Quiet, shy people who try to hide their own fears do resent loud, noisy people who make a drama out of their fears/ problems, and get lots of attention for being useless. I think penguineggs has it spot on in saying Esther resents the attention Lawrie gets for making a drama out of her weaknesses and flaws. Although saying that Lawrie is an ass doesn't imply that Esther actually dislikes Lawrie, just that she finds her foolish or tiresome at times. Which is what everyone who knows Lawrie seems to feel, apart from Tim, who seems to indulge the foolish side of Lawrie, as part of her 'my best friend the genius actor' act. The people who like Nicola all seem to find Lawrie irritating - apart from Miranda, there are several references to Patrick finding Lawrie a pain.