on discovering what's really going on inside your body and how to keep it in the peak of condition
The microbiome will be host to both good and harmful bacteria, and the swing in favour of one or the other can influence whether or not you fall victim to conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, coeliac disease and other inflammatory disorders or hormonal issues. These include polycystic ovary syndrome and high cholesterol, as well as what we might consider more common ailments like digestive issues, mood swings, constipation, migraines and general lethargy. The power that a healthy gut can wield over our wellbeing is enormous. And just like no two fingerprints are the same, no two microbiomes are the same.
Cancer Was Just a Job Until it Happened to Me - Author, speaker and health content creator Dr Liz O'Riordan shares her journey from consultant breast surgeon to cancer patient
Working as a consultant breast surgeon, it was my responsibility to tell around 10 women a week that they had cancer. It was an emotionally intense job and could feel like you’re being paid to break women. As a clinician, you have to develop a sense of detachment, otherwise you’ll crumble, but this wasn’t always easy. Sometimes, particularly after seeing young women, I’d cry in the toilets. There’s no counselling and very little training for breaking bad news. It’s just part of the job – until it happens to you.
I Look Forward to Being a Very Elderly, Eccentric Woman' - Comedian and podcaster Katherine Ryan, 41, lives in London with her three children and partner Bobby Kootstra
Comedian and podcaster Katherine Ryan, 41, lives in London with her three children and partner Bobby Kootstra+ Katherine Ryan's tour Battleaxe is coming to venues across the UK from September. Book now at livenation.co.uk
'My Marriage is Definitely Not Over!' - As she approaches her 10th year on television, Nadiya Hussain opens up about racist threats to her life, her untapped dream of becoming a teacher and why rumours of marital demise are rubbish
Nadiya Hussain cover shoots bring sunshine – meteorologically and metaphorically. It’s a scorching June day in north London when we gather to celebrate the publication of her ninth cookbook, Cook Once, Eat Twice. As the title suggests, she’s helping the nation save time and pennies through meal-stretching recipes that savvily spin leftovers.And sweetly, it was the celebrity cook and author’s eldest son Musa’s plans to leave the family home in Milton Keynes to go off to university that inspired it.‘As soon as he started to talk about uni, I thought, “This will be the book that he’ll want to take with him to help him be more mindful of how he cooks, how he eats, how he saves, how to be frugal and how to use up leftovers – how to be smart in the kitchen,”’ explains Nadiya, 39, adding that the previous night her trusty sardine arrabbiata sparked an outpouring of gratitude from her firstborn.
A New Normal - The Princess of Wales is looking to the future, putting family first and ditching her to-do list
The Princess of Wales has always felt the pressure. Marrying into the most famous family in the world has been far from easy, but capable Catherine seemed to take it in her stride.Though the glamorous carapace, whether decked in Alexander McQueen or Zara, has hidden a more anxious young woman who didn't want to put a foot wrong. This past year has arguably been the toughest of Catherine's life - dealing with major abdominal surgery followed by a cancer diagnosis and treatment. But it has also given her the time to reprioritise and reassess what really matters.
'DON'T CALL ME A HERO'
Seeing the plight of innocent children in Gaza, Dr Ana Jeelani knew her medical skills could save lives – here’s what she experienced
Freewheeling in TUSCANY
A cycling holiday through medieval cities and lush scenery is a great way to absorb culture and get off the beaten track
Nostalgic BAKES
Unlock childhood memories with these fun sweet treats
Lighter DINNERS
Big on flavour and easy on the calories