Heather Mills‘ legal team have reportedly given Paul McCartney until tomorrow to come up with a financial settlement or accept the case will have to go to a public trial in the High Court.

A source close to the divorce told the Daily Mail that Heather was frustrated that last week’s eight-hour-long meeting didn’t settle matters and is tired of the constantly back-and-forth discussion: “Heather has demanded that her lawyers contact Paul’s legal team to say they have a deadline of Friday.”

“If they do not come back saying we’re in general agreement to the settlement as thrashed out in court last week by then, she will give the green light to slug it out very publicly in court.”

“Heather has been putting the word out - saying very specifically that it is not in Paul’s best interest to go to court by reminding him of the cards she is holding. She has started making worrying noises about the custody of Beatrice, suggesting she might perhaps take her to America for long periods of time.”

“She is saying that if this goes to court, she will get awarded more money, that it will be worst for Beatrice to have her parents publicly warring.”

“His legal team has been reminded that Heather could argue that she put him back on track emotionally and with his career after Linda, his first wife, died. And perhaps then if she goes to court she should then fight for some of his future earnings.

“Heather has also been talking again about her personal security and that of Beatrice. She is saying the longer this all drags on and the more public it gets, the more worried she is that she will become public enemy No 1. And greater security for them all is something Paul will have to pay for.”

“Paul is getting all this nudging encouragement to do the deal right away. And the longer it has taken for Paul’s team to come back to them with a settlement, the more frenzied it has become.”

“Her side are now saying that if Paul wants public war, he can have it. But as Heather has pointed out, a lot could come out in court. And Paul should remember that after what has been said about her over the years - truth or lie - she does not have much reputation left to defend.”

“But she wants him to know that if she is forced into a corner, she could very publicly destroy his reputation.”

Heather is said to have dismissed previous proposed settlements because they include gagging clauses, preventing her from talking to the media about any aspect of their marriage or divorce.

In related news, Heather is reportedly facing surgery to repair the metal plates in her pelvis.

A source told the Mirror the former model is an “absolute agony” after the plates separated after a screw came out: “Two weeks ago the joint moved and is out of line - it’s not stable. She could face a serious operation.”