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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

What on earth do I do?? Advice please??

28 replies

MowingMan · 19/09/2025 09:30

Hi everyone,

First of all thank you in advance for any replies.

So here's my situation. I've been seeing what I thought was the most amazing girl since January. Does the same as me and we met over the garden wall, a long time ago but didn't start dating until this January.

May I point out which is a big factor here. In the December she kicked her husband out. A twenty year marriage to an abuser, not physically but mentally. Totally wore her down.

Anyway it has just gone from strength to strength. All her friends say how happy she now looks. She's written me some beautiful cards and I've had some nice gifts. Surprised her at the airport in April when she flew back from a yoga holiday. She says I'm here everything and the best thing that's happened to her, tells me she loves me. I took her so many places she'd never been.

Nearly four weeks ago she gets a train to Gatwick, to attend a wedding in Bulgaria. Where she's from. I house sat for her whilst she was away and looked after the animals.

The Monday just gone we were due to go on a roadtrip around the Scottish Highlands, which we'd been planning for ages. She was so excited. Two weeks tomorrow I go round like I usually would on a Saturday (week before she's a little quiet and anxious about the trip). She says I need to tell you something, which is totally out of the blue. She says she can't come to Scotland and needs time and space, all happening too fast. I said is there another guy. She said she met an older guy on that train up to Gatwick airport and they exchanged numbers!!!! I was immensely hurt and shocked. We were due to go to one of her friends 50th that evening, for some reason I went. She wanted me to. I stayed that night. She broke down into tears about what she'd done, I just held her. We had an incredible night of sex.

Talked more on the Sunday, she was ashamed you could tell. But the fact she'd been messaging this guy for over two weeks before telling me about it hurt a lot. Had they arranged to meet? She then says she wants to come to Scotland, I told her I'd still go on my own. I said if you're coming you can't be messaging that guy. She understood completely and deleted his details. Stayed the Sunday night also.

In the aftermath of all this I remember her trying to justify her actions saying she isn't tied to me as we aren't married. But many times referred to me as my partner.

The week after that weekend starts. She's in a real muddled headspace not knowing what she wants anymore. Saying she loves me and I'm the best thing in her life. On that weekend saying how she doesn't want to let me go. I tell her you can't have your cake and eat it to! I never shouted at her. I was firm and annoyed and told her she'd fucked up and if she steps out of line again we're done.

So on the Monday of the weekend we're working in the gardens we met in. I leave for my next job. She's then messaging saying I seemed a bit off, telling me to get my dodgy tooth sorted if I'm in pain. Don't reply to either, she sends another saying 'babe?' Don't respond. I reply later saying hi and it was just a busy afternoon. She wanted to chat that Monday evening and we did, it was nice. Messages me on the Tuesday morning saying so nice to talk to you last night and did I want to meet her Bulgarian friends that evening, then saying love you darling. I met her friends and it was great. She pointed out how it was important and meaningful for her that I'd met them. Stayed that Tuesday night as well. Wednesday morning she's saying how she's nearly fifty lived half her life, would like time for her. Says she's never had the chance to do things for her, I get that. We say bye on Wednesday morning.

So with regards to the Scottish trip we didn't go. She was anxious about being away for ten days, being a long way from home, her dog not settling in my van. He is a mental dog.🤣 So we amended the trip to a couple nights in a log cabin in Wales. But on the Thursday she sent the needing some time and space mess. Says her divorce papers have arrived and it's time to do what's best for me. How she expressed her worries and concerns about space, which she never did before that Saturday.

I was shocked and upset but also kinda prempted this message. My friends she wants you to chase and beg for her back. I didn't, went silent until Saturday. Replied then with this.......

Hey . I wanted some time to think before replying. I'd prempted this happening after what you told me on Saturday, it's ok and I get it. We never needed to go away, or for things to move as quickly as they did. I thought everything was ok, was no reason before Saturday to think otherwise with your kind words and actions. You could've talked to me and we'd of worked all this out. I am understanding of your needs but appreciate you have a lot going round in your head. If you wanted to get that coffee when you're ready, then that would be nice? Wouldn't mind getting my Austin Powers jacket! Take care and try to stay to dry today!

She wrote back straight away with this........

Hi ! There’s lots of reasons I felt that I need space and time and I am grateful for having you in my life. There was pressure on me from you about the holidays and I was exited but also anxious and I needed to decide for myself what is best this time nobody else. The things going on are not just in my head they are reality and I am dealing it in my own way and will take as long as I need. Let me know when you’re around I can leave your jacket in the porch. Don’t be a stranger and avoid me there’s no need. Take care and hopefully will catch up at some point.

I just sent another small understanding one back. She said thank you, I replied with you're welcome it's forgotten. I've come away and not messaged her.

May I point out she's also hit the menopause. I'll see her this coming Monday in those same gardens. Does it sound like it's completely over?? I'm more than happy to give her some time. I have shown I'm understanding of her needs.

She clearly has been overwhelmed going from a shit marriage into a loving relationship, without anytime to think about what she wants in life.

