EP247: Nat’s Nieces #56! Roro turns 40!!

Natalie Cassidy 0:02:02 Come on then, bitch.

Speaker H 0:02:22 Oh no. Happy birthday! Happy birthday! Shut the door. Thank you. Honestly, although it's so hot.

Natalie Cassidy 0:02:35 Oh, here we are, here we are. Welcome to Life with Nat, 20th of July, and we're finally here. RoRo is 40.

Speaker H 0:02:45 I'm gonna eat it. Happy birthday! Happy birthday! Cheers! Happy birthday! Made it, made it! 40. 2026. That's right. 20th of July.

Natalie Cassidy 0:03:01 Right, let's get started. Little something, open that.

Speaker H 0:03:04 Thank you.

Natalie Cassidy 0:03:05 Um, the last time we did this, yes, the listeners, oh, were very upset.

Speaker H 0:03:11 Oh no.

Natalie Cassidy 0:03:11 Because they felt it was very visual. So I am absolutely gonna give a running commentary of what you're opening and what it is.

Speaker H 0:03:18 You can watch the pod though, guys, even just for this little Okay, here we go. Present number 1. I can't wait for my birthday.

Maria (RoRo) 0:03:27 I know, I didn't expect presents.

Speaker H 0:03:29 It is my 40th though. Ah, cute.

Maria (RoRo) 0:03:36 Is it a hen? Is it a 40th?

Natalie Cassidy 0:03:38 What do we think?

Maria (RoRo) 0:03:41 Love those.

Speaker H 0:03:41 These are white heart glasses. Very cute actually, that say hello 40.

Natalie Cassidy 0:03:47 There we are. Beautiful.

Speaker H 0:03:49 And a badge.

Maria (RoRo) 0:03:49 And a badge.

Natalie Cassidy 0:03:49 And a little badge.

Maria (RoRo) 0:03:50 It's my 40th.

Speaker H 0:03:52 They are very hen-like.

Maria (RoRo) 0:03:53 Oh, I'll bring 'em, bring 'em away.

Natalie Cassidy 0:03:57 There we go. Lovely. Thank you.

Maria (RoRo) 0:04:01 Am I wearing these or?

Natalie Cassidy 0:04:03 Yeah. I think you should.

Maria (RoRo) 0:04:04 Perfect.

Natalie Cassidy 0:04:05 Yeah. The next present is something that I thought had to be done.

Maria (RoRo) 0:04:09 Oh, they are cute.

Natalie Cassidy 0:04:13 Good.

Maria (RoRo) 0:04:14 Thanks for them. Oh, what's this? There we go.

Natalie Cassidy 0:04:17 That's for you. How's everyone's day been anyway?

Maria (RoRo) 0:04:21 Is it a bin?

Speaker H 0:04:22 I've had a cracking day actually.

Natalie Cassidy 0:04:24 Yeah?

Speaker H 0:04:24 Yeah, very good. I had a—

Maria (RoRo) 0:04:26 Cracking?

Speaker H 0:04:26 Yeah.

Maria (RoRo) 0:04:27 Right.

Speaker H 0:04:29 It's just been a nice day.

Maria (RoRo) 0:04:30 Oh, that's lovely. Saw my friends.

Natalie Cassidy 0:04:32 Yeah, cute.

Speaker H 0:04:33 Had my Korean lash lift. An inflatable birthday cake.

Maria (RoRo) 0:04:41 It's not a unicorn, it's a birthday cake.

Natalie Cassidy 0:04:44 Had to get you an inflatable though, didn't I? Yeah.

Speaker H 0:04:45 We actually tried to find more of like one for the pool, but, um, we could have that just floating. Oh yeah. Oh, you wanna bring that away?

Maria (RoRo) 0:04:55 No, no. Okay.

Speaker H 0:04:56 No, I mean, well, maybe we should, 'cause we're not gonna get a cake out there, so.

Maria (RoRo) 0:05:00 Oh no. Yeah, I'll have to use this, won't I?

Natalie Cassidy 0:05:03 That just needs to have a little bit more air pumped into it. Yeah. I think it's the heat.

Maria (RoRo) 0:05:07 Lovely. Thank you. There we go. Love that. Very creative. Well done. Are we leaving that there? Acceptable?

Natalie Cassidy 0:05:12 Yeah, why not? I mean, Absolutely. I'd put it a bit closer to you actually, so we can see it. Lovely. Now we had to have a little inflatable, didn't we?

Speaker H 0:05:20 We did indeed.

Maria (RoRo) 0:05:22 Beautiful.

Natalie Cassidy 0:05:22 Very good. Well, did you have a Korean lash lift?

Speaker H 0:05:25 I did.

Maria (RoRo) 0:05:25 Yeah, they look so nice.

Speaker H 0:05:26 Honestly guys, it is a game changer. Coming from someone that used to have full Russian lashes, I'm not on that train anymore.

Maria (RoRo) 0:05:36 I prefer it. It looks lovely.

Speaker H 0:05:38 But you know, sometimes you see these things and you think, is it really gonna be that good on me? I gasped. I was so shocked at the— when she showed me.

Maria (RoRo) 0:05:48 You were shooketh.

Speaker H 0:05:49 I was shooketh to my core.

Maria (RoRo) 0:05:51 Really? No, it's really opened your eyes up and it's beautiful.

Natalie Cassidy 0:05:54 It's much nicer than the fake ones.

Speaker H 0:05:56 Yes. Yeah. And you can actually wipe your face. It's not—

Maria (RoRo) 0:06:00 That's what I've been saying to you, Bubs.

Speaker H 0:06:01 I've not had lashes for ages.

Maria (RoRo) 0:06:03 Oh, I know, 'cause you pulled them out.

Speaker H 0:06:05 No, I didn't. No, I was never having them. I was stopping. I only had them done for the last holiday 'cause I had them in, I infilled them, and then that was it.

Maria (RoRo) 0:06:11 Yeah. I've booked in. I'm booked in and I— I know everyone's booked in. Lucky it's gone well.

Speaker H 0:06:15 I said, well, all my family are booked in, so let's hope this is good. That's why mine are excellent.

Natalie Cassidy 0:06:20 Well, I'm definitely gonna do it at some point. You should. No, I'd like to, because again, I don't—

Speaker H 0:06:24 Nice to not have to put mascara on every day. Not that I was doing that. Just the dye. It's nice to feel like you look half alive. Yeah, it's like awake and alive.

Natalie Cassidy 0:06:32 I was gonna put a bit of makeup on because it was RoRo's birthday pod, but I was so hot. I've been dripping. My shins are hot. My shins are sweating.

Speaker H 0:06:38 I thought you said your chin.

Natalie Cassidy 0:06:39 My chin, my shin. My elbow. Yeah. Every single bit. I'm, I'm very hot. Well, I've got my pyjamas slash loungewear. Lovely.

Maria (RoRo) 0:06:48 You've done this before.

Speaker H 0:06:49 I know, but it was too hot. I put it on when I'm at home.

Maria (RoRo) 0:06:52 Oh, we've got the fan. I was gonna say.

Speaker H 0:06:53 No, it isn't bad, but it will get hot. At least the aircon went well. Also though, these, this loungewear slash pyjamas. Mm-hmm. From Tesco.

Natalie Cassidy 0:07:02 Fabulous.

Speaker H 0:07:03 You guys need to go and get a pair.

Maria (RoRo) 0:07:05 Yeah. Well, you were gonna pick me some up.

Speaker H 0:07:07 I haven't been yet. The material. What is that? What is that?

Natalie Cassidy 0:07:16 Oh, did you not know that was there?

Speaker H 0:07:17 No, and it was like in my eye. I thought it was a fly. I don't want it, it's yours. How apt. Sorry, a bit of, um, a bit of confetti. Yeah, unbelievable. Really soft, guys. Get yourself there. Lovely little shorts.

Natalie Cassidy 0:07:31 Lovely.

Maria (RoRo) 0:07:32 And a top that's a bit dirty, sorry.

Natalie Cassidy 0:07:35 Stunning. Very nice. Beautiful.

Speaker H 0:07:37 Go on then, next present.

Maria (RoRo) 0:07:37 Uh, we're gonna have to do this every birthday now.

Natalie Cassidy 0:07:42 No.

Speaker H 0:07:43 Oh, so you two get it and I shit out?

Natalie Cassidy 0:07:45 No, you'll definitely get it in turn and that's it.

Maria (RoRo) 0:07:47 Big birthday.

Natalie Cassidy 0:07:48 No, 'cause I got it and mine wasn't a big birthday.

Maria (RoRo) 0:07:50 I know, but it's your pod, sort of.

Speaker H 0:07:55 What we got here then?

Maria (RoRo) 0:07:57 We have got some false nails. Very good. Just in case.

Speaker H 0:08:05 Well, and also just taking the piss of it.

Maria (RoRo) 0:08:07 I could, um, put them on my toes.

Speaker H 0:08:09 I was gonna say, they're very large. I thought that was a toenail one.

Natalie Cassidy 0:08:13 Funnily enough, talking of toenails, sorry, we've had a little message here that I must play you.

Maria (RoRo) 0:08:19 This is a message to say a massive happy birthday to RoRo, and I hope that you manage to keep your manky toenail on to celebrate the festivities. Hope you have a fantastic day, and I can't wait to hear the pod. Laters from Nikki. Bye. Aw, thanks, Nikki.

Speaker H 0:08:36 How is your manky toe?

Maria (RoRo) 0:08:37 It's actually not manky.

Natalie Cassidy 0:08:39 Is it all right now?

Maria (RoRo) 0:08:40 Well, you can't really—

Natalie Cassidy 0:08:41 Oh, it's fine.

Speaker H 0:08:42 There's nothing wrong with it.

Maria (RoRo) 0:08:44 It was 'cause I had gel, I did like acrylic put on top.

Speaker H 0:08:46 Oh.

Maria (RoRo) 0:08:47 So God knows what's going on underneath. Nice.

Speaker H 0:08:49 But we'll be all right.

Maria (RoRo) 0:08:49 It will be okay. I have faith.

Natalie Cassidy 0:08:52 It's good though. It's good that you've been able to do that and it's not hurt you or anything.

Speaker H 0:08:55 I'm surprised they've been able to. So you must have had some toe now?

Maria (RoRo) 0:08:58 Yeah, it, it was— oh, you weren't here, was you? 'Cause it's the cuticle, it was still on. I don't think it was gonna fall off, so I just cut it really far back, which I think was the right thing to do. So she's literally just gone over. I mean, it's not great.

Speaker H 0:09:10 Yeah, not the best.

Maria (RoRo) 0:09:11 I dunno when I'm gonna fit everything in. I've got so much to do.

Speaker H 0:09:16 That's the story of your life. That's all you ever say. Before I go away.

Maria (RoRo) 0:09:19 No, I know. But you know when you've got a lot to do?

Speaker H 0:09:21 Yeah. Always.

Natalie Cassidy 0:09:24 We just gotta tick things off.

Maria (RoRo) 0:09:26 Yeah, but it's actually winding its way. I think we've probably got more to do. Drink.

Natalie Cassidy 0:09:30 There's quite a lot to do. Yeah.

Speaker H 0:09:31 I think we've got a bit more going on.

Maria (RoRo) 0:09:33 Why?

Speaker H 0:09:33 Well, you haven't gotta worry about gifts or cards or anything, have you? We've got to do that on top of—

Maria (RoRo) 0:09:40 Oh, that's so annoying, isn't it?

Speaker H 0:09:41 Yeah. It's a lot. It's a lot. It's a lot.

Maria (RoRo) 0:09:44 No, Natalie's got out of it. We're going out on Thursday.

Speaker H 0:09:47 Oh yeah, but she still needs cards and that and this, that, that.

Maria (RoRo) 0:09:51 You ain't gotta go mad. Don't worry about all that stuff.

Speaker H 0:09:53 You heard it here, guys. You heard it here. You heard it here first.

Natalie Cassidy 0:09:58 Eliza did your card today.

Maria (RoRo) 0:09:59 Oh.

