Yes! Put this paper down and do it

DOM SAYS:

Well, first off, I’m terribly sorry to hear that things haven’t worked out as you both hoped they might. And well done for accepting you need to move on. When it’s time, it’s time, but it takes courage to admit it.

I have to say, I feel for your soon-to-be ex-boyfriend, too. Many years ago, I was invited to spend Christmas with my then-girlfriend. After driving for hours on Christmas eve, I arrived at her flat, only to be dumped on the spot.

It was a very long and lonely drive back home — and not exactly a great Christmas.

Now, you might think this would mean I’d recommend you stay quiet and plaster a smile on your face until the New Year. But I don’t. Honesty is always, always the best policy. I’m 110 per cent sure of that.

You don’t want to be a fake. You shouldn’t lie to him, and you shouldn’t do something that’s not working for you. If you went through with the charade, you would simply be making it worse for both of you. And his parents, too!

It’s the 16th today. If you do it now, he’s still got a week and a bit to get himself together — and to make other plans.

I’m sure Boxing Day isn’t the only Christmas date you have. Give him time now at least to arrange to see some friends over the season.

And it will give his parents some notice, too. I’m sure they will be making preparations to host you, and it’s far better they know sooner, rather than later.

I’m sure they’ll think far more of you if you bite the bullet and are honest, rather than sitting there simpering, only to dump him on New Year’s eve. Or, worse, during the festivities.

let’s face it, at Christmas we often have too much to drink and are tired and fractious — we say things we don’t mean, and things we do.

It would be awful to have a huge row and ditch him on the actual day!

Unless you are an Oscarwinning actress, it’s highly likely it’ll all spill out over the second bottle. And then you’ll have ruined everyone’s Christmas: his, his parents’ and yours, too!

Far better to pull the plaster off and let everyone have a bit of time to regroup before the 25th.

Stop reading. Put the paper down and call him — now!

n IF YOU have a question you’d like Steph and Dom to tackle, write to: stephand dom@dailymail.co.uk