Sipping my tea, I grimaced with disgust and asked my husband Thomas if the milk was off. He shrugged, then said with a glint in his eye, 'You never know, I could have put anything in it...' I put his comment down to his dark sense of humour, never imagining the truth.
was far darker. I met Thomas Ferneyhough, 38, in November 2014 on a dating site. I was a recently divorced mum of two and Thomas caught my eye - at 6ft 3in,
with dark hair, he was attractive, and after discovering we had mutual friends, I felt reassured he was a decent man.
We had our first date in a bar in Stafford and, after a few months, I introduced him to my kids, who he was great with. Looking back, I can now see Thomas was full-on, wanting to be with me all the time, and sulking if I made arrangements to see friends and family. I put it down to him being insecure, and in June 2015, he moved into my house. I hoped it would prove I was serious about our relationship, but things just got worse.
I wasn't allowed on nights out, as he didn't want me talking to other men. I also wasn't allowed to walk our pug, Bella, on my own.
I ask myself every day why I didn't leave him then, but there were good times too, and I wanted to make it work. Then, in December 2015, I came home from work and on our bed, written in rose petals, were the words: 'Will you marry me?' I said 'yes', and we tied the knot in June 2017.
I thought it would be a new beginning for us, but instead, Thomas began to control what I wore, and I wasn't allowed out of the house unless he was satisfied with my outfit. My family and friends thought he was great, and I was too ashamed to admit what was going on.
Bu hikaye WOMAN - UK dergisinin February 26, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye WOMAN - UK dergisinin February 26, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
How to avoid a cold when partying
Burning the candle at both ends might seem fun at this time of year, but it can spell disaster for your health and wellbeing...
ASK US ANYTHING
SUZIE HAYMAN AND SUSAN QUILLIAM CAN HELP
MOWED DOWN after a Christmas party
Anna-Louise Bates has finally allowed herself to enjoy the festive season again
A weekend in...VILNIUS
A dreamy couple of days in Lithuania's captivating city can be easy on the purse
The letter that SAVE YOUR
Why do a third of women miss their breast cancer screenings?
New love in 2025 WOULD BENICE
Growing up in Bradford, West Yorkshire, to Punjabi Indian parents, Anita Rani says her household ‘didn’t really do Christmas’ – but boy, is she making up for it now!
'2024 has been DREADFUL'
Prince William admits that this year has been the hardest' in his life. Is blood thicker than water in times of need
The dark side to your CHRISTMAS NIGHT OUT
Do you know what’s in your glass this party season?
IS THERE ANYTHING MORE NOSTALGIC THAN CHRISTMASES PAST?
Do you remember the anticipation before the big day, pondering endlessly about what should go on your Christmas list? I would lovingly write two or three things down, pop it into an envelope and leave it by the fireplace to be wafted up the chimney like something out of Mary Poppins.
The Christmas that CHANGED OUR LIVES
We speak to three women about their most wonderful time of year