Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Feeling very confused

75 replies

user1464906672 · 06/06/2016 16:33

I need to tell someone about this as my head is reeling. I'm a lone parent to dd,her dad left not long after I got pregnant and hasn't been seen since. I've had a few short relationships since but nothing serious. 4 weeks ago I went on a date with a guy I met OLD-we'd had a nice chat but I didn't expect much as its all been a disaster previously.It was amazing.Instant chemistry,felt completely at ease from the get go,talked nonstop and by the end had told each other absolutely everything about ourselves and when we kissed at the end of the night it was just lovely. He was very open about having separated from his wife a year ago after a very short, unhappy marriage,as I was about dd and how she comes before anyone else,always. It was just easy,easy,easy. We talked next day and agreed we both felt there was something there and that we'd see each other exclusively from then on.A week later he announces that he's been offered his dream job in another country (think very big industry in sunny part of the world) and would be leaving in 2 months. Gutted. We decided to keep seeing each other til he left and it could be one of those short amazing flings that we'd remember for the rest of our lives.The last few weeks have been some of the happiest of my life and he's said the same. I introduced him to DD (as my friend) and they get on like a house on fire. Last week he asked if I would consider moving with dd to be with him when he goes.He feels we have a once in a lifetime connection and should give it a chance but understands that because of dd and the upheaval we'd have to take it slow but he'll do whatever and take as long as I need. He's willing to financially support us and will basically move heaven and earth to have us with him. And God help me but I've started daydreaming about it-it's a place I've always wanted to live and would be a brilliant place for dd to grow up.I can honestly say I've never met anyone who makes me feel like this before and when I think of the three of us being a little family unit it makes me ridiculously happy. Then (yes, there's a then!) over the weekend we met for dinner and he was not his usual self-very out of sorts. He said he'd told a friend about us and asking me to move out there and 'she went fucking mental and started ranting and raving' and had really upset him. He said she wasn't a close friend,just someone he'd dated briefly but nothing had ever happened because he wasn't attracted to her and they'd only kept in touch because she was lonely and he felt sorry for her but really regretted that now as she was clearly bitter and he was now cutting all contact with her. He came round for tea with dd yesterday and was still upset as this woman was hounding him and he is feeling very harrassed but isn't going to respond as she is just trying to get his attention. After tea he set his tablet up for DD to watch some cartoons on Netflix and we chatted through the logistics of moving and I said that I'd be happy to come out in the summer for a few weeks to get a feel for things and we can take it from there. He was thrilled. This morning he called to say he left his tablet behind. Found it in the living room. It wasn't locked.You can guess the rest. There is a messaging app he doesn't use with me and a thread with a woman who I assume is the friend that goes back to at least last September and has over 1,000 messages in it between them,virtually every day bar the last couple of weeks. Presumably because he's been busy with me. The last few are from her to him with no reply. She is accusing him of using dd and I to stop him from feeling lonely when he moves and telling him if he really believes that asking 'someone you've known less time than the food in your fridge' (ouch) to go with him is normal behaviour then he clearly hasn't learned anything about 'mistaking grand gestures for feelings'.She says lots of other stuff about honesty and responsibility and being himself not who he thinks I want him to be.Her last message is saying that she accepts she crossed the line but is worried about him and 'can't stand by and say nothing but I know you don't want to hear that so I understand that our friendship is over'. He hasn't replied. I have scrolled back through the messages and I can't get my head round it. Some are very flirty and suggestive and she makes it clear that she's attracted to him. Yet in recent messages (before me) it looks like he tried to make a move on her on a night out and she knocked him back. They send each other silly jokes and pictures.Talk about their day,things they've watched on telly,books,films. There's some quite emotional stuff that seems to be about an argument they had and he goes on and on about how important she is to him as a friend and that he will do anything to protect their friendship. But he's sworn to me she's means nothing to him and he only felt sorry for her?!
I feel horrible for snooping and I know I'll have to confess but right now I don't know what to think-why is he so upset about someone who means nothing to him and why does she care where he goes and who with?

OP posts:
PPie10 · 07/06/2016 03:18

I hope it's a good lesson learnt for you. You were ready to turn your life over completely to him with your child, after 4 weeksShockthat was a very stupid and irresponsible decision to make. You are a parent, what were you thinking Doing something so hastily.

HandyWoman · 07/06/2016 07:04

Ok. Now you know.

This isn't a mess really, it's very simple.