Natalie Cassidy 0:10:00 Yeah. Funny, eh?

Speaker H 0:10:02 Yeah, it's gonna go down well.

Natalie Cassidy 0:10:03 Yeah. Oh my, what do you mean? Can't wait to pop that on, on Instagram.

Maria (RoRo) 0:10:10 What do you mean? Oh dear. Oh, smash her up. Yeah. That'd be lovely.

Speaker H 0:10:13 That's what you will be doing.

Natalie Cassidy 0:10:14 You've got a lovely message here from Kim. Dear RoRo, turning 40 isn't for everyone. You're simply becoming designer vintage, which knowing you means ridiculously expensive, slightly high maintenance, and absolutely convinced you're worth every penny because you are. Georgina. Oh, no, it wasn't from Kim. It's from Georgina.

Speaker H 0:10:32 Spot on, Georgina. That was good.

Maria (RoRo) 0:10:34 Really good. Thank you. Love that.

Natalie Cassidy 0:10:36 Just off the birthday chat for a second. Do you remember when we were talking about tour t-shirts?

Maria (RoRo) 0:10:40 Yes.

Natalie Cassidy 0:10:41 No, I wasn't here. You weren't here, but we were seen.

Speaker H 0:10:44 So, yeah, that's not acceptable.

Natalie Cassidy 0:10:46 It's not. Kim said, on my life, my friend's husband wore a Blur t-shirt to Oasis's latest tour.

Speaker H 0:10:53 Wow.

Natalie Cassidy 0:10:54 Always thought he was a prick, and he's absolutely confirmed it.

Maria (RoRo) 0:10:57 That is fucking hilarious. You can't do that. I wanna know what happened. Did he get booed? That's stupid.

Natalie Cassidy 0:11:02 You're doing that for a reason, aren't you?

Speaker H 0:11:04 Did you say it's acceptable? Surely not.

Maria (RoRo) 0:11:06 No, I said there's very certain circumstances, like really old school, say like metal bands, you get away with wearing like a Nirvana or Metallica. Yes. But that's what I said.

Speaker H 0:11:16 But you're not gonna go and see Boyzone and wear a Westlife t-shirt.

Maria (RoRo) 0:11:18 So my example was you're not gonna go Oasis and wear a Blur t-shirt. Well, apparently you do. Oh, sorry.

Speaker H 0:11:23 Well, it's like going to a football game. Exactly. I was just gonna say that. It's like going to see Chelsea-Spurs and wearing an Arsenal top. Yeah, they're not gonna do— Well, you wouldn't be there. No, but if you were there 'cause you went with a mate and— Yes. You would not wear an Arsenal shirt.

Maria (RoRo) 0:11:37 Yeah.

Natalie Cassidy 0:11:37 I don't think it's the same as the football.

Speaker H 0:11:40 It isn't because there's a, you know, you're supporting that team. It isn't, but it is because why just wear a plain white t-shirt?

Maria (RoRo) 0:11:48 I'd like to know why he chose to do that. This is a different— Maybe for the irony.

Natalie Cassidy 0:11:52 Possibly.

Maria (RoRo) 0:11:53 Maybe he was trying to be funny.

Natalie Cassidy 0:11:54 Possibly.

Speaker H 0:11:55 And I said to Natalie earlier, apparently Oasis are touring again, 2027.

Maria (RoRo) 0:12:00 So I—

Natalie Cassidy 0:12:00 We need to go. I think—

Speaker H 0:12:01 Knebworth House.

Maria (RoRo) 0:12:02 Is that you?

Natalie Cassidy 0:12:03 I'm not in Knebworth.

Speaker H 0:12:04 Emma from Knebworth, she'll be there?

Natalie Cassidy 0:12:06 She certainly will, yeah, yeah.

Maria (RoRo) 0:12:08 Sort the tickets.

Natalie Cassidy 0:12:10 Talking of Emma, here we go.

Natalie Cassidy 0:12:11 Our Maria is 40, she's hit the big mark, but we can all call her RoRo, our fabulous spark. A brilliant stylist with ultimate flair, selecting the sharpest of outfits to wear. She's funny and bright, always spreading the glee, right there on the pod with her Aunt Natalie, co-hosting the chaos on Life with Nat with her sister Elsabelle's chiming in She cracks up the room with the jokes that she flings, and making us laugh is what she brings. She loves a good holiday, packing her bags, but won't go that far, that's a drag. So cheers to your 40 years, stylish and bright, and I hope you all have a fabulous night.

Maria (RoRo) 0:12:49 Aw, that's brilliant, Emma. Thanks, Emma. I could cry.

Speaker H 0:12:52 She can write a better fucking poem than you. How'd you feel about that?

Natalie Cassidy 0:12:55 That's cracking.

Maria (RoRo) 0:12:56 At least she wrote me a poem. Where's your poem?

Natalie Cassidy 0:12:58 I don't write poems. Thanks, Emma. No, that's lovely.

Maria (RoRo) 0:13:01 Oh, Emma, that is, honestly, that's beautiful. Thank you. Thank you, I'm gonna keep that forever. I thought she was wiping her eyes. I was gonna say, I'm gonna shed a tear. That is the most happy, what a lovely thing to do.

Natalie Cassidy 0:13:12 When you think people are just listening to this and they've thought of you to do that, it's lovely. I did put a post on Patreon.

Maria (RoRo) 0:13:17 I was gonna say, I think you might have asked.

Natalie Cassidy 0:13:18 I did put a post on Patreon, so we're doing this tonight, anyone wanna chip in? But it's still lovely and it's time outta people's days, so it's so nice.

Maria (RoRo) 0:13:27 Thank you, that is beautiful.

Speaker H 0:13:29 Happy, happy birthday, Maria. Welcome to the 40s gang, by far the best place you be. I just think you know what you're doing, sort of. Sort of know what you're doing by 40.

Maria (RoRo) 0:13:41 Oh, there's some builders drilling outside, so that sounds nice.

Speaker H 0:13:45 Um, I just wanted to say a huge happy birthday and a massive thank you to you.

Maria (RoRo) 0:13:52 You were instrumental in securing my relationship.

Speaker H 0:13:56 Um, when I came to see the show back in February, I'd just started talking to someone on Hinge, and I think we'd had one date, and she texted me saying, if you get a selfie with Natalie Cassidy, I'll take you on a second date. And so I sort of whispered it in your ear after the show, and you were like, girl, we got this. Aww.

Maria (RoRo) 0:14:19 And we did. We got that. So yeah, I sent it to her, and we're 6 months in and just lesbianing hard and really happy.

Speaker J 0:14:30 And always mega grateful to you. Have the best birthday. You deserve it all.

Speaker K 0:14:35 Dawn in Southampton.

Natalie Cassidy 0:14:37 Well, thank you, Dawn.

Maria (RoRo) 0:14:38 You're a beautiful human. I'm so happy for you. That's amazing.

Natalie Cassidy 0:14:42 That's lovely. Absolutely brilliant. Lesbianing hard. Excellent. What a cracking phrase. Fantastic. Lesbianing hard.

Maria (RoRo) 0:14:50 That is brilliant.

Speaker H 0:14:51 Happy 40th birthday, RoRo, you absolute salt. I hope you have the most amazing time. We didn't know it was your 40th though, so, um, I'm really surprised to hear that. But, um, I hope you enjoy all your celebrations. And don't worry, it doesn't feel any different turning 40. It's when you get to about 44, that's when you're really screwed. That's when your back goes, when you just, you know, grab something from the bottom shelf in the shop, or you sleep on it funny. So don't worry, you've got a few years left in your prime. But, um, looking forward to seeing you at some point for a birthday bevvy, whenever that may be.

Speaker L 0:15:28 Um, have a good one, mate.

Speaker H 0:15:30 Queen Camilla!

Maria (RoRo) 0:15:31 The brunch, the brunch babes. Oh, we've got this fantastic— and the celebrations. Absolutely.

Natalie Cassidy 0:15:35 Oh, that's We're not still celebrating in October.

Maria (RoRo) 0:15:39 There we are. Everyone's celebrating. Oh, fuck off.

Natalie Cassidy 0:15:42 Do me a favour. Well, then I'll be celebrating my birthday. And mine.

Maria (RoRo) 0:15:45 No, it's my 40th. It's like you get to do things for like the year of turning 40.

Natalie Cassidy 0:15:50 Oh, wow.

Maria (RoRo) 0:15:52 That's fine. My friends from the pod will wanna celebrate with me. You two can do your own thing. We're being celebrated out. Fucking heck, you haven't done anything yet. What do you mean?

Speaker H 0:16:03 It's coming.

Natalie Cassidy 0:16:04 And on that note, oh, my phone.

Speaker H 0:16:05 I've ever seen—

Natalie Cassidy 0:16:06 So rude. Thank you. I'm used to it now. Who's rude?

Maria (RoRo) 0:16:09 Not really. Oh, they were lovely messages. I need those to keep.

Natalie Cassidy 0:16:14 Of course.

Maria (RoRo) 0:16:15 This is lovely, but it doesn't work.

Natalie Cassidy 0:16:20 No?

Maria (RoRo) 0:16:20 What's it for?

Natalie Cassidy 0:16:21 I don't think you've had that one.

Maria (RoRo) 0:16:23 What do you mean?

Natalie Cassidy 0:16:24 It's a Double Base Once. It's a better one. Okay. And it's meant to be very, very good for rashes and eczema.

Maria (RoRo) 0:16:30 Oh, this is full of joys, this is.

Natalie Cassidy 0:16:35 No, but that is a I'm very excited about that.

Maria (RoRo) 0:16:37 Thank you.

Natalie Cassidy 0:16:38 It's meant to be a good one.

Speaker H 0:16:39 You're not going out next week because now she's done this.

Maria (RoRo) 0:16:44 She said next week.

Speaker H 0:16:45 Yeah, because you've done your presents now.

Maria (RoRo) 0:16:46 Too late. It was last week. We can't cancel the day out. We've been and gone. Thank you. That's very thoughtful.

Natalie Cassidy 0:16:56 A little eczema cream. Lovely. You know, her skin flares up.

Maria (RoRo) 0:16:59 The neck has flared up. Don't you think he's mad though? 10 years ago I was 30.

Natalie Cassidy 0:17:04 Oh, for fuck's sake. Here we go.

Maria (RoRo) 0:17:06 10 years. I was 24.

Natalie Cassidy 0:17:08 Hang on.

Speaker H 0:17:09 10 years ago.

Natalie Cassidy 0:17:10 I was 33. It's crazy, isn't it?

Speaker H 0:17:12 Mad. I can't believe it.

Natalie Cassidy 0:17:14 You were one year younger than me. Could you just give Carol Vorderman a ring and make sure we're right? Make sure she's got her numbers right.

Maria (RoRo) 0:17:20 But it's the, it's 10 years.

Speaker H 0:17:23 It's a long time.

Maria (RoRo) 0:17:24 30.

Natalie Cassidy 0:17:26 Yes.

Speaker H 0:17:26 Yeah. And now you're 40. And you know, guess what? This time, 10 years' time, you're gonna be 50. Fuck me.

Maria (RoRo) 0:17:35 What are we gonna do then?

Natalie Cassidy 0:17:36 I'll be dead by then. It'll be fine. Guys, please.

Maria (RoRo) 0:17:40 What do you mean? You've— what's— you're acting like you've been under stress.

Speaker H 0:17:43 No, we'll be hearing about it for like from when you're 45, or maybe you'll start tomorrow.

Maria (RoRo) 0:17:49 No, no, I'm all right at the moment. I wish I could just pause though, because yeah, 40's all right. I'm happy with 40, but when you start creeping up Scary.

Natalie Cassidy 0:18:01 Imagine how your mum feels.

Maria (RoRo) 0:18:02 I mean, yeah, I can't. Freaks me out.

Speaker H 0:18:06 Yeah, but also she's got like 3 adult children and grandchildren. Like, it's not like you're 60. I don't get it.

Natalie Cassidy 0:18:12 What do you mean?

Speaker H 0:18:13 Well, you've got all the best things around you.

