The Hull Home Fire (21 page)

“I guess Emerson has to go by the letter of the law,” Mike said. “Still, it
must be hard for family and friends of the deceased to accept.”

Dr. Kennedy nodded. “Civil suits can be brought against him. We’ll have to wait
and see if anyone does.”

“Do you think Alice will bring one ?”

“It’s not in her nature. As far as she’s concerned, Dot’s gone.
Dragging the Hulls through court for what could turn out to be years won’t be
worth whatever compensation she might win.”

Mrs. Simms laid a fresh pot of tea on the table. “Dr. Gibbs.” She tutted. “Your
missus will be at the airport, luggage in hand, thinking you’ve forgotten about
her.”

Mike rose from the table. “Thank you for the reminder, Mrs. Simms.”

“A bit of good luck,” Dr. Kennedy said, the twinkle back in his eyes. “Lilah’s
right on time for the wedding.”

DOUGIE
,
DRESSED IN A BORROWED
suit, walked Mary
down the aisle. Flora sat with Alice and Tom in the first pew. “Dougie looks
some grown up,” Flora said, a handkerchief to her eyes. “He looks more like his
father every day.” She raised her eyes to the crucifix above the altar. “Thank
the Lord that’s where the resemblance ends.”

Father Whitten smiled at the boy. “Who gives this woman in matrimony ?”

Dougie stood tall. “Me and Mom do.” Mary kissed his cheek and handed her white
roses to Jean Baker.

“You look beautiful,” Henry said as Mary stood next to him.

The ceremony began with Alice and Flora wiping their eyes often, stopping only
when they reached the reception for family and a few close friends. The meal of
stuffed chicken was a big hit with everyone.

“That’s a lovely pale green suit your daughter is wearing,” Lilah Gibbs said as
Mary and Henry danced together for the first time as man and wife. “It’s very
flattering. She could be featured in a fashion magazine.”

“Mary is a picture to behold,” Flora said, her eyes
watering.

“Ah, Mom,” Dougie said. “Don’t start bawling again.”

Fred Russell had left his bakery job an hour early to attend the wedding. He
held his head up proudly. “They sure do make a handsome couple.”

Lilah Gibbs smiled. “They certainly do.”

Fred unbuttoned his jacket, which was made a little more snug from the two
plates of dinner he devoured before anyone had finished the first. “Henry will
make a fine doctor one day. Always said the boy was destined for good
things.”

“Tell me, Fred.” He had earlier insisted Lilah call him by his Christian name.
“Have you any children ?”

Fred beamed. “Indeed I do,” he said, and held up seven fingers.

“What a large family.”

“Not in these parts, it ain’t. We had one every year. The oldest is twenty-six
on down to twenty. Four boys, three girls. All married and living in town.” He
made a face. “Still waiting on grandchildren.”

“Your wife couldn’t make the wedding ?”

“Her mother’s a mite under the weather. My missus is gone around the bay to
look after her.”

Tom leaned into Mike. “You’d better rescue Lilah,” he whispered. “Fred will
talk her ear off.”

Mike cocked his head to the side. “She’s loving every second.”

The music ended. Henry and Mary walked to the table, the groom’s arm around his
bride’s waist. “That’s enough dancing for one night,” he said, pulling out a
chair for Mary.

Lilah stood up. “Both of you come with me,” she said. “I want a private
word.”

Tom gazed at Mike. “What’s that all about ?” he said,
watching
his son and new daughter-in-law follow Lilah across the dance floor.

Mike smiled as if he had learned a secret no one else knew. “My dear wife is
always up to something.”

Lilah headed toward the female washroom.

“I can’t go in there, “Henry said, coming to an abrupt halt at the door.

“Who’s going to stop you ?” Lilah said, herding him and Mary inside.

Henry’s eyes darted around the room. “Someone might come in.”

“That’s easy enough to remedy,” Lilah said, and locked the door. “Now we won’t
be disturbed.”

“But...” Henry’s voice trailed away when Mary giggled.

Lilah took in the newlyweds with one glance. “Mike told me all about your
dilemma.”

Mary blushed all the way down to her neck.

