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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To show DH's friend and friend's new woman what I think of them?

152 replies

Anonycat · 08/11/2024 13:05

My DH has a hobby that I don’t share, which is fine. His hobby friends, male and female, form quite a big part of our socialising, with partners. I do often find this quite tedious as they tend to talk obsessively about the hobby, but DH enjoys it and I formed a good relationship with another "hobby widow", a woman a bit older than me (in her 50s) and we always got together at social events to chat about other stuff.

This woman, Anna, and her partner Bill were very kind to another woman I didn’t previously know, Claire, who was in an abusive relationship. Anna and Bill helped Claire leave her abusive husband and let her stay with them for a couple of months while she sorted out a new home for herself. Then Claire left for this new home - and Bill went with her. This came as a complete bombshell to Anna, who was devastated and said she had had no suspicion anything was going on.

Anna and Bill had been together for about 15 years. They had no children together but Bill had a child from a previous relationship. In the early years Anna had given Bill money to support this child, then a teenager, and recently gave a lot of support to the young man and his wife with newborn twins.

I think both Bill and Claire have treated Anna appallingly. I appreciate that no-one really knows what goes on in other people's relationships, and perhaps it was right for them to split up, but I feel strongly about the way it was done.

My problem is that Bill now brings Claire to all the social events to which Anna previously came, as if he has just done a swap, and she chats and laughs as if she hasn’t a care in the world, and expects me to respond likewise. Bill knows how I feel because he asked my DH if DH and I would like to go round for a meal with them and DH told him he knew I wouldn't do that. So far I have just avoided Claire and Bill as much as I can, and been polite but distant, and said as little as possible, but this is getting increasingly difficult to sustain. DH agrees that they treated Anna very badly but just wants to let it go, and carry on as before. He wants me to keep going to the events with him but says my coldness is noticeable and embarrasses him and is getting ridiculous. But even being coldly polite to them makes me feel disloyal to Anna (who I still meet occasionally, and who is still very unhappy).

What should I do?
YABU - these things happen, move on and stop giving Bill and Claire a hard time.
YANBU - in solidarity with Anna you should stop going to the social events or continue barely speaking to Bill and Claire. If they or your DH don’t like it, tough.

OP posts:
TTPDTS · 08/11/2024 13:11

I don't think you being coldly polite should be embarrassing your DH! If he's willing to sweep it under the rug and be besties with them, that's his choice.

You don't need to be friends with this woman / man on his say so, especially considering the circumstances of their relationship - I'd probably be similar to you, polite but I'd have no interest forming a deep friendship with them given their obvious values! He's more than welcome to let it go in my eyes, doesn't mean you have to.

If you're friends with Anna and still see her occasionally, I can understand your point of view even more. I think you should do what you want to do - not change it to please your DH / this other couple.

WimpoleHat · 08/11/2024 13:15

Look - kindly - it’s none of your business. And one thing I have learned is that, no matter how well you know people, you never actually know what goes on within their relationships. If you don’t want to be friends with Bill and Claire, then don’t. But I wouldn’t make a big deal about something which really isn’t anything to do with you.

295bkq · 08/11/2024 13:19

Oh how gross. Bill is a horrible dirty dog traitor and Claire has crapped in the face of a friend who supported her at her lowest. No way would I sit and be polite to either of them. I just wouldn't go anymore.

Lifeisarealchallenge · 08/11/2024 13:19

Personally I think the " coldly polite" route is the way to go.
You are still showing loyalty to your friend.
You DH is being very unreasonable expecting you to actually be friendly with these people when they have given you absolutely no reason to like or respect them.
And so long as you keep your manner to them the right side of civil I don't think he has any reason to complain.

CurbsideProphet · 08/11/2024 13:20

Do you always need to go to these social events? If you don't get along with them and they just chat about their shared hobby I would reduce the number of events that I went to and I would find myself something else to do instead.

Gribbit987 · 08/11/2024 13:21

I wouldn’t want to socialise with them. I think that’s an absolutely normal response.

It is your business. They’ve made it your business. One friend is distraught from the fall out. Her world has collapsed.

Moving his vulnerable mistress into the wife’s home, letting “Anna” support this woman and then them both setting up home together is absolutely reprehensible.

I would also view my husband differently if he simply wanted to forget it all and keep the friendship as it was.

They are fundamentally awful people! I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near them.

NonPlayerCharacter · 08/11/2024 13:22

It really isn't your business, horrid as it is. If you can't face being civil with them then just fade out and don't meet them, and be supportive to Anna. But that's about all you can do.

alexdgr8 · 08/11/2024 13:25

It's not your hobby so don't go anymore.

Does your husband comes to socials at your hobby activity?
Maybe go meet Anna when th3 socials are on.

LocalHobo · 08/11/2024 13:25

I don't see why you should curtail your social life because of these two scummy characters. Hopefully you are not the only one in the group who treats Bill and Claire with disdain. It would be preferable if they got the message this group no longer wishes to socialise with them, and they leave.Shame DH doesn't have the same morals as you.
I'm glad you are still in touch with Anna.

DoreenonTill8 · 08/11/2024 13:30

Moving his vulnerable mistress into the wife’s home, letting “Anna” support this woman and then them both setting up home together is absolutely reprehensible.
I wonder if the whole reason for Claire moving in was real or a calculated move from this horrible pair. I hope Anna owns the whole house and has binned/burned any of their things left behind.

BobbyBiscuits · 08/11/2024 13:30

These things happen. It's not really any of your concern. You stating to the new couple how much of an arsehole you think they are and how awful it is for the ex, in front of the whole group? Well it's the truth, but that doesn't mean it needs to be vocalised. Just keep in contact with the wife who was dumped, if you really do like her and care about her.
With the others, just accept that they chose to do that and you can't agree with everyone's decisions. You don't need to be best mates with them.

