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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is this as awful as I think or AIBU?

82 replies

Ginlinessisnexttogodliness · 11/07/2017 09:31

Try to cut a long story short. Sorry if it isn't but I am still absolutely raging three weeks on and need to get it off my chest to people other than husband, mother and other friends before my pregnant self explodes Ina ball of unresolved fucked off ness.

Basically I have had a very close friend for 14 years. We've been through a lot together- break ups, bearevements, me having two soon the be three children, the usual stuff. However on top of that she has had a very difficult time and is currently off work and in therapy for some personal issues.

We don't live near to each other anymore and it has not been easy for me to come and see her with three pregnancies in four years and not being very well myself, plus a very difficult time in my own relationship which took a lof of working out. However during this time I have called or texted her almost every week, to see how things are, now her therapy is going, advice and support about work and career. I have been genuinely concerned along the way that she has done some very peculiar things have never told her my own views other than I want her to be careful and happy. As I say, throughout everything this I have been there for her. I thought that was reciprocated. So much so that the day before the incident she wrote me a message saying she couldn't wait to come and see me again as I had been such a good friend and source of support despite having a lot on my plate and how much she valued me not just fobbing her off or cutting her out of my life because we didn't see each other anywhere near as much as we used to.

Anyway, the next day whilst resting after a long day on holiday day lugging children around in the heat I made the mistake of engaging in a debate she and started on social media. Yes I know. But it was about the election and in particular a field where I used to work before a career break to raise my children. There were about twenty people involved in this. I am trying to paraphrase but you need to understand the context. I have acquaintances that I used to work with and people who I have discussed work with in terms of future freelance jobs on my account. She knows this.

Anyway to cut a long story short she wrote that I knew nothing about what doing a real day's work was since I spend most of my day sat on my arse trying to avoid doing anything other than redirecting emails and she feared for my ability to cope once back in the "real world" she ended it with "I think you would find any job taxing and beyond your capacity now to be honest😉" yes wink induced.

I was gobsmacked and beyond livid. To me it was defamation of character as she even specifically mentioned certain details. None of it is true I hasten to add. I worked my arse off in that job and had a good reputation.

Anyway when I confronted her about it (via telephone) she was utterly unapologetic and actually added further insults. She brought my relationship problems in, and said as far as she was concerned the friendship was over when I moved away and I was an arrogant bully.

I didn't hit back, as frankly I was too stunned to. I have blocked her now and cut off all contact but i am still reeling for how badly she behaved towards me. To add insult to injury she still owes me the best part of £1,000 from a holiday we had that I paid for under assurances she'd pay me back.

I have resisted the temptation to write to her and tell her a few home truths but annoyingly I find myself unable to move on from how insulting and peculiar and unrepentant she is. Even other people on this discussion stated their incredulity at what she had written to and about me.

I suppose i am just venting really and I know I will never see the money, I'm not so sure I even want it now, but I feel unless I resolve how I feel with her it will just niggle away. I don't want to resurrect the friendship that apparently I had failed so miserably at, so wonder if there is any point, as I am keen to avoid remonstrations and fanning the flames.

What would you do?
AIBU or has she really been as hurtful as I think she has and this mindset is justified?

OP posts:
emmyrose2000 · 11/07/2017 10:38

YANBU

She behaved terribly, and very cruelly.

Do you have anything in writing about the debt she owes you, and/or have you actually asked for it back? Either way, I'd send her one email telling her to repay you, and, in the highly likely event she ignores that, take her to small claims court. I'd never let someone get away with not repaying me that sort of money, especially after they've behaved that way.

provider5sectorzz9 · 11/07/2017 10:41

she has engineered this fall out, so that she can write the money off
That was one of my first thoughts about this situation

Patriciathestripper1 · 11/07/2017 10:42

I had something very similar happen to me op and it's horrible and hurtful.
The more you look at the friendship the more you will see how one sided it probably was in the first place.
And it sounds like there was son jealousy on her part of your abilities.
As for the money I would give her (via email stating as per our conversation....) a payment plan for paying you back. If it dosnt happen you can take her to the small claims court.
You will have to resign yourself to the fact that this wasn't the friendship you thought it was and that she has problems deeper than you thought.

Patriciathestripper1 · 11/07/2017 10:43

Sorry, cross post with emmy

Jux · 11/07/2017 10:43

I'm so sorry. She has been a shit and you're (and everyone else is) right, the friendship is done.

Well done on being restrained enough not to giv her both barre, and not asking for the money she owes either, that shows that you are definitely waaaay above her morally, as I'm sure if the situation had been reversed, she'd have reminded you publically how much yyou owed.

Whether she's going through shit or not, she's behaved really badly. Unless she's on strong and strange medication and grovels like a dog, cast her out.

Good luck with your pg, birth and baby years! Gin

Bluntness100 · 11/07/2017 10:47

All very weird, inc the soppy email saying how brilliant you were as a friend.

All I can say is she doesn't want to be your friend. Maybe she is jealous as she isn't working and in therapy but financially needs to work, maybe she could sense your judgement of her more than she admitted or you thought, maybe your not as nice a friend as you make out ( sorry but it's possible, three sides to every story, yours, hers and the truth) .

Either way, the friendship is over and that's how she wants it.

ChuffMuffin · 11/07/2017 10:51

I'm so sorry that your ex friend has behaved in such an appalling way :(. On the plus side, they've shown their true colours and you'd be better off without someone like that in your life!

she has engineered this fall out, so that she can write the money off

I'd send a polite but not personal letter requesting the money back. Why should she get to not repay you? If she didn't reply in say 3 or 4 weeks I'd send a solrs letter or send letter telling her you'll be going to small claims court.

