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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:
LolaSmiles · 07/08/2023 09:39

My husbands best friend is a girl but they are not like this at all. They wouldn’t even sit next to each other on the same sofa!
One of my good friends is a man. I was already with DH when we met so the friendship was always appropriate for being in a relationship.

The friendship changed a bit more when my friend got married because his wife was the new person into the circle and without having a specific discussion we naturally drew new lines. She's lovely and a friend, but it didn't take a genius to work out that us acting like our younger selves might make her feel uncomfortable. I could go away for a weekend with friend if I wanted and DH wouldn't bat an eyelid, and I suspect friend's wife would lso be fine, but generally we socialise as two families now.

MisschiefMaker · 07/08/2023 09:42

I think you need to find a wag to read their messages. Maybe when he's sleeping.

MisschiefMaker · 07/08/2023 09:43

Also, I would be suspicious about the process that led to her DH not coming. I bet he wasn't invited. She probably told him you can't afford for both of them to go but it would be unfair for their DS to miss out.

Freehugss · 07/08/2023 09:50

They are taking advantage of your kindness.

Time to draw some boundaries.

martinisforeveryone · 07/08/2023 09:51

MisschiefMaker · 07/08/2023 09:42

I think you need to find a wag to read their messages. Maybe when he's sleeping.

Rebekah Vardy? She apparently has experience.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Not sure if the OP is coming back to the thread, but it's overwhelmingly conclusive in opinion. All you have to ask yourself if you're not clear in your feelings OP is 'would I behave like this with someone else's husband or partner?'

AppleTurnover1000Degrees · 07/08/2023 09:52

Itsnotrightbutitsok · 06/08/2023 22:51

That’s mad and totally your own insecurities.

If you don’t trust your partner then why be with him.

Are you married?

horseyhorsey17 · 07/08/2023 09:54

They're having an emotional affair if not a physical one, and you do need to force your husband to have a serious chat about this and don't be gaslighted into thinking you're acting like a jealous fool. You are not.

Barney60 · 07/08/2023 09:58

Exactly this....
TomatoSandwiches · Yesterday 14:15
She is not your friend, if she was she would know his behaviour is out of line and she would take a step back.
Her husband doesn't find her interesting but yours certainly does, she cares more about getting attention from him than how his behaviour makes you feel.

She is not your friend and your husband is a gaslighting bastard.

I don't know how you fix this because he obviously enjoys this, if they are not having a physical affair they certainly are having an emotional one and I bet if you left him it wouldn't be long until it turns physical.

Sorry.

rand0mstuff · 07/08/2023 10:06

hope you are ok, OP.

But this is just so plain obvious. I don't understand why you are not so much more angry with them. It is all so hugely disrespectful - even if it is 'only' an emotional affair (which I highly doubt).

I would get my ducks in row, see a solicitor and seriously look at separation. Also, your friend is not a friend at all. Why on earth are you defending her? It's the ultimate betrayal. Do not trust her or share anything with her.

Being betrayed by your DH is awful, being betrayed by your best friend equally but them going behind your back together is nastiness on a completely different level and unforgivable.

user1492757084 · 07/08/2023 10:08

How silly to tempt fate.
Your friend should leave you to to strengthen and renew connections with your own DH on holidays.
She is very selfish.
Do not agree for her to join you again.

Also expect more of your husband. He should be parenting and leaving you to be in the same room as your friend in the PJs.

A respectful default would be for him to choose you.

floribunda18 · 07/08/2023 10:11

Sounds like DH is having his cake and eating it.

TheBrightestStarInTheSky · 07/08/2023 10:17

I don't know of any other woman who would put up with this.
They are both taking the piss. It's more than obvious by what you say there is a lot more to it than friendship.
I bet if you looked at his phone you'd be in for a nasty shock.
It's like your in a threesome without you even realising.

Maireas · 07/08/2023 10:17

What are they doing today, OP?
Coffee somewhere, a nice long walk?
Working from home but meeting up for lunch?

Malificent1 · 07/08/2023 10:20

You are largely blaming your husband but your friend is very much complicit. She’s not your friend. Neither of them are.

Cordeliathecat · 07/08/2023 10:21

So you have spoken to her about it in the past and about how much it hurts you and she still ends up in a situation where your husband is in her hotel room alone of an evening whilst you deal with the children??

She’s no friend of yours.

Farahpascalmoges · 07/08/2023 10:23

OP, they are in love with each other and in a long-standing romantic relationship. They are way, way ahead of you and you need to be really strategic now. Your marriage is dead. The woman is your enemy and intends to take everything you have. Her husband doesn't even come on holiday with her.
They will be planning to get together and make one family WITHOUT YOU.

