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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have completely lost my rag over this?

79 replies

Wberryg · 10/01/2019 08:27

Posted recently abput an incident we had at home where it seems like builders have nicked 2 of our Christmas presents (I've now discovered another 2 smaller items also missing but that's by the by).

I have advised my insurers no one is coming here (builders were finishing off insurance works and hired by them) unless I am here to supervise, no response on that yet.

So we have 2 front door keys. Ours is type that only locks with a key. We don't have a letterbox so overnight we lock door and leave key in lock.

So today I know I will be back last and am leaving with DC2 (who is home first). So I give a key to DC1, unlock door and leave key from door on stairs for DC2.

I go outside to scrape frost off my car.DC2 goes back in to put something indoors, i tell him to lock door, and I then drive him to the station to get a train to school.

10 mins later call from DC1. Have to pull over to take call. Can't find key. Not on stairs. DC2 is called and says he only has the other key.

One key is on a key ring (the one left at home) the other isn't so they are distinguishable.

DC1 suggests maybe I didn't leave it and I'm mistaken...at which I completely lost ky shit with them both. I have so much on my plate all the time stuff like this just tips me over the edge.

How the fuck can the key have disappeared in the space of 10 mins

I am now waiting for DC2 to return, and as a result I'll be late for work and have to attend a review meeting...joy!

So was I BU to be so annoyed? And any ideas where this sodding key is???

OP posts:
Original poster
Wberryg · 10/01/2019 08:59

I should add I took the key out of the door because you can't lock the door from the outside with the key on inside...and I had told DC2 to lock it on his way out although he didn't.

OP posts:
dontlikebeards · 10/01/2019 09:24

Sorry I'm really confused, what have the builders got to do with it? How old are the kids?

Original poster
Wberryg · 10/01/2019 09:27

This specific incident not related although I am a bit sensitive now about making sure everything is locked. Builders were using a key safe for access, I am pretty sure one of them stole items (at least 4 presents missing). This only happened last week so it's on my mind.

DC are 16 and 18.

OP posts:
GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 10/01/2019 09:28

What’s the relevance of the builders? Confused

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 10/01/2019 09:29

X post.

We lose keys all the time in this house, they turn up again and sometimes it’s my fault as much as the dc. It will turn up.

adaline · 10/01/2019 09:30

It's probably slipped down the side somewhere or been knocked off - nothing to get worked up about!

MaybeMaybeNotJ · 10/01/2019 09:33

YANBU to expect the key to have been left as instructed. But I’d just get both kids their own key cut to save relying on leaving the same one out?

gamerwidow · 10/01/2019 09:34

I think it’s extremely unlikely to be the builders. Reputation is everything in the building trade I don’t think they would risk their livelihood to steal from your house.
You need to be 100% sure about the circumstances around the items disappearance before you start making accusations.

Original poster
Wberryg · 10/01/2019 09:35

I'm hyper concerned about people accessing my home after effectively being burgled last week.

There are walls either side of the stairs so now where for the key to go other than the hall floor and I checked there (as I had to go home to wait for DC2). J just can't fathom how it can have vanished in minutes, there is no one in the house but the 3 of us.

I really needed to get in early to work today, as it was I got in at 920.

OP posts:
adaline · 10/01/2019 09:36

It's probably in someone's pocket, or you perhaps forgot to leave it, or someone moved it and forgot about it - it'll turn up.

It sounds like you're stressed after last week and getting to work late - honestly there's no need to get so worked up Thanks

IceRebel · 10/01/2019 09:38

I just can't fathom how it can have vanished in minutes, there is no one in the house but the 3 of us.

So you've lost a key when it's just the 3 of you in the house, but you're adamant that the builders are responsible for the other items which have gone missing?

Original poster
Wberryg · 10/01/2019 09:42

No one else had access to the house other than the builders. Anyone from their company (there have been up to 20 different people here) knows how to access the key because they all know the key code.

We all used to have a key; one broke. Then there were 2, 1 of which has been in the key safe at the builder/ insurers request. However I will not now use that so we need to keep the keys on us and as I'm home last and usually out first they need the 2 keys.

And even if we had another key where this one has vanished to would still be a mystery!

OP posts:
JennyHolzersGhost · 10/01/2019 09:48

If the builders have finished and you don’t trust them then I think you need to get the locks changed. Sorry, that doesn’t help win your current problem, just saying. Also I think you need to get more keys cut. I always have at least one spare for this precise eventuality.

Original poster
Wberryg · 10/01/2019 09:49

Yes i am adamant it's the builders. The day when the stuff went missing they all had access. Plus what went missing is a lot bigger than a door key.

I definitely didn't forget to leave it or put it anywhere else. Both DC say they haven't seen it.

OP posts:
adaline · 10/01/2019 09:49

Change the locks, change the code for the safe and give everyone their own key. Surely that would solve the problem of keys being left on stairs and things?

Original poster
Wberryg · 10/01/2019 09:50

I will be getting the locks changed next week once I've been paid.

OP posts:
Original poster
Wberryg · 10/01/2019 09:51

I cant change the code on the key safe as it's the builders key safe. They won't be allowed in my house unaccompanied again anyway so it's not needed.

OP posts:
fruitbrewhaha · 10/01/2019 09:52

It sounds very frustrating, with a back ground of some kind of accidental damage at the house, plus dealing with insurers and builders over xmas.

Get some more keys cut. 1 each for the kids, on key rings that attach in their bags on elastic so never get lost. Plus a spare for emergencies.

I think I'd set my alarm very early tomorrow and get out the house before anyone else wakes up!

JaneJeffer · 10/01/2019 09:53

When you get new locks get each person their own key.

bookmum08 · 10/01/2019 09:54

Was your eldest locked in the house or just couldn't lock the door when leaving? I would of told that one to stay home for the day. You missing work vs missing a day of college/school then work wins. I hate doors like that. Easy to accidently lock someone in the house with doors like that. My mother in law has a door like that. "where is the blimmin key" gets said a lot at her house.
You are at work now. Deep breath. And buy bigger key rings.

ToEarlyForDecorations · 10/01/2019 09:55

Sorry this has happened again. I was just wondering if the popcorn maker and electric toothbrush were ever found. Obviously not.

Now a key has gone missing.

Erm, call me paranoid but would anyone have sold the popcorn maker and the electric toothbrush ?

That doesn't explain the missing key, though.

Kikipost · 10/01/2019 09:56

You needed to be in work early
Got in at 9.20
On mumsnet at 9.27

mrsm43s · 10/01/2019 09:56

Change the code on the keys safe if you want to keep the builders out.

It is extremely unlikely that the builders stole your popcorn maker and toothbrush. As the lost key proves, things often simply get misplaced in family homes (or do you think the builders secretly snuck in and stole your key too?).

You sound highly strung, overly anxious and a little irrational. Do you have an existing anxiety problem?

KeiTeNgeNge · 10/01/2019 09:58

She could have posted from the toilet

Juells · 10/01/2019 09:59

Can't quite understand this, it's so confused.

Was your front door unlocked for ten minutes, and in that time the key disappeared? If so, I'd be getting the locks changed.

Keys seem to be flying all over the place. Why does everyone not have their own key, preferably attached to something they'll never lose, like their phone?