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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:
achangeisasgoodasabreakdown · 17/03/2018 04:11

YANBU, of course you can choose who you want, or do not want to spend time with and have in your home.

However, not your monkeys, not your circus. Rick needs to sort his own mess out.

LittleRedTerfette · 17/03/2018 04:27

They’ve been separated nine months then? Is that right?

NoKnownFather · 17/03/2018 05:40

Sorry OP but if your DH is so 'laid back' about the OW I would be questioning his morals as he may be doing the same? Something to think about and investigate?

Agree that Rick is wanting you to do his dirty work and he shouldn't put you in this position...but...if you don't, then you put your friendship with Sally at a huge risk. Only you can make that choice, but I know what I would do.

Tara should 'not' expect to step into Sally's place in your home or your friendship circle. It's your home too and you have every right to invite who 'you' want and not have to bow to DH's low levels of morality.

Do hope Sally is OK as she is the one person to get hurt the most out of this as you have deceived her for 20 days too. Being Sally, I'm not sure I would recover from this!

falcon5 · 17/03/2018 06:07

I was Sally in this situation and what hurt most was feeling all my friends saw me as interchangeable with whoever I was replaced with. That I wasn't important to anyone at all. I ended up walking out the whole country and it took me almost a decade to believe people might want to actually be friends with me and start having friends again.

Warpdrive · 17/03/2018 06:39

I have been in similar situation. I had to tell my friend’s DH that it was too difficult for me to even see him happy with someone else, because I could only see the unhappiness my friend was going through. Surprisingly he seemed to understand, we agreed to unfriend on social media too. I see him occasionally now but it turned out my friendship with his wife was what held us all together, as he hardly ever sees us now.

cuckooplusone · 17/03/2018 07:02

I was Sally in this situation when my marriage broke down. I found losing friendships very difficult, it was the hardest thing. However, I think, assuming Tara is a keeper, you may have to think about building a relationship with her. I am still friendly with my ex husband's friends' wives, but we don't have the same relationship. We used to all go on holiday together, now I might have a coffee with them.

CherryMaDeary · 17/03/2018 07:03

I couldn't bear to have to spend time with Prick and Tart.

EachandEveryone · 17/03/2018 07:08

When are you telling her?

Justdontknow4321 · 17/03/2018 07:08

You should of told sally the day you found out about Tara when she was sprung on you.

And no Tara would not be welcome in my home! And no we would not be going on couple things anymore. The friendship has changed and it would now be rick hanging with you dh as friends, no more couple events.

HisBetterHalf · 17/03/2018 07:11

Ricks a twat - this is not ok.

ImListening · 17/03/2018 07:14

Over my dead body would start be coming into my home! Your dh thinks it’s ok??? My mouth is on the floor. I’d start asking him difficult questions. I hope you don’t have ace as I don’t think I could trust someone with so few morals.

SilverdaleGlen · 17/03/2018 07:22

Slow down a little! What is the exact status of this "marriage"?

They have been separated for months, does he think it's fixable or has he made it clear it isn't and she's just holding out hope? Is he making moves to move out?

Relationship breakdowns are bloody complicated (been there for the painful t-shirt),
You need to understand more as this may be totally legitimate. He may be holding off telling Sally as he knows she won't let him go, it will hurt her but if he's made it clear they are done then he is allowed a new life. Do they have children?

SilverdaleGlen · 17/03/2018 07:24

Having said ^ I still couldn't be with Tara as I would need to be there to support Sally. The background would just make me decide if I am angry with Rick or not too.

clairedelalune · 17/03/2018 07:46

I hope you get in there to tell Sally before Rick tells her; your friendship is salvageable at this stage, while I really doubt their marriage is.
Regardless of it being your husbands house too, nobody would be entering my house who made anyone living here uncomfortable. I would explain that Tara is not coming over and if he insisted I would be staying out for the whole night and having serious discussion with my husband about the future of our own relationship.
Good luck 🍀

Helmetbymidnight · 17/03/2018 07:51

I still can't work out why the next day, and the next day for three weeks, instead of saying " look last night this happened" you just sent her hilarious memes and casual chat.
So odd for a close friend.

Bubba1234 · 17/03/2018 07:52

If I was you I would call rick & tell him look I have to ring sally & tell her what is happening as it’s unfair on her. Then no matter what he says I would ring her & support her.

2018Already · 17/03/2018 08:10

Blimey you’re getting a lot of flak for not having done Rick’s job for him here op.

MrsCrabbyTree · 17/03/2018 08:31

Usually I never suggest telling the wife.

BUT, under the circumstances of this friendship, I would tell Sally. Surely, if you don't, the poor women will feel betrayed by her husband, and also YOU and your husband.

Rick has placed you in an really sucky position and he should be ashamed (and horsewhipped)

Helmetbymidnight · 17/03/2018 08:32

Close friends means different things to different people I guess.

AlmostDoneWithThis · 17/03/2018 08:36

And actually, even if Rick has told Sally that their marriage is done as far as he's concerned and that he's now shagging Tara, I still wouldn't entertain her in my home. And even if he came alone, I'd find some reason to have to go out.

juneau · 17/03/2018 08:39

I actually have more of a problem with Rick than I do with Tara. Yes, she's the OW, the bogeyman of MN, but she has met a man she likes who is separated from his wife. She doesn't know Sally. She isn't the snake here - Rick is. So if you don't want Tara in your house (which is fair enough - particularly when you're best mates with Sally), I think you should also tell your DH that Rick, the cheating dick, isn't welcome either. After all, he's the one who isn't be honest here, he's the one who is screwing around behind his wife's back.

ladymelbourne1926 · 17/03/2018 08:43

Definitely tell Sally, I have no issue with Tara really here, she is just dating a man she likes. But you absolutely cannot have her at your house and not tell Sally what's happening, the betrayal doesn't bear thinking about. Poor woman. Rick sounds an absolutely awful guy, fair enough of both women know the score but one doesn't. That makes him a total bastard.

juneau · 17/03/2018 08:45

Tell them all to fuck off to the pub to watch the rugby!

CactusSpikes · 17/03/2018 08:48
Shock
C0untDucku1a · 17/03/2018 08:56

It does seem like he is a gutless wonder and wants you to end his marriage for him.

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