Giving back gift

[airyfairytippytoes]

When I was pregnant with my son a friend of mine had one of those Next To You cots for your bed. She'd had her two children and wasn't planning on anymore so she said I could have it as I was having a section and it'd be useful.

I had it, used it and put it in the attic ready to use next time (my DS is now 2.5 and am planning on trying for another baby soon and will be having another CS). Friend messaged me yesterday saying another friend of hers (who I know) has had a baby so can she needs it now, and can I take it round to the other lady.

I have said I will dig it out (though god knows when, husband is away and I can't get in the attic) but I feel really put out! She definitely didn't lend it to me (she has lent me other things which I have returned with thanks as you would) she'd finished with it and gave it to me. If it'd been lent I'd have returned it as soon as I'd finished using it, wouldn't have stored it in my attic.

AIBU? Surely you don't give things away then expect to get them back years later?

My mil did this...she and pil paid for our pram (I think it was a Maclaren 3in1), and then decided once ds was out of it that she could lend it out to her nieces who were having kids. We might have had more, and transporting the damn thing from Cornwall to Hants so it could go to Cambs and then London was a PITA. I loathe it when a gift isn't a gift iyswim.

It's really easy to deal with this.
When someone offers you something, ask them.
Do you ever want this back, and if not can I sell or give it away when I don't need it anymore.... if they say it's a loan then you know, if they say go ahead do what you like, then if they ever ask you can say they didn't say that when they GAVE it to you.