I have fallen out with a friend. I will try to explain what happened and be truthful, not just my side of things. Obviously there will be a range of opinions but if the consensus is that it was me who was unreasonable I will eat an enormous slice of humble pie and apologise.
A friend is going on a business trip to Rome. Her work starts on Monday and finishes on the Friday but she has rented an apartment from Friday to Friday and invited me to go for three nights, from Friday till Monday when she starts work.
She told me to book the same early morning flight as her, I would stay at her house and her husband would drive us both to the airport. Too early for trains. Then I would return on the Monday alone and make my own way home by train.
She said it would be “a cheap, chill out break and a chance to have a great time”.
I booked my flights.
A couple of days ago we met up and she said that Friday is her husband’s birthday and she now wants to spend the evening with him before going away, so I should make my own way to the airport and she would meet me through security. She then said that we should each do or own thing in Rome but meet up for the evening meals and that as she was providing the accommodation my contribution would be to pay for the meals for three nights as her expenses account won’t kick in till Monday.
I was taken aback but came home and looked at the logistics.
Drive through night to airport wasn’t an option. My night vision has failed me.
So drive down day before, park, spend night in hotel or train day before, hotel.
Along with paying for the meals it came to nearly £500. I rang her to say I couldn’t afford to do it now and she is very, very angry and says that I have compromised our friendship.
I appreciate I have let her down but I would never have said yes in the first place if I’d known what the arrangements were going to be. I haven’t taken the decision lightly as I’ve lost my airfare (and a friend) but I feel manipulated somehow.
Ok. I’m open to all thoughts on this.
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