Time had quickly crept up on Albert Square and finally the winter sun introduced Abi's final day in Walford before she went to New Zealand. Whether Abi was going to return to Walford, she did not know. But what the young Branning did know while she was jogging around Walford was that she was hoping that she would put everything behind her and that she would be a new self, who would have completely scribbled out in black marker her relationship with Ben and most of all, her feelings for Jay would just be a memory because that's what she was intending to happen. Abi and Jay hadn't even spoken since Jordan assaulted her- she'd been ignoring his calls and not been replying to his texts.
She needed to put everything that she had experienced in Walford behind her. That included the family life she once had in number 5 with her mum, dad, Lauren and Oscar which got shattered multiple times due to her father's deceptive ways, her mum's cancer, her dad now in prison, her tainted relationship with Ben, her friendship with Lola and lastly, her ever so long lasting relationship with Jay. She was determined to draw a line under it all in order to create a better life for herself.
Abi was turning into the market and running through it when she noticed Jay in his jogging gear assisting a young girl who was round about her age who had spilt coffee down her. The girl had long dark brunette hair and tanned skin and was wearing blue denim jeans, a light brown leather jacket along with matching ankle boots. Abi watched as Jay put a comforting hand on her arm before leading her into the café. He didn't even notice her. Abi swallowed salvia as she had to watch Jay lead another girl into a café. Could she be replacing her sometime soon? Does Jay like this girl and has forgotten about her before she had even got on the plane? Abi shook her head to remove those thoughts from her head. She shouldn't be thinking like that. After all, this is what she wanted, for them both to move on and this is possibly what Jay was doing and that this is Jay's way of moving on.
Abi let out a sigh. She wouldn't admit it but she did feel her stomach knot with jealously but she knew that it was for the best. She slowly turned away from the empty scene and carried on jogging down the market. She had some packing to do anyway.
"I'm really sorry about the coffee," Jay apologised as he put a cup of coffee in front of the girl and sat opposite her in the café. He had ordered a chilled bottle of water for himself.
"Don't worry about it," the girl insisted. She smirked slightly, "I caught you off guard."
Jay smiled, "I didn't quite catch your name?"
"It's Linzi," Linzi smiled, "Yours?"
"Jay," Jay grinned. "I haven't seen you around here before?"
"Oh my mum has acquaintances in the Queen Vic pub," Linzi rolled her eyes. "It's just a flying visit really. She wanted to discuss this annual charity event malarkey."
"Oh yeah, what's that?" Jay questioned, sounding interested.
"I really don't know, I never seem to pay attention if I'm honest," Linzi giggled innocently.
Jay chuckled. If only he could drown out the Mitchells then his life would be far more easier! Just at that moment, the door to the café opened and in came a certain blond female who Jay couldn't stand to be in the same place as.
"Oh have you been out jogging?" Lola observed as she looked Jay's body up and down as he sat in his black joggers and a grey t-shirt. Little Lexi was stood beside Lola and holding her hand and was smiling cutely at Jay.
"No I've been swimming," Jay answered sarcastically. Linzi stifled a laugh evidently as she took a sip from her coffee.
Lola turned her head towards Linzi, "Excuse me but what's so funny?" She asked defensively.
"Nothing, nothing," Linzi shook her head as she continued to sip her coffee.
Keeping her eyes hooked on the dark haired girl sitting before her, Lola stared coldly as she turned to Jay. She let out a soft sigh, "Look I'm sorry about what happened with Abi the other night, alright. Can we just talk? Please?"
Jay let out a frustrated and heavy sigh, "Look I have nothing to say to you alright Lo? You haven't been bothering me for the past few days, which has been great, can we just keep it that way? I'm not interested. We are not getting back together. I suggest if you want to be in my life at all in the future as friends then I suggest you just back off!"
Lola looked at Jay heartbroken. For all these years, Jay had meant one hell of a lot to her, even if it was just as friends. Now since she broke up with him to be with Dexter, she knew that it had changed everything. Dexter was a mistake, she realised that as soon as she left Newcastle. Maybe if she just stayed friends with Jay then things would have still been great now, but they couldn't stay friends, considering how she felt for Jay romantically. She loved Jay, she was certain of that.
"Come on Lex, I'll buy you some sweets," Lola spoke sadly as she quickly led Lexi out of the café. Jay rolled his eyes as he took a sip of his water.
"She looked a handful," Linzi commented with a smirk.
Jay sighed, "Tell me about it. I should never have gone there."
"Yeah, well exes can be a nightmare," Linzi observed as she sipped her coffee.
"Yeah..." Jay's voice drifted as he got the image of a certain blonde in his head and it certainly wasn't Lola. It was Abi Branning. Yes, Abi did get on his nerves when they broke up as she got into a relationship with Ben when they both knew that he was gay and then Abi moving in with them was the final straw. Jay knew that Abi was better than that, no matter how much she denied that Ben wasn't gay and she was living in a toxic relationship which was bound to come tumbling to the ground. But Jay was right, no matter how much he loved Abi, he knew that her relationship with Ben was going to end in tears in which it did. What also irritated Jay was that Abi could be just as stubborn as he was, it was clear how Abi felt about Jay but she would not take those feelings further no matter how much Jay tried. But he was aware that the clock was ticking and that he had to act fast before it was too late.
Lola was quickly walking across the market to get to the Minute Mart with Lexi in tow. She wasn't thinking of what she doing. She had made a complete mess of her life. Even though Lexi was too little to understand, she just had to watch her mother be humiliated by the man who the closest thing to being a dad to her. Even though Lexi didn't acknowledge Jay as her daddy, Jay was the only guy that was there for Lola and Lexi, no matter what, he would always make time for them and that was what Lola loved about Jay. But it was all gone now.
