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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not want to hang out with friend's OW?

187 replies

SachaStark · 16/03/2018 20:02

Husband and I are very close friends with another couple. The men know each other from school, we met through them and subsequently became very close friends. He was our best man, she was our maid of honour, that sort of thing.

Last summer, they told us that they were separating for a while as he was having doubts about their marriage. They said they were going to attend counselling and try to make it work again in the new year.

A few weeks ago, we went out for my husband's birthday, and the husband, Rick, came down for it (they live 300 miles away, he still lives with Sally) to our home town. When we arrived in the pub, Rick announced that he'd brought a date, Tara, whom he's been seeing when he comes back to our home town. He informs DH and I that Sally doesn't know about her yet.

Well, fucking hell, Sally is 300 miles away assuming you will be getting back together at some point!

I was upset on the night out, as I felt I'd been blindsided a bit by this, and I hated the thought of hanging out, playing nice to the OW whilst my good friend has absolutely no idea this is happening. Husband just shrugged it off, his decision to make and all that.

Tomorrow, my BIL is having an early evening birthday party, and then we are all going into town to celebrate Paddy's day. Rick is coming down for this. He and DH will also be watching the rugby at our place in the afternoon tomorrow. He has messaged this evening to ask if he can bring Tara, the OW, with him to our place to watch the rugby. DH is fine with this, and I won't say she can't come over, as it's his house too, his old friend, and it should be perfectly fine to have his friend's girlfriend over.

However, I intend to be out at the time, as I still can't stand the thought of sitting, the four of us, in my living room, playing couples hanging out like everything is completely fine. I feel like that wouldn't be good behaviour towards my friend. I'm also considering bailing on the evening out.

AIBU to react like this, and avoid spending time with the OW?

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 16/03/2018 20:18

Tell Sally. What kind of friend are you ?

And your H is using the excuse of being "laid back" to act just as badly as Rick.

LoveInTokyo · 16/03/2018 20:18

I also think YWNBA to say that you’re not comfortable with her coming to the house and so you want them to go to the pub to watch the rugby.

Why should you have to vacate your own home because he has put you in this position?

bluemoonchances · 16/03/2018 20:18

YANBU.

But make sure that before Tara comes that DH knows that you intend to go out, that Tara will be with them watching rugby and that Tara coming out with you isn't an option. Therefore when she arrives it cannot be dropped on you that they'd assumed Tara would be going out with you.
And when they're at your house, ask Rick in front of Tara if he's told Sally yet!

SachaStark · 16/03/2018 20:18

Right, thank you MN, I will definitely tell her. It's been three weeks, and I think that's enough time for him to sort himself out... he's been at home with her all that time, after all.

OP posts:
Emboo19 · 16/03/2018 20:19

I’m guessing if sally was your maid of honour, that you and her are good friends aside from your husbands being friends.

Personally I couldn’t socialise with a Ow behind the wife’s back and wouldn’t have her in my home. But with her being your friend absolutely not and I’m sorry but I’d question any partner who was ok with that, no matter how laid back he is.

Chickenagain · 16/03/2018 20:20

I would just be tempted to go out. As you said, it is his house too and if he wants to invite them as a couple you can't do much about it. Its not worth falling out over. Just vote with your feet - then nobody will be under any illusions as to how you feel.
I'd also swerve the evening.

However, I would hold back on telling Sally just yet as once Romeo realises things would not be continuing as easily with his new model, he might have second thoughts.

Bluelady · 16/03/2018 20:20

You're being asked to collude in his deception. I wouldn't

LanguidLobster · 16/03/2018 20:21

She'd be so hurt if she thought you were 'welcoming' OW into the house (as it would appear to her) if she found out after the event

Idontdowindows · 16/03/2018 20:21

It's good that your telling your friend, but I'm sorry to say that your husband is vile. Going along with this deception and pretending it's ok that his friend is bringing the woman he's cheating with along to gatherings.

Ohyesiam · 16/03/2018 20:21

Just scrolling down to say tell her when I saw your last post. That’s some cheek asking you to keep his secrets for him.
You are a loyal friend.

