Abi and Jamie left the same way they had come, in silence. Abi was so angry with Jamie for letting his mother talk to her like that. He hadn't even tried to stick up for her. She'd always known that there was a money difference between them but she had never thought it was this bad.
Abi threw her bag down when they got into the flat and kicked of her boots before cuddling up on the sofa.
"Why don't we watch a film?" she suggested. "Something Christmassy?"
Jamie was standing at the sink, his back to her.
"Love Actually? That's probably not your thing. Elf?" she was rambling now, but it was Christmas and she didn't want to end the day like this. "Jamie?"
"What?"
Abi was taken aback. He'd never raised his voice like that before.
Abi stood up and walked towards him. "What is it? What's the matter?"
"Abi, I..." he ran a hand threw his hair making it look tousled. "Look, the way my mum treated you today, she was out of order. I know that."
"Then why did you not say anything to her?
"It's difficult."
"It shouldn't have to be, not if you love me."
"Mum is just overprotective. This isn't the first time this has happened."
"Why doesn't that surprise me?"
"Abi, please don't say that. I don't want you to hate her."
"She didn't exactly make it easy for me. What is her problem?"
"She's not like you, okay?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"My granddad is rich, she's from a completely different background to you. Think boarding school and afternoon tea."
"That doesn't make what she did okay. That doesn't condemn it."
"I know, I know that. I just want you to understand."
Abi shook her head and allowed Jamie a small smile. "It doesn't matter, not now. It's Christmas, we shouldn't be arguing. Can't we just forget it for the next couple of days?"
"Abi, no. We need to talk about this."
"Why? What can't wait a few more days?"
"Abs, I," Jamie stammered on his words. It wasn't like him to be unconfident. "Abi, I have to break up with you."
Abi's face dropped and her throat turned dry. "What?"
"I'm sorry."
"I don't understand."
"I have to do this."
"No, no you don't. I can talk to her, we can sort things out."
"Abi, it's too late."
She shook her head no. "Jamie, you haven't even given it a chance. It's not too late."
"Don't make this harder than it has to be, Abs."
"But you said you loved me."
"I do."
"Then why are you doing this to me?"
She watched as he stood there in silence, looking anywhere but at her.
"Answer me, Jamie," she shouted. "Don't ignore me."
"Because she told me to, okay?" he shouted back. "Mum told me I had to break up with you."
Abi didn't want to cry but she couldn't stop the tear running down her cheek. "What are you? Ten years old? Do you always have to do what mummy tells you?"
"I didn't have a choice."
"Of course you did."
"It was you or them."
"You don't think they'd actually disown you, do you? Jamie, they idolise you."
"You don't understand."
"You keep telling me that! Make me understand."
"I can't, you won't get it. I know that you would do anything. I know that you're the most generous, special girl I have ever met. I know that if Max had hated me you would put two fingers up to him and love me anyway. But I'm not like you, Abi. I can't give everything up for you."
"I'm not good enough."
"No, that's not it." He came towards her and took her hands. "Don't you ever think that."
"Then what?" she shouted again pulling her hands away from him. "What the hell is wrong with me?"
"I'm too selfish, Abi. You deserve better."
Abi laughed out loud but it was too loud. "Do you know how many times I have heard that? The amount of people that have told me that? I'm fed up of it. Why can't anybody just love me?"
"Abi, I do love you."
"But it's not enough to make you stay. Is it?"
Jamie didn't want to answer. He hated seeing her like this, her face stained with tears and mascara but he couldn't do this to her. "Abi, I'm sorry."
"Stop it! Stop apologising. I don't want you to say sorry. I just want you to stay. You've all I've got."
"That isn't true."
"Yes it is. Don't you see what I've done for you? What I've given up? I've hardly spoken to Lola in months. She's my best friend, don't you see how that hurts me? And Jay, what we put him through. What was the point of it all?"
"He can have you now."
"I don't want him. I want you. Why don't you understand that?"
"Well you can't have me. I'm sorry, I have to do this."
"What did I do wrong? What did I ever do wrong to deserve all this? I tried so hard to be a good person. I tried so hard not to be like my parents but what was the point when I always lose? Why can't I be happy?"
"I'm going to pack my things."
"No!"
"Abi, don't make this any harder than it has to be."
"You made this hard. You ruined everything."
Jamie turned and went into their bedroom.
"Don't walk away from me. Don't cut me off." Abi followed him into the room. "How could you do this on today of all days? Happy fucking Christmas, Jamie."
"Don't talk like that."
"What's the matter? Is it not lady-like enough for you? Will your mother not approve?"
"I'm beginning to think she was right about you."
"Well at least you don't have to worry about it anymore."
"I'll pay the next two months on the rent. It'll give you some time to find someplace else."
"I don't need your charity. I don't need your money."
Jamie zipped up his suitcase. "Look, I'm sorry it ended like this. I really am. But it's for the best. For both of us."
"For you, you mean."
"Abi-"
"Don't! Just don't, okay? Get out! I never want to see you again."