"I called Mum 'mummy,'" I said to my sister. You did what? I called her mummy. Twice. Why? When? What did she do? The first time was on Christmas Day. I wasn't sure she heard me so I pretended it never happened. Oh my God, said my sister. Why didn't you tell me. What about the second time? We were at that dress store in Raumati, I said. I was in the changing room, and somehow I tacked "mummy" onto the beginning of whatever I was saying. So I got changed went out put my hand on her arm and said, "Mum, I'm so sorry I don't know what's going on, it just came out. It happened the other day, too." Mum looked at me like nothing happened and maybe it hadn't. Wow, said my sister. I tried to explain it to my American husband, "We just don't do that," I said. My sister has started telling all her friends. I hope you don't mind, she said but it's the funniest menopause story I've heard yet.