Ok this is a what would you have done scenario. It's prompted by another thread about a broken cake stand.
Some years ago I rented a room from a friend of a friend who then became my friend. I only rented for a few months then accommodation - it was a temporary arrangement. Then something came up much closer to my work so I gave notice and moved out. She was happy with this and didn't replace me.
I liked her company but some things she did irked me; mainly that she could take advantage financially - she was just manipulative enough to be a bit wary.
Her house was unlike any I'd ever stayed in. I had never before met a true minimalist. She had tiny little cupboards custom made and most of them were empty; no condiments or snacks in the kitchen, one sharp knife, two plates, two dishes, one large serving bowl etc. there was no clutter or decorations anywhere. She would come home with one portion of vegetables that she's would steam and eat alongside a piece of meat. Nothing else was in the fridge. It was an interesting to observe.
I like cooking and had gotten into batch prepping 'healthy' alternatives like egg muffins, brownies from kidney beans or protein balls etc. She loved these.
For years I had owned a very beautiful tiered cake stand for afternoon tea. We had kind of joke tradition of preparing a 'healthy afternoon tea' after Id batch prepped my stuff for the week and have a selection on a Sunday with herbal tea before I packed them up into the fridge. We did it a few times. She has asked me to source her the same cake stand but the shop had closed down.
When I moved she said "you're going to leave me the cake stand aren't you... You're sharing a kitchen there won't be space... I love it so much" I was taken aback but said I'll leave it here till I move into my own place, I won't be there for longer than a few months.
As predicted I got my own place with my partner and messaged her for the stand. We were due to meet up shortly but she arrived without it then said she had forgotten it. The next time we were meeting I suggested I'd stop by hers collect it and give her a lift.
She refused saying she would collect me as it was more convenient. I got into the car and saw she had her regular plate on the back seat. She saw me looking then smiled and said
"The strangest thing... I can't find your cake stand. It has just disappeared. So I've brought you a plate."
I sat and stared at her. She kept smiling her face blank. It was honestly surreal. I eventually snapped that I didn't want her dinner plate, I wanted my stand back.
Now I know I'm going to get roasted here but i was so stunned we just continued the trip but I made some excuse and took off. Our friendship fizzled because frankly I considered her a complete weirdo after that.
I tried one ambush where I called by unexpectedly and tried to have a nose in the kitchen but she ushered me into the lounge first.
I found a similar-ish cake stand but don't love it. I occasionally think back and I can imagine logically what I should have assertively said to her but then I get a flashback to the odd frozen smile on her face (along with "are you sure you won't take the plate?") and know I would do the same thing.