I still like Horry's suggestion on the second thread. Perhaps taking up, I think it was Diddl's suggestion, to not say "I'm sorry" at the start.
I would still take out the bits in the strikethrough and add in the bits in italics.
Dear Sister Of The Bride
I'm sorry to hear that Gluezilla is upset. I thought we had come to an understanding.
I really don't understand myself why Gluezilla is upset, so perhaps you could explain it to me.
She invited me to her wedding last year by way of a Save The Day card, and I made plans accordingly. I've since learned that I'm not invited after all, which I've accepted as I appreciate that every bride has budgetary constraints and family pressures that change over time.
What I didn't expect was then to be asked to decorate her venue, but still not be invited to share her special day as Gluezilla had never discussed this with me until X date. I'm afraid it's just not possible for me to help. I would have had to rearrange time off work (which I had cancelled once I knew I wasn't invited) and organise expensive childcare in order to do so.
I can't believe Gluezilla doesn't realise what an imposition this is given how thoughtful she normally is but maybe she will once she has children of her own. I simply can't help on this occasion.
Hope all goes well and look forward to seeing the pictures in due course.
Kind regards
Tidy
And so would make the entire message read as follows:
Dear Sister Of The Bride
I really don't understand myself why Gluezilla is upset, so perhaps you could explain it to me.
She invited me to her wedding last year by way of a Save The Day card, and I made plans accordingly. I've since learned that I'm not invited after all, which I've accepted as I appreciate that every bride has budgetary constraints and family pressures that change over time.
What I didn't expect was then to be asked to decorate her venue, as Gluezilla had never discussed this with me until X date. I'm afraid it's just not possible for me to help. I would have had to rearrange time off work (which I had cancelled once I knew I wasn't invited) and organise expensive childcare in order to do so.
I can't believe Gluezilla doesn't realise what an imposition this is given how thoughtful she normally is. I simply can't help on this occasion.
Hope all goes well and look forward to seeing the pictures in due course.
Kind regards
Tidy