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Relationships

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

What to do? (EA? SA?) Legal advice needed as well please - warning, it is extremely long!

493 replies

StickorFold · 25/04/2012 10:57

This is going to be long and warbled, and might not make too much sense, maybe a bit bitty, but will try and put as much as much detail in as I can so I'm not adding to it after.

Firstly, I am an old MN'er, used to be a prolific poster, so it may be that the odd one of you may work out who I am, I would really appreciate it if anyone that suspects just keeps it to themselves please.

Secondly, think it goes against MN rules to have two accounts, though I hope for this one occasion we can over look this, as it is the only way I feel safe enough to get this out and hopefully gain some advice.

Thirdly, I may not be able to reply as ofter as I'd like, but will try my best to get on when I can.

OK, so, background: H and I have been married for 11 and a half years, three children, he is a good, loving dad, he works extremely hard (60hrs a month), he is ace at helping out around the house, he does most of the cooking, involved in bath times/bedtimes (when he is here), he does put the kids first in everything, and that reason, and that reason alone, is the only reason we are still together now.

I also work, of sorts, I have two failed/failing businesses under my belt, and am now working part time while youngest is at nursery and the older two are in school, plus evenings/weekends (17-20 hrs a week). I will be coming back to my 'job' in a bit.

His 13 years older than me, we met when I was 17, moved into a flat together, got engaged, got married, and (planned) DC within 3 months of us meeting. At the time, I thought he really must have loved me, now realise he pushed us both into it, nearly losing my family along the way (didn't speak to my lovely mum for over a year, she missed my eledest's pregnancy/birth/first xmas etc.), I lost all of my friends, he didn't have any as he had moved from a different part of the country to be with me, because he loved me soooo much Hmm

He told me about a week before we got married that he had two children, by different women, that were only 5 and 6 years younger than me (the children!). He said he was young and stupid and that he'd never seen either of them, though he did pay a very small amount of CSA (big of him, eh? WHY couldn't I see it at the time? Angry) I have since found out that actually he did live with the mother of the second child for a while after she was born, but that it didn't work out, so all the 'firsts' we were doing to gether with our first child, weren't actually his firsts at all Sad.

He'd had a long term relationship with someone who he said he never wanted to marry, or have children with, even though she wanted to desperately, he apparently just left her one day, and then met me within 4/5 months and declaired his undying love ("I didn't love her enough, she was nothing like you, didn't I prove that when I married you and not her?")

He had a difficult upbringing, don't want to go into too much detail as I don't feel that would be fair of me, but, very quickly, his mum left him, his older siblings and his dad when H was very young, and by the time he was a young teen, his siblings had all moved out, and his dad had practically moved in with a new lady, H was fending for himself from 14yo.

Over the course of our marriage, I have obviously matured from being a 17yo girl (in essence), and over the last 3-4 years I have come to realise that H is (subtly) EA. He was very controlling over a friendship I had with a girl, to the point where we ended up moving 30 miles away, which was very convieniant for him. And it was the turning point in my mind, I could see as clear as day what was going on, what he was doing to me, and I told him we were over, neither of us could afford to move out, so we carried on staying under the same roof, big mistake, within a month, you'd never know we were going to split. I have now 'lost touch' with my friend, and have no others.

Since then, I have done a fair amount of burying my head in the sand, trying to 'tune in' to when he was preasuring me in any way etc. couple of times I known for sure and talked to him about it, he always wormed his way out of it, and after a few days of uncomfortableness (for me) I'd get over it and it was placed under that very lumpy carpet, with all the rest of the shit.

Throughout the whole time we have been a family, he has always (and I believe will always) love the kids wholely, and properly, there are a couple of very small odd things that have become sticking points over the years (e.g. he insists that when we all eat dinner, we don't cut into a boiled potato (or whatever) and just eat the potato, we also cut a bit of the fish (or whatever!) and eat the fish and potato at the same time, I know that is really odd, but it is just one of the tiny things that sticks in my head) He also can never seem to manage the small things we ask of him, e.g. I have two sugars in my cup of tea, he never ever puts two in, why not? Hmm

About two-ish years ago, I got very drunk, with him at home, saturday night, overdid the wine, not a regular occurance. When I woke up in the morning I thought I could remember him having sex with me in the middle of the night, I asked him and he denied it, I questioned myself (was I that drunk/dreaming?) but (sorry for TMI) I found the 'evidence' as I went to the bathroom, if you follow my drift? So I knew he had, I thought maybe he was drunk as well and couldn't remember. Wrote it off as a strange night.