"Ooohh, sorry!" Lola chorused in surprise with a male voice as she bashed into someone on her travels.
Lola looked up to find Jordan Johnson looking down at her with a little boy gripping onto his hand.
"Oh, it's you," Lola said bluntly.
"You don't even know me? Not really, you only saw me," Jordan narrowed his eyebrows.
"You're Abi's bit on the side," Lola smiled bitterly as she tried to walk past Jordan but he touched her shoulder firmly.
"Me and Abi are just friends, love," Jordan reassured. He looked Lola up and down with a slight grin dancing upon his lips. "Besides, why would I want a burger when I saw a steak that night?"
Lola laughed, "Yeah, if you're trying to flatter me, you may want to rephrase that."
"Yeah sorry, I didn't mean for it to come out like that," Jordan scratched his neck awkwardly. "I mean that you are a very attractive woman and you really stood out the other night in the Vic and I'm honoured that I got the chance to bump into you."
Lola giggled awkwardly at Jordan's cringiness before she looked down and noticed the little boy with Jordan showing Lexi his toy dinosaur. Lola smiled at the little children's interaction.
"Is that your son?" Lola observed as she nodded towards the young boy.
"Yeah," Jordan chuckled as he ruffled his son's afro black hair. "His name's JJ." Jordan looked at Lexi and gave a small smile, "Is that your daughter?"
"Yeah she's mine," Lola smiled. "This is Lexi."
"She's beautiful just like her mother," Jordan commented cheekily. "How about we go out for a drink sometime?"
"Well how about if I bump into you again, I'll give you your answer?" Lola suggested flirtatiously. "I best be off." With that, Lola made her way into the entrance of the Minute Mart.
"I didn't catch your name?!" Jordan called out.
Lola's head turned as she flashed him a smile, "If we bump into each other again, you'll learn that!"
Jordan watched as Lola vanished into the shop and smiled to himself before walking out of sight.
"I can't believe how big he's got!" Abi squealed excitedly as she was on Skype to Lauren with baby Louie on her lap.
"Yeah he's a handful though," Lauren laughed as Louie's head was rested on her arm. Louie couldn't sit up quite yet, he was only just over two months old. "He never wants to miss a thing!"
"So how are you and Peter?" Abi asked.
"Yeah, we're good," Lauren smiled widely. "We have some news for you when you get here."
"You're not pregnant again are you?!" Abi asked, suddenly alarmed.
"God no!" Lauren shrieked, "It's going to be a good while yet until I have a second child, I'm just getting my bearings with Louie."
"Yeah but you're doing great!" Abi complimented.
Lauren smiled at Abi's comment before changing the subject, "Anyway how have things being Walford? What's going on with you and Ben? He's not bothering you is he?"
"Only once," Abi rolled her eyes. "But I shrugged him off."
Lauren raised her eyebrow as she noticed Abi looked away with a thoughtful expression drawn onto her face, "I know that look. Is there something else you're not telling me?"
"It's nothing," Abi quickly shook her head to try and shake her thoughts away.
"Abs..." Lauren said warily.
Abi sighed, "It's Jay."
Lauren's eyes widened when she noticed Abi's troublesome expression, the troublesome expression that conveyed boy trouble. "Oh Abi please tell me it's not true what I'm thinking. You and Jay are history. You've been finished for like over a year!"
"I know," Abi argued. "It's a long story."
"Care to explain?" Lauren raised her eyebrow.
"When me and Ben broke up, Jay and I...we slept together," Abi gulped, knowing she was going to get a lecture from Lauren.
"Revenge sex with Jay!" Lauren exclaimed, "Oh Abi...why did you go back there after everything he's put you through?"
"It wasn't revenge sex, it just happened," Abi said timidly.
"It just happened?" Lauren looked on suspiciously through the laptop. "Come on, tell me, what happened after that?"
"Well Jay wants me back, saying he's in love with me," Abi sighed.
"God no!" Lauren sighed in exasperation, "Abi please listen to me when I tell you this, don't go back there with Jay, please."
"I'm not," Abi stated adamantly. "I don't want to go back there again, he hurt me too much, and I've told him this. It's for the best."
"Well good for you!" Lauren smiled, "And you're right, it is for the best."
"The sooner I'm in New Zealand the better!" Abi decided.
Lauren smiled, "It'll be fun. What time are you getting here?"
"I'll be coming in 9 'o' clock Sunday afternoon your time."
"Okay, well Peter will be coming to pick you up," Lauren reassured. "Anyway, I better be getting Louie to bed. It's 9 'o' clock at night over here!"
Abi giggled, "Okay, well I'll see you really soon."
"See you little sis!" Lauren smiled as she ended the call.
"Abi, is that you?!" Dot called from the stairs as she walked into the kitchen.
"In here," Abi replied as she closed her laptop down.
"Would you like a cup of tea?" Dot asked as she put the kettle on.
"Oh please," Abi smiled appreciatively.
Dot sighed sadly, "Oh Abi, it's a shame that you're leaving tomorrow."
"Yeah well it's the next great adventure," Abi smiled. "Plus, I can't stay in Walford forever."
"You're always welcome to stay here," Dot insisted. "You're the only real family that I've got round here."
Abi smiled sadly, "You've got Fatboy."
"Just promise that you and Lauren will come and visit at least once a year," Dot said sincerely. "I wouldn't want to miss you lot growing up, especially little Louie."
"Of course!" Abi smiled, "And you're always welcome to come to New Zealand."
"Oh Abi, I don't think I could sit on those long flights!" Dot exclaimed flamboyantly as she placed two cups of tea on the kitchen table.
"Okay well annual visits to London it is," Abi teased. "Plus, I may be coming back soon. Right now, I just need to get away, to clear my head."
Dot nodded, "Well if you ever decide to come back for good, you know you're always welcome here."
