Page 15 of Behind Frenemy Lines

Charles

Was in and out of meetings the Monday Kriya was back in the office, so I didn’t see much of her at first. But a feeling crept up on me, that something was wrong.

Couldn’t say what it was. Kriya seemed different. Subdued.

Maybe annoyed with me about that ninety pounds? But she wasn’t acting annoyed. Seemed to like the cookies.

Didn’t know her well enough to ask if she was OK. When she came in the next day, I asked how she’d found Hong Kong, instead.

Kriya: “It was good. Busy. I didn’t make it to any of the places you recommended. The breakfast at the hotel was really good, though.”

Small talk ensued: “Where did you stay?” “Marriott, near Admiralty.” “Oh yes, you said. Were you there the whole two weeks?” “No, I went to Malaysia to visit my parents.”

Asked where she’d recommend eating out in Malaysia. Not that I’m planning a visit any time soon, though no reason not to: Ba’s creditors unlikely to be waiting for me at the airport. It had the effect I was aiming for, anyway, i.e., cheered Kriya up.

She was getting into a level of detail that was well over my head (“if it’s itik salai you want, there’s a place in Kajang that’s good, but it’s a bit of a trek for a tourist”), when the new partner showed up at our door.

Kriya’s boss, the one that looks like a greyhound with anxiety in a suit. Can never remember his name.

Partner: “Have you guys got a moment?”

He was addressing both me and Kriya. Surprised, I said: “Uh, yeah.”

Partner (James? Richard?) shut the door and took the chair in the gap between our desks, pushing it out so he was sat facing me and Kriya.

Partner: “I wanted to talk to both of you.”

I glanced at Kriya, but she didn’t meet my eyes. She was watching him, warily, like she was braced for him to do something alarming.

Puzzling. Thought they had a good relationship. Partner always coming by the office to chat with Kriya. She clearly runs the show for him.

Classic dynamic: Female associate does all the work; male partner gets all the credit. Makes Farah huff and puff. Never noticed it before she pointed it out, but once you see it, you can’t stop. Really is everywhere.

Having started, Partner didn’t seem to know how to go on. He looked around the office, as though searching for something to help him. Took a Post-it note off Kriya’s desk and started fidgeting with it, folding it into rectangles.

CG: “What did you want to talk about?”

Partner: “The fact is, I—well, what I wanted to talk about was—well, it’s—it’s about your relationship.”

Thought I must have misheard. Looked over at Kriya.

Kriya looked as baffled as I was. “What relationship?”

Partner: “I won’t beat around the bush. You told me you’re seeing someone.

It’s fairly clear who it is.” Looked at me, before turning back to Kriya.

“I don’t want to overstep. Obviously, what you do in your personal life is your business.

But I’ve worked with you for a long time, and I feel it’s my duty to raise it with you if you’re doing something that may have an impact on your career. ”

Kriya gaping. So was I, but Partner wasn’t paying attention to me. (What was he called? Nick? Chris?)

Partner: “You’ll have read the firm policy on relationships between colleagues. As you know, there’s no ban on it, but the policy does advise that you inform the group manager as soon as reasonably possible. I’ll leave that to your judgment, but—”

Kriya: “I am not in a relationship with Charles!”

Had started to wonder if I’d somehow fallen into an alternate universe where I’d summoned up the nerve to ask Kriya out. Relief to hear Kriya reassert reality, where we were not in fact dating.

Though it was also a little worrying, how firm she was about it. As if there was no chance she’d consider it.

Partner, reasonably: “I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with it.

I’m glad you’ve met someone, after…” Cleared his throat.

“But we need to think about the implications for your work. The two of you sharing an office—it’s likely to be detrimental, both personally and professionally.

If you’d told me about the nature of your relationship earlier, I would have made sure you weren’t assigned to the same office. ”

Kriya: “Look, there’s been a misunderstanding—”

Partner: “I’ve spoken to Farah. As I thought, there isn’t another office available. But we discussed it and—”

Kriya: “You discussed it? Arthur, did you tell Farah Charles and I are seeing each other?”

