The Neighbour Has Decided She Can Ask for Anything! Now All That’s Left Is for Her to Move In with Me.

Dear Diary,

Its been a trying few weeks, and I feel the need to get my thoughts down on paper. My little boy, Oliver, has become fast friends with the boy next door, Jamie, whos a couple of years older. I occasionally meet their mother, Mrs. Thompson, but I wouldnt call her a friend.

Our families started to interact more because of the children. Wed meet while out for walks in Hyde Park, and she would hand me clothes that were too small for Jamienothing Oliver could wear. I always returned them and, as a small token of thanks, Id bring over a few cartons of orange juice or some biscuits for Jamie. Eventually I decided to stop accepting any of her gifts; it seemed easier to buy everything myself rather than feel obliged.

What began as polite, quiet strolls has turned into something rather odd. Mrs. Thompson now asks me for things on a regular basis. What started as a simple request for a cup of tea has become a daily demand: Give me a cuppa! If someone enjoys tea, they should brew it themselves instead of begging for it every morning. She drops by our flat even though Ive never invited her over. Whenever she sees Olivers toys she gets all excited, taking a few things home to play with. It feels as if she wants to have everything. She has already taken quite a few items from us.

She never invites herself in, always saying her mother is unwell, even though her mother lives in a separate bedroom. Yet she doesnt hesitate to ask for medication when Jamie has a cold, requesting items that any decent home firstaid kit would contain. Sometimes she even asks for things for herself. I cant fathom how anyone can live like that. A simple painkiller should be on hand for any mum. She hands over almost empty packets and bottles, even those bought for my baby, which I cant use any longer.

And thats not all. She frequently asks whether we have any food left for Jamie. I never ask heror any of the other neighbourswhat they need. I cook for my little one and thats it. She regularly uses our shopping trolley without ever asking permission, always wanting things she doesnt have, and theres always something missing from her cupboard.

One day her sheer cheek left me speechless. My whole family was ill and I got a call from Mrs. Thompson saying shed pop over for a cuppa, but shed be looking after Jamie. I love children, but Im fed up with other peoples kids wandering into our home as if it were a shop, rummaging through Olivers stuff and picking out what they want to play with. I told her we were all sick and that we could easily pass the bug on. I should have said we werent inviting anyone over.

Her visits never come with a polite May I come in? She just shows up unannounced and demands, Give me that. It doesnt matter whether Im busy or whether I feel like helping; its as if shes taken possession of my personal space.

I havent called her in ages, nor have I invited her on a walk. Yet she keeps ringing my number. One of my mates says I have only two options: keep putting up with her audacity or cut her off completely. I dont want to argue with her; the children are friends and we live right next to each other. Soon well be sharing school runs. Ive never been good at confronting people, and Im not sure how to handle this.

EmmaI decided that tomorrow I would politely tell Mrs. Thompson that our door is closed to uninvited visits and that I expect her to respect our boundaries.