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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:
Palace2 · 11/07/2017 11:38

My sister was owed money from a friend. She filled out forms for small claims court and sent a photocopy, saying pay or I send these to the court. He realised she meant it and paid up

Roussette · 11/07/2017 11:42

Absolutely awful for you OP. How hurtful.

BUT I would not let her thieve £1,000 of your hard earned money. I would want to draw a line under the friendship, I get that, but now she is not a friend, would you let just anyone take off with £1K.

You have no friendship to consider so get justice and get your money back.

BitOutOfPractice · 11/07/2017 11:43

Oh god I would so be getting my £1000 back!

ppeatfruit · 11/07/2017 11:43

I don't reckon she come to realise anything that she would admit to. It's a shame but there are many damaged people out there who aren't able to understand that they are damaged.

Our exdil is one of them, we HAVE to stay in contact with her because we love our gd and want her to be aware of our love, to take her out , babysit etc. I just have to make everything very clear with exdil ! To remember not to tell her my feelings because she uses them against me.

ppeatfruit · 11/07/2017 11:45

Sorry! typo, 'she "will" "

placemark123 · 11/07/2017 11:47

I've had very similar experience to mistermagpie, 'heritage' friend from school who I'd been through loads with, always there for bla bla. Eventually I really tried to recalibrate friendship to take a step back, then I found out she'd been slagging me off anyway for years to all and sundry! Horrible finding out, but strangely liberating!

Obviously then I finally cut all ties and was amazed how freeing it was! I realised what an undercurrent of jealousy and resentment had been flowing my way (for my v boring 2.4 kids life I hasten to add, nothing interesting!) and how all the support and therapy and being a shoulder to cry on had gone the other way for years! I would have always felt too guilty to end the friendship myself but five years on am SO glad I'm out of a relationship I got absolutely nothing from.

annasfarmgirl · 11/07/2017 11:51

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.

This was the big clue for me and I see that other posters have picked up on it as well.

I'd forgotten until I started typing this but I had something vaguely similar over 500 or 600 quid. An argument that in retrospect was all completely engineered of course. And the guy (casual employer) did such a number on me that I still feel guilty about it when I think of it. I feel guilty! And he never paid me for the work I did!

People are very strange creatures.

allotmentgirl82 · 11/07/2017 11:52

I think she's a cow, and you are best of without her. As for the money, take her to the small claims court and get it back that way. You can do it online now, so her paper will get served to her without you being present.
Do not let her being a bitch make you feel bad, some people are born that way

Ginlinessisnexttogodliness · 11/07/2017 12:13

I really appreciate all the advice and support.
It has been really rotten.

She's owed me the money since before I had children. I have had several bleating emails and texts over the years promising to repay it in instalments with cards and chocolate on one occasion but it's never materialised. To be honest I have resigned myself long before this incident that I will never get it back. The owing me money is just adding insult to injury IYSWIM.

The main reason I won't go after it is that I think she might actually do something stupid and then engineer it so that my wanting back what I'm owed is to blame. I wouldn't put it past her and with a baby coming I can do without the stress.

She's done this before and then sent flowers saying sorry, or emails saying fall outs aren't worth losing a friend over. I have always relented but I shan't this time as I she sailed too close to the wind with comments about my career and aptitude.

OP posts:
provider5sectorzz9 · 11/07/2017 12:15

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

Very good point, now is your opportuity to build a case for getting the money back, don't threaten legal action, just a friendly but carefully worded email is needed to get her to admit in writing to the loan

Hissy · 11/07/2017 12:23

This is deffo game over for me, she went WAY overboard here!

I would strongly look at legal advice to get the money back

Justsaynonow · 11/07/2017 12:25

I agree with all the PP, sounds like resentment mixed with the ideal way to avoid paying back the money.

In my similar experiences, I've ruminated and tried to fathom why someone would act that way, and felt negative. A couple of years ago I read Paul Watson's facebook article on stress What he writes about friends/not friends is something I try to remember when faced with similar situations. Holding onto resentment takes time and energy. Letting it go/forgiving frees you from the stress.

Re: the money. How badly do you need it? Letting it go will free you to forget about it, and her. Going after it legally will take more of your time, money, energy - and keep that negativity in the forefront of your life. And you may never get it back, anyway.

We had someone peripherally in our lives for years. A user. Still had her Dad paying for her kid's expensive activity, lots of debt. Borrowed and didn't repay. No credit so imposed on -friends- suckers when she needed to do online payments. Paid back in cash several times, with increasing delays, then didn't. Went through multiple people. One took her to court and eventually received a judgement in his favour. She had nothing for a bailiff to take & they worked out a deal for part of what he was owed. Don't think he ever got it.

She spent money faster than anyone could get it. Even after knowing that, dh got suckered. She's completely cut contact owing us $1000+. DD occasionally sees her DD's instagram posts of expensive purses and shoes Angry. She had a way with her, that one. Especially with getting men to finance her life. For the most part, I've let it go.

