Michael told Carol the good news that evening, but like Reginald Lomax, she was skeptical. The ringing of the phone interrupted their discussion on the subject. Michael, with Carol standing by his side, listened carefully to Lomax’s report. Philip, it seemed, was willing to settle for twenty-five thousand pounds and had agreed to both sides’ costs.
Carol nodded her grateful acceptance, but Michael only repeated that Lomax was to hold out for nothing less than one hundred thousand. “Can’t you see that Philip’s already worked out what it’s going to cost him if this case ends up in court? And he knows only too well that I won’t give in.”
Carol and Lomax remained unconvinced. “It’s much more touch and go than you realize,” the solicitor warned him. “A High Court jury might consider the words were only meant as banter.”
“Banter? But what about the fight that followed the banter?” said Michael.
“Started by you,” Lomax pointed out. “Twenty-five thousand is a good figure in the circumstances,” he added.
Michael refused to budge, and ended the conversation by repeating his demand for one hundred thousand pounds.
Two weeks passed before the other side offered fifty thousand in exchange for a quick settlement. This time Lomax was not surprised when Michael rejected the offer out of hand. “Quick settlement be damned. I’ve told you I won’t consider less than a hundred thousand.” Lomax knew by now that any plea for prudence was going to fall on deaf ears.
It took three more weeks and several more phone calls between solicitors before the other side accepted that they were going to have to pay the full hundred thousand pounds. Reginald Lomax rang Michael to inform him of the news late one evening, trying to make it sound as if he had scored a personal triumph. He assured Michael that the necessary papers could be drawn up immediately and the settlement signed in a matter of days.
“Naturally all your costs will be covered,” he added.
“Naturally,” said Michael.
“So all that is left for you to do now is agree on a statement.”
A short statement was penned and, with the agreement of both sides, issued to the Hazelmere Chronicle. The paper printed the contents the following Friday on its front page. “The writ for slander between Gilmour and Masters,” the Chronicle reported, “has been withdrawn with the agreement of both sides but only after a substantial out-of-court settlement by the defendant. Philip Masters has withdrawn unreservedly what was said at the club that morning and has given an unconditional apology; he has also made a promise that he will never repeat the words used again. Mr. Masters has paid the plaintiff’s costs in full.”
Philip wrote to the Colonel the same day, admitting perhaps he had had a little too much to drink on the morning in question. He regretted his impetuous outburst, apologized and assured the club’s president it would never happen again.
Carol was the only one who seemed to be saddened by the outcome.
“What’s the matter, darling?” asked Michael. “We’ve won, and what’s more it’s solved our financial problems.”
“I know,” said Carol, “but is it worth losing your closest friend for one hundred thousand pounds?”
On the following Saturday morning Michael was pleased to find an envelope among his morning post with the Golf Club crest on the flap. He opened it nervo
usly and pulled out a single sheet of paper. It read:
Dear Mr. Gilmour,
At the monthly committee meeting held last Wednesday Colonel Mather raised the matter of your behavior in the clubhouse on the morning of Saturday, April 16.
It was decided to minute the complaints of several members, but on this occasion only to issue a severe reprimand to you both. Should a similar incident occur in the future, loss of membership would be automatic.
The temporary suspension issued by Colonel Mather on April 16 is now lifted.
Yours sincerely,
Jeremy Howard
(Secretary)
“I’m off to do the shopping,” shouted Carol from the top of the stairs. “What are your plans for the morning?”
“I’m going to have a round of golf,” said Michael, folding up the letter.
“Good idea,” said Carol to herself but only wondered who Michael would find to play against in the future.
* * *
Quite a few members noticed Michael and Philip teeing up at the first hole that Saturday morning. The club captain commented to the Colonel that he was glad to observe that the quarrel had been sorted out to everyone’s satisfaction.