Abi gave a small smile towards Dot. She would be lying if she said that she wouldn't miss Walford because she would in some ways. Walford had been her home for the past ten years and so many good and bad memories were made there. She was about to move on from that, even if it was just for a few months or for good, she was going in the same direction like Lauren and her mother and Oscar, her Uncle Jack, and even her father if she counted prison as moving on. Maybe she would become a better person if she made a fresh start elsewhere.
Ben Mitchell let out a sigh as he sat up the kitchen table in the Mitchell household and was tapping the side of his phone on the table as he was deep in thought. All of a sudden, the back door that was attached to the kitchen swung open and Jay entered in his running gear, panting.
"Alright," Jay greeted as he placed his water bottle down on the table. He took one look at Ben when he received no response and raised his eyebrow. "What's got your wand in a knot?"
"Did you know that Abi's leaving tomorrow?" Ben huffed, avoiding eye contact with Jay.
The penny dropped.
At the back of his mind, Jay was aware of this but was trying not to think about it because deep down it was breaking his heart that his true love was flying away from him tomorrow. He had so little time to fix things. He really couldn't let her go. He couldn't bare a life without his Branningflakes in it.
"Yeah, yeah I did," Jay mumbled.
"I need her you know Jay," Ben stated slowly but calmly. "I need to have her in my life. I have to have her back."
Jay rolled his eyes as he folded his arms across his chest, "Abi's not a toy y'know, you can't force her to do things that she doesn't want to do. Abi does have her own mind!"
Ben glared up at Jay, "Yeah Abi really did have her own mind when she slept with you last week didn't she? If she had her own mind, she wouldn't have laid her hands on you after everything you put her through with Lola. How much you hurt her."
"Yeah well at least I didn't string her along like you have for the past year," Jay growled. "At least I told Abi the truth that I may have been developing feelings for Lola instead of just stringing her along and making out that everything was alright between us. At least I didn't do the dirty on Abi behind her back unlike you! You know what? Abi really is an amazing girl and deserves so much better than this!"
Ben rose from his position in the chair to face Jay. "Like you, you mean?" He scoffed, "Believe it or not Jay, over the year you have had a million chances with Abi but for some reason, you managed to screw things up. This was just one stupid mistake and you know how forgiving Abi can be, it won't ruin what we had. Plus, we were best friends before we started being a couple, Abi wouldn't just throw that away."
Jay huffed angrily and his green pools popped out of his head, "You're gay Ben! Abi saw you with a man, there's no way in hell she would go back to you! You're gay, start accepting it and stop trying to fob everyone else off!"
Jay took a deep breath as he tried to compose himself, "I'm going to get in the shower." He said quickly before dashing off upstairs.
Time was running out and Jay was stuck in the Arches on an afternoon shift. He was working on a car engine but he wasn't really focused. All he could think of was Abi and how he had even less time to claim her heart back. He just had to think of a plan and fast.
He was still extremely annoyed with Ben and his behaviour. Jay knew Abi and he knew that there was no way that Abi would even go near Ben. He would even consider that Ben hurt her more than he did. Ben was going under a false identity for over a year and Abi happened to be the victim. Jay still couldn't understand why Ben would use Abi like that, after all those years of friendship. Jay started to consider that perhaps it was his fault that Abi got into this mess. It wasn't worth breaking up with her just to be with Lola for a week before things broke off. Jay didn't feel the same way as he did with Abi. If he didn't end things between them then they would bound to have still been together. Maybe they would have been living a new life in Bolton. Abi would have been in her second year of university and they most likely would have had their own little home. It wouldn't have been much but it would have been perfect for them.
"Phil."
Jay looked up from his work to find Gary standing in front of Phil who was sitting at his desk, peering over the newspaper.
"Gary," Phil breathed.
Gary gulped, "I've been back in Walford for a few days now and I'm in need of a job. What happened between you and Dawn is in the past now and I'm willing to put it behind me as we all have bound to have moved on from it by now. So, could I please have a job here?"
Phil sighed heavily as he folded his newspaper and placed it on his desk, "That all depends…"
"Depends on what?" Gary frowned.
"Whether you're planning on staying or going back on that little boat of yours," Phil commented.
Gary rolled his eyes, "Dawn and I want to make a go of things in Walford. To be honest, Walford has only ever been the place that I called home."
Phil smiled timidly, "You can start first thing tomorrow."
"Great!" Gary smiled widely, "Thanks Phil."
"Don't mention it," Phil answered. He turned to Jay, "Jay, you can go on a break now."
Jay nodded before he made his way out of the Arches in his overalls with Gary walking beside him.
"So I guess you and me will be working together," Gary grinned.
"Looks like it, yeah," Jay grinned back as they just passed the community centre.
"Hey you two!"
Jay and Gary turned around to find Dawn trying to catch up with them, gripping onto Summer's hand.
"Here are my two favourite girls!" Gary commented cheekily, "How did little miss princess like her first day at kids club?" He asked softly to Summer as he ruffled her hair.
Summer swiped Gary's hand, "I'm not a dog!" Dawn and Jay chuckled at Summer's response. "Mummy said that we can go to the park!" she continued excitedly.
"Did she now?" Gary asked suspiciously, raising his eyebrow playfully.
Dawn smiled at her other half and little girl's connection. Even though it took her a long while, she did love Jase but she was glad that she went for Gary in the end. If Jase was still alive, she would have still been with him but sadly he passed away, but she was glad that she found the path to Gary in the end. Gary really cared and loved both her and Summer. Gary was the only one who has ever been a father to Summer and it makes her heart melt whenever Summer calls him 'daddy'.
"Anyway, how did it go with Phil?" Dawn changed the subject as they continued walking.
"Well I start tomorrow morning," Gary grinned.
