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AIBU?

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AIBU to think the toll fine was not equally my responsibility?

257 replies

ReturnoftheMe · 16/09/2026 10:02

Scenario

My partner (MP) of almost one year and I went on a holiday which we split between 2 (for the most part)
I have 2 kids and he has 1, but we decided to split the cost of the holiday and spending money down the middle.

On the way to the airport, MP mentioned to my son that the tunnel we go through has a toll (£4) and said, "I need to remember to pay that"...I asked him how it is paid, and he said through his account that he has registered. We leave the conversation there. At the time, I thought, at some point he will log in a pay the toll, but we both completely forgot. I don't drive and never have, so anything pertaining to the car doesn't really come across my mind by habit.

On the way home from the holiday a week later, he remembered the toll, but by then he said we would have incurred a fine of £90. I immediately took my phone to see if I could log in a pay, but he said I should try his phone instead. I didnt manage to get into his account because he had 5 of them, and in the dark while driving it didnt seem like the best plan to keep putting the phone up to his face to log into them and see which one worked. I told him either way, I would pay half once he managed to log in at home. I offered straight away to pay half as I felt guilty and sad that he'd got the fine, especially as he is self employed and misses a week of work to go on holiday.

He logged in at some point in time and paid the fine. I have no idea which day because we don't live together. We were talking about other financial things a day or so later via text, and he asked if I'd pay the fine from my Revo bank and I said, I will do it later via Barclays. However, that morning I forgot to do so. It 100% was just an oversight on my part due to be busy.

7 days later, he messages me to say...

"Do you have a problem with paying for half that fine?

Do you think it should be my responsibility because it’s technically “my car”?!"

I wrote...

"I don’t think I should be expected to pay it.
I’d only pay it because I offered to, out of feeling guilty that it was down to our family holiday that you got it. And also because you were so upset, I offered to pay half of it due to how it seemed to sting you at the time.

I don’t feel a responsibility to pay it, because it’s not my car and I am not attuned to all those tolls. It’s not on my mind.

So short answer is, I wanted to pay half to a) account for it being a holiday for us all and b) knowing how upset you were about it, upset me. So I wanted to help.

I didn’t send the money yet, because I actually forgot about it.

But I will do it now"

He said that my response has changed the way he views me as a woman, and that I am not the type of person he wants to be in a relationship with because I should be taking the responsibility of paying the initial toll, as he was driving and too distracted after to do it. My push back was to say that the toll was not my responsibility, we each had separate and shared responsibilities pertaining to the holiday, but I trusted that he would take care of the toll and didnt need my input, despite trying to help.

Is he being unreasonable or am I? He proceeded to call me, shout and me and call me a few names because he believes I should concede and take responsibility DESPITE me paying half the fine (sent the money last night) he still believes I am a wicked person (his own words) for not being willing to accept the responsibility was OURS.

OP posts:
MrsBatshitRatshit · 17/09/2026 06:24

YABU to say, effectively, 'I don't drive so I can't possibly be expected to understand things like tolls'. Your partner's reaction was clearly unreasonable and disproportionate. Please don't feed the myth that anyone who does not drive cannot be a functioning adult and please don't shoulder the blame for your partner being a bad-tempered sod.

AnnoyedAsAllHeck · 17/09/2026 05:22

Morepositivemum · 17/09/2026 05:14

AnnoyedAsAllHeck

I reread my post- I meant him, sorry!!!!

All good! I'm sorry I came to the wrong conclusion. {{HUGS}}

Morepositivemum · 17/09/2026 05:14

AnnoyedAsAllHeck

I reread my post- I meant him, sorry!!!!

PPAPPINE · 17/09/2026 01:09

I know I should end it because he is volatile. I just need to grow a pair and consider what his outburst could lead to in the future where my kids are concerned.

This! Think about the kids.

PPAPPINE · 17/09/2026 01:02

Didn't see recent posts. He is abusive. End it carefully and not in person. Stay safe and let friends and family know

PPAPPINE · 17/09/2026 00:59

Ew ew ewwww. Do you not have the ick? This is embarrassing and ridiculous. He’s an awful person by the sound of it and won’t change. Move on.

AnnoyedAsAllHeck · 17/09/2026 00:57

Keyleads · 16/09/2026 16:15

So you have LOANED him money, large amounts on several occasions.

He has also made self harming threats at the thought of you finishing with him.

This is text book abusive behaviour.
If he makes any threats again to self harm, you need to tell him you will NOT take this responsibility on.

You need to tell him that you will be contacting the police to do a welfare check on him and you will contact his family.

Start telling your family the truth.
This is a angry abusive man and you and your children are at risk.

