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AIBU?

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Aunts friendship with young couple

230 replies

Georgienne · 17/09/2025 21:34

Hello all, so my aunt is 70, my father passed away 3 years ago and her husband passed away 2 years ago, she never had any children of her own so my brother and I are her only living family left.
She has lived in the same flat in London for most of her adult life, I highly doubt she will ever leave it, she is still active, goes on cruises, has a handful of local friends though many of her close friends left London when they retired.

I try to visit her about once a month, I don’t live in London myself but she was always an incredible aunt to me and my brother, I also encourage my son who lives in London to go and visit her although he seldom does.

Today I went to see her for the afternoon, and she told me that over the last few months she has developed a friendship with a young couple who live upstairs from her. They are Italian and Swiss, mid 20s. Apparently they have been picking up shopping for her, helping her move furniture and have cooked for her a few times. She seems rather fond of them. She wasn’t feeling very well a few weeks ago and apparently they really rallied round her, cooking, shopping, running errands etc. she didn’t tell me she was ill or I would have gone and looked after her myself.

She is quite the technophobe (I know that many her age are quite proficient with tech but she has rejected it), she has a computer and a landline, and a very simple mobile (not a smart phone). But apparently they have helped her book a trip to save her going into a travel agents etc.

She also doesn’t like going into central London alone now, so was talking about how the young girl had taken her into central London as she needed some new clothes and wanted more variety etc.

I haven’t met them but I’m really unsure what to think of this. I’m really worried that they may be taking advantage or her in some way though she seems totally unconcerned and when we got back to her flat she showed me some pasta they had made her incase she didn’t feel like cooking etc. She told me they have never asked her for money, but sometimes if she was out with friends and stopped into Gail’s or similar she would pick them up a gift card as a thank you.

I don’t know if I’m just very untrusting but I have children in their mid 20s and while I’d like to think they would help if asked I don’t think they would ever even consider going this far for someone they don’t know.

AIBU to be worried?

OP posts:
TeaForTheTillermanSteakForTheSun · 17/09/2025 21:50

My oldest who is 24 does similar for his neighbour who was widowed last year.

He takes him to his men's shed club, they go out for the odd pint, he will get him a bit of shopping, and sometimes just stop in for a chat.

It's a friendship, maybe a little unconventional, but my son does errands and keeps him company, and his neighbour regales him with stories of his very colourful youth.

I think it's sweet, and this couple sound similar, they just like your aunts company and are happy to help her out where they can.

Rainbow1612 · 17/09/2025 21:50

You aunt sounds like the sort of person who is more than capable of looking after herself. Unless you have any real reason to believe otherwise I would keep your nose out.

We're a bit older than 20s but we have a similar relationship with our next door neighbour who lives on her own. She has needed support recently and we've been there for her with absolutely no ill intentions.

The majority of people are decent human beings.
Maybe they like and care about your aunt? Surely it's not that hard to believe.

Tootietoots · 17/09/2025 21:44

70 isn’t old so I imagine she knows what she’s doing? They mightn’t have much family in. London themselves and like the connection with their neighbors , they sound nice tbf and it’s nice for you to know there’s someone there in an emergency?

HardworkSendHelp · 17/09/2025 21:43

I would keep an eye. But honestly would not be too worried. I had a very elderly man live opposite me when I was in my final year at uni. I would always chat to him and if we cooked a Sunday dinner I would have brought him a plate. I think the Swiss and Italian culture would be to look after their elders. They could be just very nice people.

Woompund · 17/09/2025 21:39

Are you worried they are going to nick your inheritance?!
Nothing you've said sounds dodgy, you are fond of her, why shouldn't she make some friends who happen to be younger?