Yes, I let a client out at the exact moment my neighbours came out of their flat. Luckily, I have a policy of saying goodbye away from my door as we walk down the hall and then I hold my fingers to my lips as I open the door while hiding behind the door. So they didn't see anything except a man walking out of my flat - I wasn't visible and he wasn't heard speaking to anyone.

I try to keep them as quiet as possible coming and going. If they see the very occasional person, it shouldn't add up to anything in their mind.

The bigger the building, and the more flats on each landing, the less such things are noticed. I also make a point of avoiding interacting with my neighbours. In real life, I'm likely to be friendly and neighbourly. I avoid talking and eye contact altogether.

I am also prepared to move flats at the end of my lease if I think such instances have occurred too often. However, while that could get me a clean slate in a new building, I may end up next to someone who is home all day and thinks they're the Neighbourhood Watch.

I think you are lucky if it has only happened once.  I have 3 sets of neighbours and some of them don't work and I know they have seen clients but when I see them they chat to me so I don't think they suspect. I don't think it would cross their minds as I'm quite goody goody to them and I don't see 4 or 5 a day.

One of them used to smoke a lot outside his house and some clients thought he was my partner which I hated. (On the other hand was a good form of security! I should offer him a job)! He has now told me he is on patches and I was so pleased, not so much for him but for me as he doesn't stand outside anymore.

They are lucky to have me as a neighbour as I'm quiet, more so than them so I don't think they would want to rock the boat. I think you will be ok as long as there are no disturbances and if it doesn't happen often.