Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
GFBurger · 16/09/2026 14:29

£45 is a cheap way to back up that you need to LTB. The booze doesn't make him aggressive and rude, it just blocks out the filter that stops him being aggressive.
He is an aggressive drunk, he is an aggressive man. Get out before it gets worse. Thank god you don't live with him.

Livpool · 16/09/2026 14:27

SueKeeper · 16/09/2026 10:20

I don't think either of you come out of this well, tbh.
He's the more generous, splitting costs in a way that you benefit more from and doing all the driving, you are petty when something isn't in your favour. You were involved in the whole toll debacle, not completely separate, he's possibly feeling taken advantage of.

However, his response is extreme and aggressive.

It's either too early for blended family holidays or too late to salvage things, only you can know.

I agree with this!

ClairDeLaLune · 16/09/2026 14:26

ReturnoftheMe · 16/09/2026 14:04

I am in contact with the mother of his daughter whom he was in a relationship with for a decade and they have a very amicable relationship now, and they get along. She is well integrated in his wider family and she is actually the personally hairdresser to his mum and sister, which I didnt think could happen if he was abusive to her.
This is why I am inclined to think there is something about me that makes him mad. I was tempted to ask her if he was ever verbally abusive, as I have her number seeing our children have holidayed together, however I am not sure if it is an overstep.

He was seeing someone else in between the mother of his child, and he is still on good terms with her too because has contacted him a bout things related to a mutual friend of theirs and the interaction was normal. Therefore, the Claireslaw thing doesn't seem immediately relevant based on the current relationship he has with these 2 exes.

One thing that has happened a few times though is people have said "he is punching" when they've seen us together. His own stepmother, a couple of strangers we've interacted with, one of my own friends. He has also expressed he feels insecure being with me. I have never taken kindly to those comments and shut them down calmly each time when people have said them. Might those kind of comments contribute to his anger/resentment of me when drunk?

Regardless.. I fear this post has taken a turn and veered off into something I didn't intend outside of the toll discussion. Thanks for all your comments they have definitely helped me analyse the things I've been concealing to myself and I know that I need to take action.

This is why I am inclined to think there is something about me that makes him mad.

Why are you trying to find a way to blame yourself? It’s not your fault, it’s his. He is 100% responsible for his own behaviour.

Please please dump him.

ClairDeLaLune · 16/09/2026 14:23

ReturnoftheMe · 16/09/2026 11:22

I did apolgise over and over again for forgetting to pay. I hate forgetting to come through with money for anything. I do forget more things than usual these days but that is my fault because I have so much on my plate. I started setting reminders for things, but for this I didn't, so I assume the full responsibility for forgetting. Especially as I 100% didnt want him to pay it alone.

Regarding the holiday, you're probably right, I should have objected the split the holiday in half and insisted it was split by 5. He didnt want to split by each child at the time of booking, he said he was happy to split, but clearly I now see it is because he didnt want to "upset me".. which it wouldn't have, but now the resentment is showing.

Either way, his blow up last night was very scary, and I am happy it wasn't in person because the anger was out of control.

There’s no coming back from this, surely OP. He was out of control and he scared you. You have got to dump him. Imagine the impact on your kids if they’d witnessed that. And that’s what will be next. Then he’ll move to hitting you.

Dump him now.

MargoLivebetter · 16/09/2026 14:16

@ReturnoftheMe I know you have updated and I know you have lots of concerns now, but I think it is worth banging home this point.

"He says his ex didn't get him to the same point on anger he gets at with me when drinking, so he thinks I am the one who brings it out of him."

This is NEVER true. No one is ever responsible for another adult's actions or behaviour. That is absolute bullshit. You can't stand in a court of law and defend yourself saying "Well Your Honour, @ReturnoftheMe made me abuse her." NO!!!!!

This is the biggest red flag ever!!!!!!

SadSisterOfAlcoholic · 16/09/2026 14:16

This is why I am inclined to think there is something about me that makes him mad. I was tempted to ask her if he was ever verbally abusive, as I have her number seeing our children have holidayed together, however I am not sure if it is an overstep.

There is something different about him and it’s that his alcohol consumption has gone up. He’s aware he’s unraveling but not prepared to delve into why.

It isn’t you nor is it anything you are doing. If it was he’s free to leave. This is him seeking to blame someone else for his behavioural problems.

