A Twist in the Tale by Jeffrey Archer

who was either a diplomat of the
highest order or had not been privy to the King’s plan, for his face showed no
sign of anything untoward. Once Gerald’s magnificent prize had been safely
removed, the box snapped closed like a safe of which Gerald had not been told
the combination. Gerald wanted to protest, but remained speechless.
    King Alfons then removed from another box the Order of the
Peacock (Second Class) and placed it over Gerald’s shoulders. Gerald, staring
at the indifferent coloured glass stones, hesitated
for a few moments before stumbling a pace back, bowing, and then returning to
his place in the great dining room.
    He did not hear
the waves of applause that accompanied him; his only thought was how he could
possibly retrieve his lost chain immediately the speeches were over. He slumped
down in the chair next to his wife.
    “And now,”
continued the King, “I wish to present a decoration that has not been bestowed
on anyone since my late father’s death. The Order of the Peacock (First Class),
which it gives me special delight to bestow on Her
Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
    The Queen rose
from her place as the King’s private secretary once again stepped forward. In
his hands was held the same red leather case that had snapped shut so firmly on
Gerald’s unique possession. The case was re-opened and the King removed the
magnificent Order from the box and placed it on the shoulders of the Queen. The
jewels sparkled in the candlelight and the guests gasped at the sheer
magnificence of the piece.
    Gerald was the
only person in the room who knew its true value.
    “Well, you
always said it was fit for a monarch,” his wife remarked as she touched her
string of pearls.
    “Aye,” said
Gerald. “But what’s Ramsbottom going to say when he
sees this?” he added sadly, fingering the Order of the Peacock (Second Class).
“He’ll know it’s not the real thing.”
    “I don’t see it
matters that much,” said Angela.
    “What do you
mean, lass?” asked Gerald.
    “I’ll be the
laughing stock of Hull on Mayor-making day.”
    “You should
start reading the evening papers, Gerald, and stop looking in mirrors and then
you’d know Walter isn’t going to be Mayor this year.”
    “Not going to
be Mayor?” repeated Gerald.
    “No. The
present Mayor has opted to do a second term so Walter won’t be Mayor until next
year.”
    “Is that
right?” said Gerald with a smile.
    “And if you’re
thinking what I think you’re thinking, Gerald Haskins, this time it’s going to
cost you a tiara.”

JUST GOOD FRIENDS
    I woke up before him feeling slightly randy but I knew there was
nothing I could do about it.
    I blinked and
my eyes immediately accus-tomed themselves to the half light . I raised my head and gazed at the large expanse
of motionless white flesh lying next to me. If only he took as much exercise as
I did he wouldn’t have that spare lyre, I thought unsympathetically.
    Roger stirred
restlessly and even turned over to face me, but I knew he would not be fully
awake until the alarm on his side of the bed started ringing. I pondered for a
moment whether I could go back to sleep again or should get up and find myself
some breakfast before he woke. In the end I settled for just lying still on my
side day-dreaming, but making sure I didn’t disturb him. When he did eventually
open his eyes I planned to pretend I was still asleep- that way he would end up
getting breakfast for me. I began to go over the things that needed to be done
after he had left for the office. As long as I was at home ready to greet him
when he returned from work, he didn’t seem to mind what I got up to during the
day.
    A gentle rumble
emanated from his side of the bed. Roger’s snoring never disturbed me.
    My affection
for him was unbounded, and I only wished I could find the words to let him
know. In truth, he was the first man I had really appreciated. As I gazed at
his un-shaven face I was reminded that it hadn’t been