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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Just friends .... your opinions ( long )

53 replies

milkykid · 28/10/2010 14:32

Okay, not sure why I am posting this as I know DP is not having an affair, maybe I just need some rationalisation ?!

I have name changed, although, I dont post here alot.

Basically, have been with DP for 3 years, we have a 7 month old DS and a 7 year old DS from a previous marriage.

DP is a very sociable person, has lots of friends and makes friends easily. He goes out regularly. None of this is a problem. I used to go along with him, before the baby came.(and pregnancy)

Anyway the thing is.... DP goes to the pub after work with a male work friend sometimes....sometimes, he is out all night and crashes at this male friends... all of this i know for real, as I speak to the male friend.

Recently, say around August, a female 20 year old has been in the work social picture alot aswell.

It all started with a work colleagues birthday and drinks after work. DP was on a spare mattress in the lounge, as I didnt want him in our bedroom as he had been socially smoking (because of baby).

Anyway, his iphone was on the book shelf, on his side of the bed, I think i was awake as I had just sent DP into the lounge. Anyway his phone buzzes and lights up with a message from female persons name, this is about 1am on a saturday morning..... so I open his messages as I always used to use his iphone, and it says " im lost, how do i get home from * and then some silly face "

I instantly started shaking and feeling sick.... as my EX H cheated on me and walked out on me and DS at 2.... it was like everything you had put away had just punched me in the guts... so I stupidly replied saying ' where are you ?' and she then replied * (near their work) . I then deleted my text and stormed into the lounge and woke up DP and asked him who female was and why is she texting you now ?

He explained and was very calm. All seemed ok, but its something i have held onto since then.

Also i read one of DP's emails to a old friend who had just split up from a long relationship, suggesting this female friend at work to him; who had big boobs, liked older men and was into oral sex ! WTF !?

So a few work events have happened since and I know that she was been there..... they are friends on FB and I know he/she texts daily, to go for a smoke together.
A few weeks ago he was out till 4am and told me he was going somewhere he didnt, i later found out he went to pub with male and female work colleague and then male went home at 11.30pm and DP stayed out at bar/club with female colleague !

I basically have been reading his messages, FB and looking at photos he has taken whilst out !

He has assured me nothing is or will ever happen with her, but I cant seem to let it go. He said he sees my point of view, as we had a big talk after he lied ( said he thought i would get upset that she was there again!) and he wouldnt like it if it was me doing it.

He only texts her a few times in work time as they arent allowed to email at work, plus he never contacts her in the evening or weekends, he has alot of female friends which has never been a problem till now, as I dont know her and she is 20 ! DP is 33, I am 35.

I keep thinking back to my EX H and expecting things to go the same way..... I know nothing is going on but im obviously really bothered and its causing me to be a paranoid neurotic snoop...... Im scared its going to ruin our relationship.

Am I out of order ? Would you be pissed off ?

OP posts:
clam · 28/10/2010 15:05

No, you're not out of order and yes, I would be pissed off too.
I don't know whether they are "just friends" or not, but even if they are, it's crossed a line for you so you and he need to sort it out.
I guess a lot depends on how he responds to your feelings on it. In an ideal world, there will be nothing going on, but he should acknowledge how it looks and that, as you're the most important thing, he will stop the texts/cigarette breaks/nights in the pub etc.. If he loves you, he will not want you feeling this bad and a work "friend" is not worth that.

Hope it works out.

milkykid · 28/10/2010 17:31

Thanks for replying clam.
I was hoping no one did, as i felt a bit of a pratt, but youve given me some reassurance.
We did have a talk, and he said i feel like im hurting you, what do you want me to do, not be friends with her anymore ?

I said no, i dont want you changing friends for me, if it is innocent.

The thing is since the baby, all his long term friends have taken a step back but the colleagues are always up for going out and he's a big kid !

DP originally told her i had read the text and was upset and she was really really apologetic, and he showed me the texts. I have seen the ones up to date too, and its all daytime related, nothing dodgey, but i just cant let go !

