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Looking after neighbours suitcase

310 replies

ShakyBake · 25/09/2026 21:52

Neighbour of ours, friendly known her for about 7 years is off on holiday next week.
We were talking about it over the wall yesterday and informed me she will be taking 3 cases and would it be ok if I keep the suitcases (packed) in my living room until the morning she gets picked up. I said yes of course and didn't ask why. My husband doesn't understand why we need to keep them here. I said don't be silly we are neighbours and it's the right thing to do. That's not unreasonable is it?

OP posts:
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WeWillAllGoTogether · Today 07:59

I don't get it. Why can't she just stand at the end of your drive with her suitcases at taxi time? Am I missing something? Confused

Whaleandsnail6 · Today 07:43

maxslice · Today 03:08

Posters on Mumsnet tend to do sod all, or the bare minimum, to help their neighbours. I’m on your side OP.

So help your neighbour at all costs regardless of how it impacts dh?

I'm not saying its totally unreasonable to help the neighbours, it is unreasonable to disregard dh feelings when it affects him and unilaterally decide thats what you are doing as a couple.

There is absolutely no reason for op to have taken the cases days before the holiday... neighbour could have brought them round 10 minutes before and been waved off as per her plan. That would have been a good compromise but op just went ahead without thinking considering dh.

maxslice · Today 03:08

Posters on Mumsnet tend to do sod all, or the bare minimum, to help their neighbours. I’m on your side OP.

Ilovelifeverymuch · Yesterday 23:12

BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows · Yesterday 11:53

I can't believe all of the fanciful and, frankly, utterly ridiculous scenarios that people are dreaming up... when it's perfectly obvious and straightforward to anybody who is familiar with the classic conundrum about the man who has to get a fox, a chicken and a bag of grain safely across the river in his rowing boat.

She's going on holiday to a small island nation where her DGD lives on a combined coach/ferry journey. Her DGD is crazy-mad about Sugar Puffs, but sadly you simply can't buy them where she lives. The suitcases are therefore stuffed to the gills with Sugar Puffs that the neighbour has bought from her local supermarket, clearing their shelves completely - emptied out and loose of their boxes, as you can cram far more of them in that way.

The problem is that she has a pet dog who is also a big fan of Sugar Puffs. He is also going on the holiday with her, to visit the family who live there, as they love him and he loves them. Naturally, as a dog, his sense of smell is top-drawer - so he can instantly smell the Sugar Puffs through the fabric of the cases, and is a strong and determined mutt, so he would easily be able to tear his way into them overnight, if they were in their own living room, and snaffle the lot well before dawn.

Therefore, the dog and the Sugar Puffs can never be left alone together - hence the cases need to stay overnight in next door's living room, which the dog cannot access. This part is key.

It's only by making sure that the cases go safely into the separate luggage hold of the coach, whilst she watches her dog like a hawk and takes him with her into the passenger seating area, that the Sugar Puffs will survive the journey intact.

Of course, when they arrive there, her DGD is going to be so excited to see both the beloved dog and the Sugar Puffs that she will want to scoff every last Sugar Puff within the hour, and maybe even share them with the dog in one massive Sugar-Puff-eating frenzy - which is clearly not a great idea for the health of either of them... but that's a whole new conundrum to be resolved separately, and one which OP can sadly have no logistical part in facilitating.

Edited

Hahahaha how the hell did you come up with this? I love your imagination 😂

Isabubs25 · Yesterday 21:31

She could have murdered the milkman and stuffed him in 3 cases 🤣

diddl · Yesterday 21:11

So if the taxi is collecting from yours why does she need to pretend to be going home?

Where is the taxi taking her that will seem like she is returning home I wonder.

Igmum · Yesterday 19:16

ShakyBake · Yesterday 11:26

Thank you and that was exactly my reasoning and the point I was making to him. To me, if a neighbour asks for a favour it doesn't matter what it involves just that you try and help and be a neighbour

Me and my husband are still not speaking this morning so I went to collect the cases on my own and as suspected there is a very simple explanation to this as I told my husband several times. My neighbour was burgled once when she was on holiday, she wants to tell the taxi driver she is actually RETURNING home and that she was staying with us, I have agreed that me and my husband (I've not told him yet) will wave her off from our house. She will simple come into our house 10mins or so before the taxi arrives

What a good idea! I often worry about heading off on holiday with suitcases and have been known to wave goodbye to the cats and talk to the taxi driver about how on earth my vast (imaginary) family of strong men all armed to the teeth. Wouldn't work with Uber mind you - they have my home address...

everhopeful22 · Yesterday 18:27

HokiePokie · 25/09/2026 22:54

Maybe she's got a one way ticket and is not actually taking the cases with her. Perhaps she's leaving something awful behind in them....(possibly her husband, in three pieces). Then the evidence will be in your house when the crime is uncovered.

Definitely this 😅 all very dodgy!

Limehawkmoth · Yesterday 18:26

tell her in passing you’re looking forward to your brother visiting night before she leaves, with his newly retired drug sniffer dog 😉🫣…

DelightedLongEnough · Yesterday 18:20

So if she is leaving with her cases from the OP's house then presumably she is giving the taxi driver the OP's address.

I'd feel a bit weird about this, particularly as it's the taxi driver she seems to be worried might be a bit dodgy.

If she hasn't already booked the cab why can't the OP just pop round to the neighbour a few minutes before the cab arrives and wave her off from there 'Bye Margaret, it's been lovely having you, let me know when you've got home safely'. Wait until the cab is out of sight to pop back home.

I suppose the only problem with this might be that Margaret is anxious about her front door being properly locked and/or leaving the OP with a key.

Can you wait outside Margaret's already locked front door with her and cases? And then fiddle about with her bins until the cab is out of sight and you can go back home? Better than living with 3 cases in your living room and a thoroughly pissed off husband.

