To be honest in this situation

[NoRoomForALittleOne]

We moved areas (nearly 100 miles away) two years ago. We’ve only been back to visit friends a couple of times but have kept in contact with close friends. Out of the blue, I’ve had a message on FB from a mother of a child who was in class with DS. She says that her child really misses DS and does he feel the same? It’s the first I’ve heard from her in two years and we’ve not seen her since moving. DS was not close to her child and can’t remember the child that well now. DS is 8 so it was a quarter of his lifetime ago.

AIBU to be honest and say that he doesn’t miss the child? I don’t want to be unkind but I don’t want to be drawn in to a false relationship.

You don't need to be drawn into a false relationship but you can say something like:

"Yes he does miss his old friends and it was a struggle at first, but thankfully he has settled into his new friendship group. How lovely of you to ask after him. Hope your little one is doing you proud. We were sad to leave such a nice school behind, but it was necessary. Take care."

Be honest. I had similar, dd's old nursery friend moved abroad and the mother asked if they could stay in contact as pen friends, I thought they were a bit young but said fine, I think they wrote to each other twice and dd got not reply, no problem as she was so young she didn't even notice to be honest, I only agreed because I understood the mother trying to maintain a link to home. Anyway about a year later i got a text saying how she was sorry and could they write again as her dd missed mine and I was really nice but honest and said something like "Honestly so much time has passed I think its best left bla bla, good luck etc etc". I would reply " Hi Mary, that's really sweet to hear, honestly though no ds has settled in well here and hasn't mentioned x, I think maybe as they weren't close before. I'll tell him you asked after him though. Have a lovely summer" no questions and a final sort of ending if you have no interest

Definitely be honest, no good can come of pretending. Just be gentle with it. "DS has actually settled well here and I'm afraid doesn't miss his old friends as it feels so long ago for him"... or something like that

I think Summer message is lovely. To the point without directly being unkind. I would go with that.

Did you move to a nice holiday location by any chance?

Did you move somewhere nice and is she angling for an invitation to visit/stay?

I am far too cynical.

I think @EileenAlanna and @MyOpinionIsValid are asking very pertinent questions!

Hmmm, I hadn’t thought about that. We’re not in a traditionally tourist-y area but there is one major tourist attraction that is on over the summer...

I think she's hinting at a free holiday to be honest. Might sound sceptical but I have had people do this to me before.

That does make sense, doesn't it!

Ah yes, would be perfect timing for a holiday request.