My girlfriend used me for DIY then dumped me when I'd finished the work
Elliot*, 42, was happy to do some painting and decorating for Jessica*, 40. The flirting led to a kiss and before long he'd become her boyfriend and personal handyman...
I’d seen Jessica around as we live in a small town. Although I thought she was attractive, I never for a moment imagined she’d be interested in me. When I was painting her house she often hung around to chat and make me cups of tea. She was flirty, definitely. Then one evening, when I’d finished the job, she asked if I’d like a beer, and we sat chatting. More beers followed – for both of us – and then she leaned in and kissed me.
Things progressed quickly with her leading me up to her freshly painted bedroom. From that day we fell into seeing each other regularly. We’re both divorced and were a bit lonely, I think. I’d pretty much given up on meeting anyone, and suddenly I had this beautiful girlfriend, who was great fun.
Although she doesn’t have children, Jessica was brilliant with my son, Finn*, who was eight at the time, and lived with me. We started having days out, the three of us, and she’d often stay over at my place.
Occasionally, when Finn was with his mum, we even had nights away together. But more often than not, weekends were for helping Jessica out at home, as she’d often have a 'little job' for me, as she put it.
Handy to have around
The painting had been a paid job. But of course, now I was seeing her I was happy to help her out. She wanted fitted shelves in a spare bedroom, so I built those. There was plumbing work to be done: a leak at the washbasin and no hot water coming from the bidet. It became a joke with my friends that I was always heading over to Jessica’s with a toolbox. Finn would usually be with me. He’d watch cartoons while I got on with the job.
It became a joke with my friends that I was always heading over to Jessica’s with a toolbox.
We’d been together six months when Jessica decided she wanted her garden remodelling. It was heavy work, but I didn’t really feel I could say no, not when she was so appreciative. Then a rotting door on her balcony needed replacing, and when I started the job I found that the wooden cladding around it was rotten too. So I replaced that as well.
Neverending list
My heart would sink sometimes, when she’d tell me what needed doing next. I worked flat out all week and looked after Noah, then rolled up my sleeves and tore into renovating her home on the weekends. But then, as the rest of our relationship was great, I decided it was a small price to pay. I was crazy about Jessica and Noah thought she was great too. They’d developed a real bond.
My heart would sink sometimes, when she’d tell me what needed doing next.
The end didn’t quite come from nowhere – but I’d been deliberately ignoring the signs. Suddenly, Jessica would be ‘busy’ for a few nights on the trot, with no real explanation. She was also less keen to stay over. A mate joked that now I’d done up her house, I’d outlived my usefulness.
Blinded by attraction
One night she told me, tearfully, that she wanted us to just be friends. 'I’m not in the headspace for a relationship,' she said. I was shocked because, house jobs aside, the past nine months had been wonderful. I couldn’t be her friend while I still had all those feelings for her.
I couldn’t be her friend while I still had all those feelings for her.
It was awkward, seeing her out and about around town over the next few months. Noah was sad too. She hadn’t been a stepmum – more like a fun aunt. However, as time went on, I got on with my life and could even laugh about it with my mates.
I’d been absolutely used – I can see that now. I suppose I’d been blinded by my attraction to her. On the upside, her house looked amazing – thanks to all my hard work. I don’t think it’s coincidental that Jessica dumped me when she did. Quite simply, there wasn’t anything left that she needed me to do.
*Names have been changed to protect identities.
Read more: All of Yahoo UK's How I was dumped stories.
