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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:
PleaseDontTreadOnTheDaisies · 18/09/2026 09:29

I’ve assured you on multiple occasions that I would never hurt you or the kids

Oh god, OP, I can't tell you how much that sentence gives me the chills.
Good men don't have to say this - because good men don't put you in fear that they would hurt you or the DC.
I fear the 'nice guy' that you have fallen for is just a mask he wears, the real one is the angry guy that comes out when he drinks.
I'm so sorry - please be careful. I think you may be sleep-walking into a very abusive, controlling relationship.

thingamynbob · 18/09/2026 09:37

PleaseDontTreadOnTheDaisies · 18/09/2026 09:29

I’ve assured you on multiple occasions that I would never hurt you or the kids

Oh god, OP, I can't tell you how much that sentence gives me the chills.
Good men don't have to say this - because good men don't put you in fear that they would hurt you or the DC.
I fear the 'nice guy' that you have fallen for is just a mask he wears, the real one is the angry guy that comes out when he drinks.
I'm so sorry - please be careful. I think you may be sleep-walking into a very abusive, controlling relationship.

This really is the main point.

A decent man would NEVER say that line. Because a decent man wouldn’t have to.

An abusive person won’t see anything wrong in making that statement.

Just think for a min. If those words entered a decent guy’s head, they would be mortified that THEY HAD MADE YOU FEEL THAT WAY. That would be the main thing. They’d be disgusting with themselves and shocked and dismayed.

They wouldn’t be arguing their point.

Please don’t let this man into your home to talk. Do it somewhere mutual and relatively public. He’s too volatile.

ReturnoftheMe · 18/09/2026 09:55

ladylioness · 18/09/2026 06:06

So you’re happy to put your kids at risk. Shame on you.

He hasn’t shown any worrying behaviour to the children. They’ve not seen him during his drunk and angry state. He dotes in his daughter and they have a lovely relationship.

If I were advising another woman, I’d tell her to end it, based on what I’ve posted here.
Thing is, he is usually incredibly kind, attentive and caring. He is actually one of the kindest people I think I’ve met, and his family and friends all say the same. He’s loyal and has proven to be someone I can depend on in certain situations.

It is just the alcohol. He can have a couple glasses of wine at dinner or when we’ve gone out on dates. But as soon as it reaches excess (not sure what his limit is) he turns combattive, shouts and becomes verbally abusive.

He said he had drank a whole bottle of red wine the other night and thinks that’s why he was so horrible to me.

Aside from the fact I’ve borrowed him quite a bit of money, and these drunken rage episodes, I can’t really fault his personality/actions/behaviour.

The scariest part of this whole thing is that he is completely unrecognisable from his normal self. Ive seen people change when they’ve had a few; but never with this stark difference. So I think with some help cutting alcohol down, he could be ok.

This is why it’s hard to end it, especially if he’s saying he will cut his drinking down. He hasn’t said that specifically before because he refused to believe it was a problem and that he lost control solely because of the alcohol. He apologised for the rages each time of course saying he’d never hurt me, but It’s the first time he has been willing to accept the connection to alcohol. He said he was drinking more recently due to worries about some health issues - which of course just makes his general health worse and increases alcohol dependency.

Am I being an idiot to think there is hope, that he can get help; or is this completely over? Do I need a slap?

OP posts:
bigboykitty · 18/09/2026 10:04

@ReturnoftheMe please think about what you wrote

Aside from the fact I’ve borrowed him quite a bit of money, and these drunken rage episodes, I can’t really fault his personality/actions/behaviour

croydon15 · 18/09/2026 10:08

You are not an idiot, is he genuinely willing to get help with his drinking on his own or getting outside help, if he cuts his drinking to nil then l would give him a chance.

Ohnobackagain · 18/09/2026 10:13

@ReturnoftheMe see if he will agree to pay you back the money in instalments/ASAP. And remind him that he should have paid that back before moaning about the toll (which was just miscommunication on both sides but on him in my book). See how he responds.

(And stop lending to him or others.)

Honestly, I wouldn’t let him back in my life but at least trying to discuss the above might show his true feelings …

PleaseDontTreadOnTheDaisies · 18/09/2026 10:34

Do you think there may be a brooding anger that comes out when he's drunk - ie he can keep it under wraps when he's sober?