"He gave you a job?!" Dawn squealed. "Oh darlin', I'm so happy for you! Y'know I might ask that Linda and Mick behind at the Vic whether I can possibly have a job, I mean I do have experience working in the Vic and plus I have been doing bar work when we've been away." Dawn considered as they turned the corner.
"Yeah sounds good," Gary agreed, "The more money, the better." Gary suddenly noticed an advertisement on the bulletin board outside the Vic. "Oh look, Christmas karaoke tonight! Are you two up for it?"
"Yeah I'm not bothered," Jay replied casually.
"Yeah why not," Dawn smiled. "Gives me the chance to ask for a job don't it?"
Gary leaned closer into Jay, "Yeah and maybe a sweet little tune will get a certain blonde go wild, eh Jay?" He nudged him softly.
Jay rolled his eyes smirking, "Shut up."
"Mummy, can we go to the park now?!" Summer asked desperately, tugging on Dawn's arm.
Dawn rolled her eyes and sighed as she turned to Gary and Jay, "8 coming onto18, see you later boys!"
Jay chuckled as he watched his stepmother and little stepsister start to walk towards the market. He let out a sigh, "It's hard to forget that she's not that little two year old anymore."
Gary smiled, "Yeah, kids these days grow up too fast!" He turned to Jay, "You got time for a coffee?"
"Yeah, why not?" Jay grinned as the two men headed into the café.
Abi was sat crouched up on a bench in the park, wrapped up in her khaki winter coat with the orangey brown fur hood, with a paper cup of coffee warming the palms of her hands. Often, she would occasionally return to the park if she wanted to gather her thoughts. She wouldn't say it was a particularly lonely area either, she would hear the comforting sounds of the birds or parents with their children or just people ordering food and drinks from the cabin behind her, but she knew that no one would disturb her a lot there, well not unless she was found.
The past week had been a rollercoaster but it had given her the gateway to finally do something about her life. She had suffered a terrible breakup with Jay two weeks before getting into a relationship with her gay best friend, she knew it was a wrong move and she knew things weren't going to end well but Abi was determined to make things work. She needed a distraction, she didn't want to be alone because she certainly knew that Jay wasn't. She should have listened to Lauren and her dad. She should have still gone to university and made something of her life, even if it wasn't the right course, it would have helped her to become a vet eventually and plus, it would have helped her move on from Jay and her past life in Walford. But that was it. Bolton and university was the life she was going to have with Jay and she was scared to go into it alone.
Continuing to stay in Walford done her more damage than good. She ended up ruining a friendship between her and Ben which she thought they can never go back to as due to Ben's sexuality, it caused him to cheat on her with another man. However, being fully focused on her relationship with Ben seemed to distract her from Jay starting up a relationship with Lola which was what he had wanted ever since the two of them broke up. But that was over now.
Even if old feelings were developing for Jay again, she was adamant that she was not going to go back there. She couldn't go through that again. She had to leave and Abi therefore felt excited for the future that was possibly waiting for her in New Zealand.
Abi was shaken out of her thoughts when her phone vibrated in her coat pocket. Her hand scrambled through the pocket as she pulled it out.
One New Message- Holly:
Want to meet up with the girls tonight? Give you a proper send off? Love you toots xx
Abi smiled as she clicked to send her reply but got distracted when a familiar blonde haired little girl came running over to catch her pink smiley ball that appeared to be rolling on the floor near Abi.
"Don't go too far, Summer," Dawn instructed, "Stay where I can see you."
"Yes mummy," Summer responded cutely as she started throwing the ball against the oak tree and back towards her.
Abi watched the interaction unfold as she turned towards Dawn and quickly looked away. Dawn looked at the young blonde woman and smiled sadly before deciding to walk over to Abi.
"Do you want another coffee?" Dawn offered, noting how Abi was drinking the hot beverage.
"No I'm alright thank you," Abi said politely, giving her a small smile.
Dawn sighed before swinging her legs over and sitting beside Abi, "I guess I haven't really had the opportunity to ask whether you're okay about the other night, you know with that Jordan situation."
"Oh I'm fine," Abi said hesitantly, "Haven't really thought about it, just steered clear," Abi giggled in which Dawn also giggled at in response.
"I've heard you're going to New Zealand tomorrow," Dawn changed the subject.
"Yeah, can't wait!" Abi said with a fake enthusiasm.
Dawn sighed sadly, "Don't feel you have to go though Abi. I know things have been rough lately, I understand that but they can be sorted, don't feel you have to run away from it all."
"I'm not running away from anything," Abi said, adamantly.
"Well Jay doesn't want you to go," Dawn announced, getting straight to the point.
Abi laughed bitterly as she turned to face Dawn, "Well funny enough, Jay doesn't own me, I can do what I like and plus, it's for the best and Jay knows that. Look, he's probably told you the 'deal' with me and him and I can't go back there."
"As a matter of fact, Jay has told me what went on between you and him," Dawn pointed out. "And yes, I know, men can be idiots at times, they really can and I don't blame you for having trust issues and not wanting to get hurt after everything that happened with that Lola bird."
"Well then, please can you respect my decision?" Abi asked quietly.
"You probably have it easy with Jay y'know," Dawn commented.
Abi frowned, "What's that supposed to mean? Things have never been easy between me and Jay."
Dawn smiled, "I guess you were a bit young but do you remember Rob Minter and the doctor, May Wright?"
Abi took a while to think before she came to realise, "Oh yeah, your brother Mickey was always saying how Rob wasn't good enough for you," Abi giggled.
Dawn nodded, "And he was right and that's what I admire about you, Abi. You have a mind of your own whereas I didn't and I was a bit older than you when I got involved with Rob. I'll admit this to anyone but I really did love Rob and would have moved the sun and stars just to be with that man and have him all to myself, I even carried his child," Dawn sighed, her eyes indicating towards Summer. "Rob was always messing me around and his wife was always involved. Him and May wanted to bring up Summer but I wanted her and for Rob and I to be a family. I was so stupid back then."
