Awkward moments by the kettle

This is happening ever more regularly now, but various work colleagues are asking me, invariably in the kitchen, the same question 'How is your partner getting on?'

An awkward silence then follows when I add the word 'ex' to 'partner' and the conversation quickly changes topic.

Perhaps I need to stand on my desk and shout at the top of my voice 'I AM NOW SINGLE' to make sure everyone knows...