This is a small thing - He sent you a stroppy text (after a bottle of red, it transpires) about not paying your half of the fine. Had he been brooding on that for a week, & with the wine, the channels opened, and out gushes the anger?

What's so annoying about this, is that it turns out you had already lent him substantial amounts of money. When's he planning to pay that back to you?? I really wish you'd said 'you can take the £45 off the £800 you owe me.'

SadSisterOfAlcoholic · 18/09/2026 10:38

It is just the alcohol The statement about never hurting you is scary, so is this statement.

He knows his behaviour when he’s been drinking might lose him this relationship but he’s only offered to cut down not stop.

He hasn’t offered to stop because he has a problem

Why has he needed to borrow so much money from you? And why was he so anxious about £45? He’s spending it on alcohol and struggling to keep everything going.

I’m glad you don’t yet know the damage an alcoholic can do to your life. If you resume this relationship you and your children 😢 are going to find out. Please walk away now 🙏

anotheruser124 · 18/09/2026 10:54

ReturnoftheMe · 18/09/2026 09:55

He hasn’t shown any worrying behaviour to the children. They’ve not seen him during his drunk and angry state. He dotes in his daughter and they have a lovely relationship.

If I were advising another woman, I’d tell her to end it, based on what I’ve posted here.
Thing is, he is usually incredibly kind, attentive and caring. He is actually one of the kindest people I think I’ve met, and his family and friends all say the same. He’s loyal and has proven to be someone I can depend on in certain situations.

It is just the alcohol. He can have a couple glasses of wine at dinner or when we’ve gone out on dates. But as soon as it reaches excess (not sure what his limit is) he turns combattive, shouts and becomes verbally abusive.

He said he had drank a whole bottle of red wine the other night and thinks that’s why he was so horrible to me.

Aside from the fact I’ve borrowed him quite a bit of money, and these drunken rage episodes, I can’t really fault his personality/actions/behaviour.

The scariest part of this whole thing is that he is completely unrecognisable from his normal self. Ive seen people change when they’ve had a few; but never with this stark difference. So I think with some help cutting alcohol down, he could be ok.

This is why it’s hard to end it, especially if he’s saying he will cut his drinking down. He hasn’t said that specifically before because he refused to believe it was a problem and that he lost control solely because of the alcohol. He apologised for the rages each time of course saying he’d never hurt me, but It’s the first time he has been willing to accept the connection to alcohol. He said he was drinking more recently due to worries about some health issues - which of course just makes his general health worse and increases alcohol dependency.

Am I being an idiot to think there is hope, that he can get help; or is this completely over? Do I need a slap?

Ive just read through this thread and honestly have been shaking my head knowing that you wouldn't listen to all the good advice and this guy will sweet talk his way around.

There are so many red flags in this relationship and of course he isnt always bad, no one would get stuck in abusive relationships if it weren't good a lot of the time in between the abuse.

I literally have been reading a thread about a woman in an awful abusive relationship on MN, probably one of the worst ive read and funny enough the first signs were him being verbally abusive when drunk. He stopped drinking and she thought he was amazing but over the years the sober abuse slowly but surely ramped up and she was so conditioned to think this was normal that she didnt even see most of what he did as abusive and even now with counselling and a realisation that her relationship is very abusive, she has been in it so long she constantly makes excuses even for the worst things.

It literally feels like a pattern and so many people are saying it because it happens so much.

Just please protect your kids, because what happens when you move in and he drinks, it only takes 1 time to be dangerous for you and them. There are a whole bunch of red flags here that I think a lot of people would never have got to this point in a relationship with him because of some of his behaviour. And please in future be more cautious with your money, £1600 is so much to take away from your kids. I genuinely cant believe he was cheeky enough to ask for half that fine whilst owing you so much. Do you even have proof there was a fine?

Regardless of whether you stay or go, something like the freedom programme may really be worthwhile looking into.

Sortingmyself · 18/09/2026 11:07

I'm going to be blunt here and I apologise for that, but OP...why is accepting his abusive behaviour to potentially continue more important that your and your kids safety?

He's a very clever manipulator and knows that you'll give in when he puts the slightest bit of pressure on you. Try and find the gumption to cancel the meet later, sack him off and be on your guard for retaliation. Apply for clare's law too.

