In mid-August 1977, after Pinter and Fraser had spent two years living in borrowed and rented quarters, they moved into her former family home in Holland Park,Fraser, Must You Go? 29, 65–78, and 83. where Pinter began writing Betrayal. He reworked it later, while on holiday at the Grand Hotel in Eastbourne, in early January 1978.Fraser, Must You Go? 85–88. After the Frasers' divorce had become final in 1977 and the Pinters' in 1980, Pinter married Fraser on 27 November 1980.Fraser, "27 November — The Diary of Lady Antonia Pinter", Must You Go? 122–23. Because of a two-week delay in Merchant's signing the divorce papers, however, the reception had to precede the actual ceremony, originally scheduled to occur on his 50th birthday.Billington, Harold Pinter 271–76. Vivien Merchant died of acute alcoholism in the first week of October 1982, at the age of 53.Billington, Harold Pinter 276. Billington writes that Pinter "did everything possible to support" her and regretted that he ultimately became estranged from their son, Daniel, after their separation, Pinter's remarriage, and Merchant's death.Billington, Harold Pinter 276 and 345–47.
In mid-August 1977, after Pinter and Fraser had spent two years living in borrowed and rented quarters, they moved into her former family home in Holland Park,Fraser, Must You Go? 29, 65–78, and 83. where Pinter began writing Betrayal. He reworked it later, while on holiday at the Grand Hotel in Eastbourne, in early January 1978.Fraser, Must You Go? 85–88. After the Frasers' divorce had become final in 1977 and the Pinters' in 1980, Pinter married Fraser on 27 November 1980.Fraser, "27 November — The Diary of Lady Antonia Pinter", Must You Go? 122–23. Because of a two-week delay in Merchant's signing the divorce papers, however, the reception had to precede the actual ceremony, originally scheduled to occur on his 50th birthday.Billington, Harold Pinter 271–76. Vivien Merchant died of acute alcoholism in the first week of October 1982, at the age of 53.Billington, Harold Pinter 276. Billington writes that Pinter "did everything possible to support" her and regretted that he ultimately became estranged from their son, Daniel, after their separation, Pinter's remarriage, and Merchant's death.Billington, Harold Pinter 276 and 345–47.