I have received a lawyer’s notice for a slander case, what are my options for defence?

FIFI asked:


I had told the defendant’s wife as a friend that the husband was misusing their money by taking women out for lunch and he had bought the receptionist a phone. Now this family has been having financial problems and the wife had approached me for a loan. So I told her she should warn the husband against squandering their much needed finances. However when she approached him, he denied everything and sent me a lawyer’s notice demanding an apology and if not received within seven days, he will file a civil complaint against me. At the husband’s place of work his collegues are all aware of his dating these women and also the buy without a prescription purchase of the phone, but if they are willing to testify if this case goes to court is another issue. I would like to know what are my options in this case. Since it was verbal, won’t it be diffcult to prove? I could deny having told his wife anything? Will it be my word against hers? Please let me know where I stand as I really don’t want this issue to prolong. Thks