Ask Anne Work pals will think I’ve let myself go after baby

I am returning to work after having a baby eight months ago. But I’ve put on a lot of weight and feel that everyone at work is going to think I’ve let myself go. I’m dreading it. Any tips? My mother died three years ago and my father has shocked us all (I have two brothers and a sister) by announcing that he’s going to get married again.

This woman (she’s 20 years younger than him) will now own everything that was my mum’s – nothing valuable except in sentimental terms; jewellery, knick-knacks, ornaments, even bits of clothing like scarves. What can we do?