for thinking DS was lying dead in house

[AliGrylls]

This morning I went out as usual. DH works from home so he was in before I left.

Usually before he leaves he has his routine he takes the key out of the front door from the inside (so that no-one can get in overnight). Anyway, our cleaning lady pitched up while I was out with the kids asking me to come home - she can't get in she says they key is in the door on the other side. I came home with the children and told her to go and get herself a coffee while I tried to get in touch with DH. Spent an hour trying to call him and no answer.

Then I thought maybe he is at the gyms (where he usually goes to unwind) - called: no he is not there; maybe he has gone food shopping - not there either - still no trace of him. Then my mind starts wondering - what if he is in the house and something has happened to him (who knows he could have fallen down stairs / had heart attack). He is usually so predictable I can set my watch by him - so by now I have visions on my head. So I called the police - I was sort of expecting they might appeal to my rational self and say he will probably be okay but they said it sounded worrying they would send a police car.

Next thing I know there are 4 police outside my house threatening to break the door down.

They manage to climb over neighbour's fence. As soon as they do this DH calls and says "AliGrylls I got your messages. Is everything alright". The police were lovely and said it was not a waste of time and at least he is alright.

However, It has left me feeling like a twat and wondering if I over-reacted. And more to the point I can't believe I have posted this shameful experience on mumsnet.

The receptionist at the gym probably couldnt be arsed to go ID'ing every bloke in the gym!

Why do you leave the key in the door??

I'm surprised police didn't give out to you for wasting their time. Who calls the police when an presumably not incapacitated grown man can't be found for an hour? Bonkers.

My favourite bit is the stealth boast that the police don't have to do much proper policing where you live. How naice!

Time to also invest in a back door key??

Silly thread started by my wife who clearly overreacted. But amazing the way the Chinese whispers start on MN.

Yes, I was at the gym. Sorry to disappoint all those hoping for an affair. No idea why the gym did not have me as signed in, will have to follow up on that one.

My wife did not explain well re the door. I left via the garage and closed it with the automatic closer (and opener) of which we have only one. I intended to come back in the same way. I deliberately leave the front door key in overnight as it is a cheap Yale lock and I feel that it prevents burglars from popping in a cheap skeleton and letting themselves in. It does open the risk that if I leave via the garage and forget to take out the front door key, the house is effectively inaccessible except via the garage. It is the first time I have left it in in 6 years, though, which I feel is quite a good record.

What we need is to replace the front door lock with something where we do not end up leaving a key in the inside.

Hope that clears things up for everyone!

Back door key not solution as it is a townhouse, so you can only get in via the back door climbing over several neighbours walls (which is apparently what the police did).

Where do you keep your bins?