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What is going on here

589 replies

Bunkbed80 · 19/10/2026 04:36

I have been with my BF for about 9m now. Both in our 40’s. I usually stay over at his for a few days a week and recently he gave me a spare key and I brought clothes round and he cleared me a space on his wardrobe.

Generally things have been going well, supposedly in love and everyone I meet around him tells me he seems a lot happier than he used to be, and he’s said he’s happy.

It’s become a regular thing that he wants to go out drinking locally, and when we do, we often get into some kind of disagreement. This is always about something I have said or done that’s apparently embarrassed him when he says I’m drunk.

A few times I’ve apologised for whatever it is I’ve allegedly done, and a few times he’s apologised for me for being unreasonable and we have let it go.

I’ve had a few acne spots lately and when I do, he will keep asking me why I have a spot and asking me if I’ve picked the spot and will keep pointing out the spot until it goes away. I’ve explained they are hormonal and they make me feel a bit self conscious. Last weekend I picked him up from the pub (I was sober) and I had a spot on my face. He kept pressing the spot and laughing. I asked him to stop and got visibly irritated and the next day he said I was beautiful even with spots and hadn’t mentioned it again.

We had a good day together yesterday after a bit of a shit week where we have both felt unwell. He wanted to go out to the pub so we popped out for a few drinks yesterday.

He likes to go to a bit of an old man type pub, the football was on and other old men at the bar so it’s not exactly fun all the time. A guy in the pub sitting behind us had a big dog with him - I love dogs - so I got chatting to him and ended up stroking the dog. The dog wanted to play fight, it was gentle and fun, so I crouched with the dog for 5 mins or so, play fighting, dog rolled over and I tickled their belly etc, and BF turned round from the bar and said ‘ok get up now’. I got up and went back to the bar and he snatched my vape out of my hand and said ‘you vape too much’.

At this point if felt irritated but didn’t want to cause a scene so I went a bit quiet and he said look let’s not fall out and gave me a hug and a kiss.

We walk home and get food and get a bit amorous iykwim, and then later he asks me why I got irritated earlier. I said look sometimes you can pick on me a bit and sometimes it hurts my feelings.

This suddenly escalated wildly. He told me that he was going to get the CCTV from the pub as basically everyone in the pub was tutting and staring at me when I was ‘basically shagging the dog on the floor’ and it was embarrassing which is why he asked me to get up. He then did an impression of me which I can only liken to someone with cerebral palsy, and when got upset about this he called me a ‘spastic’ and Harvey Price and told me to get out of his house and our relationship was over. I wasn’t able to drive at that point so I went to the spare room.

He came to bed and slammed his door so I went in to try to talk to him and make peace, this made it all worse he asked if I was ‘bipolar’ as I had ruined his lovely day and was always ruining things, said he wasn’t coming on our planned weekend away (to meet my family for the first time) and told me to get all my stuff out. He said he had asked for space and I hadn’t given it to him and we should talk about it tomorrow.

I packed my bags with all my stuff from his room while we kind of shouted at each other, me saying I didn’t understand why he was being so mean, and him saying he didn’t tolerate ‘this kind of thing’. I said I should be able to raise an issue without getting shouted down and he said he didn’t want an embarrassing girlfriend, I said he seems to care more about everyone else but me.

I went to the spare room and I am here alone now until morning when I will get ready for work and take my stuff and leave as I don’t think I have much other choice? I’ve had a few glasses of wine so can’t drive, but I don’t believe was particularly drunk. I’ve seen him absolutely paralytic before and it wasn’t a nice sight. I’m not sure even with drink this behaviour is forgivable, and I would make myself look desperate to try to talk this through with him tomorrow.

I feel so sad it’s come to this ☹️

OP posts:
OrangeSlices998 · 19/10/2026 05:36

Run for the hills OP and be glad you didn’t waste more time with this loser. Can you get a taxi? How much did you drink to not be sober now?

Bunkbed80 · 19/10/2026 05:42

I don’t feel drunk, I just am not sure it’s a good idea to drive now, it’s 5.30am, I don’t start work till 8am, he also won’t get up for a while so I have some time. And even if he does get up I can avoid him. It’s going to be noisy getting all my bags out and it’s dark out. I don’t want to leave anything here, I think I have most of it packed up. My car is here it will cost a lot to get it if I get a taxi. I had a few glasses of wine, I was drunk to some degree yes, but not so drunk I wasn’t in control of myself.