MsPrufrockk · 18/09/2026 11:10

@ReturnoftheMe I said on the basis of his drunken rages I didn’t see a future between us, because I don’t feel safe myself and neither for the children.

So despite you knowing there's a chance your children aren't safe with this man, you're still thinking of subjecting them to him?

NotMajorTom · 18/09/2026 11:13

Hang on. His car and he drives (presume you don’t contribute to car costs or petrol), he pays half for a holiday where you take more kids than him, he loses income as he’s self employed, and you’re being arsey about half a fine?

ok he was a bit abrupt but bliney, I can see why he thinks you’re taking the piss

thingamynbob · 18/09/2026 11:26

anotheruser124 · 18/09/2026 10:54

Ive just read through this thread and honestly have been shaking my head knowing that you wouldn't listen to all the good advice and this guy will sweet talk his way around.

There are so many red flags in this relationship and of course he isnt always bad, no one would get stuck in abusive relationships if it weren't good a lot of the time in between the abuse.

I literally have been reading a thread about a woman in an awful abusive relationship on MN, probably one of the worst ive read and funny enough the first signs were him being verbally abusive when drunk. He stopped drinking and she thought he was amazing but over the years the sober abuse slowly but surely ramped up and she was so conditioned to think this was normal that she didnt even see most of what he did as abusive and even now with counselling and a realisation that her relationship is very abusive, she has been in it so long she constantly makes excuses even for the worst things.

It literally feels like a pattern and so many people are saying it because it happens so much.

Just please protect your kids, because what happens when you move in and he drinks, it only takes 1 time to be dangerous for you and them. There are a whole bunch of red flags here that I think a lot of people would never have got to this point in a relationship with him because of some of his behaviour. And please in future be more cautious with your money, £1600 is so much to take away from your kids. I genuinely cant believe he was cheeky enough to ask for half that fine whilst owing you so much. Do you even have proof there was a fine?

Regardless of whether you stay or go, something like the freedom programme may really be worthwhile looking into.

Edited

This is reminiscent of what happened to me. I was with my ex for two years before getting engaged, and another two to marry, was married for 12 years and the last 5/6 were horrendous. Abusive when drunk turned into abusive when sober too.

it wasn’t always like that. He was sweet and kind at the outset too. We had fun. I got on so so well with his family and friends. And it was like this for a good few years! We lived at different ends of the country so would only see each other on weekends, which ultimately made it easier to dismiss red flags. I saw signs like you are seeing now, but papered over them because I was in love with the guy and had a vision of how it COULD be and focused on that. But I should have been looking at what it actually was. You end up normalising poor behaviour, and making excuses for them. They were tired. They’ve had a hard week. Then it becomes “maybe I could have done more” and before you know it you’re doubting yourself, wondering what YOU could be doing to improve things, walking on eggshells, trying not to poke the bear.. whilst taking more and more aggressive behaviour from him and excusing it.

what he’s done so far is not okay. He needs to understand this. I urge you to at least tell him you want space and thinking time. See if he respects you enough to give it. And I don’t just mean 24 hours, I mean a decent length of time. See if he respects your request or if he tries to cajole, to argue his corner and get his point across in a million different ways. If he does this, he’s not thinking of you, he’s thinking of his wants and needs.

If you really aren’t going to finish it, then please please test him OP. Be very very clear you need to control this timeline. He needs to get proper help. You need to take time out. You will be setting strict boundaries. I don’t mean requests (ie please don’t speak to me in that way), I mean boundaries (ie if you speak to me like that, then I will leave and not come back). See what he does. It’s the least you can do for you and your kids.

I mean all this in the best possible way Flowers

WhosGotTheKeysToMyBimma · 18/09/2026 11:32

Please please please emd the relationship OP.

He's no good. We can all see the pattern.

Actions not words. Please remember that.

Love is a verb, it's not something you say, it's something you do.

He is showing you through his actions who he is. An angry, threatening individual.

watchingthishtread · 18/09/2026 11:33

ReturnoftheMe · 17/09/2026 23:11

update for you…
I messaged him a long message about feeling frightened of his reaction and his other verbally abusive episodes this past year. I said we did too much too soon by going on holiday as a blended family and I said I believe he is resentful for having split the holiday when he probably only wanted to pay his and his daughters share. I said on the basis of his drunken rages I didn’t see a future between us, because I don’t feel safe myself and neither for the children.

