To think my neighbour stole my laptop?

[StarWa]

This is going to sound a bit ridiculous, but I promise it's true, unless I've lost my mind.

I went away for three weeks. During this time I asked my NDN to look after my cat - I left all the food, litter, poo bags etc.

I offered them £10 per day to do this, however, they refused and said I could repay the favour one day. We are quite friendly, she's a teacher and he works for a bank - both late thirties. Not that it matters, just so I'm not dripfeeding.

I take in a lot of Amazon deliveries for them and they would do the same for me.

I got home today and my laptop is gone - I always keep it in the same place on my desk. It was 100% there before I left. Thinking they might have moved it for whatever reason (fine) I text her to ask.

She told me I better not be accusing her of stealing it because she would never do that. I said I wasn't saying that at all, just a bit perplexed as I didn't take it with me.

Now she hasn't replied, but she's read my message.

[JenniferAlisonPhilippaSue]

Ockhams razor would point to her (or her partner) having stolen it. Small possibility she maybe outsourced the cat feeding to a third party? Or that they borrowed it without asking and forgot to put it back?

[Landof]

Are you sure you didn't put it away somewhere and forgot? I'm honestly always doing stuff like that. Especially if I'm going away and don't want things on show.

[Freecuthbert]

@saraclara

Maybe it was a precious antique spoon holder

[GreenTeaPingPong]

@Flickflak

Wow I can’t believe you accused her on text! You can say goodbye to any further help.

Where did you read that she accused her in the text? Read the OP, it says
Thinking they might have moved it for whatever reason (fine) I text her to ask.

[saraclara]

@nalabae

I work as a cleaner and a client once asked if I had seen this little spoon holder she had as she has two, I messaged her where I put the other one. I didn’t once think or say “she better not accuse me of stealing” that’s not a normal reaction if you have not done something wrong.
I would be suspicious but don’t argue with her

Bit of a difference between a spoon holder and a laptop. Who's going to steal a spoon holder?

[Longdistance]

Are you sure you didn’t put it somewhere ‘safe’ and now you can’t find it? I’ve done that before

[nalabae]

I work as a cleaner and a client once asked if I had seen this little spoon holder she had as she has two, I messaged her where I put the other one. I didn’t once think or say “she better not accuse me of stealing” that’s not a normal reaction if you have not done something wrong.
I would be suspicious but don’t argue with her

[LondonQueen]

Are you sure you haven't hidden it away, DH does that when we go away, even for the weekend!

[saraclara]

It seems to me very unlikely they would have taken it as it would be so obvious.

Exactly. As the only person with access to the house, it would be insane for her to steal your laptop.

I'd apologise profusely for giving the wrong impression and say that you thought she might have moved it to put it out of sight, for security.

[Luredbyapomegranate]

I think it’s really unlikely it’s them. Text is a very blunt communication tool - it would have been better to ring and ask if she moved it. Ring her tomorrow and apologise if it came across the wrong way.

Either she or you left a door open and someone’s nipped in, or - more likely - you put it somewhere safe. It would be unusual just to leave a laptop on a table when you went away.

[Doyoumind]

I'm also guessing you moved it and have forgotten.

[Freecuthbert]

Wait I think I misread the post, perhaps OP didn't say what I thought she said in the text! Sorry

[Freecuthbert]

@StoneofDestiny

Her reply was very strange for a neighbour you get on well with.

I don't think it was strange though. The text comes across to me as an accusation and that's how I'd take it as well tbh, idk how I could even reply to it but I wouldn't be happy especially after going out my way with such a big favour to OP and turning down payment for it. It's because the OP wrote in the text she is 100% certain the laptop was where she left it. That would get my back up a bit because even if she had put it somewhere else she's basically refusing to consider that possibility, and with the text being pointed at the neighbour, what else is she trying to insinuate? If the laptop was 100% on the table, it couldn't have moved itself, in other words it was stolen.

[MythicalBiologicalFennel]

[OnaBegonia]

What exactly did your text say?
Hi, did you move my laptop? or have you took it?
All depends on how it was said.

[Unsure33]

I don’t think there is anyway she would steal it . So I would apologise and say that You may have moved it but can’t remember where so wondered if she had seen it ?

[StoneofDestiny]

Her reply was very strange for a neighbour you get on well with.

[IncompleteSenten]

If it really is gone, maybe she got someone else to help her out one day and they took it.

[LoveFall]

It seems to me very unlikely they would have taken it as it would be so obvious.

Something similar happened to me. We went away for three weeks and I did not take my engagement ring. I took it off and put it inside a sock in my sock drawer.

When I came back I did not remember putting it there, and searched all the other places I had hidden things.

I was convinced it had been stolen. I claimed on insurance and everything.

Just before I got my new ring I moved something in my sock drawer and it jingled.

Yup. My ring and another piece of jewelry in the sock.

I cancelled the insurance claim. I think they thought I was crazy.

No, I didn't have dementia.

I'll bet OP you put it somewhere safe.

[BigYellowHat]

I bet you’ve hidden it away. I once convinced myself that I’d dropped my wedding rings behind the radiator and they were trapped. DH was going to remove it but then spotted them on the dresser

[Skilovingmama]

watching with interest...

[EskSmith]

Sounds intriguing, do you live with anyone else that could have moved it, my dh would do this if we were going to be away..
Did you manage to look on Microsoft tracking, that's a great tip.

[Freecuthbert]

The Microsoft account tracking sounds like a good idea, but does your laptop need to be turned on for it to work? Or will it show where it last was while turned on?

[Theimpossiblegirl]

You're probably going to find it tucked away somewhere tbh.