Since then I have woken up to feeling him ejaculating on me, or wiping me with his t-shirt after he has ejaculated on me, or woken up just as he has tried to actually put his willy in me, sometimes I have asked him what the bloody hell he thinks he's doing, sometimes I just pretend I'm still asleep. Any time I bring it up, I apparently should feel lucky that he still wants me after so long, and after the children, and if I was more willing he wouldn't have to resort to these measures. Now I am the first one to admit, our sex life has suffered over the years, we tend to go in spits and spats, sometimes it can be two or three weeks, sometimes 5 or 6 times a week, no pattern to it, sometimes it is when I am most angry/hurt that we have more sex, not sure if that is me trying to regain some control?

Money has always been a problem, we've never seemed to have enough(!) (though TBF we have never been as tight as it is right now, now we are struggling for food at times, whereas, whilst there might not have been much left over 12 months ago, there was some) I was a SAHM until 2 years ago, I have tried and failed two different businesses (trying to work around child care etc.) neither of which had big outlays, but both of which really needed money for advertising that we just didn't/haven't got.

H point blank refused for me to get a part-time evening job, either in a bar/shop/etc. Saying that we'd never see each other, I'd miss the kid's bedtimes etc. But we were desperate for money. That stupid bloody program came on the telly about the phone sex line girls, H jumped on it, said it was be perfect for me, I could do it while the kids were out, and maybe some evenings to get extra money in, and that it might open my mind a bit and give us a boost in our sex lives. So for the past 4 weeks I have spent many evenings, in and out of the garage conversion, to deal with bedtimes etc. while trying to take/dodge calls from people. He will say things like "Did you touch yourself for any of them?" "Have you made much on your wank line?" "Oooo, bet you're all turned on now, talking to those other men". He sits in the living room watching the phone to know exactly when I'm on the phone and when I'm not, watching porn, sending me pictures of his errect penis over a photo of me, sending videos of himself wanking over pictures of me on the laptop etc. This is all supposed to get me in the mood... Hmm and Sad and Angry.

So, after a shit week last week, and having made some extra money, I went and bought us some wine on Saturday, I drank nearly two bottles (again, I like wine, but not usually that much!) H actually poured the last glass of the second bottle but I said I'd had enough and was going to bed, we had sex and I went to sleep. Next thing I remember waking up, he was on top of me, having sex with me, my legs were closed underneath him, he was completely squashing me, I was whimpering, actually whimpering (makes my bloody boil when I think how I was), I was saying no, ow, no, but strangely, I wasn't screaming and shouting it, or trying to move away or anything, I was just a pathetic whimpering heap, why didn't I try to stop him? He ejeculated in me and gave me an extra tight squeeze, and rolled off me. I asked him why he just carried on when I was saying no, and he said he thought I was moaning in pleasure Hmm He asked if we were ok, I said yes, rolled over and went to sleep.

He spent Sunday morning walking on egg shells, being extra nice, I didn't say a word about it and just acted normal, thinking I needed time to work out what I was going to do, and it was best to keep my cards to my chest as it were.

Yesturday we got into bed, he asked, actually asked, out of the blue, "can I cum on you?" I said no in a lighttone and pointed to the bathroom, he seemed to shrug it off, gave me a kiss on my cheek, turned over and started to fall asleep, I turned over and led there with my eyes open, he obviously presumed I was asleep, he started wanking, I purposefully moved to see what he would do, he just carried straight on, I heard/felt him get his t-shirt to clean up (it is always his t-shirts) and then he was asleep, I came downstairs and cried. He has absolutely no respect for me, I think the porn thing is playing a part in this, he never (seemed to) used it before a couple of years ago, and slowly but steadily, he has been using it more, and in the same time frame I am becoming more and more of his object to do with as he pleases, when he pleases.

So, for anyone that has got this far (and bloody well done if you did!) firstly, am I being unfair on the kids to take them away from their dad when he is brilliant with them? They love him to bits, it will break their hearts and I don't want to risk being the cause of the that.

Secondly, we rent our house (both names on tenancy), he owns the car but I drive it 99% of the time, we have no savings etc. My mum lives 200 miles away and it is the only place I could go. The only way I can get away from him, with some money in my pocket to get us there and a means of getting us there is if when he next get's paid (last working day of each month) to move some money from our joint account to my own, (this will leave bills here unpaid), take the car, pack up everything I can get in it, and take the kids and I to my mums. He will know exactly where I am, I'm not scared of him, but the fact I have cut all ties (except the kids obv.), will show him that we are over. He will hate it, he will hate me for doing it, but he will calm down fairly quickly, and realise he's pushed it too far, for the sake of seeing the kids.