“My girl,” Lilah said. “You’ve nothing to be ashamed of. When Mike and I were
married I was three months in the family way. In the family way,” she repeated.
“I do love that expression.”

“Mrs. Gibbs,” Henry said.

“Call me Aunt Lilah.”

“Aunt Lilah, I don’t feel at home in here. What is it you want to discuss with
us ?”

“A baby is a precious gift, not something that hinders what you want from
life.”

Henry took Mary’s hand in his. “The difference between our situation and yours
is that your uncle Mike was a practising doctor and making good money at the
time.”

“Let’s get down to it,” Lilah continued. “We’re all family. Will you allow Mike
and me to help ?”

“That’s generous of you,” Henry said. “But I won’t take any
handouts.”

Mary smiled up at Henry. “My husband is a proud man.”

The door handle rattled. Henry jumped. “A woman’s trying to get in.”

“All full,” Lilah called, and turned back to Henry and Mary. “You
misunderstand. I’m offering both of you a way to earn your own money. Mary, your
mother showed me the most exquisite quilt I’ve ever seen. One that you
made.”

“Anyone can make quilts.”

“Not in Toronto, my dear. I doubt you’d be able to keep up with the orders.”
Lilah winked. “And I’m acquainted with the right circle of money people. Henry,”
she carried on, to prevent either one from voicing an objection, “you planned on
working part-time anyway.”

“On my own, renting a small room, it would work.” He pulled Mary closer. “A
house is another issue altogether.”

“You could stay with us.”

“No,” Mary said. “That would be too much of an intrusion.”

“I agree,” Henry said.

“You young people,” Lilah sighed. “Always reaching the wrong conclusion without
waiting for all the information. We have a furnished apartment over the garage.
Our oldest son and his wife lived there until they could afford to buy a house.
You can have it rent-free, as they did.” She put up a hand to stall an
objection. “If that’s unsuitable, you and my husband can come to a suitable
payment.”

“You hardly know us,” Mary said.

“In all the time I’ve been with my husband, he’s never been this happy or at
peace. Please don’t disappoint him.”

Henry studied his new aunt. “Tell me,” he said. “How come Uncle
Mike didn’t talk to us himself ?”

“It’s like this, love.” Lilah smiled. “I really do love your Newfoundland
expressions. This is my way of proving that I’m one hundred per cent behind the
plan.” She unlocked the door. “Actually,” she added, “I thought up the brilliant
idea.”

“
WELL ?
”
MIKE SAID WHEN LILAH
rejoined him at the
table.

She turned to the young couple on the floor, who were doing a jig to “All
Around the Circle.” Fred and Flora danced next to them, kicking up their heels
with the energy of youngsters.

Mike put a hand on her chin and turned her face to him. “Lilah, what
happened ?”

“Sweetheart, when have I ever not gotten my way ?”

“Thank you,” Mike said, and kissed her cheek. “By the way, did I ever tell you
why I chose you to be my wife ?”

Lilah raised her eyebrows in mock surprise. “Because I won you over, of
course.”

“It’s because you reminded me of a Newfoundlander.”

“Did you tell Tom and Alice about the plan yet ?”

“He did,” Tom said, coming to the table with whiskies for him and Mike. He
looked out at the dance floor and sighed. “My son the doctor.” He smiled at
Alice. “Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think ?”

Alice laughed out loud.

Tom stared at her. “What’s so funny ?”

She hugged him. “Nothing at all, Henry, love. Nothing at all.

Thanks once again to Paul Butler for his expertise and guidance. A special
thanks to my mother for her first-hand knowledge of the fire and the devastating
effect on the community. And thank you to Garry Cranford and Jerry Cranford for
giving me the opportunity to share this story.

LINDA ABBOTT
was born in St. John's, the eighth
in a family of ten children. She is a graduate of Memorial University, with a
Bachelor of Arts and Education. She holds a Certificate in French from Laval
University, Quebec City, and attended the Frecker Institute in St. Pierre. She
is a retired French Immersion teacher, having spent most of her career at Holy
Trin-ity Elementary School in Torbay.
The Hull Home Fire
is her second
novel. Her first novel was the critically acclaimed bestseller
The Loss of
the Marion
. She resides in St. John's.