He initially sent me a voicenote saying my summation of things is incorrect and then sent the following text.

“I’ve assured you on multiple occasions that I would never hurt you or the kids…. Through accusations that I could be a creep or resort to domestic violence and I assure you again that I would never ever hurt you or the kids!

I’m sorry for the vocabulary I use when angry because it means everything to me that you feel safe and loved with me.

I promise to reduce lone drinking and excessive drinking when we’re together because I see that as a direct link to my heightened loss of temper and health issues.

I love you and I’ll do everything in my power to make sure we’re never here again. ❤️”

I know you’ll all be disappointed in me and think I’m letting him get away with it, but I agreed for him to come by my house tomorrow so we can talk in person. In all honesty I can’t be sure I’ll have the conviction to end it, but I will try. Thank all of you for your advice, comments and help.

Ok.

We'll still be here for you after the inevitable next explosive episode.

Trallers · 18/09/2026 11:41

He hasn't actually offered to quit drinking, go to AA etc, has he? Just promised to cut it right down (i.e. allow his to still have a drink). He might hope he can do that and therefore not be outright lying, but it's at the very least wishful thinking. People can't just magic themselves out of a pattern of problematic drinking that causes them to be abusive - it needs abstinence and it probably needs help of some sort. You've also got to ask if he thinks it's that easy to.just cut it down and not be horrible to you - why hasn't he felt inspired to do that sooner?

I think the sensible answer is that cutting down his drinking is a great idea and he should definitely do that, but it doesn't change anything for you. His level of unkindness has crossed a line in the sand, and the potential reason behind it really aren't relevant any more. If you are determined to go ahead then at least put an ultimatum of an AA type thing and of no drinking at all.

ladylioness · 18/09/2026 12:02

ReturnoftheMe · 18/09/2026 09:55

He hasn’t shown any worrying behaviour to the children. They’ve not seen him during his drunk and angry state. He dotes in his daughter and they have a lovely relationship.

If I were advising another woman, I’d tell her to end it, based on what I’ve posted here.
Thing is, he is usually incredibly kind, attentive and caring. He is actually one of the kindest people I think I’ve met, and his family and friends all say the same. He’s loyal and has proven to be someone I can depend on in certain situations.

It is just the alcohol. He can have a couple glasses of wine at dinner or when we’ve gone out on dates. But as soon as it reaches excess (not sure what his limit is) he turns combattive, shouts and becomes verbally abusive.

He said he had drank a whole bottle of red wine the other night and thinks that’s why he was so horrible to me.

Aside from the fact I’ve borrowed him quite a bit of money, and these drunken rage episodes, I can’t really fault his personality/actions/behaviour.

The scariest part of this whole thing is that he is completely unrecognisable from his normal self. Ive seen people change when they’ve had a few; but never with this stark difference. So I think with some help cutting alcohol down, he could be ok.

This is why it’s hard to end it, especially if he’s saying he will cut his drinking down. He hasn’t said that specifically before because he refused to believe it was a problem and that he lost control solely because of the alcohol. He apologised for the rages each time of course saying he’d never hurt me, but It’s the first time he has been willing to accept the connection to alcohol. He said he was drinking more recently due to worries about some health issues - which of course just makes his general health worse and increases alcohol dependency.

Am I being an idiot to think there is hope, that he can get help; or is this completely over? Do I need a slap?

It’s entirely up to you. I have experience of this behaviour when drunk and over time it turned physical, I admit it took me time to end it, but when he threw me down the stairs I came to my senses. If you decide to give him a chance I hope it works out for you. Take care.

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 18/09/2026 12:06

Yes you need a slap as you said / asked.

Are you that desperate for a relationship that you will accept anybody

or do you deep down believe ( hoping desperately ) you may see the £1600 he owes you one day in the distant future

he is not a good person.