"Yeah, didn't Rob and May kidnap you and hold you hostage while you were heavily pregnant to try and steal Summer?" Abi frowned, choosing her words carefully.
"Yeah, they did," Dawn said quietly. "It was all part of their plan the whole time, to get me where they wanted me and then to take my baby. But I learnt my lesson, after that I could never trust Rob again. After I had Summer, Rob came round and proposed to me and declared his undying love for me, but all he got in return was a punch in the face and how I never wanted to see him again."
Abi burst out laughing, "Well, at least you came to your senses in the end."
"Well look what it had to take in order for me to do so," Dawn said, grinning. She then gazed at her daughter who was playing happily with her ball by the tree. "Even though it took me a while to adjust and get use to, I wouldn't change my baby girl for the world. I would go through that all again just to have her."
"H-has Rob been in contact because of Summer?" Abi asked, hesitantly.
Dawn shook her head, "Not at all, he's probably running a life of his own now but I don't think Rob has really forgotten about Summer. Personally, I think after what he put me through and knowing that he crossed the final line, he would never dream of getting in contact with me for Summer's sake. Plus, Summer hasn't known any different, I don't think she needs to, not just yet. As far as she's concerned, Gary's her daddy, she calls him daddy and sees him as her daddy and she's happy."
Abi smiled at the little girl, "She doesn't even look like Rob- she looks more like you!" She complimented.
"She has Rob's nose," Dawn scoffed. Then, the moment suddenly turned relaxed. "End of the day, I just want to tell you that you have it easy with Jay. I don't want to defend Jay or anything even though he is considered as my stepson but he is a pretty decent bloke and he really does think the world of you even if he had a phase where he took a fancy to another girl."
"But it was my best friend," Abi cried.
"I know sweetheart," Dawn spoke soothingly. "But people do make mistakes and sometimes, you have to let people fix their mistakes. You just have to learn to trust Jay again."
Abi sighed frustratedly as she ran her hand through her blonde fringe, "Look I'll admit, I do have strong feelings for Jay but I do not intend to explore them any further. Yes, we were on and off for the past four years or so when we were together but this time, he hurt me really bad and I'm scared to go back. I need to be myself again Dawn as I haven't been myself for a very long time because you're right in what you said, I do have my own mind and I am going to New Zealand." She paused before letting out a small sigh, "Look, I need to go. I have some packing to do." With that, she quickly got up and escaped the park.
The Queen Vic was heaving by the time it reached 8pm. Abi entered the pub in a sparkly long sleeved navy dress which came down to her knees with her hair curled and wearing simple black heels on her feet.
"Here she is!" Sophie squealed as her, Holly and Chloe welcomed Abi to join them with open arms.
"So you made it then," Holly teased.
"Well I couldn't miss it could I?" Abi grinned.
"Anyway, what you having?" Chloe asked as she beckoned Lee from behind the bar.
"Oh just a vodka and orange," Abi answered simply when her eyes drifted and were focused on one thing. Bernadette had just returned from the toilets and had noticed Abi standing by the bar. Abi and Bernadette seemed to be having some sort of awkward staring match before Bernadette gulped.
"What are you doing here?" Abi asked, abruptly.
Bernadette sighed as she walked over to Abi, "Look I wanted you to go to New Zealand on a good note ok? I know what happened last week was bang out of order for me to do and I'm sorry, I guess we all had a bit too much to drink. I just hope we can be friends again and I wish you a safe trip."
Abi grinned, "Well I guess you're forgiven."
Bernadette and Abi smiled at each other before pulling each other in for a hug. Bernadette sighed happily before pulling away, "I know we've had our ups and downs but I'm really going to miss you Abi."
"Yeah me too," Chloe smiled as she handed Abi her drink, "Just don't be a stranger."
"Well you never know, I may be back before you know it," Abi teased.
"Look, Abi's there, Jay," Gary pointed out from the other end of the Vic as he sat with Jay, Dawn and Summer.
"She looks beautiful," Jay gazed at the girl who he has really ever loved since he was 16 years old.
"More reason to go and talk to her then," Gary grinned.
"I'll talk to her later," Jay shrugged it off casually. "She's spending time with her friends at the moment."
Just at that moment, a middle aged woman and her younger daughter who seemed familiar came bouncing into the pub, Thelma Bragg and her daughter who were slight competitors to Mick and Linda.
"Thelma," Linda greeted with a smile. "You made it then?"
"How could I not?" Thelma said eagerly, slamming her handbag down onto the bar. "Two white wines when you're ready."
Linda smiled politely as she dealt with Thelma's drink order. Thelma's daughters' eyes wandered towards the young redheaded bloke who she had the pleasure to meet earlier on that day. Jay's eyes were wandering around the pub when he suddenly caught Linzi's eye and flashed one another a smile. Jay got up and walked over to Linzi.
"Two times in one day," Jay grinned.
"Alright," Linzi giggled.
"So what brings you here?" Jay enquired, making polite conversation.
"Linda and Mick invited us here and I know how much my mum loves a good knees up," Linzi grinned before letting out a sad sigh, "Any excuse to get wasted really."
Jay smiled sympathetically, "Can I get you a drink?"
"There you go babe," Thelma smiled as she handed Linzi her glass of wine. She spotted Jay standing beside her, "And who is this handsome man?" She asked, wriggling her eyebrows.
"Oh this is Jay," Linzi smiled awkwardly. "Jay, this is my mum."
"Call me Thelma," Thelma added.
"Well it's nice to meet you," Jay smiled politely.
Thelma nudged Linzi, "Well go on, you're young, go and have some fun- don't worry about me!"