Anyway, that's what I'd recommend. Let it go. Live and learn. Enjoy your family and save your energy and time for the things that make you happy and are essential.

Roussette · 11/07/2017 12:29

Seeing what you said in your last post OP, yes I'd probably let it go too because you're only going to pile on stress for yourself at a time you really don't need it.

but do not ever ever let her back in your life.

Brahms3rdracket · 11/07/2017 12:40

Forget the money, do your best to forget your former friend, try to enjoy the rest of your pregnancy and please don't engage with her again, she really isn't worth it. Congratulations and good luck with your baby Flowers

ShizeItsWeegie · 11/07/2017 12:43

Money Claim online is a piece of cake to do. You have to give her 21 days notice of intention to prosecute. I would email her saying that it is clear the friendship is over and unless she pays you will serve notice in 21 days. Even int he event you decide to not proceed against her console yourself with two things OP. 1 - many other people realise she has treated you rudely and she is wrong in her assertion you are lazy and 2 - you have already seen signs of her being a bit odd and thus this is probably not personal. Block and delete and just make sure everyone knows you have too. You don't want to be linked to her in any way.

BuggerLumpsAnnoyed · 11/07/2017 12:48

Do you think she caused an argument to avoid paying you back?

LeakyLittleBoat · 11/07/2017 12:59

Write off the money, it's not worth it. Agree, don't let her back in, move on and live your life. I do think she has been looking for an opportunity to engineer a falling out with you. This has been brewing in your ex-friend for a long time, probably since you lent her the money and that coupled with your support for her problems has made her feel 'lesser' - strange thing how people grow to resent those who do them favours isn't it? My DH had a similar thing happen with a longtime close friend, he's said things can never go back to how they were even if the friend were to apologise (he won't, from what we hear from other friends he's of the opinion he's over it and wants to just forget it and get back to normal - easy to say when he's not the bloody injured party) so would rather not have him in his life at all.

madcapcat · 11/07/2017 13:05

I agree with PP suggesting this is a manifestation of her personal problems. BIL has had lots of MH issues over the years which often manifested themselves in extreme emails - overly soppy love you; you is my bestest bruvver type followed a few days later by emails saying things like you've never been a brother to me and this is all your fault. And repeat..

Hissy · 11/07/2017 13:11

By the sounds of it BuggerLumps (LOOOOVE that name!!) I think she's been avoiding paying it back for a LOOOONG time.

ShizeItsWeegie · 11/07/2017 13:18

Please excuse typos and lack of punctuation there Grin

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 11/07/2017 13:18

I will never get the money back

no not necessarily .HELL NO!

send her a formal letter along the lines of

I am sorry and saddened that our friendship seems to have hit a wall, I feel very sad about it but I cant see any value in discussing this right now.

I do need to please hear back from you on the outstanding monies, as you have been silent on this to date.

As you surely appreciate I will soon be off on maternity leave as this money is needed sooner rather than later.

Can you please send a cheque to XXXX, and or alternatively transfer to XXXX

I look forward to hearing from you with an estimated timeline

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 11/07/2017 13:21

Write off the money, it's not worth it

its 1000 fucking pounds. that's a new cooker, a new fridge,. a new washing machine, 2 or even 3 flights, and a month of maternity pay

why the fuck should OP write that much money off!

but having RTWT I can see its an old debt

nachogazpacho · 11/07/2017 13:33

When people spout off nasty stuff on Facebook et al they show the world who they really are. Kind people see the spouting and quietly note never to trust that person again. So, many many people will have seen her comments and thought ' wow, I now know that she's an unkind individual ' and will be quietly sympathising with you. It's just unkind people usually shout louder.

kissmethere · 11/07/2017 14:08

I think it's the point of the energy and investment of time that getting that money back will require. Or you may be surprised and she could give it all back straight off no problem if you ask her for it. Will she drag it out to be another drama which you will need to engage in, even if you say she has a deadline to pay it back if she doesn't it requires more contact etc.
It hurts but I'd be beyond wanting anything to do with her. Even to get the money back.
If you get a sudden burst OP and want to get that money back go for it. I mean that. Think what a sad lonely person she's going to be if she uses this method to get out of jams with friends through her life.

Btw **mistermagpie I can relate to your post as well.

Sorry don't mean to draw my experience into yours OP mine didn't involve owed money but with friends like these who needs enemies.

LeakyLittleBoat · 13/07/2017 13:28

stopfuckingshoutingatme its 1000 fucking pounds.

Yes, I know how much it is. It's also a debt that's several years old since OP says it was before she had children and since OP hasn't actively pursued payment nor had the ex-f made any effort to pay during that time what makes you think it's likely to be paid at this late stage? Sure, she could take her to court, and drag this out for as long as it takes to get a judgment and then wait for payment back in dribs and drabs or not at all.
Or she can just draw a line under the whole thing and chalk it up to bitter experience. I pretty much guarantee she won't be buying a new cooker or booking flights with that particular 1000 fucking pounds any time soon, if ever.

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