OP posts:
Zanatdy · 19/10/2026 05:44

don’t fall for any sober apologies. This will keep on happening. You deserve better.

Bunkbed80 · 19/10/2026 05:44

I don’t know how I feel to be honest at all, shocked perhaps at how it all escalated this much.

He’s been picking on me about other things too, he asked me to give him a list and they were all so petty he just kept laughing at me. He comments on how much Diet Coke I drink all the time too. Yes I do drink too much provably but he is constantly commenting every time I have one it gets boring.

OP posts:
cartagenagina · 19/10/2026 05:50

He is a horrible abusive man. Get out at first light and don’t look back. Block him on everything.

sweetpotatopie2 · 19/10/2026 05:51

Sorry it seems your relationship has ended, when it sounds like you were looking forward to it continuing.

From what I read though, the fighting, inappropriate behavior and other getting out of control sounds pretty typical of a couple who drinks heavily. One way to a kinder, more predictable life is to give that up and find a guy who's not into it, either. Otherwise, even if you do get back with this guy, I don't see the rollercoaster ride ending, do you?

Re the blemishes, I know that's not what you're asking about but if you haven't, you might want to try tretinoin cream on them. Best wishes to you.

iwishtoo · 19/10/2026 05:51

Bunkbed80 · 19/10/2026 05:27

I am going to leave. I don’t want to make someone be with me who clearly doesn’t want to be, or even respect me I have more dignity than that. I just feel really sad and disappointed

It's ok to feel disappointed. It would be a mistake to stay with him. He sounds awful and it will only get worse. You are better off without him.

Alittlefrustrated · 19/10/2026 05:56

He will try to be nice and win you over OP. Stay strong.
Definitely leave now, without waking him, if you can. This is not the time to be worrying about how your behaviour looks. Why should you care what he thinks? He's an abusive bastard.
Please keep telling yourself that you deserve much better.
I think you need to do some work on your self esteem and healthy relationships, before dating again.

Bunkbed80 · 19/10/2026 05:59

I don’t think he will be nice at all. He knows he’s gone too far and I think he will just turn it all back on me.

Ive ready done roaccutane in my 20’s, my skin is pretty much ok apart from around ovulation, I’m peri menopause so it can be a bit all over the place.

I don’t really want to drink heavily, firstly I know we always seem to argue secondly I just don’t want that lifestyle long term but it’s clearly what he wants, sometimes it feels like he’s just fitting me in around his single man lifestyle

OP posts:
Bunkbed80 · 19/10/2026 06:03

There are so many other things I think I’ve overlooked to be honest. I can maybe see them more clearly now. Sorry I’m just venting I don’t have anyone else to talk to at 6am. I assume he didn’t want to come to meet my family to be honest so this is an easy row, then he’s working away for 5 weeks soon so also an easy out.

We had plans with his kids on Halloween so I will let him explain that one as I know they are excited about it. Or he will leave it 2 weeks then try to get me back then, who knows. Right now I just feel vulnerable but I’m not sure how I feel. He got up to go to the toilet a minute ago but didn’t leave his room so he’s awake and doesn’t give a shit about me.

OP posts:
SkulQuestions · 19/10/2026 06:04

SparkleHorse82 · 19/10/2026 05:03

Oh my goodness OP. Please read that back. And end the relationship immediately. Send a polite text. Post the key through his letterbox when he’s not in, get your own locks changed and block him on everything. Then go away for a few days if you can so you won’t be home if he calls round. He’s an awful, awful man and he’s warming you up from some seriously dangerously abusive behaviour down the line.

@Bunkbed80 , please read this post from a pp.
He is warming you up for some serious abusive behaviour down the line.

You are in training now. He is training you to accept abuse, to believe it's your fault, to ask for forgiveness and to plead to make the relationship work.

Each time you plead to make it work and he 'accepts' your apology and 'forgives' you, you are stuck with him a little tighter, you adjust yourself a little more, you get a little more quieter, you make yourself a little bit smaller.

He was never this nasty to you before because HE HAS BEEN PRETENDING.

Now you are all settled in his house. He thinks he has got you and he now thinks your training can commence. So the mask is coming off and the real him is showing up.

He is not nice. You do kot want him to meet your parents.

Please, trust us - Mumsnet. We have all been there and can see what is coming a mile off.