From the other side of the bar, Abi watched closely as she watched Jay escort Linzi to a quiet table that was close to Gary and Dawn's. She frowned as she recognised this girl from outside the café earlier.
"Who's that girl that Jay is with?" Abi wondered out loud.
"Why are you jealous, Abs?" Holly teased with a wink before taking a swig of her drink.
"No," Abi laughed awkwardly as she ran her hand through her hair. To be honest, she didn't actually know. Maybe she was jealous. She had that dreadful feeling digging into the pit of her stomach. However, she chose not to act on this. So what if Jay is with another girl? She was going to New Zealand tomorrow and knew that it was the best for the both of them. It was time to be mature adults.
"Oh honey, I wouldn't worry," Holly swung her arm round Abi's shoulders. "I bet if you went over there and showed him what you're made of, he wouldn't give that girl another glance."
"Abi..."
Abi's head turned to find Jordan standing near the entrance of the Vic and was looking at her with sad eyes. Abi's body turned stiff and she stared coldly towards her old friend.
"What are you doing? Stay away from me," Abi demanded.
"Abi please," Jordan begged. "I'm sorry about what happened the other night. I really didn't mean for it to happen."
"Didn't you hear her the first time?" Chloe raised her voice, "She said for you to stay away from her and I don't blame her, you're a freak. Pick on someone your own size."
Jordan slowly felt his fist clench, but he chose to ignore Abi's friends. Abi had always been his dearest and closest friend from school, even if they were in a relationship once but he wanted to make things right between them. He continued to look at Abi with puppy dog eyes, "Abi please, I am really sorry. You're a good friend. I don't want to lose you."
"Well I have lost all respect for you Jordan," Abi stated coldly. "For my whole life I have been nothing but nice to people and be there for them and they just treat me like shit in the end and I guess that you went a different route. Just leave me alone Jordan, I want nothing to do with you!"
Jordan looked away sadly and dragged his feet over to the table where Denise and her family were sitting with JJ.
"I take it it didn't work?" Denise assumed sadly.
Jordan sighed, "No it didn't," he looked down at his son and stroked his hair. "How's he been?"
"He's been good as gold," Denise beamed. "He ate all of his dinner, didn't you?" She smiled over at JJ who nodded proudly.
"Good boy," Jordan chuckled as he ruffled his hair up a bit.
Just at that moment, the doors to the Vic swung open and two lively children came bounding in with a pushchair being pushed behind them by Lola with Billy and Honey following. Jordan felt his mouth twitch up into a smirk. He looked over at Denise, "Excuse me a moment."
With that, Jordan walked over to Lola who was too distracted as she was talking to her grandfather.
"Well, well, well," Jordan smirked cheekily, grabbing Lola's attention. "We meet again."
"Alright," Lola giggled. "Two meetings in one day, you must be lucky," she teased flirtatiously.
"Can I buy you a drink?" Jordan suggested.
"Yeah I can't see why not," Lola grinned, looking over at Jordan's table to find JJ sitting there. "Maybe our kids could have a little play date."
It was getting late into the evening and the karaoke night at the Vic was in full swing and before everyone knew it, it was almost 10pm. Lola and Jordan had found themselves a table and was getting to know each other whereas Lexi and JJ were sitting with them, engrossed in Lexi's colouring book. The young parents already knew that their children were going to be groggy the next day, but for some reason they didn't seem to mind. At least it stopped Lola from thinking about Jay as she actually enjoyed Jordan's company, despite stealing the odd glance at Jay who was sitting with Linzi and talking comfortably on another table.
Abi was still seated at the bar with her friends, enjoying her last evening in the Vic before flying off to New Zealand the following day. However, her and her friends were not happy when the Mitchells entered half an hour ago and were sitting close to them, but chose to ignore their existence. Although, she couldn't resist but steal glances at Jay throughout the evening, but whenever he went to look at her or in her direction, she quickly looked away.
"Can I get you another drink?" Jay asked Linzi as he stood up with an empty pint glass clasped in his hand.
"Yeah same again please," Linzi smiled as she handed him her wine glass. Jay smiled back before making his way over to the bar.
"Same again?" Linda offered, as she walked over to Jay from behind the bar.
"Yes please," Jay smiled as he watched Linda walk away with his glasses.
"So who is this girl?" Gary asked suspiciously as he went and stood beside Jay.
"Linzi," Jay simply answered.
"Oh, as far as I was aware, you were still after Abi," Gary furrowed his eyebrows.
"I am, I can have girls as friends you know," Jay rolled his eyes.
"Tut, tut," Gary shook his head jokingly. "And look where that got you last time. If I were you, I would tell that Linzi girl that you just want to be friends and tell her you are into someone else, set the record straight y'know."
"Yeah I think you're right, I'll do that," Jay scratched the back of his neck awkwardly before leaning closer into Gary and murmuring, "For the record, I think it's making Abi jealous, I swear that she's been looking over non-stop."
Gary chuckled, "Well put her out of her misery," he nudged Jay. "I still think you should put your name down for a song."
"You really think that's a good idea? Oh I don't know Gal," Jay groaned as he threw his head back.
"Of course it is," Gary answered convincingly. "That way, everyone will know how much Abi means to you."
"There you go Jay," Linda smiled as she put the two drinks down on the bar whilst Jay gave her the money, quickly thanking her.
"What can I get you?" Linda smiled politely.
"Another pint, a white wine and spritzer and an orange fruit shoot please," Gary smiled. Linda returned the smile as she went to deal with the new order.
Jay let out a loud sigh, "Alright, I'll do it but I think I will need a bit of Dutch courage." His eyes wandered to find Lee coming out from the back of the pub and behind the bar, "Oi Lee!" Jay called.
Lee's head turned to where the voice was coming from before walking over to Jay, "You alright mate, what can I do for ya?"
