"Your support is welcome, Rita, more than anything." He said, offering her a smile and a nod of thanks. "I shall put in 120%, if only for you."
He paused, looking a little sceptical at Rita. "I don't want any malicious gossip damaging the team, Rita. That's not the way it works." He said, as if he dissolved, and then he paused again, "But I can't stop you digging up rumours and gossip if you want to."