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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:
TheHeathenOfSuburbia · 10/01/2019 10:01

You gave key A to DC1 (in his hand? Did he put it in his pocket)
... and left key B on the stairs for DC2, which he used to lock the door when you left?

Which key is missing? Confused

Not being awkward, just I'm a bit of an old hand at losing stuff like this and retracing steps etc

Omzlas · 10/01/2019 10:02

You needed to be at work for 9:20 but desperately needed to post on MN before work?

IME keys turn up in the most random of places. Calm down and look again OP

AutumnCrow · 10/01/2019 10:04

So I give a key to DC1, unlock door and leave key from door on stairs for DC2........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.

I don't understand this.

JaneJeffer · 10/01/2019 10:06

She gave each of them a key before she left Autumn then they rang her to say one key was missing.

TheHeathenOfSuburbia · 10/01/2019 10:08

Wait, I get it, dc2 couldn't find Key B to lock up, so they left the house unlocked with dc1 in it, who was in possession of key A and unable to find Key B. I think.

TheHeathenOfSuburbia · 10/01/2019 10:09

DC2 has picked up key B from the stairs, wandered round and put it down somewhere random and forgotten, I'll bet.

Try a flat surface in the downstairs loo. Smile

ShadyLady53 · 10/01/2019 10:13

Are you talking about the interior stairs in the house or do you have some exterior stairs where you left the key outside of the home?

If it’s inside and your child was the only person in then it’s clearly not been stolen has it?

Mummylife2018 · 10/01/2019 10:15

Why haven't you confronted the builders and/or called the Police about the thefts?

shinysinkredemption · 10/01/2019 10:20

At 18 and 16 I don't understand why your DC don't have their own keys that they are responsible for.

But I am confused by this

I give a key to DC1, unlock door and leave key from door on stairs for DC2. [so DC1 has 1st key, DC2's 2nd key is on stairs]

I go outside to scrape frost off my car.DC2 goes back in to put something indoors, i tell him to lock door [using 2nd key], and I then drive him to the station to get a train to school. [presumably DC2 takes 2nd key with him as he's locking up]

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. [at this point surely DC2 still has 2nd key and DC1 should have 1st key?]

One key is on a key ring (the one left at home) the other isn't so they are distinguishable. [DC2 should have the key ring key]

How can DC1 not have the key he was given at the outset??

ShadyLady53 · 10/01/2019 10:23

Although, if the stairs are inside and near the door and you left the door open with the key on the stairs then...

I hate to tell you this but not long after we had builders in, my own door and car keys were stolen from their usual spot on the bottom of the stairs. Front door was open (as in closed but not locked) for around an hour as we were expecting a delivery. It was only when I went to lock the door I realised my keys were gone. The same morning the builders had been round to check we were happy with everything. About 14 different people had worked on the job. The lead from our roof was also stolen around the same time (we’d had an extension fitted and some roofers were involved). The head of the project was a friend with a reputable building company using contractors but he refused to believe us over them and the friendship suffered.

As a child, our home was broken into by a workman who’d been in to fit a gas vent. They’d used it as an opportunity to figure out the best way in and broke in during the night through a tiny downstairs bathroom window. I woke up and disturbed him but he got away with £5000 worth of stuff.

Bottom line, if you can’t find your keys, get your locks changed today. Use a credit card until payday if you have to.

Original poster
Wberryg · 10/01/2019 10:24

Sorry for any confusion.

I posted thread while waiting for DC2 to return with the key. I was due on a conference call at 9am. I wanted to get in early to prep for it but as I was late I missed my slot.

To explain about the key I got it wrong in my OP sorry, which has caused confusion. I took key A out of the door and left it on the stairs for DC1 (who was in the bathroom). DC2 was leaving with me, and had key B. DC2 went back into the house while I was scraping ice off the car, I told him to lock the door on his way out using key B, he didn't. We drove off, DC1 then called to say there was no sign of key A and the door wasn't locked.