"Oh you couldn't give us a Sambucca could ya?" Jay asked desperately.
"He's going to go on the karaoke," Gary teased, grinning from ear to ear, "To impress a certain lady."
"Isn't it a bit too early to be singing words of romance? You only met her five minutes ago," Lee joked.
"Not to her," Jay tutted.
"To Abi," Gary commented, smirking. Jay looked at Gary and gave him a death stare before turning back to Lee who was grinning.
"Get in there my friend!" Lee triumphed before giving Jay a shot, "On me. You're going to need it with a beautiful lady like Abs."
"I need all the courage I can get," Jay added as he chugged down the shot, allowing the burning liquid to stream down his throat. "Where do I put my name down?"
Lee chuckled as he handed Jay a request slip and a pen and watched as Jay filled out the slip.
"Cheers," Jay thanked Lee as he picked up the two drinks and went back to his table where Linzi was patiently waiting.
"There we go," said Jay as he put the drinks down the table and sat back in his seat.
"Thanks," Linzi took a sip of her drink. "I see you have put your name down for karaoke?"
"Yeah," Jay said nervously.
Linzi frowned, "Why do you look so nervous? Your singing can't be that bad surely?"
Jay chuckled nervously, "No it's not that. Listen, I need to talk to you."
Linda looked at Jay with a puzzled facial expression, "Okay..."
Jay sighed, "You're a great girl Linzi but I don't want a relationship and I just want to be friends. Well, that's if you want to. The thing is, I'm really into someone else and I've never really stopped having feelings for her. I'm sorry if I have given you false hope or anything like that."
Linzi burst out laughing, "Jay, you don't have to explain yourself to me! I don't want a relationship either, I just want us to be mates. My intention wasn't to hook up with you, I don't want to be in a relationship at the moment anyway. Plus, you haven't stopped looking at that blonde girl across the bar all night so I can kind of guess who the girl you're into is," she grinned. "She's a lucky girl."
"More like I'm the lucky one," Jay sighed. "Anyway, I'm just going to go to the big boys' room."
With that, Jay got up and walked across the pub. He managed to grab Abi's attention as she was sitting at the bar and looking at him.
"Alright Abs?" He asked, making casual conversation.
"Yeah I'm great, you?" Abi responded casually.
"Yeah, good thanks," he gulped. "So you're going to New Zealand tomorrow?"
"Yep," Abi nodded, emphasising the 'p'. She started to twirl her blonde hair round her finger, "So who's that girl you're with?" She asked curiously, pursuing her lips.
"Why, you jealous?" Jay wriggled his eyebrows challengingly.
"What? Me?" Abi giggled awkwardly as she took a sip of her drink. "No."
Jay smirked. Abi should know that he knew her far too well. "Anyway, have a good evening," he bided before making his way over to the men's' toilets. Abi's friends were giggling behind Abi which made Abi spin round, "What?" Abi frowned confused.
"Oh Abi darlin', you were too obvious," Bernadette stated shaking her head. "You made it so obvious that you're still into him. We could all tell that you were jealous."
"No I'm not," Abi scoffed. "I'm not into Jay at all and he is entitled to see whoever he likes."
"Come on Abi," Holly sighed. "We know that you still like him or love him or whatever."
"You're like that love sick teenager at school all over again," Sophie grinned. "Jay has always made you weak at the knees. He has always had that effect on you."
"I'm not 15 anymore Soph, I'm almost 20 years old and I am not going back there with Jay," Abi retorted.
"Abi, it is obvious that you want to be with Jay but you're just scared," Chloe said, giving her hand a squeeze. "It's okay to be scared."
"Well maybe I do," Abi shrugged it off. "But it doesn't mean that anything is going to happen. Jay and I are history."
And that is what Abi wanted to convince herself and to everyone who questioned it. Her and Jay were history. It irritated her so much how Jay had her near enough wrapped around his little finger and knew which buttons to press. I guess that was the beauty of being in a relationship with the bloke for over three years. It drove Abi insane on how she can be adamant one minute but when Jay comes and sweeps her off her feet, she's practically falling at his feet. She didn't want to be that girl anymore. She couldn't fall back into the arms of Jay Brown.
"Ben, we have been sitting here for almost an hour and you still haven't spoken to Abi," Phil spoke frustratedly. "Do you want to get her back or not or are you just going to let her go off to New Zealand?"
"Phil," Sharon said warningly.
"What do I say to her?" Ben asked worriedly. "She's with her friends."
"So?" Phil raised her eyebrow, "Just give her the Mitchell charm then she'll come running."
"Oh so is that what you did to me is it?" Sharon raised her eyebrow, slightly taken aback.
"I didn't have to," Phil answered suggestively.
Ben noticed Abi walk out of the toilets with Holly and huffed, "Fine!"
Ben shot out of his seat and walked over to Abi with confidence. He didn't really know what to say to her to make her stay but he knew he had to. His father could never find out the true sexuality of his son. He needed Abi because he felt that he could not be with another girl.
"Abi, can I talk to you please?" He approached her.
"Ugh! What is it with freaks tonight wanting to speak to Abi?!" Holly groaned with exaggeration. "Why can't you just leave her alone?"
"I think you'll find it has nothing to do with you Holly," Ben gritted his teeth. "This is between me and Abi."
"Uh, don't speak to her like that," Abi responded with annoyance. "She's right. Why can't you just leave me alone? Face it Ben, you messed up. There is never going to be a me and you, we are never getting back together. So unless, you want your dad to find out about your little secret then I suggest you back off."
With that, Abi walked back over to the rest of the girl group with Holly following behind her smirking. This left Ben dumbstruck and lost for words before excusing himself to Phil and Sharon before quickly escaping the pub to make them believe that the conversation didn't go well between him and Abi. He didn't want to explain himself to his father.
