Get out your popcorn, huge beef between two sets of neighbours on our road.
Neighbour A has lived on the road for over ten years with her husband and three daughters. She always comes over to say hello and seems friendly. She often shares what’s going on in her life.
Neighbour B moved in a year ago and completed a full renovation on their house. She has a husband and son the same age as my daughter. They go to nursery together. She also seems friendly when I chat to her, but we mostly chat about the kids.
Neighbour A is about to move. About a week ago she ushered me into her house and told me how awful Neighbour B had been. She seemed very flustered. She said they had damaged her wall costing her close to £2000. She explained that she had been trying to get them to pay for months but they had refused. Finally when she’d gone to discuss it with the move getting close, Neighbour A had verbally assaulted her. She was livid.
Fast forward a few days and I hear/see/can’t fail to miss Neighbour A and her husband shouting at Neighbour B who seemed to be putting her bins out. They are clearly crowding her and very angry. Neighbour B does not shout.
When I saw Neighbour B at pick up, I asked her if she was okay. She looked very upset. She said if I wanted to hear the story from her perspective I could come over and she would explain.
Neighbour B said that a large tree was removed from a different garden behind Neighbour A’s house just before her wall was damaged. She said Neighbour A also had a large plant climbing up the wall. I saw photos. Their builders had been to examine the wall and assured them their work would not have caused the damage. They had offered Neighbour A half the costs to be neighbourly, but it had been declined.
Neighbour A became annoyed when they explained they didn’t think they were responsible and insulted Neighbour B. She left the room in tears. This was all caught on the doorbell camera. She played it for me.
Neighbour A and her husband, both solicitors had then written an email designed to look like a letter before action, but not actually meeting the criteria. In it they accused Neighbour B of verbal assault (DARVO much!?). Neighbour B and her husband decided to wait to reply to de-escalate tensions.
When Neighbour A and her husband had shouted at Neighbour B outside her house she had told them she didn’t feel safe talking to them because of the previous conversation. They called her a liar and threatened her profession saying she was bringing it into disrepute.
Neighbour B told me she had given them half the money to end the harassment. She said she felt scared to leave the house and was counting the days until they moved.
Wow! I think I’m the only one on the road that Neighbour B has spoken to, but I know Neighbour A has told quite a few others. Should I quietly correct the story?
AIBU - Neighbour A got that wrong. Correct away!
YANBU - Neighbour B has missed something out. Let her tell people herself.