Has my date stolen my keys??

[Wilhelmine]

I’ve just come home with a guy I’ve been for a few dates with after a couple of drinks and we’ve had a coffee and he’s gone home. We’ve been getting on great and knew each other before as acquaintances. He’s a bit intense but nothing scary until tonight when he said “I don’t know what I’d do if this doesn’t work out”. Now I’ve just got ready for bed and can’t find my keys anywhere. I’m well organised and tidy and always know where things are. I’ve messaged him to ask if he picked them up by mistake but no reply. Am I being daft to think he might have taken them? If I can’t find them in the morning I’ll have to get the locks changed and I really don’t want to have to do that.....

@Wilhelmine
Do I message him again? If he’s got the keys and can give them back sharpish I’ll know he can’t have had copies made. I really don’t want to have to call a locksmith out.
You can’t put a price on safety, it’s not worth the risk if not getting the locks changed.

@TurnUpTurnip

You can lock my door from the inside without keys I assume most doors have this ability

No they don't. You need keys to lock our front door. We don't have a yale lock, chain or bolts.

I’d phone him not text. A bright breezy did you pick up my keys by mistake, so easily done. Will you drop them over to me now, send in a taxi. Then be very busy from now until Christmas.

I wouldn't lie to work about why I need the morning off - just saying you need to get the locks changed because you've lost your keys will be be fine. No need for details or tall tales.

You don't need to change both locks at the same time if you can't afford to (although I would do this eventually). If you change the Yale to start with , he won't be able to get in with the keys.

I've changed a Yale barrel several times and it's a bit fiddly but easy enough.

Was your message on WhatsApp? Can you see if he has seen it (and ignored it)?

On another note when my grandmother lost her keys, it turned out she had inadvertently thrown them in the bin. I know it s not a pleasant task but might be worth it?

@Wilhelmine

Do I message him again? If he’s got the keys and can give them back sharpish I’ll know he can’t have had copies made. I really don’t want to have to call a locksmith out. I do however hear what you’re all saying and know he’s a dud.

All he has to do is make an imprint of your keys in blu tac etc

Just change them. You can’t put a price on safety.

I agree that it doesn't matter if he stole your keys or not, the fact that you thought he could have done is enough of a red flag. You're not comfortable with him.

OP do you have another set of keys yourself? This wasn't your only set? If so,

Your options right now seem to me to be...

Tell work you just aren't feeling great and are going to get a LFT test as have none in the house to buy yourself some time.

Call a friend to come over while you nip to B&W in the car and get a new lock barrel for the Yale.

Book a locksmith to change the Chubb but a few days a say so without having to pay silly emergency prices.

And while sorting out the practical stuff you can park (just for now) how to handle the emotional stuff. Because sorting the keys and locks is the more immediate priority?

And if or when he calls you just say breezily oh don't worry I've done all that now, don't need the keys, no need to drop them off or come round, in fact I'm feeling not great, might be Omicron, need a couple of days in bed Byeeeee. And see whether he starts asking fellow dog walkers odd questions??

All he has to do is make an imprint of your keys in blu tac etc

Does this actually work outside of Scooby Doo and the Famous Five? I've always wondered!

And what does he do with the blu tac imprint @Aussiegirl123456 I'm curious?

You can get a night latch key yale lock. You turn the yale left a full turn and it stops someone being able to slide a credit card down the side to push the spring loaded bit in as it were. Not an expert but we have one and I really rate it.

Can you mentally go through his movements in your property? Were you together all the time? If you were can you think of any moment he could have picked up the keys - like an outstretched hand etc?

It's 7.30. Our b&q opens at 7 and they have a key cutting machine there

He could have copies by now easily

Also, as it's fully light now, check outside again

@SoupDragon

All he has to do is make an imprint of your keys in blu tac etc

Does this actually work outside of Scooby Doo and the Famous Five? I've always wondered!

there are youtube tutorials showing just that.

@Wilhelmine

change the locks.
don't call or text him further.
block him.

if you need to tell work something about being late you can tell them the storm broke something that urgently needs fixing.

@SoupDragon

All he has to do is make an imprint of your keys in blu tac etc

Does this actually work outside of Scooby Doo and the Famous Five? I've always wondered!

Yeah, believe it or not it really does! I’m sure the locksmith you’d take the impressions to would get suspicious, but nonetheless it is possible. Some locksmiths only need a picture of the key (both sides) and the key type to be able to copy it. Craze.

Also check the fridge, bin and kitchen cupboards.
Sounds strange I know, but that’s where I’ve found them before now.

Good luck today OP , youll feel so much better by this afternoon when the locks are changed. Then as others say, faze it out slowly, with simple messages saying you are busy etc dont get in big discussions about why you cant see him so he cant wiggle his way back in

I can't imagine you can take a blu tac imprint into your local Timpsons  have you ever actually done that in practice @Aussiegirl123456 ? Or just read about it somewhere? Seems rather far fetched unless you actually have criminal connections.

Also if he has the actual keys I don't see why he'd be messing about with blu tac and dodgy locksmiths.

there are youtube tutorials showing just that.

Well, I'm clearly going to spend the rest of the day trying to make copies of my keys now! Thank you :)

I know someone who accidentally dropped their keys down a manhole. But do you think he could have just thrown then away?

Let us know how you get on on OP.

@HoseMeDownWithHolyWater

Sorry - I've been up with a newborn all night (your thread kept me company!)

Anything ELSE missing?

Same!

I wouldn’t contact him again OP. He already has a text from you and a missed call from last night. If he doesn’t get in touch himself this morning, I think that in itself is pretty telling..

Oh man OP what a worry. Change the locks, as others have said, you'll feel better. I find it very odd he made that full on comment but also how he's not got back to you either re the keys... We have a Ring doorbell & it's brilliant, highly recommend.

Peace of mind is priceless, let us know how you get on.

One last place to check- your laundry basket? I lost a pair of glasses once and they somehow turned up in there. I don't do laundry everyday (soz mumsnet) and was very surprised to find them in there a few days later, no idea how that happened!