LadyAvgeek · Yesterday 18:13

What the ....! The answer should be an emphatic no. Your DH is right. What is she up to? Just because you've known her for 7 years, doubt you know her.

Think about the security questions you're asked at the airport. Have you packed these bags yourself? Are you carrying anything for anyone else? What if she replied that you'd been looking after one bag. That would be enough to get the bags x-rayed and interview by security staff. Sorry but you're being naive

Onlyme7575 · Yesterday 18:04

ShakyBake · 25/09/2026 21:52

Neighbour of ours, friendly known her for about 7 years is off on holiday next week.
We were talking about it over the wall yesterday and informed me she will be taking 3 cases and would it be ok if I keep the suitcases (packed) in my living room until the morning she gets picked up. I said yes of course and didn't ask why. My husband doesn't understand why we need to keep them here. I said don't be silly we are neighbours and it's the right thing to do. That's not unreasonable is it?

Say no.you don’t know what her motives are.

PyongyangKipperbang · Yesterday 18:03

If my mother thought that she could do this, she definitely would.

She has always been utterly paranoid and has got worse as she has aged. Every one is out to get you, every taxi driver is a thief who will break into your house as soon as you board the train/plane, and if you put your phone number on to an online form someone will steal your house.

She once totally lost her shit because my sister and I forgot to take a video back to the shop in time (she would have been about 35) as "it will wreck your father's credit rating". No I am not joking.

I am very grateful that she doesnt use the internet, I dont want this thread giving her any more ideas!

Cailin66 · Yesterday 17:58

ShakyBake · Yesterday 11:26

Thank you and that was exactly my reasoning and the point I was making to him. To me, if a neighbour asks for a favour it doesn't matter what it involves just that you try and help and be a neighbour

Me and my husband are still not speaking this morning so I went to collect the cases on my own and as suspected there is a very simple explanation to this as I told my husband several times. My neighbour was burgled once when she was on holiday, she wants to tell the taxi driver she is actually RETURNING home and that she was staying with us, I have agreed that me and my husband (I've not told him yet) will wave her off from our house. She will simple come into our house 10mins or so before the taxi arrives

This is brilliant. Your neighbour is genius. And you’re a kind unquestioning neighbour.

Tvradiorentals · Yesterday 17:36

Have you seen her husband lately and is on of the cases particularly heavy? 😱

SkySoaring · Yesterday 17:26

Perhaps she’s expecting to move into your house, but it’s taking your husband longer than she expected to break the news to you, so she’s getting impatient. And he’s mad at her for not giving him enough time and forcing his hand…🫢

Thr33lions · Yesterday 17:16

ShakyBake · Yesterday 11:26

Thank you and that was exactly my reasoning and the point I was making to him. To me, if a neighbour asks for a favour it doesn't matter what it involves just that you try and help and be a neighbour

Me and my husband are still not speaking this morning so I went to collect the cases on my own and as suspected there is a very simple explanation to this as I told my husband several times. My neighbour was burgled once when she was on holiday, she wants to tell the taxi driver she is actually RETURNING home and that she was staying with us, I have agreed that me and my husband (I've not told him yet) will wave her off from our house. She will simple come into our house 10mins or so before the taxi arrives

This still makes no sense to me.

Why would she need the suitcases to be at yours days prior?

Why would she need to do a whole load of palaver involving neighbours as opposed to simply mentioning in small talk to the taxi driver she’s got a husband or son indoors? Or pretend that her own house is someone else’s she was visiting if she’s concerned the taxi driver does breaking and entering as a side hustle?

Bjorkdidit · Yesterday 17:10

Notonmyland · Yesterday 17:01

Do people smuggle drugs out of the country?

Most of the drugs that end up in the Isle of Man get there via Liverpool, so yes.

Thecatspantaloons · Yesterday 17:05

Notonmyland · Yesterday 17:01

Do people smuggle drugs out of the country?

Maybe for personal use.

Notonmyland · Yesterday 17:01

Do people smuggle drugs out of the country?

Holidaymodeon · Yesterday 16:57

Idk 🤷🏽‍♀️ I’ve known women in thier seventies and eighties who would definitely make this kind of harebrained scheme because they don’t want the cases cluttering up their space.
alternatively she could be planning a flit for whatever reason

Chocolatecustardcreamsrule · Yesterday 16:50

Never accept large parcels for neighbours and never keep anything for anyone without knowing exactly what it is and exactly where is has come from. 99.9% of the time it will be completely innocent and fine but it’s worth annoying people and avoiding being the 0.1%

JustSawJohnny · Yesterday 16:36

To me, if a neighbour asks for a favour it doesn't matter what it involves just that you try and help and be a neighbour

How exactly is OP both on Mumsnet AND unaware of the existence of CFs?!

Thecatspantaloons · Yesterday 16:08

ShakyBake · Yesterday 11:26

Thank you and that was exactly my reasoning and the point I was making to him. To me, if a neighbour asks for a favour it doesn't matter what it involves just that you try and help and be a neighbour

Me and my husband are still not speaking this morning so I went to collect the cases on my own and as suspected there is a very simple explanation to this as I told my husband several times. My neighbour was burgled once when she was on holiday, she wants to tell the taxi driver she is actually RETURNING home and that she was staying with us, I have agreed that me and my husband (I've not told him yet) will wave her off from our house. She will simple come into our house 10mins or so before the taxi arrives

Welcome back OP, sorry for doubting you and sorry that you still aren't on speaking terms with your DH.

ginasevern · Yesterday 16:08

Millytante · Yesterday 15:56

She intends to instruct the taxi driver to do the entire journey in reverse gear, for verisimilitude.

Hadn't thought of that!

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