Keep well away from him. Thank goodness your bubble has been burst. Thank goodness you found the messages from the friend. She has saved you possibly years of misery.

Now. The hills. Are that way >>>>>>>>>>

HappenstanceMarmite · 07/06/2016 07:32

If it sounds too good to be true etc. Dodged a bullet there. I've dodged a couple in my time so no judgement from me.

MorrisZapp · 07/06/2016 07:52

Not a mess at all. Cheerio Steve.

Costacoffeeplease · 07/06/2016 08:01

Gosh - lucky escape there, and something to bear in mind for the future

Orangetoffee · 07/06/2016 09:27

Not a mess, you put a stop to it before it could become that. Be kind to yourself and be a lot more careful from now on.

user1464906672 · 07/06/2016 10:57

He has been calling and messaging me all morning. I've told him everything his friend said and he says she's twisting what he told her to ruin what we have because she's jealous. He says she was the reason he broke up with the last woman as she made him feel like he was making a big mistake there too and if I just give him a chance to explain everything I'll see what the truth is.

I messaged her again to ask if she was really being honest, that if she was his friend then she would want him to be happy and he thinks he can be happy with me. She said fine, to go ahead and move and once the novelty wears off and I am not grateful enough for him saving me and he's telling me I forced him into it and that he's the victim then I can judge if she was telling the truth. She then said she would not answer any more messages from me and that she feels very sorry for my daughter if she ends up with 'two reckless fuck-ups as parents'. Quite nasty.

OP posts:
Cheapthrills · 07/06/2016 11:03

I don't think its a mess either. You met a guy a few weeks ago and you don't know him yet, that's all. You got carried away and you are coming down to earth with a bump.

laidbackneko · 07/06/2016 11:12

She doesnt sound very nice either IMO. Sounds like a toxic "friendship"

SandyY2K · 07/06/2016 11:26

Wow. What a revalation.

You can continue to see him - but don't move away with him now.

The tone of his friend isn't one I'd use, everyone has their way I guess. I don't know if she is totally being truthful. She could be jealous - I said that earlier.

Ask him straight up if he uses coke?

BeamMeUpScottie · 07/06/2016 11:36

I think you can draw a line under this now. All too dodgy to be throwing your daughter's life up in the air. Just Let him come back to visit, if you like him that much, and let him prove himself to you with actions, not lovely words

Stormtreader · 07/06/2016 11:46

"He says she was the reason he broke up with the last woman". I thought he told you he was single since his separation?

LadyStarkOfWinterfell · 07/06/2016 11:51

Look. You're totally sucked in to this toxic mess between them and it's pathetic. Grow up, stop messaging either of them and grow some common sense. I'm sorry but the fact that you were considering this for even a second does make you reckless and if you'd done it you would have been a fuck up.

WannaBe · 07/06/2016 12:21

This isn't a mess. You've known this bloke for five minutes, it's the work of a moment to block his number and never speak to him again. Since he's leaving the country anyway there's no issue really is there?

As for the woman, I don't think she owes it to anyone to be nice. She's been dragged into someone else's five minute fantasy and asked to explain herself. I'd be giving you short shrift as well if I'd been her.

OneOrgasmicBirthPlease · 07/06/2016 12:30

What a lucky escape!

I know you are probably thinking that a wonderful chance for a different life has got away before you even had an opportunity to properly enjoy the fantasy, but everyone has already pointed out that this was a risky pipe dream.

Whatever your partner's friend's motives are, he is trouble. Also, remember it was you who contacted her, not the other way round, though I admit she does not sound like the most tactful of people. Still, I think it is great that you had a warning this clear so early on in a relationship.

It saddened me that you said you felt you had nothing to offer your daughter. You clearly want to put her first, it seems that she has a stable, happy life with you and that you are close to your mum, which probably means your daughter enjoys a good relationship with her GM. I am sure that your three year old is thriving - stability, love and a good support network are hugely important for kids and a wonderful thing to offer them, please don't sell them short.

I completely understand the desire to jump in feet first into a new relationship which feels right, but this one clearly spells trouble. You must be disappointed, but this is not your mess to sort out. I am not even saying you should stop seeing him - but do you really need the drama?

Whatever you decide, best of luck!

AcrossthePond55 · 07/06/2016 12:49

You think she was 'nasty', I think she was being blunt and truthful.

Life is not a fairy story and there is no Prince Charming who's going to sweep you away to his castle.

Don't be a fool.

