Dear Freddie,

you’re welcome!

my friendship groups have never been reliable except the few really good mates I made in high school and have kept throughout my adult life. When I was younger, early teens and younger I people pleased to feel accepted among “friends” but they never turned out to be true friends and I often had my confidence knocked and let myself be pushed around and the butt of some jokes.

This could be a major cause of your trust issues. Being betrayed and ridiculed by the people you thought were your friends. You say you people pleased – where those “friends” of yours bullies, and if you didn’t do what they wanted, they would have harassed you?

On the relationship front as hard as it is I’m trying give us both some space to avoid another on off cycle, if it’s meant to be hopefully it all works out even if we are apart at the moment. Just have to hope it’s not too late if I do reach out.

How are you hoping for things to work out? Is there a chance that she opens up about her relationship with her daughter and explain things?