Natalie Cassidy 0:18:15 Of course, but it's just that time is going.

Maria (RoRo) 0:18:18 Yeah, but it's even like when I was driving here, I was listening to my tunes and I was thinking, will I be able to do this in 10 years' time?

Natalie Cassidy 0:18:24 Yes.

Speaker H 0:18:24 Funnily enough, I was with Joanie when we were coming to meet you on Wednesday. Some woman had, oh, it's what's his name? I wanna get on, I want a holiday, come see me.

Maria (RoRo) 0:18:35 Uh, Dizzy Rascal.

Speaker H 0:18:36 She, I reckon she was about, I'm gonna say like 54.

Maria (RoRo) 0:18:40 Perfect.

Speaker H 0:18:41 Blaring. Joanie went, well, turn it down. She said, I was good, go on, girl.

Maria (RoRo) 0:18:45 Okay. Definitely. And then I was thinking, isn't it mad that your whole life I've been alive? You don't know life without me. It's crazy, isn't it?

Speaker H 0:18:57 Yes. Shame. No, it's true.

Maria (RoRo) 0:19:02 Weird, isn't it?

Speaker H 0:19:03 But that's the same. Yeah. I mean, you can say that about anything, but I know, I know when you really—

Natalie Cassidy 0:19:08 Yeah, I know what you're talking about.

Maria (RoRo) 0:19:10 I was born, I had like a few years without these lot. They've only ever been alive knowing me.

Natalie Cassidy 0:19:18 Yes. Mad, isn't it?

Speaker H 0:19:20 Yes. Knowing me.

Natalie Cassidy 0:19:22 Knowing you.

Speaker H 0:19:23 Knowing me. Aww. Oh, you are a worry at times.

Natalie Cassidy 0:19:28 She is a 1, isn't she?

Speaker H 0:19:30 I mean, I say it, that I can't believe James is gonna be 2 in October. Blows my mind.

Natalie Cassidy 0:19:34 Yes. But that's what we're talking about. But then we say that.

Speaker H 0:19:36 Yeah. Yeah. Time just goes.

Maria (RoRo) 0:19:38 We know, don't we know it?

Natalie Cassidy 0:19:40 Opening another prezzie now.

Maria (RoRo) 0:19:43 And also, I can't believe how long we've been— I've been talking about it and it's here. We, we— nor can I. That's why we're so nervous.

Speaker H 0:19:56 We can't believe it.

Maria (RoRo) 0:19:58 They're celebrating not my birthday. The fact it's gonna be— it's over, it's over. And then I'm talking about celebrating a brunch. That's brilliant.

Natalie Cassidy 0:20:08 Absolutely brilliant.

Speaker H 0:20:10 Oh, there you go.

Maria (RoRo) 0:20:14 Hey, I fucking need these as well.

Natalie Cassidy 0:20:16 Is that good?

Maria (RoRo) 0:20:18 Yeah, really good.

Natalie Cassidy 0:20:19 We have 6-liter, 120 bags, biodegradable for the food bin.

Maria (RoRo) 0:20:25 How much were they, if you don't mind me asking?

Natalie Cassidy 0:20:26 Um, she don't know.

Maria (RoRo) 0:20:29 Do you know what also these are good for? My H&M clothes. I knew she was gonna say that. Really good stuff.

Speaker H 0:20:36 You can't do that.

Maria (RoRo) 0:20:37 I can. I did it the other day, thank you.

Speaker H 0:20:38 What, you go in with one of those?

Maria (RoRo) 0:20:40 5 of them I went in with.

Speaker H 0:20:42 But all that 5 stuff?

Maria (RoRo) 0:20:43 Yeah.

Speaker H 0:20:44 That makes sense. 5 is nice. Those 5 bags go into one bag? Yes. And you would get the same £5?

Maria (RoRo) 0:20:50 Yes.

Speaker H 0:20:52 Wild.

Maria (RoRo) 0:20:52 So when I put my 5 bags down in the pile, there was like carrier bag for life bags. They would've got a fiver for them.

Speaker H 0:21:00 And you're wrong. I'm, I'm gonna go with, um, the nappy bags. Yeah. One t-shirt, they'll fit in there. Tiny they are.

Natalie Cassidy 0:21:06 I've got a little bag from the Mouse House. Can I get in there?

Speaker H 0:21:10 I mean, sure, they're gonna cotton on. Does anyone work for H&M?

Maria (RoRo) 0:21:15 Shush, Ellie, shush. Well, you're saying it. That's fine. I don't have those bag for life. They're not good for the environment. These are.

Speaker H 0:21:23 Those bag for life. You still can't say it. What is it? Bags.

Natalie Cassidy 0:21:26 Bags for life. You always say bag for life. Bags for life.

Maria (RoRo) 0:21:30 No, I say bag for life.

Speaker H 0:21:32 Bag for life. No, but if anyone does work for H&M, just let us know, like, what is the deal there?

Maria (RoRo) 0:21:37 Yeah, bring it back.

Speaker H 0:21:38 They're not gonna go to the head of and say, and stop this. So don't worry.

Maria (RoRo) 0:21:41 They can give a fuck. That's what I'm saying. There's a big queue. They just wanna get it going. Things to do. Fair enough.

Speaker H 0:21:47 I'm intrigued.

Maria (RoRo) 0:24:04 Oh my gosh. So hot. Are you? I feel okay now.

Speaker H 0:24:11 You could buy some things on Vinted all at a pound each.

Maria (RoRo) 0:24:15 Yeah. That don't make any sense.

Speaker H 0:24:17 You could. 'Cause if you stuffed 3 t-shirts in a bag.

Natalie Cassidy 0:24:20 Yeah.

Speaker H 0:24:21 You are making a profit. £2. Yeah.

Maria (RoRo) 0:24:24 What about postage? Oh, you—

Speaker H 0:24:27 yeah, it's true. On Vinted. Well, if you bought like a bunch of— Go to a car boot. One asset.

Maria (RoRo) 0:24:31 Car boot. Get 3 things for a pound. There you go, there's a little business venture. Maybe I'll do that. Maybe that could be my new career. You're only allowed like 6 though on your card at one time. Ah, oh, so there is.

Speaker H 0:24:44 Yeah, but you just spend it, then you return it.

Maria (RoRo) 0:24:47 And I thought, well, you're gonna, you're gonna actually spend more money. She's just gonna keep buying from H&M.

Natalie Cassidy 0:24:50 Also, it's the fuel going to H&M. You've gotta consider shit like that. Makes sense. You do have to consider that.

Maria (RoRo) 0:24:57 No, listen, it's stuff that is, I emptied the kids' pyjama drawers the other day. I couldn't believe what was in there. I thought, I can't just throw this away. I bagged them up and there we go, job done. I've got 2 Bag for Lives. Yeah, like, oh, for fuck's sake, she can't say 2 of them things. Bags full of shoes, trainers. And hang on, you're not talking about Bag for Life.

Speaker H 0:25:16 Yes, I am. You're talking about reusable bags.

Maria (RoRo) 0:25:18 She said they're called Bag for Lives.

Natalie Cassidy 0:25:20 No, they're not.

Maria (RoRo) 0:25:22 They are.

Speaker H 0:25:23 Bag for Life is the plastic one that when you go in Tesco and—

Maria (RoRo) 0:25:27 Yes. No, you're the ones you pay for, not the £1 ones, they're the 40p ones.

Speaker H 0:25:32 Yeah, the carrier bags. The £1 ones are reusable. Yeah, I'm talking about the bag first. So you are talking, just checking you were talking about the right thing.

Maria (RoRo) 0:25:39 Right, yeah.

Speaker H 0:25:40 Oh, ching ching. She's waiting for another present, I think.

Maria (RoRo) 0:25:44 Oh no, we're moving. All right, no, I don't know, I'm sweating, I'm nervous. I don't know what's going on.

Speaker H 0:25:48 Oh, there's nothing to be nervous about.

Natalie Cassidy 0:25:49 There's certainly not nothing. You can see the gravitas.

Maria (RoRo) 0:25:52 This is good though, isn't it? Clever concept.

Speaker H 0:25:57 What, the doing the presents? Oh yes.

Natalie Cassidy 0:26:00 No, no, it's good. I like it.

Maria (RoRo) 0:26:02 Just shows all the shit that we talk about. No, it's lovely.

Speaker H 0:26:05 We weren't sure it was a joke.

Natalie Cassidy 0:26:06 Celebrating.

Maria (RoRo) 0:26:07 Must have been.

Natalie Cassidy 0:26:08 Celebrating the pod, aren't we?

Speaker H 0:26:10 You couldn't really get a shoe cabinet in.

Maria (RoRo) 0:26:12 Oh, what a shame.

Speaker H 0:26:16 Sorry.

Maria (RoRo) 0:26:17 It's never too late. She'd order one from, from Dusk.

Natalie Cassidy 0:26:20 Hey Maria, you absolute beauty. Your favourite Brystodian here wishing you a wonderful 40th birthday. I mean, I think they've got the 40th bit wrong. None of us knew that you were turning 40. It can't be. You look bloody marvellous. Anyway, have a wonderful day, my angel, and, uh, hopefully see you for a thin rim very soon. Lots of love, darling.

Speaker H 0:26:44 A little bit of, um, Samantha there.

Maria (RoRo) 0:26:50 But he's like sweating. Yeah, it is funny though because I'm 10 years older, but I love it. I love it. I love it. Oh, because it's the way you look so serious.

Speaker H 0:27:11 I'm 10 years older.

Maria (RoRo) 0:27:12 And I've put on more weight, but I think I look better. Yeah, do you know what I mean? I think I look better as I get older, which says a lot of what I looked like when I was younger.

Speaker H 0:27:29 No, I agree. I strongly agree.

Maria (RoRo) 0:27:33 What, me or you?

Speaker H 0:27:34 Well, I think I've got better as I've gotten older, that's for sure. I think we all do.

Maria (RoRo) 0:27:44 Yeah, so that's Plus, it's a nice thing, isn't it? Yeah.

Natalie Cassidy 0:27:50 It's funny how she's a funny soul, isn't she? She's funny.

Maria (RoRo) 0:27:55 I think it's the heat.

Speaker H 0:27:56 No, I think I wasn't sure where you were going. I thought you were gonna say I'm 10 years older from when I'm 30 or something like that.

Maria (RoRo) 0:28:02 Again. So I was just thinking when I was 30, I looked all right, but I don't mind. Like now I feel—

Speaker H 0:28:07 You feel confident, you feel comfortable.

Maria (RoRo) 0:28:09 Oh, I have done in the past for a while. When I was younger, not so.

Speaker H 0:28:13 What do you mean?

Maria (RoRo) 0:28:14 No, as I've got older, I've got more.

Speaker H 0:28:17 I have done in the past.

Maria (RoRo) 0:28:18 10 years ago?

Speaker H 0:28:21 Not sure.

Maria (RoRo) 0:28:23 I'm so confused.

Speaker H 0:28:23 I was just trying to create a conversation. No. Because we are on a podcast and it's a bit shit at the moment.

Maria (RoRo) 0:28:28 Sorry. Sorry.

Speaker H 0:28:29 So I just thought—

Maria (RoRo) 0:28:31 No, I'm saying when you— I've got, I've got food. When you, I dunno, I think a lot of people would agree with me. As you get older, you get more comfortable in your own skin, don't you? Yes. That's what I'm saying.

Natalie Cassidy 0:28:39 Yeah. Yeah. I think that's very important though. Yeah, exactly.

Maria (RoRo) 0:28:41 So I think that's a night that is a, a positive with ageing.

Natalie Cassidy 0:28:44 But I don't think it's only— I just think it's how you view the world. Yes. Yeah. And how you don't care.

Speaker H 0:28:50 And you've got other things to be worrying about, like children. Yeah. Your priorities.

Natalie Cassidy 0:28:54 Yeah. Your priorities change.

Speaker H 0:28:56 How your situation is. Yeah. At your happiest. And weight, I know you said about that, but it's irrelevant, isn't it? Not irrelevant, but like you would've moaned about your weight and saying, oh, I'm not where I wanna be. Well, weight, but But the reality is it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of everything else.

