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Can I get past this friendship issue?

9 replies

Spiceup · 19/11/2021 14:52

I have/had a nice friendship group of four couples. We did a lot of things together, from a bike ride or sporting events to meals out, concerts and holidays. Both as couples and separately in male/female groups.

DH died, they were all "heartbroken", sent flowers, anything we can do etc.

Funeral was arranged for three weeks after his death. I took them up on the offer and asked a couple of people, who bake, to make cakes for afterwards. All seemed fine, they'd be pleased to do it.

Then they all disappeared and looking back, some usually very active SM was silent. In the week before the funeral I heard nothing from anyone. I was getting worried about the catering so messaged to ask who was making what? I got replies saying sorry they're going to have to be bought, no time. Which is ok, but if I'd wanted bought I'd have bought them or if I'd known earlier I'd have baked myself. I genuinely thought these people wanted an opportunity to do "something".

On the day they turned up with those bar cakes from Tesco, definitely not what I'd have bought, but did the job. (And one of them took the uncut cakes home with them!) It didn't matter, there was loads of cake other family and friends had made, which is why the lesser ones didn't get cut, but it felt like they couldn't do this one small thing that they'd agreed to do for me or for DH.

Anyway, the cake's not the issue GrinI've since learned that they were all on holiday that week. It's not the fact that they went without me, I wouldn't have gone that week and I'm not sure I'd want to go on a couples holiday anyway but they kept it such a big secret. I've seen them lots of times since, asked what they've been up to etc (individually and as a group) and no one's mentioned they went on holiday! I'm not sure if I'm most upset that they felt they couldn't tell me or they think I'm so stupid I wouldn't work it out! Also, a good friend in the week before her husband's funeral, wouldn't you keep in contact, even if you were away? It's true I didn't contact them either.

Anyway. I've been cordial. They've been "useful" in that they give me people to go places with (one of the hardest things about losing DH is that you've lost that easy company for an ad hoc outing) but I don't feel close to them or trust them at all any more.

They don't know I know and I feel like they're laughing at how they got away with it. I don't know how to broach it with them without getting very upset, which won't achieve anything, they clearly don't care. Although I suppose you could say the secrecy shows they do feel bad about it.

An over reaction that I should snap out of?

OP posts:
coffeeisthebest · 19/11/2021 14:56

I'm so sorry about your husband. And for being let down by these people whose relationship it looks like you are going to need to reassess. They weren't what you thought. Maybe give it some time to decide what you want to do going forward. Your anger sounds justified to me.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 19/11/2021 14:56

It's a tricky one, your emotions are heightened and it's likely that you will feel angry about the smallest things, although it is incredibly annoying that they behaved like this.
In my experience "couple" friends have a habit if edging away once one of them becomes a singleton. I found this after both my divorces - they just didn't want me around any more on my own, nor my ex husband.
I'd wait and see how you feel in 6 months. It's too early to even be thinking of trying to deal with this kind of thing.

Spiceup · 19/11/2021 15:01

@Shehasadiamondinthesky

It's a tricky one, your emotions are heightened and it's likely that you will feel angry about the smallest things, although it is incredibly annoying that they behaved like this. In my experience "couple" friends have a habit if edging away once one of them becomes a singleton. I found this after both my divorces - they just didn't want me around any more on my own, nor my ex husband. I'd wait and see how you feel in 6 months. It's too early to even be thinking of trying to deal with this kind of thing.
This all happened 6 months ago....
OP posts:
arootintootingoodtime · 19/11/2021 15:02

I think you're right to be angry and I would definitely be questioning the friendship. I'm not sure I could get passed although that either. When someone close to me died, it really was the "little" things (including a beautiful home-baked cake) that really made life a tiny bit more bearable.

If you think the friendship is still of benefit to you and you're getting more pleasure/help from it than negativity, fine. If not, they weren't who you thought they were and it's fine to end the friendship on those grounds.

I doubt they're laughing at you, though, it sounds like a spectacularly misguided and half-assed attempt not to upset you.

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 19/11/2021 15:35

I agree with previous poster, emotions are heightened.
I think it was probably more that they were embarrassed to say they were going on holiday and scared to mention it to you , since it would actually have been odd to invite someone on holiday in the run up to a funeral. They have been insensitive.
I definitely don't think they are laughing, if anything they don't quite know how to handle things and are scared of saying the wrong thing.
They did let you down about the cakes issue though.

Dozer · 19/11/2021 16:08

V sorry about your H.

They’ve handled things pretty badly! Doubt anyone is laughing though.

Option to put them in the ‘fair weather friends’ category - ok for the odd meet up if you still enjoy their company and/or the things you do together.

And to prioritise other relationships, old and new

Wonder if the holiday was booked before your H died and they didn’t tell either of you at the time of booking because for whatever reason(s) they decided not to invite you.

Santaischeckinglists · 19/11/2021 16:14

Wow so they must have agreed not to post holidays pics on sm or have the limited what you can see? Extra sneaky either way.
Sorry for your loss op
. Time to find new hobbies and new friends...
I reckon in time you will find a rewarding way to call them out on their treatment of you..

Spiceup · 19/11/2021 16:19

@Dozer

V sorry about your H.

They’ve handled things pretty badly! Doubt anyone is laughing though.

Option to put them in the ‘fair weather friends’ category - ok for the odd meet up if you still enjoy their company and/or the things you do together.

And to prioritise other relationships, old and new

Wonder if the holiday was booked before your H died and they didn’t tell either of you at the time of booking because for whatever reason(s) they decided not to invite you.

It was as we were coming out of lockdown and the whole group of six thing.

TBH there'd been a few things DH and I weren't included in at that time so I was already feeling a bit put out, whilst acknowledging that DH couldn't do much because of his illness and I probably wouldn't go even if I was invited!

I actually have another slightly over lapping friendship group (it includes one woman from the other group) of mostly single people who have been a godsend. One of them has arranged a dinner after an event this weekend. In my defense I just said yes when invited, I had nothing to do with orgnaising it and I don't know who else is going. It seems he didn't invite amy of these people (not really any reason why he should) but the group is most put out that I amd other woman are going somewhere without them.

I can see stormy times ahead but definitely feel closer to the second group these days. I also have another group through a hobby that's only really developed since DH died and I'm enjoying that too. So it will be OK, it's just a bit dispiriting.

OP posts:
Brefugee · 19/11/2021 16:24

I'm very sorry about the loss of your husband.

I agree with pp - put them in the acquaintance box and hang out with the others.

As for the group is most put out that I amd other woman are going somewhere without them. I'd chuckle and say something like "blimey, imagine if we à got our n'oses put out of joint when people do things without us!" and a knowing look before changing the subject

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