Blanca87 · 18/09/2026 12:10

NotMajorTom · 18/09/2026 11:13

Hang on. His car and he drives (presume you don’t contribute to car costs or petrol), he pays half for a holiday where you take more kids than him, he loses income as he’s self employed, and you’re being arsey about half a fine?

ok he was a bit abrupt but bliney, I can see why he thinks you’re taking the piss

Read the thread. 🫠

NotMajorTom · 18/09/2026 13:35

Blanca87 · 18/09/2026 12:10

Read the thread. 🫠

Yep fair…

ScaramoucheCanYouDoTheFandango · 18/09/2026 15:57

4 drunken rage episodes in a year
Shouting at you for prolonged periods
Frightening you to the point of silent tears
Calling you wicked, crazy, unstable, an idiot, etc.
Following you when you tried to walk away
Blacking out and not remembering what happened
Blaming you for “bringing out” his anger
Previously refusing to accept that alcohol was a problem
Refusing to accept your decision to end the relationship
Saying he doesn't want to go on without you
You feeling responsible for managing his emotional crises
You hiding what is happening from family and friends
A stark difference between his “lovely” sober self and his frightening behaviour when drunk
Only promising to change after another serious incident

You haven't even been together a year; you're still in the honeymoon period, when most people are on their best behaviour. My dp has done none of those things in over 30 years never mind one year in!

If someone repeatedly shows you who they are, you need to listen. You stay with him you are giving him permission to continue.

Can he change? I don't think mature adults can just change their nature, the best he can do is try to suppress his anger and you risk living on eggshells, especially when you seem to have started believing his narrative that somehow you are what causes that anger.

Please stop protecting his image and tell someone in real life what has been happening. And given that you've said his anger frightens you, I really wouldn't have this conversation alone at your home. If you do meet him, meet somewhere neutral and let someone know where you are.

AnnoyedAsAllHeck · 18/09/2026 17:03

MustTryHarderAndHarder · 18/09/2026 07:47

That is an excellent point.

I've been with my husband for nearly 25 years and he has never said anything like that to me because he has never had to.

48 years here and also have never had my DH feel the need to say that to me.

Either you and I are missing out or OP needs to find her strength to be able to walk away from this dud and protect her children.

AnnoyedAsAllHeck · 18/09/2026 17:10

@ReturnoftheMe Am I being an idiot to think there is hope, that he can get help; or is this completely over? Do I need a slap?

I think you already know the answer to that question. You just want to pretend you don't.
As for the slap, I could send you a cyber-slap, but I think if you stay with this dud long enough, he'll deliver one.

Imdunfer · 18/09/2026 17:10

ReturnoftheMe · 18/09/2026 09:55

He hasn’t shown any worrying behaviour to the children. They’ve not seen him during his drunk and angry state. He dotes in his daughter and they have a lovely relationship.

If I were advising another woman, I’d tell her to end it, based on what I’ve posted here.
Thing is, he is usually incredibly kind, attentive and caring. He is actually one of the kindest people I think I’ve met, and his family and friends all say the same. He’s loyal and has proven to be someone I can depend on in certain situations.

It is just the alcohol. He can have a couple glasses of wine at dinner or when we’ve gone out on dates. But as soon as it reaches excess (not sure what his limit is) he turns combattive, shouts and becomes verbally abusive.

He said he had drank a whole bottle of red wine the other night and thinks that’s why he was so horrible to me.

Aside from the fact I’ve borrowed him quite a bit of money, and these drunken rage episodes, I can’t really fault his personality/actions/behaviour.

The scariest part of this whole thing is that he is completely unrecognisable from his normal self. Ive seen people change when they’ve had a few; but never with this stark difference. So I think with some help cutting alcohol down, he could be ok.

This is why it’s hard to end it, especially if he’s saying he will cut his drinking down. He hasn’t said that specifically before because he refused to believe it was a problem and that he lost control solely because of the alcohol. He apologised for the rages each time of course saying he’d never hurt me, but It’s the first time he has been willing to accept the connection to alcohol. He said he was drinking more recently due to worries about some health issues - which of course just makes his general health worse and increases alcohol dependency.

Am I being an idiot to think there is hope, that he can get help; or is this completely over? Do I need a slap?

Am I being an idiot to think there is hope, that he can get help; or is this completely over?

YES

Do I need a slap?

YES, and if you don't end this relationship its quite likely eventually to come from him.

ReadingSoManyThreads · 18/09/2026 20:55

Yes, you're being an idiot, and the slap will likely come from your boyfriend, next time he drinks a bottle of wine.