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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

That gut feeling... do I have a stray dog, a careless DH or both?

77 replies

WhatTheEel · 12/01/2015 11:08

DH works every other Saturday from 9-12. He's been doing this for years and is always home by 1pm for brunch. Lately...the past 3-4 months, he's been staying on a Saturday until about 4-5pm (they shut at 12). He is alone apart from his secretary. He has a newish secretary who, by all accounts is sassy, competent, smart, young. DH hardly talks about her but when he does, he paints a colourful, exciting picture. He's described her as a real character, fun, charismatic. Recently they had their work do. They always bring spouses. This is the first time ever I have not gone because all of our kids had stomach flu and I was just exhausted so I stayed home. Normally we go together, have a great time and are home by 11. This year, he rolled in at 1am. He seemed to have the best time ever! I asked him about the chats he had with everyone, how they were all doing, etc. I used to work there for several years so I know the majority of staff not only as DH's spouse but as their former colleague. When I mentioned the newish secretary he said he didn't speak to her all night and that she went off clubbing. Though later he added that the staff love her and his manager in particular thinks so highly of this secretary, she'll go places. I've been around this earth a while and tend not to feel insecure, but suddenly I do. Especially since this Saturday when he was at work again until 5 'doing a massive clear out'. He stays until 5 most Saturdays now even though he shuts at 12.

I was suprised to hear that the newish secretary was with him until about 4pm. He wanted our son to go in and help him clear out the office once he was finished with work at 12. We agreed DS would go up to the office but hadn't agreed on a time and because work is a bit of a journey and DS would be travelling on his own (he is 13). DH would meet him at a certain time and place and they'd walk back to the office. That was the idea. Well, DH turned off his phone and PC at 12:30. He answered none of my calls or emails to arrange things. I then left to take our younger child to a party. DS sat at home, waiting to hear from dad (and playing xBox... I doubt he was too upset). DH rang at 4:30 saying he had been so busy with his clear out, he just switched his phone and PC off and hadn't gotten my emails or messages trying to arrange a time and meeting point. He said his secretary was there keeping a weather eye open to see if DS would arrive. They were expecting him, he had said. But we hadn't arranged a time. And DS doesn't quite know the way to his office on his own. He knows this. However, I didn't question DH. I rang the office number which had a recording saying the office was open but no one picked up.

We rarely call/text each other at the best of times and whenever I do, his phone is always off. On Mondays he finishes at 4pm but is home about 10pm lately. I haven't suspected a thing. He's a busy man trying to keep a small office running. But historically, he's never stayed on so late and doesn't seem to complain about an increase in workload. Another thing, staff doesn't get over time, so I was puzzled as to why the secretary stayed beyond 12 on a Saturday.

Here's the thing. We. Don't. Have. Sex. We just don't. We blame it on the kids. We blame it on ourselves. We have a laugh and get on well in a buddy sort of way. But our intimacy has tanked in the last 18 months.

This could just be paranoia talking. I hope so. But I wonder if I should get a tail on him. God I do sound weird now. But I feel that niggling feeling. WWYD? Thanks for reading.

OP posts:
paulapantsdown · 12/01/2015 11:12

I would bet my house that he is shagging the secretary. Sorry.

WhatTheEel · 12/01/2015 11:13

Don't be sorry. My worry feels more legit now. Thing is, do I tail him? How do I find out?

OP posts:
ArcheryAnnie · 12/01/2015 11:13

Argh. I know how difficult it is to get rid of that niggling feeling once it has started.

I suppose one of the (many) issues is - would you be more upset at the sex or the deception, should your fears have substance? Do you want sexual intimacy, or would it be a relief to have that not be on the menu at all any more?

TiedUpWithString · 12/01/2015 11:15

I would say most of what you've said to him. Say he doesn't appear stressed through work but his working pattern has drastically changed. Ask why and mention its coincided with the arrival of a new member of the team and has this changed things at work? Tell him you miss him and miss the old routine. Give him the opportunity to come clean. what would you do if you found out he's either having a fling with the secretary or just mooning around her excessively?

Do you want to have sex? If so, set dates and times until it becomes more like second nature again.

WhatTheEel · 12/01/2015 11:19

I tried 'booking' sex with him... he found it laughable and was a bit cynical about this. I don't want to book sex but I have tried. It's come to that. I think he's mooning around the secretary. I don't know if he'd risk shagging her, tbh- when I really stop and give it thought. But I do wonder if he's getting something from somewhere.

OP posts:
WhatTheEel · 12/01/2015 11:21

Oh by the way, when I say 'tail' I mean follow, not 'tell'.

