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."I never doubted that for one moment," said Gerald."But you must understand that this is a once-in-a-lifetime honour for me.Now when could I hope to have an estimate?""A month, six weeks at the most," replied the expert.Gerald left the plush carpet of Asprey's for the sewers of Nigeria.When a little over a month later he flew back to London, he travelled in to the West End for his second meeting with Mr Pullinger.The jeweller had not forgotten Gerald Haskins and his strange request, and he quickly produced from his order book a neatly folded piece of paper.Gerald unfolded it and read the tender slowly.Requirement for customer's request: twelve diamonds, seven amethysts, three rubies and a105A TWIST IN THE TALEsapphire, all to be of the most perfect colour and of the highest quality.A peacock to be sculpted in ivory and painted by a craftsman.The entire chain then to be moulded in the finest eighteencarat gold.The bottom line read: "Two hundred and eleven thousand pounds - exclusive of VAT."Gerald, who would have thought nothing of haggling over an estimate of a few thousand pounds for roofing material or the hire of heavy equipment, or even a schedule of payments, simply asked, "When will I be able to collect it?""One could not be certain how long it might take to put together such a fine piece," said Mr Pullinger."Finding stones of a perfect match and colour will, I fear, take a little time." He paused."I am also hoping that our senior craftsman will be free to work on this particular commission.He has been rather taken up lately with gifts for the Queen's forthcoming visit to Saudi Arabia so I don't think it could be ready before the end of March."Well in time for next year's Mayor's banquet, thought Gerald.Councillor Ramsbottom would not be able to mock him this time.Fourteen-carat gold, had he said?Lagos and Rio de Janeiro both had their sewers down and running long before Gerald was able to return to Asprey's.And he only set his eyes on the unique prize a few weeks before Mayor-making day.When Mr Pullinger first showed his client the finished work the Yorkshireman gasped with106NOT THE REAL THINGdelight.The Order was so magnificent that Gerald found it necessary to purchase a string of pearls from Asprey's to ensure a silent wife.On his return to Hull he waited until after dinner to open the green leather box from Asprey's and surprise her with the new Order."Fit for a monarch, lass," he assured his wife but Angela seemed preoccupied with her pearls.After Angela had left to wash up, her husband continued to stare for some time at the beautiful jewels so expertly crafted and superbly cut before he finally closed the box.The next morning he reluctantly took the piece round to the bank and explained that it must be kept safely locked in the vaults as he would only be requiring to take it out once, perhaps twice, a year.He couldn't resist showing the object of his delight to the bank manager, Mr Sedgley."You'll be wearing it for Mayor-making day, no doubt?" Mr Sedgley enquired."If I'm invited," said Gerald."Oh, I feel sure Ramsbottom will want all his old friends to witness the ceremony.Especially you, I suspect," he added without explanation.Gerald read the news item in the Court Circular of The Times to his wife over breakfast: "It has been announced from Buckingham Palace that King Alfons IV of Multavia will make a state visit to Britain between April 7th and 1 Ith.""I wonder if we will have an opportunity to meet the King again," said Angela.Gerald offered no opinion.In fact Mr and Mrs Gerald Haskins received two107A TWIST lN THE TALEinvitations connected with King Alfons's official visit, one to dine with the King at Claridge's -Multavia's London Embassy not being large enough to cater for such an occasion - and the second arriving a day later by special delivery from Buckingham Palace.~ -Gerald was delighted.The Peacock, it seemed, was going to get three outings in one month, as their visit to the Palace was ten days before Walter Ramsbottom would be installed as Mayor.The state dinner at Claridge's was memorable and although there were several hundred other guests Gerald still managed to catch a moment with his host, King Alfons IV who, he found to his pleasure, could not take his eyes of Ethe Orderofthe Peacock (Third Class)
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