Mary Killen Mary Killen

Dear Mary: How do we get our friends to pay for the carpet they ruined?

iStock 
issue 04 September 2021

Q. We have had some rather rich Argentines to stay. No one was able to come in to help before or during their visit so I was exhausted looking after them, making their beds, cooking, quietly washing up etc. Consequently, when I went into their room and found they had left a £250 tip for my cleaner (who had done nothing), I decided I would keep the lion’s share. I left £20 for the cleaner, which she was absolutely thrilled with. Now my husband, to whom I had not confessed, tells me she asked him for the Argentines’ address so she could write to thank them for the £20. There is now a letter on its way over and I need urgent help to avoid huge embarrassment.

— Name and address withheld

A. Email the Argentines immediately to thank them for leaving such a generous sum.

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