Invited a friend and she's invited a friend - and we share the cost???

More neck than a giraffe... I'd make an excuse and use the vouchers in some other way... certainly not on freeloaders.

A bit of honesty here I think is needed.

Why not just tell her you have 2 vouchers to pay for 2 lunches and that will cover the cost of you and your guests meal. If your guests wants to share with her friend the cost of the rest of the bill all well and good or the friend can pay for her own. That is for them to decide.

You should offer a contribution for your drink if that is not ncluded in the voucher.

You are already making a major contribution as one of the vouchers was for a meal you had already paid for not sure how you received the other voucher.

Ooh, that's a bit cheeky. I would suggest another time for only the two of you.

I'd do as others suggest and say that I'd rather meet her on her own another time as she is obviously busy.
When you said vouchers I thought you meant the money off type, in fact you have obviously actually effectively paid for these vouchers so no reason why you should pay for her friend with them.

Clematisa, do let us know what you decided and how it went. I think we've all been in a similar situation and wondered if we made the right decision in the end

Just say you and your friend can have lunch some other time.You have thanked her enough.

I'd be inclined to say I'd rather have a catch up with you at a later date if you don't mind.

Clematisa.
If your "friend" reads GRANSNET, then the problem should be solved, - one way or another.

I agree with you BlueBelle, it's such a presumption, that's what would annoy me the most. From your post Clematsia, your friend didn't appear to say why she was bringing "the friend" maybe if there was a very good reason involved you could make a more informed choice, but from the bare bones she has given you it sounds really off, why should you be expected to split the cost of a meal for someone you don't know and didn't invite. Please keep us up dated I think you have aroused a lot of sympathy for your predicament, I'm thinking maybe we are all contemplating how we would react if we were you.

i d just say oh sorry there are only two vouchers so we ll have to make it another date or I d say no thanks and take another friend along very brass necked and presumptive I wouldn't like someone else telling me how to spend my vouchers

Well I have to say I'd rather pay the third than risk losing a valuable friendship. Who knows when you may need that friend again. But in all cases of this kind I've found it's best to be honest if you really do mind having to pay. I'd just say the vouchers are for you and I only, then if she wants to share her friends bill she can and she's still quids in.

I agree with those who say "why should you lie".

FarNorth is right. Just suggest rescheduling when she's next 'free'.

I don't think this is about a 1/3 share of the cost of lunch, but more that you were looking forward to an easy chat alone with your friend as opposed to stilted conversation with a stranger!

Tell her you might as well make it a party & are bringing more friends of your own & will split the bill.

Maybe your friend doesn't understand that these are not 'free' vouchers. You paid a deposit and didn't go as I understand it, and got vouchers as a refund. Sorry if I did not understand this correctly.

But if they are a reimbursement for you, I'd just say what these vouchers are for and that actually, you are treating HER to a meal.

'Hi Friend. Lovely to hear from you. I'm just finally recovering after shock of having to be admitted to hospital. Was so sorry to miss evening too. Was so very good of you to take me in. Missing evening and being ill was certainly a bit depressing but i'm looking forward to getting back to fun now. Speaking of which i intend treating a few pals to a lunch in celebration of my geting better. You of course are invited. As you'll agree i'm sure the vouchers will be very useful for that. Looking forward to meeting your pal and our lunch. Happy to split bill between the three but as you'll understand saving vouchers for my gett well lunch.
Hugs......'

They are YOUR vouchers. You missed all the fun and been ill. YOU decide what you will and will not do. Woman just thoughtless.

Sorry, should read, vouchers, I should preview!

I agree with many of the other posters, you should certainly not be expected to share your boy hers and even pay towards the cost of an unknown person's meal. I also agree with other posters that the friend is very rude. I would make an excuse (double booked, not well or whatever) and then go with a different friend.

You could of course be missing the opportunity of meeting a new potential friend, the friend of a friend may be a pleasant addition to your friendship group. Or, like me, however pleasant people are I enjoy spending time with friends one-to-one, I believe I am called an Introvert.

X post also

Maybe the chance to see "Friend 2" has cropped up for "Friend 1" after she got the invitation from Clematisa and she didn't want to reschedule in case Clematisa was offended, so she thought she'd combine the two (and probably hasn't realised that sharing the bill is a bit much to ask of her host).

Don't waste energy on being offended or thinking up excuses (saying you've already spent the vouchers?! how rude would that be!).

Reschedule and let her have the day with Friend 2.

x post

Depends what your relationship with your friend who took you to hospital is like.
Since she took you to hospital it may be quite good.
So not worth falling out over it in my opinion.

Friends are a mixed bunch. Everyone has their faults.

Even if it all does not turn out well, a third of someone's lunch or whatever it works out as is no big deal really.

If on the other hand, your friend has form for doing this, and you have lots of other friends, it is worth bearing in mind what she has done here, after the day is over.

Thank you all - I do know the friend of the friend, though haven't seen her in many many years! My 2 vouchers are for £10 each (as I'd paid £20 deposit for my Christmas meal but couldn't go due to being at hospital) so not really a cheap place to eat... it's not really about the money though, it was more her presumptuous suggestion that left me at a loss as to how to respond! However I will take on board your helpful suggestions and get back to her with my response.

Oh just share the remaining bill between the three of you and stop fretting. Honestly, life is too short for all this agonising. TBH it sounds a bit mean to be having a flid about one third of the remaining bill after two vouchers have been spent. Or are you peeved about her bringing another friend at all - is that what is getting under your skin?

Clematisa
You sound a caring and generous person so this is why it may be difficult to put your cards on the table and say outright what you feel about this 'threesome'
It is however YOUR treat between you and your friend and
A.She appears to be taking advantage of your generosity or B.This is the sort of person your friend is and it would not occur to her you might be unhappy about the 'arrangement'.
If you know the exact date of the threesome you could throw a sicky the morning of the lunch OR meet at the restaurant and conveniently!! Oh dear I have left the vouchers in my other bag'??
The true value of the friendship you have with your friend will show by the reaction you get from this.