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.Gerald returned especially from Lagos for the occasion and even before changing into his dinner jacket couldn't resist a glance at the Order of the Peacock (Third Class).He opened the box that held his prize possession and stared down in disbelief: the gold had become tarnished and one of the stones looked as if it were coming loose.Mrs Haskins stopped dressing in order to steal a glance at the order."It's not gold," she declared with a simplicity that would have stopped the IMF in their tracks.Gerald offered no comment and quickly fixed the102NOT THE REAL THINGloose stone back in place with Araldite but he had to admit to himself that the craftmanship didn't bear careful scrutiny.Neither of them mentioned the subject again on their journey to Hull's City Hall.Some of the guests during the Mayor's dinner that night at the Guildhall Inquired after the his- tory of the Order of the Peacock (Third Class), and although it gave Gerald some considerable satisfac- tion to explain how he had come by the distinction and indeed the Queen's permission to wear it on of ficial occasions, he felt one or two of his colleagues had been less than awed by the tarnished peacock.Gerald also considered it was somewhat unfortunate that they had ended up on the same table as Walter Ramsbottom, now the Deputy Mayor."I suppose it would be hard to put a true value on it," said Walter, staring disdainfully at the chain."It certainly would," said Gerald firmly."I didn't mean a monetary value," said the jeweller with a smirk."That would be only too easy to ascertain.I meant a sentimental value, of course.""Of course," said Gerald."And are you expecting to be the Mayor next year?" he asked, trying to change the subject."It is the tradition," said Walter, "that the Deputy succeeds the Mayor if he doesn't do a second year.And be assured, Gerald, that I shall see to it that you are placed on the top table for that occasion." Walter paused."The Mayor's chain, you know, is fourteen-carat gold."Gerald left the banquet early that evening determined to do something about the Order of the103A TWIST IN THE TALEPeacock before it was Walter's turn to be Mayor.None of Gerald's friends would have described him as an extravagant man and even his wife was surprised at the whim of vanity that was to follow.At nine o'clock the next morning Gerald rang his office to say he would not be in to work that day.He then travelled by train to London to visit Bond Street in general and a famed jeweller in particular.The door of the Bond Street shop was opened for Gerald by a sergeant from the Corps of Commissionaires.Once he had stepped inside Gerald explained his problem to the tall, thin gentleman in a black suit who had come forward to welcome him.He was then led to a circular glass counter in the middle of the shop finer."Our Mr Pullinger will be with you in a moment," he was assured.Moments later Asprey's fine-gems expert arrived and happily agreed to Gerald's request to value the Order of the Peacock (Third Class).Mr Pullinger placed the chain on a- black velvet cushion before closely studying the stones through a small eye glass.After a cursory glance he frowned with the disappointment of a man who has won third prize at a shooting range on Blackpool pier."So what's it worth?" asked Gerald bluntly after several minutes had elapsed."Hard to put a value on something so intricately" - Pullinger hesitated - "unusual.""The stones are glass and the gold's brass, that's what you're trying to say, isn't it, lad?"Mr Pullinger gave a look that indicated that he could not have put it more succinctly himself.104NOT THE REAL THING"You might possibly be able to get a few hundred pounds from someone who collects such objects, but.""Oh, no," said Gerald, quite offended."I have no interest in selling it.My purpose in coming up to London was to find out if you can copy it.""Copy it?" said the expert in disbelief."Aye," said Gerald."First, I want every stone to be the correct gem according to its colour.Second, I expect a setting that would impress a duchess.And third, I require the finest craftsman put to work on it in nothing less than eighteen-carat gold."The expert from Asprey's, despite years of dealing with Arab clients, was unable to conceal his surprise
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