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The curtains close on him and food is served The food is delicious of course, but I findto eat I keep thinking that this is whatof the same type of e in co the dessert, the last event of the night begins

The Precious Iteuests take off their jewelry or personal iteive them up to be auctioned The iteether with the little receipts that have been left on each table describing the iteether with a suggested starting price

One of the ladies at our table bequeaths her pearl necklace, another offers her rose-gold bracelet, and I take off s and place them on the platter

The auction starts with Lady Schloss’s Cartier watch On the screen behind the podiu price is £2,00000 After a lively bidding it goes to her husband for £5,70000 The same process is ives up her jewelry for auction Her husband or fiancé ends up winning it back for her It is all good-natured fun and a bit of charity included

Then it is s

‘Kindly donated by Miss Tasha Evanoff,’ the auctioneer announces ‘A pair of perfectly cut, flawless Brazilian emeralds set in platinum Each perfect emerald is 45 carats’

He lifts his hand

‘Let’s start the bidding of at £5,000 Do I hear any takers? Yes, we have To the gentleman at the back At the side here £5,500 Do I hear £6,000 Yes, we have £6,000 £6,500 £7,000 to the gentleentleman in the red tie over at the side £8,000 We have £8,500 This is a rare opportunity to buy a truly exquisite pair of earrings £9,000 £9,500 £10,000 £10,500 Coood cause Well done, we have £11,000 in the front Anymore bids?’

He looks around hopefully

‘Going once Going twice’ He nods at Oliver who has just raised his hand ‘Thank you, Sir We have £11,500’

I smile sweetly at Oliver All eyes are on us and we are both playing the part of a couple deeply in love