To think she stole my Cath Kidston mug!

[TakeABreakAt12]

I have quite a few CK mugs. I've grown tired of them in the last few years due to poor quality and a preference for neutral 'White Company' looking things.

There was however Winnie The Pooh collections out again recently and I bought the highly desired by fans mug. It's really lovely, I got 2.

I had a new neighbour round last night for some dinner who I discovered also liked CK. She was shocked that I had not one but 2 of the mugs! We got on quite well. DC are a similar age.

I went downstairs this morning and into my kitchen. One mug is gone. I never, ever move them from their place.

It's vanished. Nobody else has been here apart from DH who doesn't touch that sort of thing and doesn't have any need to use a mug anyway. I have asked and he says it really wasn't him, he has no idea.

AIBU to think she stole my mug?

Ahh, I didn't think she'd really be on Mumsnet... I have mentioned the site in passing to lots of friends and they all look at me like I have two heads! It seems (to me in my circle/life), to be a hidden gem.

Not sure where I go from here

If she's really behind it then I'm so angry I let her son take it back. Argh!

I call Bullshit OP. Have you seen how much those Mugs sell for on ebay? you've been taken for a ride...

You say your children are similar in age, so if your DS is too small to reach the cupboard, how much taller is neighbours son then and how quick must he be to pinch it

Her son wanted to cheer his mum up so he stole a mug from the neighbours... Don’t believe a word, op. From start to finish.

• How did this master thief toddler manage to smuggle a mug unnoticed from your house?
• What age is he?
• Very odd attitude for a young child?
• How did he reach it?

All these need answered

Sparkly My DC is a toddler, neighbour also has a toddler. She also has two other children who're 8 and 15

Never reward a thief.

Now the child will be going on a binge spree in his nearest Shopping centre.

I would have taken the mug off him and then made him sweep the drive or maybe just dig some very deep holes....😉

If he nicked it why didn’t she phone you upon getting home or first thing this morning?

She’s so obviously on MN! How old is the boy - how could he take it without her noticing 🤷🏼‍♀️

So which one did it then if you only mention one of her children and now there is an 8 year old and 15 year old?!

She sent the kid round by himself? How old is he?

I don't blame you for telling him to take it back with him, Cath Kidston stuff is shite.

You’ve been taken for a right mug.

NO savignonblanche GO HOME

Well you handled that totally wrongly - someone steals something, confesses and then you let them keep it? WHAT??
I agree that the neighbour is on MN. Otherwise she would have rung you or come round with the child and mug herself earlier.

She's so on Mumsnet!

Hello mug stealing mother of three. Take the mug back. It is not right you let your child take the blame for you stealing it. Insist OP has her expensive mug back.

She's on MN!

Agree, OP, you shouldn't have rewarded that behaviour if it was him...which I doubt!
But I have an idea. Text her or call around when you know the child is not home and tell her the child seemed so upset that his mum had seemed sad recently that you let him take it back to allow him to believe she'd still have it and be cheered up. You know he'll forget the mug exists within days so you'd actually like it back.
I am flabbergasted that she sent the child around alone. If she gets funny and says you said it could be kept, tell her she should have accompanied him, you had no intention of further upsetting an already traumatised child and you want the mug back!
I do think she's put the child up to taking the blame. She sent him around alone because she can't look you in the eye, OP!

You have been played! 👋 to neighbour. 🤫

Actually, you should go and knock now and ask for it back in person. Tell her you let the child take it earlier because he was (surprisingly given the circumstances) unaccompanied and so upset that you didn't want to further traumatise him, but that, obviously, it's an expensive collector's piece and surely she understood that you'd want it back. I think you'll know by her expression and demeanour what the truth is. Don't leave without the mug!!
And, yes, I reckon she's definitely on here!

Well played neighbour lady! Well played! They are £35 on eBay! For a freeking mug!

You have been mugged off there OP-neighbour lady, you should be ashamed and should send it back with I’m sorry but I can accept it.

Can’t FFS can’t!

Bet her son is the star of the local am dram and can turn on the waterworks on cue. Sorry, OP, you've been played.