FellOutOfBed2wice · 07/06/2016 13:30

Surely it's not all or nothing? He sounds like a wrong un to me and I would listen to the friend but if you still think it's a goer then take it slow, have a long distance relationship, see what happens. It's not either you move away with him and you daughter or you never speak to him again.

jillyarmeen16 · 07/06/2016 14:04

Did you Google true love scam? Sorry I can't make links but I really think it would be a wake up call for you.
Is it safe to say you won't be moving with him? As pointed out by storm there seems to be some inconsistencies in his story to say the least.

ThePinkOcelot · 07/06/2016 17:52

How can you be totally sure she was telling the truth though?!

Not that I think you should move to the US, I think that would be madness, but how do you know she was being honest?! Especially when she said don't tell him what she said!

user1464906672 · 07/06/2016 22:10

He's just left and I'm pretty sure won't be back.
His wife was controlling. He didn't love her. He gave up drinking & drugs for her but when she still wouldn't have a baby he started again. Then kept going because he was unhappy after the split. He has given up drugs for good now, he says. Friend was spot on on that.
The other woman was a FWB who got too attached. Friend told him to commit or walk as he wasn't being fair and other woman 'went crazy' when he said they could only be friends. He has some contact with her still but not much as she also went mental when he said he was leaving.
Swears he never made a move on friend after they stopped dating. Asked about a message he sent her that said the opposite. It was only once as he was high and he never wanted to be with her or cared about her. Asked about the many, many messages between them including him saying over and over how important she was to him. Those are just things you say to someone you feel sorry for when they are lonely. He's a nice guy.
Asked how he thinks it would work between us, how slowly we would have to take things. He thinks he'll go in a few weeks, Dd & I will visit in summer and then move out asap after that. Why would we wait. Asked about the day to day workings of money. He'll do whatever I want. Asked about coming back to visit friends and family. We will only come back once a year, if that. Asked what exactly he thinks I will do everyday without a job. Take time out to enjoy the lifestyle and in a year have babies. Asked why he thinks I should be the one to give up everything here to take a risk on him. There's nothing keeping me here, why would I not want to take a chance like this.
Asked if he thought he was saving me from something - my life apparently.
He thinks I am being stupid for not trusting that this is the best for both of us and have listened to the poison of a bitter friend who wants him for herself. I said she was more than welcome to him but he might find even she has had enough. He said I am making a huge mistake and will never get a chance like this again. I asked him to leave.

Thank you for your thoughts and advice everyone. I feel very stupid and very disheartened but better to know now.

What is wrong with men like this?

OP posts:
LadyStarkOfWinterfell · 07/06/2016 22:14

He sounds like a psychopath.

19701j · 07/06/2016 22:22

I think you have swerved a massive bullet with this guy...block him and move on .

jillyarmeen16 · 07/06/2016 22:48

So nothing is his fault? his wife was controlling andthis woman is bitter, throw in another crazy woman and this guy has a very full basket of old chestnuts.
He's a sociopath.
He married a woman he didn't love?? What kind of defective human being would do that? And he wanted a baby with somone he didn't love? They were married a year he gave up drugs and she 'still' wouldn't have a baby? How long was he clean for exactly?
Seems he wants women to give themselves over to him without much proof of reliability on his part.
You've dodged a massive bullet op. It will hurt for a while, you had hopes for this one that won't come true, but it hurts a lot less now than ending up homeless and heartbroken on the other side of the world.

Please read up on sociopaths, I've unfortunately got experience with one and this guy is ticking a fair few boxes. Believe me you're well out of it.

Stormtreader · 08/06/2016 09:49

" He said I am making a huge mistake and will never get a chance like this again."
So he loves you enough to want you to move in with him and have babies and be a kept woman, but not enough to wait for you if you dont do it when he says? Bullet dodged there!

FellOutOfBed2wice · 08/06/2016 18:17

My aforementioned ex was just like this when he told the sorry story of his past... Rachel was so bitter, Jane was so controlling, Sally was so unreasonable, I never even loved Barbara*.... It was never him that was at fault. He was just the victim of this long line of women. I have no doubt now that whatever poor fucker he's telling his stories to I feature at the end of the list... "Fell was so impossible to please". The fact he was an alcoholic sociopath won't ever be mentioned.

You've dodged a bullet, OP. Block and move on. This guy is a chancer and aside from anything else you really don't need someone with a drug problem in yours or your DDs life.

*names obviously changed there

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread