It was 1977 or 78. I got a call from Eric Clapton to pick up a package from an address in the west end of London. I was asked to do it myself because there was a need for integrity. I should go to this address with a nondescript vehicle go to the top of the stairs and knock. I would be given a package to take to Eric at his home, which of course I knew.
I knocked at the top of the stairs and was let into a small jewellery "factory" for want of another word. A man was working on a gold necklace. It was a group of 18 milk churns connected by chain in 18 carat gold for an 18th birthday. It really was a magnificent work of art. Each milk churn had a twist of ivy coiled around it the necklace was stunning. He had not quite finished making it so I stayed and chatted with him as he worked.
I asked him how he could work with so much value around him in a place which was so unguarded. He said to me "you were vetted before you were given this address?" I told him yes in a sense. He said "did you expect to find this?" I said "no" he said "there you have it, discretion. To make this place thief proof would be more trouble than it would be worth". Anyway, the necklace was put into a paper bag and then into a white plastic bag such as you get at a supermarket. I drove to Eric's place in a Morris 1100. You can't get more nondescript than that….!!
Eric said thank you and mentioned that it was for his girlfriend's 18th birthday. I left
Bill.
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