Chapter 7

From the Journal of Honey Sutton December 18, 1936

I hope that Toppy and Archie's wedding will make Hub think even more seriously about whether or not he really wants to be a priest. If he does become one, I will be very proud, but he will be giving up a lot and he needs to understand that. I wish Joe could be with us this Christmas Day. I understand that he has to be with his new fighter Toby "the Manitoba Mauler" Pole when he makes his Toronto debut on the Saturday night afterwards. Nonetheless, my brother hasn't been in New Bedford in four years and I miss him terribly.

From New Bedford Chronicle December 23, 1936

Marriage

At 1st Presbyterian Church last Saturday, Mrs. Geraldine Bailey, only child of the late Mr. and Mrs. Michael Brown of New Bedford, became the bride of Archibald Attenborough, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Chester Attenborough also of New Bedford. The bride was attended by her matron of honor Mrs. Vanaver Mainwaring, her bridesmaids Mrs. Lawrence Bridgeman, Mrs Max Sutton, and Miss Doris Bailey, and flower girl Violet Bailey. The groom was attended by best man Mr. Theodore Attenborough of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and groomsmen Mr. William Attenborough also of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Mr. Max Sutton, and Mr. James Flett. Rev. Peter Hall officiated. The happy couple will reside in New Bedford.

Grace Mainwaring to Sally Henry December 21, 1936

The wedding actually came off. By and large, everyone behaved well. Rifts were papered over and sleeping dogs let lie. Doris looked a little disgruntled, but mostly held her tongue and did her duty. She even sounded halfway sincere when she wished Archie and Toppy happiness at the wedding supper. Maisie did her best not to let Doris' haughty attitude towards her, her Toronto slum background, and her career ambitions get too far under her skin.

Mother and I did have to intervene and make both of them apologize and make up after their one spat. Doris made a nasty remark about Maisie's late mother. Maisie retaliated by suggesting that perhaps, when she became a doctor, she could operate to remove Doris' inflated opinion of herself. They did manage to keep the peace after that. Honey actually seemed glad to tap my glass as we toasted happy marriages. I admit to feeling a twisting in my stomach then as I wondered if Van and I would be able to put our marriage back together or if the war would even allow us the chance.

Thank heaven Henry lightened the mood soon after. He suggested that if New Bedford were a kingdom like the ones Max taught about in school this would be a marriage between powerful noble families or maybe even a royal marriage. Mother would be queen of course, Bob and I would be the prince and princess, and Toppy would be a member of the royal family by a previous marriage. Max broke all of us up by asking wryly if Archie would be the Duke of Pharmaceuticals. Henry told him not to joke. Our family controls the mine. Max is mayor and principal and Archie is a councilman and president of the merchants' association. We run practically everything that matters in this town.

I pointed out that the Cramps run the newspaper, the hotel, and the radio station and Mr. Graham manages the bank. Henry jokingly dismissed them as lowly commoners to whom we didn't have to pay any attention. I warned him not to let them hear him say that. I have to work for Mrs. Cramp and it would be hard to run the mine without our line of credit from the bank. Henry conceded that I had a point but we do run an awful lot of this town. I couldn't resist asking him what we should do with all that power. Perhaps raise an army of knights and ride out to conquer Northbridge. Henry replied that someone should after the beating they gave our high school hockey team the last time we played.

The ceremony itself was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Toppy was as radiant as a bride should be as she walked down the aisle. Archie was beaming as he waited for her. Violet was absolutely darling as she walked in front of Toppy strewing rose petals in her path. I admit that I cried a little. Toppy has been through so much in the past three years. If anyone deserves this kind of happiness, she does. . .

From the Memoirs of Grace Bailey -

When Archie and Toppy departed on their honeymoon, I was left alone in Toppy's house. The place was far too quiet without Toppy's warmth and cheerfulness. That would change when she and Archie returned, but I wouldn't be there to see it. I had no intention of being the crowd to their company. A newly married couple should have the first months of their marriage to themselves. Both had been very generous in telling me that they wouldn't hear of me leaving and that the house was as much my home as theirs. When they pleaded with me to stay, I told them that I would consider it, but I knew even then what I would have to do.