I think you probably also need to work on your self esteem to understand why you’re prepared to accept him telling you his behaviour is your fault.

johnd2 · 16/09/2026 14:14

He's "not allowing you to end the relationship"?
If that's not controlling behaviour I don't know what is!
Ending the relationship is a unilateral decision (unless it's with a controlling abuser)

TreeDudette · 16/09/2026 14:14

Driver is responsible for tolls, speeding fines, parking fines, etc.. The driver is in full control of the car and all it's actions.

Trallers · 16/09/2026 14:12

Let's say there is something about you that he finds infuriating and means he is abusive towards you in a way he wasn't to his ex - so what? That still doesn't make his abuse your responsibility or your fault. He is 100% responsible for how he behaves when he feels annoyed.

cauliflowercheesey · 16/09/2026 14:10

cauliflowercheesey · 16/09/2026 13:58

Gosh.
You were unreasonable for bringing his up, it is irrelevant.
You were reasonable to offer to pay half the fine, especially as you are slightly underpaying for the holiday.
You were unreasonable for not paying him back your half, even after being reminded twice.
You were also unreasonable for sending that big long arsey text in reply.
However he is unreasonable in his overreaction and behaviour in response to you.

Plenty of unreasonableness all round.

sorry - first point was bringing his job up

ReturnoftheMe · 16/09/2026 14:04

Keyleads · 16/09/2026 13:46

He has a serious abusive alcohol problem.
He is blacking out.

You do realise you are putting yourself in danger?
You are only one argument away from a blackout slap.

He's scum.
After that wedding incident how could you have him around your children?

You are so wrong to be putting you and them at risk.

I can honestly never understand this.

Men that hurt women, kill them, leave their children motherless, always were slowly escalating to this point.

Red flags ignored and brushed away.

His behaviour at the wedding while the father was speaking was low class scum behaviour.
He then thugishly abuses you verbally for 30 minutes and you are STILL going back for more.

His refusing to accept a break up is MORE abuse.

You need to talk to aidcand the police.
Have you done a Clares Law on him?

God knows what you would find.

Please wake up.

I am in contact with the mother of his daughter whom he was in a relationship with for a decade and they have a very amicable relationship now, and they get along. She is well integrated in his wider family and she is actually the personally hairdresser to his mum and sister, which I didnt think could happen if he was abusive to her.
This is why I am inclined to think there is something about me that makes him mad. I was tempted to ask her if he was ever verbally abusive, as I have her number seeing our children have holidayed together, however I am not sure if it is an overstep.

He was seeing someone else in between the mother of his child, and he is still on good terms with her too because has contacted him a bout things related to a mutual friend of theirs and the interaction was normal. Therefore, the Claireslaw thing doesn't seem immediately relevant based on the current relationship he has with these 2 exes.

One thing that has happened a few times though is people have said "he is punching" when they've seen us together. His own stepmother, a couple of strangers we've interacted with, one of my own friends. He has also expressed he feels insecure being with me. I have never taken kindly to those comments and shut them down calmly each time when people have said them. Might those kind of comments contribute to his anger/resentment of me when drunk?

Regardless.. I fear this post has taken a turn and veered off into something I didn't intend outside of the toll discussion. Thanks for all your comments they have definitely helped me analyse the things I've been concealing to myself and I know that I need to take action.

OP posts:
WillieBanjo · 16/09/2026 14:02

The tunnel of truth has shown you the way!!

LTB

PleaseDontTreadOnTheDaisies · 16/09/2026 14:01

*Just to add, if he thinks you're the one who "brings out" his anger, you'll be doing him a favour by dumping him then!

Sartre · 16/09/2026 14:01

The driver is responsible but also when you queried it at the time, he explicitly said he’d do it when you stopped with his account he already had set up. He forgot, that’s entirely on him as is the fine. The fact he’s willing to leave you over £45 tells you all you need to know.

PleaseDontTreadOnTheDaisies · 16/09/2026 14:00

He says his ex didn't get him to the same point on anger he gets at with me when drinking, so he thinks I am the one who brings it out of him.

Ok - this is even more worrying. This is him laying the groundwork on making it your fault. The "look what you made me do now" defence.

It's not your fault. At the moment, he hides it behind the "being drunk" excuse - one time, when you've been together longer, or moved in together, he will do this while sober. Then he'll blame you for it.

I do hope you can get away from him.

Flintgranet · 16/09/2026 13:59

You sound irritating and responsibility-avoidant. (While in car, you the nondriving adult set a quick phone alarm to pay the toll later - whole problem avoided).

He sounds completely unhinged and misogynistic.

It is good that you two know this about each other now and can walk away and never speak again.

I'd say finding out this stuff for £45 was a bargain.

