Just good FRIENDS

If Ava dated her neighbour, would it spoil a beautiful relationship?

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Is this your first time, Ava?' asked Bree, the tanned fitness instructor.

'Not exactly,' I replied, regarding the rows of shiny poles in the studio with both fear and nostalgia. 'I used to teach pole fitness, a few years ago, before my hysterectomy.' It would feel strange to be the student rather than the teacher.

But I was glad to be back. It was great exercise and, being weight-bearing, good for my bones and my confidence, which had taken a bit of a dip after a bad break-up.

The other students were wearing shorts, T-shirts and trainers. At 49, I was easily the oldest.

Sensing my hesitation, Bree reassured, 'Don't worry, muscle memory can surprise you. And we're a friendly bunch.'

Two hours later, I hobbled home, sore and aching, but smiling. I'd remembered several of the spins, and managed to climb and balance on the pole, like I used to do - albeit without much style.

I'd be stiff and bruised in the morning, but it would be worth it. I was ticking off another item on my 'life after Simon' list. The previous week, I'd coloured my newly cropped hair emerald green - the colour I always wanted it to be.

Simon had moved on since our divorce last year, already engaged to a younger-than-me yoga teacher with a huge Instagram following.