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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Husband and our (f) best friend on holiday

1000 replies

OfMyDog · 06/08/2023 14:10

Sanity check please. Just back from 10 days in Santorini where it was me, DH our DS and also my best friend and her DS of same age. She is on a lower income so we offered for her and her son to join us and we paid for everything. She’s married too but she and her husband aren’t close so he stayed home, so just took her and her son.

She’s mainly my best friend and we’re super close and I trust her implicitly, but my husband also counts her as his best friend. They used to work together years ago. At home they go out alone together all the time, play sport together, meet for coffee and if one is WFH, they meet up at our house or hers for lunch without me. Our sons are in same class at school and it’s all one merged family. Her husband doesn’t seem to care what she does.

In the first week of the holiday they were spending loads of time together and I felt a bit like a spare part sometimes, he chats to her more than me, they joke together, they went to watch the sunset together on the beach alone etc. If we go somewhere, he sits in the middle of us with one of us either side but then he talks to her and ignores me, and if I bring this up he just makes out that it’s his right and that I’m boring him by even mentioning it.

I love her to bits and believe she is fully on my side, but I hate seeing him laughing and joking with her. I trust her and I’ve no physical evidence to doubt that he is doing anything, though he’s alwsys on his phone late at night :/ My family says that I’m being too trusting and that it’s not right. When I’ve tried speaking to him about it and how I feel, he shuts it down and says I’m being ridiculous and turns it into an argument about how it’s my fault and I’m being silly.

One thing that really stood out was a night on holiday where both our DS had fallen asleep in ‘our’ hotel room, so I stayed with them, and DH who’d been texting her all eve went to her hotel room and was gone for ages. When I went over and knocked, they were just sat on sofa and she was in her PJs, I have no reason to think anything happened then or any other time, but maybe I’m also being naiive!?!?

I don’t know what I’m asking other than AINBU to think that they’re just friends and it’s fine? I trust her, and I’ve never seen any evidence of him cheating. It’s just a bit uncomfortable with it sometimes and any of my other friends who hear about it think im a mug. I also hate how he just shuts me down and says I’m being too clingy for even mentioning it. Now we’re back in the UK they’re literally finding every opportunity to go for walks together and again I feel like the spare part, argh!

Please tell me I’m not being ridiculous!

xx

OP posts:
Angrywife · 06/08/2023 21:05

I've got a male best friend but when choosing who to watch the sunset with, or go for an evening walk with, or sit with having a meal, it would be my dh every time.
Your husband and friend are disrespecting you whether they're having an actual affair or not. Can you talk to her instead of him and tell her how it makes you feel?

sunglassesonthetable · 06/08/2023 21:06

That's the thing one person's bestie, is another person's perspective that it's an emotional affair, sometimes different perspectives and all.

Look up the definition of an emotional affair.

It's when a 'close friendship' comes in between you and your partner. ✔️

When there is emotional intimacy between your partner and the friend that is not shared by you. ✔️

When your partner discusses your relationship with this close friend. ❓

When the relationship with this close friend takes away from your relationship with your partner. ✔️

When this close friendship makes you feel vulnerable. ✔️

For the record emotional affairs can devastate relationships. They are very insidious. And often lead to physical affairs.

They are not just a matter of opinion.

LolaSmiles · 06/08/2023 21:06

This gives the impression of being the physical version of mentionitis.
If not a physical affair, there's likely an emotional affair and they're hiding in plain sight.

Twister99 · 06/08/2023 21:06

This can't be real

Autumntree · 06/08/2023 21:10

Your second paragraph made me cringe. And I knew what was coming. Why on Earth would you allow anyone that close to your family? I felt very uncomfortable even reading this. How can she be a 'best' friend if she doesn't realise she/them are crossing all boundaries? OP if this continues as it is, you should get ready for a shock when they announce they are a couple now.

Hillcrest2022 · 06/08/2023 21:10

Itsnotrightbutitsok · 06/08/2023 20:33

I can’t see anything wrong with their behaviour.

I do have a lot of male friends and my best friend is male so maybe I’m biased.

Who’s friend was she first?

It sounds like she’s more his friend and so of course he’s going to be the one to sit in the middle.
Its also difficult because on holiday as a single parent and so of course he’s going to make more of an effort to make her feel comfortable.
I also don’t think there’s anything wrong with her sitting in her PJs whilst watching TV together.

I would ignore the holiday as I think your emotions were just heightened and you were feeling jealous.
So I would focus on and question whether their friendship is inappropriate in an everyday situation.

Lots of people will probably suggest an EA but what’s the difference between an EA and a best friend?

Oh my god. Please don't take advice from this delusional poster.

Sandra1984 · 06/08/2023 21:10

I would buy a nanny webcam (small hidden camera) and put it on the living room or bedroom.

IamfeelingConfused · 06/08/2023 21:11

I think this would be too much for any friend - he is literally putting her above you

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 06/08/2023 21:12

cakewench · 06/08/2023 20:01

DH and I have a few very good friends. I can describe his time spent with his closest female friend of the lot: they sit in comfortable silence with each other sometimes while they both stare at screens, or talk about work (they're employed at the same place, albeit in vastly different roles). They do see each other from time to time if I'm not around, and if I'm out of town she might have him over or vice versa (with children or her DH there, etc) because they'll know he's on his own.

What they don't do: go for walks specifically on their own to see the sunset together 😂They definitely don't have anyone accusing them of illicit behaviour, but I guarantee if EITHER of them thought that I or her DH was upset about whatever they were doing, they'd both immediately stop. Because they aren't arseholes. They definitely wouldn't deflect and blame me/him for having feelings on the matter. And the fact that your 'D'H has an immediately defensive reaction speaks volumes, in my opinion. I'm sorry.