Maria (RoRo) 0:29:13 No, it is fascinating. Like, you think back to 10 years ago. Yeah. I'm joking.

Natalie Cassidy 0:29:18 Why don't you do 20?

Maria (RoRo) 0:29:20 I exist. Just for a joke. Is that all right? 20? 12? 30? I know, but like, just even now, I don't— you don't— I couldn't imagine falling out with anyone, anything like that. All those things that you go through sometimes with friends and I just, yeah, now, like, wouldn't have the time. No. The energy.

Speaker H 0:29:40 But it's, again, it's different stages in your life. Absolutely. And the people you've got. Yeah.

Maria (RoRo) 0:29:45 But I think it's a nice stage where the fact that all your friends are your friends. Absolutely. Everyone's busy. There's no expectations. It's a bit more, you know what I mean? There's no, oh, we haven't spoken in a month. It's such a lovely place to be.

Speaker H 0:29:56 But I also think people's mindset has changed. Has changed.

Maria (RoRo) 0:29:58 Yeah, completely.

Speaker H 0:29:58 I do feel like there's been a big shift in, in that sort of, saying, actually, I just don't really wanna do that. I'm quite happy to not come out or not, I don't wanna do that today. Or, yeah, I don't know if that's just me, 'cause I know that's changed for me, but I feel that maybe society has, maybe through COVID, that has definitely shifted. Or I wanna do what I wanna do.

Maria (RoRo) 0:30:22 But I think there is this whole thing of, yeah, being able to say no and actually being open to people to say, no, I actually, I don't want to do that. Yeah, it's good.

Speaker H 0:30:30 Yeah. It's really good.

Maria (RoRo) 0:30:32 Yeah, it's interesting.

Speaker H 0:30:32 I've done it for quite a while. You have? Yeah, I've done that for quite a while.

Maria (RoRo) 0:30:36 Yeah, whereas I would, I used to say yes to everything.

Speaker H 0:30:39 Yeah, you still do.

Maria (RoRo) 0:30:41 I still, I think it's, well, I, if I want to do it, but I wouldn't put myself out. Before I would go, I'd put myself out. If I didn't wanna go somewhere, I'd do it.

Natalie Cassidy 0:30:49 Really? Why that?

Maria (RoRo) 0:30:50 Just 'cause I didn't wanna let people down or.

Speaker H 0:30:52 Yeah, but again, people don't, yeah, you can't worry. You gotta do what you wanna do.

Maria (RoRo) 0:30:56 No, you can't worry to a certain extent, but I think there's, there's gotta be a balance.

Natalie Cassidy 0:30:59 Time is precious. Yeah. Yeah. And this is it.

Maria (RoRo) 0:31:02 Maybe as you get older, you realise, like I say, with the children. With the children.

Speaker H 0:31:05 And how you want to be spending your time. And my weekends now, when Jack's not working, they're precious to me. I want to— that's how I want to spend my time. Like, yes, you know, and that's where— same for you. There might be differences on how you want to spend your time now. Yeah. It's not to say you don't do anything, but it is important. Time is— and look how quick it goes. 10 years ago you were 30. 10 years ago I was 24. What was I doing with my life?

Maria (RoRo) 0:31:35 Fucking God knows. What was you up to?

Speaker H 0:31:37 I think I was with Jack. Yeah. Just sort of plodding along.

Maria (RoRo) 0:31:43 Oh, you was? Yeah.

Speaker H 0:31:44 I think we actually were in the process of buying the flat.

Maria (RoRo) 0:31:46 Did you not get engaged?

Speaker H 0:31:48 No, that was 7.

Maria (RoRo) 0:31:49 Oh.

Speaker H 0:31:50 But yeah.

Maria (RoRo) 0:31:51 I bought, no, 10 years ago I've been in the house.

Natalie Cassidy 0:31:53 Yes.

Maria (RoRo) 0:31:55 Yeah.

Speaker H 0:31:55 The house. And we weren't that long up. Maybe it was, maybe we, but yeah, we were in the process. Just mad, innit? What were you doing 10 years ago?

Natalie Cassidy 0:32:03 I was very heavily pregnant. Oh yeah. Sweating my nuts off with Joanie. Oh my God.

Maria (RoRo) 0:32:08 Yeah. Any day.

Speaker H 0:32:10 Yeah. Yeah. 4 weeks to go.

Natalie Cassidy 0:32:11 Mm-hmm. Yep. I love being pregnant. Loved it. Yeah. I really loved it.

Speaker H 0:32:17 I loved being pregnant. Yeah. You did too.

Natalie Cassidy 0:32:19 Enjoyed it. Do that in the summer though. Would you do that again?

Maria (RoRo) 0:32:23 No. No. Absolutely not.

Speaker H 0:32:25 No. You?

Natalie Cassidy 0:32:26 I think it flashes across my mind. I mean, absolutely not.

Maria (RoRo) 0:32:29 That blows my mind. It flashes. Really?

Speaker H 0:32:33 Have we discussed the football at all?

Natalie Cassidy 0:32:35 Not yet.

Speaker H 0:32:37 Okay.

Maria (RoRo) 0:32:37 Should we, should we have my birthday along?

Natalie Cassidy 0:32:39 Sorry.

Speaker H 0:32:40 No, we'll go back. No, we'll go back.

Natalie Cassidy 0:32:41 No, back and forth. It's lovely. It's back and forth. It's organic. It's just seeing how things flow, you know? Yeah. Your mum annihilated me.

Maria (RoRo) 0:32:48 Yeah. I mean—

Natalie Cassidy 0:32:49 Annihilated me. I deserve it.

Speaker H 0:32:50 In fact, I'm gonna read the message that I received from Natalie.

Maria (RoRo) 0:32:53 Yeah. And then—

Speaker H 0:32:55 So, oh, you've got one too.

Maria (RoRo) 0:32:56 What time was your message?

Natalie Cassidy 0:32:57 Well, can I just say one thing to you both?

Maria (RoRo) 0:32:59 Go on.

Natalie Cassidy 0:33:00 When this comes out, someone's won the World Cup yesterday.

Maria (RoRo) 0:33:03 Oh, oh yeah. Well, let's hope it's England. Congratulations.

Speaker H 0:33:07 What I will say is that me and Natalie had a discussion about what we were doing in terms of sleeping, not sleeping, as we all did.

Maria (RoRo) 0:33:15 Yep.

Speaker H 0:33:15 This was the England-Mexico, for the listeners. Cracking game. Absolutely cracking game. Was it Mexico? Have I made that up? It was.

Maria (RoRo) 0:33:22 No, it was Mexico.

Speaker H 0:33:23 So Natalie messaged me at half past 11 saying—

Maria (RoRo) 0:33:27 So mine was before. Let me do mine then. So mine was 22:45, up? Asleep? What's going on?

Speaker H 0:33:37 She was on one. Did you get a video? I was asleep. No, that's it. Of her singing. I got one. I'm popping the videos on Patreon, by the way. Saying, I genuinely can't believe you went to bed. I was going to bed about 9, having 4 hours and waking up. I've watched Norway-Brazil, and that was boring, but great at the end. I've drank a very nice bottle of Sancerre, and I'm now in for the night. You young ones are fucking drips. I need an espresso martini.

Maria (RoRo) 0:34:07 Wow.

Speaker H 0:34:08 Cut to Natalie not waking up for the football, which is exactly what I said would happen because she peaked too soon.

Maria (RoRo) 0:34:17 I was so excited. What? I mean, what percentage? I was so excited. And that's the point.

Speaker H 0:34:23 She got excited. She got way too excited. And then what happened? Sorry, I've just had a very cute photo sent of James.

Maria (RoRo) 0:34:31 Oh, was that just now? I thought it was now. Sorry, sorry. Can we see? Oh, look at him.

Speaker H 0:34:37 It's a photo of him and his dad sticking their tongues out. Oh, wow. It's very cute.

Maria (RoRo) 0:34:41 No, so I was here then on the Saturday night, wasn't I? She was saying, you know, I'm not gonna drink and I'm just gonna drink cups of tea. I said, that's a good idea.

Natalie Cassidy 0:34:48 But I was going to do that later. Do you know what I mean?

Maria (RoRo) 0:34:52 Yeah.

Natalie Cassidy 0:34:52 But I, I wasn't gonna drink any. I had the sunset and I promise you, I had a, I had that. Yeah. And I drank that over whatever. And then I sat down, I was like, right, I had a water.

Maria (RoRo) 0:35:01 You on there? I was gonna eat a cup of tea. Until, and then not even 1, 2 o'clock.

Natalie Cassidy 0:35:05 No, I saw the 2 o'clock delay and I thought, this is not gonna happen.

Speaker H 0:35:08 You saw shit. You hadn't been online. What time did you fall asleep?

Natalie Cassidy 0:35:12 I think it was about 12:50.

Speaker H 0:35:16 Oh, fair enough. That is really poor.

Natalie Cassidy 0:35:19 It was terrible. I was devastated.

Speaker H 0:35:21 Yeah, and I knew how heartbroken you would've been.

Maria (RoRo) 0:35:24 You would've had proper FOMO in the morning.

Speaker H 0:35:25 And I went, I really enjoyed reading all the messages. I said, well, if you want, I said, drive around to mine. We're gonna be up. We're not sitting in bed, we're sitting downstairs and watching it. She was like, oh, I might just do that. Okay.

Natalie Cassidy 0:35:39 Anywho, might be happening, uh, next week. So there we go.

Maria (RoRo) 0:35:44 Where you going next week?

Natalie Cassidy 0:35:45 Well, it's on at 10, isn't it?

Maria (RoRo) 0:35:47 Finished over, mate.

Speaker H 0:35:48 Yeah, it's finished next game over.

Maria (RoRo) 0:35:49 Tournament's over today. I know, yesterday, last night. Uh, yeah, no, good.

Speaker H 0:35:53 Nearly finished my sticker book, guys.

Maria (RoRo) 0:35:55 Well done.

Speaker H 0:35:55 Stickers to go.

Maria (RoRo) 0:35:57 Who do you need? I'll see if Alfie's got them because it's— that's been a waste of time.

Speaker H 0:36:01 What, you've got packs?

Maria (RoRo) 0:36:02 Well, I've got stickers.

Speaker H 0:36:04 How many?

Maria (RoRo) 0:36:05 Loads.

Speaker H 0:36:07 Is she joking me? I've spent my fortune on stickers. How many packs do you reckon?

Maria (RoRo) 0:36:13 I don't know. It's just a pile of stickers. Oh my God.

Speaker H 0:36:16 I can't believe it.

Natalie Cassidy 0:36:17 You're gonna have to give it, you're gonna have to go through those.

Speaker H 0:36:19 You are gonna.

Maria (RoRo) 0:36:19 Send me the names. I'll have a look.

Natalie Cassidy 0:36:21 It's a serious thing, this.

Speaker H 0:36:22 And then Kat popped over today and she's like, oh, this is great. Looking through it, Japan. She went, you've got the same guy stuck in twice.

Maria (RoRo) 0:36:29 I was like, I'm heartbroken.

Speaker H 0:36:30 So now I've got to go tonight. I've gotta go through it all. And I've also been very kind, commented on a Facebook thing today. I've got a few people messaging saying this is what I need. So I'm gonna go through them all for you. them and start divvying them out. I've got about 1,000 stickers. I can't sit and waste them. People need them.

Natalie Cassidy 0:36:47 Why don't you give them all to me and I can fill my book up?

Speaker H 0:36:49 No, you're all right, you won't get it done.

Maria (RoRo) 0:36:51 What are you doing then with the book?

Speaker H 0:36:52 Nothing, it's just James's first World Cup. Be a nice thing for him to look back on.

Maria (RoRo) 0:36:56 England's gonna win, do you think?

Speaker H 0:36:59 Yeah, well, I think they're— yeah, they're showing it's very possible.

Maria (RoRo) 0:37:02 Shame you're not going to be here.