OP posts:
clam · 28/10/2010 17:53

The other thing is, I don't think it hurts to give your relationship a bit of a health-check every now and again. At least he knows you care! And if you're usually laidback about this type of thing, then it gives you a bit more clout as it were to object to this one. If you were paranoid often, then he might be less sympathetic.

BUT, I would nonetheless keep your antennae switched on for the time being...

lulamoo · 28/10/2010 20:31

bump

milkykid · 29/10/2010 10:32

Also, just thought of some other things to add.
A month or so back, i was using dps iphone to check out fb, we were all in lounge together. I went to fb login and it came up with *female colleagues name etc !!!

I sat quitely for a minute and then showed dp and said shes been using your phone ! then walked out of lounge.
GRRRRR !

Last week dp said that she didnt fancy him anyway, she fancied the other male work colleague, which i can quite believe.... Oh grateful I should be !

I think shes quite innocent naieve ! I certainly was at 20.... but i just wish she'd piss of and play with someone else !

OP posts:
clam · 29/10/2010 12:17

Hmm... "she didn't fancy him anyway...." the tag line being "even if I did fancy her." Which the paranoid in me would take to be protesting too much. Doesn't mean he'd act on it though. Only you know whether he might.

Keep those antennae waving...

milkykid · 29/10/2010 12:54

Sorry Clam I dont quite understand... do you mean he fancies her ??

I think he finds her cute, I think if he were single, he would want something to happen.... Im not sure whether she is into him though ?

Quite honestly i have found a guy at my work cute before, infact a few guys, but i dont go out and get drunk with them.

I understand people have their little fantasies, and you cant stop that from happening... It just makes me feel like shite.

I have been on maternity leave since march and am due back to work full time in january, im not used to being so isolated.

I was never paranoid about his social behaviour before, i know what he's like and i trust him.... im not sure if this is different or if its all in my head !??

Maybe I should meet her....

OP posts:
milkykid · 29/10/2010 13:01

I really should slap myself.... im being an idiot !

OP posts:
HappyWithLife · 29/10/2010 13:05

What would happen if you said you would like to go along to one of their evenings out? His reaction would tell you a lot. If he thinks it's a great idea then all well and good, if he recoils in horror then you may have something to worry about.

loves2walk · 29/10/2010 13:08

I think the problem is that things can very easily go from innocent work friendship to something more without either party recognising that is happening or intending it too. Alcohol plays a big part too and perhaps he feels a freedom being out with her that isn't realistic or reasonable at home because of all practical home/kids stuff to sort. This can lure someone into having the sort of fun that is actually a threat to your relationship though perhaps your H can't see it that way right now.

In your situation I would be stating how I felt clearly and honestly and placing boundaries around exactly what you find acceptable or not. It takes courage to state this sort of thing but IME it is absolutely necessary so this doesn't slide into more than friendship.

diddl · 29/10/2010 13:27

So he was with the female colleague from 11.30-4.00?

What would piss me off about that is that he had been at work all day with her, then out until 11.30 with her & still wanted to be with her rather than home with me iyswim.

loopylouwitchywoo6 · 29/10/2010 13:30

He lied to you about his whereabouts because he knows its wrong that he was there. In my book his relationship with this woman (even if it is innocent) is giving him cause to lie to you which is unacceptable.
I would not be at all happy and I would deffo be suspicious.

milkykid · 29/10/2010 14:43

Happy - He did suggest meeting her, and i did suggest going to meet him for lunch today and meet the colleagues, but he's too busy today and suggested next friday..... I will go, but wont tell him till im on my way !

Loves - I did say this to him... I said we got together one night when we were out and tipsy/drunk and he lunged at me.... I said what if that happened when you were both drunk.... he said it wouldnt happen

diddl - they dont work in the same department, they ( as far as i know ), meet for a ciggie at 3pm.... thats it... then on random days go to the pub after work, and the 3 of them end up getting drunk...
The day after he lied about his where abouts, I phoned his male colleague at work, almost in tears and asked if there was anything going on between her and dp, and he said No and not to be silly.... he was really open and kind, and i do believe him.
Yes it does piss me off that he ends up going out and im left worrying at home with kids... not being able to sleep and not receiving any replies to my texts or phonecalls.