On the evening of the second day after the wedding, I packed up my things and left a note for them. Then I drove over to the New Bedford Inn and checked into a room. Mrs. Cramp was at the desk as she usually was when not busy at CRNB. She liked to keep an eye on all of the businesses she and her husband owned. Naturally, she wanted to know what I was doing there only a few days before Christmas. I think she was disappointed when I told her the truth straight off. She would have preferred to worm it out of me through relentless interrogation.

Robert Bailey to Grace Mainwaring December 22, 1936

It was wonderful to see you again. I am so relieved that Mother and I have begun to patch up our differences. I am hopeful that we can go even farther in this direction in the near future. Keep it under your hat, but Hugo Gerrard may not be a sticking point between us for very much longer. . . I have to apologize again for Doris' bad behavior. Please, try to understand. The divorce was hard on her and seeing her mother married to another man only drives home for her the fact that things are never going to be the way they were again.

I appreciate the efforts that Maisie and Toppy's assistant, Rebecca Graham, made to be friendly to Doris. It was good to finally meet Maisie. Underneath her rough edges, she has a warm heart and a sound character. Rebecca is a sweet girl and her father seems to have a better grasp of business than his predecessors as manager of the New Bedford branch of the Royal Dominion Bank. I'm sorry her mother was feeling indisposed and couldn't make it to the ceremony. I would have liked to have met her. . .

I thought that Archie purchasing half ownership of Toppy's house was an elegant solution for the problem of where they would live after they marry. No one will call Archie a kept husband while Toppy doesn't have to give up all of the independence that the house means to her. I suppose that you'll be paying half your rent to Archie from now on. . .

From the Memoirs of Grace Bailey -

Two nights after leaving Toppy's house, I walked out through the front door of CRNB, pulling my overcoat tightly to me against the brutal chill. The town square was empty of everything except a handful of cars and a cold and sterile blanket of snow. If it hadn't been for three or four lighted windows, I could have imagined that everyone else in New Bedford had vanished and I was the only living person there.

My thoughts as I walked were of Toppy and Archie's newfound happiness and the steady affection that endured between Max and Honey even when they were at loggerheads. They should have been comforting. Instead, they only intensified my longing for Van. Our marriage may have been of shaky legality because he married me under a false name, but emotionally it felt as real as the pavement beneath my feet. That Van had been understanding enough of the tentative state and uncertain future of our still healing relationship to forgo certain marital joys when we were last together only strengthened my feelings for him.

As I approached the New Bedford Inn, I saw a familiar sedan parked in front. I was sure that I was mistaken, but on closer examination, I recognized the dents and scratches on the fenders and running boards. Mother's driving being what it was, there were a lot of them. I rushed down the sidewalk and into the hotel. My mother was waiting patiently for me in the lobby, Juanita by her side. Juanita was apologetic. She told Mother that she shouldn't be going out so late after a strenuous day of Christmas preparations but Mother had to see me. When Mother remained adamant, Juanita reluctantly gave in. I asked Mother why she was there.

"I know things have been hard for you lately," she began gently. "You've suffered terribly. I worry about you. You shouldn't spend the Christmas season by yourself in a lonely hotel room. You should be with your family. Please, come home."

"But, Mother. Aren't things crowded enough with Maisie and Juanita there and Cousin Jessie staying over the holidays."

"There will always be room for you in my house and in my heart, Grace, for as long as I live."

"That's . . . very kind of you, Mother. It's just that coming home to you with my marriage so unsteady would make me feel like such a failure."

"You are not a failure, Grace. Van is far more responsible than you for the problems in your marriage. Frankly, I think that you are being very generous in trying to rebuild what he almost destroyed by his betrayal."

"Mother! I've forgiven him for that just as he's forgiven me for my stupid attempt at revenge."

"I know. I accept that, but I can't help being like any other mother. It hurts me to see my child hurting. It is difficult to forgive the person responsible even if he has tried to make amends for his conduct."

"As long as he keeps trying, he deserves my support."

"I don't say he doesn't. You haven't chosen an easy path, waiting for him to come back from a war and hoping to be able to salvage your marriage when he does. You don't have to walk it alone."

"I'm grateful, but I have to stand on my own two feet."

"No one doubts your ability to do that after what you've achieved at CRNB, not even me anymore. You've been good to others often enough when times were hard. Let us be good to you now that you need it. Come home, at least over Christmas." A mischievous glint came into her eye. "If you find me too overbearing, you can always move back here."

Next Post-in two weeks: Grace for the Republic. Max takes a stand.