Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think my neighbour stole my laptop?

568 replies

StarWa · 15/01/2022 19:35

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.

OP posts:
grapewine · 16/01/2022 13:04

@StoneofDestiny

Her reply was very strange for a neighbour you get on well with.
That's what I thought. I hope you find it, OP.
ConstanceL · 16/01/2022 13:09

When I go away I hide my laptop in random places, are you sure you didn't do that?

chaosrabbitland · 16/01/2022 13:10

@Theimpossiblegirl

No good deed goes unpunished is a song in Wicked. Just because Jesus didn't say it, it's still a saying.

Also wondering when the OP it's going to come back and admit that she found her laptop hidden somewhere...

starting to think we might be waiting in vain for an answer
WonderfulYou · 16/01/2022 13:12

Also wondering when the OP it's going to come back and admit that she found her laptop hidden somewhere...

I think that’s the reason they haven’t been back.

backtolifebacktoreality · 16/01/2022 13:12

Could she have brought a friend in with her and, without your neighbour knowing, the friend has taken it?

Happyher · 16/01/2022 13:21

If you can apologise and tell her you only meant ‘had she moved it’ you could ask her if she saw the laptop where you think you left it. If that was somewhere you expect her access she may have noticed whether it was there or not

5thHelena · 16/01/2022 13:23

@SchadenfreudePersonified

NO good dead goes unpunished

That's not what Jesus said.

No but it's what Oscar Wilde said and basically anyone else when referring to doing something nice and having it thrown back in your face Hmm
MayThePawsBeWithYou · 16/01/2022 13:32

Its no good deed, not dead and yes it was Oscar Wilde.

beinglikedisoverrated · 16/01/2022 13:35

@MayThePawsBeWithYou

Its no good deed, not dead and yes it was Oscar Wilde.
And here I am with the song from Wicked in my head
GracielaSabrocita · 16/01/2022 13:40

Many years ago I shared a flat with 2 friends, one of whom had goldfish. We all went away for Xmas so one of my flatmates got her best friend to feed the fish. On returning I discovered that something valuable and irreplaceable was missing. Some months later I discovered that my flatmate's best friend's bf had accompanied his gf to feed the fish and had stolen the item in question. Fortunately I got it back.

SailingNotSurfing · 16/01/2022 13:48

I'm thinking of visitors to the neighbours, spotting your key and taking the opportunity to nick your laptop, knowing full well the neighbours will get the blame. Or friends of the neighbours' children perhaps?

CambsAlways · 16/01/2022 13:50

I hope the op comes back and let’s us know where she found it if she did of course

user2908143823142536475859708 · 16/01/2022 13:50

Did you find your laptop @StarWa

Warpedfrailty · 16/01/2022 13:58

Oh great, op is a 'plopper'

Juletide · 16/01/2022 14:01

OP will return.
OP will return.
OP will return.
OP will return.
OP will return.
The power of positive thought.

VickyEadieofThigh · 16/01/2022 14:24

Just checking in to add that I have hidden precious items 'somewhere safe' on many occasions and then entirely forgotten that I'd done it (or where I'd hidden them).

HelloFrostyMorning · 16/01/2022 14:42

@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 you put it somewhere safe.

This. ^

Chances are high @StarWa that you - or someone in your household/someone who's visited has moved it/put it away... in a drawer, on a shelf, under a cupboard or bed etc.

As pps have said, it's extremely unlikely that this neighbour has stolen it! She would be the most obvious 'suspect' as she had your key!

One time (some 10 years ago,) a work colleague (Carol) gave me her debit card, and asked me to get £50 out for her on my lunchbreak when I walked into town. She said '9293 is the pin.' I was not keen, but did so anyway.

About a month later, on a Monday morning, another colleague (Lyn) took me aside, and said 'I have to tell you this Frosty; Carol's had £60 taken from her account, from the Barclays at Gann Street. It was lunchtime the day before yesterday whilst she and you and all of us were here at work. She says only you know the PIN. Not even her bloke knows it. So it must be you. She is thinking of ringing the police.'

I was gobsmacked and actually really upset and angry. I said 'I ain't bloody had it.' She said 'well she's left early today, but is in tomorrow, you need to mention it to her.' I told our manager and said 'she's threatening to ring the police (101.) So to hell with it, I will ring them.. She seems keen to blame ME for the theft, let them deal with it.' The manager said 'yes OK! Let's do it.'

The police came the next morning, and called her from her desk to give a statement. She went really red and looked uncomfortable. Accuse someone of theft? Deal with the police. It's a police matter IMO.

Long story short, the police said they are going to obtain the cctv footage from the time of the withdrawal as the ATM has a built-in camera. Suddenly she remembered she had withdrawn the money on the Saturday morning when she was in town, to buy some electric for her key, and some wine, and had 'forgotten' about it.

I don't know whether she genuinely forgot, or if it was some attention seeking drama shit, or an attempt to ostracize me, or what, but I was livid, and couldn't be arsed to speak to her again. She never even said sorry! A few people turned against her after that, and only spoke to her if they had to. She left about 7 months later.

SO, think very carefully before you accuse people!

Suzi888 · 16/01/2022 14:44

Well? Grin

HelloFrostyMorning · 16/01/2022 15:04

@Warpedfrailty

Oh great, op is a 'plopper'
What's that?
Needrichangemynameagain · 16/01/2022 15:07

.

JugglingJanuary · 16/01/2022 15:14

No poster history, I think we may have all been wound up!

northbacchus · 16/01/2022 15:21

Was the laptop password protected?

More than just the physical laptop is missing if you have passwords to accounts and card details stored on the laptop.

HelloFrostyMorning · 16/01/2022 15:22

@JugglingJanuary

No poster history, I think we may have all been wound up!
Sad I spent ages on my post (about the colleague accusing me of stealing) too! walks off sulking.... Hmm
Juletide · 16/01/2022 15:28

HelloFrostyMorning I really liked your post, best thing on here.

NotSorry · 16/01/2022 15:29

@HelloFrostyMorning

Don’t be fed up - that was a really good post and well done you for calling out “Carol”

Swipe left for the next trending thread