It’s like entering a world of grunting testosterone”

I’VE joined a gym. Though I can’t even explain to myself how strange a turn of events this is, I’m trying to explain it to my mother.

“You’ve joined a gym?” she says. “When?” “About four weeks ago.” “But what on earth possessed you?” Nothing possessed me, I say, certainly no revolutionary fitness zeal.

One minute, I tell Mum, I’m retrieving my husband from the gym, and the next, he’s introducing me to the owner of the gym, and I’m taking out a month’s membership.