While I had been away on holiday, the gym had undergone a massive transformation. Pilates classes were now taking place in a huge gym hall, with three instructors simultaneously leading sessions. The two instructors on the lower level favoured ‘traditional’ pilates. I was more interested in the activities on the mezzanine, where the focus was on dance moves.

I had travelled to the gym by car with PM, intending to join the same class as her. However, when my colleague BP rushed up to me to invite me to partner him in the dance pilates class, I abandoned my friend. We struggled at first with headphones and ear pieces, but not long afterwards BP and I were soon dancing our hearts out. What a blast!

The next day I learnt that BP had fallen down a well at his sister’s house in Australia. My dance partner had survived his fall, but broken many bones.