Chris asks :
Hi Lucy,
I could do with some advice please: I’m a divorced lady, living quite happily on my own. I have booked a holiday abroad for a month in an apartment, also renting a car. My friend and I talked about her coming to stay for a week. She informed me this morning that she’s booked her plane tickets to come and stay for 2 weeks. Not being used to constant company for the past 16 years I don`t know how I’ll cope. As the apartment only has one bedroom she’s quite happy to sleep on the sofa-bed in the lounge. How can I get out of this short of cancelling my holiday? Please help – Chris
Hi Chris,
Agony Aunts on Female First
It sounds extreme to cancel your holiday, especially if you have been looking forward to it. Plus you might lose your money if you do this.
She might not be able to change her booking either so it might be worth just working with that you do have.
Perhaps explain to her that you were only planning on her being there for 1 week so you might need some place in week two. Maybe you could arrange to do things apart during the day and just meet up for tea on an evening? That may give you the emotional room you need while also enabling you to do the things you have planned alone. She may have thought she was doing the right thing by booking with you longer as you will be on your own for the rest of your stay. That said if she is a good friend then she should know your preferences.
It sounds like you need to be open and honest with each other as neither of you is used to spending so much time in each other's company so there will be some teething problems. She may be worried about this too, so if you raise the issue she might be relieved that you have brought it to the table.
tagged in friend
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