Loopy - he said he lied because he knew I would be upset that he was out with her ( because the day before we had a big talk about her and his behaviour )

I know its unacceptable and he knows this, generally going out all hours and not texting me is not on !

They went out last thursday aswell, apparently the male colleague went home again at 11.30pm and they went onto another pub, with some other people... DP left about 1.30am.... and apparently she coped off with the bar man ( i read his texts again )...
Actually, that night after work he did text me and tell me he was going to pub with male and female work colleague... I think he was trying to be honest..

Dont know what to think now... DP was fine last night... we had a nice evening together as DS1 was at his dads, and tonight.

I have mentioned her name in conversation(bitterness) and he doesnt say anything...

OP posts:
jinx1 · 29/10/2010 15:39

I've had the whole I didn't tell you the truth cos I know how you'd react and basically a lie is a lie no matter the reason. It's not to protect you it's to protect him cos he knows it was wrong and you'd have every right to react in a pissed off/upset way. My p has done this and the whole not answering calls/texts staying out half the night thing during our relationship and I'm only just realising that I was justified to be pissed off and not actually the unreasonable cow he made me feel I was being. Hope you can make him see how it bothers you x

ENormaSnob · 29/10/2010 15:40

I really wouldn't be happy with this at all and I would be very suspicious.

His behaviour is unacceptable imo, especially as he knows it is hurting you.

Why can't he come home when the other colleague does?

clam · 29/10/2010 15:57

I agree. It's fair enough, to a point, that he goes out or a drink with mates. But, in view of your opinions on the subject, I would say it's reasonable that he jacks it in and comes home when his mate does, not stay out til the early hours while you sit at home babysitting his kids, fretting. And he knows you're fretting, too. Unkind.

milkykid · 31/10/2010 11:43

www.wikihow.com/Be-Just-Friends-with-a-Member-of-the-Opposite-Sex

This webpage has been really good reading for me plus i showed dp and am going to make sure he reads it all !
Thanks Ladies

OP posts:
ScaryFucker · 31/10/2010 22:38

I agree with clam

at the very least he is not reassuring you enough

staying out late with a young woman while you are stuck at home with baby ?

not on

not by a long way, and you are being too "cool" about it

a pint after work...no big deal, but he should be home for kiddies bedtime

staying late when every other sensible person has gone home is just talking the piss, and you are a fool to tolerate it

sayithowitis · 31/10/2010 22:45

In your OP, you said that he wouldn't like it if you were doing it. Why not? if all is truly as innocent as he claims, then why would he have a problem with you doing exactly the same as he is doing? The only reason I can see for him to have a problem with it is if he is doing/has done a lot more than you know!

dollius · 01/11/2010 09:35

Why is he out so much when you have a small baby at home?

milkykid · 04/11/2010 17:34

Hmmmmmm, just had a phone call from DP at work asking if it was ok for him to go to the pub with male colleague tonight. Dps mobile is not working. ( great ! no contact !)

He hasnt been out for 2 weeks.

I said yes thats fine, but why are you phoning me ? Are you staying out all night again ?

He said no, but will probably be back after 9pm.... I said fine but dont go out with * female colleague all night ! Because its not on !

He said she was going to the pub, but no he would leave when male colleague does........So lets see !!!!!

I better not be on here at 4am !

OP posts:
AnyFawker · 04/11/2010 20:23

I think you will be

sorry

he hasn't been out for 2 weeks Hmm

just long enough for you to shut up and stop nagging him, and then he can carry on as before

jinx1 · 04/11/2010 23:28

What anyfucker said. Sorry, hope we're wrong but I've been where you are :(

jinx1 · 04/11/2010 23:29

Sorry - *anyfawker

milkykid · 05/11/2010 08:07

he came back at 12.45am , hour or so after pub closed and he works 15 miles away and cycles so that right.

:)

OP posts: