Dear Dorothy,
I was flattered when an old friend invited me to stay for a “few weeks”. She’d never invited me before. But the minute I arrived, she announced she was going to the hospital for an operation and I was left caring for her husband. Not only did I end up cooking and caring for the man, but I had to keep taking him to the hospital to see her and he was reluctant to give me any petrol money.
He was grumpy and once shouted at me for getting his medication wrong. Now I’m back home and she hasn’t even sent me a thank- you note. I feel completely used. Can our friendship survive this? I’m on my own and have enough problems to deal with.
Your sincerely,
Fiona
Dear Fiona,
I suggest you scrub this devious pair off your Christmas card list and don’t give them another thought. It’s one thing being asked to help and support a friend in need, but luring you to their house in order to play the role of an unpaid carer was a cheap trick.
If they were in trouble, then they should have been honest and upfront with you from the start. I’m sure you would have been more than willing to help if you’d known the score. Instead, they took advantage and overstepped the mark.
Put the whole nightmare down to experience and vow to be a lot less trusting and available in future. It’s sad that things have turned out like this, but some people do try it on.
Yours Truly,
Dorothy