is it normal in the UK to refer to 'mother and her partner ' ? to me it reads they are not married but could be just a language thing?
It's an annoying PC thing they do here. Some consider it rude to refer to someone as a husband or wife or spouce even if this fact is known. They feel it somehow is putting down all people who are living together but not married. I hate PC crap, just say it's her freakin husband!
I forgive you for the UK think. You must be American. (not too bright over there). OK - we're even now. 