‘Gracie, it’s fine. Sit down,’ Liz instructs. ‘I’ve ordered us tea.’

Liz used to be a sharp-nosed political reporter before her semi-retirement to write lifestyle articles for the glossies – there’s no way she hasn’t noticed I’m not firing on all cylinders. These days, alongside my recipes, she writes up my advice about the seasonality of produce or the importance of high-quality kitchen tools. The way Liz writes, she makes me read as infinitely more interesting than the verbal ramblings I offer her over cups of tea. I wouldn’t describe myself as media-savvy. In this instance, as indeed all instances, Liz has been good to me.

‘I’ve ordered you Earl Grey.’

My usual – but I’d sooner a Berocca. ‘Thank you, Liz.’

The waitress promptly brings our tea.

‘Apologies about the late change to the recipes yesterday,’ I begin. Before we headed to the pub, but after we’d had champagne toasts on set with the crew following the big meeting, Poppy had helped me to quickly write up the last-minute changes for the vegan scallops and Cheating Hot Sticky Prawns and email them to Liz.

Liz adjusts her thick black reading glasses and tucks her short, greying red hair behind her ears. ‘It’s no problem. I understand there’s a lot going on at SC6. Can we talk about that?’

Lukewarm tea dribbles onto my cream shirt.

Personally, I’d love to talk through the changes going on at the station with Liz Martin. Over this past year that we’ve been meeting, I like to think we’ve developed some sort of professional friendship. Liz has shared with me tales about her time as an investigative journalist – she’s interviewed everyone from Oscar-winning celebrities to despotic heads of African countries. I could do worse than be guided by her opinion on matters going on at work.

Professionally, I know it’s not for me to confirm to anyone from the press that people at SC6 have been losing their jobs.

At the very least, our press department might have instructed me on what to say regarding the cancellation of my old show. And whatever can I say about the proposed new format?

‘Indeed, there have been a few… changes at SC6 recently.’

‘What sort of changes?’ Liz presses me.

‘Well, we’re taking a small break to work through the details, but I think it’s probably okay for me to mention, off the record, that Gracie Porter’s Gourmet Get-Together might be rebranded,’ I reveal.

‘That’s better news than some things I’ve heard. Rebranded to what?’

‘Still off the record?’

Liz puts her pen respectfully aside, indicating this part of our discussion won’t make it anywhere near her column.

‘Would you believe to Eat Me?’

Liz barely contains her expression to a small smile.

We get on very well, Liz and me.

‘Sounds interesting.’

‘Quite.’

‘Will it be the same format?’