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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I'm going to have to move aren't I?

186 replies

AtlasObscura · 11/04/2019 17:36

Namechanged ....

I love where I live but do sometimes wish people would just fuck off and focus on their own lives.

This is a bit long but I need to rant.

Background - single mum of 4 children, all now flown the nest or at Uni

I work from home and wifi went down on Monday so I decamped to the nearest coffee shop in village to use their wifi. Spotted a few other neighbours there too with the same idea so looked like I wasn't the only one with shit wifi maybe?

Anyway, doing my thing and in comes a woman who I know to say hello to. A friend of a friend, not a close acquaintance at all and I know next to nothing about her. She's with another woman who I don't recognise at all.

They order lunch and then ask if they can join me. I should have explained that I was working (and there were plenty of other free tables) but instead said that it was fine so they sat down.

Friend of a Friend (FOF) starts asking me how I am and we exchange bit of polite conversation. She then starts asking me about my 4 children.

More than just a 'how's family' type question but a bit more searching and she seems to know more about them then she should given the fact we barely know each other.

Now for some more background:

About 18 months ago, a man stopped to chat to me on my dog walk. I know he lives a few streets from me but don't know his name or anything else about him but we often pass when out walking the dogs to say hello (as you do when you have dogs!). We've been passing each other in this way almost daily for the last 10 years at least.

On this particular occasion, he seemed more keen to chat than usual and asked me about one of my daughters in particular and asked how she was doing.

His comments made it clear that he knew which country she lived in at the time and which Uni she was at and a few other details that I can only assume he got from looking her up on her FB page.

It was bloody creepy (she was 20 at that time and he must be in his late 50's at a guess), so I ended the conversation and mentioned it to my daughter and she tightened up her social media accounts to top privacy level.

Anyway, it came about that FOF is distantly related to this man and so when she started asking me about the children in the cafe I was wary and deliberately vague.

She also seemed to know quite a bit about them though, they are all abroad at the moment in different countries either on gap years, or working or on an Erasmus programme so she started asking me questions about that, who was where and doing what. I'm still trying to be vague ...

She asked whether I missed them (of course I do)

Whether I resented them leaving me on my own in the UK (erm of course not, I am enormously proud)

Then she asked how I could afford to support 4 children and afford flights out to visit them etc and support them through Uni (massive assumptions being made here that it's me having to finance these things but essentially no one else bloody business)

So I gave a vague jokey reply about 'kids eh' and 'thank god for Easy Jet'

but this wasn't enough and they clearly wanted more info, FOF looked at me really expectantly as if to say 'well - how do you manage it'

So I'm feeling really on the spot at this point, I'm a really private person normally and now I'm cornered (quite literally in the corner of the cafe).

I didn't want to be rude so I decided to make what I thought would be a really obvious joke and hope that they'd get the hint that this conversation wasn't going anywhere .....

Me: you really want me to explain in detail how I afford to support my children?

FOF: yes, I'm amazed at how anyone can afford it (again, massive assumptions being made by her that it is me that necessarily covers all these costs)

Me: I'm a sex worker I'm not

FOF: Really??? Hmm

Me: yes it pays really well and it's really flexible although I was surprised that someone of my age and with my waistline would find the work

FriendofFOF : Are your clients anyone we would know?

Me: Well it's not the biggest village so yes I would imagine so.

I dont know why I continued contributing to the conversation as she clearly hasn't taken it to be a joke.

This all happened on Monday but she has now been telling everyone since that I am sex worker as the rumours have started and I can only assume that people actually fucking believe it.

I've been avoiding my usual dog walking route in order to avoid creepy neighbour.

I dont know what my AIBU is, I like living here, I feel settled here and it feels like home but I now clearly have to fucking move.

I'm a stupid, STUPID arse and shouldn't be allowed out in public - I don't know how to handle this as I am an awkward moo in social situations and I just know that any further attempts on my part will just end up making things 100 times worse.

Think of the love child of Miranda Hart and Mr Bean and you will just about be able to picture my level of social skill in public Confused

I just need to get this off my chest - apologies Sad

OP posts:
expat101 · 12/04/2019 03:09

What a brilliantly awesome reply! Do not move away, hold your head up and if anyone dares to try and bring you down or cannot bear to look at you, laugh at them and keep walking on!

I'm in a small community too and it just amazes me the people who have nothing to do with us, all seem to have some version of ''news'' about our doings.

I think you might find your leak has come from one or two former ? close people who seem to want everyone to think they are still in some sort of loop with you.

I guess the one positive side is a few bored beings will be watching your front door for a while which will reduce your chance of burglary.. ?

AtlasObscura · 12/04/2019 21:08

Thanks everyone - am now on bar duty at the village 'do' and holding my head high.

Nice Single Man is here!

OP posts:
OKBobble · 12/04/2019 21:30

I think you need to do a sad face story in the local paper about how 2 village gossips are making out to the rest of the village that you a poor single mum is a sex worker and how outrageous it is

Angie169 · 12/04/2019 21:53

AtlasObscura
ooohh are you going to make a move on nice single man ?
I hope you have a great night , I worked behind a bar for many years , its a great place for a bit of harmless flirting WinkWink

FundayFriday · 12/04/2019 21:56

I honestly didn't think the thread was going this way. It sounded like it was going to unravel into some strange high level abduction plan or heist. Village life eh?