Had DC2 done as I asked DC1 could have left via the back door (which can be locked from outside). But obviously couldn't leave the front door unlocked.

I definitely left key A on the stairs. DC2 doesn't remember seeing it. He has checked and only has key B. DC1 doesn't have key A and hasn't seen it either.

OP posts:
Original poster
Wberryg · 10/01/2019 10:30

I did look all around the hallway floor and there was no sign of the key. I checked the route outside as well.

As my car was in front of the front door I know no one could have walked in while I was outside and picked up the key.

I've reported the theft to my insurers. I've not contacted the police because when I had an actual break some years ago and all my jewellry was taken they never even came out just told me to make an insurance claim. And the jewellry was worth an awful lot more than what's been taken this time.

OP posts:
AutumnCrow · 10/01/2019 10:33

You seem to have a prankster in your midst.

ToEarlyForDecorations · 10/01/2019 10:36

You seem to have a prankster in your midst

I suspect this too.

shinysinkredemption · 10/01/2019 10:38

Well the key can't have vanished. Perhaps DC2 kicked it into a corner/under furniture on his way back down the stairs. Or DC1 moved it and forgot he'd done so; or you will find it in your bag later today despite being convinced you left it out. Either way I'd get the kids their own keys cut and ideally get a spare set to a neighbour.

WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 10/01/2019 10:44

All this messing about with keys is very silly. Change the locks when you get paid, give everyone their own key and keep a spare for emergencies too.

Original poster
Wberryg · 10/01/2019 10:44

I don't speak to any of my neighbours. My DP has a key but he works away.

Neither of my DC would dare do this as a prank because they know I would be late for work and that could mean me losing my job.

The only realistic possibility is that DC2 picked up key A. When DC1 came downstairs it wasn't there. However DC2 says he didn't see it and certainly didn't move it because he didn't even know it was on the stairs.

I have thoroughly checked my pockets and bag even though i know I left it on stairs. I don't have it.

Even if we all had keys that wouldn't have stopped this one disappearing but it would have meant I was on time for work. But we'd now be down to 2 keys again anyway.

OP posts:
WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 10/01/2019 10:47

But we'd now be down to 2 keys again anyway.

No you wouldn’t, because you’d have a spare too. Then you have time to get another cut to be your spare.

This is so easily resolved it needn’t be a problem. Change the locks when you get paid, give everyone their own key and keep a spare for emergencies too.

ToEarlyForDecorations · 10/01/2019 10:48

Have you checked each and every stair on the staircase ?

Have you looked behind the door, under the mat if there is one ?

Have you looked on the landing in case it's there ?

Has it been put in the lock for safe keeping and no one has thought to look there ?

AdobeWanKenobi · 10/01/2019 10:51

Have you considered a smart lock? DC's can unlock with either a fob, phone or code. Clever things when you have teens in the house who always forget keys (or leave the key in the back of the door locking out the other one)

Original poster
Wberryg · 10/01/2019 10:55

I left it on the stair above the bottom stair. However I've checked every stair and all around the hall floor. There's no furniture in the hall and flooring is wood and no rugs or mats so nothing to conceal it. It wasnt in the door either. I did check all around in the time I was waiting and no sign of it.

OP posts:
Wheresthebeach · 10/01/2019 10:59

Wanders off to google 'smart lock'...sounds a life saver..

OP - keys are always going missing in our house (like one sock), they turn up eventually (unlike socks).

Suspect you're feeling jittery after the Christmas present issue.

purplecorkheart · 10/01/2019 11:01

Check it did not get caught in the sole of anyone's shoes and moved elsewhere. It can happen with thick sole shoes.

Aridane · 10/01/2019 11:10

I remember your previous thread, OP. I think you need to change the locks, for your own peace of mind, if nothing else

babysharkah · 10/01/2019 11:12

It all sounds very complicated for keys.

Get a key safe with a spare, give all in the house their own key that they're responsible for.