In case anyone is still interested DH had drinks with some of the fathers last night.
He invited 2 dads from the group of boys DS plays with, and they invited a few others from the friendship group, and, shockingly, “outsiders”. It seems the Dads are a lot less cliquey! The husband of mad friend apparently knew about it but was busy. Hummm.
DH, who worries socially and is quite shy (like his son) was dreading it a bit but actually managed to have a good time. Came home quite chirpy, and they have plans to make it a regular monthly thing so some good has come of this. He also heard about a good lego club being run quite locally that is just up DSs street and is attended by some non clique boys, so we may have some other friendship options.
Now, onto the interesting bit. After an hour with no mention of cleaner-gate DH just assumed non of them knew about it, so relaxed. Then, cheeky dad, (the one who sent the “controversial” text) just came straight out and asked what the hell was going on! DH was a bit nonplussed but said that as far as he knew we’d both had the same cleaner, she dropped mad friend not us and mad friend wanted us to fire her so she could get her back.... Then they asked how much it had cost! They didn’t seem upset (few were grinning), more impressed with our go-getting approach.... DH was confused and asked what they meant and it seems like they were all under the impression we’d paid her a bonus to stay, plus agreed on more money AND insisted on switching days which meant cleaner had to give up mad friend as days clashed. DH just laughed, said no bonus except Xmas pay, rate and time still the same. His obvious lack of social smoothness probably helped him here- people always believe him because he’s so plainly going to be horrible at lying. He’s a peacemaker though and so just said that he assumed she kept us as we were easier to clean for and no other reason.
DH said a few seemed a bit surprised about it. It looks like it had been quite the topic of conversation. Honestly, how can people care so much about another families cleaner? It just shows the hold mad friend has on her clique. DH just moved the conversation on, but, later on in the evening, cheeky dad (who obviously had a small axe of his own to grind) told a relatively uncomplimentary story about mad friend using his wife to run her children to clubs without reciprocating or sending them with snacks or a drink, and there were a few supportive mutterings and apparently an “eye roll”.
I’m going to leave it now. DS had lunch with his friends yesterday (the boys don’t seem to have been told not to play with him in school, so it could just be no more after school play dates for DS), but he then spent the rest of lunch time with the nice boy who’s coming for a play date as they were planning the minecraft thing they’re going to do. I’m hopeful about lego club, and interested to see what happens with the other mums once word gets back.
Finally, I came home today and lovely cleaner had been. House immaculate, plus she has somehow managed to find the missing bit of the Dyson that was lost over Xmas and had taken all the recycling out. She’s a much better long term prospect than mad friend!
Thanks for all your comments- most of you are lovely!