You should never mix business and pleasure. Mr Thompson and Mr Charlesworth have shown how true that is. They were friends, but plainly are no longer. They both worked in construction and, given the propensity of players in this industry to fall out, should have known better. Thompson was an electrical supplier and Charlesworth wanted some fancy electrical gadgetry, including a lighting system, installed in his home. A figure of ￡15,000 was mentioned in discussions between the two, but was not put in writing. The only thing that was put in writing was a couple of quotations for the lighting system. Halfway through the works, Thompson sent Charlesworth an invoice that promised "a full job costing so that we don't go over budget". Thompson issued further invoices as the works were completed, but these substantially exceeding the budget. Predictably, Charlesworth refused to pay, saying it was a fixed-price contract and that the only items outside the specification were variations. Thompson said he was entitled to "reasonable remuneration" for the work done.
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