Please, RUN. Leave. Do not look back. End this relationship.

pinkfondu · 19/10/2026 06:09

Just get your stuff and you out safely. Be thankful he never et your family

SkulQuestions · 19/10/2026 06:12

My post has been hidden by MNet. I wonder why? All i did was click 'edit post' I was trying to edit a spelling mistake.

sweetpotatopie2 · 19/10/2026 06:13

SkulQuestions · 19/10/2026 06:12

My post has been hidden by MNet. I wonder why? All i did was click 'edit post' I was trying to edit a spelling mistake.

I read your post before it was deleted and I didn't see anything wrong with it.

Gingefringe · 19/10/2026 06:16

He has kids as well? What kind of a father is he to them? You’re doing the right thing in ending this relationship - don’t look back.

Mumtobabyhavoc · 19/10/2026 06:17

You are up and sober now. Pack up and, fgs, go and do not return. Message him later that it's over and should be obvious why. Then block and do not have contact again.
He's unstable.

CrazyMidget · 19/10/2026 06:18

He asked YOU if you were bipolar??? Classic projection!

He's mad. Get yourself out NOW. He has shown you his true colours.

The mask slipped...Well, not so much slipped as crashed to the ground.

Bunkbed80 · 19/10/2026 06:18

I’m going to get dressed at 6.30. I didn’t want to purposefully make a load of noise earlier than this, he has really creaky floorboards and I didn’t want to make it seem like I was being passive agressive and making noise at a ridiculous time on purpose. I shit myself when I heard he got up to the toilet as I didn’t know if he would come talk to me but as he didn’t, I have my answer that leaving is the right decision from my reaction and his decision not to come out, I assume he’s hoping I will leave of my own accord I think he knows I will be hurt and that I have some dignity

OP posts:
DoIWantThis · 19/10/2026 06:19

I am very glad that you have seen this damaging relationship for exactly what it is - please get out early this morning (even if you take drive your car a few streets away and stay there until you are fit to drive - or spend money on a taxi from there if you are worried about being over the limit - worth every penny for peace of mind). This man will never change - his behaviour will escalate. This is from somebody in exactly this situation who got drawn back again and again wasting 25 years of my life. I am still suffering with the trauma now and working to put myself back together (it ended 10 years ago). I know that you wanted this to work - it won't. 9 months is a very lucky escape.

Username1981 · 19/10/2026 06:20

Why are you still there? Pack up and go. If you’re that worried about driving just drive round the corner but FGS get out of his house.

You know he’s no good for you. He sounds like an absolute waste of space.

This nasty man needs to be blocked and deleted.

Wopple · 19/10/2026 06:21

Honestly just leave. Just ask yourself honestly is the reason you’re not leaving because you actually do want to “bump into” him on the way out. If not, there’s no reason not to leave. The noise is just an excuse.

SkulQuestions · 19/10/2026 06:22

sweetpotatopie2 · 19/10/2026 06:13

I read your post before it was deleted and I didn't see anything wrong with it.

Edited

Thank-you. I don't know why it's hidden.

Other posters have given good advice. Hopefully, @Bunkbed80 , you listen to them. Don't go back. I must say I was surprised to read you were perimenopausal. Please, do work on your self-esteem and boundaries.
This guy has you questioning yourself, when you shouldn't be.

Luddite26 · 19/10/2026 06:25

get up get your stuff and go. don't look back. don't use alcohol as an excuse to cover behaviour up. This is him.
please go and don't return. You really don't need this. It's like a Sunday afternoon from 40 years ago boozing, football, domestic abuse.
Chose a better life not with him

💐

Redruby2020 · 19/10/2026 06:27

Abusive, thankfully within 9 months he has shown you who he is! And if anyone is Bipolar it sounds like he is!

Luddite26 · 19/10/2026 06:27

Bunkbed80 · 19/10/2026 06:18

I’m going to get dressed at 6.30. I didn’t want to purposefully make a load of noise earlier than this, he has really creaky floorboards and I didn’t want to make it seem like I was being passive agressive and making noise at a ridiculous time on purpose. I shit myself when I heard he got up to the toilet as I didn’t know if he would come talk to me but as he didn’t, I have my answer that leaving is the right decision from my reaction and his decision not to come out, I assume he’s hoping I will leave of my own accord I think he knows I will be hurt and that I have some dignity

i hope you do have some bloody dignity and go and do not return.