"Next up, we have Jay," Lee announced from the stage.
Holly nudged Abi, "Look Abs, its lover boy," she teased as they watched Jay get up on the stage and take the microphone off Lee.
"Shut up," Abi hissed.
Lee patted Jay on the back before quickly jumping off of the stage.
Jay took a deep breath and addressed the people who were watching him, "I would like to dedicate this song to a very special woman in my life who holds a very special place in my heart and always will."
As he was saying this, he glanced up at Abi, making immediate eye contact with her which made Abi gulp as she realised that Jay was addressing her. Her friends looked at Abi knowingly as well as a few other people turning towards Abi as they followed Jay's gaze. Abi's cheeks began to flush as the instrumental track began to play. Abi's heart clenched in her throat and her breath was almost taken as she immediately recognised the song that Jay was about to sing. Abi recalled that the numerous times that she often heard Jay sing, he wasn't too bad of a singer- at least he could sing in tune like some people.
Abi's eyes were physically glued onto Jay as he started to sing:
"I don't want a lot for Christmas,
There is just one thing I need,
I don't care about the presents,
Underneath the Christmas tree,
I just want you for my own,
More than you could ever know,
Make my wish come true,
All I want for Christmas...Is you..."
Abi wanted to draw her eyes away but she physically couldn't, no matter how hard she tried. People were taking the odd glances at her. The whole pub knew that Jay was singing the song to her. As if Jay would get up there and sing a Mariah Carey hit- Eminem was more his thing! Abi could literally hear her heart beating fast. It felt like her heart was going to explode out of her chest.
"I don't need to hang my stocking, there upon the fireplace,
Santa Claus won't make me happy, with a toy on Christmas Day,
I just want you for my own,
More than you could ever know,
Make my wish come true,
All I want for Christmas is you,
You baby.
Oh I won't ask for much this Christmas,
I won't even wish for snow,
And I'm just gonna keep on waiting underneath the mistletoe,
I won't make a list and send it to the North Pole for Saint Nick,
I won't even stay awake to hear those magic reindeer click."
Abi's body started to fill with sadness as memories of her and Jay came flooding back. From Jay buying her chips at the chippy, their first date, their first kiss, the first time they broke up and got back together, when her and Jay reunited after Roxy getting custody of Amy, when Jay proposed to Abi, when Abi left for Costa Rica, when her and Jay reunited and on Valentine's Day when they slept together for the first time. All the good and bad times that they had together were engraved into her mind. She was determined to show no emotion. She couldn't. She just couldn't go back there again. She couldn't hurt herself, not again. She couldn't put herself through that.
"Cause I just want you here tonight,
Holding on to me so tight,
What more can I do?
Baby, all I want for Christmas is you...
You baby."
She felt hot tears burning her pupils. No emotion, she promised no emotion. Abi quickly got up and darted out of the pub. She knew that people would have noticed her but she didn't care. She had to leave the pub- she had to get out of there.
"Abi!" Jay called out as he put the microphone on top of the speaker as it let out a loud wail.
"Sorry Lee," Jay quickly apologised before running out of the pub. Jay noticed Abi walking towards the Square Gardens with her back to him and wiping her eyes. "Abs, wait," Jay pleaded.
Abi spun around and glared over at Jay with hot tears streaming down her cheeks, "Why did you do that?! Why did you have to do that in front of all those people?!"
"Because I wanted you to know how much you really mean to me and if that meant standing up in front of everyone and making myself look like an idiot then so be it. You mean everything to me Abi," Jay tried to reason with the woman he loved as he slowly walked towards her. He let out a sigh as he noted how Abi had tears running down her cheeks, "I didn't mean to upset ya. Just please give us another chance."
"You hurt me," Abi whimpered.
Jay clasped her cheeks in his hand, "I know baby, I know and I will never forgive myself for letting you go. Please, just give me a chance to put things right, things will be different this time round, I promise. Please Abi, just don't go to New Zealand, I'm begging you!"
Abi hiccupped as she tried to stop herself from crying. She was gazing up at Jay as his green orbs were shining down upon her like a light of hope. Abi's eyes fluttered closed as she leant into Jay's touch immediately reminiscing of how it felt when they were together, it felt just like this. Abi's eyes opened up again to find Jay still looking down at her, neither of them were saying anything, they just kept looking at each other with none of them having the urge to look away. Before she acknowledged this, Abi was finding herself leaning in towards Jay and he was doing the same. Their lips were edging closer together and before they knew it they were embraced in a passionate kiss. They stayed like that for at least two minutes. Their eyes were closed and their mouths were too busy colliding with one another. They were in their own little bubble, their own little world where nothing else mattered apart from the two of them.
All of a sudden, Abi pulled away and looked up at Jay with her mouth agape.
"I-I'm sorry, I can't do this," Abi stated. "I love you, I love you so much but I just can't do this. I'm sorry."
Before allowing Jay to have the chance to respond, Abi quickly darted off and made a bird's eye for Dot's house without looking back.
"Abi!" Jay called out.
But Abi wasn't turning back, she just kept moving forward.
A/N: Well that was the longest chapter to date! I just wanted so much to happen in this chapter and didn't even realise it was going to be this long! Oh well, it least it will keep you lovely readers satisfied ;) I apologise for the cringiness.
What do you think of Jamie and Lorna in Eastenders lately? They are absolutely smashing it and have given us more hope for a Jabi reunion ;D
I feel so sorry for Jay though. Yes, I admit he should have asked for her age but he's a sweetheart and Linzi may have lied if he asked anyway! Sorry, I'm ranting now. But Linzi in this story is the same age as Abi and not some 14 year old.
Anyway, please leave your comments and if you haven't done so already, please favourite and follow :)
Much love x