Natalie Cassidy 0:37:03 Just on that, you know, Have we thought about maybe venturing out?

Maria (RoRo) 0:37:10 Oh yeah, where do you want to go? We're in the Campania.

Natalie Cassidy 0:37:16 No sort of sports bar?

Speaker H 0:37:18 No, I don't think so.

Maria (RoRo) 0:37:20 We'll be watching it on our iPhones.

Natalie Cassidy 0:37:23 I know, I will be watching it on my iPhone.

Speaker H 0:37:24 Why don't you bring your large iPad?

Maria (RoRo) 0:37:27 No, it's not gonna— there's a TV. I mean, we're not going to The 1920s?

Speaker H 0:37:36 When you were born?

Maria (RoRo) 0:37:37 Yeah. It'll be fine, we'll sort it. Let's not panic. Let's just, let's just get through each one game at a time. One game at a time.

Speaker H 0:37:46 Don't get too excited, guys, because they've been a little bit shit in a couple of games. That's true. Although one, but a few little shockers out there. Go on then, present time.

Natalie Cassidy 0:37:56 Well, it's not one here.

Speaker H 0:37:58 Oh yeah, that's what I'm saying.

Maria (RoRo) 0:38:00 Thank God that we're going self-reducing on Thursday.

Natalie Cassidy 0:38:02 People will find that very disrespectful.

Maria (RoRo) 0:38:07 What do you mean? It's not disrespectful. What are these? These smell nice.

Natalie Cassidy 0:38:15 They are for when you sort your wardrobe out. You hang them in your wardrobe because, you know, you've always got to do your wardrobe out.

Maria (RoRo) 0:38:22 Or in the drawers.

Natalie Cassidy 0:38:25 They hang up. They're liquor drawers. No, they're hell drawers.

Maria (RoRo) 0:38:28 What do you mean they hang up?

Natalie Cassidy 0:38:29 They've got little hangers and you hang them in your wardrobe.

Maria (RoRo) 0:38:31 Stop it.

Natalie Cassidy 0:38:33 When you've sorted out your wardrobe.

Maria (RoRo) 0:38:35 I mean, they'll be in the box for another 10 years, but that's lovely. Thank you. I mean, you're making me look very domesticated.

Speaker H 0:38:43 Yeah, it's true.

Maria (RoRo) 0:38:45 The house is a shithole at the moment. Oh my goodness. Deal with it when I'm back.

Speaker H 0:38:50 What was your, what's been your favourite I can't speak.

Speaker H 0:38:53 What's been your favourite birthday ever? Oh, have a little think about it. Hiya, Nat, nieces, and all the family. Uh, this is a message just to wish a very, very, very happy birthday to Maria. I also turned 40 this year, and my other half did, and just wanted to say welcome to the 40 Club.

Speaker H 0:39:14 What a year for turning 40. I read somewhere when I turned 40 that life begins at 40, and then it said something like, but so does rheumatism, bad eyesight, telling the story, same story to the same person 3 or 4 times, forgetting names of people. All that also begins whilst life begins. So there you go, it's all a big old melting pot of everything. But yeah, very happy, happy, happy, happy birthday.

Speaker H 0:39:42 Enjoy it. Sending love to everyone as always. Loving the pod. Oh, thanks, babe.

Maria (RoRo) 0:39:49 Happy birthday as well.

Natalie Cassidy 0:39:50 That's lovely, isn't it?

Maria (RoRo) 0:39:51 I'm here for it. I'm here for it. Not all the other stuff.

Speaker H 0:39:54 What do you mean? She can't be 40. You're far too young and gorgeous, and that's coming from a 50-year-old. Enjoy your 40s, darling. Best time of my life, apart from on my kids, obviously, but enjoy. From what I've heard, you have many celebrations planned. Enjoy every single one of them and let's soak up the love.

Speaker O 0:40:21 Take care.

Natalie Cassidy 0:40:22 Bye.

Speaker O 0:40:22 Oh, I hope I just scraped in.

Speaker H 0:40:28 5:29 by me.

Natalie Cassidy 0:40:30 My message said I need them in by 5:30. You scraped in, my love.

Maria (RoRo) 0:40:35 Thank you.

Speaker H 0:40:36 There's a cheese dip going round.

Natalie Cassidy 0:40:40 Hope there's a cheese dip. Oh, I hope.

Speaker H 0:40:42 I thought she was telling you there is one. I was gonna say, what one?

Natalie Cassidy 0:40:44 I didn't go for any food pieces, any food bits this evening. No, we did think she had far too many, um, pots to have any more.

Maria (RoRo) 0:40:53 No, it's true, it is true. The tapas restaurant is still, uh, pending. What are you looking at?

Speaker H 0:41:00 How many have you got left? You fucked it, didn't you?

Natalie Cassidy 0:41:03 But you know why?

Maria (RoRo) 0:41:05 No. Why have you fucked it?

Speaker H 0:41:07 I thought, I thought you might have fucked it.

Natalie Cassidy 0:41:09 Really? Well, yeah, 'cause you said you only had one to go. Yeah, but it was only that little one.

Maria (RoRo) 0:41:15 All right, she fucked it. Well, what happened? She fucked it up. She fucked it up. She's standing in the corner and she fucked it up.

Natalie Cassidy 0:41:23 I was going to get you. I wasn't gonna get it for you. This is what you could have had. Oh, in fact, I will give it to you downstairs. I'm not doing it now, but I have a really lovely tapas book. that I never ever use. Oh. So I will give it to you downstairs. But because it wasn't a bought thing, I was gonna give it to you and wrap it up. That's why I haven't done it.

Speaker H 0:41:42 She wouldn't have been none the wiser unless you opened your big gob.

Natalie Cassidy 0:41:44 No, but I can give her the book, 'cause I've— when am I ever cooking tapas? I'm just not gonna do that. But it's from Valencia. It's a Spanish one.

Maria (RoRo) 0:41:51 Where's it from?

Natalie Cassidy 0:41:52 Valencia. Valencia. Valencia. But this one's for you. I'm really sorry, I wasn't— I couldn't do another roll of paper.

Maria (RoRo) 0:42:04 It was so hot.

Natalie Cassidy 0:42:05 I just did an ironing board. Do another piece.

Maria (RoRo) 0:42:09 Travel one.

Natalie Cassidy 0:42:10 I couldn't do another roll of paper. Just a little mini one. Little mini one. A surfboard.

Maria (RoRo) 0:42:14 This is fucking excellent. I know, I need it.

Speaker H 0:42:16 I thought you might say I don't want that.

Maria (RoRo) 0:42:17 What a great idea.

Natalie Cassidy 0:42:19 So you haven't got to keep getting the big one out.

Maria (RoRo) 0:42:20 That's sick.

Speaker H 0:42:22 And you just put it on your top, on the tabletop.

Maria (RoRo) 0:42:24 That is—

Natalie Cassidy 0:42:25 and the kids Kitchen on the worktop. That's the best present ever. Isn't it?

Maria (RoRo) 0:42:29 So good.

Speaker H 0:42:30 I actually need one of them desperately.

Maria (RoRo) 0:42:32 Because what I do is, I'm like, yesterday I was like, oh, Alfie needs his PE t-shirt. The ironing board is still sitting there in the living room. Yes. So I can't be bothered to keep it, and I've got that. Oh, I normally do it on a towel.

Natalie Cassidy 0:42:42 Oh, do you?

Maria (RoRo) 0:42:44 Yeah. Very good. Thank you very, very much. Excellent.

Speaker H 0:42:49 That's absolutely brilliant. And you can just put that in the kitchen on the worktop. Done. Yeah.

Natalie Cassidy 0:42:54 I would really like one of those.

Speaker H 0:42:55 Yeah, me too.

Maria (RoRo) 0:42:56 Okay. Christmas coming up.

Natalie Cassidy 0:42:58 It's brilliant. No, that'll suit me down to the ground. Thank you.

Maria (RoRo) 0:43:02 Thank you very much. Very good.

Speaker H 0:43:03 We're not doing Christmas presents this year.

Maria (RoRo) 0:43:04 Oh, I know. She's already, she's already fucking—

Natalie Cassidy 0:43:06 Just small things. No, I think, I think we should. I think we should.

Speaker H 0:43:10 We're not even gonna see each other to be able to exchange.

Maria (RoRo) 0:43:12 I'm gonna say, Natalie, we can buy each other a present.

Speaker H 0:43:15 No.

Natalie Cassidy 0:43:18 No, I'm saying we should buy each other presents, but we haven't gotta go crazy. Everyone's got a lot on. Everyone remember this.

Maria (RoRo) 0:43:25 And we'll easily be able to come back to this episode 'cause it's my 40th on the 20th of July.

Speaker H 0:43:29 It's 10 years after she turned 30.

Natalie Cassidy 0:43:34 20 years after she turned 20.

Maria (RoRo) 0:43:38 20. You struggled there.

Natalie Cassidy 0:43:42 Oh dear.

Maria (RoRo) 0:43:42 My favourite birthday. I think that's a really hard question.

Speaker H 0:43:47 Well, of course it is because there's been many. 40 you've had. But any that stand out? My 40th. Perfect. I hope you're having a really nice day.

Natalie Cassidy 0:43:58 I've got, I've got a, I, I know my favourite birthday.

Maria (RoRo) 0:44:00 Go on.

Natalie Cassidy 0:44:01 When I had a McDonald's party.

Maria (RoRo) 0:44:04 How do you remember that?

Natalie Cassidy 0:44:05 Because I remember the details. I remember coming to that. You were there.

Maria (RoRo) 0:44:08 I was there.

Natalie Cassidy 0:44:09 Ronald McDonald turned up and it was just the best thing in my life. It was so good.

Maria (RoRo) 0:44:17 Yeah, no, for me, I don't know. Yeah, I do have a lot of young birthday memories, like year 6. My mum, I had the hall, we had a leave, it was like a leavers and birthday party. When you had that cake with the 3 footballs on it. That's it, yeah. I remember that. I remember that. I remember another disco party.

Natalie Cassidy 0:44:36 Did you get dressed up as a dancer or something?

Maria (RoRo) 0:44:38 As a dancer?

Natalie Cassidy 0:44:40 Or a singer? Was there a party you did where you all dressed up?

Maria (RoRo) 0:44:44 No, we went to, it was my friend Katrina, We went to Pizza Hut and we decided to dress up as the Spice Girls and we stood up in Pizza Hut and we sang.

Speaker H 0:44:52 Oh, brilliant.

Maria (RoRo) 0:44:53 Wow. Spice Girls.

Natalie Cassidy 0:44:54 Great, great memories.

Maria (RoRo) 0:44:55 Just, just for fun.

Speaker H 0:44:55 What about your 18th?

Maria (RoRo) 0:44:57 No, that, we'll forget about that one. Stripper.

Speaker H 0:45:03 Oh yeah.

Maria (RoRo) 0:45:03 We've done that story.

Speaker H 0:45:05 Did you not have a party?

Maria (RoRo) 0:45:06 21st was a massive party in the garden.

Speaker H 0:45:08 It rained. That was a great day. It rained all day long.

Maria (RoRo) 0:45:11 That was nice. This is gonna be very special though, this one. I think probably, I don't know. Yeah, some of the understated ones. You've a lovely one. I can't remember what year. Supper club, you surprised me.

Speaker H 0:45:22 Yeah, that was good.

Natalie Cassidy 0:45:22 All the girls, you all come and stayed.

Maria (RoRo) 0:45:25 That was a really lovely one.

Speaker H 0:45:26 Yeah, I smashed it. That was random.

Maria (RoRo) 0:45:27 That was like a 25th or 27th birthday.

Natalie Cassidy 0:45:29 That was a really, really good evening.

Speaker H 0:45:31 It was probably your 25th, and I felt pressured to make it special for your 25th because it's like 5 years after you turned 20.

Natalie Cassidy 0:45:39 In between the 20th and 30th. No, I don't know why we did that.

Speaker H 0:45:41 We were going, we were going to supper club. I think we'd organised that. You knew about it. I didn't.

