AIBU to think my friend is being weird about a book she says I borrowed

[Pettyargument]

A few weeks ago I caught up with my friend ‘Ruth’ we’ve known each other for more than 30 years. We were talking about books and she said I’ll never lend you a book again as years ago you borrowed a book from me and you never gave it back (as in more than 10 years ago). She said she couldn’t remember the name of the book but it still annoyed her and she’s never forgotten about it. Obviously as she couldn’t remember the name of the book I had no recollection of this but it could well have been possible so I said if it is true then I’m sorry. She just said well it’s definitely true.

So today she messages me and says she’s remembers the name of the book and if I have it can I give it back. It doesn’t look remotely familiar or like the kind of book I’d want to read. I replied and said sorry it doesn’t look at all familiar and I’ve definitely never read it. She’s just replied and said well you definitely took it but oh well. I’ve not relied because what is there to say to that?

I know it’s not a major in the scheme of things and as my name says it’s a petty argument but

Am I not being unreasonable to think it’s just a bit weird and overly intense for a book potentially borrowed years and years ago?

or

I am being unreasonable and it’s understandable she’s annoyed and I should maybe apologise properly or even offer to replace the book. I mean as I said to her initially it’s not outside of the realms of possibility that I borrowed a book and didn’t give it back.

I lent a book to my workplace bully as she said it looked interesting. She never returned it. In retrospect I realised she was making fun of the book and I thought her comments were genuine (I’m autistic). Once I realised I was mortified, but also so annoyed I lent her the book as it was a good one. Unrelated but funny how so many of us have a story of unreturned books! Books really do make an impact.

For your situation, I reckon she lent it to someone else and is mixing you up, but I’d personally buy her a new copy and do a sweet note

Tell her to F off. The books so important she’s harbouring feelings over a decade. Then you address it offering to buy a new one and now it’s no important. I bet she’s realised it wasn’t you and that’s why she’s changed. Not a nice girl .