Franjipanl8r · 16/09/2026 13:59

Get him in the bin. None of this is your fault.

cauliflowercheesey · 16/09/2026 13:58

Gosh.
You were unreasonable for bringing his up, it is irrelevant.
You were reasonable to offer to pay half the fine, especially as you are slightly underpaying for the holiday.
You were unreasonable for not paying him back your half, even after being reminded twice.
You were also unreasonable for sending that big long arsey text in reply.
However he is unreasonable in his overreaction and behaviour in response to you.

Plenty of unreasonableness all round.

Chilly80 · 16/09/2026 13:57

He shouted at you and called you names? Relationship over.

ThatCyanCat · 16/09/2026 13:56

He says his ex didn't get him to the same point on anger he gets at with me when drinking, so he thinks I am the one who brings it out of him.

Leaving aside the "look what you made me do" element of this manipulative crap... well, if it is true then this relationship needs to end, doesn't it? How can you stay involved when you bring out the worst in each other?

I mean, it's victim blaming manipulative crap, but even if you took it totally at face value, it's still a reason to end this mess.

FannybygaslightinGovan · 16/09/2026 13:52

His behaviour has nothing to do with how you are. He's an abusive piece of shit and this comes out when he has alcohol.

Get. Him. To. Fuck.

You're worth so much more ❤️

ReturnoftheMe · 16/09/2026 13:49

Everyone's responses are really worrying and upsetting me now. As mentioned, I have not yet told anyone about these drunk outbursts, so writing it down is making me feel tearful. I know the truth, I shouldn't stay with him based on the behaviour when drunk. We have never argued when there was no alcohol involved which is why I did not force the break-up just yet. It will be one year next month and I'd say we have had 4 of these drunk outburst.

His mum had abusive boyfriends when he was growing up, and he said he'd never hurt a woman because of what he had seen done to his own mother. He says his ex didn't get him to the same point on anger he gets at with me when drinking, so he thinks I am the one who brings it out of him. Typically speaking I am not argumentative at all, I hate arguing so this doesn't occur at all when sober. if we have any disagreements, which we don't really, we're able to just talk through them calmly.

I just wonder if there must be something in me that gets him to that anger if he hasn't done so in the past, either way, I don't think it is worth trying to figure out, but I know it will be a blow if I end the relationship. I do love him and I think aside from this, we are so well aligned otherwise. Such a shame.

OP posts:
AnnoyedAsAllHeck · 16/09/2026 13:46

Happyjoe · 16/09/2026 13:05

He sounds manipulative as well as not having the grace to take responsibility for his muck-up, which of course we all know is pretty much nothing, just one of those things. This, with the name calling, the telling you he doesn't see you in the same light anymore in response to you sticking up for yourself is poor poor behaviour. Nah, he's more trouble than he is worth imo.

Sorry OP, nobody ever wants to hear it but he doesn't sound like a man to spend your life with. Could you imagine spending your life, every single time a tiny thing goes wrong, listening to him calling you names, judging you, scaring you, trying to make you feel crap?

Edited

And making her feel like she is walking on eggshells any time she isn't perfect.

I also want to say that I find the posters who keep criticising the OP for forgetting to pay that they need to read everything. The fact that she is always buying him things he needs in his house, cleaning for him, buying the food on the plane, putting down the deposit on the AirB&B, buying the incidentals on the trip. '
The OP would have had a lot more money if she had mad ehim pay 2/5ths of all of those costs.

But, this IS MN, where posters sit and wait with heavy boots to be able to kick the OP when they are down. Kick her but say nothing about the abuse? Says a LOT about some posters.

Keyleads · 16/09/2026 13:46

He has a serious abusive alcohol problem.
He is blacking out.

You do realise you are putting yourself in danger?
You are only one argument away from a blackout slap.

He's scum.
After that wedding incident how could you have him around your children?

You are so wrong to be putting you and them at risk.

I can honestly never understand this.

Men that hurt women, kill them, leave their children motherless, always were slowly escalating to this point.

Red flags ignored and brushed away.

His behaviour at the wedding while the father was speaking was low class scum behaviour.
He then thugishly abuses you verbally for 30 minutes and you are STILL going back for more.

His refusing to accept a break up is MORE abuse.

You need to talk to aidcand the police.
Have you done a Clares Law on him?

God knows what you would find.

Please wake up.

Trallers · 16/09/2026 13:44

The ins and outs of the toll and fine could be argued various ways and isn't a big deal if dealt with nicely. The way he rushed to you not being someone he wants to bein a relationship with, and name-calling is all that matters here - he sounds mean and horrible.

Swipe left for the next trending thread