TheGodmother · 12/04/2019 22:06

You're my hero! Fantastic! I live in a little village too and most will know that the gossip is just that a nasty nosy gossip!

They'll be laughing at her!

TheGodmother · 12/04/2019 22:08

My little village think my bestie and I are lesbians and we even got a formal invite to a local wedding in both our names!

NWQM · 12/04/2019 22:46

And have you spoken to nice single man, @AtlasObscura ?

justilou1 · 12/04/2019 23:24

Dying to see whether the gossip has spread or if she knew you were taking the piss.

AtlasObscura · 12/04/2019 23:27

Just got home and had a lovely evening! So pleased I went still.

Didn't get chance to chat to Nice Single Man until the end although he did come to the bar twice for a beer and some peanuts!

Towards the end though after everyone had left he stayed behind with a few others to help lock up so we got chance to chat then Smile

He mentioned that we were on same bar rota in a couple of weeks time which I hadn't noticed. I'd planned to try and swap it but won't now Wink

Then he walked home with me as we were going the same way - nothing suggestive at all, just pleasant conversation and absolutley no mention of my shady sideline Grin

OP posts:
AtlasObscura · 12/04/2019 23:29

Also he's taller than me and smelt lovely Blush

OP posts:
AtlasObscura · 12/04/2019 23:32

My inner Miranda did make a brief appearance though as I snort-laughed at something he said. He was polite enough not to mention it though.

OP posts:
MyKingdomForBrie · 12/04/2019 23:35

Oooh I like the way this is going!! Nice Single Man sounds very Nice!

Talkingfrog · 12/04/2019 23:50

Glad you enjoyed your evening. I think you need to go along with the ride, and if anyone mentions it tell them you were winding her up, and she fell for it.
I dont suppose she quizzed you on April fools say did she?

julensaor · 12/04/2019 23:58

tell them you were winding her up, and she fell for it

but that's not the way it works in small village gossip circles. People prefer to hearing believe the worst. This is the most awful own goal I have come across, don't know why you are being applauded. Instead of being bold enough to tell her to feck off and her degree of questioning is way out of order and intrusive, you were meek enough to use something that labels you for life in these small circles. I am not clutching my pearls, I am laughing at you, but not with you.

Tunnockswafer · 13/04/2019 00:09

I think I would be wanting to correct the impression that your potential romantic interest might have that you are actually someone who has sex for money. As it won’t be easy to judge his feelings towards you if he actually believes the gossip. And to be fair, some people are sex workers it’s not impossible that you could be one!

FaithInfinity · 13/04/2019 00:13

OP I now have Bette Midler warbling in my head.. Did you ever know that you’re my hero? Grin What a nosey cow! I agree with chloemol, the best course of action any time anyone mentions nosey cow is Oh yes, nosey cow! She’s a bit of a gossip! I jokingly told her I was a sex worker and she spread it round the village! Bit gullible that one!. Only need to tell a few people that and they’ll be gossiping about her instead.

Good luck with nice single man. He sounds lovely!

Pieceofpurplesky · 13/04/2019 00:16

OP you are fabulous

Orangeballon · 13/04/2019 00:25

Do not consider moving. Most people will know it’s not true as your tablesharer will be a well known nosey gossip. This will pass. Believe me! I live in a small village and have suffered the gossipers, no one likes a woman of substance who can support themselves!

Fillybuster · 13/04/2019 00:26

@AtlasObscura, you totally rock! Of course you don’t have to move....you need to stay exactly where you are and keep on being as fabulous as you are right now. I’m in awe!

justilou1 · 13/04/2019 00:43

Well he sounds a bit nice! Nothing more unforgivable than smelling less than lovely. I like how this is moving - the snort laugh is a massive plus as well. Bet you return the favour when you tell him your story of the time you told nosy neighbour you were a sex worker.

MitziTheTabbyIsMyOverlord · 13/04/2019 00:53

Haven't read the fucking thread.

Not even finished the OP.

Already snorting! (so hoping this doesn't end up un-funny!)

OP: Will you marry me????

Sallycinammonbangsthedruminthe · 13/04/2019 01:06

OP just to say I think you should stop worrying....You handled the downright rude and invasive questioning magnificently...I admire you so much...I know in future If I am ever harrangued like you were I too will become a fictional sex worker!!!! You are an inspiration! And as all good imaginary sex workers would say,,,fuck em!!!!! Very proud of you lovely lady....

Jaspermcsween · 13/04/2019 01:10

Can we be friends?
My lovely sister has always told nosey folk she’s stripper

MitziTheTabbyIsMyOverlord · 13/04/2019 01:10

@PregnantSea - have you been watching Killing Eve?

@BabyDarlingDollfaceHoney thank you for being more insightful than anyone else on this thread.

OP.... Please meet me in RL and be my new BFF x x x I luffs you Flowers

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