You need to do the www.freedomprogramme.co.uk

You are wrongly blaming yourself for triggering his behaviour.
How he drinks, why he drinks and the behaviour it causes has NOTHING to do with you.

He has done some job on you that you are blaming yourself.

Textbook abuser behaviour causing you to doubt yourself and try and justify his appalling behaviour.

Thank you for posting what you did!

@ReturnoftheMe PLEASE read the posts by the people who actually care and see what is happening and ignore the bootstompers as they are meaningless to you.

If you can do without the $1600.00 in any way shape or form, just kiss it good-bye and end this abuse a-sap.

He is using his "woe is me" routine to keep you on a string that he controls. ANYTHING he does because you break up with him is on HIM. Not you or anyone else. ✂that string!

Honestly, I am quite worried about you because he sounds very unstable and unsafe to be around.

If you can do without the money, break up with him over the phone. Usually, I'd advocate for doing it in person but he is not safe. As far as I am concerned, feel free to break up in a text. You need to keep yourself safe.

If he has a key to your home, get the locks changed first before breaking up with him. Let your parents/friends know what is going on if they are around, and if he tries to come to your home or track you down somewhere, have the police on speed dial.

PLEASE do not put up with his abuse a minute longer than is necessary to do it safely. {{HUGS}}

AnnoyedAsAllHeck · 17/09/2026 00:45

Morepositivemum · 16/09/2026 15:21

Overreaction of the millennium!!! Rethinking your relationship over a bill? Sorry op but thst is crazy!!!

Hopefully, you have caught up with the OPs posts by now?
If you haven't, then...........😳🙄😵😠

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 16/09/2026 23:05

FFS dump him and raise your bar !
it's so low it's on the ground.

It's 999 or 111 for suspected heart attack / threatening suicide for a welfare check

and he owes you £1600 !!! you will never see that again.

Yupstillhere · 16/09/2026 22:41

latetothefisting · 16/09/2026 17:42

why would they be on their way to the airport, with OP having paid the air bnb deposit in euros if they were staying in the UK?

It's a bit ironic (and rude) to pick someone else up as being wrong, not to mention patronising to tell them to calm down, when all the evidence suggests the first poster was completely right, and you in the wrong!

I apologise you're correct. I stand corrected. You are correct.

Madamecholetsbonnet · 16/09/2026 20:14

Why do you have to pay for his shit organisational skills?

Ohnobackagain · 16/09/2026 20:02

Also, @ReturnoftheMe , stop lending to others. They are playing on your guilt. Look after yourself.

Keyleads · 16/09/2026 18:50

His view of himself is completely and utterly delusional.

Read up on Covert Narcissists because he has more than a whiff of it.

You need to read up on the Boiled Frog analogy because you are it.

He has fed you such a consistent bullshit story of how wonderful he is that rather that see that he has fed you a load of rubbish which in no way reflects reality, you have chosen to say oh ok.

There is a big difference between telling colleagues what a shit show things actually are, and telling them things are wonderful.

He is a nasty unhinged abuser that owes you, a single parent, a lot of money.

Never allow him around your children again.
You need to put your childrens safety and yours, ahead of your pride here.

Tell your family and friends the truth.
Do not hesitate to call the police.

He is mr charming to people, but privately an ugly vicious drunk.

DaringQuoter · 16/09/2026 18:21

If you don’t want to dump him then he needs to stop drinking. He obviously can’t control himself when he’s had a drink. That’s the real problem and if he wants you to stay with him he needs to pay back the money you lent him and stop drinking. Tell him!

thingamynbob · 16/09/2026 17:43

ReturnoftheMe · 16/09/2026 16:43

I am seeing how terribly this all reads now it is written down, MY GOD!

The thing is, he accept it at all that he is even remotely abusive. He says he prides himself on being a good man, opposite to the men he had as examples in his life growing up.

He really does paint himself to be a great man in everything he says and a lot of the things he does (outside of the verbal abuse)... he abhors men who talk badly about women, he doesn't have typical misogynistic views, and he sees himself as a family man and mostly acts that way.This is why this is all so perplexing. If he saw the comments on here, he wouldn't believe that any of this related to him.

I will take your advice and start telling people in real life what is going on, thought I won't enjoy it. Even yesterday, I went to the office to work from there and people were asking on updates about our relationship and I told everyone things were wonderful because everyone wants me to be happy, but a part of me wanted to cry because of how bad those 3 alcohol fuelled fight were, with the 4th one occurring only that very same night.

Admittedly, through all I have divulged here on the forum, this man has actually been wonderfully emotionally soothing to me in so many ways, hence the conundrum. I keep finding out more things about him and it is heartbreaking that they contradict how he sees himself.

