What to do when you mate gets ditched.

So, your shoulder is soggy with salty tears, your choccy stocks are dry and Kelis’ ‘I hate you so much right now’ is on repeat. It can only mean one thing. Your bessie mate has been on the business end of a nasty dumping. And you’re gonna help her get over it. Here’s how to be a good friend at this difficult time.

They’ve been out a couple of times, but then he just stopped calling.

Do: Help her get her confidence back by getting glammed up and having a girly night out together. Give her loads of attention and compliments.

Don’t: Be unsympathetic just cos it wasn’t a long relationship. If she wanted to take things further and he didn’t then she probably feels confused and rejected.

They’ve been together for a long time and now he’s ended it.

Do: Listen. She needs to talk through her feelings. Even if you think you’ve got some great advice, button it. This is about her, not you.

Don’t: Put a time limit on her grief. You might think two weeks is enough moping but heartbreak has it’s own timetable. Be there for her.

She cheated, he caught her and they split up.

Do: As with all break-ups your main job is lending an attentive ear while she processes what happened.

Don’t: Judge her. So she cheated. So what? She probably had her reasons. You’re her mate, so support her.

It’s an on-again/off-again relationship. And right now, it’s off.

Do: Let her know it’s okay to feel sad. If she bottles her feelings up the sadness will end up lasting longer.

Don’t: Go to town slating her ex. If they get back together that, ‘I don’t know why you went out with that womanising minger in the first place’ comment could come back to haunt you.