She declares it on a Monday.
I know because HR sends me the notification as Priya's line manager... a standard form, two names, a declaration of personal relationship in accordance with company policy. I read it at my desk and feel something warm and satisfied that I do not show because it is her news and not mine to react to publicly.
Ten minutes later, she appears in my doorway.
"You got the notification," she says.
"I did," I reply.
"And?"
"And nothing," I say. "It is declared, it is handled, we move on."
She exhales. "I thought you would make it a thing."
"Why would I make it a thing?" I ask.
"Because James is on my team and it is a conflict of interest and Helena has opinions about conflicts of interest," she says.
"James is on your peer team," I correc