You need to work out your finances, see a solicitor. Do you have your own income? Where would you live? Your marriage is over and you have better take action now to protect yourself before the decision is made for you and you are left reeling. ACT NOW before they turn your world upside down.

Itsnotrightbutitsok · 07/08/2023 10:25

AppleTurnover1000Degrees · 07/08/2023 09:52

Are you married?

Yes I am.

I didn’t get rid of my male best friend of years just because I got married, that would be a very shitty thing to do.

I also don’t avoid males in case we have something in common.

I have made male friends through the school gates, university as a mature student and work.

If I’m going to cheat, I’m going to cheat.
Not allowing me to have a male best friend is not going to stop that.

Farahpascalmoges · 07/08/2023 10:27

PS OP - I forgot to say - my ex and "best friend" did this to me. They are together now and I was left homeless. It took me years to get my life back.
After this happened to me, I don't have women friends. I have acquaintances only. Once you let someone right into your marriage like this, it's asking for trouble. Good luck.

MyBrownEyedHandsomeBoy · 07/08/2023 10:28

Don't think OP needs sarcastic comments wondering what her H and friend are up to today. I should say she already feels like utter shit. Needed a reality check and clearly got one through her own eyes on what should have been a lovely family holiday unfortunately.

I really hope you can see what's going on though now OP, you need to tackle it now and get down to the bottom of it.
Sending you strength OP. It doesn't sound good at all so you may have a lot of horrible things come out the wash now and potentially an ugly journey ahead of you. You need to be prepared for the worst, if that is what you are choosing to do now ? (which I think you should as nobody deserves to be a doormat, and you deserve someone who wants you). You sound lovely and a bit naive but I think you be to be strong now and sort this out, and definitely get out, leave them to each other! If the affair has been happening (which it appears to have been for a while going off your descriptions)
Sending lots of support your way! Xxx

Maireas · 07/08/2023 10:29

If that was aimed at me, I wasn't being sarcastic.
I think she should question what they're doing today, genuinely.

sunglassesonthetable · 07/08/2023 10:30

I really hope you can see what's going on though now OP, you need to tackle it now and get down to the bottom of it.
Sending you strength OP. It doesn't sound good at all so you may have a lot of horrible things come out the wash now and potentially an ugly journey ahead of you. You need to be prepared for the worst, if that is what you are choosing to do now ? (which I think you should as nobody deserves to be a doormat, and you deserve someone who wants you). You sound lovely and a bit naive but I think you be to be strong now and sort this out, and definitely get out, leave them to each other! If the affair has been happening (which it appears to have been for a while going off your descriptions)
Sending lots of support your way! Xxx

This. Good Luck OP xxxx🌻🌻🌻

Maireas · 07/08/2023 10:31

We're talking to you with one voice, OP.
Listen to us and take strength from that.

AppleTurnover1000Degrees · 07/08/2023 10:32

Itsnotrightbutitsok · 07/08/2023 10:25

Yes I am.

I didn’t get rid of my male best friend of years just because I got married, that would be a very shitty thing to do.

I also don’t avoid males in case we have something in common.

I have made male friends through the school gates, university as a mature student and work.

If I’m going to cheat, I’m going to cheat.
Not allowing me to have a male best friend is not going to stop that.

I suppose I feel lucky that I'm married to my male best friend.

I also wouldn't make my friend feel uncomfortable by being over friendly with her DH.

ElsieMc · 07/08/2023 10:36

Does it get much worse op. Your husband, who is meant to love and care for you has no thought for your feelings, wants or needs. You have a disloyal, selfish so called friend who also has no thought for your feelings whatsoever, only her own. The two people you are meant to trust are two of the most disloyal people I have read about on MN ever.

Cordeliathecat · 07/08/2023 10:43

I also want to say OP that it doesn’t matter if they’re having an affair or not, physical or otherwise. You have told them both how you feel (justifiably so) and they are ignoring your feelings on a daily basis. This is enough to end this friendship and this marriage.

We have lots of couple friends. A few couple friends I probably get on better with the husband due to shared interests/career etc. I would be mortified if the female friend said she felt uncomfortable by my connection with her husband. Absolutely mortified. And would find it very hard to be in the company of her husband for fear of causing them issues or hurting her. That is a normal response that most of us here would be like.

Liekwise, my husband, would never go off and watch a sunset with someone else’s wife or one of my friends leaving me looking after the children! Simply would never happen as he’s not a dick and would want to spend special moments with me!

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