“I’m not saying journalists shouldn’t be questioned,” I add. “They should. But questioning the work means engaging with the work. Not the gender of the person who wrote it. Not their personal life. And certainly not pretending that caring is some kind of ethical failure.”
She nods again. “So, you’d say Chloe calling this out was necessary?”
“Yes,” I say without hesitation. “And overdue.”
The red light flickers, then steadies.
“And if theTimeswere listening now,” she asks, “what would you say to them?”
I don’t smile.
“I’d say that if your argument depends on pretending one person’s emotions are dangerous while your own behaviour is neutral,” I say, “it might be time to look a little harder at who you are.”
The silence that follows isn’t awkward.
It’s thoughtful.
She glances down at her notes, then back up at me.
“Before we wrap up,” she says, carefully neutral, “is there anything you’d like to say to Chloe. Or perhaps an apology.”
The question lands softly and heavily at the same time.
I don’t answer straight away.
“No,” I say finally. “Not here.”
She waits.
“What I have to say to Chloe,” I continue, “isn’t for radio. Or for Carlisle. It’s for her. And I’ll tell her myself.”
There’s a small, respectful pause.
“But,” I add, “there are people I do want to say something to.”
She nods. “Go on.”
“My staff,” I say, without hesitation. “Because they don’t deserve even a second of doubt about what they do. They show up every day and cook their souls out. They are brilliant. And none of this has anything to do with their work.”
I swallow, surprised by the thickness in my throat.
“And our regulars,” I go on. “For the extra footfall. The queues. The noise. They’ve been patient and kind and very understanding.”
She smiles.
“And our guests,” I finish. “For the added drama. We didn’t put it on the menu.”
A soft laugh from the studio.
“This will calm down,” I say. “It always does. And then we’ll go back to what we do best. Steady, good food. A warm room. A place people feel welcome.”
She lets that sit for a moment.
“And nothing for Chloe,” she asks gently, once more.
I shake my head.
“No,” I say. “I respect her too much for that.”