Maria (RoRo) 0:45:46 You know about supper club? Oh, maybe, but I didn't know if I was invited.

Speaker H 0:45:49 And then I said, oh, let's stay up there because it's in— it was a bit of a mission, wasn't it? Like Kensington or Notting Hill.

Maria (RoRo) 0:45:54 Look, very lucky. I don't think there's been a birthday that I haven't celebrated. When we were younger, Mum and Dad did us all lovely parties, lots at home as well.

Speaker H 0:46:04 I just remember having a lot of magicians knocking about.

Maria (RoRo) 0:46:07 I don't remember having— I remember you did. Yeah. Was it you? Was it? I think it was McDonald's. McDonald's.

Speaker H 0:46:13 In fact, we probably had quite a few.

Maria (RoRo) 0:46:14 We have. Yeah. I mean, Mum and Dad, bit like what we do with the kids. Yeah, of course. Yeah. They always went all out. I remember having one at TGI Fridays.

Speaker H 0:46:21 I had one.

Maria (RoRo) 0:46:22 They tied all the balloons in my hair.

Speaker H 0:46:24 Me too. I remember that. TGIs were so good back in the day. We loved TGIs. It was so good. And they look happy, happy birthday. They all come over singing, like going crazy. It was good. Yeah. About 50,000 balloons attached to you.

Maria (RoRo) 0:46:35 Yeah.

Speaker H 0:46:37 I had once, like, my favourite was probably when I got a limo.

Maria (RoRo) 0:46:41 I remember, was that your birthday?

Speaker H 0:46:44 Yeah, we just drove around. I think we drove to the London Eye and back. We all got out, sorry, and had a photo, but we all dressed up as someone.

Maria (RoRo) 0:46:52 So I was Victoria Beckham. Oh, I remember that.

Speaker H 0:46:55 And like my friends dressed up, but it wasn't like, it wasn't over-the-top dressing up. It was more look, look glam. I mean, we didn't look glam, We were like 14. Brilliant. We thought we were so good. What a great little party.

Natalie Cassidy 0:47:08 So cool. And you all went in the limo and just had a drive around?

Speaker H 0:47:11 Yeah, just drove, got out, had a photo. Everyone was like, oh, who's getting out the limo? It was just us.

Natalie Cassidy 0:47:15 Limos were huge back in the day, weren't they?

Maria (RoRo) 0:47:18 Yeah, and Hummers.

Speaker H 0:47:19 Yeah, Hummers.

Maria (RoRo) 0:47:20 Yeah, loads. Very lucky. Loads. Lots of different birthdays.

Natalie Cassidy 0:47:26 I feel very blessed, very blessed to have you in my life. 40 years old. I can't believe you're 40.

Maria (RoRo) 0:47:32 I know.

Natalie Cassidy 0:47:32 It's crazy when I look back at all of our memories, all those wonderful times together in the summer holidays, spending nice times together at Christmas, New Year's Eve, where we used to make all the food and go downstairs to Nan and Grandad. Yeah. And say Happy New Year.

Maria (RoRo) 0:47:47 I know. It's just—

Natalie Cassidy 0:47:48 Just simple things that were very, very special.

Maria (RoRo) 0:47:51 I know. Building tents in the garden.

Natalie Cassidy 0:47:53 Yep.

Maria (RoRo) 0:47:53 Mad, isn't it?

Natalie Cassidy 0:47:55 And now you're joining me into the 40 club.

Maria (RoRo) 0:47:59 Fabulous. I'm excited. I think it's going to be a good year. So it should be.

Natalie Cassidy 0:49:55 Well, we better do a bit of correspondence because we've had some cracking, cracking messages. Yeah.

Speaker H 0:50:04 Love, how are you? I'm just walking out of the park, which I have not done in a while because I've been going to the gym. gym, and I either— I can't do both.

Speaker H 0:50:15 I can't go to the gym and walk. It's just too much out of my day, and time goes so quickly that I need to prioritise. But Lewis has got the car today, so I'm walking over the park. But guess what I did? I'm such a twat, right?

Speaker H 0:50:28 I put my top on inside out. I was walking along thinking, what is that tickling my arm? And the label's on show. I can't have the label on show. I can't be walking around with the inside without tops on.

Speaker H 0:50:39 So I've just gone into a bush in Swanley Park, taken my top off, put it the right way around, and I had to check there was no one around so I didn't look like this weirdo half-naked person in Swanley Park. So anyway, I've just heard your little rant as well with Tony Talks about the football and the hydration breaks. I love the passion in your voice. You're so hilarious when you like really get aggy about something. It's brilliant.

Maria (RoRo) 0:51:08 Anyway, hope you have a good day and, uh, speak to you soon. Take care.

Natalie Cassidy 0:51:12 Lovely.

Speaker H 0:51:12 Claire heard someone sound so much like Mrs. Hinch than Mrs. Hinch. She just sounds like her.

Maria (RoRo) 0:51:19 Does she? Yes, the maddest thing. I don't really know what she sounds like. Um, I nearly did it today with a label.

Speaker H 0:51:24 Well, I did it on Sunday. I had people in and out my house. I'd been out, I'd been to the farm shop, I had breakfast, I was walking around the field with James and Jack. No one said— Yeah, but your hair probably covers it. 'Cause my hair's bitty. It's not like— Bitty. Bitty. But it, it is, it's there. Gutted I was. The other thing— And the worst thing is, is I've definitely worn that t-shirt before. Unless I've put it on and decided not to wear it. So I'm a bit confused about that.

Maria (RoRo) 0:51:53 So not washed it. Right. 'Cause the label would've gone to shit.

Speaker H 0:51:56 Well, I don't, I can't work it out.

Natalie Cassidy 0:51:57 That is so funny.

Speaker H 0:51:58 Unless I've just had it on for an hour. I dunno. But yeah.

Natalie Cassidy 0:52:01 Well, our hairdresser came round this morning and did my bonts, and she said that she was at yours the other week and you had a sticker on your face. Oh yeah. And she told you Yeah. I was waiting for a voice note actually, but she's forgotten.

Speaker H 0:52:13 I had been to the doctor's.

Natalie Cassidy 0:52:15 With a sticker on it.

Speaker H 0:52:18 With a sticker here, right here, of like a whale. No, not one, the doctor, not one person said, oh, you've got a sticker on your face. I'd spoken to my neighbours outside for about 15 minutes, come back in, Becky's turned up, sticker on my face.

Maria (RoRo) 0:52:32 That is brilliant.

Speaker H 0:52:34 Honestly. I must look like a lunatic, I'm sure of it.

Natalie Cassidy 0:52:38 Although now, have you seen the memes or the whatever, reels, whatever you wanna say? And it's the teenagers with the scars. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. Sometimes you get ones, don't you?

Maria (RoRo) 0:52:47 They're like, right around here. They're like, what's wrong? Yeah. Maybe they just thought it was that. What's that? I've got something on my face.

Speaker H 0:52:52 Maybe they did think it was just that.

Natalie Cassidy 0:52:54 Maybe they thought it was a spot covering. Yeah.

Maria (RoRo) 0:52:56 That is hilarious.

Natalie Cassidy 0:52:57 Really funny. What I wanted to say about Claire's message is I've got something to say And it's wound me up.

Maria (RoRo) 0:53:04 What now? I know we say it a lot. You're so aggy at the moment. No, it's just— She's moaning about the pubs being open. Let them be. Why can't they be open? I didn't say that.

Natalie Cassidy 0:53:13 Pubs could be open, do what you like. It was the how quickly they were allowed to be open.

Speaker H 0:53:18 Well, they were under a bit of time pressure.

Maria (RoRo) 0:53:20 No, I know.

Speaker H 0:53:20 But yes, I get what you mean.

Natalie Cassidy 0:53:22 So, Clare is right. She's having a walk because she can't fit the gym in as well. Yes. Men have it so easy, don't they? Even down to exercising, it's so easy for them.

Maria (RoRo) 0:53:38 Because?

Natalie Cassidy 0:53:39 Because I get my hair done today, I couldn't go swimming tonight. I've got work tomorrow.

Maria (RoRo) 0:53:44 Well, you can. You can put a cap. Oh, that's not gonna happen.

Natalie Cassidy 0:53:46 It's not gonna happen. No, but you can.

Maria (RoRo) 0:53:48 What are you talking about? No, my hair would be fucked.

Speaker H 0:53:51 No. Yeah, you would not. Your hair would be ruined if you've had your hair done and you needed it.

Maria (RoRo) 0:53:54 Oh, fucking hell.

Natalie Cassidy 0:53:56 Or if I was going to out tonight for a run and, and— No, but also, even if you've had a blow dry, Right?

Speaker H 0:54:02 You, it does ruin it.

Maria (RoRo) 0:54:03 I know, but you gotta prioritise, innit?

Natalie Cassidy 0:54:04 But what I'm saying is, for women, it's much harder to exercise, I think.

Maria (RoRo) 0:54:09 Like at work, in the middle of work, I'm not going for a run at lunch. There you go. Exactly. Whereas men can easily just have a quick shower done.

Natalie Cassidy 0:54:17 And I thought that is so out of order.

Maria (RoRo) 0:54:19 But we don't have to wear makeup and stuff, but we do. But I do think that. No, but it isn't even that. Or like cycling into work in the morning. I'm like, hey.

Speaker H 0:54:27 But it isn't even that. It's still the way you've gotta then get dressed. You're not just, oh, all right, men might have a suit on for work, but it, it is different. Your hair, you've still gotta then go through your hair, brush it, maybe put a bit of something in it.

Maria (RoRo) 0:54:39 But some women, you see 'em, their hair's wet, they got, they just brush their hair, that's it. Yeah, it's true. They do. That is true. They do.

Speaker H 0:54:48 But that bit of a little bit. A small percentage.

Maria (RoRo) 0:54:51 Yeah.

Speaker H 0:54:52 If you compared it to men and women.

Maria (RoRo) 0:54:54 Yeah.

Natalie Cassidy 0:54:55 No, you are right. I know that it is priorities.

Maria (RoRo) 0:54:57 No, but I'm, I understand what you're saying 'cause even me before I be like, I can't go and do my exercise class, my hair's gonna be in rollers.

Speaker H 0:55:03 Yeah.

Maria (RoRo) 0:55:04 But I mean, that is obviously an extreme. Your hair hasn't got to be in rollers.

Speaker H 0:55:07 But also, you say some people do that. I get what you're saying, but I also think, like, when I used to work in an office, you want to go to work and feel good and feel— you're— it's a, it's a change in your day. It's work, it's professional.

Maria (RoRo) 0:55:24 Mine's not.

Speaker H 0:55:25 No, but you're not gonna You're not gonna go looking like a slob. You still wanna look presentable. No, of course you do.

Maria (RoRo) 0:55:31 Yeah.

Natalie Cassidy 0:55:31 But so, however, what I'd say about that is some people's mindsets are going to the gym and exercising and then getting into work.

Speaker H 0:55:39 That's—

Maria (RoRo) 0:55:40 No, I'm sure they do. But then you've gotta get ready.

Speaker H 0:55:42 No, it's more about the look. Like you're saying, people then just go to work, like hair's wet. To me, I don't— I think that's not smart enough.

Maria (RoRo) 0:55:51 Yeah. You're not gonna look presentable. Don't get me wrong, it depends on the environment.

Speaker H 0:55:53 But if I went to Starbucks tomorrow and ordered a coffee and the woman behind the thing had wet hair, dripping, I'd think that's weird. Yeah, like, that is weird. So again, there's an element where you want to— I'm not saying you've got to have loads of makeup on, but you'd maybe tie your hair in a slick bun or you look presentable. You're not going out with dripping wet hair because you wouldn't go to an interview like that.

Maria (RoRo) 0:56:14 Why is it dripping wet hair? I don't know.

Speaker H 0:56:17 Why is it dripping wet? Just because it would be dripping wet.

Natalie Cassidy 0:56:19 No one said it was dripping.

Maria (RoRo) 0:56:20 You've got hair dryers, you can dry it.

Speaker H 0:56:22 You said wash your hair, have wet hair. You— someone just said that.

