WWYD (dull)

Did she say why she didn't want him to do it? Doesn't she like him having money or just not trust him to do it right? If he is an only child I'd buy her wine and some sweets or something for him on the assumption he has probably given her a hand.

Well I'm not sure how limitless your vocabularly is, but I would say something ot the effect of;

Bonjour neighbour, as we would normally pay muchos euro for a cattery we really would prefer to go away feeling as though we were paying our way. Could I please give you E50 to put in your son's bank account in return for doing this for us?

Could you explain to her that you'd offered her son money and that you'd feel bad for not keeping the agreement with him. He's probably thrilled with the prospect of some cash and also the fact you think he's responsible. Explain that you'd be happy for him to do it (chances are she'll do it sometimes or at least supervise him) that way if she doesn't think he deserves that amount of money they can sort it out amongst themselves.

That said it could end up like my brother's Sunday morning paper-round when he was young, the reality was my father would do it for him and my brother got the money - my brother spoilt?! Surely not! <grumble grumble>

As you ran it past his mum first and she suggested the alternative I'm assuming that the boy will never know he's 50 Euros out of pocket?

In that case, as you've suggested I'd just buy the mum a bottle of wine and the boy some sweets/massive holiday toblerone.. I reckon that's more than enough, and you can offer to water her hanging baskets or feed her rabbit next time she's away!

If, however, the boy DOES know his mum's done him out of some cash then I reckon giving her a bottle of wine and 20 Euros would be more than sufficient.

If i have read it right, the boy has not been offered anything yet?

Then go with the mother's offer, she is being neighbourly and friendly! I wouldn't argue it TBH.

My nieghbour and i feed each others cats when we are away, wine and local sweets from the holiday are usual payment.

have a great holiday

PS - 50 euros - you are a VERY generous neighbour, I'd love to have you living next door to me!!!

I d buy her half a case of wine, to the value of 50 euro. i wouldnt bother about him.

50 euro is cheaper than a cattery

OK, thanks all. Perhaps I am over-thinking it. I don't think he knows about the €50- not unless she has told him.

In that case definitely just go with the wine as a thank you for being neighbourly.

I bet it is - it's still very generous pocket money though!