How should I reply to this text?

[JaysusWept]

Namechanged as I've told my work colleague already about this and I know she lurks on here. (She was absolutely no help - she's probably still laughing about it...)

Background is that I've been single for a couple of years after discovering he was cheating. I have an 8 year old DD.
I am friends with a small group who I have known for a few years - met through kids at nursery/starting school, etc. We do playdates, dinners, drinks out, whatsapp group which is used constantly, helping each other out, etc. We are close and I value all of their friendships.
For the past few weeks I have felt that one of the group, who I shall refer to as C, has been a bit 'off' with me. Nothing I can really put my finger on - I don't always do the drop off and pick ups at school for my DD, but when I have and I've seen C she hasn't chatted with me like she usually would, and 2 weeks ago 4 of us went out for drinks and I felt that there was a bit of an atmosphere when I was talking to her, although she was polite enough. There are people that I am closer to in the group but C and I have always been very friendly and have done many things with just the 2 of us.

Yesterday, I picked up my DD from school and C's husband was there to pick up their DD. The 4 of us walked back together and we stopped outside C's house to finish our chat briefly, before I carried on up the street. C came to the door but didn't come over although she did wave.

At 4pm I received a text from C which read "Doing her usual, all over XXXXX (her husband's name) and doing that stupid fucking laugh of hers" with a couple of angry emoticons.
I replied back "?" and she immediately sent back "Ooops, sorry! That was meant for L (mutual friend in group, but who is very close to C), talking about someone at work! Sorry, just delete!"
I didn't reply to that and almost straight after I received a text from L asking if I was up for a night out next weekend.

C was talking about me, wasn't she? L also wouldn't usually text me about a night out as it would be sent through the whatsapp chat.
I didn't do the drop off this morning, but C has text me (not in whatsapp group) to ask if I fancy going over to hers tomorrow after school with DD.
I'm not sure how best to respond.
Am I being paranoid in thinking that text was about me?

For the record, I don't know C's husband particularly well. I've chatted with him at group things we've attended and a few times we've walked home together if we've done school pick ups as I've got to pass their house on my way home. I am not attracted to him, and nothing untoward has ever happened or would happen, although I may very well have a stupid fucking laugh!

Any advice? I actually feel really fucking weirded out by this.

Make sure you look fabulous and have something wonderful to go to! X

*Even if it’s just us baying for those bitches’ blood!

although would love to know, I reckon he is clueless about it all

Yeah that is an interesting question actually, If my DH came home and told me that he'd told his friends that another of their friends had been messaging me and flirting through messenger when it never happened I'd be completely disgusted with him

Good luck op everyone here is behind you.

Poor you OP. I have rtfl and been following. You are amazing and have been treated appallingly by ALL the group. Obviously Caroline has narcissistic traits, and if you read up about that they often use "triangulation" whereby they separate groups and isolate people in order to keep themselves "in the clear". It's toxic behaviour and you have done nothing to deserve it.

My only advice is this: please DO NOT start questioning yourself, or why this might have happened to you, or suggesting that somehow your previous behaviour led to this. Narcissists will do this, every time, and regardless. It's nothing personal- Caroline WILL have done this before and she WILL do it again sadly. The only lesson there is to take from it is in listening to your gut and trying to spot other people with these traits and avoid them / manage them before it can happen again. This might include the rest of the friendship group, or other women you meet through school.

It sucks and it's so shit that you have had to experience this. To my mind now that it's all erupted this far, I can't see the harm in directly saying to the husband "did you tell your wife I have messaged you about a plumbing quote?". If he lies and says you did then you are in the same position as you are now. If he is unaware then you can tell him to tell her, or even record it, and at least have that satisfaction.

In the meantime concentrate on the positive friendships you have in your life with your sister and colleagues and try to do more stuff with them to help you feel valued. But above all know that you did nothing to deserve this (it's probably more of a sign of how authentic and strong you must be because Caroline feels so threatened). There will sadly always be c**&s in this world and the quicker you can identify them and move on from them the better. You are great, and the majority of women are kind. The whole of this thread can't be wrong OP.

Op you can do this! We are all right behind you.

Good luck OP.
If it is the H at pick up I'd have a chat with him and let him know what's happening.
Ask if he is messaging another woman on facebook that is using a name similar to yours etc.....?
I'd make it blatantly clear to him that his DW is spreading rumours of an affair about him.
It's not just you - it's him as well.
He deserves to know what she is saying about him.
And I'd tell him that if he is conducting some sort of affair can he please come clean to Cuntface and let her know that it's not YOU he is having an affair with!
Honestly - tackle it head on!

Why don't you ask her dh what this is all about? Surely he would be as infuriated as you that she's making this up about you both?

@hellsbellsmelons makes a good point- shes not just spreading lies about you, it includes her husband and if hes none the wiser about all this then he will be in for a shock. If her marriage implodes, its all her own doing. Silly woman

Horrid bunch of women and I'm so sorry you are going through this, you must be gutted.

Shhh everyone you make the thread run out.

Go OP 💪

I couldn't be doing with any of this. If it's the husband at pick-up, just go and ask him what on earth it's all about.

Fuck it and play with her emotions.
Text L and say “gosh I wish I’d just told Caroline about her DH cheating on her and who with! Didn’t think anyone would think I cheated with him! I’m certainly not going to tell her who he’s cheating on her with now!”

Play with her mind.
Now she’ll think he is cheating and it will destroy her. Which is no less than she deserves.

How did pick up go?

I can't believe grown women are behaving like this.

@7yo7yo what awful advice.

Oh you poor woman, this is just awful. I am not far away from you and would be more than happy to stand by your side as support. The Caroline’s of this world need exposing.

@burnttoastandjam might be but it would teach her!

Seems to me in these group situations, the more popular person...the one with more social sway, usually wins out, no matter who is actually in the wrong.
People are far too scared of upsetting their own apple cart. They’ll ditch on a good friend to display loyalty to a cunt to save themselves.

Oh my fucking God - I’m so happy!!!!

See M at school pick up and go over to talk to her, just as C’s husband walks over to us! He starts chatting to us both, all friendly and I see M’s face like this She tells me later that she’s thinking ‘why the fuck is he acting all normal?’ So I say, very calmly, ‘why have you told C that I’ve been messaging you inappropriately?’ Inside I’m bricking it because I’m scared that he’s in on it and has been telling lies too, but honestly - if M’s face was then his was !
‘What messages?’he asks.
And M says ‘the one’s on Facebook.’ She’s finally found her voice after ignoring messages from me
He says to me ‘I don’t have you on Facebook.’
I know that! M asks if there were messages, he says no! He asks what they said, M and I are looking at each other like ‘holy fuck’ I said to him that he should speak to C and he just says ‘alright’! But he’s looking baffled! And then he stands there with us, waiting for the kids, and then he waits for me to walk home with him!!!

M said I was going to collect something from hers and she gave me and DD a lift home, mainly so we could dissect what had just fucking happened!

Honestly, my adrenaline was going and I feel stupidly giddy!
C knew there were no fucking messages and I have a witness that there were none!

Wonderful! Well done!

OP that is fantastic. Surely M must shift her stance now?

That’s bloody fantastic!
What a twat C is!

yay!! THIS is the post I was waiting for.

Let the comeuppance begin!!

Thank fuck you have been truly vindicated. Honestly I've never been so relieved so see a post.

Let m spread the word. Watch them all come back to you. And if they don't fuck em. Actually even if they do I'd still be kind of wary.

Have a lovely lovely lovely evening. May there be much cake and/or wine

Good, good!

YES!!!!!