Work situ - what would be the least unreasonable option here?

[Doublebubblegum]

OK- short summary - a colleague and I (both at same level doing same role) both applied for an internal promotion to a much more senior position.

We were the only two applicants, both were interviewed last week and then yesterday I was offered the job (and I accepted). I'm very happy!

My colleague is a good work friend, we get on well, speak regularly and often message one another. We'd already had a conversation about the fact we were both going for the same job, laughed it off a bit and wished one another all the best. No awkwardness at all.

When I accepted the job, my new boss asked me to keep it to myself until I was given the nod as he needed to make some arrangements to backfill my role and so on. Fine by me. But I've since found out they aren't planning on telling my colleague she was unsuccessful until Monday next week!!

She has messaged me on Teams tonight asking if I've heard anything about the job. I don't what to say to her!! I've got 3 options, not sure which is the least unreasonable option:

1. ignore her. This would be weird and rude. I'd never ignore a message from her usually so don't think this is really an option
2. tell her I've got the job - but I've been asked not to say anything and it's not really my news to break to her so that feels like a shit option
3. lie and say I've not heard anything- this also feels like a crap option as I hate lying so would just feel shitty

Any other ideas or suggestions?? What shall I do??

i can’t think of a good reason, short of the colleague going on holiday, to wait over a week to tell her.

and if they’re waiting that time to tell her, they could have waited the same to tell you.

i think you’re being tested OP. they must know you’re mates with the other candidate. As pp have mentioned, there will be times you hear about change in the business and you’ll need to keep it quiet.

I was in your situation with an office friend, she'd said before hand that we should agree to support each other, no matter which of us got the job.

Truth is, she fully expected to get it. She was a talk the talk but didn't walk the walk type. I was invited to apply by the most senior person in our department, who recognised I'd be doing the work even if she got the job, so I might as well be paid for it.

It didn't go well, after the initial announcement of the successful applicant, she took three weeks off sick.

It really was a tale of woe, undermined me at every opportunity and culminated in her being made redundant a few years later. She was put on gardening leave because she'd threatened to cause a scene and was driving round the plant trying to find me, fortunately I was overseas at a conference.