She did say getting that guys number wasn't the best idea. But she still shouldn't have done it. Seeking validation and attention maybe?

Would really appreciate some advice.

Thanks

OP posts:
sesquipedalian · 19/09/2025 09:41

OP, if you were my son, I’d be telling you to kick her into the long grass. Who has a relationship with someone and agrees to a holiday away, and then starts messaging some randomer she’s met on a train? She either has an eye to the main chance, or she’s not that into you. Either way, you seem far more committed than she is, and life’s too short to let someone mess you about like this. Walk away.

Ilovepastafortea · 19/09/2025 09:46

She kicked her (abusive) husband out in December and got together with you in January.

She met you when she was vulnerable and hadn't even started to recover from an abusive relationship or grieve for the relationship that she thought she would have with her husband. Now she's started that process.

Such is the nature of most re-bound relationships.

I'm sorry Hun, but you've served your purpose and you should walk. Who knows? in the future you may get back together, but, for now, it's best that you aren't together.

Good luck for the future. Take care.

Dozycuntlaters · 19/09/2025 09:48

To be honest, it's utter madness getting involved with someone one month after their marriage has ended. When my marriage ended, I did exactly that. it was a disaster, my head was all over the place, i craved the normality of a relationship whilst also craving living a life doing exactly what i wanted. It was massively unfair of me to drag someone into the chaos and she is being massively unfair to you.

Honestly, you need to walk away, move on with your life and cut all contact with her. She is not in the right head space for a relationship and although in some way she probably does care about you, she doesn't want anything serious and wants to play the field, which is totally normal after a marriage ends. It's just the totally wrong time for this relationship to flourish, I would never ever get involved with someone whos relationship has just broken down, and I suggest you run for the hills before you invest anymore emotions into this woman.

Anchorage56 · 19/09/2025 09:48

It does sound like you need to move on. Remain friends if you are seeing each other at the allotment (or whatever it is). Dont go chasing.

OhNoNotSusan · 19/09/2025 09:52

i agree, it sounds like you should move on from her.
she is not committed to you

Mulledjuice · 19/09/2025 09:52

Completely agree with PP.

You need to stop worrying about why she's doing X, Y and Z and accept that she's not in the right place for this right now - go ahead and do your own thing. When it's right it won't be this hard.

Sunflowers67 · 19/09/2025 09:54

Well, there is a reason why all those in the know say not to date for at least a year after coming out of a long term relationship. I'd say much longer than that if its been an abusive relationship.

I am sure she does not mean to hurt your feelings or mess you around, but her mind will be so muddled right now and for quite some time.
She will be changeable from one day to the next and you, as the new partner will take the brunt of that and be confused too.
She is probably feeling quite sad and you seemed like a nice guy so she leapt in a bit too soon. Looking for a sticking plaster to cover those wounds is quite normal in these situations, but there is no quick fix and she needs time to heal.

I am sorry, but this relationship will be doomed until she has had the head space to process everything after her last relationship.

So, I think you need to be the strong one here, protect your own heart and mind and walk away. I honestly do not think she is doing this on purpose, keeping you hanging on, but she needs time to heal.

Trying to heal a broken heart by giving the fragments of what you have left to someone else is never going to work.

ForTipsyFinch · 19/09/2025 09:57

So she jumped into a relationship immediately after an abusive relationship broke down, and has now started a fling with someone she met on a train?

sorry to say she doesn’t sound exactly stable.

MowingMan · 19/09/2025 10:06

Thank you all for the replies.

Yes I have to agree with a lot of what is being said.

I don't think this is a personal dig at me from her, and like to think there are feelings there for me.

If this blow up hadn't happened then something probably would've at some point. It might of happened to any guy she'd met after kicking her husband out.

From my point of view I've spent years looking for what I had with her, so this ain't easy. All I can do is give her time and not push. If she does feel something for me she'll come back. But on the other hand how long do I wait?

OP posts:
Poirot1983 · 19/09/2025 10:07

She must be all over the place if her exH left in December and your relationship started in January! She has allowed herself no time to breathe and reset following the end of her marriage. I spent 18 months on my own when my marriage ended, didn't even occur to me to go on a date until a friend set me up with someone.

As a previous poster said, if you were my son, I would advise you to leave her be. She has her reasons and needs her space right now but it's not fair to be messing you around because honestly - you sound lovely.

Hillrunning · 19/09/2025 10:08

She needs to be alone for a while. It was never going to be sensible to rush straight into another relationship. She wont have had time to heal and work out who she is.

Step away. Leave her be.

Poirot1983 · 19/09/2025 10:10

MowingMan · 19/09/2025 10:06

Thank you all for the replies.

Yes I have to agree with a lot of what is being said.

I don't think this is a personal dig at me from her, and like to think there are feelings there for me.

If this blow up hadn't happened then something probably would've at some point. It might of happened to any guy she'd met after kicking her husband out.

From my point of view I've spent years looking for what I had with her, so this ain't easy. All I can do is give her time and not push. If she does feel something for me she'll come back. But on the other hand how long do I wait?

