Chris, you and I met when we both started at Eric Robinson Solicitors in Hythe in 2003, with me as your  legal assistant.  Initially we were very wary of each other, recognising a fellow misfit!  Very quickly though, I (and our new colleagues) realised that you had a quirky sense of humour which endeared you to all of us.  You astonished me with your will writing skills, and knowledge of the shares market  and apparently where everything was on your very untidy desk....the only time you were cross with me was when I tidied it up when you went downstairs to collect some clients.

We discovered quite a few things we had in common - a keen interest in astrology, animals especially cats, sisters living in Canada having exact same birthdays (Taureans) and of course, we found it hilarious that you and Val had the same names as my husband and I - Christmas and birthday cards were signed to "Christopher and Valentin,  from Christopher and Valentina"!!

It was fantastic to see you and Val so devoted to each other - I remember the day in the office when you  showed a photo of Val to us -you were so proud!

We continued to meet up after we left the company - lunches in Southampton were very enjoyable catching up on gossip as to who did what to whom and the latest reality TV shows, the more outrageous the better!  If we couldn't meet up, we'd have long chats on the phone, which I shall miss very much.  You always asked about my family - my girls were very fond of you, and I am so happy that you and Val met up with Einnee, and checked out her new boyfriend Aaron, when they were in the UK in 2018.

A mutual friend said that you were the most gentle of men, and a senior partner of Eric Robinson, David Lawrence, had this to say of you, and I'm sure he would not mind me repeating it here - "Chris was one of life's characters and I remember his mischievous streak very well.  We had some laughs!" - which just sums up how I will remember you, dearest Chris, and I'm smiling amidst the tears.