Situation

[andythomas]

Just thought i'd bring back a sense of normality to the board by canvassing opinions on a situation I am in that I want to run by you guys just in case it all goes belly up.

I usually meet up with my old school friends at a local pub once a week. Around a year ago another friend of ours called Donna came back from a year at a holiday camp where she had been working and early this year she started going out with Mark, someone who I used to be at school with. For the first 3 or so months it was all fine between the two, they couldn't get enough of each other (as is the norm).

Now Mark's old girlfriend, Kate, who also goes to the same pub and who many people think still has feelings for him, has managed to work her way back in and they have been spending alot of time together, just messing around, being all childish together etc.

Since Donna has been back, we have been getting on like a house on fire (just friends, nothing more) and are really good mates now. Now I can tell that she knows something is going on, but she is not the kind of person that wants to jump to conclusions, but is concerned (like anyone would be) about the amount of time spent by Mark with his ex.

Personally I think Mark has a problem with any kind of committment (he only tends to have short-term relationships) and is now looking for a way out, or is too stupid to realise what he is doing. Either way, it is starting to rip Donna apart as I don't think she knows quite where she stands any more, and she doesn't have anyone to talk to about it. It is also starting to effect the group to the extent that people who didn't think anything was wrong before are starting to have their suspicions and sooner or later will start to take sides whether they like it or not.

The problem is, do I speak to her now and risk upsetting the situation further or do I just let nature take its course and be there as a friend when it all goes sour?

Discuss.

[Alex]

I think you all need to work in a soup kitchen together. If you have any more spare time, help a shut-in clean their home. When that has been achieved, and if you have any energy left, search out someone who had a really really really bad break in life, and see if you can be available for them once a month. And don't only hang out with people your own age, it's bad for the soul.

Go back to step one and repeat several times before rinsing.