Don't wait around. My mum always gave me very good advise: if someone doesn't want you in their life then you just make other plans.

Make other plans, OP. Good luck. 😊

Ilovepastafortea · 19/09/2025 10:12

MowingMan · 19/09/2025 10:06

Thank you all for the replies.

Yes I have to agree with a lot of what is being said.

I don't think this is a personal dig at me from her, and like to think there are feelings there for me.

If this blow up hadn't happened then something probably would've at some point. It might of happened to any guy she'd met after kicking her husband out.

From my point of view I've spent years looking for what I had with her, so this ain't easy. All I can do is give her time and not push. If she does feel something for me she'll come back. But on the other hand how long do I wait?

You are totally right - it's nothing personal, she probably does have feelings for you and, if you'd got together in a year or so it might have worked.

I'm sorry that you're hurt, but I promise you won't hurt for ever and you will find what you're looking for. Treat yourself gently, talk to your friends, do things that you enjoy doing.

Dozycuntlaters · 19/09/2025 10:20

You don't wait. Not one single day. Just move on with your life, leave her to hers, and don't waste any more emotions on this. This woman is not everything you have been looking for, you have built up an ideal of her in your mind which is so much better than the actual reality of her. Move on with your life and let her lurch from one disaster to the next, which she will do for a good while yet as her head is all over the place. Do not be there as her friend, she will drain the life from you like an emotional vampire. Look on it as right woman (she's not but you think she is), wrong time.

DiscoBob · 19/09/2025 10:41

She is making it clear she didn't see you as a serious relationship. More a fling to help her get over her previous bad relationship. She used you.

You must stop speaking to her permanently.

MowingMan · 19/09/2025 10:55

I've never come across a relationship forum being so active!

It's just annoying innit! 99% of this relationship was incredible. She talked about the future with me etc. I think it just clicked in her head, like what on earth am I doing after coming out of a twenty year bad marriage.

Thanks all

OP posts:
UpDownAllAround1 · 19/09/2025 11:01

She isn’t ready for a relationship.

Seaoftroubles · 19/09/2025 11:08

You were her rebound fling unfortunately and she made herself feel better after the end of her marriage by having a relationship with you. At the time she probably thought she meant what she said to you but once reality hit she came down to earth and realised that's not what she wanted at all. Sorry she used you but don't wait around for her, best to block and move on.

MowingMan · 19/09/2025 11:46

Thanks recent replies.

It's like she's wanting me to hang around for her, saying grateful to have you in my life, don't be a stranger and hopefully catch up at some point etc.

But she can't just dip in and out when she feels like it. Isn't fair on me. Been there done that, fuck that shit!!! 🤣🤣

OP posts:
outerspacepotato · 19/09/2025 12:48

You're a temporary rebound.

She's going to be processing the end of a decades long marriage for a long time and she's not going to be able to give you what you want.

You might have some traits of a white knight swooping in to fix her life and you want to be needed and live happily ever after. But part of her journey is going to be doing things for herself and finding her confidence.
.

Sunflowers67 · 19/09/2025 13:47

From my point of view I've spent years looking for what I had with her, so this ain't easy.

Someone indecisive, unsure of what they want, giving you a bit of a run-around, contacting other guys? Don't be me and settle for anything less than what you deserve. That is not acceptable, and although the reasons for her behaviours are very valid and understandable - you really don't want that. Its not your place to heal someone else.

All I can do is give her time and not push. If she does feel something for me she'll come back. But on the other hand how long do I wait?

Goodness no! Duck out, completely out. No waiting around for your princess to show up healed and ready for you. That's not healthy on your part. I know it hurts but end of. Chances are, when she has done the work on herself and healed sufficiently, you will no longer be on her radar of what she wants - sorry, but that is the truth and no point sugar coating it.

Good luck with it all.

Endofyear · 19/09/2025 14:43

It sounds like she jumped into a relationship with you far too quickly after ending her marriage. She doesn't sound ready for a committed relationship at all. If I were you I'd wish her well and move on with your life - don't attempt to stay friends or keep in touch, a clean break is best. You deserve to have a relationship where you're valued.

MowingMan · 19/09/2025 16:46

Thanks again for more replies. All makes sense. Obviously this is all fairly fresh still, so still a bit strange.

My friends in person have all said similar things. She's got far too much to deal with right now and was overwhelmed with this new loving relationship. She can't hang on to me at her convenience for when she's feeling better about her life.

Thanks

OP posts:
MowingMan · 21/09/2025 09:22

Any more advice from anyone?

Thanks

OP posts:
SunflowerTed · 21/09/2025 22:51

MowingMan · 19/09/2025 10:55

I've never come across a relationship forum being so active!

It's just annoying innit! 99% of this relationship was incredible. She talked about the future with me etc. I think it just clicked in her head, like what on earth am I doing after coming out of a twenty year bad marriage.

Thanks all

In the kindest way who in an incredible relationship gives a randomer on a train their phone number?

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