“I am very much looking forward to being an OAP”

ON THE train, Somerset — and I’m heading down to my mother-in-law Anne, a widow of remarkable warmth, generosity and fixed opinions.

She’s trying out her brand new hip at home. I’m to make sure all is going well post-op. I’m equipped for this task with a great and abiding fondness for my mother-in-law (despite the fixed opinions), the usual mild apprehension (due to fixed opinions), and no previous experience — unless a dusty and now obsolete nursing qualification counts.

My sister-in-law phones me on the train to give me instructions — based on her own experience of looking after her mum — as to how to manage. “Mobility, mobility, mobility,” she says, “although you might have to fight her on this.”