And so begins the push and pull that leads to a trauma bond. My ex didn’t like the way his Dad spoke to his Mum. Yet he did the same to me. Part of it is learned behaviour. Part of it in his case was entitlement, some due to alcohol, but he had a lot of covert narcissistic tendencies too. He was able to apologise at times, but never truly self-reflect. He would lay blame at every door but his. Or throw a pity party in the most stressful way. But every time, it was never ever him holding himself accountable. It was excuses and manipulation.
I wouldn’t have married it if I’d seen it. If he hadn’t been lovely a lot of the time. It’s what it turns into that becomes the danger. When things are going ok it’s wonderful. It feels like the best. Then you turn one corner and walk straight into the “other” version. Trouble is that version is JUST as real as the nice version. And if you lose your sense of self and don’t put boundaries down, the “nice” person becomes reserved for everyone but you.

Its abuse. It doesn’t make it easier to walk away… but it makes it absolutely necessary to leave x

latetothefisting · 16/09/2026 17:42

Yupstillhere · 16/09/2026 10:16

They were in the UK. They weren't abroad, calm down.

why would they be on their way to the airport, with OP having paid the air bnb deposit in euros if they were staying in the UK?

It's a bit ironic (and rude) to pick someone else up as being wrong, not to mention patronising to tell them to calm down, when all the evidence suggests the first poster was completely right, and you in the wrong!

lottiegarbanzo · 16/09/2026 17:37

You’re not obliged to ‘solve’ or understand or heal him. Just decide if this is the way you want to live, or not.

nomas · 16/09/2026 17:34

ReturnoftheMe · 16/09/2026 15:59

One thing is for sure, I will not let him get away with that money he owes. It is a huge thing to ask someone to borrow you money. I have had relatives ask me for money many times, and they always take super long to return it. Years sometimes, which he knows about. So this is a huge reason why it is so hurtful that he wouldn't drop the fact he believed I intentionally forgot to give him half the fine. I simply wouldn't do that and I begged and pleaded with him to understand that I forgot in error.

I forgot, my brain is mush since I turned 41 this year, all the while working in finance and managing 2 kids alone (with gracious and amazing help from my parents) and I would never go back on my word about helping someone pay for something, even if it is not my responsibility.
It was just so hurtful the way he spoke to me, I just had to speak to "someone" about it to get a sanity check.

He has owed you £1600 for 6 months. It seems he doesn't intend to pay you back.

If I was you I'd tell him your boiler has broken down and you need the money urgently for a new one.

merryhouse · 16/09/2026 17:28

OP, he doesn't have to accept it

If you say it's over, then it's over.

He might behave appallingly (quite apart from the manipulative SSH threats, he could turn violent or end up stalking you or anything) and that means you have to be very careful and wary, but it doesn't mean you have to keep on being his girlfriend. There's no law that says once you date someone you can't split up

RetiredFromExplaining · 16/09/2026 17:27

ReturnoftheMe · 16/09/2026 16:43

I am seeing how terribly this all reads now it is written down, MY GOD!

The thing is, he accept it at all that he is even remotely abusive. He says he prides himself on being a good man, opposite to the men he had as examples in his life growing up.

He really does paint himself to be a great man in everything he says and a lot of the things he does (outside of the verbal abuse)... he abhors men who talk badly about women, he doesn't have typical misogynistic views, and he sees himself as a family man and mostly acts that way.This is why this is all so perplexing. If he saw the comments on here, he wouldn't believe that any of this related to him.

I will take your advice and start telling people in real life what is going on, thought I won't enjoy it. Even yesterday, I went to the office to work from there and people were asking on updates about our relationship and I told everyone things were wonderful because everyone wants me to be happy, but a part of me wanted to cry because of how bad those 3 alcohol fuelled fight were, with the 4th one occurring only that very same night.

Admittedly, through all I have divulged here on the forum, this man has actually been wonderfully emotionally soothing to me in so many ways, hence the conundrum. I keep finding out more things about him and it is heartbreaking that they contradict how he sees himself.

He is blaming you for his problems. He is sponging off you and you are cleaning for him and paying a fine when he could have just paid £4. He called you names like you were an animal. And you think it's something about you.

It is not about you. It is about him. He is abusing you. I am so sorry that he is doing this to you and has got in your head so that you think it's your fault. It is not your fault.

ReturnoftheMe · 16/09/2026 16:43

Keyleads · 16/09/2026 16:15

So you have LOANED him money, large amounts on several occasions.

He has also made self harming threats at the thought of you finishing with him.

This is text book abusive behaviour.
If he makes any threats again to self harm, you need to tell him you will NOT take this responsibility on.

You need to tell him that you will be contacting the police to do a welfare check on him and you will contact his family.

Start telling your family the truth.
This is a angry abusive man and you and your children are at risk.