OP posts:
foofooyeah · 12/01/2015 11:23

There is definitely something afoot here. Could just be him liking to be with her, but it needs to be addressed else it might go further (if it hasn't already). I would just turn up next time he is working on a Sat afternoon and see if he is actually there ... and what he is up to.

Unfortunately your instincts are often right.

Hobby2014 · 12/01/2015 11:24

Does sound iffy to me.
I don't know what I'd do though. I'd need to catch him I think. Is his office somewhere you can turn up to when it's closed but he's still there? It's a bit Ross from friends turning up to Rachel's work coz he thinks she's having a fling with Mark(?) but I'd probably just turn up. But then that sounds bonkers.
sorry absolutely no help whatsoever

Branleuse · 12/01/2015 11:26

if hes not shagging her, then hes trying his best to. Guaranteed

Branleuse · 12/01/2015 11:26

sorry :(

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 12/01/2015 11:28

Hmmmm - well he's certainly distracted.

I would pop in unannounced

WhatTheEel · 12/01/2015 11:28

Oh please don't be sorry! Thank you. Be blunt. Go for it. I need insight. And I am really appreciative.

OP posts:
JohnFarleysRuskin · 12/01/2015 11:31

You're not being paranoid.

dirtybadger · 12/01/2015 11:31

Anyone else think it's off to expect DS to give up a few hours of his Saturday to help his dad with his dads work? Or to allow the secretary to stay if she won't be paid? He should have sent her home. If she's new she may have felt like she had to stay to help out (if it was innocent)- really not fair if she won't be paid!

WhatTheEel · 12/01/2015 11:33

Oh dear... I am not worried about work ethics or wages right this moment. Lol! Grin

OP posts:
JohnFarleysRuskin · 12/01/2015 11:34

No, I don't think its off that a boy goes to help his dad at work. How bizarre.

We don't know why the secretary stays behind/nor the DH - that's the issue.

dominogocatgo · 12/01/2015 11:35

I'd be inclined to keep my powder dry for the moment. Are you able to have a look at his phone or his emails ?

JohnFarleysRuskin · 12/01/2015 11:35

I don't know what to suggest. I think he'll deny anything and you'll feel silly.

Would you feel comfortable going along there, next Saturday afternoon, without warning, of course, then sit around with them...?

hotblacktea · 12/01/2015 11:37

he's a cheating cunt, sorry

PfftTheMagicDraco · 12/01/2015 11:45

Either he's boffing her, or he's got a hideous crush and wants to spend time around her (and is creating work reasons to keep her there).

Sorry OP.

tigermoll · 12/01/2015 11:47

I typed out a long message about how it was probably a crush, and he doesn't realise that it is affecting his family, and when you point out to him that you've noticed, he'll be so embarrassed and he'll stop, etc, and then I thought about the day in the office when his son was meant to help.

I mean, WTAF? That doesn't sound like 'mooning after' someone, it sounds like being so keen to have alone time that he doesn't mind messing his son about.

I'm not one to recommend snooping, but sometimes it is justified. Can you check his phone/email?

dirtybadger · 12/01/2015 11:48

What Farley said. It's out of hours and your son was welcome so presumably that'd be ok. Rock up with a couple of snacks under the guise of being helpful?

Anyway of checking the office out? Not creeping in after dark but seeing if it's been tidied up. If it hasn't....
I assume you know roughly what to expect it to look like after 2 people tidying for four hours.

Apologies for my earlier unhelpful comment - I did genuinely find it weird but obviously my lifes brought about different expectations. I didn't know kids helping at work was "a thing".

lemisscared · 12/01/2015 11:49

wooaaaah there trigger!!!! no one can possibly deduce from what has been said here that he is shagging his secretary.

It sounds suspect and quite irrelevant of that the relationship isn't what it should be.

I would definitely be turning up unannounced. Can you get in without alerting them? But even then i doubt they are at it for that amount of time. my prediction would be that he actually isn't there at all if he's up to something.

Does he seem more cheerful of late? stupid fuckers thinking with their cocks do tend to be in lala land. Protective of his phone? can you access his emails?

id be digging and talking if this were me. There is a problem but what that is no one here can really say.

Palooza · 12/01/2015 11:50

Sounds like a crush, he'll be making a fool of himself shortly if he isn't already.

penguinsaresmall · 12/01/2015 11:56

Have you ever met his secretary OP?

If you haven't I would think of a reason to pop in, and while you're there introduce yourself to her and stick around for a cup of tea and a chat. I would think your gut feeling to their reactions and the way they are around each other would give you a good idea of if it's all innocent or not.

I hope that it is and that he's just a bit of a slave driver...