BalanceAprilIssue2017 - 23

SHE SAYS

The Edith edit
We can't let terror or the threat of it affect the way we
relate and go about our daily lives, says Edith Bowman
photography by BEN DU F F Y

HAIR & MAKE-UP: MALIN COLEMAN STYLING: SABRINA HENRY EDITH WEARS: JUMPSUIT, SEA; GREY MULES, REBECCA MINKOFF

uring the 20 or so years that I've lived
in London, I've witnessed quite a
number of life-changing, unnerving
events. I'm not sure if it's because I now
have kids, but the recent attack on
Westminster really affected me, physically. As it was
unfolding, I was taking part in a panel discussion in
Piccadilly on the subject of 'What it means to be

into the car. On the way back we had to
pull over for an unmarked police car, blue
lights flashing, siren wailing, to shoot
past us. I had to catch my breath.
I woke up the next morning numb.
Getting into Virgin Radio for my
breakfast show, my producer Mick and
I spent ages pondering the events,

British', so myself and the other 200 attendees were
oblivious to what was going on just down the road.
As it finished, I switched on my phone. I had eight
missed calls from my husband, who was away in
Oxfordshire working on a new album. For some reason,
my body wavered. 'Is everyone OK?' he asked before I'd
even heard the phone ring again. 'Yeah I'm all good
thanks luv. You?' I replied. Then he told me what was
going on and I felt sick, and anxious. I just wanted
to get home, round up the kids and lock the door.

trying to put into words what we
felt. I wondered why I couldn't
express my feelings clearly.

FINDIN G SOLACE
The driver of the black cab I flagged down had himself
only just heard the news. Jack was his name, and we
had a non-stop conversation for the entire 20-minute
drive home. What a lovely, gentle man who - like me
- had so many questions, and also felt that sinking
sense of helplessness. Together, over the radio, we
heard about the bravery and selflessness of all the
amazing people who were trying to help.
My four year old was bouncing around the kitchen
with his Star Wars toys. When I got home, I hugged
him that little bit harder. An hour later, I'd normally
walk up to Hampstead to pick up 'Thing 1' - he's
eight, and we use the 20-minute walk home to just
chat about 'stuff.' But today I drove, literally swung
into school on a vine, then swung him back out and

SMILING AT PEOPLE IS MY
OWN WAY OF SAYING 'F*&%
YOU' TO THE TERRORISTS. YOU
ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE
ME FEAR MY CITY

ONWARDS AND
UPWARDS
But one thing was very clear to me.
I didn't like how it had made me almost
hyper suspicious of people on the
street or of those who looked slightly
'questionable' on the tube. In a
conscious bid to overcome this, I've
since gone out of my way to smile at
people, and communicate, if only
through gestures to people on public
transport. It's my way of saying 'F*&%
you' to the terrorists. You're not going to
make me fear my city, the incredible
diversity and the humans who live in it.
My love and thoughts are with those
affected, and my gratitude goes out to
the emergency services, who strive to
keep my city safe every day. B
Listen to Edith Bowman at Breakfast
every weekday from 6am-10am on
Virgin Radio, virginradio.co.uk

Share your
thoughts
with me
@edibow and
@BalanceLDN

April 2017 BALANCE

http://virginradio.co.uk

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