Would I be facing any legal repercussions in taking the car/money? I just dont know how else to do it.

Right, this is humongous, I am sure I still haven't given all the details, but I really just wanted to get as much as I could down. Thanks to anyone who has made it to the end, and if anyone has any advice, I am all eyes ears.

OP posts:
TheLastNameLeft · 27/04/2012 19:20

Nothing to add, just total amazement at how well you come across Stick, I have a gut feeling you will be just fine, and I love your lovely sister Smile

Have just finished a really shitty week at work but somehow have found myself wishing Monday will come around fast, just for you!

BustersOfDoom · 27/04/2012 19:30

Re the scary roundabout look at it on google maps, zoom in on the aerial photo and try and work out how to navigate it. You could also do a 'virtual' drive round it by using the street map/walk function. If you look at it on your phone you can take some screen shots so you can remind yourself at a service station en route. So long as you know which set of lights you're coming off after you'll be fine!

Hope he leaves you in peace tonight.

StickorFold · 27/04/2012 20:27

Just waiting to pick the boys up from their movie night. The last time I'll park here, the last time they walk out of there. All 'last times' can't wait for the first times to start!

Google street view no good unfortunately, the junction/roundabout has had a complete revamp and redo in the last 12 months. I will wing it somehow.

Thanks for the best wishes. Keep them coming please!!

P.S. You can't have my sister, she's all mine! Wink Grin

P.P.S. Got to go and get them and then walk back in there to be faced with god knows what. If I can do that, a piddly little roundabout can be overcome!

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 27/04/2012 21:46

Fake cystitis/thrush? Make hints as to how infectious it could be, by mentioning that you're supposed to use separate towels or something.

If you really did drop your phone in the toilet, it might still work normally for a while anyway. Mine which have died from water damage always have. DP let his old iphone get all steamed up in the bathroom and it was perfectly functional except for the loudspeaker. If it was totally dead then it would switch off, so calls people made to you would either go straight to voicemail or a little message saying "This person is not currently available".

Sorry I know that probably was a hypothetical question, I have a little thing about answering them as if they are serious Blush

The other thing you can do is phone your mobile phone company and report the phone as lost using the IMEI number. They will block the phone from being able to make or recieve calls or texts, making it useless as a phone, but again, the apps will all work. (I work in a second hand phone shop.) You can reverse the blocking by phoning up and telling them you've found it. However, if you do this you won't be able to sell it later at somewhere like CeX as they check the database of phones which have been blocked.

horsetowater · 27/04/2012 22:02

When you find your freedom get yourself a proper satnav. Phones just don't do the job IMO. You will use it a lot if you are moving somewhere else, needing to find your way around to the schools and shops etc. WRT roundabouts - feel the fear and do it anyway! Helps if you indicate too. Grin

ExitPursuedByABear · 27/04/2012 22:42

Thinking of you tonight.....

FatherDougalMcGuire · 28/04/2012 07:26

I hope you are safe and well this morning SOF, and that he stayed away from you last night. 2 more sleeps until you are free, forever!

mumofkyle · 28/04/2012 07:34

Hope all was well last night SoF? Can't bear knowing you're there all on your own and not being able to even call/text you. X

StickorFold · 28/04/2012 07:35

Good morning Grin TWO DAYS!!! Grin

I think I got out of it last night, went to bed with a headache about 10 minutes after the boys went after the movie night, he came up as well, but I messed with my phone till I was fairly certain he was asleep, then I slept like a baby! Had more sleep in one go than I've had all week, but now feel even more tired than I did yesterday! Confused!

Had a bitter-sweet thing happen. His wages have gone in early, the money is sat there right now, but he is due home at lunch time, so it is not worth risking going today, besides, he has got the car docs. I need to get the tax, but he needs to print off the insurance cover letter or something, I have no idea what it is, but it hasn't been done yet, which would mean I can't tax it, and he won't do it if we've gone.

I think I am going to leave the phones switched off, I'm pretty sure we'kk be stopping every hour-hour and a half, I'll keep in touch via pay phones, might have to work out a bit of a code system, 'if I've not rang for two hours, call the police' type of thing, in fact MoK, if you're not busy, I'll ring you tomorrow, after I've spoken to mum and we'll sort something like that out, don't think it will do mum any good to hear things like that! (I know you won't like it either, but you'll handle it better!!)

I do have a proper sat nav (pressie from H when I passed my test that I bought myself Hmm!), but I actually prefer the phone one, the proper one got me lost so many times. Besides, I am moving back to my home town, haven't lived there for 11 years, so will be a bit rusty, but am sure it will come back to me.

