Sally writes:
We first met Tristan and his family in the Prince Noir, a restaurant in Monflanquin. We had not long bought our house in France and we went to dinner with our young son Alexander.
Sitting at a table, deciding what we were going to eat, Alexander decided to go to the loo. Passing a table, a man's voice shouted, "Tristan, sit down!" Alexander looked startled, so I got up and explained that this was my son, not his!
After we had finished eating, we joined the Albrecht tableland were introduced to David, Lucy, Alicia, Tristan, Olivia and Tabatha. The kids were laughing and as kids do become quick friends, as did the parents.
Tristan decided that he wanted to do a sleepover at our house, and Alexander was in full agreement.
All went swimmingly well until it didn't. After a fun afternoon, the boys and I snuggled in the sofa to watch a film, then to bed.
Tristan had other ideas - he wanted to go home, so his father came to collect him, but then Tristan changed his mind and wanted to stay. So, Dad went home empty-handed!
Each time we went to France we socialised a lot with Tristan and his family. All in and out of each others' houses. Every summer Alexander and I would drive down with Sam and George, (his friends from school), and they too became friends with Tristan and his sisters.
A lot of mischief was had, and when they were in their teens, one time they all got drunk at a village festival when David was in hospital and Lucy travelling with work - but happily no harm came of that particular incident, other than some very sore heads!
We used to go to Parc en Ceil and have such fun there, climbing the trees and defending the hillside on a long zip wire. Tristan was always a cheerful and happy boy.