This with Bells on.

I also spend loads of time together with her and it still feels like we’re best friends - she and I are really really close.

SHE IS NOT YOUR FRIEND.
Quite apart from how your DH behaves. She knows how you feel because you have TOLD her to her face. Yet she still continues. Has she apologised, or ever tried to reduce the time he spends with her? Or tried to draw the conversation back to you? Doesn't sound like it.

YOU ARE CO-PARENTING HER CHILD whilst she goes for sunset walks, and hotel room talks with your DH and UK walks on return from the holiday.

Drop her. She is betraying you in thought if not indeed.

IamSaved · 06/08/2023 21:21

If I were you, I'd be telling your friend to back the fuck up!!

What your husband is doing to you is textbook gaslighting. Complete and utter disrespect from the pair of them.

OneRedBalloon · 06/08/2023 21:24

I'm trying to put myself in your shoes. Honestly if I had a friend who wanted to come on holidays with my husband and my family I know for a fact my husband wouldn't want it. Holidays are our family time together, away from work, away from friends, away from the day to day. It's time to reconnect as a family. Perhaps if it was a bigger circle of us going away then yes everyone would be free to do their own family thing.
The massive red flag is how he gets angry when you mention how you feel. This says so much about him and how he views this scenario.
There it was, hidden in plain sight. I'm sorry 😢

Honeyroar · 06/08/2023 21:25

It’s perfectly acceptable to have friends. It’s perfectly acceptable for them to join you on holiday. But for them to go and see sunsets or go for walks/have chats with your husband while you are stuck looking after the kids, it’s out of order. She knows that and your husband knows that. They’re crossed a line.

if you were to split up, guess who she’d side with/remain friends with…?

EliflurtleTripanInfinite · 06/08/2023 21:31

If she was actually a good friend she would have done at least half the nights looking after the kids so you and your husband could have some time together. They should have done a third each of the nights really Neither is acting like they care for you, at best there taking the piss and having an emotional affair. If my friend/colleague acted like your H is acting I would shut down the behaviour, because at the least it's mean and harmful to you the way they're behaving. Your partner and your best friend shouldn't be hurting you this way. Even if there is no intent or attraction your friend is still participating in behaviour that is harming you, that's not a friend.

sunglassesonthetable · 06/08/2023 21:31

I also spend loads of time together with her and it still feels like we’re best friends - she and I are really really close.

You've spoken to her! She knows how you feel.

Is she doing anything to assuage the situation for you?

Nope

You've spoken to him. He got angry. Is he doing anything to assuage the situation for you?

Nope

These people don't sound like they care about you. They putting your feelings last.

Curtainswithpompoms · 06/08/2023 21:33

Oh my god op. What are you thinking? Why haven’t you got any boundaries? Have you been to therapy? Where is all this madness stemming from? Why don’t you respect yourself enough to not put up with this. This is completely unbelievable!
Your DH sounds like an absolute twat bad your friend sounds like she’s using you to get to your husband and your money.

Curtainswithpompoms · 06/08/2023 21:33

You need to feel angry and act angry and be angry. How dare he be angry he’s having his cake!

sunglassesonthetable · 06/08/2023 21:34

Imagine if you , your OH, your friend and her OH were all in a room together.

How awkward would it be?

Louise303 · 06/08/2023 21:36

I had a married neighbour who was best friends with another neighbour i always thought they seemed too close. The husband used to go to the gym with the neighbour bring her food shopping etc. I knew them well enough to say to the wife I would not like my husband to be that friendly and she laughed about it. The wife helped her out went to appointments and even babysat only to find out a couple of years later the child was her husbands. They split up he did not move in with the other woman it all came out after a minor argument between the two women. Like your story it was plain to see what was happening it sounds more than an emotional affair. I would cut her out of your life but would not be surprised if he chose her.

bevelino · 06/08/2023 21:36

Hoppinggreen · 06/08/2023 14:22

Wake up woman
Stop trying to be a cool wife and realise that at the very minimum the pair of them are treating you with a total lack of respect

This

The pair of them have no respect for you. No real friend would treat you like this. Speak to her and lay down some clear boundaries if you wish to save your relationship.

stiltonbriecheddar · 06/08/2023 21:39

He's a scumbag choosing to share romantic moments with her iver you. Sunsets while your minding the children!
And she's not a friend she's a snake, she knows you are naive and she's pulling the wool
Over your eyes.

There is absolutely no way this is innocent. They're both taking you for a fool and you're letting them.

AlexReventa · 06/08/2023 21:42

Ask her straight out. You will more likely get the truth from her. Your husband just sounds like an opportunist- lonely woman in need of male company etc etc….

Nanny0gg · 06/08/2023 21:43

If it walks like a duck...

Zone2NorthLondon · 06/08/2023 21:43

@OfMyDog you’re a very lovely doormat.paying for the OW holiday and endlessly effusive about her. She’s flirting with your partner on a holiday you paid for. Off on beachy strolls with your partner whilst you’re a cheerleader for what an absolute diamond mate she is

your actual friends can see this for what it is eg decit and gameplaying

it is a hot boiled fucking mess

BadNomad · 06/08/2023 21:45

It sounds more like they've brought you along to babysit while they have a romantic holiday together.

Hawkins009 · 06/08/2023 21:45

Nanny0gg · 06/08/2023 21:43

If it walks like a duck...

Then it's a snake.

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