Originally Posted by BCD

There's not much to add here, but I would suggest that - if you haven't already - you confirm that her grandfather really did pass away that evening (search the obituaries in the online version of the local paper). Seems the dead grandparent excuse is a common one, and what are the chances that on the same evening you put on a surprise party for someone you get called away by your friend who was just assaulted and your grandparent dies unexpectedly? Either something else is going on and she's not being honest with you OR she has the worst luck in the world.