(Arthur! Knew it was something like that.)

Arthur: “No, no. Like I said, it’s for you to make Farah aware of it, when you see fit. But I told her you’ve asked to change offices, since you raised it with me.” (She did?)

Arthur went on: “Since there isn’t another office you could use, Farah suggested you do as the other fee earners do. Book a desk in the open plan space on the days you come into the office. The pod outside my office usually has free desks, Victoria works there—”

Kriya: “Are you telling me that I’m being reassigned from this office?”

Her voice was low, but it was somehow more ominous than if she’d raised it.

Arthur: “It’s not about forcing you, or anything like that. I’m thinking about what’s best for everyone concerned. Working in such close quarters with your partner—it can put a lot of pressure on a relationship. We don’t want that to impact your work.”

Kriya, exasperated: “Oh, this is—Charles and I don’t even work together! We have different clients, different specialisms. Neither of us manages the other, so there’s no supervisory relationship. Even if we were dating, why would that be a concern?”

Arthur: “I’m not saying it’s a concern. But our line of work is stressful. It’s important to be able to maintain a division between the personal and the professional.”

Kriya: “I agree.”

She said it like she was sliding a knife between his ribs. Arthur flushed.

Dawned on me, all of a sudden, why Kriya had seemed off since getting back. Something must have happened in Hong Kong. From the emphasis she’d placed on supervisory relationship, it was becoming clear what that must have been.

Had to suppress a sudden impulse to pick Arthur up by the collar and chuck him out of the room. Been training regularly this year. Reasonably confident I could do it. Lucky for him that the windows don’t open.

Kriya: “Given I am not dating Charles, I don’t see a problem here. I’d prefer to have an office, I don’t work as effectively in open plan. Since there isn’t another office I could use, I’d rather stay here.”

Arthur looked, disconcerted, but after a moment, he rallied: “All the other fee earners are in the open plan area. That’s standard practice.

The arrangement Charles has, where he has his own office, is by exception.

And it’s not set in stone. If it’s known what the position is, with your relationship, things may well change. ”

Kriya: “There is no relationship! Right, Charles?”

CG: “Yes. I mean, no. I mean—did Farah say they’re going to take away my office?”

Arthur: “No, but—”

Kriya: “I accepted the offer to join Swithin Watkins on the basis that I would have an office. That was highlighted to me as a benefit. Can I clarify—are you saying it’s been decided that I can no longer use this office? In other words, the firm has gone back on our original agreement?”

Arthur: “No, that’s not what I’m saying. It’s your decision. But this is about making sure the situation works for everyone. We’re all grown-ups here. We know emotions can affect our objectivity—”

Kriya: “So it’s up to me?”

Arthur: “Well—yes. But I’m asking you to think about the implications. For Charles, as well.”

He looked over at me, as though he thought I might help him out. Couldn’t deny the idea of having my office back to myself was appealing, but Kriya looked at me, too, and it wasn’t difficult to decide whose side I was on.

CG: “I don’t find sharing an office with Kriya affects my work.”

Kriya: “Great! So we’re agreed. Thanks for raising your concerns, Arthur. I appreciate the chance to discuss the options, but I’m happy with the current arrangement. I can assure you, you won’t see any impact on performance.”

She smiled at Arthur, steely, until he stood up.

Arthur: “If you’re sure. I just wanted to flag that there are other options.” Plucking up some spirit: “We’ll keep an eye on the situation. If there are any issues…”

Kriya: “I’m sure there won’t be.”

Arthur was almost out of the door when he turned and said: “Oh, one more thing. I don’t think I’ve seen the note for Farah yet, can you get that to me?”

Kriya: “Sure. You’ll have it within the next hour.”

She kept smiling until Arthur was gone. Then she sprang up, closed the door, and turned to me.