2 days, 2 nights, sound's yuk, but I am not going to have a shower today, am hoping to use that as an excuse tonight, tomorrow I'll be in the garage till late, but I'm not allowed to be in there on Saturday nights, so not showering is the only thing I can think of. Can't believe that a week ago, I was constantly trying to 'sneakily' do things to either please him, or to get me out of things, and that I thought that was OK. I can't believe how I have known what has been happening for so long, and I thought it was enough to know he was doing it, I thought that gave me the upper hand, but doing it without knowing, or doing it knowingly, is still doing it, why have I never thought to not do it? Why did I think it was OK to have to have to pre-empt everything? To have to think everything out to the last minute detail to see where he might go with it, and to try and be ready for it?

I think it is going to take me a long time to learn not to look at everything through a magnifier. To take things as they are said and as they are intended, and not look for the hidden message.

Can't believe his wages are in the bank, it's like taking the kids into Toys r Us and telling them they can only look. Bloody tax, why did it have to be this month?!

OP posts:
StickorFold · 28/04/2012 07:37

Sorry MoK :( You can text, he's at work till at least 11 (should be lunch but just incase)

I am so sorry for doing this to you. I will call you tomorrow, just don't expect much sense, or maybe don't expect any emotion, or 'chat', might just have to be straight to business as it were x

OP posts:
mistlethrush · 28/04/2012 07:53

The difference in your attitude in less than a week is outstanding SoF! Its as though someone's flicked a switch.

What can you do to get ready so that you can get away as soon as possible on Monday morning?

StickorFold · 28/04/2012 07:58

Ooooh, forgot, I got him to move a couple of the bills last night, saying that we could do with it not all going out in the first week (he knows we were facing being left with no money till the week after because it would have all gone on bills IYKWIM?), so he has been on and messed with some payments and dates etc. so if anyone does ring him on Monday to ask why the payments have been changed, he'll think it's some cock up with the bank, or he's clicked the wrong one or something.

I can't wait for all of these pennies to start dropping his his mind, he is going to feel them like big bricks dropping on his toes. Is it wrong that I want to hurt him? I still wobble at the thought of that second when it hits him I've gone with the kids, but everything else, is fair game in my eyes. I am going to enjoy every single one of them. Might help to get rid of some of the anger and resentment and sheer hatred for him, because it really isn't good to feel that badly towards someone is it?

OP posts:
StickorFold · 28/04/2012 08:08

I know Mistlethrush, it is like I have woken up. It is the fact that I got angry and started hating him for what he has done, the fact that it is soooo deep in me, I can literally feel it down in my belly, I have never felt like that about anyone or anything. And I honestly do not know how I am being so normal when he is here. I really would never have thought I was capable of putting on such a show, especially with him, I thought he knew me inside out, in the past, I have been thinking about something and he'll start asking me about the thing I'm thinking about, I have seriously sat there thinking he even knows what I'm thinking about.

He doesn't have a clue what I am thinking now, and that has given me some sort of boost to do it. He can't control what's in my head, certainly not when I won't let him anymore. My thoughts are stronger than anything he's done to me, in fact my thoughts are strong enough to crush him. And he doesn't have a clue. It is almost beautiful!

(Yes, I know, I think I need to stop overthinking this now, I sound like a mad woman, but bloody hell it is a good feeling to know I really have got him where I want him, and in 2 days that will be 200 miles away from me, and I can't bloody wait!)

I just need to get through 2 days, I've done nearly 12 years, 2 days is FA!

OP posts:
mumofkyle · 28/04/2012 08:11

Glad you are/were ok. Also glad you slept well and hope your head is feeling better today?

How frustrating that the money is in the bank. Can you not sort the tax out this morning? It's one less job to do on Monday.

I don't have any plans for tomorrow so call whenever but don't feel under pressure to talk, text me if it's easier xx

Hope you have a good day.

StickorFold · 28/04/2012 08:15

Sorry, completely went off on one, and didn't answer your question!

TBH, I don't think there is much I can do to get ready earlier on Monday, I have lists of everything, I will be doing the paperwork side tomorrow, the biggest thing is telling mum, but again can't till tomorrow.

He'll be gone latest of 7am on Monday, so should have the boy's ready and most of the packing done for when I speak to him at 9, with any luck, including the tax and filling the car up, we'll be leaving the village for 10am, hopefully before, deffo not much later.

I was hoping to have used Monday to give the house a bloody good clean(!) and sort some stuff into piles/areas to make it easier if I have to ask him to get stuff ready for me to collect or whatever, but won't have time now. Not the end of the world.

