To be perplexed by this?

[gardenangels]

Four of us arrange to have a coffee together to celebrate. Was arranged by Clarissa who is close friends with all of us. We all know each other but Clarissa glues us together.

We get to coffee shop Clarissa starts a conversation with a random stranger and then goes to join their table for 40 minutes. By the time she comes back we are ready to leave...

No problem, just chat. You don't really need Clarissa.

I love the word 'perplexed'!
Yes I would find this odd too, I once arranged an activity with a neighbour and our kids, think pottery painting type of thing where you have to help the kids. Her phone goes, she answers it and then spends the next half an hour chatting. I spend that time helping her kids and mine too and then it's time to leave!
I didn't atrange to meet up with her after that - just plain rude.

I think that it's a bit odd, tbh.

Maybe Clarissa is bored of being your social secretary and wanted to chat to someone new

I think it is a problem as we arranged to see each other for a chat weeks ago and a rare event as so busy and there were 2 birthdays to celebrate

Not my social secretary no need to get nasty. She arranged it.

That's an entirely odd thing to do. She ditched the friends whom she had arranged to meet and sat with strangers?

Complete strangers.

She started the conversation with them across the cafe then went to join them and came back 40 minutes later. First time the 4 of us have been able to meet together due to busy lives

perhaps she couldn't get away. Perhaps they were in dire straights and needed help? perhaps she didn't realise the time until it was too late, perhaps she didn't want to pay the bill/eat/drink /be merry with you all?

Really don't understand why posters like hardblob come out with unpleasant comments.

It is odd.was she giving them some serious advice that she is an expert in/trained in?

Still odd to be so long

Not any of those things near enough to hear conversation. Bill was paid upfront.

perhaps she wanted you all to chat to get to know one another without her there?
Now that would make sense

I think Clarissa is my ex mate Sharissa. Needed to be loved by everyone, needed to strive for new connections. Failed to nurture the existing. I rarely see her now.

Absolutely ruined the meet up

We have known each other for over 10 years and get on well so not necessary. She arranged it to celebrate 2 of the groups birthdays then disappeared

Why did 1 of the 4 of you effectively not being there ruin it?

Sounds odd behaviour, but also sounds as if the other 3 of you might be overly dependent on her.

But three of you could still have had a good chat?

What is your issue OP? You all know each other so I presume weren't sat in silence for 40m?

You seem irrationally pissed off..

She just joined us as we were about to leave. No apology. Other two seemed ok with it so I thought maybe I was being unreasonable so did not say anything as did not want to make a fuss.

Also your subsequent post about the coffee meet up being to celebrate 2 people's birthday is a bit of a drip feed!!!

I don't think it is irrational to be pissed off when the 4 of us arranged to meet up. Not dependent on her. We were all talking but waiting for her to come back.

I think Clarissa and Sharissa must know my friend Melissa. She once arranged to meet me for a drink and ended up snogging the barman and I was stuck with his dull mate.