Maria (RoRo) 0:56:25 Yeah, but you could just brush it and Well, yeah. Towel dry it.

Natalie Cassidy 0:56:28 Imagine what my hair would—

Maria (RoRo) 0:56:30 No, it's not. It's a thing that I can't do. I don't get it when people wash their hair and it dries and they're just like, hi. I'm like, what do you mean?

Natalie Cassidy 0:56:38 There's no way.

Maria (RoRo) 0:56:39 How's that happening?

Speaker H 0:56:39 Yeah. And then you're on a meeting with a client and your hair's like—

Natalie Cassidy 0:56:43 Yes.

Speaker H 0:56:44 You would— yeah, you're not, you're not winning the work.

Natalie Cassidy 0:56:47 Sorry.

Maria (RoRo) 0:56:48 You're not getting the contract.

Speaker H 0:56:52 No, it does depend on the environment. But yeah, I don't— I just think—

Maria (RoRo) 0:56:55 but it is. Yeah. No, it is more— it is. Yeah. bit more to it for us, isn't there?

Natalie Cassidy 0:57:00 Yeah, there is a little bit more to it. You know, well, it's hard work, innit?

Maria (RoRo) 0:57:03 Hard work.

Natalie Cassidy 0:57:04 Hard work being the older woman.

Speaker H 0:57:06 But what about being like coming outta Tesco and seeing like all the workers smoking? What do you think about that?

Natalie Cassidy 0:57:13 They're on their cigarette break.

Speaker H 0:57:16 I know. I don't wanna see that all in their clothes stinking.

Maria (RoRo) 0:57:19 When I worked at Marks and Spencer's, there used to be, was it in like the cafe area when I used to have my break, and there was a room in there where you would go in and smoke. That's worse.

Natalie Cassidy 0:57:31 Wow, that's how old you are.

Maria (RoRo) 0:57:33 That was 10 years ago, like 20-something years ago. No, um, yeah, so that's worse because you're in a confined room having a cigarette.

Speaker H 0:57:41 No, it's just like, but I don't know, again, like you see them. Yeah, it's just, I don't know.

Maria (RoRo) 0:57:47 They are allowed to have a cigarette.

Speaker H 0:57:48 Yeah, I know. I don't really care.

Natalie Cassidy 0:57:49 I know what you mean.

Maria (RoRo) 0:57:50 It's like saying that in anything, isn't it? Everyone's out, you're always outside having a cigarette at the office, outside the office. Although I don't, I hardly see that where I am now.

Natalie Cassidy 0:58:01 No, that's what I mean. You don't really see that.

Maria (RoRo) 0:58:04 I do, but Eddie is right. That's one place I do see it.

Natalie Cassidy 0:58:07 Do you?

Maria (RoRo) 0:58:08 Yeah.

Speaker H 0:58:09 I don't have an issue. I'd be out there vaping until my heart was content.

Natalie Cassidy 0:58:13 Yes, that's true.

Speaker H 0:58:14 I'd absolutely love it, but it's just interesting. Just throwing it out there.

Maria (RoRo) 0:58:19 Just wash their hands, I guess.

Speaker H 0:58:22 Yeah, it's just like this. Yeah, it's the smell, isn't it then?

Natalie Cassidy 0:58:24 But Emma Holly said, I wish you would do what you wear in a week, things like what to wear in the late 30s and 40s.

Speaker H 0:58:36 Can't help you there.

Natalie Cassidy 0:58:37 But at some point maybe we should do that.

Maria (RoRo) 0:58:39 You should do it.

Natalie Cassidy 0:58:42 We should, we should do it. Us, what we wear. Yeah, let's do that.

Speaker H 0:58:45 But I don't think, yeah, I think it's pretty, I mean, I think we could cover that. It's not a photo op every week.

Maria (RoRo) 0:58:49 Not a problem.

Speaker H 0:58:50 It's nothing too out there.

Natalie Cassidy 0:58:52 Well, Emma was very kind and she said, I think you're looking incredible at the moment, loving the hair.

Speaker H 0:58:55 Aw.

Natalie Cassidy 0:58:56 So that was very kind. Certainly had not been expecting that.

Speaker H 0:59:00 My latest thing is just t-shirts. As long as you've got nice shorts or trousers, and there's a lot of nice shorts and trousers knocking about at the moment, and just a plain t-shirt or vest top, it's a cracker.

Natalie Cassidy 0:59:15 Plain.

Speaker H 0:59:15 Oh, it doesn't have to be plain, but I'm saying if you've got a pair of stripy trousers on, you can just put a plain white t-shirt on. Or if you've got a brown with something, you can put a plain brown t-shirt. Like, I'm, I'm very into the sort of the plain top and going—

Natalie Cassidy 0:59:31 I think a t-shirt suits you though. I'm not, I'm not on t-shirts at the moment.

Speaker H 0:59:35 All right, at least top or—

Natalie Cassidy 0:59:37 Too hot for a t-shirt.

Speaker H 0:59:38 Or I say that, or like a plain— I've got linen, black linen trousers, white linen trousers, And then, I dunno, stripy t-shirt. I'm very into that vibe at the moment. I like it.

Natalie Cassidy 0:59:47 Suits you. And it's easy.

Maria (RoRo) 0:59:48 Go you.

Speaker H 0:59:49 Easy peasy. I mean, I might look like an absolute knob, but I like it.

Maria (RoRo) 0:59:52 No, you don't. You look nice.

Natalie Cassidy 0:59:53 No, I do. I think that is a very good subject and we should maybe cover it a little bit more at some point.

Maria (RoRo) 0:59:57 Always willing.

Natalie Cassidy 0:59:58 I think that'll be nice.

Natalie Cassidy 1:00:00 Apparently you met someone in the pub. RoRo, lovely to meet you at the pub today. I was the one who used to work at Tesco and doesn't miss Monday trade. Anyway, you said how much it meant to you when people say they love the And say what they get out of it. And you said that you'd had a crazy, tricky few years.

Natalie Cassidy 1:00:15 I can't remember your wording. I've had a rough 18 months dealing with harassment. It's been so bloody awful not feeling safe at home or online. Mm. And being home alone a lot with my 9-year-old.

Natalie Cassidy 1:00:25 Oh dear. I feel for you. Listening to the pod has felt like a safe space and kind of a reminder that the world outside that I now feel I'm more part of again. I know it's a lighthearted pod that makes us all laugh, but the impact goes far beyond that. that.

Natalie Cassidy 1:00:39 I'm so glad it's having a great impact on you doing it too. Much love, love the show, and hopefully see you at the brunch.

Maria (RoRo) 1:00:45 Lovely, isn't it?

Natalie Cassidy 1:00:48 So nice.

Maria (RoRo) 1:00:48 Just, yeah, honestly, it's, um, we get lots of messages like that, and I know we are a bit piss takers and we have a laugh, but we will— maybe there is room to do a few more serious chats soon because, yes, I think people are going through lots of, lots of things and and I think we can help. And yeah, we'll always bring a bit of light to it anyway.

Natalie Cassidy 1:01:09 But I think so. I think it would be very, very good.

Speaker H 1:01:11 Yeah. Did you see our lovely shop in Ware won an award?

Natalie Cassidy 1:01:15 I did.

Speaker H 1:01:16 Opal and Iris, they won muddy puddles. Muddy puddles. Jumping up here now. That should be me saying that. Muddy boots.

Natalie Cassidy 1:01:27 Yes.

Speaker H 1:01:28 It was like something to do with, there was I dunno, but a number of shops, like little shops in Hertfordshire, and they were brilliant.

Natalie Cassidy 1:01:36 She does a lovely job in there.

Maria (RoRo) 1:01:37 Lovely edit. Whenever I go in there, I'll do my absolute beans.

Speaker H 1:01:40 A what? A lovely edit?

Maria (RoRo) 1:01:42 Yeah.

Speaker H 1:01:42 What does that mean?

Natalie Cassidy 1:01:43 She has a lovely edit of—

Maria (RoRo) 1:01:45 What?

Speaker H 1:01:46 You're not at work now. She's got a lovely edit.

Maria (RoRo) 1:01:49 She has a lovely curation of brands and things.

Speaker H 1:01:53 You're a dear.

Maria (RoRo) 1:01:54 Whenever I go in there, I don't leave without buying something.

Speaker H 1:01:56 I know. I'm a bit like that.

Natalie Cassidy 1:01:57 Really sweet.

Speaker H 1:01:58 Did you vote? No.

Natalie Cassidy 1:02:00 Wow. It's only 'cause I didn't see the thing. I did see it.

Speaker H 1:02:03 I voted.

Maria (RoRo) 1:02:03 I was— why don't you send it to us earlier?

Speaker H 1:02:05 Well, I just assumed you'd have seen it.

Natalie Cassidy 1:02:06 No, I didn't see that.

Speaker H 1:02:08 Instagram.

Natalie Cassidy 1:02:09 Oh yeah. I went in there when we went to Ware Festival last week.

Maria (RoRo) 1:02:13 Oh, Ware.

Natalie Cassidy 1:02:13 And popped in there and got lovely Kelly's 50th birthday presents. And I just always find it a lovely shop for gifts.

Speaker H 1:02:19 You can always pick up a nice gift.

Maria (RoRo) 1:02:21 And feel it's a bit different. Yes. And someone hasn't got it. Well, funny enough, I, last time I was in there, I bought a few of the same thing thinking I'll give one to this one, one to that one. And I've obviously forgotten to give one to someone 'cause it's still in the cupboard. That's really good.

Natalie Cassidy 1:02:36 Oh, I like that.

Speaker H 1:02:37 So, watch out, it's coming our way.

Natalie Cassidy 1:02:40 Yippee.

Speaker H 1:02:42 Oh, and also just going back to that day.

Natalie Cassidy 1:02:46 Yes.

Speaker H 1:02:47 The, the idea of it was really wonderful. I was like, oh, it's lovely, sunshiny. I had a great time. No, it was nice. James is hot. No, but it's just, yeah, for me, we're at that age. Yeah. That is not fun.

Natalie Cassidy 1:02:59 No, no, it's not fun.

Maria (RoRo) 1:03:01 Also, what's not fun is £5 a ride. How about that one?

Speaker H 1:03:03 I mean, that is a bit steep.

Maria (RoRo) 1:03:05 And then someone texts me saying, oh, on Monday it's £2 a ride. It's the last day. I said, I bet it fucking is on a Monday.

Speaker H 1:03:10 Wow.

Natalie Cassidy 1:03:11 That is crazy.

Speaker H 1:03:13 I saw them all leaving actually today.

Maria (RoRo) 1:03:15 Good.

Speaker H 1:03:16 But are millionaires. I will say that is, it's not a fun day out to be there. It was chaos. There was so many people. It was sweaty.

Natalie Cassidy 1:03:24 I never ever liked those days out, ever.

Maria (RoRo) 1:03:27 No. And it's different with the children being older.

Natalie Cassidy 1:03:29 No, never liked it.

Speaker H 1:03:30 But then all they're doing is, I wanna go on that. No, I wanna go on that ride. It's like, it's a lot. I was very overstimulated.

Maria (RoRo) 1:03:37 What about the ride we went on?

Speaker H 1:03:38 It was excellent. Oh, see, I love it. I'm like, James, you stay there, mate. Mummy's going on this ride. Cracking. We had a great time. That was really fun.

Maria (RoRo) 1:03:45 The second ride, not so good.

Speaker H 1:03:47 What was the second ride? Come on.

Maria (RoRo) 1:03:49 It's the one where you all sit in a row.

Speaker H 1:03:51 Oh, well, you went on that without me.

Maria (RoRo) 1:03:53 You fucking filmed it.

Speaker H 1:03:55 Oh, I'm so sorry.

Natalie Cassidy 1:03:57 Yes. Pissed again?

Speaker H 1:03:58 Sorry, I wasn't pissed. Thank you.

Natalie Cassidy 1:04:01 Okay.

Speaker H 1:04:02 I was trying to look after my son. She's like, take this phone, take this, take that. Not all good. It's like the, like the window one. I know exactly the window one.

