This does sound like a reject pad. What you could try (more drastic) is getting a Stanley knife with a a new blade and carefully cutting an inch off one side of the pad, right the way through. If this shows you the edges of the individual sheets of paper you may have to cut the other edges as well to at least be able to use the middle of the sheets. Be careful !!

Thank you Adele....had a good look, couldn’t see it. I’m guessing it is a faulty item, hey ho!!!!

Normally Anne, you will find a small slit along the top or bottom of the pad - look carefully, it is there. And then when you have found it, insert the tip of a sharp knife in this slit and carefully run it along all edges.