‘I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but there isn’t any way out of this contract.’
Meg crumpled onto the settee and wept.
‘Thanks for taking a look, Andy, I owe you one,’ said Doug.
‘What we going to do Doug, we’ve no more money to pay them.’
‘Come on love, whenever have I let you down, something will turn up.’
‘But even if we default on the payment, that stupid clause states we are still liable. I couldn’t bear it if they take our lovely home.’
‘This would never have happened if that slimy salesman Ben had told us the truth, we would never have signed it, he’s the one who should be going to court, not us. I wish there was a way to make him pay!’
‘That’s a very good idea, Doug’ Andy said, ‘I’ll get back to you’ and left their house.
‘Whatever did Andy mean?’
‘I’m not sure luv, and I’m not sure if it’s going to be entirely legal, best not to know probably.’
———————————————-
‘Are you sure this is going to work?’ asked Doug.
‘My legal friends reckon, he won’t be able to resist, and the small print is so contradictory that he‘ll never see it coming.’
‘It is all above board, isn’t it?’
‘Shall we say as much as the one you signed was, and leave it at that?’
———————————————-
Ben could hardly believe that he had been acknowledged as the “Salesman of the Year.” He had worked hard and managed to get loads of suckers on board. He was looking forward to the beach holiday. He’d read the contract, it was the normal small print gobbledegook. Everything seemed straightforward enough. With his ego riding high, he signed the contract with a flamboyant flourish.
———————————————-
Everything was as promised. The only annoying part was that there was no Wi-Fi, and his phone had packed up.
After seven days, he was ready to return to civilisation. He had had enough of his own company. A storm brewed up the morning of his departure, there was no way off the island. It raged for a week, by which time he was out of food. He was picked up at the end of three weeks.
A letter from a solicitor arrived a few days after his return.
Dear Sir,
It has come to our attention that you overstayed your visit on the island and are, therefore, in breach of the contract. The rules are quite clear and as per paragraph 3, subsection 2 of the aforementioned contract, you are now liable for the upkeep of the habitat for the next ten years. No mitigating circumstances can change this ruling.
£11,000 per annum.
Please complete the Direct Debit slip below and return to the above address. Failure to do this will result in court action and further costs…
———————————————-
Doug and Meg were overjoyed when Andy handed over Ben’s payments.
Now they could keep their home and get the courts off their backs.