You need to do the www.freedomprogramme.co.uk

You are wrongly blaming yourself for triggering his behaviour.
How he drinks, why he drinks and the behaviour it causes has NOTHING to do with you.

He has done some job on you that you are blaming yourself.

Textbook abuser behaviour causing you to doubt yourself and try and justify his appalling behaviour.

I am seeing how terribly this all reads now it is written down, MY GOD!

The thing is, he accept it at all that he is even remotely abusive. He says he prides himself on being a good man, opposite to the men he had as examples in his life growing up.

He really does paint himself to be a great man in everything he says and a lot of the things he does (outside of the verbal abuse)... he abhors men who talk badly about women, he doesn't have typical misogynistic views, and he sees himself as a family man and mostly acts that way.This is why this is all so perplexing. If he saw the comments on here, he wouldn't believe that any of this related to him.

I will take your advice and start telling people in real life what is going on, thought I won't enjoy it. Even yesterday, I went to the office to work from there and people were asking on updates about our relationship and I told everyone things were wonderful because everyone wants me to be happy, but a part of me wanted to cry because of how bad those 3 alcohol fuelled fight were, with the 4th one occurring only that very same night.

Admittedly, through all I have divulged here on the forum, this man has actually been wonderfully emotionally soothing to me in so many ways, hence the conundrum. I keep finding out more things about him and it is heartbreaking that they contradict how he sees himself.

OP posts:
Greenlawnbrownlawn · 16/09/2026 16:33

PatNoodle · 16/09/2026 11:58

It doesn't say he has 5 phones.

Oh, you're right, but I see another poster read it the same way. Five accounts, not five phones. Was a funny picture conjured up though

Toosadtonight · 16/09/2026 16:24

Dandeloosha · 16/09/2026 15:34

That’s not the point and not the question she was asking FFS. Stick to the point.

OP, it’s all his responsibility. He failed to pay it when he should have. You shouldn’t have to pay for his fuck ups - through you shouldn’t have offered to pay in the first place. The most you should ever have had to pay is £2 - half of the original toll. If he’d wanted you to take responsibility for the toll he should have told you in the first place so you register.

And yet every subsequent post from the OP says there were many red flags and some quite scary reactions from the man so she really should not have gone on holiday with him and put her 2 children in the middle of all this.

Keyleads · 16/09/2026 16:15

So you have LOANED him money, large amounts on several occasions.

He has also made self harming threats at the thought of you finishing with him.

This is text book abusive behaviour.
If he makes any threats again to self harm, you need to tell him you will NOT take this responsibility on.

You need to tell him that you will be contacting the police to do a welfare check on him and you will contact his family.

Start telling your family the truth.
This is a angry abusive man and you and your children are at risk.

You need to do the www.freedomprogramme.co.uk

You are wrongly blaming yourself for triggering his behaviour.
How he drinks, why he drinks and the behaviour it causes has NOTHING to do with you.

He has done some job on you that you are blaming yourself.

Textbook abuser behaviour causing you to doubt yourself and try and justify his appalling behaviour.

thingamynbob · 16/09/2026 16:14

OP I’m a fixer too. And a bit of a people pleaser. The trouble is that makes it easier to slip into the “is it me?” mindset, and the “he’s struggling I need to help”. I also got the talk of suicide and I got to witness a few breakdowns. But guess what. The moment I gently said I’m sorry you are going through this, but I’m sorry, I’m not the person who can help you with this, he switched and got angry again. It was a tactic. I don’t even think it was a premeditated one. But it was still manipulation. You can be gentle with his situation, and still do the right thing for yourself. This is not your mess to fix. You have not made him this way. This is who he is inside. It’s just that you’re only just seeing it. Luckily you’re seeing it early. If you want to appease your own conscience (and you absolute shouldn’t have to do this, you have done nothing wrong and I say this only because I know what my mind would be doing to me in the same situation), then send him the Samaritans number, alert his mum or his ex wife and say he needs help and that they should get in touch with him. But he should be their “problem”, not yours.

You cannot fix him. And he needs help. But it isn’t something you can subject you or your kids to. And you can back out with grace and kindness, and by alerting his family to his need for help. But it is not help you can give. I know people will be saying you owe him nothing just dump him. No you don’t owe him a thing. I’m only suggesting these things because your brain seems to do similar things to mine… so I maybe have an inkling of your thought processes and I know “just dump the bastard” won’t compute.

Either way though, this is not a situation you should be dealing with or having to take. Take your own peace back. Keep getting sanity checks from a trusted friend. The very fact that you’re doing that screams that you are in an abusive situation. The confusion and fog that you end up in keeps you trapped. Don’t let it come to that. Step away now with grace, tell his family. This isn’t your fight x

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