Maria (RoRo) 1:04:12 It was hideous. I literally was like this the whole time and I couldn't even see if Alfie was 'Cause I thought, I can't do this. Poor Alfie. I remember Dom just looking at me, like shaking his head 'cause he could see that I was distressed. I'm good with rides, but that was, it's a no from me. You did? I wanted to do the claw ride. Yeah, that would've been good.

Speaker H 1:04:27 Gutted.

Natalie Cassidy 1:04:28 See, I don't mind them at theme parks.

Maria (RoRo) 1:04:31 I can't imagine you on a ride. Now that— Well, I don't mind. Imagine Natalie. I cannot imagine you on a ride.

Natalie Cassidy 1:04:38 We went to fucking Disney Paris. What are you talking about? I went on loads of rides.

Maria (RoRo) 1:04:42 Did you?

Speaker H 1:04:43 Yeah, but you weren't on them 'cause you were pregnant.

Natalie Cassidy 1:04:46 I don't mind a ride. I love Chessington, Thorpe Park. I used to love it, but the travelling ones, I can't do it. Which ones?

Maria (RoRo) 1:04:54 The ones that stand still?

Natalie Cassidy 1:04:55 No, the ones, the rides that get taken down and put up again.

Speaker H 1:05:00 Yeah, like not the permanently fixed ones.

Natalie Cassidy 1:05:02 Bolts, bits of bolts. It's true, it is freaky.

Speaker H 1:05:06 I was on that one with Maria thinking, imagine this arm just went off. Just went, you're finished.

Natalie Cassidy 1:05:11 No, I can't.

Maria (RoRo) 1:05:12 Or like the ones that the kids go on, there's ball pits in it and I'm like, that is just germ central in there.

Natalie Cassidy 1:05:17 Yeah.

Maria (RoRo) 1:05:18 Yes. It's freaky.

Speaker H 1:05:18 But I will say—

Natalie Cassidy 1:05:19 No different to a soft play though, really.

Speaker H 1:05:20 Can you imagine the, the health and safety they have? Yeah. The checks they have even more so.

Natalie Cassidy 1:05:27 Hope so. I hope, I hope so.

Speaker H 1:05:30 I mean, we saw one, one of the guys say to someone on, you know, the balls that sit on the water.

Maria (RoRo) 1:05:37 Yes. Alfie, when he went off. Alfie was queuing.

Speaker H 1:05:39 This guy went, excuse me. A little boy came off. He went, excuse me, has he got chickenpox? And the mum said, well, no, he's, he's way over it. And again, she, you know, you can tell she knows she's not bringing her kid out that's still infected. The thing with chickenpox is— It's not like she took him on holiday. They can, they can keep the spot. The spots can remain for a while.

Natalie Cassidy 1:05:56 Yes.

Speaker H 1:05:57 And he was absolutely raging. He didn't let anyone, he didn't use the ball moving forward. Really? So he was like, now I can't use the ball. Oh, that was really good.

Maria (RoRo) 1:06:06 And we were like, that is really good, but no one would know. No, hardly, hardly usable.

Speaker H 1:06:10 And also, I don't know.

Maria (RoRo) 1:06:11 £5 a pop, that fall would've been on there, mate.

Speaker H 1:06:13 Yeah, they have, they've lost a lot of money there. The rides, the fees are astronomical. The tokens, do you know what I don't understand?

Maria (RoRo) 1:06:22 So it was £1.20 a token. Yeah. If you buy 10, it's £10. If you buy 20, it's £20.

Speaker H 1:06:28 It's a bit, it's like Maria's doing the math, isn't it? If you buy 40, it's £40. No, because £1.20 a token. So if you'd bought 5, it would've been £6. No, no, of course. I'm not worried about that. The point is, is that they got—

Maria (RoRo) 1:06:45 10 for £10 and then 20 for £20. Oh, I see.

Speaker H 1:06:47 But if you, they should do like, only if you buy 40, it's £36, £35. What about when the woman, you said, I haven't got all my tokens.

Maria (RoRo) 1:06:58 She nearly done me out of 20 quids worth of tokens. No, she didn't. She did, but she didn't mean it. It weren't her fault. It wasn't her fault.

Speaker H 1:07:04 She was so bogged down and so busy, and then she went to give her the other 20 and she went, no, no, it's all right.

Maria (RoRo) 1:07:09 I know, I fucked up. I fucked up.

Speaker H 1:07:11 What, so she was giving you 60?

Maria (RoRo) 1:07:12 Yeah. I'm an honest, I'm an honest John, guys. That's good though. Karma. Karma's coming right back round.

Speaker H 1:07:20 That'll come back round to get you. It's good.

Maria (RoRo) 1:07:25 Anyway, there we go. Let's do it.

Speaker H 1:07:26 Yeah. Happy birthday, Maggie. Happy birthday, darling.

Maria (RoRo) 1:07:29 Give me, honey, what do you love about Just want some more, more love.

Speaker H 1:07:35 Wait, she used to tell you that. Just before we leave, can you just do like 40 reasons why you love me? Okay, let's go.

Maria (RoRo) 1:07:40 Yeah, let's do it quick. One each. Bam, bam, bam. I'll count.

Speaker H 1:07:44 No, that's too much.

Maria (RoRo) 1:07:45 It's not.

Speaker H 1:07:46 40 reasons. Yeah, go on. Fun. No, we're not doing 40. Go. Fun. Pretty. Intelligent. Funny. Spontaneous. Spontaneous. Caring. Loving. Kind. Witty. Stylish. Fashionista. Hypebeast.

Maria (RoRo) 1:08:13 We're only on 12.

Speaker H 1:08:15 Giggly.

Maria (RoRo) 1:08:18 I mean, the fact you gotta think is a worry.

Speaker H 1:08:23 Emotionally intelligent. Emotional. Come on.

Natalie Cassidy 1:08:31 Um, a baby to me. She's a baby.

Maria (RoRo) 1:08:36 A fucking baby. Baby. The baby.

Speaker H 1:08:39 Opinionated.

Maria (RoRo) 1:08:41 Well, that's what you love about me. Perfect.

Speaker H 1:08:44 There's nothing wrong with that.

Natalie Cassidy 1:08:45 Um, decisive.

Maria (RoRo) 1:08:46 Hey, yeah, indecisive.

Speaker H 1:08:50 Just keep moving. Musical.

Maria (RoRo) 1:08:54 We're halfway there.

Speaker H 1:08:55 Um, oh, I'm, I'm lost. I'm lost for words. Beautiful. Um, a good mum. Ah, friendly. A good daughter. Words. Oh, it's not even just words. We can say sentences. A good sister. A wonderful sister.

Maria (RoRo) 1:09:23 A wonderful niece.

Speaker H 1:09:27 I know, I'm doing it for comedy effect. No, a very, very wonderful niece. Yeah. A special auntie.

Natalie Cassidy 1:09:37 Ah, yeah.

Speaker H 1:09:39 A great cousin.

Maria (RoRo) 1:09:40 Quickly get that one.

Speaker H 1:09:45 Great cousin. A good soul. An old soul. How many we got now?

Maria (RoRo) 1:09:55 10, 10, 10, 10, 10.

Speaker H 1:09:57 I feel like we're gonna have missed loads, but yeah, you should have been more prepared. Oh really? No, that's, that's been sprung on us. I might have done that. It's out of order. You have very amazing work ethic. Nice.

Natalie Cassidy 1:10:14 I would say, I would go as far to say as you are very, I wanna say trailblazer, but an individual.

Speaker H 1:10:28 A great cook.

Maria (RoRo) 1:10:28 Ooh, not the best, just a great.

Speaker H 1:10:31 No, I'm the best.

Natalie Cassidy 1:10:35 You're the best. Um, have we said very loving?

Maria (RoRo) 1:10:41 No, we'll do it again, that's fine.

Speaker H 1:10:43 A wonderful host.

Natalie Cassidy 1:10:45 Oh, I've not been around yours for so long, I've forgotten how you are.

Maria (RoRo) 1:10:51 You don't like leaving the house, that's why. Um, 5, it's gotta be massive. Last 5, guys, make it count.

Natalie Cassidy 1:10:57 Oh, um.

Speaker H 1:11:10 I'm thinking, it's slow, I know, I'm thinking.

Natalie Cassidy 1:11:12 Oh, a fantastic drinking partner.

Maria (RoRo) 1:11:15 Hey!

Speaker H 1:11:16 You are very good at that. Uh, an amazing advice giver.

Natalie Cassidy 1:11:27 Yes. Oh, don't want to say advice. But always fight, always fight in your corner. Very, very protective, and it can sometimes come across a bit much, but it's only because you care and love someone that you're fiercely protective and you don't want them to fuck anything up.

Maria (RoRo) 1:11:45 Lovely. Right, last 2, guys.

Speaker H 1:11:47 My best friend.

Maria (RoRo) 1:11:54 Oh, yes. I was waiting for that. Oh, really? Okay, thank God, guys. I did it. I won.

Natalie Cassidy 1:12:01 And you're just a truly special human being.

Maria (RoRo) 1:12:05 Oh, I love you both so much. Love you so much. Thank you for everything over the past—

Speaker H 1:12:11 7 months.

Maria (RoRo) 1:12:14 I'm trying to do the math. 40 years.

Speaker H 1:12:17 Oh, fuck. And 40 years.

Maria (RoRo) 1:12:20 No, you've not been around for 40 years.

Speaker H 1:12:23 Oh, sorry, 34.

Maria (RoRo) 1:12:25 34 years. I love you both very, very much. Love you too. And thank you all to the listeners. That honestly means the world to me.

Natalie Cassidy 1:12:33 Oh, it was lovely, wasn't it? What a lovely pod.

Maria (RoRo) 1:12:35 Let's go and get hammered.

Natalie Cassidy 1:12:35 Let's go and enjoy ourselves.

Maria (RoRo) 1:12:37 All right, love you.

Natalie Cassidy 1:12:38 Love you lots. See you, babes.

Maria (RoRo) 1:12:40 I'm actually officially 40.

Natalie Cassidy 1:12:42 Oh my fucking God.

Speaker H 1:12:45 Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to Mummy, happy birthday to you.

Maria (RoRo) 1:13:03 Hip hip hooray! Hooray! Hooray! Go on. Happy birthday! I love you, Mummy, you're the best girl in the whole wide world. Happy birthday. I love you, Auntie Maria.

Speaker P 1:13:27 You're a princess. Happy birthday. I love you, Mummy. I hope you have a lovely 40th birthday.

Speaker H 1:13:36 Maria, yet again your birthday is coinciding with the British Open. That's 40 years on the trot that it's interrupted my view Which brings me to 40 years ago today, Maria. I'm in Harlow Hospital, it's getting close to 2 o'clock, you're about to arrive, and the nurses about to— midwives about to run off to find your dad, only to find him in one of the little guest rooms watching the Open on the smallest telly you've ever seen in your life. So nothing's changed.

Maria (RoRo) 1:14:08 Anyway, I'm glad your birthdays have become ever more low-key. Here we are in beautiful Tuscany in a lovely house that I've rented, and, um, we've organized—

Speaker H 1:14:20 I've just organised dinner for 21 at a lovely restaurant down the road with cabs. Um, so, um, and not to mention the private chef that's coming in on her actual birthday, which it's very kind of you, Maria, to host us that day. So listen, darling, Um, we love you. Can't believe you're 40. Where have those years gone? Have an amazing time. Well, we're having an amazing time. And, um, have a very special birthday, darling.

Speaker Q 1:14:51 Happy birthday, bub.

Maria (RoRo) 1:14:52 Happy 40th birthday, Maria, our amazing sister. We can't wait to celebrate you. You're a loyal, caring, and supportive human, and we're very lucky to have you in our lives. We're grateful for everything that you have done for us. Our special memories start 20 years ago with girly nights out, holidays, and chilled evenings, and now with our beautiful children. Enjoy every minute of turning 40, babe. You truly deserve it.

Speaker H 1:15:14 You are so special and you don't look a day over. We love you so much.