Ok - so I'll change names to try and preserve decorum, but this might all be quite outing anyway.
DH and I worked for 'Christopher's creative project for two years and saw it through from start to finish. DH mainly gave up weekends and evenings for a fair few months, I worked on the project the whole time, working very long hours. Our compensation was 'in kind', but as we wanted to get started in the industry, we didn't mind, and it was a good opportunity. Roll on to now, the project completed last Summer, and we've been waiting to see if Christopher would get another one off the ground, however, due to external events, he recently informed us that the next project wouldn't be starting until the Summer.
So DH and I thought we would do a very small project of our own, that would take a month or two to prep, maybe a month more to complete. We thought that (as we are supposed to be part of the company) that it would probably be ok to borrow some equipment for a day, if we insured it ourselves. So I asked and Christopher said yes, that would be fine.
So I then asked if I should email the other partners in the company just to keep them in the loop. I was very clear that we weren't expecting any of them to help us with it, that DH and I would do it on our own with some other external colleagues.
Two days ago, Christopher said yes, that's fine, just make sure the equipment is insured and that it happens under the company name. He wanted to see the specifics of the project so I sent them over.
However, when i asked again today if I should just email the other partners so that they aren't surprised when they see it appear on social media (because it would have to be), he then texted back, saying; I'll check with the other partners, but my instincts are to put any side projects on hold until after the next project.' To presy the next paragraph, he essentially said, he doesn't want too many projects happening at once, it's just bad timing'.
Firstly - somehow, this has gone from being a small project completely belonging to DH and I, to a 'company' project. Secondly, AIBU to be quite upset that we've worked so hard for his project, and now he won't extend us the courtesy of lending us equipment for a day? Thirdly, as I've discussed with DH, we are just now going to go and do our project ourselves, even if I have to spend hundreds of pounds to get our own equipment or hire some, but then the question arises of, how do I tell Christopher that we're going ahead with the project politely - and without losing my rag at him. Every starting phrase I can think of ends up sounding shirty at best, and fucking livid at worst. I know I shouldn't assume that it would have been ok to borrow the equipment - but DH has previously borrowed the equipment, returned it, and it's been fine. So it's either because he thinks the other partners will want to get involved with our project, which will take them off his (which I've already said I wouldn't ask for), or he is either embarrassed to have our project linked to the company, or alternatively, he thinks our project might be creatively better than his? We're at a loss, but I don't think we're going to find out directly from him. AIBU to be so angry about this? Or is there something I'm missing here?