Dear Bertie, you became my dad when I was about 6 or 7... though when you asked me how I'd feel about calling you 'Dad', just before you & mum were going to be married I think, I said quite determinedly that I wouldn't like it & that you were just 'my Bertie'. I hope that didn't hurt your feelings then, as I adored you & was so happy to call you my dad to others outside the family, but you were always Bertie to me! We spoke recently about when you first came into our lives & I'm so glad that I had the chance to thank you, especially for sharing mum's life and giving her so much xx