ScrambledSmegs · 16/03/2018 20:22

Does your husband have no moral compass whatsoever? Being 'laid back' is absolutely no excuse for condoning such appalling behaviour from Rick.

SachaStark · 16/03/2018 20:23

Sally and I chat daily online (a PP has asked). General messages, and sending silly memes and stuff to each other. Yes, we are very close outside of just being our husbands' wives.

OP posts:
Eltonjohnssyrup · 16/03/2018 20:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Eltonjohnssyrup · 16/03/2018 20:23

YANBU at all and it would be such a huge betrayal of Sally. I think you need to say to Rick that he has put you in such an awkward position he needs to tell Sally as you will not lie to her.

Having said that, given that she hasn’t come with him and he has the time free to start a new relationship (plus we’re well into the NY and they’re no closer to getting back together) I suspect Sally probably knows that the relationship is over and will be a lot less shocked by that than you think.

Rick has still behaved badly though, he should have had the decency to tell Sally about the new woman before introducing her to other friends.

Shinycat · 16/03/2018 20:24

Tell Sally. And tell your DH he is an asshole and no WAY are you going out with RICK and his OW again Hmm Fuck me, how disgusting, making it OK that his mate is cheating. He is not the first man I have known to cover for/support a mate who is cheating.

Eltonjohnssyrup · 16/03/2018 20:24

Oops, sorry. Will ask to remove double post.

Cuppaoftea · 16/03/2018 20:26

I can't believe you're so accepting of your DH's attitude towards this.

I'd tell your friend and inform her DH and yours you're going to do so beforehand.

JaneEyre70 · 16/03/2018 20:27

Well he sounds a right charmer. I think the advice you've been given here is right, she's going to be heartbroken at the thought of you entertaining this woman. And he's clearly having his cake and eating it. She deserves the truth, no matter how hard it is to tell. Especially if you'd expect the same from her. What a horrid situation he's put you in.

Vickxy · 16/03/2018 20:27

YANBU. What a selfish dickwad.

I tend to stay out of other peoples business tbh, but in this case I really would tell my friend about this. It will probably upset them, but if they are sat hundreds of miles away getting their hopes up for a reconciliation, and it seems he is pretending this is going to be the case, better for her to find out now.

Lillyringlet · 16/03/2018 20:27

Tell your husband it is your house too and you don't feel comfortable with the situation they are both putting on you and your friendship.

I'd also tell the husband that you will be telling your friend at x time because you do not want to risk your friendship and was previously given the impression it was going public. If he's adamant about him coming over just tell him "fine but I'm calling my friend and telling her that I don't feel comfortable about his life decisions and the impact of them that you will be going out while your home is invaded" if she asks what choices say it's best to talk to him. And you will be doing that straight away not giving his friend the chance to be the bearer of bad news.

Yes it is his house but you are a unit and in this situation you get a veto - it is going to risk your friendship.

NotTakenUsername · 16/03/2018 20:27

Sure DH is taking care of his mate’s secrets just like his mate will take care of his when the mid-life crisis hits.

You can tell a lot about a person by the regular company that they choose to keep.

Gide · 16/03/2018 20:29

There is no way Rick would be fetching the OW to my house! Particularly when he hasn’t yet told his wife, who probably thinks they’re staying together.

I don’t care how laid back your dh is, mine would never dream of making me uncomfortable by having my mate’s shitty stbexh fetch his new bloody girlfriend now and expect you to entertain her!

StickStickStickStick · 16/03/2018 20:29

You absolutely need to tell her . Id be worried of my husband was at my best friends house with another partner. I'd lose my best friend as well as my husband.

Have you asked your husband what he'd think if you were off elsewhere with another partner!? It really worries me he's so okay about it. How can you trust him...

MsGameandWatching · 16/03/2018 20:29

If your husband is so very relaxed and laid back then he won't mind you telling Sally will he? I suspect though that he might not be quite that laid back when it comes to that though Hmm

Belindabauer · 16/03/2018 20:31

I agree with bluemoon.
Tell Sally and make it very or your dh that you will not be entertaining Tara.
If Tara comes and you are in be pleasant by tell her you have arranged to go out, does she know the man is married?

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