Just to start off - I hate confrontation which is why I am struggling a bit with this situation.
There is a woman at work and we ended up as friends when she started working here. It is a small office (just 6 of us) so it sort of fitted in as we got along and had the same breaks. I didn't really notice at first but we always seem to end up doing what she wants. I lent her some money last year (I didn't want to but was put in a position where I didn't feel I could say no) and it took ages to get it back. She kept putting it off over and over. It all really stressed me out.
The thing is that she has been dropping really direct hints about lending her money again. We are on the same wage - I just try to save and not spend on random things. The day after she asked for a loan she came into work talking about a £100 hair cut and some expensive boots.
We used to be quite close although we don't have much in common hobbies and interestswise. Now she hardly speaks to me - if she rings I know it is just because she wants something. She went a full 2 days without speaking until she decided she needed her lunch getting for her.
I am rambling but I really don't know how to handle this. I have never been in this situation. Another of the girls at work described her as a taker and I think that is what it is - she just expects everyone to drop everything and do what she wants them to. Not sure if it is an entitlement thing. It is like she has tunnel vision and only sees herself and what she wants.
With it being such a small office I don't want to end up being seen as really mean and unreasonable. It is all getting a bit like the school playground!