OP posts:
StickorFold · 28/04/2012 08:23

Head is still banging, think it's a mix of tiredness and keeping it all in, even sat here now, I have hatred and anger racing through me, and excitment and pure happiness chasing it, but I've got to sit here with nothing showing, no smiles, tears, expressions. It's pressure building, just hope the cork doesn't pop out too early!

Can't do the tax this morning, I need him to print off the insurance cover letter thing. I don't even know who he's insured the car with so no idea where to get the letter myself, and if i did do that, he'd start asking questions etc. It will only take 5 minutes on Monday, will go to the village post office, put up with the sour faced cowbag (oooh she is, if you take a parcel in she tut's at you!) behind the counter once more, and give her an extra goodbye forever!

I will call/text you after mum, so will probably depend what state I'm in after that as to whether I call or text!

Right, you go and do something with DH and DS, please don't sit and worry for me, I am fine, kids are fine, it's two days, and it's over, forever. Go and relax with them, please x

OP posts:
sugarice · 28/04/2012 08:46

You sound so determined and enthusiastic, I feel excited for you Smile. Do stop worrying about the car tax. Only 2 more sleeps! Grin

StickorFold · 28/04/2012 09:07

Have just re-read my first post, even that is all about him. He did that to me, and I'm still banging on about him. Still can't bring myself to even think what he did to me, I can't think that sentence even in my head, but that is fine, I can deal with it after, am sure there will be other 'revelations' in my head, and I will deal with them one by one.

Right now, I am just clinging onto my 'cork', keeping my thoughts on Monday, can't think past Monday yet, have no idea what will be happening next Saturday, but one thing is for sure, we will not be here with him, and TBH that is all that matters.

OP posts:
FatherDougalMcGuire · 28/04/2012 09:22

Loving your determination and courage and single mindedness SOF, you have 'yourself' back, in just a week, what an amazing woman you are!

FatherDougalMcGuire · 28/04/2012 09:23

Ps, you ARE absolutely sure you are clearing your history on whatever you are updating on here aren't you, so there is no way he can be seeing any of this??

mumofkyle · 28/04/2012 09:24

Well done you; I see I won't be need to kick you Smile. Your posts are sounding stronger and more determined! I'm proud of you x

StickorFold · 28/04/2012 09:51

Think I have a long way to go before I'll know who 'me' is, but on the flip side, I do now know who 'me' isn't, I am not his belonging.

I have set a new MN account up (he know's my other), it is linked to one of my business email address', that he doesn't know about, and the whole lot has been done in InPrivate browsing. The first question I asked before this thread is if there is anyway he can check what I've been looking at InPrivate. To be honest, I am that determined to go, now his money is in the bank, if it looked like he knew something was happening, I'd go with nothing but the kids and the bank card! And I am prepared to have to phone the police if needs be. Would much rather wait till Monday, feels 'safer', but if it comes to it, we'll get out one way or the other.

And oi MoK! Go and do something with your men, please don't let him ruin another minute. x

OP posts:
StickorFold · 28/04/2012 11:07

I have just come up with a bit of a fab idea - going to sort 'treasure boxes' with the youngest two, under the guise of so that they always know where their really special toys and things are so we don't have to go searching under sofas and down toilets(!) for that one car that they HAVE to have right now.

Will make packing easier on Monday! Grin Also, if I get time before he's home, going to go and get the airbeds and pump together, they are all in a huge cupboard, so can keep it all together out of sight, just need to watch for the spiders... bleurgh!

Want to try and get anything that he won't see/suspect together so it doesn't take an age to do on Monday. Would love to be waiting for his phone call Monday morning, rather than fitting it in in between packing. Will not answer when he rings, will go into the garage and ringing him back from house phone. I can just say I was going for a wee or something, then he won't hear the kids.

He taught me how to deceive if nothing else! Feel all undercover-agent-spy-tastic!

Right, treasure boxes!

OP posts:
empirestateofmind · 28/04/2012 11:26

Good luck with the treasure boxes and getting organised. I will be thinking of you on Monday and Tuesday. Sending you strength and energy!

BertieBotts · 28/04/2012 11:28

Your spy comment has just reminded me of something - a friend of mine was once living in an awful shared house where his housemates would come and go through his stuff when he was out. He told me that he used a tip he'd read in a spy novel, left everything in a mess, but took a photo when he left, so he could see what had been disturbed. The reason being that it's easy to put a room back together if it's in order, but if it's messy it's a lot harder to put things back where they were.

Horrendous that he felt he had to do that, of course, but I think he went up about 3 levels of "cool" in my eyes after telling me that Grin

I love the treasure box idea :)

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