These with church bells on. Small claims is easy, you don't even need a solicitor, you can do it all yourself. And if you win you can claim back your costs from her as well!

provider5sectorzz9 · 11/07/2017 10:52

I wouldn't start with a pàyment plan, she'll negotiate that down to very small increments over an extended period
Email her with exact details of the circumstances of the loan and tell her she must repay you now

MsLexicon · 11/07/2017 10:55

Kind of breathtakingly horrid and unkind.
And horribly rude! I think is an excuse just not to pay back money she owes.
Low life behaviour. Rise above it... I could not afford to lose £1000 but if it's gone. it is gone.
I had a 'friend' who was so breathtakingly foul to me before a loved one's funeral I just sent her a very curt and apposite response and broke all contact with her.
Some people are beyond friendship and redemption.

MsLexicon · 11/07/2017 10:56

And I agree, small claims Court!

Dibbles1967 · 11/07/2017 10:58

YANBU

To my mind, anyone that badmouths a partner (or friend) publicly, has already decided that the relationship is over. There is really no coming back from that.

I would be inclined to send her a very unemotional message, stating that regardless, the money she owes you needs to be payed back & suggest a payment schedule if she is unable to pay it in it's entirety.
Don't engage regarding the "friendship"

I knew nothing about what doing a real day's work was since I spend most of my day sat on my arse trying to avoid doing anything other than redirecting emails and she feared for my ability to cope once back in the "real world" she ended it with "I think you would find any job taxing and beyond your capacity now to be honest😉

The above just goes to show that regardless of your support for her, she has no idea of what's going on in your world - nor does she care - selfish bloody patronising cow sorry

And don't get sucked into "oh, I was in a bad place, I didn't mean it"

That's a bell that can't be un-rung (is that even a word?!)

provider5sectorzz9 · 11/07/2017 11:00

I have written to her and said that would be the last she'd hear from me. No reply. I will never get the money back
You've played right into her hands here
She's decided she no longer needs or wants you in her life so she insults you so much that you retaliate by burning the bridge
now you've put yourself in a position where it's very difficult to ask her to repay, she doesnt have to play nice with you because you've excommunicated her

Agoddessonamountaintop · 11/07/2017 11:01

Another one agreeing with Popchyck. Definitely write her off, but not the debt. An email stating 'thanks for letting me know where I stand - please return the money you owe my family and you'll never hear from me again,' or similar, is needed. Small claims court if nothing comes of it.
If you let her walk away without repaying you she'll feel like she's wiped you off the bottom of her feet as well as walking all over you.

PrettyGoodLife · 11/07/2017 11:02

YANBU. I would be devastated! It sounds as if she is taking the stresses of her life out on you. Our of order and wrong.

fishfingerman307 · 11/07/2017 11:04

Yeah, definitely engineered to avoid paying back the money.

It might feel awkward going back to her now you've said there'll be no more contact, but it's not like you made a binding promise! Nothing to lose by telling her you want the money. I wouldn't threaten small claims unless she refuses or ignores you after another reminder.

Incidentally, it's Money Claims Online now, not small claims court. Really easy to claim and definitely no solicitor needed. Fee is about 5% but as pp said, you can add that to your claim.

user1495451339 · 11/07/2017 11:05

She sounds unhinged, one day she was singing your praises and the next she is publicly humiliating you. You haven't done anything wrong, no matter how someone annoys you or they are jealous you don't humiliate anyone you have any regard for on social media. Even others on there seem to side with you. I would write if off as one of her issues of which she seems to have a lot of.

Agoddessonamountaintop · 11/07/2017 11:07

No problem about going back: 'and another thing - if my money isn't returned by x date, I'll be making a claim against you.'

Dibbles1967 · 11/07/2017 11:08

PS

If she doesn't agree or keep up repayments, definitely take her to small claims.

Point though - do you have any correspondence that shows she borrowed the money from you, or that she agreed to pay it back?

If not, it's your word against hers. If that is the case, send an email stating words to the effect of - "Regarding the "£xxxx" that I loaned you on (date) which you agreed to pay back, I would like a timescale for repayment"

If she writes back & says I can pay it back (whenever) or I can't afford it right now, it will be an acknowledgement of the debt.

Otherwise, she may just say that you gifted it to her...

Agoddessonamountaintop · 11/07/2017 11:08

You could always do it through social media - play her at her own game (half joking).

WhatchaMaCalllit · 11/07/2017 11:10

I find myself agreeing with the previous posters - get your money back and then don't have anything further to do with this person. You don't need to give them any more headspace.

As I was reading your opening post there, I was thinking there was a large sum of money outstanding and this was done so that she could walk away without having to pay a penny of it back. Still get that feeling about the situation.

Good luck!

KurriKurri · 11/07/2017 11:11

I lost a thousand pounds getting someone very toxic out of my life - it was worth every penny. Forget the money, don't let it niggle at you, you are well rid of her. (But watch out for her coming creeping round apologetically when your baby is born and trying to reconcile. I would guess from your description of her troubles that she is more in need of your friendship than you are of hers, and she might come to realise this. - Don't let her back into your life whatever sob story she comes up with.)

Tranquiltess · 11/07/2017 11:16

That's a lot of money! Yy to pursuing the money, and dumping the 'friend'!

OfficerVanHalen · 11/07/2017 11:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

weresquirrel · 11/07/2017 11:25

Can you put in a claim for the money in the small claims court?

BraveBear · 11/07/2017 11:28

I know some people who just about stopped talking to each other over the election. Most people harbour unflattering thoughts about friends and family but keep the thoughts to themselves and are fond of them anyway. Your friend felt undermined/intimidated in the facebook debate and decided to torpedo a long standing friendship just to "win". She doesn't deserve your friendship.

If you have any proof that you lent her that money, don't let it drop. There's no way she should treat you badly and gain financially from it.

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