“Good luck. You’re going to do great.”
And with that, she walked away and got into her cab.
Waving from the doorstep as her cab disappeared down the road, I was buzzing from the conversation and everything I’d learned, and excited to share it on my podcast as soon as possible.
I went back through to the studio where Freya was on her laptop.
“Great interview,” Freya said. “I’ve saved the file and sent you a copy. I’ve also drafted a follow-up message to the guest on your behalf to thank her for speaking with you today. It’s scheduled to go out in two hours. I’ll get started with the editing.”
“Brilliant. But take the rest of the day off. There’s no need to start it this afternoon.”
Freya’s face softened and she tucked a strand of her hair behind her ears. “Thanks, Lily. I’ll make a start first thing tomorrow.”
I found Rona in the kitchen after I saw Freya out. She looked up at me and grinned as I came in. “I loved it. You are such a great interviewer, Lily!”
“Aw, thanks. She was so cool.”
“She was. It makes me want to go to the gym and pump some iron.”
I crossed the room and embraced her, wrapping my arms around her waist. I hadn’t thought of going to the gym with Rona before. It suddenly seemed very appealing. “Can I join you?”
“Baby, you can take me through a session any day.”
“That’s a date.”
Rona made our Sunday pancakes, complete with blueberries and maple syrup, and we sat down at the kitchen table. I was already planning my edits on the conversation, and the handles I would use on my social media.
“So you liked interviewing her then?” Rona said, cutting into her mountain of pancakes.
“I really did. It was so interesting, and also kind of scary. I had no idea all that was ahead of us. And I had no idea things were that shit. She’s so right! We are not small men.”
“I know. Everything she said was like a revelation. Especially all that about peri peri chicken.”
“What?”
“I’m sorry. Every time either of you said perimenopause, my head kept saying peri peri chicken. I almost blurted it out, but I didn’t. I was proud of that.”
I laughed. “I’m glad you didn’t.”
“Sorry. This is you finding out how weird I am.”
“Spoiler alert. I already know and approve.”
“That bit when she made the link to ADHD and neurodivergence in their thirties and forties was so good. The way she spoke of the science behind it was so clear and it made so much sense. Even if they already knew they were neurodivergent, it helps younger women and women like me in their mid-thirties to prepare for what’s to come.”
“Are you worried about it?”
“I am a bit, yes. I don’t take any medication for my ADHD. I manage it on my own. To know that all my hormones are going to change and my neurotransmitters are going to go out of business, it’s not very appealing.”
“Do you struggle with symptoms around your period?”
“I get depressed about a week before it. Easily irritated. Tired. I’m used to it, but I hope it doesn’t get much worse. It’s good to be educated though. The more you know, the more you can navigate things a bit better, right?”
“True.”
“What about you? How are your periods?” Rona blushed. “I can’t believe we haven’t talked about this before.”
“It’s okay. It’s good to talk about, and thanks for sharing what you did with me. I’m sorry you struggle with those symptoms. I get awful cramps and heavy bleeding. Sometimes the pain is so bad, it makes me feel sick. I also get grumpier.” I shrugged. I was used to it too, although it never got any easier.
