I've got myself in a pickle for telling a lie

[mumspiration1997]

Ahh I've really got myself into a pickle.

A family member asked me the week before Christmas would I drop a gift into someone.

It would have taken me an hour and I genuinely was putting it off until I had time I even thought ill pop it in after Xmas (the recipient was on holidays so did not see the immediate rush)

I was transferred the £40 to buy the gift.

However when my family member asked me did I sent it in I said yes I did (and as I said fully intended to before the recipient returned home) and now someone (another family member) has checked for it while checking on the house and its not obviously there . I already said I dropped it off otherwise I could say ah it's still in my car.

Now they have just text saying.

"Hi tried to contact you. Either the gift wasn't there or it has been stolen I'd like to investigate this further. I'm down £40"

I'm so embarrassed! I didn't steal the money. Should I just say "I don't know what's happened I'm transferring you the money back" or fabricate some story about "Oh the neighbours cat took it"

I am NOT saying I didn't leave it in at this stage, I feel belittled enough.

Help!!!! I'll never fib again...but I'll also never take on anyone else's chores again!!!!!

Buy the gift drop it round apologise.

Thank you. Apologise to my family member or the recipient? How can I do this without them finding out I didn't originally do it.

Buy the gift, take it round and put it behind the sofa / in a bedroom and say you left it out of sight in case of burglars.

Oooh I like this idea.

But the gift and take it round, apologise to everyone “I thought I dropped it off, but actually gave it to Susan by mistake “ or something along those lines

Could you not say that because the person is away you didn't want to leave an expensive gift out until they had returned? Say you misunderstood what they were asking in terms of have you done it.

Edited to say the suggestion above is better

Say you’d meant to drop it roubd but it’s in your car. Drop it round asap.

Don't tell more lies. Drop the gift round ASAP. Tell the truth - you intended to buy and drop the gift but hadn't got round to it, but you didn't want the giver to think you'd forgotten so you said it was done - it's with them now, you're sorry you unintentionally caused them to worry as that was what you'd been trying to avoid.

Buy it.

Message her back saying you totally forgot to drop it round. Which is true. But you had intended to before they returned. Which is true. And apologise for any unnecessary confusion or upset and for misleading. You just didn't want to make them feel let down.. but it's backfired and you are sorry!

All true.

Stop lying! Just do it pronto then say "sorry, it's there now".

You do need to text back straight away if you want any chance of them believing you were genuine in intending to drop it off. Either tell them you misunderstood/ apologise and say you'll sort it immediately, or text back and say don't worry it's in a safe place and the recipient will find it when they get back (buy yourself some time - how quickly can you get it and drop it off??)

You need to sort this ASAP. Drop it round, put it somewhere a bit hidden and send a pic and say - look it’s here.

Buy it and admit you had it the car ready to drop round on their return.

Just say you thought you'd taken it but when you checked the car boot it was there hidden under a bag. You're so sorry. It was a busy time. Can't believe I forgot about it and thought I'd delivered it.

I'd go with this one. Because it's something I'd genuinely do so would get away with it

You're bothered you lied and you think telling more lies is the right thing to do? So not feeling that bad then if you're prepared for the same feeling. Bonkers.

How big of an item is it? Something that might get lost or not easily spotted?

Buy the gift, take it round, say you're very sorry, you meant to drop it round but obviously didn't actually do it, and just found it the car/pocket/whatever.

I could so easily do this. This is the one.

Me too. All the time.

Say you had second thoughts about leaving it out after messaging them to say you’d done it, so went round to pick it up again in case it got stolen. You’re going to drop it back before they return from hols. Then buy it asap and keep it in your car!!!

Did you even buy it? Do you have it!
Take a photo of it right now, and message them to say that you’ve got it. You were dropping it round the day they checked in, but time got away from you and you’ve just planned to take it round shortly before they get home.

When were you actually planning to do it? They’ve been on holiday for at least a month, they must be coming back soon.

Build a robot that looks like you and order it to deal with the situation. It might be expensive though.

As long as they don't have a ring doorbell 😁

I would share the link to this Mumsnet post with a message saying 'Sorry. What should I do? x'