MumOfOneAllAlone · 08/11/2024 13:34

What's happened to anna now, op? Has she got the house, got her money back? Will she do OK out of the divorce

My blood started boiling for her as I read your post, so I can only imagine how you must feel

I honestly think I'd stop going. I'd tell my husband that this person is evil and, after all the time I've spent supporting him snd his hobby, he will need to accept that I won't start hanging out with this evil couple and support me in that. I'd stop going and explain to everyone else why

I'd be telling my man as well not to go getting any ideas from his evil mate.

What awful people, poor anna x

toomuchfaff · 08/11/2024 13:48

I'd maintain my coldness towards them, not in solidarity woth Anne, but my own belief system for how you treat people. They have shown you who they are and what they are capable of, and that is they aren't "nice" people, they would step over their own grandma to get the last donut tyoe thing. Not a chance am I interacting with them.

If DH wants to sweep it under the rug, I'd be wondering just where his boundaries lie; is he up for maintaining a friendship with Fred West/Ted Bundy because he was a hobby buddy? Not wanting to rock the boat? just where is his line 👀 🤔

Amyknows · 08/11/2024 13:52

295bkq · 08/11/2024 13:19

Oh how gross. Bill is a horrible dirty dog traitor and Claire has crapped in the face of a friend who supported her at her lowest. No way would I sit and be polite to either of them. I just wouldn't go anymore.

This. I wouldn't care if they feel uncomfortable or not. A woman who was abused and helped to get away from that, then turns around and betrays them in the worst way - is utter scum in my opinion. She should have stayed in her abusive relationship. Poor Anna, she needs people like you in her corner op.

Diarygirlqueen · 08/11/2024 13:56

I'm glad Anna has a friend like you. What horrible people they are, especially Claire, she went into their home, was treated with care and she did that! How could anyone treat them with respect now. Stick to your guns, many people think heinous acts should be swept under the rug and to move forward so not to rock the boat. Good for you.

DahliaBlooming · 08/11/2024 13:59

Of course it's your business! You get to choose who you want to be friends with, and Bill has demonstrated an important part of his character which means you no longer trust or like him.

I'd also significantly limit the amount of hobby-related socialising. What's in it for you now that your only real friend in the group is no longer there? Events must be both boring and uncomfortable for you, so don't go.

RawBloomers · 08/11/2024 14:04

I would stick to the coldly polite and tell DH that you aren’t prepared to be friendly to them, so if he wants you to keep going he needs to accept this is how it’s going to be.

I wouldn’t step over the coldly polite line and actually tell them what I thought of them, though. It’s not like they don’t know and it’s unfair on the rest of the group who don’t have a friendship with Anna.

Atishooo · 08/11/2024 14:06

Well the consequences for Bill and Claire is dealing with what people now think of you. So they need to suck it up. As for your DH saying it embarrasses him? Well tough. You’re being a good friend which is exactly what Anna needs.

CantGetDecentNickname · 08/11/2024 14:23

DahliaBlooming · 08/11/2024 13:59

Of course it's your business! You get to choose who you want to be friends with, and Bill has demonstrated an important part of his character which means you no longer trust or like him.

I'd also significantly limit the amount of hobby-related socialising. What's in it for you now that your only real friend in the group is no longer there? Events must be both boring and uncomfortable for you, so don't go.

I agree with this. I'd be blanking both of them. Also, please do ask your DH that if it had been you who had gone off with Bill, would it be ok for you to then turn up at events as a couple with Bill and expect everyone to be ok with it? How would he feel?
Ask him why he is condoning their behaviour? Does he approve and is this what you could expect from him? Don't let him get away with blaming you and saying you embarrass him. More the other way round - he is displaying weasel behaviour.

Ohhhthedrama · 08/11/2024 14:44

Well, as shitty as it is, they don't need your approval, and I doubt they are interested in your opinion on their private life.

OrangeGreens · 08/11/2024 14:51

I couldn’t read all that, but I didn’t need to to know that this is not something you need to get involved in at all! Don’t be a drama hound. Just be nice to the wronged woman.

Overbythewaterfountain · 08/11/2024 14:51

Your DH really wants you to just do whatever he wants, huh?

OrangeGreens · 08/11/2024 14:52

Hobby is cycling isn’t it.

pimplebum · 08/11/2024 15:01

No one should stay in a marriage which is over for them , and everyone should pursue their happiness sadly that does leave someone sad or bitter over money spent

it’s not your place to be judging or punishing
I would be pleasant to everyone
but if you don’t want socialise with anyone that’s fine too

Anna was not your best friend she was a “hubby hobby” friend and in time she may move on and not care who you socialise with
Anna may have had affairs or been horrible to live with ?

Anonycat · 08/11/2024 15:06

MumOfOneAllAlone · 08/11/2024 13:34

What's happened to anna now, op? Has she got the house, got her money back? Will she do OK out of the divorce

My blood started boiling for her as I read your post, so I can only imagine how you must feel

I honestly think I'd stop going. I'd tell my husband that this person is evil and, after all the time I've spent supporting him snd his hobby, he will need to accept that I won't start hanging out with this evil couple and support me in that. I'd stop going and explain to everyone else why

I'd be telling my man as well not to go getting any ideas from his evil mate.

What awful people, poor anna x

They weren’t ever married, so no divorce. They owned the house jointly but were doing it up, but he did most of the labour and she couldn’t manage it on her own so has had to let him buy her out. I think he was fair with that but has never repaid the financial support from years ago.

OP posts:
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