what to do? Have messed up and not sure how to proceed.

[ratherashamed]

This is really very crap of me thus the namechange. When my youngest child was born 3 years ago an acquaintance lent me a cot. She was done with having babies and it was just in her loft. I've since lost touch with her and still have this cot sitting in my shed.

I know roughly were she used to live but she might have moved now? And anyway, I'm far too embarrassed to suddenly turn up at her house (and this is on the off-chance of me finding her house!). What do I do?!

If she was done with having babies, she probably won't want it back. If she really wanted it, she would have asked you for it. I wouldn't worry about it.

Pass it on to someone who needs it, and tell her what you've done if you ever see her again.

As it was intended as a loan you should probably try and get it back to her, even if she isn't likely to need it again.

Would you like to be back in touch with her again? If so, you could use the cot as an excuse for getting back into contact again, and take it from there. Check the phone book for her address, or try the electoral roll at your library.

I really wouldn't worry. My sis is done with having kids and realised the other day she gave her baby walker to someone who she no longer sees. She didn't think it was a problem at all. Am sure most people would not be holding a grudge. After all, she would have known you would need it for at least a couple of years.

I would only feel bad if this acquaintance had tried to get in contact with you and you hadn't returned calls etc.

You are far too nice !!!

ok, thanks folks. This cot has left me feeling guilty for over a year!
Shall pass it on to someone else.

Why would you be too embarrassed to call at the house?
That is what I would do first, just to make sure she didn't want it for a relative or to e bay it or something.

You'll feel even more guilty if you give it away and then she turns up wanting it back!

I really think you should at least try to find her before you pass it on to someone else.

When we moved to France someone lent us a cot for ds. We didn't keep in touch with them but when we moved back we made sure that we re-established contact to return the cot. I feel it would have been rude just to presume she wouldn't want it again. She might know someone herself who could need it.

In any case I would ask. It is hers after all and if she really didn't want it back she would have given it to you, but she didn't, it was just a loan and I think you have a responsibility to return it.

You never know, you might become friends again!